Lip combos — we all know ’em, we love ’em, and we have seen them smattering our FYPs for weeks on end. When you’re unfamiliar, a lip combination is just a mix of lip products, applied in a selected order, to attain a final lip look. If that sounds vague, that is because lip combos as an idea are gloriously easy — any group of two or more lip products counts as a combo, and from there just about anything goes. Lip liner, lipstick, lip stains, glosses — they’re all on the table. If this total freedom feels more intimidating that liberating, don’t fret. We have rounded up six Allure editors’ signature lip combos to fire up some inspiration and get you began.

Despite the fact that the world is your oyster relating to lip combos, there are some fundamentals that’ll show you how to create the proper, lasting combo. Christine Ewaa Paris-based makeup artist, suggests commencing by prepping your lips. Ewa recommends using a lip mask or thick balm to moisturize your lips beforehand but notes that your lips needs to be residue-free before you go in with any color. When you’re really concerned about longevity, she advises using a touch of your base makeup or a primer to cut back smudging and provides the products something extra to stick with.

Next, consider entering into with lip liner to set the tone for the remaining of the lip and prep for further product application. “Lip liners are often made with long wear formulas today so that they prevent migrations of the lipstick almost like a contoured shield,” she says. “It is also easier to fill in a lip that’s already shaped,” she adds.

Once your liner is on or decided, it is time to take into consideration the best way to top it off. Ewa mentioned that relating to combining lip pigments, she looks for a selected feature out of all of the products prior to combining them. For instance, applying a darker lip liner before a lighter lipstick helps add dimension, and a gloss can create the illusion of fuller-looking lips. When you’re trying to get extra fancy, consider trying out an ombré effect, go for shades which are different enough which you can tell the 2 hues apart even after you’ve got blended.