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Achieving the perfect makeup look can often take hours and hours. Once you get through the base, the eye makeup and such, the lips are basically the final stretch you want to get over and done with. Thankfully, you can have blurred lips that complete your whole look within minutes, whether you’re doing a full face of glam or everyday makeup. 

What Are Blurred Lips?

Blurred lips, also known as halo or cloud lips, is a trending makeup look that aims to make the lips look softer and pillowy. It’s a stark contrast to the usual lip looks with clear, sharp lines and full pigment. It draws inspiration from Eastern makeup, such as K-beauty, where most products are marketed to deliver a mousse finish.  

The closest trend in the West to blurred lips is blotted lips. However, they’re still relatively different since a blotted lip look is achieved by diffusing the original color with a tissue. Blurred lips tend to look much fuller and put-together. 

How to Achieve the Blurred Lips Look

Getting the blurred lip look can take some finessing. Here are some simple steps to achieve this in minutes. 

1. Prime in Moderation

Lip priming is bound to take the most time, so consider doing it early in your routine alongside your face primer. Try not to skip, since this technique ensures a smooth surface for the rest of your lip products to stay on. 

• Use a lip scrub: Gently exfoliate your lips with a good scrub. You can use a store-bought one, but a homemade one with honey and sugar also works great.
• Add a balm: Wipe and moisturize your lips with a dab of lip balm. Some people also like to use petroleum jelly for maximum emollience. 
• Wipe away with a tissue: When you’re ready to do your lips, remember to wipe away any residue of your balm. That way, you can blend your actual lipsticks more smoothly.  

2. Line Your Lips

Lip liner isn’t exactly the highlight of blurred lips. That said, it can help diffuse the look of your lip line, blending seamlessly with the rest of the lip. Try a color that matches your natural lip color, or at least go with a my-lips-but-better shade. 

Take your time lining the lips. Blend every now and then to ensure it still aligns with the airbrushed look the blurred lips trend is known for. 

3. Add Your Lip Color

Once your lip liner is good, it’s time to go with the actual lippie. Some people try to choose a muted red, but there are tons of options for blurred lips nowadays. There are even black and gray blurring lip tints for anyone who wants to try goth makeup. 

Similar to how you usually apply lipstick, start at the center of the lips. Try putting on your lips of choice in an oblong shape. You can also add some to the inner parts of the lips on the side. 

4. Blend, Blend, Blend

From there, gently blend out the lip product to create a softer look. Some people prefer a makeup brush or lip cushion applicator for precision, but fingertips work just fine. Just dab out the color until you’re satisfied with the overall appearance. 

5. Clean Up with Concealer

While this is an optional step, cleaning up the sides of your lip with concealer can help with any out-of-line blurs that might mess with the rest of your makeup. Make sure it matches your foundation to avoid bringing too much attention to the lips. 

Biggest Mistakes That Ruin the Blurred Lips

Blurred lips are pretty straightforward, but there are still some instances where they might look a little off. Here are some reasons your lips might not be living up to the vision. 

Overblurring the Edges

While a blurred lip is meant to look like you’ve just been kissed, having a messy lipstick look that looks like you’ve just made out with someone is a far cry from this trendy look. Remember to exercise some control when you’re blending and blurring your lipsticks. As a general rule, try to stay within your lip line for a cleaner look. 

Adding Gloss to the Lips

Gloss is a holy-grail makeup step for Gen Z, with 19% more likely to use it than older generations. However, topping your blurred lips with lip gloss will likely just add shine and remove the softness of your entire look. Consider staying with a more matte and mousse-like finish to stay true to the blurred lip trend. 

Using Too Much Product

In cosmetics, it’s easier to add more product as needed than to add too much and then have to remove it. It works for blush blindness, and it certainly helps with achieving blurred lips as well. Remember that a little goes a long way. 

Best-Kept Secrets to Achieving Blurred Lips

After getting the mistakes out of the way, here are some of the best tips and tricks on how you can actually ensure that you get the blurred lips of your dreams. 

Use a Creamier Formula

There are lipsticks, mousses and tints that are marketed for blurred lips. However, you can honestly use any lip product to achieve the blurred lips, as long as it has a creamy and matte finish. The creamier the formula, the easier it is to blend out in the long run. 

Layer A Base and Deeper Color

One color is enough to complete the blurred lips. However, if you want to add some more depth, have two lippies ready. One should be your regular lip color as the base, while the other is for the inner pout and sides of your lips. Aside from looking pillowy, your lips are bound to look luscious. 

Bring a Mini for Touch-Ups

The reality is, blurred lips aren’t exactly transfer-proof. If you know that you’re eating, drinking or just spending a long day outside, consider bringing some extra product for touch-ups. A quick swipe and blend can make all the difference in staying flawless. 

Beautify and Blur Your Lips

Mastering the blurred lips trend can help make sure that you get supple and soft-looking lips on an everyday basis. Remember to choose the right products and use the right technique until it feels like second nature.