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TL;DR
The Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner deserves its top spot thanks to its workable formula that easily glides on your lips, dries down to a no-budge matte finish, and holds up even after eating and drinking. If you want to create the ultimate 90s-inspired neutral lip, we highly recommend the Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil. The extensive shade range has something for every skin tone, so you can find your perfect nude.
Applying lip liner might feel like an added—and potentially unnecessary—step in your makeup routine, but the multifunctional product can seriously elevate your end result. According to celebrity makeup artist Katie Mellinger, you can use lip liner to enhance or alter the shape of your lips, improve the longevity of your lipstick, and help prevent lipstick from bleeding. So, if you’ve been trying to achieve fuller-looking lips (maybe you’ve been contemplating getting lip filler), we highly recommend finding a formula you love and discovering the magic lip liner can create.
With so many new options emerging, we Byrdie editors decided to conduct a new round of testing, selecting more than two-dozen lip liners to try in our daily lives. We evaluated each product’s shade range, application, wear, texture, and pigmentation. After consulting two professional makeup artists, we curated this list of the very best lip liners.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
Creamy, blendable formula is easy to apply
Sets to a matte, no-budge formula
Long-wearing, even after eating and drinking
We wish they offered more neutral shades
Number of Shades: 23 | Shade Tested: Icon Baby | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Out of all the lip liners we tested, we’re crowning Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat as our favorite. With a creamy (but not overly messy) consistency, it glides effortlessly onto your lips, creating soft definition and a beautiful base for lipstick or lip gloss. It has a natural matte finish that never looks or feels heavy or dry, and once it sets, it lasts nicely without needing to touch up, even after eating or drinking. We also appreciate that it comes in numerous gorgeous shades, though we wish the brand would expand its neutral offering—most shades in the range lean pink or red. If you’re looking for an easy-to-work-with formula that’s comfortable and wears well throughout the day, this one is the ultimate choice.
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Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director: “This pencil liner is truly magical. While it goes on creamy, so you can easily blend and adjust, it dries down quickly to a no-budge finish. It doesn't feel too dry or tight once set down, which I love, and yet, somehow, it lasts for hours and hours.”
Best Budget
Maybelline Lip Liner
Creamy formula easily glides onto the lips
Highly pigmented
Feels weightless and hydrating
Doesn’t last the longest
Number of Shades: 10 | Shade Tested: Cross the Line | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly lip liner or need to grab something from your local drugstore in a pinch, the Maybelline Lifter Liner is the way to go. It features an ultra-creamy, balm-like formula that glides on effortlessly. It’s highly pigmented, requiring only a soft touch to reveal its magic. Once applied, it sets to a beautiful satin finish that packs a pigmented punch. We do wish it were longer-lasting, as it faded after eating and drinking (which is expected with such a creamy formula).
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Dominique Hobdy, senior editor: “I was really impressed with how smooth the application was for this liner. It's super creamy and applies with almost no effort. A light touch to the lips was pretty much all that was required to get the pigment to show up, and there was no bleeding.”
Best Neutrals
Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil
Extensive neutral shade range that suits multiple skin tones
Pigmented formula that’s not too creamy or stiff
Can be sharpened for precision
Could be longer-wearing
Number of Shades: 23 | Shade Tested: Toasty | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There’s nothing we love more than a '90s-inspired neutral lip, and Makeup By Mario delivered just that (and more) with this lip liner range. To start, it’s the ideal balance between creamy and stiff—blendable without slipping around and stiff without tugging. It’s no surprise it’s also a favorite of celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell—she loves the shade Travis for a cool nude that works on a range of skin tones. The best part? It’s available in a wide range of colors, including a host of well-suited nude options for every undertone. It boasts an opaque color payoff that’s buildable, and it layers beautifully under lipstick, lip balm, and lip gloss.
While it lasted for a few hours, it required a touch-up after eating and drinking. It’s a fantastic product all around, and given that it caters to a wide spectrum of complexions, we can’t recommend it enough.
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Alyssa Kaplan, editor: “I absolutely love the shade range—it offers more nuanced neutral tones than other lip liners I’ve come across.. I also love that you can apply less pressure and get a more sheer line, or you can achieve more pigment when applying more pressure and layering.”
Best Shade Range
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner
Extensive shade range of neutrals and bolds
Richly pigmented
Long-wearing
Can become dull quickly
Number of Shades: 23 | Shade Tested: Chai | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Anastasia’s range of lip liner shades is genuinely something to write home about. Available in over 20 shades—from cool-toned browns to rich berries—there is truly a color for everyone. The formula is soft, creamy, and irresistibly easy to pack on. That said, it can become dull more quickly than other formulas, but luckily, it won’t pull or drag on your lips, and the formula is easy to sharpen. We love that the shades are quite opaque, making this a great option to use on its own or with some clear lip balm. Plus, it’s extremely long-wearing; it didn’t budge even after eating and drinking. Whether you prefer a natural, everyday lip or love to pack on a bold red, you can’t go wrong with this baby.
