Soft, smudgy and effortlessly cool, the blurred lip is fast replacing perfectly sculpted pouts. Combining a soft-focus cupid’s bow with a just-bitten rosy centre, it’s a look that’s been seen everywhere from the runway to the Met Gala red carpet.

“Not often does a beauty trend stop me in my tracks, but the blurred lip has done exactly that,” celebrity makeup artist James O’Riley, whose client list includes Florence Pugh and Winnie Harlow, tells 374.

“An original yet wearable take on the statement lip, it brings a young, fresh and relaxed energy. It’s lived-in, sultry and a little sexy without ever feeling too try-hard. Unlike a precisely lined lip, it demands minimal upkeep and zero perfection.”

Here, James shares his step-by-step guide to recreating the look at home.

1. Ace your base
“A beautiful finish starts with preparation. Gently buff away any dryness or flakiness first - the Tatcha Kissu Lip Scrub is my favourite - to leave lips smooth and even. Next, apply a hydrating serum to plump and condition. Chanel’s Hydra Beauty Micro Serum Lèvre has a featherlight texture that absorbs beautifully without leaving residue, so your lip products glide on effortlessly.”

2. Ready, set, blur
“The application of your liner is key. I always reach for matte formulas as they’re easier to diffuse. Merit Signature Lip Sheer Liner, Rhode Peptide Lip Shape and Lisa Eldridge Sculpt & Shade Lip Pencil are all favourites with a natural blurring quality that does half the work for you.

Lightly sketch around your natural lip line before using either your fingertip or - my preference - a brush to buff the pigment outwards, creating that signature soft-focus effect. I love the Hourglass No.3 All Over Shadow Brush or the MAC 286S Duo Fibre Tapered Brush for this step. Choose a liner that’s the same shade as, or slightly lighter than, your lipstick.”

3. Bounce, don’t swipe
“Next, press the lipstick directly onto the lips using a bouncing motion with the bullet. This keeps the finish unstructured rather than flat or overly done.

If you need to clean up the edges, lightly press a Beautyblender loaded with a tiny amount of foundation or concealer around the outer lip line without disturbing the blur. For extra dimension, finish with a gloss but keep it contained within the original lip line. This creates a beautifully full, luminous centre while preserving the soft, diffused edges that makes the trend so effortlessly cool.”