• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

A Subtle, Less Scary Way to Wear the Ombre Lip Trend

June 2nd, 2016 by Jen Clark 16 Comments

Loving the red ombre lip!
Loving the red ombre lip!

I can’t even tell you how often I’ll be scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram and see all these really cool chicks wearing the coolest makeup trends, then get super bummed because I don’t think I can actually pull them off! But even for makeup trends that are super scary, there’s usually a more wearable way to wear them, although we should all just be brave enough to wear whatever we want, whenevever we want. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

One of those trends I always “pin” but never wear is an ombre lip. I decided to grow a pair and just try it, and it turns out, I love it! And it turned out to be pretty wearable too! I could walk around wearing this and not feel like a crazy person, even though that’s sometimes a liberating feeling. 😉

I love how customizable ombre lips are; you can literally do whatever colors you want, and make them as dramatic as you want. For my lips here I decided to go with red and coral and fairly subtle.

1. Blank out the color of your lips

The first step is to use the leftover product of whatever you used for your foundation to blank out the color of your lips. This will make the lip colors you use more vibrant and longer lasting.

ombre lip tutorial
Using my leftover foundation on my beautyblender to pat over my lips

2. Line your lips, and bring in the color slightly at the inner corners

Next, use a lip liner in the darkest shade that you want to use for your ombre (gradient) effect. I used an ancient Sephora Collection Lip Liner in a deepish raspberry that I didn’t realize wasn’t available anymore (sorry about that!). Line your lips, and bring in the color slightly at the inner corners.

ombre lip tutorial
Line your lips using the darkest shade

Ombre lip tutorial
Sephora Collection Berry lip liner (discontinued)

3. Blend a coordinating lipstick into the liner

Now choose a lighter but coordinating lipstick color, and put that in the center of your lips. Then, blend it into the liner.

Go back and forth between the lip liner and the lipstick a couple of times to make sure the two sort of melt into each other. If you want a more dramatic lip look, choose colors with a lot of contrast between each other! I chose a more orange-toned lighter red from the Chris Chang x MAC collection called MAC Vermillion Vee (this one is limited edition, but it’s still available, so snatch it up if you want it now!)

ombre lip tutorial
Add a lighter shade in the center of the lips…
ombre lip tutoral
MAC x Chris Chang collection Lipstick in Vermillion Vee

4. For even more ombre, add another color

At this point you’ve got a bit of an ombre lip going, but I wanted a little more. Going a few steps lighter, I used Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Unapologetic for a bright pop of coral in the center. Again, go back and forth between this and the previous color to really blend them together well.

ombre lip tutorial
Add a bright coral pop to the center of the lips
ombre lip tutorial
Revlon Matte Balm in Unapologetic

5. For fuller lips, add a pop!

To make my lips look a little fuller, I’m using an old trick and popping a bit of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop in the very center of the lips. Champagne Pop was perfect for this look because it’s almost gold, which goes perfectly with these colors!

ombre lip tutorial
Add a dab of powder highlighter to the very center of the lips…

6. Clean up your lines

To clean up your lines, use a really thin lip brush and some concealer to make things look really sharp.

ombre lip concealer
Clean up!

Phew! That’s a lot of work for lipstick, but I guess it’s like spending time on eyeshadow or contouring or anything else. It’s a really cool look, and I think I just may take the time to treat my lips to something a little extra special every now and then. 🙂 Next up, purple and lavender!

Ombre lip tutorial
The finished look!

I hope I made the ombre lip trend a little less scary for you. Do you think you’ll ever give it a try? Maybe even go a little more dramatic than I did?

Jen Clark


Hi, beautiful! I’m Jen from Jen Leigh Beauty. Now, rather than just talking to myself about makeup, I write it down in a blog. Besides being madly in love with anything I can smear on my face (and sharing pics on Instagram), I’m more in love with my hunky husband, my sweet 2-year-old, and my fluffy fur baby. Thank goodness they put up with the madness, because I love chatting about my favorite things with people who understand the addiction.

A Subtle, Less Scary Way to Wear the Ombre Lip Trend / Originally published June 2nd, 2016

There are 16 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Guest Post, Makeup Tips/How To

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

Previous Post: The Forum: Answer My Beauty Questions and Ask Your Own!
Next Post: With Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF 30, Be a Sporty Sugar, Not a Sporty Spice

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel R. says

    June 2nd, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    Very subtle and pretty take on an ombre lip.

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 3rd, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      Thank so much, Rachel! 🙂
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  2. susan says

    June 2nd, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Very pretty! Amazingly, for a girl who doesn’t leave the house without blush, under eye concealer, tinted moisturizer/sunscreen, shadow, liner, mascara, & brow pencil, I consider lip liner one step too far LOL.

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 3rd, 2016 at 1:07 pm

      Haha I totally agree with you! Most of the time I just don’t have the patience, only on rare occasions 🙂
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  3. Becky says

    June 2nd, 2016 at 8:33 pm

    Thanks for the talk-through, Jen! It is less scary than I thought!! And it looks great-it really makes the lips look super full!

    Beekeyper – Latest post – Top Travel Tips to Eliminate Stress this Summer

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 3rd, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      You’re so welcome! I’m glad you like it! 🙂
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  4. Nivedita says

    June 3rd, 2016 at 1:35 am

    I love the overall makeup look. You are right about cool makeup. Not to sound too harsh, but most of the ‘cool’ makeup these days seem to be wearing the person rather than the other way round.

    Yours is such a classy take and you look so glamorously beautiful!
    Nivedita recently posted … Before and After Moroccan Oil Hair Smoothing Spa Treatment… smells and feels heavenly! ( Read till the end)

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 3rd, 2016 at 1:10 pm

      Thank you so much! It definitely is a style of makeup that you mostly see online rather than in real life, still though, it can be fun to go a little OTT on the makeup every now and then! 🙂
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  5. Lauren says

    June 3rd, 2016 at 8:08 am

    I havent even read the post yet but omg you look like a pinup girl…that’s a compliment! Super talented and you rock that lip color. Ok, gonna read now!

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 3rd, 2016 at 1:10 pm

      You’re so sweet, thank you so much!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  6. bliss says

    June 3rd, 2016 at 11:29 am

    So pretty!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 3rd, 2016 at 1:10 pm

      No problem! I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  7. Erin says

    June 3rd, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    That’s how MM did it!
    Erin recently posted … Ponzi Vineyards 2014 Pinot Gris

    Reply
  8. kwmechelle says

    June 3rd, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    Nailed it! Love the look you created. I’m not much into the ombré lip trend but the look you created seems way more wearable. Good job ?

    Reply
  9. Kiss & Make-up says

    June 4th, 2016 at 3:31 am

    Such a pretty pout! And the effect is indeed quite subtle, lovely.
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Video | L’Occitane ‘Summer is coming’ unboxing

    Reply
  10. Amber says

    June 4th, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    I love purple and lavender ombre lips. I also recently did a black and red ombre and it turned out really well. It was kind of hard but worth it!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

window bed balcony

Saturday Surfing, Jan. 23, 2021

briogeo at ulta

Briogeo Now at Ulta!

duri when in rome

I’ve Found the Perfect Pale Blue Denim Nail Polish, and It’s Only $8

duri when in rome

This Matte Brown Classic Eye Makeup Goes With Everything

sonoma public library

Road Tripping in the North Bay Area: Historic Sonoma Plaza

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.