How to Overline Your Lips So They Look Naturally Fuller

Use a lip liner one shade deeper than your natural lip color and trace just outside your lip line, focusing on the cupid's bow and bottom center.

Everyone thinks bigger is better, but the best overlined lips look like you just have naturally great lips—which means restraint, not Instagram filters.

1. Map your natural lip line. Look straight ahead in good lighting and note where your lips naturally end. The goal is to extend this line by 1-2 millimeters maximum—any more looks obvious.
2. Choose the right liner shade. Pick a liner that's one shade deeper than your natural lip color, not your lipstick. This creates the shadow effect that makes the illusion work.
3. Start with the cupid's bow. Draw slightly outside the peaks of your cupid's bow, making them more pronounced. This is where overlining has the biggest visual impact.
4. Extend the bottom lip center. Focus on the center of your bottom lip, drawing just outside the natural line. Skip the corners entirely—overlining there screams artificial.
5. Blend and fill. Soften the liner with a small brush or your finger, then fill in with lipstick or gloss. The gradient should be seamless.