Youth and beauty 

White lip contour. Basic requirements for choosing

I want to tell you about one more permanent resident of my cosmetic bag - this is a colorless lip liner. Some time ago, I began to notice that almost all lipsticks and glosses began to blur. And it's not pretty at all. And I thought about the outline. But as I presented the number and shades of my lip products, I realized that I won't buy pencils for all of them, and, in my opinion, it is difficult to guess perfectly with the color. And my friend advised me to try a colorless pencil. Why is it needed and why is it better than colored ones?

A colorless pencil, like tinted ones, is designed to prevent lipstick or gloss from spreading beyond the contours of the lips. It is usually quite dense in texture. What do I like about a colorless pencil? The first is logical - you don't need to buy dozens of different lip pencils, one is enough. Second - it fits all my lipsticks - it's also logical. Third, I like that with this tool I can achieve a not too graphic, but at the same time, a clear contour of the lips. And fourth, its quality is important for me - it does not change the color or texture of lipstick. More than once I saw when a dark pencil was chosen under a light lipstick, or vice versa. Or put a glitter pencil underneath the matte lipstick. I have no such ugliness - on the lips is visible only evenly lying lipstick, without spreading.

How do I use this pencil? I do not follow my lips exactly along the contour, as is usually the case with his colored brothers, but OUTSIDE the lips. This is important because the pencil itself has no color, and if you do not want to visually reduce the size of your lips, it is better to draw a line a little further than the edge of the lips. Then I paint my lips exactly to this colorless contour and that's it! I forget about him for the rest of the day! At work, I talk a lot, drink tea, have a snack. I always correct lipstick or gloss, but not a pencil. And everything stays fine until the very end of the day.

It remains to add that I have tried pencils from different companies, I think it will be useful to mention some of them. My very first was from the pharmacy 36 and 6. It cost only 99 rubles, and served perfectly until his last days, only under the very stumps the rod began to break off. Moderately soft, odorless and mother of pearl. My favorite lip pencil company, Be Yu, also makes a colorless pencil. It is, of course, more expensive, but it is softer and more pleasant. The price is about 250 rubles. And, for example, a slightly different pencil from Eva (price about 90 rubles). It is just very pearlescent. I bought it hoping to visually enlarge my lips. I thought to put them a "tick" above the upper lip, but it is too noticeable. Then I came up with this - I circle my lips with it, as with an ordinary colored one - along the contour, and on top, right on top of it, I paint with gloss. The contour is kept a little worse, but the lips acquire the same desired visual volume.

I will also name the brands that definitely have such pencils. These are Isa Dora, ELF, Bourjois, Make Up Forever, El Corazon, Mary Kay, Artdeco, Dr. Pierre Ricaud, many, many others. Only I would advise you to carefully study the lead. There are completely transparent, waxy, and there are pale pink or even white. There are also mother-of-pearl. Choose what is right for you. And they also say that for the same purpose, you can use a colorless wax pencil for eyebrows. I personally have not tried it, but why not?

For many women, using a lip liner is a must. With the help of this cosmetic product, you can somewhat correct the natural shape of the lips, make them more expressive. The contour of the pencil prevents lipstick or gloss from spreading and makes the makeup more durable.

When choosing a pencil in a store, first of all, you need to decide on its shape, the thickness of the lead. The most convenient to use is the average thickness of the lead. Manufacturers of cosmetic products produce both automatic pencils, the body of which is made of plastic, and wooden ones familiar to everyone.

Wooden pencils are more versatile. Outwardly, they look much more effective than automatic ones. If you sharpen them in a timely manner and correctly, then with the help of such pencils you can draw your lips very carefully. It is important that their body is made of soft wood so that there will be no problems with sharpening in the future.

When choosing a pencil, you need to pay attention to the softness of the lead. An extremely hard lead makes it difficult to line up and can damage the delicate skin of the lips, while a very soft lead leaves a greasy and messy line. In addition, the contour made with such a pencil spreads very quickly, making the makeup unstable.

Makeup artists advise you to choose only high-quality pencils from well-known manufacturers. These products are very easy to use. They perform not only a decorative function, but also care for the delicate skin of the lips.

Before making a purchase, you should carefully inspect the body of the pencil. There should be no cracks or chips on it. You also need to check the expiration date. Expired cosmetic products may cause allergies when used.

