The 15 Best Makeup Artist-Approved Lip Liners For A Redefined Look – 2024

If you thought lip liners were a thing of the past, you are yet to discover the best, statement-making lip liners from today’s trends. This 90s cult formula of creamy and shimmery-looking lips hasn’t left the room yet. In fact, it is here to make your lips look fuller and plump, defining the contours of your lips. You need no lip injections or artificial fillers to make your lips look full and complete. Lip liners create a smooth canvas to apply your lipstick or lip color with utmost precision. Moreover, it makes the lip color smudge-proof and increases its staying time.

Pick any of your favorite celebrities, and all of them have a favorite lip liner as their go-to. With so many wanting these, there are lip liners available from different brands with different formulas and textures. All of this can become overwhelming, so we have listed the 15 best lip liners available out there. Scroll and find the best option for you and make your lips look fuller instantly.

15 Best Lip Liner Reviews To Give You Fab Lip Color

1. Best Vegan:NYX Professional Makeup Lip Pencil – Espresso

4.4

Image: Nyx Professional Makeup

BUY ON AMAZON | $4.99

Define your lips to get great precision with this rich espresso lip liner that glides on like butter and stays on for a long time. This award-winning, celebrity-endorsed lip liner also gives you a great pout when accompanied by a complementing color. Say bye to feathering and bleeding of your favorite lip color with this affordable lip liner that provides a solid foundation for your lipstick. Plus, this is vegan and cruelty-free, making it a great choice for your conscience too. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and get those gorgeous lips with this no-bleeding lip liner that counts as one of the best NYX lip liners.

Did You Know?

Nyx is actually pronounced as ‘Niks’ and is named after the Greek goddess of night who was feared even by Zeus, the king of the Gods.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has gained over 27,453 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.

2. Best Richly-Pigmented:Milani Color Statement Lipliner – All Natural

4.5

Image: Milani

BUY ON AMAZON | $21.99

If you’re a fan of nude lips, get this natural-colored lip liner that will give you well-defined lips instantly. Long-lasting and richly-pigmented, this lip liner gives you a highly-pigmented color that stays on without you having to worry about retouches. It has a plush, matte feel for you to match with your favorite lip color. This shade is also great for all skin tones, making its appeal universal. Just line your lips and get the perfect canvas for your lip color to avoid smudging. Moreover, the brand is PETA-approved too. Many reviews on e-commerce sites suggest that this nude shade stays in place for a long time and has a great color payoff.

Quick Tip

Line your cupid bow and lower lip first as a ‘M’ for a perfect line. You can also make an ‘O’ adjoining the cupid bow and lower lip for fuller lips.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

With over 6,566 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.

3. Best Smudge-Proof:Maybelline New York ColorSensational Shaping Lip Liner – Almond Rose

4.3

Image: Maybelline

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.63

Get great-looking lips that also feel good with this creamy lip liner in a pretty shade. The celebrity-endorsed brand uses a smudge-proof formula that makes it easy to avoid bleeding and feathering of the lip color. The color is super-saturated and gives you an impressive color pay-off easily with a few strokes. Its self-sharpening avatar gets rid of the common woes of sharpening too. This also helps in the application as you can easily define your lips to get that perfect, plump pout. It can also act as a primer for lipstick of the same shade. Check out some reviews on Amazon to learn more about this liner before adding it to your makeup routine.

Remember

Keep your lip liner in the refrigerator to prevent it from melting.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has received over 8,653 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.

	NYX Professional Makeup Lip Pencil - Espresso Best Vegan	Milani Color Statement Lipliner - All Natural Best Richly-Pigmented	Maybelline New York ColorSensational Shaping Lip Liner - Almond Rose Best Smudge-Proof
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Skin Type	All	AllColor	Normal
Color	820 Espresso	-	ALMOND ROSE LINER
Dimensions	0.37 x 5.09 x 0.37 inches	0.33 x 0.33 x 5.05 inches	5.31 x 0.33 x 0.33 inches
Weight	0.12 Ounces	0.18 Ounces	0.19 Ounces
Rating
Reviews	27,453	6,566	8,653
Price	$4.99	$21.99	$6.63

4. Best Long-Wear:Haus Laboratories Lip Liner – Slayer

4.4

Image: Haus Labs

Now 51% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $7.82

Creamy and matte, this lip product glides on easy and makes your lips look luxe. A brand by Lady Gaga, this perfect lip liner features a formula that lets you use it to define your lips with precision but also to fill in after using a lip color. It is formulated thoughtfully to give you a superlative definition with one stroke of this soft, smooth lip liner. Its long-wear formula lets you enjoy freely without having to worry about smudging your lip color. To add to that, the formula is vegan and has not been tested on animals. So, go get glam lips like Lady Gaga herself with this lip liner that stays intact after hours of wear. It will come to your rescue when you intend to doll up your puckers.

