9 Best Lip Liners in 2022 (Makeup Artist-Reviewed)
A lip liner is an important tool to help you define your lip shape and prevent your favorite color from feathering or bleeding. Lip liners are available in pencil or retractable tube forms, and plenty of different shades from light to dark. So it can be hard to choose!
After poring through numerous products, we put together a list of the best lip liners, with Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat Lip Liner taking the top spot for its highly pigmented and waterproof formula. We also have a buying guide reviewed by a professional makeup artist to help you figure out which liner is your perfect match.
Quick List - Top Lip Liners
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to further her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the ins and outs of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
How to Choose a Lip Liner - Buying Guide
Choosing a lip liner can be a daunting task, considering how many products currently exist on the market. With this buying guide, we hope to help you figure out which liner works best for you.
Pick Between a Pencil or Retractable Liner
Lip liners are offered in two primary forms: retractable tube or pencil form. They both have their pros and cons, so you should carefully consider them before purchasing.
Pencils Draw Fine and Precise Lines
If you want to draw crisp and sharp lines, the traditional pencil form is a good option for you since you can use a sharpener to adjust the tip to any size you want.
However, this type of lip liner cannot easily be used to color your entire lip. You'll also need to sharpen the tip frequently, particularly when it breaks. Don't forget to invest in a good sharpener to avoid wasting the product and keep it in your makeup kit for emergency sharpening.
A Retractable Liner Doesn't Need Sharpening
Retractable lip liners can be used to define the shape of your lips, but they can also work as a lipstick replacement. Thanks to their thick and soft core, you can use these to fill your lips in the same way as lipstick.
Moreover, if you struggle with sharpening lip pencils and want a more convenient option, then a retractable lip liner can really help you. When the liner is dull or getting low, you just need to twist the body, and a new tip will be pushed up. However, it cannot draw lines as crisp and defined as the traditional pencil type.
Consider the Shade Range
The shade of lip liner is an important factor to take into consideration when you choose a lip liner. It would help if you thought about your lipstick's color and the makeup style you want to have.
Match Your Lips for a Natural Look
If you tend to do your makeup lightly or prefer a natural look, then you should choose a lip liner shade that is similar to your lip color. Shades such as nude or coral will bring a gentle feel and can really compliment your lips. For nude color, you should choose a shade that is around one tone lighter than your skin for better effect.
If you have a fair skin tone and a cool undertone, it is best to go for nude pink lip liners with a cool undertone. These will enhance your lip's natural color. For people with a warmer undertone, opt for nude lipsticks with an orange or beige undertone.
Those with medium and olive skin tones can go for the lighter nude peach to nude dark brown colors. It is best to go for ones with warm undertones like beige and orange to complement warmer undertones. If you have a cooler undertone, blush pink nudes will go well with your skin tone.
For people with deep and dark skin tones, lip liners with a rich brown or red undertone are your best bet. Pink ones with a cooler undertone can look too chalky and ghostly. Darker and deeper shades with warm undertones will work great in accenting your complexion.
As you get older, your lip wrinkles will become more defined, and the lines between your lips and skin also gradually fade away. No matter what type of lipstick you use, using a light orange or pink lip liner will help your lips look more vibrant and youthful.
A lip liner that is very close to the natural lip color will define the lip, whereas using a shade darker will give definition and depth to the lip. It creates the illusion of depth to the lip line and a soft edge. This will keep the lip looking natural rather than overdone. The lips pull the makeup look together and complete the look. Sharpen and spray the lip pencil with 99% alcohol when done to keep the product sanitary.
Match Your Lipstick for the Best Color
Lip liners do not have to match your lipstick exactly. However, it is important to choose a lip liner color in the same color family and with the same undertone. Experts recommend going for a shade or two darker or lighter than the lipstick's color for an everyday look.
For more dramatic looks, you can opt for ones that are one or two shades darker than your lipstick color. This will allow you to go for ombre looks that go from a dark lip liner to a light lipstick. A good lip liner can help define your natural lip color, especially for fainter lip tints or sheer lipsticks.
Generally, you should apply a lip liner a shade or two darker than your lipstick to create a natural lip look that matches your shade and style. You can create an ombre look with a brighter shade, which can also create a fuller-looking lip.