Lip liner color

Lip liner should be selected not only by its main characteristics, but also by color. Its color should completely match or be half a tone darker than lipstick. In the second case, it is very important to carefully blend the pencil in order to soften the clear line of the contour.

A colored pencil with the smallest pearlescent particles can visually make lips more voluminous. In high-quality cosmetic products, mother-of-pearl is practically invisible, but the effect of using such a pencil becomes noticeable immediately after its application.

In order not to select a pencil for each lipstick, you can choose one universal shade. For example, if a woman wears beige lipsticks, she can purchase a flesh-colored product and use it daily.

Recently, it has become very fashionable to use the so-called transparent lip liners. The line left by them is practically invisible, but at the same time it fulfills its main function, preventing lipstick from spreading. These pencils are perfect for lip gloss.

Lip liner is one of the girl's faithful assistants in creating flawless makeup. With its help, you can give the lips the desired shape, as well as draw a border so that the lipstick does not blur. If you use it skillfully, then your lips will become irresistible.

Quality


The pencil should not be too greasy, since such a contour will not be able to hold the lipstick for a long time and will flow rather quickly. Also, it should be moderately soft so that it fits well on the lips and does not damage them. A pencil that is too dry can crack when smiling or talking. Pay attention to the packaging of the pencil. The data necessary for selection are indicated there: tone, durability, additional care, active ingredients, shelf life and manufacturer.


Lead thickness


It matters when choosing a pencil. Too thin is only suitable for stroking the contour of the lips. Such a line is very difficult to shade, therefore stylists usually use such pencils. Choose for yourself with a wider lead. It can be used both as a thin contour and as a base for gloss or lipstick. Sometimes manufacturers make a blending brush on the other end of the pencil.



Lip liners can be beeswax, protein-based and silicone-based. Pencils on beeswax are well applied and lie flat; protein-based - easy to apply, but require constant adjustments; Silicone based - water resistant and great for summer use.



These include oils and vitamins. They additionally protect the skin of the lips from dryness, moisturizing it throughout the day. Oils skin, and vitamin supplements - nourish. The brightness of the color depends on the amount of added pigments.


Color fastness


You can read about it on the package of the pencil. It can be water-resistant, super-resistant, or long-lasting. Waterproof or super resistant pencils are very convenient to use, but they can only be removed with special products marked “For waterproof makeup”. This is not suitable for dry skin. The rest of the pencils are persistent and can be washed off with regular makeup remover milk.


If your pencil cap has a sharpener, it might be worth changing. The lead from frequent contact will crumble, and very soon the pencil will be unusable. Better is a small sharpener that will lie separately.


All women dream of perfect lips - with a clear outline, slightly plump and even bright color. But not all, unfortunately, nature has awarded flawless lips. It is also worth considering such a factor as age - every year our lips lose their rich color, and the contour is "blurred".

In any situation, such a universal element of any women's cosmetic bag as a lip pencil can come to the rescue. We will tell you how to choose the right color, why you need this or that shade, how to paint your lips correctly, and even how to enlarge your lips with a pencil.

Why do you need a lip pencil

Makeup artists are not exaggerating when they say that a woman's cosmetic bag should contain not just one lip pencil, but a whole set. After all, this or that shade not only perfectly matches a certain lipstick, but also performs the function assigned to it. So, using a pencil you can:

  • make the lip contour clear;
  • align the shape of the lips. It is no secret that all facial features are far from proportional, this also applies to the lips, therefore, quite often even parts of the upper or lower lip differ in shape;
  • enlarge lips. In this case, there is only one rule - you should not draw the lip line much higher than the natural one, it is enough just to go slightly beyond the contour, add lip gloss to achieve a harmonious volume. Lip augmentation with a pencil is one of the popular methods among leading makeup artists;
  • reduce lips. Owners of too plump lips sometimes think about their reduction, and in this case they are helped by a pencil applied inside the borders of the lips;
  • the pencil is an excellent base for lipstick - its waxy texture holds the lipstick and prevents it from spreading. It can also be worn without lipstick.

How to choose a lip liner

Today, cosmetic brands offer a wide range, among which it will not be difficult to choose a suitable pencil and choose its color.

So, a silicone or wax pencil does an excellent job of smoothing the texture of the delicate skin of the lips, making them smooth. This is ideal primarily for age-related makeup, but also suitable for those who like to use pastel colors.

