Honestly, the name is kind of a stroke of genius. When Ariana Grande launched her beauty brand, r.e.m. beauty, she didn't just dump a bunch of generic makeup on us. She leaned into this whole retro-futuristic, space-age vibe that felt very "Break Free" meets Barbarella. But the love notes by Ariana Grande collection—specifically the At the Borderline Lip Liners—really changed the conversation around her brand.
It wasn't just another celebrity cash grab.
If you’ve been following the makeup world at all lately, you know that lip liners are having a massive resurgence. We aren't doing the 90s "dark rim and light center" look as much anymore, although that’s still a vibe for some. Now, it’s all about that soft, blurred, "your lips but better" aesthetic. That is exactly where these love notes by Ariana Grande come into play. People call them "love notes" because each shade is basically a love letter to a specific mood or memory.
The shades are named things like "pout," "top floor," and "edit," which feels very on-brand for someone who spends half her life in a recording studio.
What Actually Makes the Love Notes Collection Different?
Most lip liners are either too hard—like you're literally scratching your face with a colored pencil—or too soft, so they smudge the second you take a sip of coffee. Ari’s team somehow found this middle ground. The formula is a creamy matte. It glides. It’s got this sharpener built into the base, which is a lifesaver because nobody can ever find a sharpener when they actually need one.
I think the reason love notes by Ariana Grande blew up on TikTok wasn't just the celebrity name. It was the "staying power."
Check this out: usually, "creamy" means it’s going to slide right off your face by lunch. But these use a specific polymer blend that sets after about thirty seconds. Once it's on, it’s on. You can eat a salad, drink water, or even perform a two-hour set at Coachella, and that line isn't going anywhere. It’s impressive.
There’s also the color range.
Instead of just doing ten versions of "nude," the collection covers a lot of ground. You have the "screw it, I’m going out" bolds and the "I’m just running to Target" neutrals. It’s inclusive. That’s a word that gets thrown around a lot in beauty marketing, but here, it actually applies. The undertones aren't all just pink or orange; there are cool grays and deep browns that work on actual human skin tones, not just professional models under studio lights.
The Viral Impact and Why People Are Obsessed
You've probably seen the videos.
💡 You might also like: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Someone takes a liner, draws a tiny heart on the back of their hand, rubs it vigorously, and... nothing. It doesn't smudge. That’s the "hook" that sent the love notes by Ariana Grande liners into the stratosphere of viral products.
But beyond the "smudge-test" gimmick, there’s a real artistry to how these were developed. Ariana is a perfectionist. We know this from her music. She’ll record a hundred vocal takes just to get one "yuh" right. That same obsessive energy clearly went into the r.e.m. beauty labs.
The "love notes" concept feels intimate.
In a world where everything is mass-produced and feels a bit cold, receiving a product that feels like a personal note from the artist is smart marketing. It’s parasocial, sure, but it’s effective. It makes the consumer feel like they’re part of her inner circle.
Why Professionals Use Them Too
It’s not just fans buying these.
Professional makeup artists—people who have kits filled with Chanel, Dior, and Pat McGrath—are actually keeping these in their bags. Why? Because they’re reliable. When you’re doing a red carpet look, you need a liner that defines the lip without looking "heavy." The love notes by Ariana Grande liners have a very thin tip. This allows for precision that you just don't get with a chunky crayon.
- It works as a base for gloss.
- It can be used to slightly overline without looking like a clown.
- The matte finish doesn't interfere with the texture of other lipsticks.
Breaking Down the Shade Names
Let’s get into the specifics.
One of the most popular shades in the love notes by Ariana Grande lineup is "pout." It’s that perfect rosy nude that everyone wants. It’s the "I didn't try too hard but I still look incredible" color. Then you have "top floor," which is a much deeper, more soulful brown.
The naming convention is interesting.
