How to Create Mesmerizing Galaxy Lip Art: A Step-by-Step Guide

Discover how to transform your lips into a celestial masterpiece with this comprehensive, creative, and beginner-friendly galaxy lip art tutorial.

By Medha deb
Created on

Galaxy Lip Art: The Ultimate Guide to Celestial-Inspired Lips

If you’re ready to take your makeup game to cosmic heights, galaxy lip art is the mesmerizing trend that brings the beauty of outer space right to your lips. With cosmic swirls, stardust effects, and shimmering color transitions, it’s a look that grabs attention and lets your creativity shine. Whether you’re prepping for a festival, party, or just a bold Instagram post, this guide will walk you through every step to creating the ultimate galaxy lips.

What Is Galaxy Lip Art?

Galaxy lip art is a creative lip makeup style inspired by space imagery—capturing swirling nebulae, glittering stars, and dreamy gradients of blue, purple, and magenta. It fuses imaginative color play and fine details to transform lips into a mini-universe. Thanks to its eye-catching results and Instagrammable style, it’s become one of beauty’s most iconic editorial trends.

Why the Galaxy Trend Is Taking Over Beauty

The viral sensation of galaxy-inspired hair, nails, and eyeshadow eventually landed on lips, fueling a surge of stunning cosmic lip art across social media. Makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike love the trend because:

  • Endless color combinations: The galaxy theme lets you blend purples, blues, pinks, and metallics in countless stunning variations.
  • Versatility: You can go subtle with soft pastels and shimmer or bold with dramatic contrasts and chunky glitter.
  • Creative freedom: There’s no one-size-fits-all—every galaxy lip look is unique to the artist.
  • Social media appeal: These lips photograph beautifully, making them perfect for sharing on Instagram and TikTok.

Essential Galaxy Lip Art Products

To create show-stopping galaxy lips with long-lasting results, gather the following must-have products:

  • Lip primer or concealer: To erase natural lip color and create a clean base.
  • Liquid lipsticks in several cosmic hues: Think navy blue, deep purple, fuchsia, black, and metallic silver or teal.
  • Eyeshadows or face paints: To add depth, dimension, and colorful blending.
  • White eyeliner or liquid lipstick: For drawing tiny stars and dots.
  • Fine glitter or holographic pigment: To mimic stardust and add sparkle.
  • Flat and detail makeup brushes: For blending and precision work.
  • Makeup setting spray: To lock in your art and prevent smudging.

Step-By-Step Galaxy Lip Art Tutorial

1. Prep and Prime Your Lips

Start with clean, exfoliated lips. Dry or flaky skin will show through your makeup and prevent smooth blending. Gently slough away dead skin with a lip scrub or damp washcloth. Next, apply a small amount of lip balm and blot away any excess so lips are hydrated but not slippery.

For a true-to-color finish, neutralize your natural lip color using a dab of concealer or foundation and set lightly with translucent powder. This ensures all shades pop vibrantly, and pigments won’t mix with your natural lip tone.

2. Lay Down the Cosmic Base

Select a deep, spacey base shade—navy blue or black lipstick works best. Using a lip brush, fill in your lips completely, creating a blank, galactic canvas. Crisp edges are ideal, so clean up with a concealer brush around your lip line.

3. Build Your Nebula: Blend and Layer Colors

Choose two or three complementary bright colors such as purple, magenta, teal, or metallic blue. With a small brush, dab and blend these colors in irregular swirls and patches across the lip, focusing on the center or outer edges for a dimensional effect. Let some of the dark base peek through—don’t overblend. This randomness echoes space clouds and gaseous nebulae.

  • Tap on metallic or shimmer shades at the center for a glowing highlight.
  • Add a soft ombré by feathering lighter shades outwards from the middle of your lips.

4. Speckle on Stars

Stars are the magical finishing touch. Use a white liquid lipstick, white face paint, or waterproof eyeliner to dot tiny and irregular star shapes across both lips. Variation is key—create a mix of small and slightly larger dots. For extra realism, add a few “cross” stars or cluster several dots together like distant constellations.

  • To create a “galactic dust” effect, flick a toothbrush dipped in thinned white paint or pigment lightly over your lips. Shield your face to avoid splatter.

5. Add Galactic Dust and Glitter

Top it off with sparkle. Using a cosmetic-grade glitter or holographic pigment, press a small amount onto areas where you want shine—often the center for a 3D effect, or around your stars to mimic stardust. Avoid applying glitter too close to the inner lip to minimize transfer or ingestion. For a diffused look, sprinkle glitter, then gently press down with a clean finger.

6. Clean Up and Perfect

Use a flat concealer brush to clean the edges of your lip line and perfect the galaxy shape. You can sharpen the Cupid’s bow or expand the lower lip for dramatic impact. Spritz lightly with a setting spray for extra hold and a just-finished, dewy sheen.

