As a beauty writer, one question my friends and family often ask me is: Are lip liners really necessary? In short: Just as you would pair a primer with a foundation, a lip liner plays a similar role.
Although lip liners might just sound like an extra excuse for beauty companies to take more of your dough, they're more necessary than you think. You can use a lip liner to define your Cupid's bow, to help prevent your lipstick from feathering or use it to overline for a fuller pout — the options are endless.
But while most lip liners can achieve these results, not all are the same. That's why throughout my role as a beauty writer, I've tested tens of lip liners to determine which ones are the best of the best. I based the following picks on their wear, ease of application, versatility and overall quality, and added some honorable mentions that nearly made the cut.
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The best lip liners, according to a beauty writer
Best overall:
If you're going to get one lip liner on this list, it should be this one from Make Up For Ever. It checks off all the boxes for me: Has the right amount of creamy-ness (IYKYK), is highly long-wearing, has comfortable wear, is easily blendable and so much more. Better yet, it is highly versatile — you could replace multiple makeup products with just lip liner alone.
For instance, the brand claims you can safely use the lip liner to add soft contour to the face, eyeliner around the eyes, along with defining the lips. Whenever I'm low on room when I travel, I bring this lip liner along to use as all of the above. There's not another lip pencil like it, and that's why it is one of the bests.
Best neutral shades:
If you're looking for the perfect neutral, Glossier offers an impressive line-up of nudes that should suit a variety of skin tones. While enhancing your natural lip shape, these lip liners should enhance your natural lip color, too, for a pencil you can rely on every day.
Plus, this lip pencil is one of the few that I've tried that stays put. While it isn't as long-lasting as others I've used, the product does live up to its claims.
Best for all over color:
I'm not going to lie: This Merit lip liner is one of my most worn lip liners. But I'll admit that while it is a favorite of mine, I can acknowledge that it isn't for everyone. Let me explain why:
Lip liners are associated with defining, but some are best used for adding subtle fullness by just filling the entire lip, not the perimeter. Merit's lip liner is an ideal pick for that. The product glides on incredibly smoothly, and has a hydrating formula to match. In fact, I've hardly noticed a need to reapply lip balm when I use it (some matte formulas make my lips feel and look dry). However, this lip liner isn't too long-lasting on its own, but it makes for a great buildable, all-over color for a ‘your lips, but better’ look.
It's also worth noting the finish has a subtle sheen to it, so this isn't a pick if you're expecting a matte lip liner.
A Shop TODAY favorite:
If you asked the entire Shop TODAY team what their favorite lip liner is, they'll most likely say the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat. The no-smudge, velvety formula is one of the reasons why we all love it, but I'd have to argue that the flattering shade range is why I rank it high on my list. From Pillow Talk to Foxy Brown, these shades suit a variety of skin tones, but they also happen to be some of the more iconic shades across the internet, loved by celebrities and beyond. It's no wonder it's universally loved — and not just by us.
Most transfer-proof:
Sure, most lip liners claim they're transfer-proof, but Pat McGrath tells nothing but the truth. Her recently launched lip pencil promises up to eight hours of smudge-, transfer- and water-proof wear. So once it dries, the color really doesn't budge.
At the launch event, I did a swatch on my hand, and even after aggressively trying to wipe it off and use makeup remover, the majority of the lip liner still remained. It really is indestructible through talking, drinking and more.
Honorable mentions
Best packaging:
New to lip liners? I call this Kosas lip liner a lip liner starter kit. Not that the lip liner isn't impactful (it glides so seamlessly!), but its packaging is what really earned it a spot on my list. This lip liner gives you the choice of sharpening the pencil with its built-in sharpener, or you can retract the liner by just twisting it up. The sharpener even has a brush on its opposite side, so you'll always be covered when it comes to blending and applying.
Most precise:
Although the queen of brows, Anastasia Beverly Hills is also a master of the lips. I love the brand's Long-Lasting Velvety-Matte Lip Liner specifically for its extra pointed tip. It's one of the more precise lip pencils I own, both in color payoff and application, so it's easily one of the best lip liners for those who have trouble lining their lips.
For contouring:
What makes Rhode's Peptide Lip Shape stand out amongst the rest is that it was specifically made for contouring the lips. Although you could argue that most lip liners achieve a similar result, a lip contour mimics the natural shadow of your lips to create an illusion of a fuller pout.
For instance, you'll notice the tip of Rhode's lip contour is more rounded than pointed compared to most, which helps the formula leave a soft feathered finish for minimal blending (although, there is a silicone tip at the end for that). I will argue that the shades aren't the most pigmented, but the reason behind this is similar to contour for the face. I believe the shades are purposely not too opaque so the contour looks effortless, and not obviously harsh.
How we chose
To find the best lip liners, editorial assistant Madison San Miguel took inventory of her collection of lip liners to see which ones were her top picks. As a writer with a beauty background, she took her expertise into consideration and evaluated all the picks based on their wear, application and how they compared to each other. She often covers beauty, fashion and writes product reviews for Shop TODAY.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
