We love the Dior Lip Oil as much as the next person, but glossy, syrupy lips are finally facing some decent competition as rom-com lips or “movie lips” make a stunning case for soft, semi-matte textures. In fact, the trend looks set to go stratospheric in 2025.
In GLAMOUR's 2025 makeup trends forecast, top makeup artist, Tanielle Jai, (who has heavily influenced viral aesthetics like the latte makeup look), told us snogged lips will be the one to watch, with semi-matte balms now in contention for the win in 2025, given the romantic (and forgiving) finish they can create.
“I think we’ll be seeing less emphasis on defined lip liner and more of that ‘bitten lip’ look inspired by Korean and French beauty trends,” she said. “It’s a soft, blurred, just-kissed, lived-in matte style that feels effortless."
Intrigued? Here's what you need to know…
What are rom-com lips?
"Picture the makeup of a ‘90s rom-com female lead — the lips have a subtle flush that looks natural yet still gives a pouty, blurred effect," Tanielle explains. “Movie star lips [are] the perfectly kissable no-makeup makeup that's just a hint of colour, that you only really see on movie sets,” agrees makeup artist, Bronte-Marie, in a video posted to her TikTok.
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How to get rom-com lips?
Unsurprisingly there's some movie magic that goes into creating rom-com lips that doesn't necessarily transfer to everyday. “The problem with movie lips is it's impossible to recreate because it's usually a mixture of colours, or a blotted-down formula, so who knows what it really is?” explains makeup artist Kat James in another video on TikTok. But there are several ways that you can tap into the look easily.
“Saie Beauty came out with lip blurs and I'm telling you – movie lips,” notes Kat. “I'm using the colour ‘Classic’ and just pressing it on, then pressing it in with my finger,” she says. The key is for the lip shape to look natural rather than overly defined. “I'm really working it into the lip. No lining, nothing precise. This is how you get movie lips. They just look flushed, kissed [...]. So good,” says Kat.
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Meanwhile, Bronte-Marie shared a method using products you probably already have in your stash at home. “I was trained to work on movie sets […]. The actual way that this would be achieved on is by mixing a custom lip shade, but no-one wants to watch a tutorial on that so I will show you the quick, easy way to get the same effect at home. Firstly, you want a lip liner that runs slightly deeper than your lip tone […] blend it with a finger just to create a natural structure, rather than ‘lip liner’,” she says. Use the same cream blush that you used on your cheeks, then pat it in on top. Then, "grab a tinted lip balm. This is going to mix the cream blush in with the tinted lip balm and create something really pretty. Your lips look defined, but they look soft and kissable and on a film camera this would read as essentially no makeup,” says Bronte.
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Tanielle recommends Violette_FR’s Bisou Balm “[this] perfectly embody the vibe, with a natural matte finish that’s still hydrating,” she explains. And makeup muse, Mina Zibayi, agrees. "All you need is this lipstick. This is the Violette Bisou Balm. These are so unique because of their texture […]. You see how soft it looks? Stunning,” she says.
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How to wear rom-com lips?
We've seen rom-com lips flushed brighter pink or red (like a bitten lip colour), or more neutral or nude in softer brown tones. Here's some of our favourite ways to wear it…
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For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
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