Quick answer: The reverse lip liner trick means applying your lipstick first, then using a waterproof liner on top to define and correct the shape. On mature lips this is easier and more forgiving: with the color already in place you can see exactly where the border needs help, blend the liner into the lipstick, and stop color from feathering into fine lines.
Key takeaways
- Reverse lip lining means lipstick first, liner second, so you define the shape after you can see the color.
- A waterproof liner sculpts the border and helps prevent feathering on mature lips.
- Pulling the liner gently into the lipstick avoids a harsh outline and looks natural.
- Creamy, hydrating lipstick flatters mature lips; very dry mattes tend to settle into lines.
- This is a Mother's Day episode of Nikol's Fierce Aging series, filmed on her 75-year-old mom.
Hey ladies! In this special Mother's Day video, Nikol Johnson sits down with her own mother — 75 and glowing — for a simple, flattering makeup look and a first look at her reformulated lipstick collection. The star technique is the reverse lip liner trick, a small change in order that makes a big difference on mature lips. Here is exactly how it works, and how Nikol builds the whole look step by step.
What is the reverse lip liner trick?
Instead of outlining your lips before you add color, you apply your lipstick first and then use a liner on top to sculpt and refine the shape. Because the color is already down, you can see precisely where the border needs definition, lift the Cupid's bow, balance any asymmetry, and — crucially — pull the liner gently down into the lipstick so there is no visible ring around the mouth. Nikol reaches for a waterproof pencil so the line stays exactly where she places it.
Why does reverse lip lining flatter mature lips?
As lips mature, the vermillion border softens and can develop a pale outline, and color tends to feather into the fine lines around the mouth. In the video Nikol points to the "white line" several viewers ask her about — a natural change with age. Lining after the lipstick lets her correct that border exactly where it needs it, blend the edge into the color for a natural finish, and rely on a waterproof formula that helps color stay put instead of bleeding. As always with mature or sensitive skin, patch-test new products and be gentle around delicate areas.
How to do the reverse lip liner trick (and the full look), step by step
Nikol keeps it simple — her whole point is that you do not need a 10- or 15-step routine to feel beautiful. Here is the order she followed on her mom:
- Hydrate first. Prep the lips with the Rose Lip Balm for a soft, conditioned base, over BB cream and concealer on the skin.
- Eyes. A soft wash from the "Fresh Beauty" 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette, then a waterproof eyeliner in Plum tapped along the base of the lashes and smudged soft with a short smudge brush.
- Brows. A skinny brow pencil in taupe to rebuild a sparse, mature brow with fine, hair-like strokes.
- Lashes. One pass of the Volume Up mascara, rolling the rounded wand through the lashes to separate and darken without piling it on.
- Cheeks. A little Cream Blush in Palm Beach on the apples, blended up for a fresh flush of color.
- Lip color first. Apply the Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick — Nikol's mom chose the shade Actually, I Can — straight from the bullet or with a retractable lip brush.
- Reverse-line. Now trace the border with the waterproof WaterProof Lip Liner in Organza, correcting the shape on top of the color and pulling the liner into the lipstick so the edge looks seamless.
- Finish. Top with a touch of Cocoa 13 lip gloss for a fresh, glossy shine. A little cream bronzer is optional for extra warmth.
A mother-daughter Fierce Aging moment
This look is part of Nikol's long-running Fierce Aging series, where she does gentle, confidence-boosting makeup on women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and well beyond. Doing her own mother's face for Mother's Day, she keeps every step minimal and lets a little added color do the work — the eyebrows and the lipstick, her mom says, are what make her feel most beautiful. The video also debuts the reformulated Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick collection: eight repackaged shades made with comfortable oils like olive oil, shea butter and pomegranate for a velvet, hydrating finish. It is a reminder that a polished lip look has no expiration date.
The bottom line
The reverse lip liner trick is a tiny reorder with a big payoff on mature lips: color first, then define and correct with a waterproof liner blended into the lipstick, so nothing feathers and nothing looks harsh. Ready to try it? Explore Nikol's lip liners, lipstick, and the full lips collection to build your own recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you put lipstick or lip liner on first?
Traditionally you line first, but in the reverse method you apply lipstick first and line afterward. For mature lips this is easier: with the color already down you can see exactly where the border needs definition, correct any asymmetry, and blend the liner into the lipstick so there is never a harsh outline.
What is the reverse lip liner trick?
The reverse lip liner trick means applying your lip color first, then using a liner on top to sculpt and define the shape. Because the color is already placed, you can perfect the border precisely, lift the Cupid's bow, and pull the liner down into the lipstick for a soft, natural finish.
How do you stop lipstick from bleeding into the lines around mature lips?
Seal the edge with a waterproof lip liner. Nikol defines the border after the lipstick so the liner blends into the color rather than sitting as a visible ring. A waterproof formula stays where you place it and helps keep color from feathering into the fine lines around the mouth.
What lipstick formula is best for mature lips?
A creamy, hydrating formula with medium-to-high coverage tends to flatter mature lips most. Very dry matte lipsticks can cling to and emphasize lip lines, while velvet-cream textures stay smooth and comfortable. Nikol's reformulated Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick is made with oils like olive oil, shea butter and pomegranate for a comfortable feel.
Why does Nikol feature her mother in this tutorial?
The tutorial is a Mother's Day episode of Nikol's Fierce Aging series, where she does simple, flattering makeup on women over 50. Working on her own 75-year-old mother, she shows how a little added color can lift a face that feels washed out, proving her No Beauty Rules philosophy works at any age.
