Do you love bold lips? Here is boundary-pushing makeup inspiration

Lips are back in the spotlight, and for good reason. After seasons of subtle shine and the your lips but better aesthetic, the focus is returning to bold lip looks. Lips are no longer just a finishing touch, but a statement that defines the entire makeup look. You know the rule: less detail on the eyes, because all eyes are on the lips.

Nina Park delivers a plump effect without injections, relying on a precise play of light and shadow, while bouche mordue remains the ultimate Parisian trick for those moments when you want to look effortlessly seductive. There is also the lip contour trend, one of Charli XCX’s favorite looks, for all those days when you want to embody cool girl energy with a dose of Y2K boldness.

Bold lip looks rely on a play of textures and colors

However, if you followed the beauty scene closely back in 2016, you know that the bold lip was never limited to natural rosy tones or classic textures. Quite the opposite. At the time, black, dark blue, and rich purple lipsticks dominated it-girl moodboards, Instagram feeds, and fashion show backstages. Matte, vinyl, metallic, nothing was too much. Still, even that was not enough. Boundaries were pushed even further, especially when it came to textures and lip outlining.

Related: Nina Park’s makeup technique for plump lips is simpler than you might expect

Instead of lip liner, contours were drawn with rhinestones, beads, and crystals. The bold lip look evolved into an artistic gesture, where details defied the rules of everyday wearability. It was an era of maximalism, theatricality, and complete freedom, reflected in the offerings of makeup brands at the time. The aesthetic of 2016 did not strive to be practical, but unforgettable and as original as possible.

Related: From Audrey Hepburn to Jennifer Aniston: 6 lipsticks from iconic films and TV shows you can still buy

Inspiration for a modern bold lip look

Today, the bold lip may be somewhat more sophisticated and easier to wear, but the spirit of that era is making a strong comeback. If you are ready for a nostalgic return to a time when lips took center stage, we bring you inspiration for the boldest looks.