Written by Lilit
What’s up, ombré? Coming to you straight from Australia (by way of Novato, California), beautiful blogger Lilit of Makeup and Macaroons shows how to create a fantastic makeup effect in three simple steps.
Ombré is everywhere — ombré eyes, hair, and even ombré nails.
But what exactly is ombré? And can you do it to your lips?
Ombré is French for an effect with a gradual colour transition from light to dark; for example, with hair, when the ends are deliberately lighter than the roots. Notice I said, “deliberately,” and not the usual “I can’t be bothered with it” regrowth.
And yes, you can do it to your lips. In fact, here’s how!
You’ll need…
- 1 x dark lipstick — I used MAC Up The Amp ($14.50 US; $36 AUD)
- 1 x light lipstick (or concealer) — I used one of my favorite lighter colors from a local Australian brand Innoxa Matte Lipstick in Peaches & Cream ($14.95 AUD) because it creates a concealer-like effect
TIPS: I think it’s better to use fairly opaque lip colours for this effect because you want to get enough coverage both with the first dark layer, and then again with the light layer on top. So, ladies, set aside those Rouge Cocos for this look.
Step 1: Apply the darker, opaque lipstick straight from the tube
And I’d suggest leaving the lipliner alone for this, unless you’re going for a ’90s throwback look.
Step 2: Apply the lighter lipstick (or concealer) in the middle of your pout
Step 3: Blend
Using your finger, blend the lighter colour into the darker one, while being careful to leave the edges darker than the middle.
Optional Step 4: Add a clear gloss
An optional step. For more of a modern edge, add a clear gloss on top.
And you’re done! I hope you enjoyed. 🙂
Written by Lilit
Lilit was born in Armenia but has lived in Australia for more than 20 years. She started her blog, Makeup and Macaroons, to save her husband from having to listen to her explain the benefits of MAC lipsticks over every other brand, and why a girl can never have too many peachy blushes. She and her husband both travel a lot, and their favourite places to go are off the beaten track, especially in South America — basically, places where you don’t need makeup at all, not that that stops her from bringing an entire suitcase filled with it (and adding more along the way).
Kewt-ified Nails says
August 14th, 2011 at 2:37 pmThat is really cool and unique! I LOVE the ombre nail look (the hair… I once saw a funny tweeter say “ombre hair is just a fancy excuse for not dying the roots” LOL it’s hard to master properly). Thanks for sharing this post 😀
Kewt-ified Nails recently posted … Blonde Inspiration: Smile!
Aleeya says
August 14th, 2011 at 2:46 pmThanks for the post! I been hearing about doing this for hair but for lips is absolutely awesome. I’m gonna try this out tonight when I go out.
The Amber Dawn says
August 14th, 2011 at 2:56 pmI did this years ago for a concert…. But it was to see Marilyn Manson, so I used black and blood red. 😉
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 12:50 amOooh that would have looked quite fierce no doubt!
pearl says
August 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pmsuch an informative post… Thank you 🙂
dani@callitbeauty says
August 14th, 2011 at 3:51 pmLOVE this! i’ve been toying with doing an ombré effect on my hair but i think i’ll stick to nails & lips until i’ve made a decision :p.
great post, lilit!
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Summer Skincare
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 12:51 amMe too, toying with idea of getting hair ombred but worried that by the time I makeup my mind it will not longer be hip and I’ll look like a tragic reject from 2011.
Sana says
August 14th, 2011 at 4:03 pmWell done! I would love to see how this looks with a dark red lipstick as a base … I guess I’ll have to try it out myself 🙂
Sana recently posted … 022 – Electric Purple Look
Ada says
August 14th, 2011 at 4:09 pmOoo, this looks like it’ll be pushed into a cool over-the-top direction if you used a slightly darker lipliner too!
Ada recently posted … Monterey Bay: CANDY FOREVER
Stacey says
August 14th, 2011 at 4:37 pmvery pretty!! never thought of doing an ombre effect on the lips…definitely going to try this!
Lily says
August 14th, 2011 at 5:22 pmI don’t think I’ll do this look. It’s like a flashback of the dark lip liner and lighter lipstick look. Might be fun for Halloween though.
