How to Overline Your Lips for a Fuller, Poutier Look

Key Takeaways

• Go Just Outside the Border: For a naturally fuller look, trace just outside your natural lip line, focusing on the center of your Cupid’s bow and the middle of your bottom lip. Keep the liner right on your actual lip line at the outer corners for a seamless, believable finish.
• Prep is Everything: Start with a smooth canvas by gently exfoliating any dry or flaky skin. Follow up with a hydrating lip balm, then blot the excess before applying liner to help your pencil glide on effortlessly.
• Pick the Right Shade: For the most believable result, select a lip liner that is one to two shades deeper than your natural lip color. This creates a soft shadow effect that builds dimension. Pair it with a slightly lighter lipstick or gloss to fill in the center.

What Are Overlined Lips?

When you line your lips, you trace the outline of your lips with a lip liner, while staying inside your lips’ natural border. But when you overline your lips, you get to color outside the lines a little by tracing just outside the natural border of your lips. Overlining makes lips appear fuller, and the technique can also be used to add more height and definition to your cupid’s bow or even out any asymmetry in your lips. If you’re going for a natural look, try not to line too far away from your natural lip line—no more than a millimeter will keep your results looking realistic.

Tutorial: How to Overline Your Lips

Step 1: Exfoliate Your Lips
As with any lip look, it’s key to start with a smooth and well-prepped surface. Start by gently buffing away dry, flaky skin with a nourishing lip scrub. Look for formulas that contain hydrating ingredients like coconut oil to moisturize. For added care, you can also apply an overnight lip mask, such as Kiehl’s Buttermask for Lips, to help restore dry lips while you sleep.

Step 2: Apply a Lip Balm
Now that you’ve whisked away any dry, flaky residue on your lips, it’s important to add moisture with a balm. Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 is a classic that has been around since the 1960s!

Step 3: Line the Cupid’s Bow
Once you’ve let the lip balm sink into your lips for a few minutes, blot off any excess with a tissue. Next, grab a sharp lip liner that’s one to two shades deeper than your natural lip color. Choosing a slightly deeper liner creates natural-looking dimension and helps contour your pout. NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil is a fan favorite for its extensive shade range. Just avoid going lighter than your lipstick, as this can leave a pale ring around the lips and look dated.

When you’re ready to overline, focus on precision for the most believable effect. For a classic approach, start by drawing a V just outside your Cupid’s bow, forming two lines that meet in an X shape inside your actual lip line. This trick sharpens and defines your Cupid’s bow for that sculpted look.

Beauty Hack: Instead of drawing a V or an X, place two small vertical lines just above the peaks of your Cupid’s bow before blending (search #liplinerhack for visuals). This creates the illusion of a shorter philtrum and an even poutier upper lip.

No matter which technique you choose, always soften the edges with your fingertip or a small brush after lining. Blurring the line transforms it from a drawn outline into a subtle shadow—making your overlined lips look convincingly full and natural.

Step 4: Line Your Lower Lip and Outer Corners
Next, draw a line just underneath the center of your lower lip, and fill in the outer corners of both of your lips. For the most natural effect, focus on overlining only at the center of your top and bottom lips, keeping the liner inside the lips at your outer corners.

Pro-Level Tip: Try Ombré Lip Lining
If you want to take your overlining technique to the next level, try the ombré lip lining trend. This advanced method uses two coordinating shades—the Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner collection has plenty—for an even fuller, contoured effect. Start by overlining with a deeper shade along the edges, then blend a slightly lighter liner shade just inside that line before filling in with lipstick. The result is an intensified, multidimensional pout that maximizes volume and definition.

Step 5: Apply a Lipstick or Gloss
Once you’ve overlined your lips, it’s time to fill in the center with a lipstick or gloss of your choice. Don’t be afraid to take your lipstick or gloss all the way up to the new lip line you created. That way, your lips will look naturally fuller, not obviously overlined. For extra dimension, add a pale or clear gloss to the center of your lips. NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss in Sugar Glass is a suitable option for this step.

