Before their rising popularity as of late, lip liners have received a reputation of being reserved for “older women,” an uncanny makeup item that didn’t seem to mesh well with the lip gloss obsession taking center stage in the 90s.
Now, as lip oils and even lip balms with a juicy feel outweigh some lipsticks on the market, more and more people — including ourselves — are reaching for lip liners first to define and give the lip plumper (but not) illusion.
“Every trend comes back eventually, and lip liner is no exception,” Kenya Alexis, a makeup artist who specializes in makeup for darker skin tones, told the New York Post. “Pretty much all of my clients have asked me at some point to do a 90s-inspired look — nothing is more 90s than a dark brown liner with a lighter color in the center of the lip.”
I’ve been testing beauty products since my first trip to Sephora in middle school (you know, when you run out of a product and *have* to try a new brand), personally, and for nearly four years professionally in the editorial space. If there’s one thing my makeup vanity is saturated with, it’s a creamy, glide-on collection of lip products — so this review of the best lip liners is long overdue. (Related: Best nude lipsticks we reviewed).
Ahead, take a look at all the brands that made the cut. You can’t go wrong with any of them, and you’ll be thankful you decided to pick one up for some noticeable definition that’ll surely amp up the ante on your confidence — just like a good eyeliner pencil or cat eye-creating liquid eyeliner.
Be sure to check out the in-depth FAQ section following this review, too. There, you’ll find expert commentary from a team of makeup artists we interviewed on how to apply lip liner and other hacks for using these pencils to perfection.
Victoria Giardina
While swiping on the lion’s share of lip liners, I kept specific criteria I kept in mind while testing shades. Specifically, I tested each lip liner brand at least 10 times, with plenty of them shuffled in my regular getting-ready rotation for as many as four years now (yes, I like to say I started with this type of product ahead of the curve).
What’s more, it doesn’t take a long time to test makeup products — especially lip products — compared to other items like skincare, so this review incorporates honest notes on what I really thought when I first used each one, as well as some commentary on the tried-and-true favorites I’ve been using for the long haul.
Here’s what I based lip liners testing around:
Additionally, I tested each lip liner with the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick — my favorite nude lipstick I reviewed that complements fair skin especially well.
Best Lip Liner overall
Sephora
If there’s a lip liner I want to take to the grave with me, it’s the Too Faced Lady Bold Waterproof Longwear Lip Liner — no doubt about it. I’ve been using this particular lip liner for years and it always (1) lasts the longest and (2) amplifies my natural lip color beautifully.
Better yet, it’s ultra creamy and hydrating and is retractable. That’s right — no more pencil sharpening! For less than $25, it’s worth the buy, for sure.
SEPHORA $23.00 TOO FACED $23.00 ULTA BEAUTY $23.00KVD Beauty
The KVD Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner almost tied with the Too Faced lip liner, and they truly were neck-and-neck for a while until I made a game-time decision for what I ranked as the best lip liner of them all. While this one is creamier and has a better color payoff, it’s a bit more pigmented, so it doesn’t give as much of a natural definition compared to Too Faced’s lip liner.
However, I use this one pretty frequently, especially with pink lipsticks and darker ones, too. It’s a great option for nighttime, and the shade “Lolita II” is one of the most striking yet flattering.
Nordstrom
Everyone and their mother raves about the MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil. It’s seen in every MUA’s kit and has been lined up in neat rows atop shopping mall counters for years on end. What I love about this lip liner is how long it lasts yet how natural it looks. It’s the supreme balance of the two, and you’ll appreciate how it comes in a wealth of colors to match every skin tone imaginable.
Sephora
Meet one of the first lip liners I’ve used: the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner. I could write a novel about how much I love this brand (actually, I somewhat did — read our full brand review). Though this lip liner requires a good sharpening now and then, it offers a “barely there” effect, regardless of which shade I go for. Not to mention, it naturally defines your cupid’s bow area and is less than $20, impressively.
Revolve
I feel like ICONIC LONDON is a hidden gem in the makeup brand department. The brand has one of my favorite foundations for dry skin and the best eyeliner pencil *ever*. Its Fuller Pout Lip Liner is further proof that you shouldn’t sleep on this brand, especially since it’s fairly priced and is perfect if you love natural makeup looks.
While I don’t use the sponge tip on the flipside as much, it’s nice to clean up your lip area if your hand wavers outside of your natural lip line (or, you can opt to save it for smudging out your eye makeup!)
Sephora
The LAWLESS Forget the Filler Definer Lip Liner isn’t available in *so* many shades but it harbors the “quality over quantity” approach. I didn’t have high hopes for this lip liner (though I love its pressed powder), simply because I haven’t heard many people talk about it. However, it’s one of the quickest to apply, is well-pigmented and lasts all day.
Though its packaging could be improved (the cap tends to fall off quite often), it’s not a dealbreaker.
Sephora
If you’re planning your next weekend getaway or prepping your toiletry bag for your long flight, the SEPHORA COLLECTION Lip Liner To Go is the picture-perfect purchase for you. And, how can you pass this one up for only $6?
Real talk — it does the job. It’s well-pigmented, though I wish it lasted a bit longer. If you’re on a budget or want to see if you even like the look of lip liner before going all-in, I recommend this one.
Sephora
Ah, the acclaimed Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner. Spoiler alert: “Pillow Talk” is truly the universal shade (as explained by Queen CT herself, when we interviewed her for our full brand review). Her other shades are just as unique, and it’s *just* the right level of pigment without wearing out quickly.
