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Beauty review roundup

The best lip liners, in plain English

Lip liner keeps lipstick from bleeding and makes lips look fuller. We read editor tests, including a hands-on ranking, and boiled them down: which liners last, which feel comfortable, and which are easiest to use.

  • Last reviewed October 20, 2026
  • 4 lip liners
  • 4 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Short on time? Start here

Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best overall Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil $22–$26 Comfortable, long-lasting and easy to blend. See details Best for fuller lips Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner $24–$28 A creamy cult favorite that doesn't smudge. See details Best twist-up Kosas Hotliner Lip Liner $20–$24 No sharpener needed, with a built-in brush. See details Best for sculpting Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil $24–$26 A soft matte with a blending brush. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

One liner goes a long way.

Pick a shade

A liner close to the natural lip color goes with almost every lipstick, so it's the safest gift. For bold lipsticks, pick a liner in the same color.

Line, then fill

Start at the center of the top lip and work outward in short strokes. Filling in the whole lip with liner under lipstick helps the color last longer.

What “overlining” means

Overlining means drawing just outside the natural lip line to make lips look fuller. Stay close to the edge so it looks natural.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

LinerBest forTypical priceFinishWear
1. Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Best overall $22–$26CreamyLong-wearing
2. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner Best for fuller lips $24–$28Creamy, velvetyLong-wearing
3. Kosas Hotliner Lip Liner Best twist-up $20–$24CreamyLong-wearing once set
4. Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil Best for sculpting $24–$26Soft matte (suede)Long-wearing

The 4 best lip liners, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best overall

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil

  • Creamy
  • Long-wearing
  • Also works on eyes and cheeks

$22–$26typical price

Comfortable, long-lasting and easy to blend. It ranked first in TODAY's hands-on test, Who What Wear UK calls it the beauty editor's pick, and Marie Claire names it the best neutral lip liner.

What testers liked

  • Comfortable, long-lasting and easy to blend.
  • Strong neutral shades that makeup artists love.
  • Doubles as an eyeliner or a soft contour.

Common complaints

  • Popular shades often sell out.

Testers disagree on: Dryness. Marie Claire found it non-drying. Who What Wear UK says it can feel drying on sensitive lips.

Skip it if: They want a liner with a built-in brush. Kosas Hotliner (#3) or Makeup by Mario (#4) has one.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from TODAY, Who What Wear UK, Marie Claire.

#2Best for fuller lips

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

  • Creamy, velvety
  • Long-wearing
  • 20+ shades, including Pillow Talk

$24–$28typical price

A creamy cult favorite for fuller-looking lips. It placed second in TODAY's hands-on ranking, Marie Claire names it the best for overlining, Who What Wear UK picks it for long wear, and Cosmopolitan's editors like it too.

What testers liked

  • A velvety formula that glides on and doesn't smudge.
  • Rich color that lasts.
  • A flattering range of shades.

Common complaints

  • Can be hard to sharpen, and it's pricey.
  • Who What Wear UK found it can be drying.

Skip it if: They want a twist-up liner with no sharpener. Kosas Hotliner (#3) has one built in.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (4)

Summed up from TODAY, Marie Claire, Who What Wear UK, Cosmopolitan.

#3Best twist-up

Kosas Hotliner Lip Liner

  • Creamy
  • Long-wearing once set
  • Built-in sharpener and lip brush

$20–$24typical price

No sharpener needed. Who What Wear UK names it the best twist-up lip liner, TODAY's tester gave it top marks for packaging, and Cosmopolitan's editors liked how it glides on.

What testers liked

  • Twists up, with a built-in sharpener and lip brush.
  • Creamy and smooth, with no tugging.
  • Resists smudging once it sets.

Common complaints

  • Holds less product than a regular pencil.

Skip it if: They want the most shades to choose from. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat (#2) has more.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from Who What Wear UK, TODAY, Cosmopolitan.

#4Best for sculpting

Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil

  • Soft matte (suede)
  • Long-wearing
  • Built-in blending brush

$24–$26typical price

A soft matte with a blending brush for shaping lips. Cosmopolitan's editors ranked it their favorite lip liner, and Marie Claire names it the best for contouring lips.

What testers liked

  • Goes on smoothly and doesn't feather (bleed past the lip line).
  • Long-wearing.
  • A good blending brush on the other end.

Common complaints

  • The tip gets dull quickly.

Skip it if: They want a cheaper liner. All four picks here cost $20 or more.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire.

How we pick

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