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There are some really worthwhile benefits that lip liner offers. It defines the shape of your lips, so you have a better guideline to work with when you're applying gloss or lipstick. It also helps you create a more even, nicely proportioned lip shape, so you can balance out any unevenness. It also prevents lipstick from bleeding, so your hot lips don't turn into a hot mess halfway through the day. If you're planning to wear a sheer, natural-colored lipstick, choose the right color of lip liner for the job.
Nude
A nude shade is the closest to a natural skin tone you're going to get. There is no one single "nude" shade, but rather you have to find the lip liner that's closest in color to your own skin. When you're out shopping, hold a couple different liners up to the skin next to your lips, to find the one that matches most precisely. With a nude lip liner, you'll barely be able to see it, so it won't be noticeable, even when you're wearing a sheer, natural-colored lipstick.
Peach
Peach is a lighter shade that works well if you want to wear a sheer lipstick color. Opt for a shimmery peach lip liner for the nicest, most natural results. The nice thing about choosing a peach shade of liner is that it adds a nice, subtle flush to your lips. It works no matter what your skin tone and gives the most natural look because it's so sheer you can't tell you're wearing any liner on your lips at all.
Pink
A light pink shade works well, particularly on women with a fair skin tone and pink or red undertones. The pink color is subtle but still gets the job done, helping prevent your lipstick from bleeding and doing its part to make sure your color lasts as long as possible. Draw around the outside of your lips with the pink lip liner, and fill in a bit of your lips with the color to create more of a flushed, healthy look.
Gold
A gold lip liner can work if you're going to apply a sheer-colored lipstick on afterward. Don't go for anything over the top here, like a glitzy, sparkly gold color, or you're going to look less natural and more like you're ready to hit the disco with John Travolta, "Saturday Night Fever" style. Instead, opt for a light, matte gold shade which will look almost translucent around your lips, works with all skin tones and blends in nicely with your sheer, natural-looking lipstick shade.
Tips
When applying your lip liner -- and any other makeup products, for that matter -- it helps to have a close-up look at what you're doing. You don't need a scientific microscope that allows you to see your pores in full detail -- if someone is standing that near to you to notice anything that close up, they're too close -- but a magnified mirror does help ensure you have the best view and can achieve the neatest, most professional-looking results every time.
