How to Apply Lip Liner in 2 Easy Steps, Plus Editor-Approved Product Picks

In the past few years, lip liner has made a huge resurgence. Whether you use lip liner to overline and create a fuller, poutier look or prefer to throw it back to the ’90s and contrast your nude lipstick with a rich brown shade, there’s no shortage of ways to enhance your lips with a liner. Below, we asked beauty influencer Aniyah Smith her tricks for applying lip liner in two simple steps and rounded up some of our favorite products. From a TikTok-famous sculpting liner to hydrating pencil that glides on as smooth as butter, you’ll be lip liner obsessed after trying the options on this list.  

What Is Lip Liner?

Lip liner, also often referred to as a lip pencil, is a pigmented lip product similar to lipstick, but it’s usually firmer and with a finer tip so you can draw with precision. It can be worn alone, or paired with other lip products like lipstick, lip gloss or lip balm. Lip liners are typically made from waxes and oils.   

What Does Lip Liner Do?

First and foremost, lip liner is used for shaping and defining your lips. You can also use lip liner to create the appearance of a fuller pout by filling in and applying the liner slightly outside of your natural lips.  

How to Apply Lip Liner

STEP 1: Line the Top Lip

When lining the top lip, Smith likes to create a V shape at her cupid’s bow, then cross those lines into an X on her actual lip. This will make your cupid’s bow appear more defined and also makes it easier to blend your lip liner into the gloss or lipstick you apply on top, she says.

For a fuller, poutier look, you can draw just outside of the cupid’s bow, rather than directly on top. Once you’ve defined your cupid’s bow, finish filling in the line along your top lip. 

STEP 2: Line the Bottom Lip

Smith likes to add extra lip liner on the corners of her bottom lip — think of making a triangle shape. This trick adds extra dimension to the lip. Since the center will be a lighter color because it will have less product than the outer corners, it also makes your lips look fuller. 

Can You Wear Lip Liner Without Lipstick?

One of the best things about lip liner is its versatility. While it’s a perfect companion for your favorite lipstick, of course, it can also be worn without lipstick. Lip liner on its own is great for filling in and contouring your natural lips. Just make sure your lips are prepped and hydrated first, especially if you’re using a pencil rather than a creamier liner.   

Our Favorite Lip Liners

NYX Professional Makeup Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner

These soft, creamy lip pencils glide right on, thanks to their vitamin E- and jojoba oil-infused formula. The vegan formula comes in 18 pigmented shades, from a range of universally flattering nudes to bold black and berry colors. Bonus: They’re all under $10. A wallet-friendly lip liner with major pigment payoff? Sign us up!

Lancôme Le Lip Liner

This smooth, smudge-resistant lip liner keeps the products you layer on top from feathering or bleeding into lip lines. While you can pair this liner with other lip products, it’s also a great choice if you want to rock it alone. The tiny lip brush on the end makes it easy to blend out for a soft ombré effect.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil

This lip pencil lives up to its 24-hour-wear claims with a completely budge-proof, waterproof formula. With this lip liner, you can feel free to eat and drink without worrying about smudging your perfect pout. But somehow, it’s never drying — you can thank vitamin E, jojoba oil and cottonseed oil for that. Choose from a gorgeous shade range of nudes, pinks, reds and purples. There’s even a daring white one if you love experimenting with graphic, editorial-inspired beauty looks. 

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner

Create a bold lip look that will last with the Maybelline New York Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner. This drugstore lippie is all about delivering vivid, impactful color at an affordable price point. In addition to the classic pink and nude shades, there are blacks, grays and browns for when you’re in the mood for an edgier look. 

YSL Beauty Dessin Des Levres Lip Liner Pencil

This double-ended liner pencil from YSL Beauty has the creamy, matte lip product on one side and a silicone blender on the other side to blur the color. The pencil has a fine precision tip for extra careful application, plus it comes with a sharpener for ongoing maintenance. These fierce colors are perfect for the full glam devotees and makeup risk takers. Currently in stock, there’s an orange-red vermillion, crimson and fuchsia option. 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner Pencil

Plump up your pout with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner Pencil. Over 600 five-star customer reviews on Amazon gush about its blendable, non-drying formula and staying power. You’ll immediately be taken with its high-end feel at a drugstore price. These beloved lippies sell out fast, though, so definitely grab yours while you can. 

Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner

The Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner doubles as a hydrating primer to prep your lips for lipstick. The shades are rich and universally flattering, with fade-proof color that stays looking great no matter what your day (or night) has in store. There’s also a convenient built-in sharpener, so you don’t have to panic if you don’t already have one in your makeup bag. We especially love the vampy Black Cherry color for winter. 

Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil

The smooth gel formula of the Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil allows you to shape and set your lips without any feathering or skipping. It’s a cult-favorite product from the fashion industry-approved makeup maven. Use it to create any and every lip look your heart desires. But be warned — it’s sold out in many of the shades, so snag yours while you can! 

Refy Lip Sculpt

This long-lasting lip liner has been all over TikTok, and for good reason. It comes in a range of flattering neutrals and stays put all day, thanks to the smooth, matte setting polish on the other end of the product. Simply line your lips as usual with the retractable pencil, then top it off with the transparent setter using the built-in applicator brush to prevent smudges.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

Another TikTok beauty obsession, this creamy, waterproof formula layers beautifully underneath any lip product you apply over it. It comes in 15 shades, including Pillow Talk, a cult-favorite pinky nude. Pro tip: Charlotte Tilbury has extended its iconic Pillow Talk shade to include matte lipstick, highlighters, blush, an eyeshadow pencil and more. You can create a full rosy, monochromatic makeup look to go with your lip liner. 

Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil

We love the sleek packaging of the Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil. The emollient-infused formula guarantees comfortable wear all day long and special contour shape technology makes your Cupid’s bow appear especially pronounced. Wear the liner sharp and defined for a glam, dramatic vibe on a night out, or blur it with the built-in brush for softer everyday wear. We’re into the warm brown and purple shades, which are a total ’90s beauty throwback. 

BeautyPie WonderGel Long Wear Lip Liner

You’ll be instantly obsessed with the luxurious cream-gel texture, which effortlessly glides across your lips. To wear it alone, choose a shade that matches or complements your natural lip color. Or, you can use it as a priming base for lipstick to guarantee color that will stay put all day. We can’t get enough of the shade “Racy,” a spotlight-stealing true red with blue undertones. “Foxy,” a warm nude, is a beautiful choice for everyday wear.