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?
CrystalCandy says
April 21st, 2016 at 8:39 pmI love MAC Boldly Bare too, although my favorite nude at the moment is Rodial Nude! Sooo perfect!
CrystalCandy recently posted … NYC Get It All Lip Colors (ExceptioNUDE, PINKtastic, FabFUCHSIA, IncREDdible)
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:14 amOh, I haven’t tried Rodial makeup before. Thanks for putting that on my radar!
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
LindaLibraLoca says
April 21st, 2016 at 8:41 pmI 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.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Unboxing: EcoNaturals, Cult Beauty – Science and surprises
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:15 amThat’s a good point. Lip liner really does help keep your lipstick in place.
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
Rachel R. says
April 21st, 2016 at 9:24 pmI 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.
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:16 amAgreed! Lip liner can make the lips look so neat and can be just the right touch to transform a lipstick.
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
Carolina Braina says
April 21st, 2016 at 11:20 pmMy 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.
Carolina Braina recently posted … YSL Les Sahariennes Sun-Kissed Blur Perfector and My Favorite Product Names
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:19 amInteresting! 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.
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
Kiss & Make-up says
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:26 amAnd 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.
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Make-up look | Bobbi Brown Summer 2016
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:20 amOh nice! Is Catrice sold at drugstores?
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
Kiran says
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:36 amNYC 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
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:21 amI’ve been wanting Soar for ages! Seems so versatile.
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
Jennifer says
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:31 amYou 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.
Jennifer recently posted … NamasleepÂ
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:23 amI like the “undone” look too ? I’ve never tried the MUFE liners, so thanks for the info. Really glad you liked the photos!
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
Jessica Revitte says
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:38 amI 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
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:25 amGlad 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 ☺️
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall
Erin says
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:47 pmI just got a clear on from Bite lets see!
Erin recently posted … Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Rock Steady Lipstick
Adia says
April 25th, 2016 at 10:25 amReport back! I saw that and thought it looked really interesting!
Adia recently posted … Shopping for Mother’s Day At Stoneridge Mall