The award season may be over but there’s no end in sight for the halo lip trend. Everyone from Gracie Abrams to Chase Infiniti has been sporting soft, blurry lips on the red carpet, and (as someone who doesn’t usually opt for a bold lipstick or liner) I figured this trend might be a nice middle ground for me.
The goal of the make-up look is to give off a softer appearance, with a faded outline and lighter centre that resembles a halo of light.
Rather than accentuating sharp edges like a bold red lip, this look champions blending instead.
Think a pillowy and fuller-looking pout.
So I decided to try it out, and I think I might just be converted.
01
Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Bronzer
from $63 at Sephora
Step 1: Blurry base
If you thought bronzer was just for your cheeks, this trend is here to prove that the rules of makeup are meant to be broken. And thank God, because I like breaking the rules.
I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Bronzer and softly blended it around the perimeter of my lips using the Nude by Nature lip brush.
The result gave off a subtle, gradient halo that made my lips look fuller and more dimensional, creating a strong foundation for the next step.
Colours: There are seven shades to choose from. I used Golden Beach Glow.
Other options:
Glow Bronzer – Charlotte Tilbury
$90
Natural Bronzer – Rimmell
$9.39
Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer – Fenty Beauty
Lip Brush – Nude by Nature
$8.47
02
Merit Signature Lip Liner
from $38 at Merit
Step 2: Edge work
Now comes perhaps the most crucial step in mastering the halo lip trend: the lip liner.
Choose a pencil that’s a shade or two darker than your natural lip colour to add depth while keeping the look soft and wearable. I went for the Merit Signature Lip Liner Pencil and lightly traced the outer edges of my lips, paying extra attention to the corners and my cupid’s bow. I then gently smudged the line inward with my finger.
Colours: There are eight shades to choose from. I used Brownstone.
Other options:
Velvety Lip Liner – Bobbi Brown
$57
Stay-in-place Lip Liner
$58
Lip Glazer – Mac Cosmetics
$40
Perfect Pout Liner – MCoBeauty
$14
03
Nude by Nature Creamy Matte Lipstick
from $24.95 at Chemist Warehouse
Step 3: Touch up
Now for the final step: choosing the perfect base colour. Opt for a shade that’s slightly lighter than your natural lip tone – think soft nude, pale pink, or peachy beige – to brighten the centre of the lips and enhance the gradient effect.
I applied the creamy matte lipstick (shade rose quartz) to the middle of my lips only, then gently blended outward so it melted seamlessly into the liner.
Colours: There are six lipstick shades to choose from!
Other options:
Pop Longwear Lipstick
$49
Rouge Dior Lipstick – Dior
$75
Rouge Velvet Lipstick
$44
Loveshine Lipstick – YSL
$72
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