To create a perfect lip with your lip liner and lipstick, you would want to blend the two together using a small lip brush. Make sure that the lip line is blended with the lipstick so there are no harsh lines to create a soft dimension.
Decide on a Matte, Creamy, or Glossy Finish
When picking the lip liner, you can choose between a matte, creamy, or glossy finish. Most lip liners come with a matte finish that allows for a longer staying power. Matte finishes also come with high pigmentation and bold colors.
However, you can also find ones with a creamy finish that is comfortable on the lips. This won’t dry out your lips as much and won’t define chapped or cracked lips as much as a matte finish would. However, lip liners with a creamier finish do not last as long and might not be as pigmented as matte ones.
You might even find some with a clear or sheer finish. With a sheer finish lip liner, it will still give you a base that will hold your lipstick in place, and you won’t have to worry about matching shades to your lipstick or your skin tone.
Look for Moisturizing Ingredients
If your lips tend to dry out easily or you experience lip peeling quite often, then you should choose a product that is infused with moisturizing ingredients such as collagen, shea butter, jojoba oil, or cottonseed oil.
They'll soften your lips, helping you apply lipstick and lip liner much more comfortably. Your lips will also look more vibrant and youthful if moisturized properly.
Take note that lip liners with a matte finish might also be too drying on some lips. We recommend adding an extra layer of moisture, whether through lip gloss or prepping the lips beforehand, to minimize that taut feeling.
9 Best Lip Liners
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner | | Best Waterproof Lip Liner | |
2 | Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner | | Best Lip Liner With a Weightless Formula | |
3 | Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil | | Best Lip Liner With Nude to Bold Shades | |
4 | LANCÔME Le Lip Liner | | Best 2-in-1 Lip Liner | |
5 | L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner | | Best Self-Sharpening Lip Liner | |
6 | Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner | | Best Twist-Up Liner With Moisturizing Aloe | |
7 | Huda Beauty | | Best Plumping Lip Liner With a Handy Mini Sharpener | |
8 | NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil | | Best Lip Liner With a Glossy Finish in 30 Shades | |
9 | Milani Color Statement Lipliner | | Best Everyday Matte Lip Liner |
Charlotte TilburyLip Cheat Lip Liner
Best Waterproof Lip Liner
Pros:
- It has a waterproof and smudge-proof formula
- Comes in matte and satin finishes
- Available in 15 shades
- Paraben-free and vegan
Cons:
- Needs to be sharpened
Even though many lip liners are dry, this one is an exception. The formula is creamy and smooth and has waterproof properties, too. The shades are soft and highly pigmented, complementing lips really well. However, you need a sharpener for this pencil lip liner. It is also fragile, so be careful not to break it.
Many reviewers liked using this under lip gloss but a few said the shade they received didn't always look like the color on the site. They shared that the liner made their lips look fuller, and the color lasted a long time.
Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner
Best Lip Liner With a Weightless Formula
Pros:
- Lightweight, smudge-free, and long-wearing
- Dries to a matte finish
- Available in unusual shades
- Paraben-free, vegan, and hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Might be a little fragile
Hypoallergenic and completely free of animal-derived ingredients, this vegan lip liner is suitable even for those with sensitive lips. There are many different shades to choose from, including fun options like blue, purple and green. The weightless, creamy, and smudge-free formula ensures comfortable wear that won't dry out your lips.
Reviewers say that they love the color, but the product tends to run out more quickly than they'd like. They also say it's rather fragile. Meanwhile, many others had no issues with the formula, noting it glides on well and has a perfect consistency. They also liked that it accents their lip color well.
Make Up For EverAqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil
Best Lip Liner With Nude to Bold Shades
Pros:
- Long-lasting and waterproof
- Dries to a matte finish
- Retractable tube packaging
- Contains vitamin E and plant oils for hydration
Cons:
- Might crumble and break easily
This lip liner is enriched with vitamin E, cottonseed oil and jojoba oil for a creamy formula that glides easily on the lips. This lip liner is waterproof and comes in a variety of shades, from nude to bolder colors like fuchsia pink.
A few reviewers complained that when drinking, it would transfer easily. On a positive note, many others loved the quality of the liner, adding that it gave their lips the definition they needed. Reviewers also said that this was a pigmented lip liner with stunning colors.
