Whether you take your inspiration from the likes of Kylie Jenner, Madelaine Petsch from Riverdale, or RuPaul, be assured that a touch of lip liner is all it takes to get your lips looking like theirs. We’ve collected the best lip liners for overlining the lips, along with some advice about exactly how to choose the right lip pencils for your lipstick.

Another must-have for Schlip is Make Up For Ever's Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil in Rosewood, which she says stays put no matter what and looks especially lovely on light skin tones. Mac - Lip Liner - Lip Pencil 1.45g/0.05oz Category: Make Up. Style Code Live: Must-Have Monday Tomato Red. Style Code Live. Videos for related products.

Guide to the Best Lip Liners: Contents

21 Best Lip Liners & Lip Pencils to Try

To prep your lips for your lip makeup and create the most perfect lip contour, here you have 21 of the best lip liners and lip pencils to choose from.

1. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

These are some of the best lip pencils out there when it comes to variety, pigmentation, and wear-time. They go on very smoothly yet neatly, and they stay in place for a long while without smudging or feathering. They correspond directly with UD Vice lipsticks, but you could rock them with lippies from other brands as well. You can buy them at Sephora.

2. Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil

These lip liners come in pencil form, so they are super creamy and smooth to apply. They go on cleanly, and come in a variety of colors so you can find a match to any lipstick you own. This waterproof formula is sold online through Sephora.

3. Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner

These are the best lip liners for anyone who likes unusual colors. In addition to some gorgeous traditional lip shades, these roll-up lip liners also come in unique shades like green, black, and blue. The formula itself is creamy yet long-lasting, and the thinness of the product is perfect for precise application. You can find them at Sephora.

4. MAC Lip Pencil

This classic formula has been around for years because it simply works. These are some of the best lip pencils for getting that perfect and precise line, since they sharpen to a tiny point. The formula doesn’t drag or irritate the lips – it is actually quite creamy and nourishing. It is available for sale at Nordstrom.

5. Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner

This lip liner is on the thicker side of things, with a very soft and moisturizing formula, so it’s perfect if you want a product that will double as a lip liner and all-over lip color. It comes with a brush on one end for blending it it or applying lipstick on top. Pick your favorite color up from Sephora!

6. Bite Beauty The Lip Pencil

Bite have one of the largest selection of lip pencils available, so this is where to look if you’re hoping for a very precise shade. These are some of the best lip liners for a clean and sharp application that lasts a long time. It is available at Sephora.

7. Huda Beauty Lip Contour Matte Pencil

While most lip liners on this list are quite creamy, these are the best lip liners for those who like a very matte finish. Since these lip liners dry down quickly, they tend to last a long time, although you might want to wear some lip balm underneath them.They can be used alone, or under a lipstick or gloss. If you like these lip liners, get them from Sephora.

8. NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil

These are some of the best lip liners for a very thin and precise application. They come in an endless supply of shades, so you are sure to find the color you would like. Despite their creamy texture they tend to be very long-lasting. Treat yourself to one of these lip pencils by visiting Ulta.

9. Marc Jacobs Beauty Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner Pencil

The color selection with these lip liners isn’t the widest, because the focus was on finding those universal “my lips but better” shades. These lip liners have an extremely creamy formula that glides on seamlessly, but it also means that you need to be careful with the stick itself lest it break. There is also one invisible option, for those of you who just want the effect without the color. Find these liners at Sephora!

10. Laura Mercier Lip Pencil

While the color selection is definitely on the safe side of shades, these are some of the best lip liners if you like a drier formula with less wax. It is a firm pencil that gives precise line, to increase the longevity of any lipstick. This lip liner can be purchased from Sephora.

11. Chalotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Re-Size & Re-Shape Lip Liner

This is a silicone-based lip pencil that goes on creamy and smooth. If you’re new to lip liners, you might feel more comfortable with this easy-to-apply formula that can be built up before it gets too pigmented. Pop into Nordstrom to pick it up.

12. Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil

These are some of the best lip liners when it comes to longevity. They simply do not wear off! They take quite a while to set, so they’re a great choice if you like to take your time carving out your lip and blending. The color range is small yet versatile. These lip pencils can be bought at Sephora.

13. Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres Precision Lip Definer

You cannot go wrong with these sleek black lip liners from Chanel. These are some of the best lip liners on all fronts, including wearability, texture, and longevity. The shades available will work with most lipsticks, and they even included a lip brush on the end. This liner is sold at Nordstrom.

14. Lancôme Le Lipstique Lip Colouring Stick with Brush

These soft lip pencils have a gorgeous velvet finish, which means they can easily double as an all-over lip color. They are soft and smooth, and available in a curated selection of wearable shades. There is a little lip brush on one end of the pencil, for easy smudging and blending. Pick them up from Sephora!

15. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Pencil

This range of products is known for being long-lasting, and the lip pencils are no different. They last all day, despite going on soft and creamy. A lip brush on one end can help you blend your favorite shade all over the lip. The nourishing formula is especially recommended for those worried about the product feathering into any fine lines they might have. Buy them online through Nordstrom!

16. NARS Precision Lip Liner

These sleek black wooden lip pencils will not look out of place in your makeup case. NARS offers a selection of wearable colors that have a matte, long-lasting finish. To nourish the lips, these lip liners are fortified with mango oil and vitamin E, so they are also somewhat soft and moisturizing. Choose your favorite shade or two at Sephora.

17. Stila Stay All Day Lip Liner

If you prefer roll-ups, these are some of the best lip liners. Their tip is small and perfect for a very precise lip line, while the semi-matte finish will keep your lips looking kissably soft. Despite the creamy finish they tend to stay put for a very long time. Buy these lip liners at Sephora!

18. Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon

This is another gorgeous take on roll-up lip liners that nourish the lips while giving them expert definition. The formula is on the more matte side of things, which is great for those who need something truly waterproof and long-lasting. The color range is small but versatile. These lip liners are sold at Sephora.

Spice Lip Liner By Mac

19. It Cosmetics Your Lips But Better Waterproof Lip Liner Stain

These lip liners are super versatile, thanks to a very unique tip. You can use them for all over lip color when the tip is dull, but you can sharpen the tip to a point if you need the precise lining effect. It is a matte formula that wears for a long while without smudging or feathering. Order these lip liners through Ulta!

20. Hourglass Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner

A buttery and well pigmented lip liner with a matte finish is a beautiful thing, so you really cannot go wrong with these lovely lip pencils from Hourglass. You can find all kinds of traditional shades here, to go with most lipsticks. They come with a little lip brush on the end, as a convenient touch. These are available for sale at Sephora.

21. Clinique Quickliner For Lips

These are some of the best lip liners for those who prefer classic colors, and are over all the black pencils. A silver roll-up can be just as classy. This is a long-wearing and waterproof formula that won’t dry out the lips. Pick these up at Nordstrom!

How to Choose a Lip Liner to Match Your Lipstick?

There are a couple schools of thought regarding how you should match your lip liner to your lipstick.

Mac Lip Liners Colors

The first, and the one I recommend if you like a more natural makeup look, is opting for a lip liner that matches your lipstick almost perfectly. Usually this is easier to do if you choose a lipstick and lip pencil from the same brand, as the shades will likely correspond perfectly, and the lip liners might even have the same names as the lipsticks.

If that’s not the case, or if you’re looking to a brand mismatch, you can find color similarities by swatching. Swatch your lipstick on the back of your hand, and then swatch the few lip liners that you think will match. The one that is the most similar to your lipstick will obviously be the one you should go for.

The second school of thought says that lip liners should be a few shades darker than lipsticks. This is especially true if you want your lip liners to also contour your lips to make them look larger. This can also help overlined lips look slightly more natural.

The key when choosing a darker lip liner is to make sure it has a matching undertone to your lipstick. If you’re wearing a blue-based red lipstick, your lip liner should also have a blue undertone, while a warm lipstick should be paired with a lip liner with a warm undertone.

Must Have Mac Lip Liners

Some people search for a one-size-fits-all lip liner that will work with most of their lipsticks. If that’s what you would like, look for a lipstick that is a shade or two darker than your lip color, and that is a slightly brownish nude that is mostly neutral – it doesn’t lean towards too pink or too peach, but is exactly in the middle.

This kind of shade can work with both warm and cool lipsticks, and it’ll work with any shade that isn’t too out there.

Must Have Mac Lip Liners For Men

Photos via Instagram, Sephora

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What Are The Best Lip Liners

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