12 Best Lip Liners of 2024

Once upon a time, lip liner had one job: draw a border around your lipstick and pray it did not wander off before lunch. In 2024, the best lip liners are doing much more. They shape, blur, contour, prime, fill, hydrate, and occasionally perform the emotional labor of making your two-minute makeup look seem intentional.

The return of ’90s-inspired brown liner, soft nude lips, glossy lip combos, and “your lips but better” makeup made lip pencils one of the most useful beauty products of the year. A good lip liner can make lipstick last longer, stop color from feathering, create a fuller-looking pout, and turn a plain balm into a whole personality. The trick is choosing the right formula for your lip shape, skin tone, comfort level, and patience. Because nobody wants a pencil that drags like a dry crayon from a restaurant kids’ menu.

Below are the 12 best lip liners of 2024, chosen for real-world wear, shade range, comfort, pigmentation, editor praise, brand claims, and overall usefulness. Some are luxury icons, some are drugstore heroes, and some are so creamy you may briefly wonder whether you accidentally bought lipstick in pencil form.

How We Chose the Best Lip Liners of 2024

To build this list, we looked at tested beauty roundups, editor-favorite lists, 2024 beauty awards, trend reporting, retailer details, and official brand product information. The best lip liners were judged by five practical factors: glide, pigment, staying power, shade range, and how well they work with lipstick, gloss, balm, or bare lips.

What Makes a Lip Liner Worth Buying?

A great lip liner should apply smoothly without tugging, create a clean line without skipping, and stay put long enough to survive coffee, conversation, and at least one dramatic sip from a straw. For everyday wear, creamy matte pencils are usually the most versatile. For long events, waterproof lip liners are your best friend. For beginners, softer shades and blendable formulas are easier to forgive when your hand decides to freestyle.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat

Best Overall Lip Liner

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat remains one of the most talked-about lip liners for a reason. It has the creamy glide people want, the matte finish makeup artists love, and the kind of shade range that makes “nude” feel less like one color and more like an actual category. Pillow Talk is the celebrity shade, of course, but Pillow Talk Medium, Iconic Nude, and Foxy Brown are also excellent for shaping and softly defining the lips.

The formula is known for being waterproof, smudge-resistant, and long-wearing. It works especially well for slightly overlining the cupid’s bow and lower lip center without creating that “I drew this in the car” effect. Use it under lipstick for structure, or fill in the entire lip and add balm for a soft matte stain.

Best for: everyday definition, bridal makeup, nude lip looks, and fuller-looking lips.

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Lip Liner

Best Waterproof Lip Liner

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Lip Liner is the pencil you reach for when your calendar says “long day” and your lipstick says “please help.” It glides on smoothly, feels creamy rather than chalky, and is made for serious staying power. The formula includes moisturizing ingredients such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil, which helps it avoid the dry, tight feeling some long-wear pencils leave behind.

This is a strong choice if your lipstick tends to bleed, especially with bold reds, berries, and deep browns. The clear shade Ozone is also useful if you want an invisible barrier around gloss or lipstick without changing the color.

Best for: waterproof wear, bold lipstick, humid weather, and long events.

3. Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil

Best Sculpting Lip Liner

Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil is designed for people who want definition with a little artistry built in. The pencil has a matte, full-coverage formula and comes with a brush on the opposite end, making it easy to blend, blur, and soften harsh edges. That brush is not a gimmick; it is the difference between “polished contour” and “map outline.”

The shade range is especially strong for neutral lip looks. Colors like Almond, Smokey Pink, Travis, and Dark Chocolate can help create subtle dimension, whether you are doing a soft nude lip or a deeper brown liner with gloss. It is a favorite for lip-lift effects because the pencil gives precision while the brush keeps everything believable.

Best for: lip contouring, neutral makeup, soft overlining, and blended lip looks.

4. NYX Professional Makeup Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner

Best Drugstore Lip Liner

NYX has been a drugstore lip liner legend for years, and Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner proves the brand still understands the assignment. It is affordable, colorful, creamy, and surprisingly comfortable for a long-wear matte pencil. The formula is infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E, which helps it glide without the scratchy feeling that used to haunt old-school lip liners.

Line Loud is ideal if you love experimenting. Try a brown shade with clear gloss for a ’90s lip, a pinky nude under balm for everyday wear, or a red liner under red lipstick to make the color look sharper and more expensive. It is also a great beginner option because the price makes trial and error less emotionally dramatic.

Best for: budget beauty, colorful lip combos, beginners, and trend testing.

5. Maybelline Lifter Liner

Best Hydrating Drugstore Lip Liner

Maybelline Lifter Liner is a smart pick for anyone who wants definition but does not want their lips to feel like parchment paper by noon. Its formula includes hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil, giving it a moisturizing, comfortable glide. The finish is creamy and flattering, making it useful for filling in the lips as well as outlining them.

This liner shines in soft glam routines. Pair a beige, mauve, or brown shade with lip oil and you get a fuller-looking lip without needing a full lipstick. It is also a good option for people who normally skip liner because they dislike dry matte textures. Lifter Liner feels more modern, smoother, and easier to wear.

