Achieving the perfect pout is harder than it looks. It isn’t just about finding the right lipstick shade or gloss – the prep, lip liner and finishing touches can make all the difference to how full and defined lips appear.
I’m always on the hunt for products that can give my – quite frankly – thin lips a little extra oomph. Naturally, then, I was delighted to discover that Trinny London, the beauty brand founded by Trinny Woodall of What Not to Wear fame, has launched a new duo aiming to do exactly that.
The new Lip Reset Kit (£47) combines the Line2Define Lip Liner with the Sheer Joy Pro-Collagen Lip Oil, promising fuller-looking, more defined lips in just two simple steps. Available in 10 shade combinations, there’s everything from soft cherry and deep plum to warm cinnamon and shimmering coral, making it easy to find the ideal lip look.
I put three of the duos to the test over several weeks to see whether they really lived up to the hype. Here’s how I got on.
The Lip Reset Kit is designed with women experiencing the natural loss of volume, pigment and definition that comes with age in mind. Truthfully, I’m only in my mid-30s, so those concerns aren’t something I’ve noticed just yet.
What I have always struggled with, though, is naturally thin lips, and I’ve spent years trying just about every lip liner and gloss combination under the sun in the hope of creating a fuller-looking pout.
My first impression of the Lip Reset Kit was how convenient it is: the liner and lip oil have already been perfectly matched, taking all the guesswork out of choosing shades that pair well. It reminded me of Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Glossy Lips Duo (£21, Cult Beauty), another failsafe way to pick two complementary shades.
I had three duos to test: Gloria and Ally (a peachy nude liner with a soft pink lip oil), Fran and Thea (a deep nude paired with peachy pink), and Fay and Lola (a soft cinnamon liner with a coral shimmer oil).
The application couldn’t have been easier. The Line2Define Lip Liner glides on effortlessly without dragging, making it easy to slightly overline the lips for a fuller effect. I outlined my lips before softly blending the colour inwards, which gave a much more natural finish than a harsh, obvious line.
Next came the Sheer Joy Pro-Collagen Lip Oil. I was expecting it to be sticky, but it was far more comfortable than I’d anticipated. Yes, my hair did inevitably get caught in it during an aggressive gust of wind on the Tube, but compared with many glosses I’ve used over the years, it feels surprisingly lightweight.
I genuinely liked every shade combination I tried, although I have to give a special mention to Fran and Thea. The peachy pink lip oil paired with the deeper nude liner creates the most flattering everyday lip, striking that sweet spot between polished and effortless. It’s one of those combinations that instantly makes me feel more put together.
As for longevity, the colour lasted several hours when I wasn’t eating or drinking. However, once the gin and tonics started flowing, I found myself topping it up every couple of drinks.
That’s fairly standard for a glossy lip, though, and one thing I really appreciated was that neither the liner nor the lip oil bled into the fine lines around my lips – a beauty bugbear of mine and something that can quickly ruin an otherwise great lip look.
And like all Trinny London products, the packaging feels incredibly chic. The sleek silver finish gives the duo a premium feel that looks right at home alongside far pricier beauty brands (such as Victoria Beckham’s equally stylish makeup range).
My only real gripe came when it was time to sharpen the liner. The pencil casing is quite thick, and I managed to get it wedged in my sharpener twice.
For a brief moment, I genuinely wondered whether I’d have to start whittling it down by hand. Thankfully, I got there in the end, but it’s something worth bearing in mind for anyone using a standard cosmetic sharpener.
Overall, I was genuinely impressed by the Lip Reset Kit. The carefully matched shade pairings, easy-to-use formulas and comfortable, hydrating finish make it a standout option for anyone looking to create fuller-looking lips with minimal effort.
While the liner could be easier to sharpen and the glossy finish does need occasional touch-ups, those are minor drawbacks in an otherwise thoughtfully designed duo that feels every bit as premium as it looks.
READ NEXT: