Pat McGrath Is Back With New Spring Lip Combos
It officially spring, which means it’s time to have a little more fun with our makeup. Luckily, Pat McGrath Labs has just the thing: a new lip combo hack. A […] The post Pat McGrath Is Back With New Spring Lip Combos appeared first on Essence.
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By India Espy-Jones ·Updated April 16, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… It officially spring, which means it’s time to have a little more fun with our makeup. Luckily, Pat McGrath Labs has just the thing: a new lip combo hack. A few weeks ago, they launched their very first collection, the Lip Sculpt + Shade Contour Duos, since filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. And, in true McGrath fashion, it packs a major punch.
“Spring is about light, freshness, andsrc="https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/04/IMG_7095-1-scaled.jpg" alt="Pat McGrath Is Back With New Spring Lip Combos" width="400" height="533" /> Combo #1 — Nude Dimension
“For an everyday look on deeper skin tones, I would choose a rose and brown combination,” she says, pointing to her Lip Sculpt + Shade Contour Duos’ “Nude Dimension” shade. “[It gives] that softly sculpted, romantic lip.”
As someone who admittedly licks their lips, that habit often erases all the hard work. The first thing I noticed when trying on this collection was its sheer staying power. I had to intentionally scrub each combo off my lips to test out the next shade. I can thank their Permalock technology for that, which ensures the formula has all-day wear while being non-bleeding, smudge-proof, transfer-proof, and very clearly waterproof.
I often opt for nude shades, and this soft rose peach nude combo was romantic, sculpted, and perfect for all your romantic whims. It’s the season of spring flings, after all.
Screenshot Combo #2 — Elson ExtremeI’ll be the first to admit I never thought red was my shade. It’s an undeniable classic. Strong, fierce, and says a lot about a person. However, the “Elson Extreme” duo has got me quite convinced.
“Red to me is neutral and perfect all year long,” McGrath says, which explains why she went with another duo of a similar name, “Elson”. “For deep skin tones specifically, I love pairing a deep red/brown liner with a cool-blue red lipstick in the center like ‘Elson Extreme’.”
Unlike “Elson” which is a blue-red-on-red lip liner and lipstick duo, “Elson Extreme” pairs a deeper lip liner with a crimson lipstick. The application is vibrant, yet precise, which makes it easier to apply your reds without accidentally having it smeared all over your teeth.
Screenshot Combo #3 — Midnight MagentaLastly, McGrath points out “spring is the time to come out of hibernation and pull out the color,” she says. And, that doesn’t just mean red. “Have fun with purples, magentas and pinks,” she encourages. “My ‘Midnight Magenta’ shade is a great lipstick and liner combo that’s modern, vibrant and powerful.”
The modish purple liner is paired with strikingly cool magenta that you can play up with a swipe of LUST: Gloss (her go-to shade is “Bronze Venus”). She says a little dab at the center of the lip amplifies dimension and gives that glassy, light-catching finish.
Screenshot How To Apply The Perfect Spring Lip ComboThe double-sided applicators take all the guesswork out of your lip combo. However, a few application techniques can really take it there.
First, “make sure to moisturize your lips, then blot them off with a tissue. Then it’s all about structure,” McGrath says. “Start by defining the lip line with the liner end—slightly over-contouring with shades like Shockolate Brown or Nude Dimension—then blend inward.”
Next, she recommends you apply the lipstick side in thin layers, pressing pigment into the lips rather than swiping. “This builds longevity,” she says. However, “if you tend to lose your lip throughout the day, anchoring the shape with a deeper contour keeps the lip looking defined even as the center fades.”
TOPICS: lip combos Pat McGrath Pat McGrath LabsThe post Pat McGrath Is Back With New Spring Lip Combos appeared first on Essence.