Best for: dry lips, drugstore makeup lovers, lip oil pairings, and natural definition.

6. Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner

Best Lip Liner for Beginners

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner is creamy, waterproof, and easy to control. The pencil glides on with a balm-like feel and gives enough pigment to define the lips without looking harsh. It is available in shades designed to match the brand’s Kind Words Matte Lipstick, which makes pairing products refreshingly simple.

This is a great lip liner for beginners because it is not intimidating. The texture is smooth, the colors are wearable, and the pencil does not require professional-level pressure control. Shades like Humble, Worthy, and Creative are especially useful for everyday makeup bags.

Best for: beginners, matched lipstick-and-liner sets, soft matte lips, and comfortable wear.

7. Fenty Beauty Trace’d Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner

Best Shade Range for Every Lip Tone

Fenty Beauty Trace’d Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner was one of the most exciting lip liner launches of 2024. The formula is creamy, waterproof, and made with pure pigments for color that shows up clearly across different lip tones. That matters because many liners that look rich in the pencil turn strangely gray, pink, or invisible once applied. Fenty built this range with depth in mind.

The shades include versatile nudes, browns, pinks, and deeper tones that can be used for natural shaping or statement lip looks. If you have struggled to find a liner that does not look ashy, Trace’d Out is worth testing.

Best for: inclusive shade matching, deep lip tones, brown lip combos, and waterproof wear.

8. MAC Lip Pencil

Best Classic Lip Pencil

MAC Lip Pencil is the beauty equivalent of a black blazer: not new, not flashy, but always useful. The pencil is long-wearing, precise, and available in an impressive range of iconic shades. Whirl, Spice, Cork, Chestnut, Soar, and Nightmoth have all earned loyal followings because they can completely change the mood of a lipstick.

MAC Lip Pencil has a firmer texture than some newer creamy liners, which makes it excellent for sharp definition. It is especially good for red lips, brown lips, and editorial-style shaping. If you like a pencil that gives control rather than slip, this one is still a top-tier choice.

Best for: classic makeup kits, precise lining, iconic shades, and lipstick pairing.

9. Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner

Best Lip Liner for Comfort

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner is made for people who want a softer, more cushiony lip liner experience. It features a custom lip-lifter tip and an ultra-creamy formula infused with maracuja oil, hyaluronic acid, and a superfruit complex. Translation: it does not feel like you are sanding your mouth with a pencil.

This liner pairs beautifully with balms, glosses, and Tarte’s juicy lip products. It is a good pick for makeup wearers who prefer a plump, hydrated-looking lip over a crisp matte finish. Use it to trace the natural lip line, blend inward, and top with gloss for an easy full-lip effect.

Best for: comfort, glossy lips, dry lips, and soft shaping.

10. Tower 28 OneLiner

Best Multi-Use Lip Liner

Tower 28 OneLiner is a creamy, high-pigment matte liner designed for lips, eyes, and cheeks. That makes it perfect for people who like minimalist makeup bags or enjoy using one product in several ways. The formula is non-drying and blendable, which means you can line your lips, smudge a little color on the cheeks, or create a soft monochromatic look.

For lips, Tower 28 OneLiner gives a relaxed, modern finish rather than a severe outline. Shades like Work of Art, Fill Me In, and Draw Me are practical for everyday definition. It is especially nice with lip balm or gloss when you want color but not a full lipstick commitment.

Best for: multi-use makeup, minimal routines, soft definition, and travel bags.

11. Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer

Best Luxury Lip Liner

Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer is elegant, precise, and very on-brand for anyone who wants a polished nude lip that whispers instead of shouts. The formula is waterproof and designed for tug-free application. It also includes smoothing peptides, which help the liner look refined around fine lines and texture.

The shade range focuses on sophisticated neutrals, making this a beautiful choice for mature lips, minimal makeup, office looks, and expensive-looking everyday glam. It is not the cheapest option, but it feels luxurious in the way a good pencil should: smooth, controlled, and reliable.

Best for: luxury makeup, mature lips, neutral shades, and polished definition.

12. E.L.F. Cream Glide Lip Liner

Best Ultra-Affordable Lip Liner

E.L.F. Cream Glide Lip Liner proves you do not need to spend a small fortune to get a smooth, wearable lip pencil. It is creamy, blendable, and extremely budget-friendly, which makes it a smart pick for anyone building a makeup kit from scratch. The color payoff is strong for the price, and the texture is soft enough for quick application.

This is the pencil to buy in multiple shades: one nude, one brown, one pink, and one red if you are feeling ambitious. It may not have the prestige packaging of luxury liners, but it gets the job done without making your wallet file a complaint.

Best for: affordable makeup, everyday use, beginners, and building a shade wardrobe.

Best Lip Liner Shades to Try in 2024

The best shade depends on your natural lip color, undertone, and the finish you want. For a natural look, choose a liner one shade deeper than your lips. For a fuller effect, pick a neutral brown, rose, mauve, or beige that adds shadow without looking obvious. For bold lipstick, match your liner closely to the lipstick shade to prevent feathering and make the edge look cleaner.