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Shannon Stubbs, writer: “The pretty reddish-brown shade complemented my lip tone well, and I only had to layer it on once for it to make an impact. I often applied sheer glosses (either clear or pigmented shades) on top of the liner, and the liner stayed intact—but it also added some of the color around my lips for a multidimensional look.”
Best Hydrating
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner
Infused with ultra-hydrating ingredients
Smooth, creamy formula
Lightweight
Fades a bit after eating and drinking
Number of Shades: 10 | Shade Tested: Rosy Brown | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A lot of lip liners can feel stiff, heavy, or drying on the lips, but this one from Tarte is nothing of the sort. It boasts a silky-smooth formula that feels subtly hydrating, thanks to maracuja (passionfruit), hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E in the formula. It offers a one-swipe color payoff, glides onto the lips with ease, and remains comfortable all day long. It did transfer significantly while eating and drinking, but because it’s so weightless and smooth, it’s painless to reapply. On the plus side, it lasted well with minimal fading when we weren’t eating or drinking.
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Amanda Rosenthal, writer: “With one simple stroke, I immediately noticed a gorgeous, rich pigment, which pairs well on its own or paired with lip gloss or lipstick. Plus, I love that the ultra-hydrating formula glides across my lips even when they are chapped.”
Best Long-Wearing
Fenty Beauty Lip Liner
Wears without fading for several hours
Minimal to no touch-ups needed, even after eating and drinking
Gorgeous neutral and bold shades
Creamy formula may make it difficult to achieve precise lines
Number of Shades: 15 | Shade Tested: Riri | Finish: Velvet-matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Eating and drinking will cause almost all lip products to fade at least a little bit; that’s just the reality. However, out of all the options we tested, this one from Fenty Beauty held up the best during meals and throughout the day. In addition to its impressive wear, we love how richly pigmented the formula is. It’s easy to apply and buttery on the lips. We also didn’t experience any bleeding or feathering with this one. Available in 15 shades that offer impressive color payoff, we appreciate that the formula is buildable. It’s not ideal for super-precise application due to the creamy formula, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for something with longevity.
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Shauna Beni-Haynes, senior editor: “I noticed that this liner did stay on for a while throughout the day. It even lasted through my first meal and drink of the day. By my second meal, I did notice a bit of fading, but nothing major; I still didn't need to do any major touch-ups.”
Best for Precision
MAC Cosmetics Lip Liner Pencil
Sharp, fine point is excellent for precise lining
Excellent shade range
Prevents bleeding and feathering
Could be longer-wearing
Number of Shades: 28 | Shade Tested: Chestnut | Finish: TK | Cruelty-Free: Tk
We love this lip liner from MAC and highly recommend it, especially if you prefer to line your lips precisely to achieve serious definition. The slightly stiffer formula drifts over your lips without bleeding or smudging. It can also be sharpened to a very fine point, and because it’s not too soft, the fine point doesn’t flatten right away as you begin using it. But don’t worry, the formula isn’t drying and doesn’t drag on your lips—it’s smooth and easy to apply. It gives an opaque color payoff in one or two swipes, and the thin formula layers seamlessly underneath lipstick or your go-to gloss. We wish it were a bit more long-wearing—it does fade significantly when eating and drinking—but we feel the pros far outweigh the cons.
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Shannon Stubbs, writer: “This lip liner applies seamlessly. When applying with a light hand, it creates a perfectly pigmented line of color. It feels very comfortable on my lips.”
Best for Beginners
Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner
Easy-to-use formula
Twist-up pencil is always ready for use
Creamy formula is comfortable on the lips
Twist-up dispenser can cause the tip to go dull over time
Number of Shades: 10 | Shade Tested: Humble | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liner is our top choice for beginners. It comes in 10 pigmented neutral shades that range in depth and undertone, and the soft, smooth formula is effortless to apply. It provides a bit of playtime after application, allowing you to easily clean up uneven lines or mistakes. Once it sets, it wears nicely for a few hours, though it’s not the most long-lasting and may require touch-ups after eating and drinking. We love that it’s a twist-up pencil that doesn’t need to be sharpened; however, because of this, the tip can become a bit dull and isn’t ideal for creating intensely sharp lines. Luckily, the opposite end of the pencil comes with a mini sharpener. Novice lip liner users can simply throw it in their bag, and they’ll be good to go.
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Best Transfer-Proof
Sweed Beauty Lip Liner
Long-wearing, transfer-resistant formula
Fast drying
Creamy formula is comfortable on the lips
Use with precision as it has a fast-drying formula
Number of Shades: 9 | Shade Tested: Cindy | Finish: Velvet | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for a lip liner that will withstand mealtime, look no further than this one from Sweed Beauty. It offers one-swipe color payoff, a smooth texture that glides on like butter, and a transfer-resistant formula that truly stays in place. It’s creamy but not too soft, making it possible to achieve crisp lines. We love that the formula boasts six-hour staying power and is infused with jojoba oil to moisturize our lips. Hot tip: It’s pretty quick drying, so go in with a little at a time to precisely line your lips sans smudges.
