To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of lip liners… I don’t use them on most days because it feels like an unnecessary step, but that being said, there are a few shades that I DO wear every so often and think are absolute necessities.
Here are my five favorite must-have lip liners. What are yours?
- MAC Boldly Bare. I think everyone should have a peachy-nude lip liner. We all know that nude lipstick can be tough to pull off sometimes, so having a liner that can be a nice base, or help shape the lips, is major. I like Boldly Bare because it warms up nudes that are too cool (avoiding the dreaded dead lips look). Plus, it looks really good under a sheer gloss. It’s available at MAC Cosmeticsfor $16.50 .
- NYX Chocolate. This Chocolate shade is very close to my natural lip color, so I like to wear it under more pigmented glosses to make them last longer. It also works under darker lipsticks when I want to make sure the outline of my lips is neat and clean, and it’s only $3.50 at Ulta!
- MAC Cork. This is like in the brown skin girl’s makeup hall of fame! I swear, every MAC makeup artist has tried to sell this to me (and I’ve caved and bought it more than once!). But, it’s popular because it just works. A darker brown liner, it’s perfect for deepening other lip colors without drastically changing their hue. It’s also perfect for the ’90s brown lip trend! It’s available at MAC Cosmetics for $16.50.
- MAC Lasting Sensation. This is sort of a wildcard because it’s a bright coral color, but I actually love it as a matte lipstick. Since it’s a lip pencil, it’s easier to get a neat and precise application. And I love that it lasts all day. It’s def a summer staple for me (I featured it in my Beach Inspired Makeup Post). It’s also available at MAC Cosmetics for $16.50 .
- Boots No. 7 Precision Lip Pencil in Red. Red lips are gorgeous, but for me they’re kind of tricky. I almost always use a red lip liner when I’m wearing red lipstick because it helps keep the lipstick on my lips and not all over my face. Bonus points for this being a twist-up pencil that doesn’t need a sharpener (because I can NEVER find one when I need it). You can find it at Target for $9. And for help finding something to wear it with, here are my favorite red lipsticks.
* Honorable Mention: MAC Nightmoth. Just like with red lipstick, deep vampy colors are high maintenance. This is my go-to for when I want dark and dramatic lips. Another MAC classic.
Here are some swatches:
How often do you use lip liner? Am I the only one who doesn’t use it all the time?
I love MAC Boldly Bare too, although my favorite nude at the moment is Rodial Nude! Sooo perfect!
Oh, I haven’t tried Rodial makeup before. Thanks for putting that on my radar!
I am not wearing lip liner as much as I should, but as I am getting older, many lipsticks start to settle into lip lines, so I guess there will be much more lip liners in my future.
That’s a good point. Lip liner really does help keep your lipstick in place.
I use a lipliner most of the time. The older I get, the more I like them, because I’m getting finer lines around my lips. I think liners makes lips look neater, more symmetrical, and fuller. Liners can help keep colors from feathering and bleeding. Sometimes the right colored liner can make a *meh* lipstick shade wearable…or even fabulous.
Agreed! Lip liner can make the lips look so neat and can be just the right touch to transform a lipstick.
My lips don’t have any pigmentation at all, nor a defined edge, so most of the time I outline them with a nude liner to act as a guideline, no matter the lipstick I’m going to use.
Lately though, I’ve been appreciating the power of a matching liner more and more, especially when it comes to bolder shades.
Interesting! Love how you use liner as almost a primer for your lips☺️ I need to be more diligent about using liner with bold colors because it makes the lips look so sculpted and neat.
And I don’t own any of them, oops 😉 One of my favorite lip liners is from Catrice, Upper Brown Side. Super affordable and the perfect nude shade for me.
Oh nice! Is Catrice sold at drugstores?
NYC Chocolate sounds lovely, great post, thanks for sharing. Always on the lookout for new liners, really want to get Mauve from NYX and Soar from MAC x
ALittleKiran | Bloglovin
I’ve been wanting Soar for ages! Seems so versatile.
You are not the only one! I really like lip liners but most of the time I prefer a more “undone mouth.” If I’m wearing red, which is rare, I always line. Or sometimes, I’ll just wear a liner with a balm on top, I really like to do that.
And I would like to include colors but I’m replying at work and don’t have any with me. I do love MAC liners and MUFE liners. Love the photos with the post.
I like the “undone” look too ? I’ve never tried the MUFE liners, so thanks for the info. Really glad you liked the photos!
I loved this post, thank you! Despite my love of makeup I rarely if ever dabble in lip liners. I have fairly pigmented lips and as I shy from nudes I’ve always assumed I don’t need them but I’m starting to reconsider. Particularly where MAC Nightmoth and Beet are concerned … may need to visit my nearest counter!
Jessica
Glad you liked the post! If you wear dark lipsticks, you should def try Nightmoth. It really helps outline the lips and keeps everything in place ☺️
I just got a clear on from Bite lets see!
Report back! I saw that and thought it looked really interesting!