📖 Related: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
It’s subtle. It’s not screaming "ARIANA GRANDE" in your face. It’s more of a whisper. "Edit" is a great example—a neutral that feels refined and tailored. It’s the kind of makeup you wear when you want people to notice your face, not your makeup.
There’s a common misconception that celebrity brands are just repackaged "private label" junk. You know, the stuff you can buy for two dollars in bulk and just slap a logo on. But if you look at the ingredients list for these liners, you'll see things like jojoba oil. That matters. It’s why your lips don't feel like a desert after wearing it for six hours.
How to Get the Best Result With Love Notes
If you managed to snag one of these before they sold out again, don't just scribble it on.
First, exfoliate. I know, everyone says that, but it’s true. A matte liner will find every single dry flake on your lips and highlight it with a neon sign. Use a sugar scrub or even just a damp washcloth.
Then, start at the cupid’s bow.
Don't try to draw one continuous line all the way around. That’s how you end up with a lopsided mouth. Use short, feather-like strokes. This is the "pro" way to use the love notes by Ariana Grande liners. If you want that trendy "blurred" look, apply the liner and then immediately use your ring finger to tap the edges inward toward the center of your mouth.
It creates a gradient.
Finally, top it with a bit of clear gloss or a matching r.e.m. beauty lipstick. The liner acts as a dam, keeping the gloss from bleeding into the fine lines around your mouth. It’s a classic technique, but with this formula, it works better than most.
Addressing the Criticism
Is it perfect? Nothing is.
👉 See also: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
Some people find the packaging a little "light." It’s plastic. It doesn't have the heavy, weighted feel of a luxury brand like Guerlain. If you’re someone who needs your makeup to feel like a piece of jewelry, this might disappoint you. But you’re paying for the formula, not the weight of the tube.
Another thing to note: because it sets so quickly, you have to be fast. If you mess up and let it dry, you aren't just wiping it off with a tissue. You’re going to need an oil-based makeup remover. It’s a double-edged sword. You want it to stay, but that means it really stays.
The Future of the Love Notes Aesthetic
Ariana has built a brand that feels cohesive.
The love notes by Ariana Grande isn't just a product; it’s a mood. It’s about that transition from the dreamy, ethereal "r.e.m." state to the sharp, defined reality of the "borderline." It’s a clever play on her song lyrics and her personal journey.
We’re seeing more brands try to copy this "intimate" branding.
They want to move away from the "Boss Babe" energy of the 2010s and into something more vulnerable and poetic. But Ari did it first, and she did it with a level of authenticity that’s hard to fake. She actually wears this stuff. You can see it in her "Get Ready With Me" videos and her concert footage.
When a creator actually uses their own product, the "love notes" feel a lot more genuine.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Beauty Routine
If you want to integrate this look into your daily life, here is how to handle the love notes by Ariana Grande experience:
- Identify Your Undertone: Before buying, look at the veins in your wrist. If they're blue, go for the cooler-toned liners like "pout." If they're green, look for warmer shades like "honey."
- Use the Built-In Sharpener: Every time you use the liner, give it a tiny click and a sharpen. A dull point is the enemy of a clean lip line.
- Layering Strategy: Use the liner over your entire lip—not just the edges—before applying lipstick. This acts as a primer and ensures that even when your lipstick wears off after a meal, you still have a base of color underneath.
- The Multi-Use Hack: In a pinch, the lighter nude shades of the love notes collection work surprisingly well as a long-wear eyeliner for the waterline to brighten up your eyes. Just make sure to sanitize it first.
- Removal: Invest in a high-quality cleansing balm or micellar water with an oil phase. Regular soap and water won't cut it with this formula, and you don't want to scrub the delicate skin on your lips too hard.
The hype around the love notes by Ariana Grande collection is one of the few times where the product actually lives up to the social media noise. It’s a reliable, high-performance tool that just happens to have a very famous name on the box. Whether you're a "stan" or just someone who wants their lipstick to stay put, it’s a solid investment in your makeup kit.