How to Perfectly Define Your Cupid’s Bow: A Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving a softly defined lip, accentuating your cupid’s bow, requires more than just applying lipstick. There are subtle techniques, such as employing highlighter and delicately outlining your lips, including the cupid’s bow, with a lip pencil.

“The cupid’s bow refers to the double curve of the lip resembling the bow of Cupid,” explains Dominique Lerma, a celebrity makeup artist at OMNIA Brush. “Various lip shapes and sizes exist, with some individuals naturally possessing more prominent cupid bows than others.”

Defining your cupid’s bow can enhance the appearance of your lips, adding fullness and prominence, with or without filler. Lerma notes that skillful accentuation can contribute to a more youthful and radiant look, especially with the addition of highlighter. Below, we guide you through the steps to define your cupid’s bow like a seasoned makeup artist.

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How to Define Your Cupid’s Bow Step 1: Gather Your Essentials You’ll only need a few makeup basics to define your cupid’s bow:

• Lip Liner/Definer
• Lip Brush
• Lipstick or Lip Gloss
• Highlighter

Step 2: Create an ‘X’ With Your Liner The simplest method to define your cupid’s bow is using a lip liner or definer, suggests Drita Paljevic, head makeup artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. Opt for a shade that matches your lip color, such as Kevyn Aucoin’s Unforgetting Lip Definer.

Using the sharpened pencil, draw an ‘X’ or V-shape directly in the center where your top lip line dips. “Ensure you follow the natural curve of your cupid’s bow to emphasize the area,” advises Paljevic. The goal is not to overline or underline but to trace along the natural line.

Step 3: Outline the Remaining Lips With a gentle touch, continue outlining the rest of your lips with the pencil. The line should be soft, not harsh. Next, blend the lip liner with a brush to eliminate any harsh edges. Consider using the MŌDA Pro Detail Brush.

Step 4: Add a Hint of Highlighter Highlighting plays a crucial role in defining your cupid’s bow, according to both makeup artists we consulted. Lerma recommends a highlighter in cream, liquid, or powder form, avoiding heavy glitter finishes for a natural look.

Apply a small amount to the two distinct peaks of your cupid’s bow. Lerma suggests RMS Beauty Living Luminizer for its pearl finish, enhancing the skin’s natural radiance. Kevyn Aucoin’s Lighting Stick is another excellent option for its natural, pearlescent effect.

Step 5: Complete With Lipstick and/or Lip Gloss Fill in your lips with a color similar to your natural lip shade, then add gloss or lipstick of your choice. Reapply as needed throughout the day for a polished finish.