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If you prefer a no-fuss beauty routine, you’ve probably written off lip liner as unnecessary: Isn’t lipstick supposed to do the job on its own?
Not true. Lip liner is a hidden gem that guarantees your lipstick, gloss, or tinted balm lasts longer and performs better. This small yet mighty product prevents lipstick from feathering or bleeding, locks your lipstick in place, and keeps your lips hydrated. It only adds about a minute to your routine. Makeup artist Kathy Jeung shared, “Using a lip pencil will always help lipstick stay on better.” And no, lip liner doesn’t always mean a bold, over-lined look — you can personalize it to fit your style. For instance, applying liner after lipstick creates a subtle effect, while applying it before gives a more dramatic finish. Choose a liner that matches your lipstick for a seamless, long-lasting look. For an even subtler approach, tweak the tissue blotting technique by creating a “carpenter’s pencil” with your lip liner. Senior artist Keri Blair from Mac Cosmetics explained, “Wrap the tip of the pencil in a tissue and squeeze the pencil into a flat tip. This gives you the best tool to hug the corners of your mouth.”
Keep reading to discover makeup artists’ favorite lip liners and a few other products that ensure your lipstick stays flawless.
1. Highly pigmented pencils from one of the top beauty brands.
Rihanna's Fenty Beauty is known for its game-changing makeup products, and its lip liners are no exception. These creamy, waterproof pencils are formulated to last up to eight hours and offer rich, true-to-tone colors that complement every lip shade without looking ashy. Available at Sephora for $20, these liners come in ten shades.
2. One of my (somewhat controversial) favorites.
Kylie Cosmetics
Don’t shoot the messenger, but Kylie Cosmetics’ lip liners are some of the best I’ve ever tried. They’re incredibly creamy, gliding on smoothly without skipping or tugging, and they last impressively long. I’d recommend them as a foolproof option for anyone just starting out with lip liner—you might just fall in love.
3. A liner–lipstick hybrid
5. A nude lip pencil can naturally enhance your lips with added plumpness.
6. Or consider some of Mented's nude liners.
7. A versatile liner that works for lips, eyes, and cheeks.
Sephora
Tower 28's OneLiner adds creamy, matte definition to lips — plus can be used on eyes and cheeks for all-in-one color.
The three-in-one liner is highly-pigmented yet nourishing, thanks to an infusion of shea butter and marula oil, so it won't strip skin.
You can grab it in six shades.
Get it from Sephora for $15.
8. A colorless lip liner
9. Or a transparent lip liner by Urban Decay
10. A chubby, clear liner pencil that serves multiple purposes.
Urban Decay’s thicker-barreled clear multipurpose primer pencil does everything that traditional lip liners do, but with fewer swipes and greater ease of use. It prevents feathering and bleeding, extends the life of your lip color, and fills in fine lines. You can also use it to define your lip lines after application or tidy up any small messes from your makeup routine, like stray mascara marks. Since the pencil is thicker, you’ll need a larger sharpener. Urban Decay’s Grindhouse Double Barrel sharpener, available at Ulta for $12, is designed specifically for this purpose. Get it from Ulta for $22.
Looking for more non-liner products that help your lipstick stay flawless? Keep reading.
11. Regular exfoliation helps lip products glide on smoothly.
An exfoliating lip scrub eliminates flaky skin, which is crucial because, as makeup artist Diane da Silva explained, "long-wear lip color tends to collect in drier areas." “Exfoliating your lips just before applying makeup ensures a smoother application that lasts longer.” Makeup artist Jamie Greenberg also recommended the Pout Hero exfoliating lip scrub in past coverage, advising, "Make sure to use it daily to keep your lips and the surrounding skin exfoliated." You can exfoliate daily and follow up with a hydrating lip balm (I recommend Eco Lips Mongo Kiss balms for fast-absorbing moisture), or use an exfoliating product at night. Another method for exfoliating is buffing your lips with a damp washcloth, as suggested by cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong, the creator of the Lab Muffin blog. Get it from Thrive Causemetics for $24.
12. A moisturizing balm before applying lip liner and lipstick.
When preparing to apply a long-lasting lip product, makeup artist Jamie Dorman recommends leaving a hydrating lip balm on for a few minutes, then blotting it off before applying lipstick. She suggests using LYS Beauty’s Speak Love Glossy Lip Treatment Oil for this step.
13. Or opt for a plumping primer for your lips and skin.
14. Use a clear powder to set your makeup.
To finish off your look, Greenberg advises dabbing translucent powder over the entire lip area. We recommend Tower 28's pressed clear setting powder as a great option. This talc-free formula is rare in powders and helps set makeup while preventing shine, all without a heavy, cakey feel. It also comes in three non-translucent shades.
