The Genius Reason You Should Swap Out Your Lip Liner for a Highlighter Pencil
From someone who *knows* what she's talking about.
May we blow your full-lip-loving and simultaneously highlighter-obsessed minds? Get this: When makeup artist Carmindy gives living legend Isabella Rossellini her signature red lip, she doesn't use a lip liner, like we've all been told to do when wearing a bold shade. She uses a *highlighter pencil.* Why, you ask? Because it makes her pout look fuller but not in an obviously-overdrawn kind of way.
"It captures light and gives the lips a natural, fuller look that enhances them without having to draw on a false shape," Carmindy tells us.
In addition to being a more ✨lit✨, natural-looking, and harder-to-mess-up alternative, there's another benefit: It also ensures your lip color stays in the lines.
"The waxy texture of a pencil works well to stop bleeding," explains Carmindy, whose go-to is Benefit's High Brow Glow Luminous Highlight & Lift pencil.
If you're opposed to pencil usage for any reason (or just don't have one—in which case see our recs below), you can also use a highlighting powder or cream around the lips.
And then of course there's the trick you probably already know: Trace just the "v" with a highlighting product to make your cupid's bow pop.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
Princess Kate Is Planning a Christmas Party to "Rival" King Charles and Queen Camilla's Festivities
Other members of the Royal Family are "waiting to see how Charles’ health holds up."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
10 Unexpected Ways to Style Cowboy Boots
Here's how to embrace the footwear trend without looking like a rodeo extra.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Zendaya Puts Your Work Bag to Shame With a $3,000 Designer Tote
She's carrying one of the most famous rich-girl bags of all time.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
What Is Sugar Waxing? Everything to Know, According to Experts
It's also less painful than some alternatives.
By Iman Balagam Published
-
13 Best Drugstore Concealers That Feel Surprisingly Luxurious
Great things *do* come with small price tags.
By Iman Balagam Published
-
Starface Founder Julie Schott Shares Her Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The entrepreneur spoke to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
By Sadie Bell Last updated
-
This Valentino Perfume Is the Best Fragrance of 2024, According to Beauty Experts
It's a layerable, floral fragrance.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Is Colostrum the New Collagen?
Doctors and wellness professionals have a lot to say about TikTok's supplement of the moment.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
TikTok Is Making "Unsexy" Beauty Products Seem Very Appealing
There's more to worthwhile products than pretty packaging.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Fendi's First Fragrances Are Designed for Fashion Obsessives
It's finally available to shop.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Beauty Experts Called Out Youthforia's New Foundation in May. The Founder Apologized Four Months Later
This isn't the way to do inclusive shades.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated