The 9 best lip liners for a defined, fuller and smudge-proof pout that lasts all-day

When it comes to sussing out the best lip liners, there are several things to consider, from the shade range to the formula's staying power and versatility. Luckily for you, we've done most of the hard work and have rounded up 9 tried and tested pencils and crayons...

Affording a base for your best long-lasting lipsticks, a lip liner - like that of your trusty blush or eyeliners - is regarded as a beauty staple, thanks to its ability to accentuate and elevate your features. Indeed a trusty lip pencil can afford precision and uniformity to your pout whilst also preventing the bleeding or fading of your signature lipstick, thus boosting its overall longevity. All in all, they're quite the game-changer to have in your makeup bag, especially if you're a lover of bold and matte lippies. That said, with the sheer amount to choose from, it can be difficult to decipher which liner amongst all the pencils and crayons is worth the buy.

To that end, we've rounded up cult classics, like Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat to brilliant drugstore finds, to help you find your favourite...

Warren Dowdall

Warren Dowdall is a Senior Pro Artist for Bobbi Brown and has worked for the brand for 15 years. As well as a makeup artist, he is also a qualified brow stylist and has worked with some of Ireland's top models.

The 9 best lip liners reviewed by our beauty team

Before we skip onto our team's in-depth review of all the best lip liners, we've rounded up six of the top picks for you to quickly peruse - including the best budget liner and waterproof formula - in case you're in a hurry to perfect your pout...

Best lip liner overall

Image 1 of 3

Charlotte Tilbury's eponymous makeup line has achieved cult status in recent years – and so has the brand’s bestselling Lip Cheat Liner. We found its narrow yet creamy tip, in combination with its luxurious formula, easy to manoeuvre and layer underneath lipstick. This liner's texture is akin to plush silk, AKA dense yet breathable, which is ideal as we found it didn't dry out our lips.

It also boasts a waterproof formula that, on testing, stayed put for up to eight hours (much like Tilbury's best mascara). We didn't need to worry about smudging, product transfer or frequent reapplication with this liner. While it is a fairly matte pencil, meaning it would work best with matte lipsticks over silky or glossy products, it's still very buildable yet subtle enough to be worn alone, accentuating the natural shade of our lips.

There are also an impressive 23 shades to choose from here. Whether you're looking to pair this pencil with one of the best pink lipsticks, from rosy nudes to suedes, or wear deeper colours more often, such as warm reds and plums, Lip Cheat has it all. Its buildable and long-lasting colour payoffs suit every skin tone, and dare we say it could even replace our favourite lipstick or stain for good...

Best precision lip liner

Image 1 of 3

Alongside a huge number of industry awards under its belt, NYX Professional Makeup's Slim Lip Pencil has a slender shape and a fine tip, making it easy to accentuate the appearance of your pout. Arriving in a wide spectrum of shades, with classic reds and fuchsias as well as less-often seen options like orange and auburn, the pencil features a buttery-soft formula that glides on easily and stays put.

When testing, we found that it resists bleeding well - the term for when lipstick creeps its way outside of the natural lip line. Whilst we also appreciated the inclusion of hydrating coconut oil to condition lips, intensify colour and increase the lifespan of this liner; this definitely makes all the difference when applying this pencil, as the sharp tip still feels super-soft and is all the nicer to use. All this for the same price as your daily coffee? We can't think of many better ways to spend money.

Best budget lip liner

Image 1 of 3

To say that we were impressed by this lip liner is an understatement. The formula is so lightweight and creamy, gliding on (much like the name promises) and adding shape and pigment to my lips in a flash. Alas, the shade range is very limited, boasting just nine options ranging from warm pinky nudes and soft neutrals to bold reds.

The price though is what makes this lip liner a contender on this list as it costs just £3 (yes, seriously just £3!) and yet its formula feels so luxe and last.

Best long-lasting lip liner

Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil is stubborn – a quality that's not so great in relationships, but desired in makeup, especially lip liner. Its waterproof formula will not move, resulting in fewer smears, better definition and cleaner lines - tick, tick, tick!

