The Return of Lipliner

… dun dun DUN!

If I were a beauty writer I’d be pitching this story until an editor found my relentlessness adorable. But I don’t even have to try for that to happen, you know?

Long associated with anything ranging from granny and drag queen makeup to Pamela Anderson (et. al) and nineties-lips-gone-wrong, shuddering is oft inevitable even at the offending product’s mention. It truly is unfortunate that lipliner should receive such disreputable rap and be overlooked without even a breath’s thought of a second chance—have we not learned the repercussions of branding with a Scarlet Letter? It’s never worth it and hardly beneficial to anyone. Keep not just your eyes open, but your minds as well.

Point is, however, that I’ve developed the slightest obsession with lipliners. There’s one in my bag at all times.

I love lipliners for the same reason I always reach for a lipstick when given the time. There’s something deliciously decadent, timelessly ladylike about it. It’s but a small thing—a pencil—yet so glamorous and high-impact with one (careful) swipe. Whether it be an outline to prevent bleeding or impart depth (I love a three-dimensional finish as it looks much more natural, versus lipliner’s more traditional role of faking fullness) for either a lipstick or gloss, or just a quick coloring for a long-lasting, matte color, both the process and final effect are well worth the extra few seconds in front of the mirror.

I’m   a d d i c t e d .

The Holy Trinity in my makeup bag, in order of acquisition:

• Kevyn Aucoin, “Bare.” Discontinued, I think, as my googling was rather unsuccessful—it’s unfortunate considering it’s the perfect, natural shade. A nude pink erring on the side of mauve. Essentially half a shade darker than my natural lip color.
• MAC “Creamola” Cremestick Liner. Brown with a pink undertone. I cannot stress how stunning it looks with a peach-brown lipstick (Bardot!) or nude gloss.
• Essence “True Pink” Lipliner. A true, raspberry pink. SO PRETTY. And yes, caps were totally necessary—such amazing lasting power, gorgeous color pigmentation and texture, and comparable to the aforementioned brands. It’s less than a dollar, ladies. Thank god for Euro drugstore makeup brands.

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