I have been loving lip looks that keep the edges slightly deeper while the center stays smoother and softer.

It makes the lips look more dimensional, and both of these combinations create that effect in slightly different ways.

Art Visage 09 + Limoni 01

This pairing is the deeper and moodier option for me. Limoni 01 gives the lips a muted rose-brown outline with a slightly cool undertone, while Art Visage 09 adds more warmth and softness through the center.

I like to apply the pencil first, focusing especially on the outer corners and cupid’s bow. Then I blend the lipstick inward rather than covering the liner completely. The result is a soft gradient effect that makes the lips look fuller without an obvious contrast between the two products.

The finished shade feels sophisticated and slightly autumnal to me. It works especially well when I want the lips to be the strongest part of the makeup while keeping the rest of the face simple.

Vivienne Sabo 02 + Elian 04

The second combination feels lighter, softer, and more romantic. Elian 04 creates a warm rosy outline, while Vivienne Sabo 02 adds a smoother pink-brown tone that makes the finished look feel more natural.

I especially like this combination for everyday makeup because it gives the lips definition without making them look heavily lined. I usually blur the pencil slightly before applying the lipstick so the transition stays seamless.

The final effect is glossy, softly sculpted, and very wearable. It has enough color to make the face look fresher, but it still works beautifully with minimal makeup.

Which One I’d Choose

For a deeper, more defined rosy-brown lip, I would choose Art Visage 09 with Limoni 01. When I want something softer and easier for daytime, Vivienne Sabo 02 with Elian 04 feels more effortless.

Both combinations fit perfectly into the current trend for softly contoured lips, where the liner shapes the lips without becoming the main focus. That balance between definition and softness is exactly why I keep returning to this kind of lip look.