Trend Spotlight: Cherry Cola Lips
Want to try one of the season’s viral lip looks? Cherry Cola Lips have taken over TikTok and adapting your overlining technique is easy. Start by using a deep brown or burgundy liner—like “Sassy” Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner by NYX Professional Makeup—to overline and define your lips. Then, fill in with a sheer red or berry gloss. The contrast between the dark liner and juicy color creates that high-dimension, ‘90s-inspired pout.

The Best Lip Liners for Overlining

Maybelline Lifter Liner Lip Liner Makeup with Hyaluronic Acid
If you love a liner that feels as good as it looks, this one is a must-try. The creamy, long-wearing formula is designed for smooth application. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it’s formulated to help keep lips feeling hydrated and comfortable all day. Plus, these flattering shades are designed to pair with Maybelline’s iconic glosses and lipsticks, making shaping and enhancing your pout effortless.

NYX Professional Makeup Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner
If you like quality at a drugstore price, this one is definitely worth a try. The creamy formula, which features jojoba oil and vitamin E, is made for a smooth application. With so many nude and bold shades to choose from, you can experiment with every lip look imaginable—plus, the waterproof, vegan formula is designed for comfortable, long-lasting wear.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Lip Pencil
This pencil delivers bold color in just one swipe. Its high level of pigmentation is designed to provide serious color payoff. Enriched with ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil, it’s designed for blendability to help shape your lips for a fuller-looking pout. Plus, it’s formulated to provide long-lasting color while resisting drying, feathering, or caking. And with a range that spans classic reds to playful pinks, there’s shade for every vibe.

YSL Beauty Dessin Des Levres Lip Liner Pencil
If you’re after a red statement lip that won’t budge, this matte liner is formulated for long-wear performance. It’s designed for smooth application and long-lasting rich pigment. No feathering or fading in sight. The bold red and coral shades are real standouts as they instantly add a pop of color and elevate any look.

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner
Defining your lips doesn’t have to be complicated. This creamy matte liner features a retractable, self-sharpening tip that lets you outline with precision—no sharpener needed. And at such an affordable price point, you might want to grab a few different shades to mix up your routine.

L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Lip Liner
If you’re searching for a liner that strikes a rare balance between creamy and precise, this one might be what you’ve been looking for. The smooth-textured formula is designed to help define and contour lips with reduced feathering. Plus, the collection of universally flattering shades means there’s an option for every mood—whether you’re going for something subtle or want to make a statement.

NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil
It's hard to beat this classic for value or variety. Available in an impressive spectrum of shades, its buttery texture makes outlining super easy, even if you’re new to overlining. Expect a long-lasting finish that keeps lips defined while preventing any unwanted smudging.

Lancôme Lip Idôle Lip Shaper
This innovative lip shaper is all about enhancing your natural pout with minimal effort. The slim, easy-to-use pencil is designed to let you overline with precision, while the lightweight formula hugs your lips for lasting definition. It's versatility pairs beautifully with most lipsticks or wear it alone for a softly sculpted matte finish.

Valentino Beauty Rosso Valentino Lipstick
Not technically a lip liner, but here’s a fun hack: You can use this lipstick as both a liner and a color thanks to its signature V-shaped bullet design, which gives you more control for defining your lips. Then just fill them in for a bold finish. It’s truly a two-in-one essential for anyone who loves multitasking products.

iT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Lipstick
Speaking of lipsticks, this collagen-infused formula is designed for anyone seeking plush, pillowy lips. Pair it with your favorite liner to amplify fullness, or wear it solo for a naturally pouty effect. The creamy texture layers effortlessly and keeps your lips feeling moisturized and comfortable all day.

Now that you’ve learned the art of overlining, it’s time to put your new skills and newly discovered lip products to work. Whether you’re going for a subtle boost or a bold, trending look, don’t forget to show off your results. Share your fuller lip looks on social using #makeupdotcom and let your creativity shine.

Select product references and links have been updated since original publication.
This article has been updated for accuracy, clarity, and relevant product data since its original publication.