Lip liner is a kind of merchandise that may really feel pointless (I can apply lipstick fairly nicely with out one, ahem) till I keep in mind how a lot of an impression they’ve. You don’t even need to spend a ton of money—the most effective drugstore lip liners can simply intensify one’s pure lip form or, relying on the way it’s drawn, deliciously exaggerate your lip form. (I as soon as bought my lipstick executed by a make-up artist who magically made my lips right into a extra outlined, Rihanna-style Cupid’s bow.) Allan “Whitey” Snyder, make-up artist for Marilyn Monroe, knew the ability of lip liner, having used darker shades alongside the perimeters of her lips to create a contoured impact.
Once I was a teen, you’d at all times discover lip liner in my classic lunch-box purse—and extra typically than precise lipstick. This was the late ’90s, so I used to be both utilizing a brownish lip liner with Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker (influenced by my chola classmates) or lining my lips with black eyeliner and filling it in with purple lipstick. This was my completely witchy, Nancy Downs–impressed look. Hung Vanngo lately executed an analogous look on Selena Gomez (utilizing Uncommon Magnificence Form Phrases Matte Lip Liners in Robust, $15, and Devoted, $15), however clearly method, method higher than mine.
As I discussed, you don’t need to spend a lot cash to search out high-quality lip liners that glide on like buttah and have an assortment of shades. Whereas there are some unbelievable mid-priced or high-end lip liners (Refy Lip Blur Lip Liner, $24, and Make-up by Mario Extremely Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil, $24, I’m speaking to you!), there are tons of drugstore lip liners that do the job simply in addition to, and even higher than, pricier ones. To seek out the most effective drugstore lip liners, I examined a spread of favorites and greatest sellers to see which of them delivered on precision, pigment, and endurance—with out breaking the financial institution.
The Greatest Drugstore Lip Liners at a Look
1. Greatest General: Nyx Skilled Make-up Slim Lip Pencil
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
Slim Lip Pencil
Professional: Nourishing formulation made with jojoba oil, shea butter, and coconut oil
Con: Requires a separate sharpener, which isn’t superb for journey or a fast repair
Shades: 31
Again in my teen make-up period, pencil liners, each eye and lip, had stiffer formulation, so we’d need to take a lighter to melt them a bit. In the present day’s liners are creamy, pigmented, and full of endurance—no Bic needed. Nyx Slim Lip Pencil, an OG within the drugstore lip liner world, has the proper consistency—it is creamy however not too comfortable, making it simple to outline your lips with out tugging. Form of just like the Goldilocks of lip pencils. Oh, and if you would like a celeb cosign, Hailey Bieber is understood to make use of the Nyx Slim Lip Pencil in Nude Truffle.
Buyer assessment: “These lipliners glide in your lips so effortlessly and are so good for his or her low cost value. Additionally they have nice pigmentation. These are my go-to liners for any event.”
2. Greatest for Creating Definition: e.l.f. cosmetics Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner
e.l.f.
Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner, 2-in-1 Lipliner Pencil
Professionals: Twin-purpose triangle tip makes lining and filling simple and easy
Cons: Not numerous shades!
Shades: 7
Lip liners are the one factor that may invoke the last word overlined pout à la the ’90s supermodel period. (Shout-out to Naomi Campbell!) Fortunately, we do not essentially have to be as proficient as Kevyn Aucoin (RIP) to attract a wonderfully outlined liner. E.l.f.’s Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner has a triangle-shaped tip that could be a recreation changer for precision—use the sharp edge for crisp traces or the broader aspect to fill in your lips. The formulation is creamy however not too comfortable, guaranteeing it stays the place it is imagined to be with out smudging throughout. Plus, it is $4!
Buyer assessment: “I’ve by no means been enthusiastic about any lip liner as I’m with Elf’s! It glides on the define of your lips and is straightforward to form your lips with it. I used it to fill within the traces on my lips, and it labored nice! It stayed on till I took it off earlier than mattress. I used a nude-colored lipstick on prime of the liner. I’ve by no means seen my lips look so full. I am so pleased with this product!”
3. Greatest Lengthy-Lasting Formulation: Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner
REVLON
Colorstay Lip Liner
Professionals: Retractable design with a built-in sharpener
Cons: Tube can really feel a bit free at instances
Shades: 16
The low-key MVP of make-up routines in every single place, lip liners can double as lipstick, repair uneven shapes, or create ombré results that make your lips look fuller immediately (or in 10 steps, relying on which wild magnificence TikTok you’re watching). True to its title, the Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner is all about its unbelievable endurance. This retractable liner doesn’t budge, feather, or fade, even throughout one specific breakfast burrito second I had the opposite day. The built-in sharpener can also be tremendous helpful for maintaining your traces good and exact and, fairly frankly, saving time and fewer mess!
Buyer assessment: “It is within the title…lengthy put on. It stays on. I like to make use of it throughout as a lip coloration, too. I will line my lips, then smear the colour with a lip applicator or my finger. It appears to be like nice and is a superb value. Like it.”
4. Greatest for Overlining Lips: Maybelline Lifter Liner Lip Liner Pencil
MAYBELLINE
Lifter Liner Lip Liner Pencil With Hyaluronic Acid
Professionals: Formulation manufactured from hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil enhances lip quantity
Cons: There are numerous neutrals—shade vary could possibly be extra numerous
Shades: 10
Within the temper to faux lip filler with a bit little bit of overline? The Maybelline Lifter Lip Liner Pencil is your secret weapon for a full, sculpted pout. Designed to enrich the model’s viral Lifter Gloss, this liner is creamy, pigmented, and long-lasting. The pencil glides on effortlessly, defining your lips with a easy, velvety end that stays put by means of the day. I am a bit obsessive about this one.
Buyer assessment: “The hyaluronic acid makes these lip liners glide on with ease and do not dry my lips out. I am in love with the feel and tremendous long-lasting coloration. I unintentionally ordered two of the identical shade and I’m so glad I did as a result of the colour is an ideal pinky-nude shade a bit darker than my pure lip coloration. I can be buying different colours on this line.”
5. Greatest Shade Vary: ColourPop Lippie Pencil
Professionals: A brilliant-creamy formulation that is simple to mix
Cons: Not as long-lasting as different liners on the market
Shades: 32
With a powerful shade lineup (there’s one thing for everybody, even black lip liner, so I haven’t got to make use of eyeliner like teen me), ColourPop’s Lippie Pencil appears to be like implausible whether or not you are pairing it with lipstick or gloss. It delivers creamy, blendable pigment in only one lil’ swipe, making it superb for that shiny ’90s vibe or filling within the entirety of your lips when you do not wish to use anything. The formulation is tremendous satisfying and creamy, so your lips at all times really feel comfy.
Buyer assessment: “I actually love this lip pencil. The colour is darkish sufficient to indicate up on darkish pores and skin, and it glides on the pores and skin simply superbly; it’s the proper shade of brown and the most effective lip pencil I’ve ever encountered. I’ve 4 of them.”