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 12:54 amThere is that risk, but if you use 2 colours fairly close to each other you should be fine. Or as you said, save it for Halloween!
Jianing says
August 14th, 2011 at 5:52 pmThis is super nice! It looks nice, I’ll be trying it out, but since I’m not too adventurous I might pick two colors that are closer :0 I’ve been playing around with ombre-ing my hair, might as well do lips too! Haha
Lilit says
August 14th, 2011 at 6:19 pmThanks for having my post up Karen, and thanks so much everyone for your comments. It’s definitely one of those looks that you want to go easy on otherwise you’ll look like you escaped from the 90s. To keep it modern the colours, should be only about 3 shades different from each other. xo
Lilit recently posted … Chi Chi Viva La Diva – Lipstick Love
Liz! says
August 14th, 2011 at 7:20 pmBeautiful look Lilit! So weird, I just stumbled across your blog yesterday (and loved it!) and now here you are on MBB! Twilight Zone moment!
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 12:49 amHe he he I’ve got the Twighlight Zone theme song in my head now!
Chris25 says
August 14th, 2011 at 7:28 pmWhat a cool look!
Crystal says
August 14th, 2011 at 7:46 pmThis was a great post! I will definitely be trying this with different colors and seeing which ones work the best 🙂
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cclarebear says
August 14th, 2011 at 7:47 pmLILIT!!! Very impressed by your guest post.
I rock an ombre-almost lip sometimes… I find a bright pink lipstick with an orange centre looks particularly cool.
cclarebear recently posted … Makeup Your Mind Mondays: Project Nail Repair Starts Today
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 12:48 amClare, only you can rock bright pink with an orange centre and look cool! Totally need to try it!
Larie says
August 14th, 2011 at 9:19 pmFun! I can’t wait to try this.
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Jenn says
August 15th, 2011 at 12:44 amI love it! It gives the lips so much more dimension 🙂
Jenn recently posted … Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick: 587 Dior Kiss, 554 It Pink
Ling says
August 15th, 2011 at 1:01 amWOW, never thought of ombre lips! Good on you, Lilit!!!!
Rin says
August 15th, 2011 at 2:58 amWow, such a great colour combo! What a neat idea.
Saumya says
August 15th, 2011 at 3:41 amtotally stunning .. :)very good post Lilit ..
Sarah S. says
August 15th, 2011 at 7:37 amAwesome post, Lilit! ~fan of your blog for months now 🙂
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 2:19 pmHi Sarah, nice to see you here!
Natasia says
August 15th, 2011 at 8:52 amI love this look! I would never have thought of that on my own. I’m totally coveting the Australian brand.
Vintage says
August 15th, 2011 at 9:18 amThis is awesome! I love it Lilit 🙂
miléna says
August 15th, 2011 at 10:06 amThat is cute, but just so you know: ombré isn’t a french word. We have ombragé, but that was a totally different meaning, and ombrer but it’s a verb. Ombre is a noun but that means shadow, ombré doesn’t exist 😉
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 2:18 pmHow interesting, thanks for the clarification! 🙂
miléna says
August 15th, 2011 at 10:08 amThe French word for “an effect with a gradual colour transition from light to dark” would be “dégradé de couleurs”. I know French vocabulary isn’t the point at all ;))
Nicole says
August 15th, 2011 at 11:59 amLove your bright/awake eye look! What colors did you use?
Lilit - Makeup and Macaroons says
August 15th, 2011 at 2:17 pmHi Nicole, I used inglot shine e/s #40 (dark purple) all over lid then MAC phloof (frosted white/cream) in the inner corner of my eyes and brow bone. Also instead of using pencil eyeliner I smudged a little bit of black e/s (some random one, Jordana perhaps) in the lash line.
Jackie says
August 15th, 2011 at 6:02 pmUsually I hate tricks like this, but this really looks beautiful and like it would be easy to do and wear. Lovely and unique. 🙂
Freidra says
August 17th, 2011 at 9:53 amHmm, even with related lipsticks this stlil swerves dangerously close to dark lip liner and lighter lipstick. Still, your execution is very good.
artemis says
August 18th, 2011 at 3:45 amhehe, i’ve done this with a light and a medium blue based pinks a while ago <3 it's pretty, looks good on you