Pro Tips from Makeup Artists

  • Mix textures: Combine matte, metallic, and creamy finishes for added depth and light reflection.
  • Go lighter in the center: This gives your lips a fuller, nebula-like glow that looks 3D in photos.
  • Keep the lips slightly parted while designing, so color and detail stretch seamlessly across both lips.
  • Use fine detail brushes or an old toothbrush for splatter techniques and tiny stars.
  • Work in thin layers for longevity—thick lip color can crack or transfer.
  • If you make a mistake, wait for the product to dry, then use a clean brush and concealer to correct small spots without disrupting the design.

Color Combinations and Theme Variations

Need inspiration? Try these color pairings and creative twists on the classic galaxy look:

  • Aurora Borealis: Deep blue base with lime green, turquoise, and purple streaks plus silver shimmer.
  • Purple Nebula: Black base, blended with violet, pink, and lavender metallics—finish with white and pink micro glitter.
  • Red Dwarf: Burgundy-to-black ombré, with gold and red metallic swirls or micro-glitter.
  • Cosmic Pastel: Light blue base, pastel lilac, pink, and mint swirls, topped with iridescent holographic pigment for an ethereal, airy finish.
  • Starlit Night: Matte navy base, random star doodles in white and yellow face paint, silver sparkle in the Cupid’s bow.

How to Make Your Galaxy Lip Art Last

To keep your cosmic creation intact all night:

  • Start with oil-free lips—no heavy balm before makeup application.
  • Use long-wear or waterproof formulas as your base layers.
  • Apply thin, well-blended layers of product for better longevity.
  • Set each stage with translucent powder if needed, especially before adding glitter or face paint.
  • Minimize eating or drinking, or use a straw to prevent smudging.
  • Carry a Q-tip and a small pot of glitter for emergency touch-ups on the go.

Quick DIY Galaxy Lips: Cheat’s Guide

If precision art isn’t your forte or you’re in a hurry, here are some shortcuts to stunning space lips:

  • Temporary lip tattoos: Brands like Violent Lips offer galaxy-printed transfers—just cut, stick, and peel for instant art.
  • Stampers or liquid eyeliners: Stamp star shapes over bright lipstick for a celestial effect in seconds.
  • Glitter topcoat: Swish a glittery gloss over teal or purple lips for a quick cosmic vibe—just remember gloss and heavy glitter may move around more with wear.

How to Remove Galaxy Lip Art

  • Soak a cotton pad or tissue with an oil-based makeup remover.
  • Hold the tissue on your lips for 20-30 seconds to dissolve makeup and glitter.
  • Wipe gently—do not scrub. Repeat as needed until lips are completely clean.
  • Finish with a nourishing lip balm to rehydrate after makeup removal.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Overblending colors: Keep some separation between hues for maximum galactic effect rather than one muddy shade.
  • Applying thick layers: Thin, gradual build-up lasts longer and is less likely to crack or clump.
  • Using craft glitter: Only cosmetic-grade glitter should go near your mouth; craft versions may cause irritation if ingested.
  • Skipping setting spray: This crucial step locks in all the hard work and sparkle.

Galaxy Lip Art Inspiration Gallery

Let these ideas spark your own interpretations:

  • Try a deep blue base with scattered starbursts for a night-sky effect.
  • Use metallic purples and shimmering green for a nebula in motion.
  • Layer dots of opal pigment over black lipstick to mimic distant galaxies.
  • Add a sharp silver line along the Cupid’s bow for a futuristic space highlight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is galaxy lip art beginner-friendly?

A: Yes! While advanced designs require practice, the basic process (blending and dotting) is very achievable for beginners. Temporary tattoos or stampers make it even easier.

Q: Can I use eyeshadow on my lips for this look?

A: Yes, but only if the product is safe for lips. Use soft, finely-milled eyeshadows and always apply over a hydrating base. Avoid anything not labeled safe for the mouth.

Q: How do I keep glitter from getting everywhere?

A: Use cosmetic glitter and apply with a damp brush for precision. Tap off excess and gently press with a finger, then set with spray. Avoid overloading with product.

Q: Will eating or drinking mess up my galaxy lips?

A: Bold lip art is prone to transfer with contact. Use a straw, avoid oily or hot foods, and carry touch-up supplies if you plan to eat or drink.

Q: What’s the safest way to remove all the makeup and glitter?

A: Always use an oil-based remover and a gentle touch. Do not rub hard or use rough wipes, especially when glitter is present.

Q: Can I do a glossy version of galaxy lips?

A: Yes—apply all matte or metallic shades first, then gently dab a non-sticky clear gloss on center lips only to avoid smearing the art.

Final Space-Age Tips for Perfect Galaxy Lips

  • Test shades and placement on the back of your hand before committing to your lips.
  • Photograph your work under different lighting for the best social media impact—cosmic colors pop under bright white or UV light.
  • Pair your galaxy lips with shimmery highlighter and soft eye makeup for a balanced editorial look.
  • Share your cosmic creations with beauty communities for extra inspiration and feedback!

Let your imagination run wild—galaxy lip art is all about expressing your love of color, shimmer, and the infinite possibilities of the universe right on your lips. Whether you go all-in with multidimensional swirls or keep it minimal with a scattering of stars, your cosmic pout is guaranteed to make an out-of-this-world statement.

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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