For Fair Skin

Soft pink, beige rose, light mauve, and peachy nude liners usually look natural and fresh. Avoid shades that are too gray unless you want a cooler ’90s effect.

For Medium and Olive Skin

Warm rose, caramel, terracotta, spiced nude, and medium brown shades are flattering. These colors add definition without washing out the lips.

For Deep Skin

Rich brown, chocolate, espresso, berry, burgundy, and deep plum liners create beautiful shape and dimension. A deeper liner with a lighter gloss in the center is one of the easiest ways to create a plush, sculpted lip.

How to Apply Lip Liner Without Looking Overdrawn

Start with hydrated lips. A little balm before makeup helps, but blot off the excess so the pencil does not slide around. Trace your cupid’s bow and the center of your lower lip first, then connect the corners using short strokes. If you want a fuller look, overline only the center areas and stay close to your natural line near the corners. This keeps the shape lifted rather than clownish.

For softer definition, use a brush or fingertip to blur the liner inward before applying lipstick or gloss. For longer wear, fill in the entire lip with liner, then apply lipstick on top. This creates a base that helps color fade more evenly throughout the day.

Quick Buying Guide: Which Lip Liner Should You Choose?

Choose Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat if you want the safest all-around pick. Choose Urban Decay 24/7 if you need waterproof staying power. Choose NYX or E.L.F. if you want affordable liners in multiple shades. Choose Fenty if inclusive color payoff is your top priority. Choose Makeup by Mario if you love sculpted, blended lips. Choose Tarte or Maybelline if comfort matters most. Choose MAC if you want iconic shades and precision. Choose Victoria Beckham if you want a luxury neutral pencil that feels grown-up and polished.

Real-World Experiences With the 12 Best Lip Liners of 2024

After testing and comparing lip liner styles, one thing becomes clear: the “best” pencil is not always the one with the most dramatic swatch. A liner can look gorgeous on the hand and still behave like a tiny chaos stick on the lips. Real life includes coffee cups, dry patches, rushed mornings, uneven lip lines, and the universal problem of applying makeup while one foot is already out the door.

For everyday wear, creamy nude liners are the easiest to love. A pencil like Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat, Rare Beauty Kind Words, or Maybelline Lifter Liner can make lips look more defined without announcing itself from across the room. These formulas are especially useful when you want to wear balm or gloss but still want your mouth to look finished. The trick is to line softly, blend inward, and avoid making the corners too dark. Corners that are too heavy can pull the face downward, and nobody asked for a surprise frown.

For long days, waterproof liners make the biggest difference. Urban Decay 24/7 and Fenty Trace’d Out are the kinds of pencils that help lipstick stay in its lane. They are especially useful with red, berry, and brown lip colors because bold shades love to travel. If you have ever looked in the mirror after lunch and discovered your lipstick has started exploring your face, you know why a strong liner matters.

For beginners, softer and more blendable formulas are less stressful. Tower 28 OneLiner, Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner, and E.L.F. Cream Glide are forgiving because they can be smudged before they set. That makes them ideal for modern lip looks, where the edge is defined but not aggressively sharp. In 2024, the prettiest lip liner looks often had a blurred, lived-in quality: brown liner with gloss, mauve liner with balm, or a slightly deeper nude pencil under sheer lipstick.

Shade choice is where many people get stuck. The easiest rule is to buy two liners: one close to your natural lip color and one slightly deeper. The natural shade works for everyday shaping. The deeper shade works for contour, evening looks, and glossy ’90s-inspired lips. If your lipstick collection includes reds or berries, add a matching liner later. You do not need twelve pencils on day one, unless collecting lip liners has become your hobby, in which case welcome to the club; we meet near the pencil sharpener.

The biggest lesson is that application matters as much as formula. Even the best lip liner can look harsh if applied with too much pressure. Use short, light strokes and build slowly. Smile slightly while lining the corners so the pencil reaches hidden areas. Blend the inner edge so lipstick or gloss melts into the liner instead of sitting in separate stripes. And when in doubt, add a tiny bit of gloss to the center of the lips. It softens everything and creates dimension faster than you can say “just one more beauty product.”

Conclusion

The best lip liners of 2024 prove that this humble pencil is no longer just a supporting actor. Whether you want crisp red lipstick, a soft nude lip, a glossy brown ’90s combo, or a fuller-looking shape without filler, the right liner can completely change your makeup. Charlotte Tilbury, Urban Decay, Makeup by Mario, NYX, Maybelline, Rare Beauty, Fenty, MAC, Tarte, Tower 28, Victoria Beckham, and E.L.F. all offer standout options for different budgets and preferences.

If you are buying only one, choose a creamy neutral pencil that is close to your natural lip color. If you are building a small collection, add a waterproof liner, a deeper brown or mauve contour shade, and one affordable experimental color. Your lip balm will suddenly look fancier, your lipstick will behave better, and your makeup bag will feel like it has its life together. Must be nice.