How to Do Smokey Lips

Co-authored by Alana Schober

Last Updated: June 21, 2021 References

Smoky lips are a new trend in the makeup world that consists of layering sheer, black lipstick over opaque lipstick. The result is a darker, smokier shade. Some people like to put a different spin on the smokey lip by creating an ombre look instead that is more reminiscent of the smokey eye. This wikiHow will teach you how to do both!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Doing Traditional Smoky Lips

1
Get a colored, opaque lipstick and a sheer black lipstick. A smoky lip is a sheer black layered on top of a flat or matte, opaque lipstick. The black layer often has some shimmer as well.^{[1]
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Research source} Some companies, such as Lipstick Queen, sell kits that include a nude colored lipstick and a sheer, black, shimmery lipstick. You can use such a kit, if you prefer, or you can use lipstick from you own collection.
- The opaque lipstick can be any color your want. Red and purple are great choices, but you can also use a pinky nude as well.^{[2]
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- The black lipstick must be sheer, preferably with some shimmer to it.
2
Apply the base lipstick color. You can apply it straight from the tube or using a lipstick brush. Keep in mind that the black lipstick will darken this color by several shades.^{[3]
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Research source} You do not need to blot the lipstick, but you can smack your lips to help "spread" it more evenly. Having a little excess lipstick on you lips is actually a good idea, because it will help the sheer layer blend in better.

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3
Apply the black lipstick on top. Once again, the black lipstick must be sheer, or the final color will be too dark. It is best to apply this shade straight from the tube. This way, you will have more control over the layering.^{[4]
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4
Inspect the color, then add more layers, if desired. Sheer black lipstick will never come out pure black, which is the point of the smokey lip look. A single layer may be too light for you, however. If you want a darker shade, add another layer or two of sheer, black lipstick.^{[5]
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5
Make any touch ups, if needed. Use a lipstick brush to help blend out the color and layering. Take a close look at the outline of you lips, especially the corners. If something looks uneven, use a lipstick brush to fix it. Once you are happy with the look, you are ready to go.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Doing Ombre Smoky Lips

1
Apply a base lipstick color. For a classical look, choose a bright, flat red color. This look is different from the traditional smoky lip look in that it is more ombre. It is reminiscent of the smoky eye look.^{[6]
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- For a twist, try a different color, such as bright purple or pink.^{[7]
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2
Touch up the corners and edges with a lipstick brush. Use an angled lipstick brush to smooth out your base coat, especially around the outline and corners of your lips. You are not using lip liner for this look, but you still want it to be as sharp and neat as possible.^{[8]
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- Do not clean off your brush just yet. You will use the residual lipstick on the brush to blend everything together towards the end.
3
Outline the corners with black eyeliner. You can also use black lip liner instead, if you can find it. Start at the very corner of your lips and go inward towards the center, about ¼ to ⅓ of the way.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.} Don't worry if it looks weird at the moment; you will fix it in the next step.^{[10]
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- If you're using a lip liner pencil, hold it so you're applying the color with the side of the pencil rather than the tip. This will diffuse the line, making it easier to blend.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alana Schober
  Pout Pro Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}
- Focus most of the liner on the corners of your mouth, rather than the center so the lipstick can really pop in the center.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alana Schober
  Pout Pro Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}
- If your base lipstick was a lighter color, such as bright purple or pink, use a darker shade of the same color, such as plum (for purple) or maroon (for pink).^{[13]
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  Alana Schober
  Pout Pro Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}^{[14]
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  Research source}
4
Blend the eyeliner in using your lipstick brush. Gently sweep the brush across your lips, starting from the outer corner, and going inwards towards the center. Alternate between using the wider part of the brush on your lip, and the narrow part of the brush on the outline.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}^{[16]
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5
Keep blending until you have a smooth gradient. You want your lips to be darker at the corners and brighter towards the center. This will give your lips a smoky, vampy look, perfect for nighttime.^{[17]
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- If you need to, you can go back in and add a little more liner, blending it again until you're happy with your look.^{[18]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alana Schober
  Pout Pro Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}
6
Add touch of lip gloss to center of you lips, if desired. This look is already very pouty, but if you want to step things up a little add a dab of clear lip gloss to center of your upper and lower lip.^{[19]
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Community Q&A

Question

What do I need for ombre lips?

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Alana Schober is a Professional Makeup Artist at Pout by Lipsticknick, an inclusive beauty bar in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Alana specializes in hair and makeup. As a Licensed Comselotologist, she has worked for both MAC Cosmetics and Paul Mitchell. Alana's celebrity clientele includes Iggy Azalea, Solange, YG, and ASAP Nast. She has worked on campaigns with Nike, Adidas, Morphe, Jaclyn Hill Cosmetics, and Quay. Alana has also worked on countless music videos and photoshoots and her work has been featured on two billboards in Los Angeles.

Alana Schober

Pout Pro Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

You will need a dark lip liner, a clean makeup brush, and a tube of lipstick.
Question

How do you blend ombre lips?

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Alana Schober is a Professional Makeup Artist at Pout by Lipsticknick, an inclusive beauty bar in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Alana specializes in hair and makeup. As a Licensed Comselotologist, she has worked for both MAC Cosmetics and Paul Mitchell. Alana's celebrity clientele includes Iggy Azalea, Solange, YG, and ASAP Nast. She has worked on campaigns with Nike, Adidas, Morphe, Jaclyn Hill Cosmetics, and Quay. Alana has also worked on countless music videos and photoshoots and her work has been featured on two billboards in Los Angeles.

Alana Schober

Pout Pro Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Apply a dark lip liner around your lips and buff along the bottom of the product with a clean makeup brush. Apply your lipstick of choice and blot your lips together. Then, continue applying and buffing the liner until you're happy with the blend.
Question

How do you apply the lip liner?

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Alana Schober is a Professional Makeup Artist at Pout by Lipsticknick, an inclusive beauty bar in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Alana specializes in hair and makeup. As a Licensed Comselotologist, she has worked for both MAC Cosmetics and Paul Mitchell. Alana's celebrity clientele includes Iggy Azalea, Solange, YG, and ASAP Nast. She has worked on campaigns with Nike, Adidas, Morphe, Jaclyn Hill Cosmetics, and Quay. Alana has also worked on countless music videos and photoshoots and her work has been featured on two billboards in Los Angeles.

Alana Schober

Pout Pro Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Hold your lip liner on its side instead of gripping it like a pencil. This way, the product creates a more diffused look instead of a defined line.
Question

How do I do smokey eyes with smokey lips?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Add in the dark color little by little, blending as you go. Start with your base shade, then a transition, then your dark color. A smokey eye takes a while to master and apply.
Question

When I drink, how do I prevent getting my lipstick on the glass? It ruins my lipstick and I have to do it again.

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Try using liquid lipsticks in stead of regular lipsticks. This should prevent most transfer.