First impressions: Shiseido’s new LipLiner InkDuo Prime + Line

In a sea of flash-in-the-pan, deliberately irreverent new makeup brands, sometimes it’s the OG innovators who really come through with something cool – and incredibly practical. That is most definitely the case with iconic Japanese brand Shiseido, whose brand new LipLiner InkDuo Prime + Line really is the hybrid product I never knew I needed, and possibly now can’t live without!
Okay so I’ve only been playing with a selection of these beauties for a day or two – hence the header beginning ‘first impressions’ – but have to say that they are very impressive. Essentially a 2-in-1 tool to prime and line lips for perfect definition and longwear, the LipLiner InkDuo comes in the form of a dual ended pen, with one end housing a lip primer, and the opposite end is a lip liner.
The clear, almost balm-like and protectant primer is applied first to smooth lips, locking in hydration and preparing them for colour that lasts. It ensures the smooth application of everything to follow, starting with the automatic, micro slim line pencil at the other end. This can be used to line, define and fill lips with rich, lasting colour, and I have to say that the colour payoff of the shades I have been playing with is fantastic. They are high on pigment and they go on like a charm, which could be attributed to that fancy little primer that came first.

I love that the liner is pretty much smudgeproof, and can be used to shade, shape or colour lips depending on the look you’re aiming to achieve. Beginning at the centre, work outward for a precise application and then decide the finish you’d like to go for. For a matte finish, continue using the liner to fill in the lips, or apply your favourite shade of say, Shiseido’s amazing ModernMatte Powder Lipstick, VisionAiry GelLipstick or another lipstick of your choice. For a glossy look, apply the brand’s Crystal GelGloss or Shimmer GelGloss, the latter of which has also just arrived on counter.
If you want to get really clever, one of the brand’s J-Beauty tips is to switch up your liner for even more ways to play. Choose a liner in a lighter shade to tint or brighten the lips, and in a deeper shade to contour and add dimension. Love it.
Twelve shades of LipLiner InkDuo Prime + Line are available now, with an RRP of $50.00.