We all know how a lip liner is similar to a foundation primer, it just helps your lipstick to stay in place. No feathering, no bleeding, no smudges. In this article, you’ll find out amazing tips on how to keep lipstick from bleeding without lip liner.

You can certainly forego using a lip liner altogether, but be ready to hear that incessant little voice nagging in your head most of the time. Is my lipstick still in place? Is it bleeding out? Do I look like a clown now? Next thing you know, you’re holding your mirror again, checking on your lips.

Or worse — finding out that it’s all true.

This is exactly what you should NOT be experiencing, not just on date nights, all the time. That’s why these tips will prove to be very invaluable to you. In the later part of this post, you’ll also learn of the best lip primers to choose from to prevent bleeding.

How To Keep Lipstick From Bleeding Without Lip Liner
There’s no questioning how effective a lip liner is when it comes to preventing lip color from smudging. But it’s not something that we have all the time.

You may have run out of your favorite lip liner and still waiting for your next order to arrive. Or you can’t find a matching one for your lipstick.

Regardless of the reasons, here are some tips that will help that lip color stay in place even with no lip liner.

1 – Know your lipstick

Not all lipsticks are created equally. Even those labeled as long-lasting are not exactly the same. Some have more drying formula and some don’t really do well in staying put.

You don’t want to have a long-lasting lipstick bleed on you, because that means the clown effect will last as well.

When choosing a long-lasting lippie, be very careful of the glossy type. These are slippery by nature. There’s a time for a glossy lipstick. And there’s a time for one that can withstand all those acrobatics that your lips are doing while drinking coffee, sipping cocktails, or just plain old chats.

2 – Exfoliate your lips

If you want your lipstick to stay put, make sure that you’re applying it on your lips that don’t have flakes. A lip color on a flaky lip just makes the bleeding effect three-dimensional.

Lightly scrub away those dead skin cells on your lips and apply a lip balm. This will make sure that it’s smooth and clean when you start applying your lippie.

3 – Use highlighter instead of lip liner

This tip is what keeps your lipstick from bleeding if you don’t have any liner to use. According to makeup artist Michelle Phan in her article, you can use brow highlighter around your lips. A matte brow highlighter is as thin as a lip liner.

However, make sure that you use it on your skin around the edges of your lips only. This will help create a boundary keeping the colors where they should be. Besides, they also give the same lifting effect to your lips, making them stand out.

4 – Blot and apply alternately

Even if you have your brow highlighter or liner blocking the boundaries of your lips, if the lipstick won’t stick to your lips, it will still smudge one way or another.

This is where blotting comes in. You need to blot your lips with a clean tissue paper after every full swipe. Considering that we swipe our lippie three or more times for a fuller color, you need to make sure that your blot in between.

5 – Fill in with foundation

I have yet to meet someone without lip creases. While creases are part of the natural structure of our lips, some of us have obvious deep creases while others don’t. If you want to hide them, then you can fill them in with a foundation. So the next time you’re applying foundation on your face, brush some of them on your lips, just don’t overdo it.

6 – Keep yourself hydrated

This can never be stressed enough. Keeping yourself hydrated goes a long way, including keeping those lips plump and supple. Did you know that dry lips are not very good at making colors stick? Having healthy lips will prevent them from flaking and will be more tolerable to some drying formulas.

7 – Use your finger

You may be wearing that beautiful lip color but you wouldn’t want that to show on your teeth as well. Lippies are for lips and never for your teeth. After applying your lipstick, suck one of your clean fingers and pull it out. This will transfer any excess color on your inner lips to your fingers. After doing this step, remember to wipe and wash your finger right away! You don’t want the color to transfer to your clothes or whatever it may come in contact with.

Best Lip Primer to Stop Lipstick Bleeding
A lip liner is not the only cosmetic product that can stop your lipstick from bleeding. A lip primer can do this as well.

It’s pretty much the same as using a face primer before we apply our foundation. A lip primer helps smoothen your lips for an easy lip color application. Choosing the right primer also gives the following 3 benefits:

Prevents lipstick bleeding, fading and feathering
Makes the color on your lips stand out and last longer
Moisturizes and nourishes your lips
The last benefit will greatly help to keep your lip color from fading fast and will protect your lips from drying out easily. This is especially important if you’re using a long-lasting lipstick that has a drying formula.

Guerlain KissKiss Liplift Lipstick Primer

Best High-end – Guerlain Kisskiss Liplift Smoothing Lipstick Primer
Guerlain Kisskiss Liplift has a rich and creamy texture. You’ll immediately feel your lips becoming softer and silky smooth as you apply it. Once you’ve let this smoothing base set, it’s like having a second skin on top of your lips.

The new formula also contains microbeads (Guerlain just love microbeads, don’t you think?) that add volume to your pout for a plumped effect. It’s very moisturizing and keeps your lip color in place for a longer time than usual. So be ready to use a makeup remover once you want to take it off, because this really works in keeping the color intact. For days when you really need long-lasting makeup, remember to use Guerlain KissKiss Liplift. So if you still don’t have one in your makeup stash, add it now!

MAC Prep+Prime LipPrimer

Best Mid-range – MAC Prep + Prime Lip
This is my go-to lip primer. It’s very moisturizing and allows you to apply your lipstick easily. While your lipstick seemingly glides when applying it, it doesn’t allow the color to slip outside the edges. MAC Prep + Prime Lip can effectively hold the color in place which helps fend off bleeding and smudging.

Because it’s a bit cheaper than Guerlain KissKiss Liplift, I use this on regular days. I save Guerlain for special occasions, and when I need my lipcolor to last for hours. For everyday makeup, though, MAC Prep+Prime does a very good job. What’s not to love about it? The formula works really great with MAC lipsticks, which I’m pretty sure you have a lot of, as well as with other lipstick brands too.

NYX Makeup LipPrimer

Best Drugstore – NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer
NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer is a drugstore brand but it’s no pushover. In line with the products on this list, it’s also moisturizing and long-lasting. You’ll never have to worry about any smudging or feathering if you apply this before any lipstick.

So if you’re looking for a drugstore primer that works wonders, then look no further. You’ll be sure that your lipstick will really stick without being too dry. It’s also a great alternative to concealer because the lipcolor you apply over it will surprisingly be the same as the color on the tube!

Too Faced Lip Insurance Original LipPrimer

Best Vegan – Too Faced Lip Insurance Original Lip Primer
Even if you’re not going full vegan, this Vegan Lip Primer from Too Faced is also a great choice. It contains anti-aging peptides to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and make your lips appear fuller. Application of lipcolor over it will be a breeze. Just make sure to prep your pout first by exfoliating and moisturizing, then pat dry for a smooth canvas to work on.

Of course, the most important thing is that its quick-dry, lightweight formula locks down your lip color so you’re sure that you won’t get any bleeding, feathering nor will you experience color transfer. It’s also very affordable like any drugstore brand, which means you can spend more on the lipstick you want. Plus, it’s also cruelty-free!

Wrapping It Up
Knowing how to keep lipstick from bleeding without lip liner is essential if you want to have a peace of mind and fewer touchups. These techniques also help in case you’re unable to find a matching liner for your lipstick. I highly recommend keeping a lip primer on your collection like Guerlain Kisskiss Liplift Smoothing Lipstick Primer which goes well for a lipstick with or without lip liner.