'I tried the Kardashians' makeup artist's lip liner hack. Here are my honest thoughts.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellness. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's beauty editor Erin Docherty tries the latest celebrity makeup hack.

My lips. They're the width of shoelaces. 

They are! They really are.

And don't get me wrong - I think they suit my face perfectly. It's just that sometimes... I wish they could look a smidge plumper. Juicer. Actually look good with lipstick.

Because y'see, even when I line them and slap on a touch of colour, they just kind of... disappear when I smile.

So when I saw celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips share her hack for applying lip liner and lipstick - the same technique she uses on Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lopez - I had to try it. 

Because their makeup looks are always absolute perfection (see: below) - but it's their infamous plump lips everyone is always talking about.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mary Phillips (@maryphillips)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mary Phillips (@maryphillips)

In a recent TikTok video by Phillips, the LA-based makeup artist shared her nifty trick to nailing perfectly plump lips - minus filler.

But first, remember that time I tried... lube as primer? Post continues below.

Here's everything you need to know about the latest celebrity lip liner technique, and my honest review on it. 

What is Mary Phillips' lip liner hack?

In the caption of her video, Phillips writes, "The lip liner technique I prefer to use! Everyone has a different preference and that's OK."

Yessss, Mary. So much yes.

Taking us through her technique step-by-step, Phillips explains: "I like to begin in the corners of my mouth and I start right outside the natural lip line. But this is where I stay the closest to the actual lip line.

"And just extend it [the lip line] slightly at the very top and at the very bottom of the lower lip," she says while lining around the borders of her lips.

Her liner of choice? "Giorgio Armani lip pencil in 12."

While it doesn't look like this is available anymore (sad face), in the comments, Phillips suggests Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk, $32, as a great alternative.

She also says to "enhance the cupid's bow following the natural shape of the upper lip" by taking the lip liner up a "little bit higher", then adds a touch of concealer with a makeup brush to smooth the edges. 

"I take a soft brush and just smooth it out so that there's no really hard line visible. Then I take a little bit of concealer on a concealer brush and just make sure everything is nice and clean," she says. 

To finish, she applies a liquid gloss - SUQQU Flawless Lip Gloss in 02.

Here's what it looks like, c/o Mary Phillips:

@makeupbymaryphillips the lip liner technique i prefer to use! everyone has a different preference and that’s ok 💋 let me know if you have any questions! #liplinertutorial #overlininglips #liplinerhack #makeupartist #maryphillipstechnique #oscars2023 ♬ Lo-fi hip hop - NAO-K

Isn't it pretty? Big Kendall Jenner vibes.

Now to put it to the test.

My honest review.

Let's do it!

After watching Phillips' technique, and telling myself it looked like a total cinch, I pulled together a tight little squad of products - a lip liner, a glossy lipstick, a liquid concealer, some brushes and a mirror. 

I used Kylie Jenner Lip Liner in 305 Harmony (it comes as part of a set) and Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss in Enchanting Kiss (a hydrating, glossy little number that feels lovely on the lips).

I also had Tarte Shape Tape Concealer on hand and a couple of small makeup brushes.

The gang.

Now, let's talk about what I usually do when I line my 'lips', shall we?

While I usually slightly overline the cupid's bow and the bottom of my lip, the trick here is to overline the entirety of your lip line. 

I also usually start at the cupid's bow, but Phillips starts at the corners first, building it out.

Using the lip liner, I outlined my lips starting from the corners and followed Phillip's step-by-step routine.

Step one: Complete.

Next, I swiped on the Charlotte Tilbury lipstick and then followed with Phillips' nifty concealer technique, tidying it all up with a makeup brush.

Here's what my lips looked like before and after.

She's lookin' JUICY.

While the technique isn't exactly groundbreaking, it certainly works. My lips definitely look fuller and plumper than they would if I'd just whacked on a bit of liner and lipstick.

One thing to note is that if you're applying lip liners all over your lips, they tend to become pretty dry. So make sure you've slathered on some kind of hydrating balm prior (I used Vaseline).

Now, I'm not sure if it's the technique or the products or a combo of both, but I also noticed I needed to touch-up the colour and go back and perfect the lip liner as the day went on (eating sushi, drinking 14 cups of coffee, opera singing, etc.).

So there you have it!

All in all, the technique is pretty simple. Again, while it's nothing groundbreaking, it's one I'll definitely be trying again.

Sooo, am I Kendall Jenner yet?

Would you try Mary Phillips' lip liner technique? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feature image: TikTok; @maryphillips; Supplied.