The 'Halo Lip' Trend: Makeup Artists Reveal How to Achieve the Soft, Full Look
Lipstick styles often define makeup eras, from the 'foundation lips' of the early 2000s to the overlining craze of 2016. Now, a new technique called the 'halo lip' is gaining traction, championed by celebrities like Dua Lipa and Winnie Harlow. This diffused approach promises fullness without obvious artifice, offering a softer alternative to heavily sculpted looks of the past decade.
What Exactly Is a Halo Lip?
At its core, the halo lip plays with light to create dimension. Depth is concentrated around the edges and corners of the mouth, while the centre is left lighter—sometimes nearly bare—to form what makeup artist Emily Wood describes as "a natural halo of light." Unlike ombré lips, which fade deliberately from dark to light, the halo lip is more diffused and effortless. It also avoids the exaggeration of overlining, relying instead on blending rather than sharp outlines.
Paige Williams, founder of P.Louise, emphasises keeping the lip line clean and natural, using slightly deeper shades on the inner corners and a lighter or glossy shade in the centre. This technique enhances the natural lip shape without redrawing it, making it universally flattering.
Why the Halo Lip Is So Flattering
The appeal lies in how it mimics natural light hitting the face. By placing brightness at the fullest part of the lips, it creates symmetry without harsh edges. Wood explains, "It's flattering because it works with how light naturally hits the face, making lips look fuller, rounder, and more balanced." Williams adds that it's essentially a contour trick for lips, pulling light forward to give a sculpted yet natural appearance.
Matte or Gloss? Choosing the Right Finish
The halo lip isn't tied to one finish, adding to its versatility. Matte products offer a sculpted, editorial feel, especially when paired with satin lipsticks. Gloss, on the other hand, provides instant softness and visual volume. Wood recommends a hybrid approach: using liner and satin or matte lipstick to create the halo shape, then tapping gloss into the centre for a lived-in finish. Williams suggests matte shades around the edges with gloss only in the centre to maintain lift and plumpness.
How to Create the Halo Lip at Home
To achieve this trend, start with a lip liner slightly deeper than your natural lip tone, applied along the natural shape. Blend it inward with a finger or brush to avoid harsh lines. Apply a lipstick close to your lip colour mostly around the outer parts, blending softly. Leave the centre lighter, adding minimal product or a touch of gloss or balm. Wood notes, "The less perfect it looks, the better it usually is," while Williams stresses the importance of smooth, hydrated lips for better blending.
Best Shades for the Halo Lip
Opt for shades with subtle contrast. Wood advises, "Shades that sit close together work best," such as nude paired with a lighter nude or complementary rosy tones. High-contrast combinations can be striking but are less wearable daily. For deeper skin tones, rich browns, chocolates, and caramels with a lighter centre are effective, especially with gloss. Lighter skin tones suit pinky nudes, peaches, and soft mauves. Beginners should keep it simple: use one liner slightly deeper than your lip colour and a favourite nude lipstick or gloss, blending well and adding light at the centre.
