How to Contour Your Lips with Two Shades

Use a darker shade to outline and define, then fill with a lighter shade for dimension and fullness.

1. Prep your lips. Exfoliate with a lip scrub and apply a thin layer of balm. Blot excess so products grip properly. Clean lips hold color better and blend more smoothly.
2. Map your lip shape. Use the darker shade to trace just outside your natural lip line, focusing on the cupid's bow and corners. This creates the illusion of fuller, more defined lips without looking obvious.
3. Fill the outer edges. Blend the darker shade inward about 2-3mm from the lip line. Keep the intensity strongest at the edges where lips naturally cast shadows.
4. Apply the lighter shade. Fill the center of your lips with the lighter color, leaving the darker perimeter visible. Blend where they meet using gentle patting motions with your finger or a lip brush.
5. Define the center. Add a small dot of the lighter shade or highlighter to the center of your bottom lip. This catches light and amplifies the dimensional effect you've created.