But which one is the right lip liner for you?
We did the work, testing countless formulas and colors to find the best lip liners on the market.
Ahead, find our 16 top picks.
“This formula strikes the perfect balance between creamy and long-wearing,” makeup artist Caitlyn Dominic says.
“It glides on effortlessly without skipping but sets to a soft-matte finish that stays in place.”
Makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell agrees, noting the expansive shade range and blendability.
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The formula is impressively long-lasting and strikes the perfect balance between creamy and stiff.
The opaque color payoff is buildable and layers well under a glosses, balms, and lipsticks alike.
Favorite shades include Smokey Pink, Almond, and Daniel.
Pros:
Cons:
Best budget: e.l.f.
Cosmetics Cream Glide Lip Liner
$2
At just $2 a liner, e.l.f.
’s lip liners glide across the lips with the ease of one eight times the cost.
With a high-color payoff and semi-matte finish, the liner is surprisingly creamy and gloriously blendable.
Plus, the pencil liner can easily be sharpened to a fine point for ultra-precise utility.
Wherever Walnut is also a favorite for both Dominic and Sewell.
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The pencil format makes it easy to sharpen and create tight lines.
With good reasonthe formula is long-wearing and acts as a great buffer to prevent lipstick from bleeding or feathering.
The stiff texture grips onto any lipstick or gloss layered on top, enhancing longevity.
Sewell is a fan of Cork and Greige.
“It’s super fool-proof and the soft dome offers a unique buffed, soft line.”
Rhode’s latest launch, an ultra-creamy lip liner, makes it easy to enhance and shape the lips.
The formula features skin-loving ingredients like peptides to soften and fenugreek extract to give lips a firmer appearance.
The soft-focus finish makes even the sloppiest program look chic.
We love shades Stretch, Bend, and Lean.
Standout shades include hold, buff, and bit.
The thoughtful shades work across the face, and the formula is fairly long-lasting.
The soft-matte finish is soft on the lips and delivers rich color that lasts for hours on end.
NYX’s liners boasts 32 shades, all with the same creamy, color-rich formula.
“It does not budge,” makeup artist Brazil Raine McElroy says.
“Be ready to fix mistakes quickly before it dries down and sets.”
That translates to a some serious longevity.
The wide-domed tip instantly blurs when applied, creating fuller, enhanced lips.
The formula is super creamy without slipping off the lips, while leaving behind a blurred, soft-matte finish.
It has a matte dry down that’s nondrying and prevents feathering.
No matter where your day takes you, you’re able to be sure this won’t budge.
It glides right onto the lip without tugging or pulling, and once set, it’s fairly transfer-resistant.
Juvia’s Place’s liners are easily blendable and surprisingly luxe for the price tag.
What should you look for in a lip liner?
Or are you looking for a one-and-done system?
If longevity is important to you, look for liners that market themselves as long-wearing and smudge-resistant.
Lastly, color and undertone are very important when it comes to picking a lip liner.
Sewell suggests looking for something similar to your natural lip colorjust a little more enhanced.
Like any makeup product, nothing is a one size (or one shade) fits all.
Lip liner helps create a fuller, more-defined lip, adding definition and balance.
you could always build up the effect as you see fit.
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