The 11 Best Lip Liners, According To Beauty Experts (2024)

Lip liners are essential for creating definition and extending the wear of lipstick. These makeup staples help prevent lip products from feathering or transferring, allowing you to spend less time touching up throughout the day. The best lip liners, such as the Pat McGrath Ultra Lip Pencil and an excellent drugstore option the NYX Slim Lip Pencil, stand out due to their precise application and longevity.

When shopping for the best lip liners, texture is one of the main factors to consider. “You want a balance between soft enough to glide on smoothly and hard enough for a precise application and longer wear,” says makeup artist J Guerra. “A very creamy liner might smudge, while a too-hard liner can tug at the skin.” After trying various options and consulting with deputy editor Jane Sung and several makeup experts, we’ve compiled a list of the top picks.

Best Lip Liner Overall

A Feather-Proof Formula With A Silky Finish

Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil

What’s notable:The creamy texture feels super smooth while lining lips, yet the formula is firm enough to add precision and definition.

What could be better:This product is so creamy and blends well with other lip products but some say the pencil can wear down rather quickly.

This formula from Pat McGrath Labs is everything you’d want in a lip pencil. “It delivers a silky, feather-resistant finish that doesn’t fade or bleed,” says Guerra, who emphasizes how long it lasts. The creamy texture prevents skipping or dragging when you apply it, yet it’s still firm enough to be very precise. Once applied, this formula won’t budge; it’s transfer-resistant and waterproof. Use it to contour and define your pout or as a base shade under your lipstick to add structure.

Best Drugstore Lip Liner

A Solid Pick That Doesn’t Compromise on Quality

NYX Slim Lip Pencil

What’s notable:This allows you to easily get the “your lips but better” look thanks to its precision.

What could be better:If the pencil were a traditional thickness (rather than on the slimmer side), it could be more versatile for filling in as well as outlining.

This slim yet mighty lip liner by NYX is one of my favorites. Since the texture is so buttery soft, it feels incredibly comfortable and blends easily with other lip products. The formula also includes nourishing jojoba oil, shea butter and coconut oil. And with a wide selection of shades, there’s no shortage of options whether for everyday wear or fancy occasions. Create the look of plumper lips by lining your top and bottom lip, blending the corners and applying a complementary shade of lipstick or lip gloss on top.

Best Luxury Lip Liner

Lip Product Infused With Skincare Benefits

Sisley Phyto-Lèvres Perfect Lip Pencil

What’s notable:This luxurious lip liner has the added benefit of nourishing skincare ingredients.

What could be better:While many are fans of the satiny, radiant finish of this lip pencil, some may prefer a more matte formula.

Made with ingredients including kokum butter, phytosqualane, aloe vera extract and jojoba oil, this lip liner gives lips an added dose of hydration and nourishment. The firm yet gentle tip provides precise lining, and blending is easy thanks to the built-in brush on the other end of the pencil. After applying this product, my lips felt more moisturized right away—this is helpful because I find that chapped lips are more noticeable when wearing lip color.

Best Lip Liner Shade Range

Comes In A Myriad Of Shades From Neutral To Bold

ColourPop Lippie Pencil

What’s notable:This long-lasting lip liner by ColourPop has more than 30 shades (when shopping directly on the brand’s site), from neutral to bold.

What could be better:Although this product feels creamy and allows for a tug-free application, it could use more hydrating ingredients to nourish lips.

With more than 30 shades spanning from neutral to bold, there’s a color option for every makeup mood. ColourPop products have never failed me, and their lip pencil is a must-have in my cosmetics case: The long-lasting formula prevents feathering and is super pigmented. I often use the mauve pink Shot Clock shade, which works well for any occasion. Makeup artistBrielle Pollara also recommends this product and notes how the formula glides on effortlessly.

Best Long-Wearing Lip Liner

A Richly-Pigmented Formula That Lasts Up To 12 Hours

Nars Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil

What’s notable:This lip liner doubles as lipstick and stays on for up to 12 hours, reducing the need to touch it up throughout the day.

What could be better:This product can double as a lipstick, but it’s not as precise as a classic lip liner since the bullet is thicker.

With this Nars pick, it’s highly unlikely you’ll need to touch up throughout the day since the rich formula lasts up to 12 hours—even through most meals—unless you intentionally wipe it off. Most of the 13 shades are bold variations of pinks, reds and browns that create the illusion of fuller lips. This cream-to-matte formula applies smoothly, and once it dries becomes pretty transfer-proof. Also worth noting: You can use it as a lipstick and quickly fill in your entire pout with just one product.

Best Smudge-Proof Lip Liner

Creates Ultra Precise, Long-Lasting Lines

What’s notable:This formula is smudge-proof and creates precise lines. It also includes a brush topped with a clear cap to distinguish each side easily.

What could be better: A variety of shades are available, but it could use some more deeper color options.

Both Guerra and Pollara are fans of this smudge-proof Dior pick. “It’s a luxurious, long-lasting formula, great for creating precise, defined lips that last all day,” says Guerra. Its creamy texture ensures smooth application, while the variety of shades (in satin, velvet and matte finishes) pair well with almost any lipstick color. It feels comfortable on lips through the day since it’s infused with nourishing ingredients, including red peony extract, pomegranate flower extract and shea butter. “The shade 300 Nude Style is perfect for anyone who doesn’t like the look of lip liner but wants to keep their lipstick in place,” says Pollara.

Best Waterproof Lip Liner

A Non-Fading Option That's Doesn't Smudge

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Extreme

What’s notable:This product has exceptional lasting power; it's waterproof, transfer-proof and offers intense color payoff.

What could be better:Since the texture is ultra creamy, it isn’t as precise as the brand’s originalArtist Color Color Pencil.

