The TikTok makeup trend that finally caught me

Just kissed.

TikTok loves giving a catchy name to a beauty technique we’ve been using forever and exaggerating it until it becomes a viral trend. There was skin cycling (the crazy idea of ​​not using retinol and exfoliating acids on your face every night), the punch obsession (please, Marilyn Monroe did that in the ’50s), the explosion of latte makeup (a face full of… warm neutrals, groundbreaking), the list goes on.

As you can see, I’m cynical about TikTok beauty trends. When I hear about it—via podcasts and Instagram reels, like a true millennial—my makeup artist brain says, “This isn’t a trend, these are just facts.” It’s not that there are no ideas Goodthey generally are, but it’s usually a jazzy remake of something I’ve heard a million times. Recently, however, I came across an idea that I think deserves more hype: movie lips.

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The movie lips trend caught my attention with a photo of Kiera Knightly in Pride and Prejudice and a photo of Liv Tyler in Lord of the Rings. The trend describes the natural, flushed lip color often seen on characters in period dramas or films where the makeup really can’t look like makeup. It seems simple, but the art of subtle lip blush is difficult to replicate. That’s why makeup artists in films get paid a lot of money.

As someone whose natural lip color is more anemic gray than rosebud, I was determined to do thiso Master this look. Based on my research the The film lip is blurred, matte, soft, tinted, almost kissed. I guess it’s clear girl code (a trend we seem to have “got over” but will always be around in my opinion), although it’s a far cry from the over-the-top, honey-glazed Hailey Bieber pouts of the world . It’s more of a French clean girl, Fille propre Look, I like this (see this tutorial from Violette FR). What’s important, however, is that this look is suitable for all skin tones, not just fair-skinned elf women.

Makeup artists were making “movie lips” long before Bisou Balms and Powder Kiss lipsticks existed. As much as I love excuses to buy a new lip product, you can probably achieve the look with something you already own—or something your sister, mom, or roommate owns. According to the experts I interviewed, it really all comes down to technology.

How the professionals create long-lasting film lips

“I like to use a few different techniques to create this look,” explains makeup and prosthetics designer Stef Knight, who has 30 years of experience in the film industry. “Benefit offers a wide range of shades, from transparent to solid colors such as FloraTint or GoGoTint. These are long-lasting and available in a wide range of colors to suit all skin tones.

“To achieve a more muted color effect, I also use a much lighter color than I would like and apply it with my finger, spreading it well over the lips and then brushing the edges with a fluffy brush. This gives a great pop of color without looking made up or like lipstick. Typically, matte lipstick works best because it doesn’t have as much shine.”

For New Zealand makeup artist Katie Rogers, it’s important to first prep your lips with an exfoliator to bring out their natural color. “I use Lanolips Lip Scrub and then a balm that isn’t too shiny like Maryse Treatment Balm. Then I would use Maryse Mineral Tint in Dahlia and apply it to the lips with my fingertips so that it is clearly visible in the center. Then I would blend the edges with a lip brush to make it look soft. Then blot it with a tissue.”

The best products for instant film lips

I get it, not everyone has the time or patience for lip brushes and swabs. Here are some tried-and-true options for all skin tones that will dress up your look.

Violette_FR Bisou Balm in Guimauve

The Violette_FR Bisou Balm is a moisturizing, matte lipstick with a slightly smudging effect. The shade Guimauve, which means marshmallow in French, is a soft coral cloud with hints of spice.

Maryse Mineral Tint in Dahlia

New Zealand beauty brand Maryse offers tinted lip and cheek balms in four shades. Dahlia is a crimson red shade with brown undertones, ideal for medium to deep skin tones.

Rom&Zero Velvet Tint in Villain Vest

Described as a “blurring” (blurring and smudging) shade with a velvety finish, Rom& Zero Velvet Tint in Villian Vest is an ideal “My Lips But Better” shade for deeper skin tones.

Nars Powermatte Lipstick in Thunder Kiss

Nars Powermatte Lipstick in Thunder Kiss is a deep purple with a cool undertone and a long-wearing, lightweight matte finish.

Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick in Fuzz

A sheer yet buildable matte formula, Glossier Generation G Lipstick in Fuzz is a soft rosy taupe that suits a variety of skin tones.

MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Sultry Move

For light to medium skin tones, the MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Sultry Move (a bright rose brown) is as close to the Kiera Knightley reference as I could find.

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