You might have wondered: Do lip liners actually make a difference? Nowadays, our lip care has just as many steps as our skin care. But lip liners are more necessary than you think, and offer multiple practical benefits for defining the lips, preventing color “bleeding” and boosting the longevity of your base.
Among other benefits of the tool: 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. Thus, just as you would rely on a primer for your foundation’s wear, a lip liner plays a similar role.
While most lip liners can achieve these results, not all are the same. For our Shop TODAY Ranked series, I tested nine lip liners and chose the top five based on formula, wear, pigment and overall quality to narrow down the best on the market. Plus, some honorable mentions that deserve the same love.
Best neutral shade$undefined$20.00
The best overall lip liner
Formula: 5/5 | Long-lasting: 4.85/5 | Pigment: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.95/5
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.
More Ranked lip liners, according to the author
A Shop TODAY favorite:
Formula: 4.75/5 | Long-lasting: 5/5 | Pigment: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.91/5
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:
Formula: 4.6/5 | Long-lasting: 5/5 | Pigment: 4.7/5 | Overall score: 4.76/5
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.
After aggressively whipping the swatch on my hand, with and without makeup remover, the majority of the lip liner still remained. It really is indestructible through talking, drinking and more.
Best neutral shades:
Formula: 4.3/5 | Long-lasting: 4/5 | Pigment: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.4/5
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 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:
Formula: 5/5 | Long-lasting: 3/5 | Pigment: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.3/5
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 also acknowledge that it isn't for everyone. Here’s 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.
More author-tested lip liners
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.
Worth the splurge:
Upon first glance, Louis Vuitton’s LV Crayon is a luxury: The soft ombré packaging, iconic LV Monogram hidden at the bottom and rim of the pencil, among other details. But that luxury matches the experience, too.
By Creative Director Pat McGrath, the bold lips seen on the runaway are implemented to the results in the pencil. My first impressions were the pencil itself, as it had a solid grip and precise point for smooth and controlled application. The shades, coming in a range of 10 reds, pinks and nudes, are as pigmented as the next, so no matter the shade you choose, you can trust the color payoff. I got a sharp line each time I re-applied, although when used with lip balm, I had to reapply just a tad more than with a lipstick.
How I tested lip liners
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.
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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.