A budge-proof formula isn't its only redeeming attribute, we also love this lip pencil’s silky texture and the array of vivid colours to choose from, spanning deep reds and creamy nudes. Throughout our trials, we didn’t notice the liner drying out or looking cakey over time, largely thanks to a moisturising trio of vitamin E, jojoba oil and cottonseed oil - a powerful combination that quickly soaks into lips, making them soft and supple.

We have to note the only downside to this staying power is that it can be tricky to wipe off. However, this is a small price to pay for such longevity and, thankfully, there are quick solutions that will get the job done, such as Vaseline, the best micellar waters or oil-based removers.

Best lip liner for pale skin

Image 1 of 3

This top-rated lip pencil from MAC is loaded with pigment, delivering impressive colour in just one swipe. From nudes, browns, and soft pinks to bolder and brighter hues, there is a huge range of shades to choose from. If you’re on the hunt for a lip liner that is especially flattering on paler skin tones, fan-favourite option 'Oak' is a go-to pick due to its soft beige hue. This muted brown colour is perfect for everyday wear, as well as more statement party makeup looks.

Shades aside, we also found that this lip liner boasted an impressive staying power that does not budge. Its pigment-packed formula stays put for hours on end (trust us). Whilst we love wearing it on its own, we also love scribbling it all over our lips, as well as under lip gloss for a going out glam look. It is also the perfect liner candidate when teamed with a deep nude lipstick for a sophisticated finish. A great all-rounder, this is without a doubt one of the best lip liners we’ve tried.

Best lip liner for dark skin

Image 1 of 2

Love a bold lip look and known for wearing the boldest, best red lipstick? Say hello to Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Shaper Plumping Lip Liner. Offering up to ten hours of wear time, the creamy, water-resistant formula stays put in all weather conditions and will not budge throughout the day.

With a smooth, demi-matte texture that makes application a total doddle - forget feathering, transferring and drying. The liner is infused with the brand's widely-loved Lip Injection technology, which not only boasts full-coverage colour but also creates a fuller appearance to your pout.

Out of the versatile shades to choose from, we highly recommend Espresso Shot for darker complexions. This rich chocolate brown is super flattering and can be dialled up for evening wear as part of a smoky eyeshadow look. It's so plumping and natural-looking that, with clever shading, you could easily fool onlookers into thinking you've had lip tweakments with this creamy, blendable pick.

Best cult classic lip liner

Image 1 of 3

Although not new to the beauty scene, Bobbi Brown’s iconic Lip Pencil is unquestionably one of the best buys and has been a mainstay of our makeup bags for years. This no-nonsense product gets the job done and does it well. It’s a classic pencil liner that comes with a professional sharpener, so you can ensure that the tip is always sharp for a more precise line. However, if you’re after a softly diffused finish you can wear it down to a blunter edge.

In total, there are nine shades to choose from, spanning deep browns through to pale pink. All can be worn alone, under lipstick or, as the brand recommends, over lipstick. For the latter, we’d recommend blotting on your chosen lipstick before defining your lip line with your pencil. If lip liner is new to your routine, this is a great way to experiment with it and master how to factor it in when applying lipstick. Our only gripe is that it’s not as creamy as some other (newer) lip liners, but it certainly stays put all day.

Best matte lip liner

Image 1 of 3

Many of us love a multi-tasking wonder in our routines and this chubby lip pencil offers just that, with the ability to use it as lip liner, lipstick and blusher. With 12 neutral, pink and red shades to choose from, for the latter, simply scribble your favourite colour onto the apples of your cheeks before blending with your fingertips for an instant perky complexion - rivalling some of the best cream blushers around.

For the lips, we recommend using the pointed tip to outline your lip line first and then, if you want to fill in lips, use the slanted edge to saturate your pout. Its pigment-rich colour has impressive staying power, making it a handbag essential for when you want to dial up your look on the go. As for shades, we like Entice, a muted pink, for the daytime and Raven, a deep burgundy, for the night. What’s more ,the velvety matte finish looks ultra-chic.