Sephora
It’s the devil in the details. Selena Gomez wants you to feel uplifted each time you wear lip liner, so she released her very own Kind Words Lip Liner. Much like her brand’s raved-about Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner ($21), it’s that indulgently creamy product that simply deserves the attention and spot in your makeup bag. Plus, each shade is truly captivating.
Sephora
The MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil has garnered plenty of buzz on social media — and I can see why. I’ve used this lip liner for a few months and love how it seamlessly defines and has a hydrating feel. It doesn’t really budge, either, and its colors are stunning on any skin tone.
Sephora
When I first felt the LYS Beauty Speak Love Lip Liner Pencil, I instantly knew it was a high-quality product. It feels luxe in your hand, is long-wearing, is both vegan and cruelty-free and has a matte finish that offers incredible dimension with a creamy lipstick or lip gloss. Simply put, it’s divine.
Sephora
When you use the PATRICK TA Monochrome Moment Precision Lip Crayon, you feel like a million bucks — there’s no other way to say it. This is the most expensive lip liner I’ve tried thus far, though it’s worth the cost if you find yourself wearing lip products often and want to define your pout every. single. time.
Its stick formula makes the product feel more akin to applying lipstick, so it’s easier for beginners to use. It’s creamy, though doesn’t feel heavy on the lips.
Sephora
If you’ve been a long-time fan of Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump ($24) like we all are, the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner will be your next best purchase, guaranteed. Its $20 price point is reachable for most people and, for the quality, it’s one of the best value-based lip liners on this list.
Namely, it’s infused with hyaluronic acid — the superstar ingredient dermatologists recommended for hydration, among other skin benefits — to take full rein of that juicy formulation the brand is oh-so-known for. While it doesn’t last as long as others, it’s worth it.
Ahead, our team of makeup artists dished out the 411 on lip liners — why they’re making a comeback, how to properly apply one and more.
There are several factors at play when talking about lip liners and their growing popularity. However, our makeup artist experts offer their seasoned take.
“One, the comeback of y2k fashion, including its beauty trends, is making lip liners a rising product to buy,” Ernesto Casillas, a professional makeup artist who specializes in celebrities with a focus on complexion and beauty, told The Post. “Social media also played a part in this; when I started makeup, the trends were mostly geared towards lighter complexions and focused on fashion makeup, rather than what is popular on the streets. Visible Lipliner was frowned upon — remember concealer lips? These trends didn’t always look great on women of deeper complexion.”
Generally, a lot of women of color have lips with various tones and lip liner helps to bring dimension back to the lips. “The women of color on social media helped to popularize the comeback of the lip liner,” he adds.
Jamie Greenberg, celebrity makeup artist and founder of JamieMakeup, also shared her thoughts about lip liner with The Post. “I think lip liners have become so popular because people are finally starting to see how versatile the product is, and how much of a great tool it can be in really taking your lip looks to the next level,” she says.
“Lip liner is great when you want your lips to look fuller than they actually are,” Alexis says. “Who doesn’t love a slight over-lined lip? Beyond it being aesthetically pleasing, it also has more technical benefits, like allowing the lipstick to last longer by giving it an outline.”
Lip liner is also a great way to add depth to your lip look, per Greenberg.”It can also make your lipstick last longer,” she highlights. “You can choose to pair it with your [favorite] lipstick, or you can even use a lip liner on its own topped with a gloss.”
First, Casillas always starts with the cupid’s bow, as he finds that to be the trickiest part. “I like to over-line the cupids bow and round it out ever so slightly, then I’ll connect the sides of the lips,” he explains.
Greenberg echoes the same sentiment by starting slow and being precise. “I would start by lining your top lip, following the natural curves of your lip shape,” she offers. “If you prefer to overdraw, you can choose to go a little outside of your lipline to give you a fuller lip.”
For the bottom lip, she recommends over-lining the middle portion only, following your natural lip line to the outside corners for a more natural, pouty look. “If you want to make it extra sharp, take a concealer that matches your foundation shade and clean up the outside edges with a small detailed makeup brush.”
Another pro tip: Alexis emphasizes that you have to start with a good base. “Make sure your lips are moisturized and are not dry” (side note: I’m very much obsessed with the belif Aqua Bomb Overnight Lip Mask right now — and wear it 24/7, in addition to before we hit the hay).
“Generally, yes — lip liner should be a few shades darker than the lip color you apply,” Casillas says. “However, there are no rules to makeup; you can use a lighter lip liner to fill in the entire lip for a long-lasting nude lip.”
Alexis said virtually the same as Casillas, with Greenberg also chiming in on the topic. “It really depends on the look you’re going for,” she says. “If you want some contrast and a slight gradient to your lip look, I would opt for a darker lip liner.”
The short answer — absolutely. “On my days where I was wearing little to no makeup, I’ll wear a lip liner that is close to the color of my lips just so that I have a little bit more definition,” Alexis shares. “Also, sometimes the color of a lip liner can be closer to the look you’re going for than the lipstick you may have available and, in that case, you definitely can use a lip liner as lipstick.”
Casillas notes wearing a lip liner alone all over the lip is “one of the best tricks to achieve a long-lasting lip.” Sometimes, he’ll apply lip liner and blend it into his client’s natural lip color for that effortless-looking pop.
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