Best Lip Liners for Flawless Makeup
Black especially loves the shades Iconic Nude, Foxy Brown, Hollywood Honey, and the legendary Pillow Talk, seen here on Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin.
New York City-based makeup artist Joseph Carrillo also counts Lip Cheat among his favorites. “It’s the perfect shade for most light to medium skin tones,” Carrillo raves. “It’s 100% like your lips, but better,” adding that it glides on like a hydrating lip product yet stays matte and in place.
Best for Every Skin Tone
Tester feedback:
“I personally believe that everyone—makeup newbie or MUA—needs a Charlotte Tilbury liner in their bag,” says shopping director Shanna Shipin. “They’re perfectly creamy, blendable, and stay put—in the loveliest pink-neutral shades to boot. Since my lips lean a natural mauve, the Medium shade is great for enhancing its color. I’ll usually line my lips, then layer a lip balm or tinted lip balm over it and be done. No need for lipstick!”>
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, beeswax, jojoba oil, micronised powders, ceresin wax | Available shades: 23 (Shipin is wearing shade Pillow Talk Medium)
Best for Dry Lips: Kosas Hotliner
Why it’s worth it:
After a year-long sabbatical, the Kosas Hotliner is finally back, and the demi-matte formula is already a mainstay in Allure editors’ deskside beauty collections. Spiked with hyaluronic acid and konjac root to curb dryness and cracking, this new-and-improved version glides smoother than butter and stays in place without feathering or fading (that is, until you start eating or drinking, as with most lip products.) Since this retractable lip liner has a built-in brush and sharpener, you’ll be able to free up some space in your makeup bag.
Tester feedback:
“I rarely use lip liner, but Kosas’ Hotliner currently has a chokehold on my lip routine,” says Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “Unlike other liners I’ve tried, this one doesn’t begin to crack or feather when I touch up my lips throughout the day. It also gets bonus points for its slender build, perfect for my ludicrously overstuffed tote bag.”
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, konjac root extract | Available shades: 8 (Hussein is wearing shade Supreme)
Best Dual-Ended: Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil
Why it’s worth it:
Makeup By Mario’s dual-ended lip liner comes with a built-in brush to blend and blur the long-lasting lip liner’s pigment. Speaking of pigment, the Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil’s lightweight formula is available in over 20 red, berry, brown, and nude lip liner shades to mix and match with your favorite lipsticks and glosses. Since this matte-finish lip pencil locks in place for full-day wear, you can apply it as a wear-enhancing base for your lipstick or all by themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these lip liners offer a range of benefits that make them ideal for different skin types and personal preferences. From Charlotte Tilbury’s creamy and blendable formula to Kosas Hotliner’s gentle and hydrating properties, to Makeup By Mario’s dual-ended design, these lip liners have something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I apply lip liner?
A: Simply line your lips with the liner, starting at the cupid’s bow and working your way around to the outer corner of the mouth. Fill in any bare areas and then blend the line for a soft, natural-looking finish.
Q: What is the difference between a pencil and a stick lip liner?
A: Lip pencil liners are designed to be soft and creamy, making them perfect for creating precise lines and for blending. Stick lip liners, on the other hand, are harder and more like a traditional crayon. They are ideal for creating a more defined and bold lip look.
Q: Can I use lip liner on my lip gloss or lip balm?
A: Absolutely! Lip liners are designed to work with all types of lip products, from glosses and balms to lipsticks. Simply apply a thin layer of liner to define the shape of your lips before applying your desired lip product.