In the ever-evolving world of makeup, trends shift quickly, but every few years, a new look emerges that disrupts the norm and signals a deeper change in beauty culture. That’s exactly what’s happening with the rise of the “halo lips” technique, a soft-focus, blurred-lip look that gives the illusion of natural fullness. This method is already backed by some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Dua Lipa, Ashley Graham, Lily Allen, and Hailey Bieber, all clients of renowned makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes.
The Halo Lip Is Basically a Real-Life Filter
What makes this makeup trick so distinctive is that it doesn’t rely on sharp outlines, fillers, or glossy tricks. It’s about mastering the illusion of plumpness through subtle color layering and seamless blending. The finished look is reminiscent of a beauty filter effect, except it’s achieved entirely with makeup and the human hand.
This aesthetic mirrors a larger movement away from hyper-perfection and heavily contoured features. As consumers grow tired of unrealistic beauty standards, there’s a renewed appetite for techniques that enhance rather than conceal.
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How the Halo Effect Is Created, and Why It’s So Effective
Katie Jane Hughes explained in a recent video how the method relies on using warm tones and strategic placement of product to create the illusion of depth and roundness around the lips. The process begins by applying a hint of bronzer around the mouth using a small brush.
“If you want your lips look fuller without filler, then you always want to play in the volume area. Ignore the part of the mouth where it’s pinky or fleshy toned,” she explained.
After the bronzer is diffused softly around the lips, a lip pencil is applied just inside the area of the bronzer. The key here is to avoid drawing a precise line. Instead, the product is gently blended with a brush to build depth and shading.
In the end, add a touch of color, either another lip pencil or a lipstick, is dabbed in the center of the lips. This draws light to the middle of the mouth, creating the illusion of fullness and volume in the most natural way possible.
