If 2025 was the year of the “Clean Girl” blush, 2026 is officially the year of the defined lip. Leading the charge is Hailey Bieber, who has traded her signature soft neutrals for a look that feels far more edgy and editorial. Dubbed “Espresso Lining,” this trend involves using a dark, cool-toned brown liner to create a stark, moody border, paired with a sheer, milky gloss that lets the center of the lip remain almost bare.
It’s the ultimate “main character” makeup. It’s a nod to the 90s icons—think Naomi Campbell or Cindy Crawford—but with a modern, high-shine finish that keeps it from looking dated. “It’s about the contrast,” one celebrity MUA noted. “The goal is to create a pout that looks three-dimensional and a little bit dangerous.”
How to Master the Espresso Lining Technique
The secret to this look is precision and blending. You aren’t just drawing a circle around your mouth; you are sculpting it.
- Select Your “Espresso” Shade: You need a liner that is several shades darker than your natural lip tone and specifically cool-toned. Avoid reddish browns; you want the color of a double-shot espresso.
- Overline with Intention: Focus your overlining on the Cupid’s bow and the center of the bottom lip. Keep the corners of your mouth sharp and tight to create a “lifted” effect.
- The “Smudge-In”: Using a small lip brush or your ring finger, gently blend the liner inward towards the center of your lip. You want a gradient effect where the edges are sharp but the transition to the center is soft.
- The Milky Finish: Top it all off with a sheer, milky gloss. The goal is a “glazed” look that catches the light and makes the darker border pop.
View this post on InstagramThe Espresso Lining Essentials
To get the perfect 90s-inspired contrast, you’ll need a long-wearing, deep brown pencil and a hydrating, high-shine gloss. Here are the top picks for achieving the Hailey look:
Step 1: The Defined Border
- Lancôme Lip Idôle Lip Shaper in 62 Morning Espresso: This is the gold standard for this trend. It is waterproof, smudge-resistant, and provides that exact cool-toned dark brown pigment needed for a sharp border.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner: A full-pigment, velvety-matte pencil that allows for extreme precision without feathering.
- Juvia’s Place Luxe Lip Liner: Known for being incredibly creamy and pigmented, these liners glide on like a dream and stay put all day.
Step 2: The Milky Glaze
- NYX Professional Makeup This Is Milky Gloss: Infused with vegan milk, this gloss provides 12 hours of hydration and that specific “glassy” milky color that defines the trend.
- Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly: A cult favorite that offers the comfort of a balm with the high-shine finish of a gloss. It’s perfect for a sheer, nourishing layer.
- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Cream: For those who want a bit more color payoff in their gloss, this formula provides smooth, voluminous-looking shine with zero stickiness.
The Final Take
Espresso Lining is the perfect way to transition your beauty routine into the cooler months of 2026. It’s sophisticated, slightly moody, and works on absolutely every skin tone as long as you find the right level of depth in your liner. It’s proof that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to look back at the icons who did it first.
Affiliate Disclosure: At Feeling the Vibe, we track the trends so you don’t have to! This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. Keep caffeinated and keep glowing!
Diana is the co-editor-in-chief of Feeling the Vibe. She loves pop culture and is always up to date on the latest news. If you have any tips or comments, email [email protected].
