The 17 Best Lip Liners Your Makeup Rotation Deserves (2024)

This creamy, long-wearing liner perfectly coordinates with Chanel's range of lipstick shades (if you're into that). It also nicely features a built-in lip brush for expert blending and uses ingredients like jojoba oil and cotton seed derivatives to keep lips supple.

Number of shades available: 18

One satisfied customer writes: "Best lip pencil I've ever used!! I love the brush on the other end to blend the lipliner with the gloss or lipstick whichever you are using. Classic fabulous Chanel quality. Just magnificent!!" —Anonymous

Fans of Charlotte Tilbury's highly popular Pillow Talk lipstick may already own this liner version of the classic shade. For those who don't, may we suggest adding the versatile pick to your makeup bag? It's not only formulated to last for up to six hours but also comes in three additional variations to suit multiple skin tones.

Number of shades available: 23

No matter which lip liner you decide to use, professionals note that the ones with creamy formulas are ideal for creating smooth, precise lines. "When aiming for a natural, no-makeup makeup look, I prefer using a creamy lip liner, like Glossier's Lip Line," James continues. These liners offer true-to-lip shades and are enriched with nourishing jojoba oil, ensuring that the lips
stay hydrated and never appear dry."

Number of shades available: Eight

One satisfied customer writes: "I adore the shades of these liners and was so excited to try them! The color payoff is true to Glossier fundamentals and very buildable. The neutral tone makes them more universal too. Applied smoothly and was a great base for my lipstick!" —Jill B.

Here's another luxe liner from the experts at Dior that includes a pigmented color payoff and a handy built-in brush. The essential features hydrating ingredients like floral extracts and shea butter, and it also aims to last through up to eight hours of eating and drinking.

Number of shades available: 21

There's a reason this coveted liner has nearly a five-star rating from Sephora customers. Its moisturizing, waterproof formula has a creamy finish that makes it a breeze to draw even lines with no skips, thanks to a blend of marula oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. And when worn with Ami Colé's viral Lip Treatment Oil, just about any of the brand's matte finish liners make for the perfect '90s lip.

Number of shades available: Five

One satisfied customer writes: "This pairs beautifully with my warm-toned glosses, especially the new Dior bronze lip products. I personally like pencils you have to sharpen because they last longer on me. It was easy to apply and so far I have enjoyed the formula. The color is stunning." —CareyC

Who wouldn't want to look more like Victoria Beckham? You'll get that much closer after using this velvety liner from her namesake brand Victoria Beckham Beauty. Its waterproof formula makes getting a fuller pout simple and even contains palmitoyl tripeptide to help reduce fine lines around the mouth.

Number of shades available: Seven

Over 1,200 Sephora shoppers swear by Make Up Forever's backstage-worthy lip liner pencil, which has an ultra-creamy formula and matte finish. Since the pencil is also full-coverage, it's highly pigmented when worn alone, but also looks great when topped with gloss or lipstick.

Number of shades available: 11

One satisfied customer writes: "I use this every time I leave the house. Amazing. Glides so smoothly and lasts a long time. The colors are perfection. Sharpens nicely." —dria30

Created by celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, this liner is made with expert precision in mind. Its soft matte formula is extremely blendable and glides over lips with minimal pressure.

Number of shades available: 10

One satisfied customer writes: "Very easy to use without making a mistake (I don't have the patience). Soft in a good way. I have aging around my lips and it doesn't dry out in the lines. Nude shades are very flattering. Actually does what I expected from a lip pencil. Will buy more shades." —Jen

We couldn't round up the best lip liners without including this classic staple from NARS. A little of its matte finish formula goes a long way and combines vitamin E, silk powder, and mango seed oil for supreme hydration.

Number of shades available: 18

One satisfied customer writes: "This lip liner stays put even with eating and drinking. I highly recommend." —Kimber63

From their baby pink Edge to Edge shade to the cult-favorite Whirl and Cork tones, MAC Cosmetics lip liners make completing your makeup look easy. Use it before applying your favorite lipstick shade for extra staying power, or after to refine your look.

