Why I Love to Line My Lips

Hello, Violet Gang!

Welcome to my very first beauty post. I thought I’d start with lipliners because my lips have lost pigment and size. I haven’t been using them very often so far. I’ve found them hard to use and useless. Or maybe not meaningless, but not necessary.

Now that I’m in my forties, changes are happening to my appearance, and I've started noticing them. I’m not like “Oh, my god! Somebody call a plastic surgeon! I need help.” I have boundaries I won’t cross. When I was a kid, I got compliments about my looks. Then it was half and half - pleasant and not so pleasant. Not pleasant because I was shy. Well, I’m still that.

But I would have appreciated compliments about my character, too. I am not just what you see on the outside. Far from it, but I won’t go there.

MERIT The Brand

“MERIT is the antidote to the overwhelming world of beauty. We simplify what it takes to get ready by creating well-edited essentials that help you do more with less.” – www.meritbeauty.com

MERIT Beauty is based in Los Angeles, California, with teams operating on both the East and West Coasts. The company was founded in 2021 by Katherine Power and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States.

1. Mayfair 2. Coupé 3. Beverly Hills 4. Bespoke.

The Lipliner Hues I Picked

I picked four colours: Mayfair, Bespoke, Beverly Hills, and Coupé.

Mayfair is a cool-toned nude. It is the shade you reach for when you want your lips to look naturally fuller. The color is subtle and not noticeable. It’s understated but makes a big difference in defining the lip shape. If you find many nudes too warm, Mayfair hits the sweet spot. Its tone is soft and muted. Think polished but low-effort — perfect for everyday wear or a minimalist look.

Bespoke: The Rich, Sophisticated Neutral

Bespoke is deeper — a rich brownish nude with a touch of warmth. It adds structure without overpowering the rest of your makeup. Bespoke is the one you grab when you want your lips to feel “done” but still natural. It pairs exceptionally well with a sheer gloss or even worn alone with a little balm. It’s also incredibly versatile across different skin tones, which isn't something you can say about every neutral.

Beverly Hills: The Warm Peachy Nude

Beverly Hills lives in a warm, nude family, but it's more lively — a soft peach that brightens the face. It's youthful without being cutesy. Beverly Hills is ideal if you prefer a little more warmth in your lip color. It adds life, especially if you’re wearing bronzer or a golden-toned eye look. It's sunny and flattering but stays grown-up.

Coupé: The Modern Berry

Coupé is Merit’s take on a cool berry, and it’s gorgeous. It's bold enough to make an impact but not so intense that it feels intimidating. Coupé adds instant vibrancy, working as a stand-alone color or under a gloss to create a just-bitten, fresh look. If you’re tired of nudes but don’t want a full-on red, Coupé is a sharp, modern choice.

A Violet-Tinted Conclusion

My favorites, hands down, are Coupé, Bespoke and Mayfair. Merit’s lip liners aren’t about overlining to the point of no return. They're about subtle enhancement — making your lips look enhanced, fuller, and better without the heavy makeup look. Easy to wear, hard to mess up — that's the whole point.

Simple. Smart. Worth it.

Always in your corner (and cabinet!),

Nina