The lip liner – the frame for every lip colour.

A good lip liner stops lipstick from bleeding into fine lines and gives your lips a clean shape. The liners we recommend – and how to choose the right shade.

ARBUTI Hair Salon · Updated October 2026

Lip contour being traced with a rosewood lip liner pencil, close-up

Lip liners we recommend

1MAC Lip Pencil

The pro classic

MAC Lip Pencil

A firm liner that sharpens well and comes in lots of shades – “Spice” and “Whirl” are considered classics. Reliably keeps lipstick in place.

What we like

  • Huge choice of shades
  • Precise line

Keep in mind

  • Pricier than high-street pencils
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2NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lip Liner

Matte and soft

NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lip Liner

Creamy to apply, matte when it sets. Also works for filling in the whole lip as a base under lipstick or gloss.

What we like

  • Creamy yet matte
  • Lots of nude shades

Keep in mind

  • Soft tip breaks more easily
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3Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner

Affordable and reliable

Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner

Designed to match the lipsticks in the same range. Glides on easily and costs little – a good place to start.

What we like

  • Matches Maybelline lipsticks
  • Affordable

Keep in mind

  • Doesn’t last as long as pro pencils
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4Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat

For a fuller outline

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat

Known for nudes such as “Pillow Talk”. The texture lets you go just beyond your natural lip line without looking fake.

What we like

  • Beautiful nude shades
  • Soft and long-lasting

Keep in mind

  • High price
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5NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Liner and colour in one

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

A chunky pencil that gives you outline and colour at once – with a velvety matte finish. Handy if you only want to carry one lip product.

What we like

  • Lines and fills in one step
  • Velvety finish

Keep in mind

  • Too wide for fine lines
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6L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Le Lipliner

Creamy high-street pick

L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Le Lipliner

A creamy texture to go with the Color Riche lipsticks. Good for a soft edge that doesn’t look too graphic.

What we like

  • Creamy
  • Easy to find

Keep in mind

  • Needs sharpening more often
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7KIKO Milano Everlasting Colour Precision Lip Liner

Twist-up

KIKO Milano Everlasting Colour Precision Lip Liner

A twist-up pencil that needs no sharpener and, according to the manufacturer, is long-lasting. Ideal for your handbag.

What we like

  • No sharpener needed
  • Long-lasting

Keep in mind

  • Very thin lead
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8Manhattan Lasting Perfection Lipliner

Opaque and long-wearing

Manhattan Lasting Perfection Lipliner

Long-lasting and opaque, according to the manufacturer. A solid high-street option for intense colours.

What we like

  • Opaque
  • Affordable

Keep in mind

  • Limited choice of shades
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9Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses

Budget buy

Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses

A simple, soft lip liner at a very low price. Good for trying out new shades.

What we like

  • Very affordable
  • Soft to apply

Keep in mind

  • Less long-lasting
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What we look for in a lip liner

Shade
The liner should match your lipstick or your natural lip colour. A noticeably darker outline can quickly look dated.
Texture
Pencils that are too hard drag on the skin; ones that are too soft smudge. Ideal is a lead that is creamy but firm.
Wooden or twist-up
Wooden pencils can be sharpened to a precise point; twist-up pencils are handy on the go.
Staying power
Long-wearing liners stop colour from bleeding into the fine lines around the mouth – important with red, and as the years go by.

For colour that lasts for hours, take a look at our pick of long-lasting lipsticks.

Frequently asked questions

What colour should my lip liner be?

The same shade as your lipstick or your natural lip colour. A universal nude works with most colours.

Can I wear lip liner on its own?

Yes. Fill in the whole lip and blot with a little balm for a matte, long-lasting look.

How do I make my lips look fuller with liner?

Go just slightly over the line in the middle of your upper and lower lip only, and stay on your natural line towards the corners.

How long does a lip liner last?

Usually one to two years once opened. Sharpening it regularly keeps the tip clean.

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