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Amanda Rosenthal, writer: “It's extremely budge-proof and the longest-lasting lip liner I have tried. It lasted through eating and drinking, and by the end of the day, I could still see the outline. It also comes with a lip brush that can be used to blur the lips and bring the liner to the center of the lip, which I love.”
Best Contouring
Rhode Peptide Lip Shape
Effortlessly contours, defines, and shapes the lips
Highly pigmented
Creamy, plumping formula
Not long-wearing
Number of Shades: 11 | Shade Tested: Stretch | Finish: Semi-matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Beautifully sculpted lips are a swipe away thanks to the Rhode Peptide Lip Shape. This innovative, shaping liner doesn’t just define your lips; it softly contours them with a blend of hydrating peptides that plump and smooth. The creamy texture applies smoothly, leaving behind a soft, velvety finish that enhances your natural lip shape. The bottom end features an angled rubber tip to help you precisely blend the liner and achieve your desired look. Whether you’re aiming for subtle definition or an overlined lip, this liner is your new go-to for both shape and nourishment. Just keep in mind that it’s not a long-wearing liner, so plan on having to touch up throughout the day.
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Shauna Beni-Haynes, senior editor: “This lip liner is very pigmented; you don't need to go over it multiple times to see the color. One trace across the lips will give you enough color, and it layers very well with other products.”
Best Sheer
Merit Signature Sheer Lip Liner
Sheer, natural definition
Buttery formula is easy to apply
Great for everyday
Could be longer-lasting
Number of Shades: 8 | Shade Tested: Brownstone | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For those who love a whisper of color and a barely-there finish, the Merit Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner is a game changer. The ultra-smooth, lightweight formula glides on the lips, providing just the right amount of natural-looking definition without overwhelming them. It’s sheer, buildable texture enhances the natural look and shape of your lips while also leaving them nourished and soft. Perfect for an everyday or understated look, it’s a minimalist’s dream. It’s simply the subtle touch your makeup routine has needed.
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Alyssa Kaplan, editor: “I think this is a really unique liner because it's sheer and easy to just slap on. It's nice for people who want some definition on their lips but don't want something super makeup-y or precise. I also think it's among the most moisturizing lip liners I've ever tried.”
What to Look for When Buying a Lip Liner
- Shade Range: The right shade of lip liner for you depends on what you’ll be using it for. If you want to use it to enhance the longevity of your lipstick, look for a shade that closely matches the color of the lipstick you’ll be pairing it with. If you’re looking for definition or to enhance your lip shape, you’ll want a lip liner that’s offered in a variety of nude shades so you can find a close match to your lips. When picking a lip liner for a natural, everyday look, Sewell recommends choosing a shade that’s similar to your lip color.
- Type: Some lip liners are twist-up pencils that don’t require a sharpener, while others are more traditional pencils that will require you to sharpen them. While twist-up options are great for convenience, they’re not always ideal for precision since they don’t get as sharp as traditional pencils.
- Texture: Lip liners have different textures, just like lipsticks. Some are creamy and glide onto the lips effortlessly, while others are stiffer formulas. If you’re looking for an everyday product that you can swipe on while you’re out and about, you’ll want to opt for a texture that's soft, creamy, and easier to work with. But if you’re looking for a long-wearing lip liner that will keep your lipstick locked in place, one with a stiffer, slightly drier texture is ideal for that.
How We Tested Lip Liners
We believe in testing products just like you would, so Byrdie editors tested a range of lip liners in their real lives to see which ones applied well, looked nice on the lips, and lasted through meals, long days at the office, and the NYC humidity.
- Lip Liners Tested to Date: 30
- Testing Period: 3 weeks
- Factors Considered: Shade range, application, wear, texture, and pigmentation.
Meet Our Experts
We also spoke with two experts to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for lip liners. Those experts include:
- Katie Mellinger is a fashion and celebrity makeup artist. She has worked with clients like Emma Watson, Michelle Yeoh, and more.
- Kelli Anne Sewell is a celebrity makeup artist, content creator, and founder of Makeup By Kelli Anne. She has worked with clients like Alix Earle, Brooks Nader, and more.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an editor, experienced writer in the beauty industry, and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing lip liners for many years, and she’s tested most formulas on this list herself. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. Alyssa has been at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
Amanda Rosenthal is a Byrdie writer who covers fashion and beauty content. One of her favorite beauty products is lip liner, and she has been using it for years. She appreciates formulas that are creamy, buildable, long-wearing, and pigmented. She has tested multiple products on this list and is a big fan of the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Line.