Tutorial: Gradient Lips

I know that there are millions of different tutorials on how to make gradient lips scattered all around the world wide web, and the world hardly needs another tutorial. But I decided to share my knowledge and show different tips and tricks on how to achieve different styles of gradient lips.

This style of lip makeup is a widely popular Korean trend, also known as 'lip ombre' or 'just bitten' style. It makes the lips look smaller and stained, without accentuating the lip lines strongly or overdrawing them.



Not only is this style perfect for Korean-inspired makeup looks, but I found that this style is also fitting for feminine cosplay. When the character has a girly and cutesy vibe, I use this technique. This is also a great way to direct attention to the eyes and make them look bigger.

I highly advice the use of good lip care products prior to makeup, such as lip scrubs or lip balms. Proper lip care can mean better results and easier application, and they can also prolong the wear of your lip makeup.

Without further ado, let's get on to the tutorials!

1. The Lazy Method

Good for:

• makeup on the go
• minimal and speedy looks
• daily makeup
• the lazy ones (like me!)
• cosplay

I recommend using a bright and moisturizing lip product for this method, like a tinted lip balm or a creamy lipstick that you can easily bring in your bag. It's so easy to retouch throughout the day and even though it's simple, it can easily bring life back to the face.

Example:

Simple makeup and a bright red gradient lip.

Product used: Etude House Sugar Tint Balm (#2)

2. Thin Lips

Good for:

• daily and dramatic looks (depends on the colors)
• for people with thin lips
• soft focus makeup
• emphasizing the eyes

If you have thin lips but you want to try out this style, you can fill your entire lips with a base color that isn't too nude nor too bright. Then apply a brighter or louder color on the center and blend it out for a pop that won't make the lips look too small.

Example:

Used a soft nude pink all over and added a bright pop of hot pink at the center.
Photo by Infinity Studios

Products used: Etude House Play 101 Pencil (#15), Sooper Beaute So Matte (Orange You Gorgeous)

3. Soft and Innocent

Good for:

• heavy eye makeup
• cosplay
• ulzzang
• youthful makeup

This is one of my favorite ways to wear gradient lips, especially in cosplay. It makes the lips look thin and cute, and a touch of gloss gives it a cutesy pout effect. I like this method better with lip tints, because they don't leave harsh lines and stay on for a really long time.

Example

Soft, undefined and innocent like Ririchiyo.
Photo by Mico Picazo

Products used: Etude House Surprise Essence Concealer (#2), Etude House Kissful Tint Choux (#2), Daiso Bright Light Lip Gloss (Clear)

4. Bold and sexy

Good for: 

• simple eye makeup
• heavy makeup/photoshoot makeup
• sexy looks
• thin lips

This is my favorite way to wear burgundy or red lips without looking too bold. I really like this look because it looks good matte or glossy, and bold colors suit a lot of different skin tones.

Example:

Bold burgundy and dark red.

Products Used: Hello Kitty Lip Cream (lip balm), Nichido Lip Pencil (LP03 Blaze), Etude House Play 101 Pencil (#23)

5. Doll-like

Good for:

• cosplay
• photoshoots
• dolly eyes
• cosplay

This is the most tedious look, but I really like this whenever I do dolly eyes. Defining the creases of the lips with red lipstick or lip liner gives it a realistic look. This was inspired by beautiful Asian ball-jointed dolls.

Example:

Used a soft magenta and added a touch of burgundy at
the center for a vampy-cute look.

Products used: Etude House Surprise Essence Concealer, Etude House Kissful Tint Choux, Etude House Play 101 Pencil (#68), Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk (RD302), Daiso Bright Light Lip Gloss (Clear)

(At this point I realized that a lot of my lip products are from Etude House.)

Feel free to use any lip color that you think suits you best. I have seen a lot of girls rock the ombre with plum, berry, mauve and even dark purple. Pick out which method works best and make it your own.

That concludes this tutorial! I hope my methods work out for you in some way, and I hope that you learned something in this tutorial. Some of my methods are probably nothing new, but I still decided to share them anyway.

If you tried out my methods and snapped a picture, I'd love to see them! Feel free to tag me on my social media.

I also plan on making more photo tutorials like this on my blog, and I'd love to hear what kind of tutorials my readers would like to see. Feel free to suggest tutorials in the comments below!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!