Best demi-matte lip liner

Image 1 of 3

For a dreamy, creamy lip liner that is a total joy to apply, opt for this Estée Lauder number. The formula contains sodium hyaluronate (a derivative of hyaluronic acid), which makes it super moisturising and comfortable enough for all-day wear. What’s more, we found that this hydrating formula creates the perfect base, extending the wear of lipstick without any feathering or bleeding.

Of course, the real hero here is the integrated lip brush, with a pointed bristle tip that’s designed to be used hand-in-hand with your go-to lipstick or lip gloss to complete your look. Expect a perfectly defined, natural pout with a demi-matte finish that will stay put for hours. We found it easy to blend out our liner for a seamless pout, mixed with our favourite shade of lipstick. On the contrary, we also think it works well as a stand-alone lip product, which is made all the more subtle by using the soft, feathery brush.

How we tested the best lip liners

Tested by

Tested by

Naomi Jamieson

Naomi is woman&home's Digital Beauty Writer and specialises in all things makeup, fragrance, skincare and nail trends. She tests cult-favourite products and new releases, sharing her expertise in reviews, buying guides and evergreen features across the beauty channel - as well as writing both news and more long-form trend pieces.

Tested by

Tested by

Hannah Holway

Hannah Holway is the UK Shopping Writer for woman&home and has written about everything from period pants to wine subscriptions. She is especially interested in sustainable alternatives to well-known products, as well as books and homeware accessories.

In order to find the best lip liners available on the market, we tested a variety of products from both budget buys to luxury offerings. We also trialled numerous applicators, including classic pencil liners and modern twist-up options. Judging each product fairly, we assessed every liner on the ease of its application, making note as to how well the formulas glide onto lips. We also wore each one on our lips for a minimum of a whole day to see how well each one lasted and if the liner prevented our lipstick from feathering.

How to choose the best lip liner for you

Choosing a lip liner can be quite subjective as some may hate the feel of a matte formula, while others adore a waterproof pencil that won't budge. That said, depending on the look you're going for, there are a few things to consider and look out for when buying a new liner.

“To create a fuller lip shape, choose a shade in the same family as your lipstick,” says Warren Dowdall, Bobbi Brown Senior Pro Artist. “Or, if you’re after something soft, find a lip pencil that’s close to your natural lip colour.”

• Formula: Opt for creamy, velvety textures that glide on easily, stay put, and don’t feel overly drying. It's wise to consider ingredients too, including today’s hydrating hero players such as glycerin and coconut oil.
• Shade range: A nude shade will work under any number of lippies in your collection, meaning you don't have to match your lip liner exactly to your lipstick. Seek out brands with large colour ranges to suit every skin tone to find your perfect match - the right one will give your lips a fuller appearance.
• Versatility: The best lip liners can do it all. Our favourites can be worn alone like a full-cover lipstick, as an outline or layered underneath lipstick or gloss to boost the pigment.
• Applicator: Precision is key, so choose an ultra-fine tip that’s easy to manoeuvre and won’t drag on the delicate skin around your lips, to avoid smudging outside the lines. Both twist-up and sharpenable options are available, whilst twist-ups offering speed and convenience, they are slightly less precise than traditional pencils.
• Built-in extras: Several lip liners also include practical features, like built-in sharpeners and brushes for blending your chosen colour.

FAQs

Are lip liners necessary?

Whilst it's possible to achieve a full, gorgeous pout without it, the best lip liners can enhance and define the natural shape of your lips as well as provide a solid base for adding lip colour, too. "I would definitely consider lip liner an essential in your makeup bag," says Dowdall. "They are a great way to not only give definition and structure to the lips, also to prevent feathering and give a longer wear to your lipstick."

Should I get a darker or lighter lip liner?

When it comes to choosing a lip liner, you may be wondering whether you should go for darker or lighter hue, Dowdall says: “As we are aiming to create definition on the vermillion of the lip, it’s best to go darker with your liner. For a softer look, try a liner one to two shades darker than your natural lip colour or go even richer and deeper with your liner for more drama or to create an ombré look.”