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By India Espy-Jones ·Updated March 5, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Having soft lips doesn’t just refer to the texture. Instead, this season, blurred lips are the ultimate indicator of how soft yours actually are. “We’re in the midst of a new beauty renaissance, and blurred lips feel undeniably romantic,” MAC national artist Ximena Curtis tells ESSENCE. “They’re effortless, flirty, and deliver the perfect pop of color without doing too much.”
First gaining popularity as a K-beauty trend, blurred lips “have been popular for years, and usually are connected to a more natural, youthful look,” says Erika Guinn, vice president of brand marketing and community at NYX Professional Makeup. Seen on celebrities from Zendaya to Lori Harvey, Naomi Campbell to Jodie Turner Smith, Curtis says soft, diffused lip moments helped elevate the trend from fleeting to iconic.
Below, these makeup pros break down how Black women can achieve the blurred lip and best products to do it with.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 10: Zoë Kravitz attends W Magazine’s Annual Best Performances Party at Chateau Marmont on January 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for W Magazine) What is a blurred lip?“Blurred lips offer a new approach to wearing your favorite lip shades,” says Guinn. It’s when you use a subtle color at the center of your lips or blur out your lip liner for a more soft, pouty appearance. “You often use less product to achieve the look and the outcome tends to be a softer, more natural finish.”
How do you achieve a blurred lip?Step 1: Exfoliate your lipsLike the first step to any lip combo: “The blurred lip look starts off with soft, moisturized lips,” says Guinn. “Try exfoliating them to create an even softer, smoother pout.”
Step 2: Apply your lip liner (optional)“Start by softly lining and lightlysrc="https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2202728548-scaled.jpg" alt="How To Achieve The Blurred Lips Makeup Trend" width="400" height="560" />Doechii at Le Grand Dîner du Louvre held at Musée du Louvre on March 04, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images) How do blurred lips differ from traditional application?
“Unlike traditional lipstick—where bold lines and precision are the focus—the blurred lip is intentionally soft and diffused,” says Curtis. “It’s less about solid structure and more about mood.” Hence why the key technique to the look is how well you can blur.
Instead of lining the lips and adding lipstick from the outside in, Guinn says blurred lips are the opposite. “Blurred lip application usually focuses on applying the product in the center of the lips and pushes out to the edge.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Chase Infiniti, winner of the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Award for “One Battle After Another” poses in the press room during the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Brianna Bryson/Getty Images) The Best Products to Achieve Blurred Lips MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lip + Cheek Mousse 
Curtis says shades like “Date Night” or “Burning Love” will give off a beautifully blurred, berry-stained pout. Available at maccosmetics.com 27Shop Now NYX Professional Makeup Smushy Matte Lip Balm 
Having a buildable base to your blur can enhance the softness of your lip look—and feel—even more. Available at nyxcosmetics.com 9Shop Now REFY Lip Blur Lip Liner 
It’s in the name. This lip liner is perfect for a blurred lip because of its dome applicator, which helps effortlessly blur your lip lines. Available at sephora.com 24Shop Now NYX Professional Makeup Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain 
“[This] is my new favorite product because it offers a shiny gloss finish then settles into a lip stain after removal,” says Guinn. “It’s perfect for a shiny/matte blurring combo.” Available at nyxcosmetics.com 12Shop Now MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil 
Curtis suggests using a “brown-based liner closest to your complexion—cult classics like Stripdown, Cork, or Chestnut never miss.” Available at maccosmetics.com 25Shop Now Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip + Cheek Blush Stain 
Make your blurred lip last longer—and look even more natural—with a transfer-proof lip stain (that’s also kiss proof). Available at sephora.com 28Shop Now TOPICS: 2026 makeup trends lip productsThe post How To Achieve The Blurred Lips Makeup Trend appeared first on Essence.