Want Compliments? These Juicy Lip Combos Will Do The Trick

It's Lips Week here at Adore Beauty which means lots and lots of gorgeously lush lips, everywhere.

For the sake of this article though, we're honing in on the all-important lip combo. What is a lip combo, you ask? It's the culmination of multiple lip products, thoughtfully layered to create the ultimate finish.

Think: perfectly curated blends of colour and juicy texture that are so good they scratch that satisfying part of the brain. A swipe of liner here, a dot of gloss there and *voila* you’ve got yourself a to-die-for combo.

The beauty of lip combos is that there are no rules. It’s all about what works for you and, more often than not, whatever products you have on hand.

Finding that perfect signature lip though - that can take some trial and error. But once you've found it - there's no better feeling and (trust us) the compliments ensue.

For some inspiration, we’ve asked our team of beauty aficionados to share their go-to pairings. Here are the lip combo's we keep coming back to:

“I’m all about something quick, neutral and hydrating in my day-to-day. Think: my lips but better.

Remember Velvet Teddy? She’s still that girl. I use the MAC Lip Liner in Velvet Teddy for definition.

Then top it off with the AB LAB Lip Oil in Cashmere, my absolute fave shade. It’s a mauve-y pink that gives my lips the perfect hit of hydration, colour and shape.” - Chloe Nguyen

"A combo that works day to night is key for me. My current go-to's are MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil in Limitless Brown, paired with NYX's Fat Oil Slick Click in In A Mood because of how buildable both products are.

For a daytime look, I like smudge and soften the liner with my fingertips (always!) for a blurred finish. It's particularly easy with the Color Pencil because of how creamy it is. I'll then apply one swipe of the fat oil slick for a sheer finish.

At night - I'm all about a bold liner and liberally apply the fat oil slick for all that glossy goodness" - Nicole Nazareth

"To know me, is to understand there are 16 different lip products wedged into my purse - at any given time. So, naturally, the combo is every-evolving (ie whatever I happen to pull out).

As a baseline though, my handbag houses lots of plumping glosses (I want lips to look glassy and full - always), and plush liners (to lend some colour and structure).

This juicy trio above tends to garner me the most compliments and, as a Leo Sun, that feels like the end goal, right?!

I start with Huda Lip Liner in Warm Brown. This shade plays beautifully with both brown-toned nudes and pearly pink shades. I prefer the look of a fuller pout, so I overline but have learnt to do so sparingly.

Focus on enhancing the cupid's bow and the center of the bottom lip, while keeping the outer corners as close to the natural lip line as possible. This will give the illusion of fullness without looking overdone or too messy.

Follow in with M.A.C Cosmetics Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Warm Teddy. This shade is every bit worth the hype. A universally flattering warm nude-brown, it reminds me of those 90's neutrals but warmer. The revamped silky-matte formula delivers 12 hours longevity and pigment.

Applying like butter, the silky formula boasts hydrating ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter to nourish, while drying down to a near-matte finish. I'll gently buff in [using fingertips] to diffuse any harshness. If, (for some some god-forsaken reason) I was skipping gloss that day, I'd finish here for a soft-blurred, velvet finish.

Normally, the look calls for a swipe (or two) of gloss - usually plumping. Gucci Beauty Plumping Lip Gloss in Suzanne Brown has become a go-to.

I'll be honest - she's not the longest lasting gloss known to man (Huda Faux Filler Gloss is my longevity pick), but she is undeniably stunning.

Veering on the sheer side, it deposits the most idyllic, glassy reflect. The shade wears well atop most pencils and lipsticks or alone for a gentle wash of colour.

I find the plumping effect to be decent - there's minimal tingle but you'll still get that fuller-looking pout. The finish is equal parts voluminous and eye-catching. Very kissable! " - Francesca Hartley

"My routine is ever-evolving. It depends on how I’m feeling, where I’m going, and what lip liner I pull from my handbag (which, let’s be real, needs a clean-out).

On this particular day, I was heading to a bottomless brunch, so I needed something long-lasting and low-maintenance. Enter: my go-to trio.

First, the NYX LIP IV Gloss Stain in Blush Rush. A hydrating rosewood stain I pop on while I finish my glam, then blot off for a your-lips-but-better reddish-brown base.

Next (my favourite step): lip liner. I’ll never not love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner in Deep Taupe. A cool beige-brown that contours beautifully on fair skin.

To finish, I top with the Basics By B Luxe Lip Oil in Belize. Glossy, comfy, and genuinely hydrating thanks to its skincare-style formula.

The perfect trio when I want to make a statement, without stressing about touch-ups." - Ally Brown

"I am a huge chocolate lip combo fan. Give me ALL the combos.

I have a few lip combos that I’m currently rotating (as I’m sure most people with a strong love for lip products do), but at the moment the one I’m wearing most is the Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in Cocoa Crème, which is the perfect amount of non-aggressive gloss for someone who isn’t a typical “high-gloss” girlie. It also imparts the perfect shade of light chocolate on my lips.

Plus, as most Pout Preserve fans (read: everyone at Adore HQ) can attest to, it has a gorgeous formula that feels so plush on the pout.

Then I line my lips with the MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil. I honestly use all the brown shades in the range (they’re just so universally-flattering), but the one getting the most use at the moment (even coming to Europe with me as used in this selfie I took on my hotel balcony in Rome) is Limitless Brown" - Sadaf Razi

"Lips are my favourite part of applying my makeup. However, it’s a bit of a process - but trust me, the juicy results are worth it.

I start by lining my lips with the Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Brownie Pie, then fill most of my lips (leaving the centre bare) with Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, blending the edges for a soft fade.

Then I apply Huda Beauty’s Power Bullet Cream Glow Lipstick in Empress right in the centre and blend it into the lip liner for that seamless ombré moment.

I finish with a light swipe of Huda Beauty’s Faux Filler Gloss in Glassy. And that’s how I get full, glossy lips that look super juicy!" - Mel Goitom

"I’m usually pretty low-key with lips — a sheer wash of taupe or plum if I'm feeling fancy.

But liner? That’s where I like to play. It’s the easiest way to tweak a look, add shape, and fake a fuller pout.

My liner-to-lipstick ratio is questionable… but we digress.

Lately, I’ve been loving the NYX Duck Plump Lip Liner — a rich dark brown with a triangular tip that makes lining super easy. It glides on smooth, blends out beautifully, actually lasts, and gives a subtle tingle (no weird red ring situation, thankfully).

I’ve been topping it with my ride-or-die Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve in Cocoa Crème. Nourishing, sheer, and the perfect warm tint. Plus, it helps take the edge off the plump effect.

Warm, tonal, a little ‘90s: My ideal low-effort, high-impact winter lip." - Jasmine Riley

"This lip combo has been a fairly new addition to my everyday routine, I have never been one to wear such vibrant colours on my lips (especially berries or reds) but man, the amount of compliments I've gotten on this combo is crazy!

So it involves my ride or die, NYX Lip IV (which I've spoken about previously) in the colour Red-y Set Wet!.  

At first, it looks a little scary - but when you wipe it off, the stain that's left is such a pretty deep pink. It pairs perfectly with my Laneige Tinted Lip Serum in Blueberry Jelly (and this one smells DIVINEEE). So if you're feelin a bit adventurous, I highly recommend this combo." - Ada Chau