The 12 Best Lip Liners of 2025, According to Makeup Artists

Mario’s Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil is a clever dual-ended option with a pencil on one side and a brush on the other, which in our testing made contouring and smudging more precise and effortless. We found the texture comfortable and matte without tugging, but the wear time didn’t match the price — several testers noticed fading after about 30 minutes. If you love the built-in brush for soft ombrés, it’s handy, but don’t expect long lasting power; it scored a 6.5/10 in our review.

MAC’s Oak Lip Pencil scored 7.5/10 in our testing thanks to a creamy formula and a neutral Oak shade that complements many lip colors, making it a versatile staple in makeup bags. We found it glides on smoothly without tugging and generally holds up well throughout the day, though a few testers felt the color skewed too warm or brown for their natural lips. If you prefer a true neutral, it’s worth trying, but be prepared to reapply if you need all-day intensity.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Lip Cheat is a cult classic for a reason — during our review we appreciated the creamy consistency and flattering nude-pink shade that blends seamlessly into lips. It’s waterproof and long-wearing, which keeps your shape intact through the day, but we found this shade reads lighter and a bit peachy on some skin tones and can appear chalky on certain complexions. At a 7/10 it’s a go-to for signature looks, just patch-test the color first.

Urban Decay’s Glide-On Lip Liner earned 7.5/10 in our testing thanks to vivid pigmentation, a wide color range, and a creamy formula that truly glides on for crisp definition. We found certain shades need the occasional reapplication and the pencils can be tricky to sharpen cleanly, which may waste product, but the payoff and smoothness make it worth the price if you’re building a colorful collection. For bold, long-wearing looks that play well with gloss or matte lipstick, it’s a dependable pick.

Milanicosmetics’ Understatement Lipliner is a budget-friendly surprise with a creamy formula that glides on without pulling and gives reliable definition — we found it wonderfully smooth during our testing. At under ten dollars it earned a strong 8/10 for value, perfect for everyday use or travel kits. The trade-off is a thinner pencil that can break if you apply too much pressure and the refill quantity feels modest, so handle gently and keep a backup on hand.

NYX’s Slim Lip Pencil is our top-rated choice in this batch, scoring a 9/10 for its buttery-soft formula, huge 31-shade range, and wallet-friendly price. In our experience it resists bleeding and pairs brilliantly with almost any lipstick, giving dependable matte definition; however, some testers found the pencil prone to breakage if handled roughly and slightly drying on bare lips, so apply over balm if you have dry skin. For versatility and value, it’s hard to beat.

Makeup Forever’s Artist Color Pencils feel like pro tools thanks to their creamy, highly pigmented formula that blends effortlessly — excellent for detailed lip work and color layering. During our review we found the range includes vivid oranges and brights alongside classic nudes and berries, which makes them versatile for creative looks. They’re not waterproof, though, so we recommend touch-ups throughout the day, and some shades aren’t eye-safe; overall it’s a reliable 7.5/10 for payoff and blendability.

If you want a creamy, precise pencil with durable wear, Fenty’s Trace'd Out Lip Liner in I Woodn't is an easy pick — it’s long-wearing and fully waterproof with a matte finish. In our testing we found the texture glides on smoothly for accurate shaping and blending, so it’s great under bold lipsticks or alone. That said, the soft formula can break if you’re rough with it and it needs frequent sharpening, which lowers its convenience compared with retractables — still solid at a 7/10 for performance.

Pat McGrath’s PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil in Star Struck delivers a luxuriously creamy matte finish and excellent glide — during our review we admired its smooth application and bold payoff. That said, the line scored a 6.5/10 because the selection feels limited relative to its premium price, which makes shade-matching tricky for everyday wear. If you want a high-performance pencil for statement looks and don’t mind splurging, it performs beautifully; just expect fewer shade options and a higher cost per use.

Cheap but charming, e.l.f.’s Cream Glide Lip Liner scored 7/10 in our testing for its creamy, pigmented formula that truly glides on and blends with ease. We found the pencil application is ideal for quick shaping and everyday nudes through berries, making it a reliable grab for simple looks. Downsides are that it isn’t waterproof or long-wearing, and the shade names are only printed on the outer packaging—remove the sleeve and you won’t know which color you grabbed. At $2, reapplying throughout the day is an easy compromise for the payoff.

Huda Beauty’s Lip Contour 2.0 in Honey Beige earned an 8.5/10 for marrying creamy application with long-wear performance; in our testing the retractable design made precision easy without needing a sharpener. We found the matte texture glided on smoothly and stayed put, ideal for neutral daytime looks, but fair-skinned users noted Honey Beige can pull a bit too orange. Practical tip: blend quickly for a softer edge and keep a pencil with a cooler undertone if you’re very fair.

L’Oreal’s Colour Riche Lip Liner (8/10) delivers a creamy, highly pigmented payoff that glides on smoothly in our testing. We found it ideal for precise lining and full lip fills across its nude-to-berry range, but although it’s marked long-wearing, during our review several shades faded and sometimes transferred after oily foods. It’s not waterproof, so expect quick touch-ups post-meal, and at $9.49 our experience shows it’s a solid mid-range pick—good pigment and blendability, but pricier than some drugstore rivals.