14 Lip Liners Our Editors Swear By

Lune+Aster PowerLips Lip Liner ($20)

"In my last 10-plus years as a beauty editor, I've tried something like 6,924 neutral lip colors (but, um, who's counting?), and I've yet to find a match as perfect as the Lune+Aster PowerLips Lip Liner. I do not say this lightly: it made me love lip liner again. Not only do I dig every single shade (there are four in total, from a darker nude to a pinkish mauve) enough to wear it sans any gloss or lipstick on top, but the formula itself also does not budge after you apply it." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner ($25)

"The Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk paired with the iconic Pillow Talk lipstick — now that's a duo. (Just ask Meghan Markle and Amal Clooney, who both wore it to their respective weddings.) It's the perfect neutral shade for me to overline my lips without it being too noticeable. I wear this lip liner with everything." — Jessica Harrington, senior editor, Beauty

Pat McGrath Labs Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil ($29)

"For an iconic red lip that's Taylor Swift-approved, I turn to this mega lip pencil from Pat McGrath Labs. The lip liner is an upgraded take on Swift's go-to lipstick from the brand, and boasts a creamy composition that glides on smooth and provides lasting, all-day color. I love the product's vibrant orange-red tint, and even detailed my experience using it in this review of the Pat McGrath Labs Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil." — Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Commerce

ColourPop in BFF 3 ($7)

"My favorite lip liner has to be the ColourPop in BFF 3. It is the perfect brown that isn't too dark to where it entirely takes over a lip look but it also isn't too light where it doesn't show up. It is literally my perfect shade. I have backups for my backups, so I definitely don't plan on running out soon, but if I do, for $7, it doesn't hurt to grab a few extra." — Ariel Baker, associate editor, Beauty

Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liner ($15)

"I recently bought the Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liner for two reasons: 1) everything else I've tried from Rare Beauty I've loved and 2) it was only $15. Affordable and trustworthy? Nothing could go wrong. And nothing has, so far. With its surprisingly creamy texture, this liner feels more like a lipstick, which is perfect for my naturally dry lips." — Samantha Sasso, beauty editor, Branded Content

MAC Lip Pencil Lip Liner ($25)

"The MAC Lip Pencil Lip Liner in Chestnut is a staple for a reason. It held Black women down when there weren't very many options for us on the market, and to this day, it is still one of the best brown lip liners I've ever used. I can achieve my super-deep '90s lip looks, as well as my everyday 'barely there' lip, with just this one pencil. If you're looking for a foolproof lip liner, try this one." — AB

Dibs Beauty No Pressure Lip Liner ($14, originally $16)

"Given that my everyday makeup routine takes two-and-a-half minutes, lip liner isn't usually my thing. But when I'm doing a full-on look, I always line and fill my lips — and these days, I find myself reaching for the Dibs Beauty No Pressure Lip Liner. It's super silky and balm-like, and it lasts all day even when I'm layering different glosses and lipsticks over it. The On the Rose shade is my ideal 'my lips but better' color, and if I want to overline, it works like a charm." — Dawn Davis, executive director, Beauty at Vox Media

NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil Creamy Long-Lasting Lip Liner ($5)

"For $5, you can't beat the NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil Creamy Long-Lasting Lip Line. It also comes in more than 30 shades, so you're bound to find your perfect match. The ultra thin point makes it easy to precisely line your mouth, and the rich pigment doesn't smudge or fade." — JH

The Lip Bar Straight Line Lip Liner ($10)

"I'm telling you right now: lip-liner formulas do not get creamier than the The Lip Bar Straight Line Lip Liner. This is probably in part because it's loaded with all sorts of heavy-hitting hydrators like jojoba oil, aloe vera, and coconut oil, but the best part is you don't have to sacrifice pigment. It glides on easily, and the color is super saturated, without any of the usual drying effects." — KC

About-Face Matte Fix Lip Pencil ($12)

"If you're a gloss person, don't let the name of the About-Face Matte Fix Lip Pencil scare you away. This pencil is so creamy, I barely notice the matte finish. Vitamins C and E, in addition to hyaluronic acid, keep the formula hydrating even after eight-plus hours of wear. Another perk: it doesn't budge, so you don't have to worry about reapplying throughout the day. My favorite shade is Happy Endings because it goes with all of my favorite neutral lippies." — JH

Lawless Forget The Filler Definer Lip Liner ($21)

"If you're looking to overline your lips — and it is an art in illusion, I'll tell you that — do it with the Lawless Forget The Filler Definer Lip Liner. The pencil goes on pigmented but has a soft, powder-like finish that blends into skin and looks completely natural. It also acts as a perfect canvas to a clear lip-gloss topper, but I also wear it without sometimes." — KC

Thrive Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner ($24)

"The Thrive Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner is just an all-around great lip liner. In fact, it might just be the first lip liner I ever really committed to using years ago before liners became super trendy again. The shade Jesse is one that I pop on when I don't feel like wearing a full lip. That pinky hue around my lips, plus my favorite lip gloss, and I'm out the door. Fast and easy." — JH

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil ($24)

"I don't go anywhere without my Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil in Wherever Walnut. It's the perfect '90s brown that goes with every lipstick I own. Nothing beats it." — SS

Refy Lip Sculpt Lip Liner ($26)

"If you haven't yet had the opportunity to test Refy's Lip Sculpt Lip Liner and you're a fan of long-lasting makeup products, I'd suggest you add it to your cart ASAP. This lip liner comes with an included 'lip setter,' a clear serum that you apply on top of the liner that makes it last all night. It's totally smudge proof." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.

Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.