Best 2-in-1 Lip Liner
Pros:
- Has a creamy finish
- Available in clear shade
- Waterproof and doesn't feather or bleed
- Contains vitamin E, jojoba seed oil and cottonseed oil
- Comes with a blending brush
Cons:
- Best if sharpened using a Lancôme sharpener
This lip liner provides you with two products at once: a waterproof pencil on one end and a brush for blending on another. The colors are versatile, and you can even create an ombre effect by tilting the tip a bit. The lip liner is infused with jojoba seed oil and cottonseed oil, as well as vitamin E, for moisturizing properties.
However, you may want to purchase a Lancôme sharpener, since reviewers say it can be hard to sharpen otherwise. Still, many others loved the smooth glide-on and natural look provided by the liner. They also said that the formula didn't dry out their lips.
L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner
Best Self-Sharpening Lip Liner
Pros:
- Comes in a retractable tube packaging
- Never needs sharpening
- Dries to a creamy finish
- Comes in 12 different shades
Cons:
- Small amount of product
This Colour Riche lip liner comes in nude shades that are natural and neutral and go well with multiple lip colors. Or you also have bright options like hot pink, vibrant red and electric purple. The formula is smudge-free, and it comes protected in a plastic tube.
A few reviewers complained about the mechanism that pushes up the liner breaking. But overall, reviewers said this was a great liner that matches a variety of lipstick shades. Users liked that it helped their lipstick stay on longer and that they never needed to sharpen it.
Best Twist-Up Liner With Moisturizing Aloe
Pros:
- Comes in a retractable tube
- Has a satin finish
- Never needs sharpening
- Contains aloe barbadensis leaf extract and soybean oil
- Available in 14 different shades
Cons:
- Might be a bit fragile
This lip liner has a long-staying and transfer-resistant formula that helps keep the color bold for hours. It also prevents the color from bleeding or feathering. It is a twist-up pencil, so you won't have to struggle with sharpening at all. On top of that, it contains hydrating ingredients like aloe leaf extract and soybean oil.
However, the lip liner is slim and rather fragile. You have to be careful not to break it, said reviewers. Meanwhile, others said that the liner prevented feathering. It has acquired a loyal fanbase for its consistent quality and has become the go-to liner of many.
Best Plumping Lip Liner With a Handy Mini Sharpener
Pros:
- Has licorice extract for lip plumping
- Dries to a matte finish
- Enriched with hydrating ingredients
- Comes in a retractable tube with a mini sharpener at the end
- Vegan
Cons:
- Feathers out after eating or drinking
This handy lip liner comes in a retractable tube with a mini sharpener at the end, making it easy to use and bring wherever you go. The lip liner also has hydrating soybean seed extract, and licorice leaf extract to give your lips a fuller look.
However, some reviewers noted that the lip liner feathers out after eating or drinking. Even so, more of them said that it goes on easily because of the creamy formula. They also loved how convenient and practical the packaging was.
NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil
Best Lip Liner With a Glossy Finish in 30 Shades
Pros:
- Dries to a glossy finish
- Contains highly moisturizing ingredients
- Available in 30 shades
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Might be too waxy
This lip liner has a creamy formula that glides on smoothly. You're left with defined lips with a glossy finish that doesn't bleed or fade quickly. It is infused with shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and coconut oil to keep your lips moisturized, and it gives you 30 shades to choose from, including dark browns to light pinks and everything in between.
A few reviewers commented that the lip liner was too waxy and had a drying effect on their lips. Still, many other reviewers loved this lip liner because of its long-lasting power of up to 12 hours. Even after a couple of cups of coffee, the color doesn't fade away.
Best Everyday Matte Lip Liner
Pros:
- Long-wearing and highly-pigmented
- Dries to a matte finish
- Available in 8 shades
- Vegan, paraben-free, and cruelty-free
Cons:
- Might be a little drying
This Color Statement lip liner produces a matte color that is highly pigmented. The formula is smooth and does not cake up on your lips even if you accidentally apply too much. Another great point is that this product is cruelty-free, and it's available online and at most drugstores.
However, this lip liner can dry, according to reviewers, so you may want to apply moisturizers such as jojoba oil or shea butter to hydrate your lips beforehand. Meanwhile, others noted that this was one of the best nude liners in the market. It's not sticky, goes on beautifully and stays on well, they added.