The waterproof pencil will appeal to those who do not have time to periodically correct their makeup during the day, but here it is worth remembering that, being harder than other types, it requires a careful study of the contour.

But a stick pencil, which is often used instead of lipstick, will be the most convenient option. A medium-hard lead will provide not only easy application, but also a thorough study of the lip contour.

When choosing, it is worth paying attention not only to its softness, but also to its composition. Many pencils contain nutrients (such as vitamins A, C and E, coconut oil or castor oil) - these are options for those with frequent dry, flaky or chapped lips.

Waterproof lip liner

There are two types: with resistant (last from 4 to 7 hours) and super-resistant rods. The most durable pencil lasts over 7 hours and gives a permanent effect.

Among the invaluable advantages of such a pencil is that it perfectly retains line and color throughout the day, it does not wear off even after you drink a cup of coffee, a glass of water or try a light snack. But using it, it is worth remembering that waterproof is one of the hardest representatives among pencils, and therefore can dry out the delicate skin of the lips a little. Also, to remove a trace from a waterproof pencil, you will need a special makeup remover for long-lasting cosmetics.

Colorless lip liner

Having become an absolute hit in recent seasons, pencils with a colorless shaft are usually made of silicone. What is a transparent pencil for? It does an excellent job of evening out the texture of the skin, and also creates a matte line, preventing lipstick or gloss from spreading, smudging on the lips. Since this contour pencil is colorless, it is perfectly compatible with any shade of gloss or lipstick.

White lip liner

This version of the pencil is useful in cases where the lips need to be made a little more voluminous - they outline the lips with a white pencil, slightly going beyond the boundaries, shade and powder. This method literally transforms lips in a couple of minutes, makes them seductive.

Nude lip liner

A flesh-colored pencil or a pencil matched to the tone of the lips can be used either to add additional volume to the lips (we outline with a slight overshoot) or to emphasize the natural shape. Also, a pencil of a natural shade is indispensable in cases where it is necessary to hide small imperfections on the surface of the lips.

How to paint lips with a pencil

After a suitable pencil is selected, you should figure out how to apply it correctly. In this matter, leading makeup artists advise you to follow the following algorithm:

  • first draw a check mark on the upper lip;
  • then successively draw small strokes along the contour of the right and left parts of the upper lip so that the parts are symmetrical. Already at this stage, it is worth remembering that for the natural shape of the lips it is necessary to trace the contour, for a small increase - slightly go beyond the contour (literally the thickness of the slate pencil) of the lateral sides of the lips;
  • after drawing the upper one, you should proceed to the lower lip - by analogy, it is worth starting from the center, gradually drawing the contour, moving to the corners and from the corners of the lips.
  • the outline can be lightly shaded with a cotton swab, or the pencil can be applied all over the lips to create a long-lasting lipstick base.
  • after the lip contour is ready, you can start applying lipstick.

How to sharpen a lip liner

Wooden pencils, unlike mechanical ones, need constant sharpening. If you do not do this, then it will be difficult to achieve a clear and even line when drawing the contour, especially since the edges of the pencil can slightly scratch the delicate skin of the lips. Any special sharpener, which is now present in the assortment of any cosmetic brand, is suitable for sharpening.

Before sharpening a pencil, make-up artists advise putting it in the freezer for literally 10 minutes so that the lead is frozen. After that, it will be enough to scroll it a couple of times in a sharpener to get a sharp end.

This method will prevent the lead from crumbling during sharpening, and the consumption of the pencil will be more economical. It is also worth noting that cooling does not damage the nutritional properties, and sharpening a pencil after such a procedure will be twice as fast.

How to replace a lip pencil

If suddenly the necessary shade was not in the cosmetic bag, then ordinary eyeliners can come to the rescue. Since their leads are harder, it is worthwhile to carefully draw the outline, avoiding scratches and minor damage to the skin of the lips.

And if you have a spectacular shade of lipstick without a suitable pencil and the desire to make a clear contour, then you can use a thin brush and circle your lips with the lipstick itself. For a more persistent option, repeat the procedure several times, blotting your lips with a napkin during breaks and gently dusting them with loose powder.

A pencil is an indispensable tool in every woman's cosmetic bag, with which you can model the shape and size of the lips, and the shape of the eyes. One pencil will not be enough, because a completely different contour is needed for daytime and evening makeup, as well as for special occasions.

