Perfect Ombre Lips Are Super Simple — Just Follow This Easy Tutorial

By Ivy Boyd, SheKnows

Ombre lips have been kickin' around Instagram and beauty blogs for a little over a year now, but honestly, a lot of us have shied away from trying it — mostly because it seems so damn complicated. There's no way a non-beauty professional could pull off perfectly ombred lipstick, right? Wrong. It's actually pretty easy.

All you need are two shades of lip color, three to four shades apart, and a white cream color like the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk.

Step 1

First, fill in your lips with the deeper of the two lip colors, leaving the center open. Use a lip liner first if you’d like, as it needs to be neat and precise. No one likes a sloppy ombre lip! I’m using BITE Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Sangria. I'll be showing you a red/pink lip, but don't be afraid to experiment with purple and pink, red and coral, peach and nude — the possibilities are endless!

Step 2

Now, with your lighter shade, apply a generous amount to just the center of your lips. I am using LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in Nymph.

Step 3

Press lips together lightly to blend.

Using a lip brush, soften the sides of the lighter color to blend into the deeper shade. Blend sparingly as you don't want to lose the color graduation altogether.

Step 4

With a white cream color, like NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, apply a dot to the center of the bottom lip.

Step 5

Grab that lip brush again and blend more. We want our ombre lip looking seamless and effortless.
Master a trendy ombre lip in 5 easy steps: Finished

You can stop here for a semi-matte ombre lip or you can dab a bit of clear gloss to the center of your bottom lip for a high-shine ombre lip!

OK, let's be real. Are you super lazy? It's OK — I am too sometimes. You could totally just apply your lipstick as usual and then pop the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk in the center. I like to use two lip colors for a more gradual fade but when time is of the essence, just skip it!

Now try not to kiss anyone and ruin your handiwork! But if you do, at least the lip print you leave will look super cool. Ombre lip prints for everyone!