Natalya's Recommended Lip Liner
One of my new favorite creamy lip liners is the Wholly Addiction Pro Define lip pencil by J.Cat Beauty. The best part is that it is only $2.99! They have 30 different colors to choose from that are long-wearing. This lip liner is truly creamy and smooth on the lip.
This is a recent discovery in my kit, and I sometimes find myself reaching for this lip pencil over the MAC lip pencil. It's actually a dupe of the MAC lip liner and creates the perfect lip shape. I have been recommending these lip pencils ever since I first tried them myself. I tell my clients that they are affordable and do the job with long-lasting wear.
How Do You Use a Lip Liner?
You can use lip liners to clearly define the shape of your lip by adding emphasis and color. A lip liner can help make full lips look even fuller. But for people with thin or small lips, using lip liner will make a greater difference appearance-wise.
It can be used to help maintain your lipstick color for a longer period. Since lip liners are of the same color family, they create an illusion that the color is as vibrant as when you just put on makeup, even if your lip color has started to fade away.
They can also emphasize the color of your lips. No matter what lipstick color you use, orange, coral, or red, one of the reasons why a lip liner can be your best friend is because it can boost your lipstick's colors, like putting a spotlight on that facial feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Natalya also took the time to answer some commonly-asked questions about lip liners.
How do I apply lip liner?
"You want to make sure the lip liner is sharp and smooth before you apply to create a sharp fresh look. Sometimes it is best to warm up the lip pencil on the back of your hand if it is dry-looking; this makes the application smoother and bolder on the lip.
In school, a way I learned to apply lip liner best is to start with the upper lip on the outer corner of the mouth and drag it towards the Cupid's bow. You want a relaxed lip when defining the Cupid's bow. Light lip liners make the lips appear larger, and darks can diminish the size of the lip."
How do I pair lip liner with lip gloss?
"Apply the lip liner with natural nude or one shade darker than your natural lip color. Then, apply a light gloss to the center of the lips that matches your lip liner to make your lips look fuller and plumper. When doing just a lip liner with gloss, it may be best to blend the lip liner all over the lip to help make the gloss last longer and to add some color under the gloss.
Highlights pull and shadows push. Applying lip gloss can make the lips appear larger, and putting it just in the center of the lips creates dimension. I recommend applying the fullest part of the Cupid's bow and the center of the bottom of lip only.
Complete Your Lip Look With These Other Lip Products
If you're looking for more lip color and care options, we've got you! Check out our other articles for recommendations.
Top 5 Lip Liners
No. 1: Charlotte Tilbury｜Lip Cheat Lip Liner
No. 2: Kat Von D ｜Everlasting Lip Liner
No. 3: Make Up For Ever｜Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil
No. 4: LANCÔME｜Le Lip Liner
No. 5: L'Oréal Paris ｜Colour Riche Lip Liner
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Most ViewedFeatured Rankings Similar to Lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip liners
Search by category
Health
Body care products, Health accessories, Health foods and supplementsBeauty
Blushes, Bronzers, CleansersHome goods
Bath supplies, Ceremonial occasion supplies, Cleaning suppliesHome electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, AV accessories, Blenders and food processorsPC
Computer supplies, Desktop computers, TabletsCamera
Camera bags and backpacks, Camera supplies, Digital single lens camerasFood and drinks
Jams and Jellies, Alcohol, BreadsKitchen
Coffee and tea products, Cooking utensils, CupsFashion
Footwear products, Men's shoes, SandalsAccessories
Wristwatches, Accessories and jewelry, Umbrellas and parasolsKids and baby
Baby carriers, Baby food, Baby formulaInterior
Beds, Beds and bedding, ChairsHobbies
Aromatherapy products, Art supplies, Arts and collectiblesOutdoor
Barbecue grills and fire pits, Camping beds and cots, Camping gearHome, garden, and tools
Agricultural materials and gardening supplies, Exterior and garden furniture, Materials and repairing agentsSports and fitness
Sports shoes, Surfing supplies, Badminton suppliesPets
Bird and small animal supplies, Cat Supplies, Dog SuppliesMedia
Books and magazines, CD, Children's books, picture books and illustrated encyclopediasGames
Gaming accessories, Nintendo Switch games, PC gamesApps
Business apps, Cooking apps, Dating appsAutomotive
Car accessories, Car navigation systemsGifts
Christmas gifts, Father's Day gifts, Gifts for childrenMobile devices
Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watches