Quick Tip

To keep your lipstick from drying and smudging, apply primer, line your lips and then fill your lips with lip liner and apply the lipstick on the liner-filled lips.

5. Best Transfer-Resistant:Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lip Contouring Pencil – Rose Quartz

4.4

Image: Rimmel London

BUY ON AMAZON | $0.74

Get gorgeous lips with this lip liner by a celebrity-endorsed brand that lets you define your lips deftly with this lovely color. Never worry again about having to carry your cosmetics along in your tiny clutch bag as this promises to give you a lasting wear that will let you flaunt that great lip color for a long time. Its 1000 Kisses formula ensures that the color remains non-transferable even as you sip on your favorite drink. The lip liner pencil gives you great precision that allows your lipstick-wearing experience to get better.

6. Best Moisturizing:Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner – Dolly Danger

4.2

BUY ON AMAZON | $18

This is among the best moisturizing lip liners for those who are always on the lookout for some extra punch. Get well-defined lips in this shade of plum in a jiffy as you glide it on with ease. Creamy and smooth, this one’s a dream to apply. It has a beautiful, subtle color, which means you can wear it solo or use it as a base for your favorite color. The best part? This comes with a brush that lets you fill in to your heart’s desire. It is also infused with some of the most moisturizing ingredients like beeswax and aloe that do not dry out your lips. So contour, line, and get the perfect lips with this versatile lip liner with ease. Multiple reviews on Amazon recommend using this liner if you want to rock a long-lasting lip color with a creamy formula.

7. Best For Mature Skin:L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Anti-Feathering Lip Liner – Nude Pink

3.5

Image: Loreal Paris

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.83

This lip liner by celebrity-endorsed brand, L’Oreal is especially for mature skin types and is formulated to enhance the natural lip contours as it defines with precision. It has a special applicator tip that glides on smoothly for easy application. This lip liner is from the brand’s special line for 50-up consumers, therefore it takes care of blending in on creases and does not smudge while also saving your lipstick from smudging. Its anti-feathering and transfer-free formula means that you can go worry-free about retouches. So, go on and grab one to get your perfect lips in your favorite color.

8. Best Waterproof:Palladio Retractable Lip Liner – Coffee

4.2

Image: Palladio Retractable Lip Liner – Coffee

BUY ON AMAZON | $7.99

This one’s a dream for those looking for all-day wear as you don’t have to worry about carrying this around for retouches during those long days at work. Go for your dinners and drinks carefree as the formula of this lip liner makes it smudge-resistant. Get great-feeling lips with the aloe and chamomile infused botanical and natural formula of this product. This lip liner also uses antioxidants like vitamins A, C, D and E; and powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea and ginseng, which means you can beautify and nourish your lips at the same time. Plus this is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and paraben-free. Multiple reviewers on Amazon suggest that this liner is easy to use and does not irritate your lips.

9. Best Creamy Formula:Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Smearproof Liner – Burgundy

4.3

Image: Sormé

BUY ON AMAZON | $10.99

If you’re looking for a statement-making lip liner that offers the goodness of skincare while defining your lips, this is the best choice for you. Packing in ingredients that act as treatment for your skin, get lips that look as well as feel good with this powerful lip liner. Long-lasting with a creamy consistency, this lip liner slides on super smoothly for easy application. You’ll never have to complain about dry lips again as the lecithin in it keeps them hydrated. Vitamins C and E contained in this product help prevent creases and lines on your lips and make lipstick last longer. It’s also waterproof, smearproof, and non-splintering so that you can get the perfect lips for your next night out. Check out some online reviews before purchasing this natural lip color which might be a perfect shade for your lips.

