The makeup look everyone is talking about now is defined by a more lived-in and far easier to wear lip-makeup look: the blurred lip. It looks like you've just finished a coffee, kissed someone goodbye or blotted your lipstick on the way out of the door, and that effortless finish is exactly the point.
In this guide, we explain what the blurred lip trend is, why it suits almost everyone, and how to create it in five simple steps using our new Qudos buildable nude lipsticks in Rose Nude and Terracotta Nude.
What is the blurred lip trend?
The blurred lip is a soft-focus lip look where colour is concentrated in the centre of the mouth and diffused out towards the edges, with no hard lip line. Instead of a crisp outline, the colourfades gently into your skin, so your lips look naturally flushed rather than "made up".
You may also see it called the diffused lip, the soft-focus lip or the "just-bitten" lip. It has its roots in Korean beauty's gradient lip and has been a catwalk and social media favourite because it is quick, forgiving and flattering.
Why people love it:
Why nude lipsticks work best for a blurred lip
The secret to a believable blurred lip is a shade that sits close to your natural lip colour. A muted, almost skin-toned nude melts into the edges of your mouth without leaving a visible line, so the diffused effect looks natural rather than smudged.
Very bright or very dark shades can work, but they show every edge and need far more blending. A soft nude with buildable pigment gives you the best of both: subtle definition when you tap on a little, and deeper colour when you layer it in the centre.
The texture of the lipstick is also important and we feel
Meet the Qudos lipsticks: Rose Nude and Terracotta Nude
Our new Qudos lipstick comes in two muted nude shades designed for exactly this kind of look. Both are almost skin-toned, but richer, so they melt into your natural lip colour and give subtle definition. Both have buildable pigment, so you can layer them for a more intensely coloured lip whenever you want a change of look.
Because the pigment builds, one lipstick takes you from a barely-there daytime wash to a richevening lip. No extra products needed.
How to get the blurred lip look in 5 steps
Pro tip: for a cushiony, soft-focus effect, dab a clear balm just in the centre of your bottom lip once you're done.
Build it up: from barely-there to bold
The beauty of a buildable nude is that you control the intensity. You can dial it up or down for a versatile look.
To build colour, let each layer settle for a few seconds before adding the next. Always add pigment to the centre first and blend outwards; that keeps the gradient that is the key to this look.
Can't decide? Both shades are muted enough to suit most skin tones. They also work well when combined together. In theory the ‘Rose Nude’ was designed for fair skin tones, it’s a cold tone. The shade is versatile enough on its own, but adding a clear gloss on top or a lip liner for achieving different looks, changes the dynamic all together. Many people keep Rose Nude for daytime and switch to Terracotta Nude for evenings. The ‘Terracotta Nude’ was designed with an olive skin tone in mind, intended for dark haired Muses and is a warm tone. Equally versatile and we have tested it also on fair skin tones and saw the magic happen! Both shades were intended as universal, working well on their own, or combined, or finished with a gloss. Using a lip contour changes the look entirely, but that’s for another ‘how to’ makeup tip!
Blurred lip FAQs
Do I need a lip liner for a blurred lip? No. The look is all about removing the hard line. If you'd like a little extra fullness, lightly smudge a liner close to your lipstick shade inside your lip line, then blend it into the lipstick.
Can I do a blurred lip with lipstick instead of a lip tint? Yes. A creamy, buildable lipstick like Qudos Rose Nude or Terracotta Nude is ideal, because it presses into the lips and blends easily with a fingertip.
How do I make a blurred lip last longer? The formula is designed for longer wear and bite proof, but just to be sure, blot with a tissue between layers and set with a light dusting of translucent powder at the end. Because the look is meant to be soft, it still looks intentional as it fades.
Does the blurred lip suit thin lips? Yes. Concentrating colour in the centre and diffusing outwards creates a soft, plumper-looking effect. Our formula is designed for dehydrated skin so it will naturally hydrate and encourage a plumped effect.
Get the look
The blurred lip is proof that the most flattering make-up is often the simplest. With the right muted nude, a fingertip and a minute to spare, you can create a soft, diffused lip that looks naturally you, and build it up whenever the moment calls for more.
Ready to try it? Shop the new Qudos lipstick in Rose Nude and Terracotta Nude Share your look and tag us on social media; we'd love to see it!