The variety that modern manufacturers offer introduces customers to an even greater stupor. Questions arise, how to choose a lip liner so that it matches the color of the eyes and matches the overall style of make-up. Your favorite lipstick, brought with you to the store, as well as knowledge of some subtleties, will help you to choose the color of the pencil in the best way.

Basic requirements for choosing

The lip liner creates a flawless contour and helps keep the lipstick or gloss securely within the defined contour, preventing it from spreading onto the skin. It is difficult to imagine a neat make-up that is made without using a liner.

The first thing that worries all women is color. If the pencil is used not only to highlight the contour, but will paint the entire surface of the lips with it, it is better to choose a universal color that completely repeats the natural one.


To add volume to lips that are too thin or narrow, make-up artists recommend using a pencil of a lighter shade. There may be several options:

  • choose a product one shade lighter than the color of lipstick;
  • paint the lips along the contour first with a white pencil, which must be carefully shaded, and only after that apply lipstick;
  • use a beige liner.

The composition as well as the texture of the cosmetics is of great importance. In addition to the color pigment, wax, vegetable fats, vitamins and minerals are also used as the main ingredients. Just like an eyeliner, a lip liner shouldn't be too hard or it will injure delicate skin and cause unpleasant soreness. On the other hand, if you paint your lips too soft, the contour will spread and will not be able to hold the lipstick or gloss.


When buying, be sure to pay attention to the composition, date and country of manufacture, manufacturer.

It is better to trust only trusted brands, otherwise you can buy a cheap fake, which will not only not give your lips a beautiful outline, but also cause allergic reactions.

The outer shell matters

The choice of cosmetics on store shelves is pleasing to the eye. You can find any color and shade, choose a pencil with glitter or just matte. If we talk about external performance, then there are two main forms:

  • wooden shell;
  • plastic sheath.

Wooden pencils are made up of a lead, which is located inside a thin ball of soft wood. For visual decoration, the wood is varnished to match the color of the lead. When purchasing a wooden contour pencil, you also need to worry about a special sharpener. Many modern manufacturers prudently embed a sharpener directly into the cap of a cosmetic product.

Plastic liners are of two types:

  • mechanical;
  • automatic.

Mechanical ones must also be sharpened, while automatic ones have a special system for feeding the lead.

Manufacturers were also able to diversify wooden pencils in several varieties. They are:

  • unilateral;
  • bilateral.

Also, lip liners are distinguished depending on the thickness of the lead:

  • thin, you can only draw a contour;
  • thick can paint the entire surface of the lips.

Choose a product depending on your individual characteristics. If the skin of the lips is dry, prone to cracking, it is necessary to purchase cosmetics with a high content of aloe vera, palm and coconut oils, vitamins A and E.

Lip liner is beauty and health care in one tool.

How to properly draw lips with a pencil

New in the range of pencils

In addition to the long-known colored pencils for lips and eyes, as well as the rapidly gaining popularity of nude pencils, there are several more varieties of pencils that are not yet familiar to everyone:

  • Colorless liner. Using such a tool is very simple, and all the problems with choosing the right color are a thing of the past. Indeed, by applying a colorless pencil, a contour is created, beyond which the lipstick does not spread, while the lines themselves remain unnoticed and do not require a special selection for lipstick. This is a versatile and very convenient solution, which, moreover, can be used even by fans of gloss. The colorless pencil is suitable for any eye color.

  • Silicone. Outwardly, it looks a little like colorless, but only because there is no coloring pigment in its composition. However, their principles of operation are significantly different. Silicone stick contains a high content of wax, natural resins and cosmetic silicone. It is this composition that allows you to smooth out fine wrinkles and create a perfectly smooth lip surface. This is the most essential tool for creating age-related makeup.
  • Super durable. If you rarely used a pencil, because it washes off and requires constant adjustments, for which there is not enough time, you can use a special waterproof version. You will not be able to wash off such a pencil with plain water, so you need to purchase a make-up remover in the kit. Super-long-lasting cosmetics are suitable for all age groups, but women over 40 should refrain from dark shades that focus on fine wrinkles.

If there is very little time for makeup, and an excellent result is needed right now, you can apply a special lipstick pencil on your lips. He has a thick lead and when applied, the contour is simultaneously drawn and the surface of the lips is painted. Disadvantages include a less defined contour line compared to a thin lip liner.

The pencil will help a woman with any initial data to create an attractive and seductive lip shape, which she had only dreamed of before.