After a lot of testing, we've found the 9 best lip liners for a lasting, defined and smudge-proof pout
Our beauty team put dozens of lip liners to the test – here are their detailed reviews of the 9 best-performing pencils
Lining your lips not only creates a sharp edge for any lip colour, it can even make them look fuller, too. But the best lip liners? They'll give you excellent colour payoff, glide on easily to create crisp definition and last for hours, too – without rapidly fading or feathering into fine lines. And our dedicated guide is here to help you choose one of those highly-commended buys.
Providing a perfect base for the best long-lasting lipsticks or best red lipsticks (for which precision is key), a lip liner is regarded as a beauty staple. After all, it can accentuate your lips with more precision than a regular tint or balm, plus elevate your signature lipsticks, preventing bleeding or fading and boosting the overall longevity. But beyond that, lip liner is particularly useful where, as we age, the natural vermilion border of our lips – that slightly raised line around their edges – becomes less defined, allowing you to recreate some of said definition. See? A staple.
The 9 best lip liners, reviewed by our beauty team
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
RRP: £22 | Number of shades: 23 | Texture: Matte
Charlotte Tilbury's eponymous makeup line has achieved cult status since it launched in 2013, and so has the brand’s bestselling Lip Cheat Liner. When testing this one, I found its narrow yet creamy tip easy to manoeuvre and layer under lipstick. It also boasts a waterproof formula that, on testing, did stay put for up to eight hours. I didn't need to worry about smudging, product transfer or frequent reapplication.
It is a fairly matte pencil, meaning it would work best with similarly matte lipsticks or layered under glossy products. There are an impressive 23 shades to choose from, with buildable and long-lasting colours to suit every skin tone. I daresay it could even replace my favourite lipstick for good...
Pros
- Great colour payoff
- Decent wear time
Cons
- Fairly pricey
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson
RRP: £4 | Number of shades: 9 | Texture: Creamy
To say that I was impressed by this lip liner is an understatement. The formula is so lightweight and creamy, gliding on (as the name promises) and giving added 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 £4 (yes, seriously, only £4!). And yet, its formula feels so luxurious, plus it lasted very well through eating, drinking and lots of conversation.
Pros
- Extremely reasonably priced
- Lightweight and creamy feel
- Impressive staying power for price
Cons
- Shade range is somewhat limited
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
RRP: £18 | Number of shades: 9 | Texture: Matte
Now, this liner looks a little different to your average lip pencil. The sturdy base, combined with a pointed, twist-up nib (which was firm enough to remain tapered after several uses), created the perfect conditions to steadily over-line my lips for a plumper-looking pout.
The texture of this liner is fairly matte, and feels like it, but I didn't find it overly draggy on my lips or tricky to apply. This is due to the inclusion of coconut oil and vitamin E, which take care of your lips while the formula lays itself down and sets. It's as long-lasting as anything I've tried – which is exactly what you want when creating a more exaggerated, defined shape.
Pros
- Tapered tip makes for easy application
- Twist-up case
- Matte, but not too dry, thanks to skin-caring ingredients
Cons
- Others have bigger shade ranges
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
RRP: £4 | Number of shades: 14 | Texture: Creamy
With several 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. Available in a wide spectrum of shades, with classic reds and fuchsias as well as orange and auburn, the pencil has a buttery-soft formula that glides on easily and stays put.
I found that this liner resists bleeding well and appreciated the inclusion of hydrating coconut oil to condition lips; this makes all the difference when applying, 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? I can't think of many better ways to spend a few pounds.
Pros
- Very reasonable price tag
- Creamy and easy to apply
- Ergonomic slimline design
Cons
- Not as premium-feeling as others
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
RRP: £21 | Number of shades: 8 | Texture: Sheeny
If your lips tend to get a bit parched in the summer and chapped in the winter, then MERIT's ultra-hydrating liner could be for you. When I tested this twist-up pencil, I couldn't believe how different it felt from the matte liners that I usually wear. It's sheeny and comfortable thanks to the inclusion of a jojoba complex, with a satin finish.
The downside? Like any moisturising lippie, it doesn't last as long as its matte counterparts. These are just the rules; if a lip product is creamy and comfy, expect reapplications. That said, as it glides on so nicely, it was no trouble to redraw a couple of times a day. Of the eight shades available (I tested Beverly Hills), every one is gorgeous, grown-up and subtle.
Pros
- Moisturising, comfortable formula
- Slightly sheer finish for a lived-in feel
- Wearable shades
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as matte options
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
RRP: £20 | Number of shades: 36 | Texture: Matte
A go-to for makeup artists, these pencils are loaded with pigment, delivering impressive colour in one swipe. From nudes, browns and soft pinks to bolder and brighter hues, there's a huge range of shades on offer here. I also found this lip liner boasted an impressive staying power that doesn't budge; trust me when I say its pigment-packed formula stays put for hours on end.
I loved scribbling it all over my lips, as well as under lip gloss for a going-out glam look. It is also the perfect liner 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 I’ve ever tried.
