10 Must-Try Lip Makeup Trends From The Past, Present, And Future
Lip trends evolve over time, but the best ones stand the test of time, bubbling away in the background and circling back as if they’d never fizzled out in the first place. From bold Marilyn Monroe-inspired red pouts to the fresh, natural vibes of Rom-Com lips (a twist on the 'my lips but better' look), the world of lip colour is continuously evolving, reinventing itself to keep pace with changing dynamics and emerging trends. Whether you're revisiting iconic styles from the past or exploring the trends that will go on to define lip makeup in 2025, our list of 10 must-try lip makeup trends has something for everyone.
1. Ombré Lips
Ombré Lips are a 90s hit reborn. Inspired by dip-dye hair, and popularised by runway models and Hollywood stars, Ombré Lips have remained an on-off trend ever since. Repopularised via TikTok in 2023-2024, this look blends two lip colours, creating a gradient from dark at the edges of the lips to light in the centre (or from the Cupid's bow outward), giving lips a fuller, more three-dimensional appearance.
How It’s Created: Line the outer edges of your lips with a dark liner or lipstick. Fill in the middle with a lighter, contrasting shade. Use a lip brush or finger to blend the two shades, achieving a seamless gradient effect.
2. Concealer Lips
Making a comeback alongside the rise of the barely-there makeup trend and viral TikTok posts from beauty influencers like Sofia Richie, concealer lips are a bold nod to the noughties. Originating from the '90s ultra-matte lip, this trend ditches lipstick in favour of one or two shades of concealer. The aim? To mute your lips right down to the same shade as your face makeup, masking your natural lip line to create a very nude, almost invisible lip effect.
How It’s Created: Completely cover your natural lip colour with a concealer (or foundation) that matches your skin tone. Use your finger or a sponge to blend the formula, blurring the lip line for a seamless, ‘invisible lip’ effect.
3. Gym Lips
The technique we now know as Gym Lips is one that's actually been around for years. It involves over-lining your lips before filling them in and applying a treatment or subtle gloss to create the appearance of naturally plumper lips without heavy contouring. Makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell is credited with rebranding the technique as ‘Gym Lips,’ sparking its viral rise in 2022 and the subsequent takeover of TikTok’s ‘For You’ page, Instagram feeds, the Love Island villa, and even the lips of Kim Kardashian.
How It’s Created: Over-line your lips with a liner closely aligned to your natural skin tone, fill in with a lightly tinted lip balm, and finish with a clear gloss or lip oil for a plump, 'just left the gym' look.
4. Glass Lips
Glass lips are one of many Korean beauty trends that have spilled over into Western beauty routines in recent years. Coming hot on the heels of the glass-skin trend and proving popular with celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Jennifer Lopez, the Glass Lips trend is all about using a mega-high-shine lip gloss to create a light-reflecting, glass-like pout. It’s not to be confused with Glazed Lips, though, which is essentially a toned-down version with a hint of colour.
How It’s Created: Line your lips with your chosen shade of lip liner (nude is best, but any works), then apply a high-shine gloss or lip oil (subtle colours work best) to create a glass-like pout.
5. Red Lips
There literally isn’t a lip trend as timeless and universal as red lips—they’re iconic. Traced back to the ancient Sumerians in 3500 BC and subsequently popularised by Elizabeth I, it is, however, Marilyn Monroe who cemented its iconic status in the 1950s. Having gained fresh momentum thanks to a growing number of red-lipped celebrities, including Rihanna and Taylor Swift, this "always-on" trend is primed to pop in 2025. As the name suggests, it’s all about using red lipstick to create a vibrant, red pout.
How It’s Created: Outline your lips with a red liner to prevent feathering. Apply a full-coverage red lipstick and blot for a flawless, long-lasting red pout. Leave matte for a vintage vibe, or swipe gloss on top for a high-shine twist on this iconic look.
6. Rom-Com Lips
An emerging trend that's almost certainly going to explode in 2025, Rom-Com Lips (or movie lips, period-drama lips—whatever you want to call them) draw inspiration from the 'just kissed' look that became synonymous with the leading ladies of '90s rom-coms, as well as period dramas. A variation of the ‘your lips but better’ look, this low-glam lip makeup is all about creating a blurred, natural-coloured lip with a semi-matte finish.
How It’s Created: Using a light dabbing motion, apply a semi-matte lip colour that closely matches your natural lip tone, blending outward with your fingers to create a naturally blurred effect. Alternatively, prep with lip balm, then apply your regular cream blush, smudging the product together for a soft, blurred “just kissed” effect.
7. Honey Lips
From latte makeup to brownie lips, and even jelly lips, there have been countless food-themed beauty trends over the years, but ‘Honey Lips’ is perhaps the sweetest of them all. Popularised by beauty creator Eva Larosa and inspired by the rich golden hues of honey, this look doesn’t require you to lather your lips with the condiment. Instead, it’s all about using shimmering golden eyeshadow, a liner, and a tinted gloss to give your lips a luscious, golden glow.
How It’s Created: Apply a coat of shimmering golden eyeshadow (a golden lipstick or gloss would work too) using your finger, focusing on the centre and your cupid's bow, blending outwards. Line your lips with a nude or warm brown liner, then swipe on a coat of high-shine transparent gloss or lip oil for luscious, glowing lips.
8. Frosted Lips
Following in the footsteps of countless Y2K-era (1990s–early 2000s) beauty trends that have reemerged in recent years, frosted lips circled back and went on to become one of the biggest lip trends of 2023 (even Kendall Jenner hopped on board). Technically dating back to the 1950s, the trend was really popularised by 90s celebrities like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and is characterised by pale hues with shimmery, almost metallic or glass-like finishes.
How It’s Created: Line your lips with a nude liner before applying a pale, shimmery, almost metallic lipstick. Layer gloss on top for added shine and you’ll have nailed ‘Frosted Lips.
9. Cherry Cola Lips
We’ve already explored a food-themed lip trend, so it only makes sense to dive into a soda-themed one—Cherry Cola Lips. Drawing inspiration from the deep burgundy, brownish-red, and dark cherry tones of the popular US soda, this trend is one of the most celebrity-endorsed of all—from Lana Del Rey and Amelia Gray to Kylie Jenner, the list is endless. Pairing a dark brown liner with a bold red lip colour to create juicy, plump, high-gloss lips—it’s almost like a homage to the iconic 90s lips of Naomi Campbell.
How It’s Created: Outline your lips with a burgundy or dark brownish-red liner, then fill them in with a vibrant red lipstick, blending it into the liner for a seamless look. Finish with a swipe of transparent, high-shine gloss to give your lips a juicy, plump appearance.
10. Caviar Lips
Almost certainly the most extreme, unreplicable, and impractical lip trend of all, Caviar Lips sent Instagram into a frenzy when it first surfaced in 2017. Popularised by makeup artist Vlada Haggerty, who famously layered genuine black diamonds and black onyx beads over black lipstick at a Smashbox Cosmetics event in Moscow, this bedazzling trend is all about attaching 3D gems to create a shimmering, multi-dimensional pout. Think of it as the glitter lips trend—but with a serious upgrade.
How It’s Created: Optionally coat your lips with lipstick in a colour that’s similar or complimentary to that of the jewels you’ll be using. Dab eyelash glue on your lips and use a pair of tweezers to pick up and place the 3D gems, starting with the outline and working inwards until your lips resemble a disco ball.