10. Best Smooth Application:Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil – Liar

4.5

Image: Urban Decay

BUY ON AMAZON | $20.99

Doll up your lips pretty with his smooth lip liner that has a versatile shade. It glides on easily and stays put to deliver exceptional results. You can use it to line your lips for precision or to prime them before putting on your favorite lipstick. Azesha Ramcharan, an expert makeup artist says, “The formula is part of Urban Decay’s 24/7 family of long wear products. Ingredients like cyclopentasiloxane give this lip liner slip and help the color glide on.” You can also use this to fill in your lips completely and go solo with this fab color. The brand calls this lip liner “indestructible”, which basically means that you get to go about your day from brunch to the boardroom, without having to worry about retouching due to smudging, feathering or bleeding. But the long-wear does not make your lips feel dry as this product uses hydrators such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil for nourishment. So, get those hassle-free dream lips quickly with this multitasking lip liner pronto!

11. Best Anti-Feathering:Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lip Liner – Rose

3.9

Image: Flower Beauty

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.1

Get a great color, fuller-looking lips, and perfect precision with this lip liner in the shade “rose.” It provides the perfect outline for you to wear your favorite lip color or just fill in with this shade itself. No more worrying about feathering and smudging too as this lip liner promises to stay put and does its work as you go about doing yours. Get the perfect pout by overlining your lips a little and watch how you turn heads. This comes in an easy retractable format so that you don’t have to battle sharpening woes anymore. Plus it is not tested on animals, making it a great choice for everyone.

12. Best Bleed-Proof:Pippa of London Defining Lip Liner – Laonome

4.2

BUY ON AMAZON | $12.5

Good color that stays for up to 5 hours is a great feature for a lip liner but this one has more. With its ultra-precise tip, this natural lip liner promises to give you great precision when it comes to lining your lips and every crease and contour on it. It also guarantees to be bleed-proof and anti-feathering so you can bid farewell to carrying your lip liner along for frequent retouches. Made of ingredients like mango seed oil, meadowfoam oil, macadamia nut oil, jojoba oil, candelilla wax, and shea butter, the formula of this lip liner makes it easy to glide on and hydrates your lips at the same time. It is also cruelty-free and uses natural ingredients to ensure lipstick adherence. If you are not sure about the product or whether it would be a flawless match for you, check out some reviews on Amazon before purchasing.

13. Best Cruelty-Free:The Lip Bar Smudge Proof Lip Liner- Straight Partying

4.3

Image: The Lip Bar

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.99

Introduce a dash of statement-making pink to your life with this fun shade of lip liner in a hot pink matte shade. In fact, the color is so stunning that you’re sure to turn heads – whether you wear the lip liner alone or with a complementing lip color. Jojoba oil and aloe vera among its ingredients make it a nourishing and moisturizing product that cares for your lips. This also means that this matte lip liner goes on smoothly over your lips without dragging. Being vegan and cruelty-free give it extra brownie points!

14. Best For Nude Lips:bareMinerals Gen Nude Under Over Lip Liner – Vibe

4.4

Image: Bareminerals

BUY ON AMAZON | $10.83

If you’re looking for a clean beauty brand that also helps give you great-looking lips, this is the nude lip liner for you. It can define your lips with precision so you to fill it in with your favorite color. You can also use this to act as a primer for your lipstick or liquid lip color to stay put longer on your lips. This lip liner keeps feathering and bleeding at bay, which means that you can wear your lip color for a longer time without running to the mirror for retouches. Plus, this beauty product is made without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

15. Best Smooth Texture:Butter London Plush Rush Lip Liner – Sweet Something

4.1

Image: Butter London

BUY ON AMAZON | $18

This one’s a long-wear lip liner for those who don’t have the time or energy for retouches. This pigmented liner offers a smooth application and a velvet-like plush texture that makes your lips feel super smooth. The consistency of the liner makes it easy to glide on to deliver exceptional results. It is simple to blend and reduces feathering and bleeding. This also helps in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, making this great for people with mature skin types as well. It is water-resistant and has a built-in brush for easy application. So get shiny, velvety, and plump lips in seconds with this amazing lip liner. Multiple reviewers suggest that this liner glides on their lips and its rich color looks great on application.

And now that we have looked at our 15 best lip liners, here’s making it easy for you to pick out the most suitable one for yourself with our buying guide.

