Beautytok: A Beauty Editor Shares 3 of the Best Lip Combos for Winter

If you’re not across the lip combo phenomenon that’s happening right now on TikTok, let me clue you in.

Lip combos – product medleys made up of lip liner, plus lipstick and/or lip gloss and balm – are having a moment.

Currently, #lipcombo is sitting at 2.7B views (yes, ‘B’ as in billion), with no signs of slowing down.

Most of what’s on the app touches on what celebrities are wearing (when Hailey Bieber revealed that her go-to lip liner is Make Up For Ever’s Anywhere Caffeine, it promptly sold out), recreations of two-tone ‘90s lip pairings (think: Pam Anderson’s pale lip lined with dark pencil and Naomi Campbell’s chocolate liner contrasted with clear gloss), and your-lips-but-better ‘nude’ combos for every skin tone on the spectrum.

The great thing about this ‘trend’ is it has evolved to include something for everyone.

Love a simple nude lip? Search #hudabeautylipcombo alone, and you’ll find almost 7 million pink-brown options to choose from.

If you’re more into experimental colour combinations, there are ombre lip moments, modern riffs on the classic red pout, and much more.

The choices are seemingly endless, and there’s a lip look for every makeup mood.

Inspired to spruce up my winter makeup looks, I am wearing these three lip combos on repeat.

Talking about everyday lip looks, the timeless, natural-looking ‘nude’ lip will always be a thing.

It goes without saying that ‘nude’ is a spectrum, and what suits my skin tone won’t work the same way on others.

But the basics of this one are to choose a liner that’s roughly two shades deeper than your own lip colour.

The purpose is to simply define your lips and/or add a little extra volume via overlining if that’s what you’re into.

For the lipstick, go one shade lighter than your lips in something satin or matte – dealer’s choice.

Or, copy me and use a gloss for an easy and low-maintenance option. (I love it because I can reapply without a mirror.)

I’m wearing MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil in 'Anywhere Caffeine' with Maybelline Lifter Gloss - Hydrating Lip Gloss in 'Topaz' over the top.

I don’t blend the liner because I like the gloss with a sharper line for extra definition, but you do you.

The first time I saw TikTokker @sarahbebelle sporting one of her red lipstick and brown lip liner combos (it’s kinda her thing), I couldn’t recreate it fast enough.

The pairing is a perfect 2023 update on red lipstick.

The brown liner acts as a lip contour, sharpening the shape of the lips and making them appear poutier.

A matte red lipstick layered over the top adds serious drama. And somehow it feels cooler than a glossy red lip?

TikTok taught me to feather the liner in at the edges to blend it with the lipstick that goes on top. This gives dimension but also helps with staying power.

Plus, when it wears off, you won’t be left with that ick lip ring.

Above, I’m wearing MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist For Ever Matte in 'Everlasting Scarlett', which is crimson, but whatever shade of red you like will work. (Discover how to pick the best red lipstick for your skin tone with this handy red lipstick guide.)

The key is choosing a brown liner that contrasts quite a lot with your natural lip colour to give a little ‘90s nostalgia. I am wearing Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 in 'Rich Brown'.

Is it just me, or has winter been here for far too long? (Tune back in a few months to hear me complain about how hot it is!).

Regardless of what the thermostat is doing, this lip combo is a summer vibe.

That said, it’s great for pepping up dull, been-inside-too-long winter skin and putting a little light back into your eyes.

I love the contrast between the creamy stain and the skin-toned lip liner.

Again the taupe-brown liner is there for shaping and plumping purposes, but paired with punchy coral, it makes the colour pop even more.

A few things: don’t go too light or too dark with the liner – we’re going for one shade lighter or deeper than your actual lip line. That way, you’ll still get definition and shape but without the liner stealing the spotlight.

If you wanna get amongst what I’ve got going on here, get yourself a Huda Beauty Lip Blush Creamy Lip & Cheek Stain in 'Apricot Kiss' (I’m obsessed) and an Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner in 'Warm Taupe'.

Finally, a makeup trend that isn’t prescriptive – you can do whatever you want as long as you’re lining your lips.

Lip combos are fun!

Plus, there’s so much choice; you don’t have to go far to find a look you might like to try yourself.

Not usually one to mix up your makeup looks? Lip products are easy to apply and remove. 

Lip combos might be the best makeup trend to ever exist because they can create an instant ‘look’ but require little effort. (Other than the requisite touch-ups.)

Have fun, and share your favourite lip combos with me pls!