Pros
- Huge range of shades
- Creamy-yet-matte finish
- Great staying power
Cons
- Cheaper options are available
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
RRP: £26 | Number of shades: 10 | Texture: Satin
If you're after a dreamy, creamy lip liner that is a total joy to apply, choose this one from Estée Lauder. The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which makes it super moisturising and comfortable enough for all-day wear. I found that this hydrating formula creates the perfect base, extending the wear of lipstick without any feathering or bleeding.
But the real hero here is the integrated lip brush, with a pointed bristle tip. I found it easy to blend out this liner for a seamless pout, mixed with my favourite shade of lipstick. I also think it works well as a stand-alone lip product, made all the more subtle by using the soft, feathery brush.
Pros
- Ultra moisturising formula
- Built-in lip brush
- Lasts well
Cons
- Very premium price point will be prohibitive to some
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
RRP: £27 | Number of shades: 15 | Texture: Velvety matte
Bobbi Brown’s iconic Lip Pencil has been a mainstay of my makeup bag for years. It’s a classic pencil liner that comes with a professional sharpener, so you can ensure a precise line. However, if you’re after a softly diffused finish, you can wear it down to a blunter edge.
There are 15 shades on offer here, spanning deep browns through to pale pink. All can be worn alone, under lipstick or, as the brand recommends, over lipstick. For the latter, I’d recommend blotting on your chosen lipstick before defining your lip line with your pencil. My only gripe is that it’s not as creamy as some other (newer) lip liners, but it certainly stays put all day.
Pros
- Good colour payoff
- Fairly good number of shades
- Comes with a sharpener
Cons
- Other options are creamier
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
RRP: £22 | Number of shades: 15 | Texture: Creamy matte
Many of us love a multi-tasking makeup bag buy – and this chubby lip pencil can be used it as lip liner, lipstick and blusher, available in 12 neutral, pink and red shades. For the latter, I simply scribbled it onto the apples of my cheeks before blending with my fingertips for an instant, perky complexion, rivalling some of the best cream blushers around.
For the lips, I recommend using the pointed tip to outline your lip line, then using the slanted edge to saturate your pout. Its pigment-rich colour has impressive staying power. As for shades, I like Entice, a muted pink, for daytime and Raven, a deep burgundy, for night. What’s more, the velvety matte finish looks ultra-chic.
Pros
- Is a lip pencil, lipstick and blush all in one
- Good range of shades
- Velvety matte texture
Cons
- Very matte finish won't appeal to all
How we tested the best lip liners
In order to narrow down the best lip liners available on the market, we tested a variety of options from both budget-friendly brands to more luxury offerings. We also trialled various applicator styles, including classic pencil liners and more modern twist-up options.
To judge each product fairly, we assessed each lip liner on its ease of application, paying attention to how well the formula glided across our lips, as well as the colour payoff and how comfortable they felt once applied.
A selecton of the lip liners tested by our digital beauty writer, Naomi Jamieson, for this guide.
We each pencil contender for a minimum of one whole day, eating and drinking normally, to see how well each one lasted, as well as if the liner prevented our subsequent lipstick from bleeding and feathering.
Price was also taken into account; liners can be as little as £3 or have prices exceeding £30, so the value for money in line with the performance had to be considered as part of our assessments. We also looked the packaging from both a design and user experience perspective, each liner's ease of sharpening and if they came with added extras, such as a built-in brush or blending tool.
How to choose the best lip liner for you
Choosing a lip liner is a somewhat subjective process; some may hate the feel of a very matte formula on their lips, while others want that exact waterproof pencil that will not budge. Depending on the look you're going for, these are the things we recommend you consider and look out for while you shop.
- Formula: Creamy, velvety textures will glide on easily, stay put and don’t feel overly drying. It's wise to consider ingredients too, like today’s hydrating hero players – for example, glycerin and coconut oil.
- Shades: Nude shades 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 large colour ranges that suit more skin tones to find aperfect 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 (perhaps with a tiny smidge of the best lip balm if they are super matte), as an outline or layered underneath lipstick or gloss to boost their 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; twist-ups offering speed and convenience but are slightly less precise than traditional pencils.
- Colour matching: “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.”
FAQs
Are lip liners necessary?
While it's definitely possible to achieve a full, gorgeous pout without it – a crisp, richly pigmented lipstick can still create a solid edge – the best lip liners make this a sure thing. They can enhance and define the natural shape of your lips as well as provide a solid base for adding your 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, close to your natural lip colour and darker is usually best. “As we are aiming to create definition on the vermillion of the lip, it’s best to go darker with your liner," Dowdall says. "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.”
Our expert panel
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. She was one of the main testers for this lip pencil guide, using her beauty expertise to inform her reviews.
Fiona McKim has been part of the woman&home beauty team for more than a decade. During that time her work has included interviewing countless experts, reporting from backstage at Fashion Week and judging the woman&home Beauty Awards. Having tested dozens of lip pencils over the years, she shared her testing insights on some of the very best performing ones on the market.
As woman&home's former UK Shopping Writer, Hannah Holway has tried, tested and written about everything from period pants to long-lasting makeup. She is especially interested in sustainable alternatives to well-known products, particularly in the beauty space.
Warren Dowdall is a Senior Pro Artist for makeup brand 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.