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Dramatic lip looks are all the rage right now. Just look at Kylie Jenner, whose best-selling lip kits have helped make her the world’s youngest “self-made” billionaire, according to Forbes. For a plumper pout, it’s all about using lip liner to define your natural lip line and supplement your lipstick. Keep scrolling for the best lip liners so you can get a perfect pout like Kylie Jenner.
Our list includes lip liners for plumping, hydrating, and defining your lips in shades of pink, red, and nude. You can go for a subtle no makeup-makeup look, or you can pack on the pigment depending on your mood. We included budget-friendly options for under $10 along with luxury items for if you’re living large.
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Lip liner boasts so many benefits, like defining your lips, preventing color bleeding, and extending your lipstick’s wear. You may be wondering: “wait, how do I apply lip liner in the first place?” If you’re new to the product, don’t worry because lip liner is pretty user-friendly.
- Best Plumping: Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner
- Best Hydrating: Givenchy Lip Liner
- Best Budget: KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner
- Best Natural: Lily Lolo Natural Lip Pencil
- Best Nude: Marc Jacobs Beauty Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner Pencil
- Best Longwear: Melt Cosmetics Allday Everyday Lipliner
- Best Contouring: Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil
- Best Waterproof: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
- Best Pigmented: NARS Precision Lip Liner
- Best Luxury: Dior Rouge Contour Classic Lip Liner
- Best Drugstore: NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lip Liner
- Best Red: RMS Beauty Lip Liner
Start by exfoliating and moisturizing your lips so you have a smooth surface to work with. (Lip scrubs are an easy way to exfoliate your pout.) Choose a lip liner that best matches the lipstick shade you’re going to use. Sharpen your liner before use so you can create precise lines, then use the liner to draw a couple strokes on the back of your hand to warm it up. Next, part your lips to reveal your mouth’s natural shape, and outline your natural lip line using light, short strokes, beginning at the cupid’s bow and working outward. For a more natural look, you can combine your lip liner with lip gloss.
Now that your crash course in applying lip liner is complete, shop these popular lip liners that are loved by reviewers. Get ready to pucker up with the best lip liners of 2020.
RELATED: The Best Lipstick Shades For Brunettes
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 12 Image Credits: Nordstrom
Best Plumping
Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner
This lip liner is perfect for plumping because its ingredients stimulate collagen production for fuller looking lips. There’s a helpful built-in brush for blending, and you can either use this product to fill in your lips or complete your look with lipstick.
2 of 12 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Hydrating
Givenchy Lip Liner
This lip liner includes vitamins A and E to nourish your lips and add hydration. The formula is creamy and waterproof, plus there are 10 shades to choose from so you can customize your look.
3 of 12 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Budget
KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner
At only $8, this lip liner is a steal. The product is highly pigmented but doesn’t dry out your lips. It’s also water-resistant, so you can drink all the beverages you want while keeping your makeup intact.
4 of 12 Image Credits: Nordstrom
Best Natural
Lily Lolo Natural Lip Pencil
This natural lip pencil is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates. It comes in a pretty pink shade that works well for spring. After applying some of this smooth formula, your lipstick will last longer.
5 of 12 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Nude
Marc Jacobs Beauty Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner Pencil
Infused with collagen, this lip liner pencil comes in a peachy-pink nude you can rock all day long. Reviewers rave,“I love Marc Jacobs lip liners. The colors are beautiful, and the formula provides smooth application and long wear.”
6 of 12 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Longwear
Melt Cosmetics Allday Everyday Lipliner
This lip liner lasts up to 12 hours so after swiping it on in the morning, you’re good to go for the rest of the day. The formula glides on smoothly and creates visibly fuller lips.
7 of 12 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Contouring
Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil
This lip liner pencil includes jojoba sax and vitamin E for a creamy texture that flatters your lips. You can try over-drawing your lips for a more dramatic look, or use a shade of lip liner that’s darker than your lipstick for contouring.
8 of 12 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Waterproof
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
A cult classic, this lip liner is waterproof and transfer-free. There are 15 shades ranging from dark plums to pink nudes, so you’re sure to find a color you love. As one reviewer raves, “I’ve tried nearly every color and they are all beautiful and flattering.”
9 of 12 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Pigmented
NARS Precision Lip Liner
Looking for a statement lip? Go for a lip liner that is rich and ultra-pigmented, like this NARS option. This lip liner has great color payoff, along with ingredients of mango seed oil, vitamin E, and silk powder for moisturizing.
10 of 12 Image Credits: Nordstrom
Best Luxury
Dior Rouge Contour Classic Lip Liner
Treat yourself to this Dior lip liner, which is clear to match any of your lipsticks. The product has an easy, smooth application to prevent bleeding or feathering. Made in France, this lip liner is loved by reviewers for “having a rich, velvety texture” and “softening the look of my lipstick.”
11 of 12 Image Credits: Walgreens
Best Drugstore
NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lip Liner
This lip liner costs less than a latte and is a worthy investment for its smooth coverage and velvety feel. The popular product comes in 41 different shades, so you can grab a different color for every day of the month and still have some left over.
12 of 12 Image Credits: Verishop
Best Red
RMS Beauty Lip Liner
Amp up your statement red lip with this lip liner, which adds precision with its fine tip and smudge-free formula. The product is sustainably made with natural ingredients like beeswax and sunflower oil.