If you lead an active lifestyle or simply want to avoid reapplying your lip liner after being around water, this pencil from Make Up For Ever is an ideal pick. It’s waterproof, transfer-proof, feather-proof and stays on for a long time without fading. I’ve worn it during dinner, while sipping drinks and even in the shower, and it didn’t budge. You can expect a velvet matte finish that easily blends with other lip products, and you only need one swipe on the edges of your lips for an intense color payoff.

Best Hydrating Lip Liner

A Versatile Liner That Leaves Lips Moisturized

Ilia Lip Sketch Lip Liner

What’s notable:This pick provides long-lasting color and contains nourishing skincare ingredients.

What could be better:It would be helpful if the brand’sLip Sketch Large Sharpener (which is needed for it to create precise lines) was included with the lip liner.

Known for makeup infused with skincare, Ilia’s Lip Sketch pencil defines, plumps and hydrates lips. Made with ingredients like sea succulent, hyaluronic acid, seaweed extract and rosehip oil, it boosts your lips’ moisture while nourishing and softening them. The medium tip, which isn’t too thin or thick, allows it to also be used for filling in color for a cohesive makeup look.

Best Lip Liner For Sensitive Skin

A Skin-Softening Liner For Healthy-Looking Lips

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

What’s notable:You’ll immediately feel the nourishing effects when applying this lip liner since its made with hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin-softening beeswax and moisturizing jojoba seed oil.

What could be better:This pencil runs out quicker than expected and requires frequent sharpening to get precise lines.

For subtle definition and more natural-looking finish, this favorite from Charlotte Tillbury is a top pick of both Guerra and Pollara. “This liner is incredibly smooth and has a rich pigment,” says Guerra, “It’s great for overlining without looking obvious and blends seamlessly with natural-looking lipstick shades.” Pollara notes the universal shade Iconic Nude is her go-to for clients regardless of their skin tone. What’s more, many with sensitive skin can still use this pick since it’s made with lip-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, beeswax and jojoba seed oil.

Most Versatile Lip Liner

A Unique Slanted Tip That Never Requires Sharpening

Buxom Power Line Lip Liner

What’s notable:This lip liner features a unique slanted tip that twists up and doesn’t require sharpening, and it also has a brush on the other end for easy blending.

What could be better:It would be easier to use if the brush side had a clear cap to quickly distinguish it from the pencil end.

Ever since I got this feather- and bleed-resistant lip liner from Buxom, I’ve been using it on repeat. What makes this lip liner stand out is how easy it is to apply, thanks to the twist-up, slanted tip that doesn’t require sharpening; I can toss it in my purse without carrying a separate sharpener. Additionally, the lip plumping formula contains vitamin E to soften lips, sunflower seed oil to combat dryness and avocado oil to hydrate the skin.

Best Lip Liner For Contouring

A High-Performance Product That Sculpts And Defines Lips

Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Lip Pencil

What’s notable:You can adjust the sharpness of this pencil’s tip based on how you sharpen it, allowing for an ultra-precise application.

What could be better:Some reviewers on Sephora’s website note that the brush cap on this lip pencil can become loose and fall off.

This full-coverage matte lip liner recommended by Guerra is excellent for contouring lips, especially with the built-in brush that helps with blending. It has a creamy yet firm formula, allowing for precise application. The smooth texture enables easy gliding, while its firmness allows it to create a fuller, lifted appearance.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team includes a team of seasoned beauty reporters who test, research, gather insight and write makeup stories on a regular basis. These include topics such as best lip stains and best lip oils.

  • Wendy Sy is the author of this article and a regular beauty contributor who has also covered the best brow gels and top bronzing drops.
  • Deputy editor Jane Sung assigned and edited this article and approved all product selections. She oversees the beauty and grooming category and has more than 15 years of experience as a lifestyle journalist.
  • Sy also gathered key insights and product recommendations from makeup experts J Guerra and Brielle Pollara.

How We Chose The Best Lip Liners

We carefully considered picks from leading brands including Pat McGrath Labs, NYX, Sisley Paris, Nars and more. In addition to testing many of the products, we consulted with makeup experts who shared their top recommendations as well as researched customer reviews to collect insight from different points of view.

  • We assessed each lip liner’s formula, texture, shades and design for ease of use. Considering these factors, we prioritized options that create precise lines and are long-lasting, feather-proof and transfer-proof.
  • We made sure to include picks with different textures, shades and prices to cater to every preference and lifestyle.
  • Our final list includes a variety of different lip liners with various features for every skin tone, skin type and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Brands Have The Best Lip Liners?

After much testing, research and gathering insight from experts, we consider brands like Pat McGrath Labs, Sisley Paris, Ilia and Nars to have the best lip liners. We based this answer on each product’s formula, key ingredients, texture and shade selection. We also evaluated the design and price of each to suit different preferences.

Which Lip Liner Stays On The Longest?

TheNars Powermatte High-Intensity Long-Lasting Lip Pencil stays on the longest (for up to 12 hours). This full-coverage pick that doubles as a lipstick saturates lips with a rich color. Choose between 13 bold shades that are all transfer-proof and have a cream-to-matte texture. Guerra notes his favorite long-lasting pick is theDior Rouge Dior Contour No-Transfer Lip Liner. This one has an eight-hour wear that doesn’t transfer, feather or smudge.

How Do I Find The Best Lip Liner For Me?

To find the best lip liner, evaluate the product’s formula, shades and design. Also, consider the key ingredients, especially if you have specific skin concerns. “Don't be afraid to try different brands and types until you find the one that feels right,” Guerra advises. “Also, reading reviews and swatching shades on your skin in stores then bringing them outside into the daylight can be incredibly helpful.”

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The 11 Best Lip Liners, According To Beauty Experts (2024)

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