How To Pick The Best Lip Liner For Your Skin Tone

• Skin Tone

Lip liner colors, like lip colors, come in multiple shades, and therefore, you have to be careful about the shade that goes with your skin tone. If you’re pairing it with your lip color, you should always go with a lip liner of the same color family— nudes for nudes and dark or bold lip liners for bolder colors. So if your lipstick has undertones of plum, opt for a lip liner with the same undertones. You can settle for neutral shades or darker tones such as almond or plums for dark skin tones and go for corals or neons for lighter skin tones. However, many lip liner brands are now also making clear-colored lip liner for a variety of skin tones that you can pick up hassle-free.

• Texture

With lip liners now also doubling up as primers and fill-ins, the texture you want is also important. For a velvety feel and a shiny look, go for brands that promise a creamy texture with shine and for a matte look, opt for ones with a matte finish. Texture is also important to avoid dragging the lip liner during application. Smooth ones glide on easily while drier ones might need more energy and product for the desired lip effect and color on your lips.

• Ingredients

With lip liners now also doubling up as primers and fill-ins, the texture you want is also important. For a velvety feel and a shiny look, go for brands that promise a creamy texture with shine and for a matte look, opt for ones with a matte finish. Texture is also important to avoid dragging the lip liner during application. Smooth ones glide on easily while drier ones might need more energy and product for the desired lip effect and color on your lips.

• Long-wear

This is key while buying lip liners as you don’t want to be stuck with something that does not cater to your needs. If you’re one who does not like too many retouches, go for something with a 24-hour long-wear formula that keeps smudging and feathering at bay. But if you don’t mind the occasional retouches, pick up something that gives you an average lasting wear for up to 5 hours. There are plenty of options available with their varying formulas for how long the lip liner stays put.

Infographic: Key Ingredients In Nourishing Lip Liners

Good-quality lip liners contain key ingredients that make them stand out from the rest. From waxes to oils, these ingredients provide maximum hydration for lips while imparting an extra pop of color. Check out the infographic below to find out what ingredients you should look for when selecting your next lip liner.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use lip liner as eyeliner?

Some lip liners can double up as eyeliners. However, it is advisable to use products made for a specific purpose for only that in order to get the maximum mileage out of it. Lip liners usually contain ingredients for the benefit of the lips, which you do not necessarily need for your eye liner.

Does lip liner go on before lipstick?

Yes, it does. A lip liner adds definition to your lips for perfect application of the lipstick and also helps in protecting your color from smudging and feathering too fast.

Does lip liner last longer than lipstick?

Yes, as lip liners have slightly different formulations than lipsticks, they stay on longer.

When should I use lip liner?

• Prepare your lips by cleaning or exfoliating them.
• Moisturize your lips and leave them for 10 minutes.
• Choose the liner shade and sharpen it for better precision.
• Gently outline both sides of your lips.
• Apply your desired lipstick.

How often should you change your lip liner?

Change your lip liners after 12-18 months of usage.

Does lip liner make your lips look bigger?

Yes, you can get a plumped-up look by slightly thickening lip liner on your natural lip line.

Are lip liners safe?

Lip liners made of non-toxic, moisturizing formula are safe for daily use. However, for hygiene purposes, do not share your lip line with anyone.

Does permanent lip liner fade?

Yes, permanent lip liner fades after 3 years.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Srijani Roy Chowdhury is a makeup lover who believes that to get fuller-looking and plump lips, using a lip liner is a must. The list includes some of the top picks for lip color enhancement and lip shape correction. She shortlisted the products after going through thousands of trustworthy reviews online regarding lip liner versatility and lipstick compatibility. All these products in the list will create a defined canvas to apply your lipstick and ensure lipstick longevity.

Recommended Articles

• Best Brown Lip Liners For Gorgeous Lips
• Best Drugstore Long-Lasting Lip Liners
• Best Cruelty-Free Lip Gloss

ReviewerAuthorEditor

Azesha RamcharanMakeup Artist

 

Azesha is a versatile freelance makeup artist with over a decade of experience in creating stunning looks for both media productions and special events. Her background in visual arts and degree in filmmaking and photography have shaped her unique, artistic perspective toward her craft.

Read full bio of Azesha Ramcharan

Srijani Roy Chowdhury Associate Commerce Editor

 

Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.

Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury

Rajeshwari DasAssociate Commerce Editor

Rajeshwari is a dedicated fitness and lifestyle enthusiast, deeply committed to enhancing our readers’ well-being and vitality. She has a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta.

Read full bio of Rajeshwari Das