Number of shades available: 28

One satisfied customer writes: "I love MAC lip liner. They glide like butter and also can be worn on their own. I recently purchased a bunch of lip products and I am super impressed with all. This lip liner is long-lasting and stays in place throughout the day." —Lata

Makeup by Mario's dual-ended lip pencil is a viral TikTok hit due to its emollient-rich, full-coverage formula that's designed with an artist's eye. It also uses a proprietary lip-lock formula that helps prevent bleeding and feathering as you wear it and a contour-shape technology that's prime for the trending overlined look.

Number of shades available: 23

One satisfied customer writes: "Mario has the best lip liners in my opinion. They work and look so good on my skin tone. I love that they’re not too creamy but not dry. They have the perfect consistency. I hate a liner that’s way too creamy." —Alansmomma

This popular lip liner is made with hyaluronic acid, which makes it perfect for those looking for a little bit of a plumping effect. It also features jojoba oil, which helps the pencil smoothly glide against your lips for maximum color payoff.

Number of shades available: 10

One satisfied customer writes: "I really enjoy the color payoff and longevity of this lip liner! Very easy to apply and a beautiful neutral color! I paired it with a Lifter Gloss on top and worked perfectly! Highly recommend!" —samanthaw287

You won't have to worry about this gel-based liner setting before you have a chance to blend it out. Its soft, featherweight formula comes in pearl and matte finishes and also happens to be transfer-proof for all-day wear.

Number of shades available: Eight

One satisfied customer writes: "I have this product in several shades. Absolutely worth every penny! This glides on seamlessly for an effortless application without drying lips. Great alone, with lip balm or lipstick." —PrissyGalore

It's hard to beat the quality of e.l.f's Cream Glide lip liner, especially since it's priced at just $2. The creamy formula nicely fills in lips without tugging and leaves behind a semi-matte finish that works with a number of lipstick finishes.

Number of shades available: Eight

One satisfied customer writes: "Love it! I’ve bought cheap lip liners in packs from other stores and they were not creamy or easy to apply at all! I was really surprised to see how creamy this lip liner is and how they glide on so easily and are comfortable to apply. I got the shade truth or bare and I loveeee it! And they’re cheap too?? Amazing product, seriously!!" —brid10288

Bazaar editors are fans of just about everything makeup legend Bobbi Brown makes, including this your-lips-but-better liner. From a cool nude to a rich chocolate brown, there's an effortless shade match for almost every skin tone.

Number of shades available: Eight

One satisfied customer writes: "I love the color and how it feels on my lips." —Judy B.

Shoppers in the know are raving about RMS Beauty's long-wearing lip liners. Their formula seamlessly defines the lip's natural shape without the threat of feathering or bleeding since they're packed with jojoba, sunflower, and meadowfoam seed oils, along with hydrating shea butter. And did we mention it has nearly a five-star rating among Credo Beauty customers?

Number of shades available: Seven

One satisfied customer writes: "Haven’t worn a lip liner in a while but I love this one. Makes my lips look fuller." —Angelica...

Since you can use this pencil on both your eyes and lips, you'll get plenty of bang for your buck with its creamy color payoff. And as the definer also happens to be highly blendable, it's easier than ever to smudge out your eyeliner for a grunge-inspired makeup look.

Number of shades available: Six

One satisfied customer writes: "This is the prettiest and most luxurious color lip pencil I've used in a long time. I also dab it on my cheeks to match." —Anonymous

• Harold James is a celebrity makeup artist based in Paris.
• Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye is the founder and CEO of Ami Colé.

Experts recommend following the below steps for seamless lip liner application:

1. Sharpen your pencil for precision.
2. Outline lips from the cupid's bow, gradually moving towards the corners.
3. Fill in lips with the liner, laying a foundation for lipstick adherence.
4. Blend slightly towards the center for a subtle gradient effect, if you want. This will create the appearance of fuller lips in a subtle way.
5. Complete the look by layering it with your favorite lipstick or gloss.

"My personal go-to for applying lip liner is outlining lips to your desired shape, then working inward toward the center," N'Diaye-Mbaye says. "I spend extra time on my cupid's bow and the outer corners of my lips—it pulls the combination together. For a more pronounced statement, I’ll add depth and dimension by using a lighter shade on the inside of a darker liner. It makes me feel pulled together, similar to when you finally iron your shirt and step out!"