# Five Top Makeup Artists Reveal Their Go-To Lip Combinations Right Now
Makeup artists shape trends before they hit the mainstream. When pros talk about their personal lip choices, those recommendations cut through the noise of social media hype and land on what genuinely works in practice.
WWD Beauty gathered insights from five influential makeup artists, including breakout talent @paintedbyesther and legendary artist Sam Fine, on the lip combinations they're actually using in their kits and on their own faces. Their selections offer a masterclass in layering, undertone matching, and the small techniques that elevate a lip look from flat to dimensional.
The conversation spans multiple aesthetics. Some artists lean into monochromatic lips that match skin tone and clothing, a trend that persists because it's flattering and versatile. Others champion contrast, stacking bold pigment over nude bases or using undertone shifts to create depth. The common thread across all five approaches: intention matters. Each combination solves a specific problem, whether that's longevity, wearability on darker skin tones, or photogenic dimension on camera.
Paintedbyesther, who has built a following for editorial precision and skin-deep beauty knowledge, typically addresses the gap between makeup counter recommendations and what actually works for diverse complexions. Her selections likely reflect years of experience matching undertones across the spectrum. Sam Fine, whose career spans decades of high-profile work with celebrities and editorial shoots, brings a different lens. His choices tend toward formulas that photograph well and withstand the demands of a full day on set.
The specificity matters here. Rather than recommending a single lip product, these artists stack products: a primer under a cream formula, a stain over a gloss, or a pencil to define before a liquid application. These combinations extend wear time, shift how color reads on skin, and create visual interest that a single product cannot achieve alone.
For readers looking to replicate these looks, the takeaway extends beyond product recommendations. The artists share technique: how much product to use, whether to blend edges soft or keep them sharp, and how to adapt combinations for different occasions or skin tones. A combination that works for a wedding differs from one worn to the office or on camera.
Beauty consumers often default to whatever their go-to brand stocks, missing the possibility that a $6 liner from one brand pairs better with a $40 gloss from another. Makeup artists prove daily that the best results come from cross-brand collaboration and willingness to experiment. A lip combination that works costs less and performs better than chasing the latest single-product launch.
These recommendations land at a moment when lip color trends have fragmented. There is no single "it" lip right now. Instead, options range from barely-there sheers to saturated creams to stains that blur into skin. This plurality means personal preference and skin tone drive choice far more than trend forecasting. Hearing from artists who work across skin tones and aesthetics provides permission to build a lip routine that serves your specific complexion, preferences, and lifestyle rather than whatever landed in an algorithm.