Lip Liners & Lip Pencils

Two lip liners, and which one you actually want

A lip liner does one job. It puts a hard edge on a soft thing, so the colour you paint inside it stays inside it. We make two, and they are not variations on each other. One is a wax pencil you sharpen. The other is a felt tip that dries in place and does not move for a day. Which you want depends less on the shade and more on how long you need it to hold.

The Lip Liner Pencil, for a soft edge under lipstick

The Lip Liner Pencil is a soft wax pencil, currently in a red and a pink. The texture is creamy enough to draw in a single pass without dragging at the corner of the mouth, and firm enough to keep a point while you do it. Line the outer edge first, then fill the whole lip in with the pencil before any lipstick goes near it. Filling the lip matters more than most people think. It gives the lipstick something to grip, and it means the colour does not disappear first from the middle of the mouth where you talk, drink and eat. If you want the softest possible edge, draw the line and then push it inward with a fingertip while the wax is still warm.

The Long-Lasting Lip Liner Pen, for an edge that survives the night

The Long-Lasting Lip Liner Pen is a felt tip, not a pencil, and it behaves nothing like one. It lays a wet line that dries where you put it and holds for up to 24 hours, through eating, drinking and humidity. There are six shades, running from everyday nudes to stronger colours. The catch is that you get one attempt. A felt tip liner will not blend once it has set, so work slowly, rest your elbow on something solid, and start at the centre of the top lip and move outward to each corner. If you go wrong, take it off and start again rather than trying to correct it in place. It is the one for a wedding, a festival weekend or a long shift. For an ordinary Tuesday, the pencil is easier to live with.

Can you wear lip liner on its own?

Yes, and a lot of people do. A lip lined and filled with nothing over it sits flatter and more matte than lipstick, and it lasts longer because there is no slippery layer on top of it. The pencil is the one for this, because you can fill the whole lip with it and soften the edge with a finger. The pen is not meant to be worn as an all-over lip colour. It is a thin, fast-drying formula built for a line, and spread across the whole lip it will feel tight. If you want that kind of wear across the whole mouth, use the Long-Lasting Lip Stain Pen instead, which is made for it.

Lip liner, lipliner or lip pencil, and can you use an eye pencil?

They are the same thing. Lip liner, lipliner, lip pencil and lip liner pencil all describe a pencil for drawing the edge of the lip, and the words get used interchangeably in shops, on packaging and in search boxes. The only distinction worth caring about is the one above, between a wax pencil and a felt tip. On the eye pencil question, which we get asked often, we would not do it. Our Eyeliner Pencil is formulated and tested for use around the eye, not on the mouth, where a small amount of product gets swallowed over the course of a day. The colours sometimes look close. The formulas are not interchangeable.

Sharpening, and why the point keeps crumbling

A wax lip pencil needs a cosmetic sharpener, which has a wider and shallower blade angle than a stationery one. A pencil sharpener from a desk drawer cuts too steep a cone and shreds soft wax, which is why people conclude their liner is faulty when it is the sharpener. Our Double Makeup Pencil Sharpener has a standard hole and a chubby hole, and comes with a small pick for clearing trapped clippings, which cause most of the crumbling people blame on the pencil. One more thing worth knowing. If the pencil has been sitting somewhere warm, put it in the fridge for ten minutes first. Cold wax cuts cleanly and warm wax tears.

A lot of people arrive here after searching for a black or a blue lip liner. If neither shade above is the colour you are after, the honest way to get a dark lip edge is to line it with the lipstick itself on a fine brush, which is how it was done before liners came in every colour. Our black lipstick and the wider lipstick range are built for that. If long wear is the point rather than the colour, the lip liner pen sits with the lip stain, eyeliner and brow pens on the Long-Lasting Makeup Pens page. And if you are putting a whole dark face together, the goth makeup range has the rest of it.

Lip Liner FAQ

How to apply lip liner?

• Start with a sharp lip liner for precise application (its easier to be precise with a sharp pencil than a fat line of colour). Outline your upper lip by starting at the Cupid's bow (the curves under your nose) and drawing towards the corners (if you have hands shake apply the line in a small circular motion), then do the same for your bottom lip, starting at the centre and moving outwards. Connect the lines at the corners of your mouth. For longer-lasting colour, you can fill in your lips with the liner before applying lipstick.

Who invented lip liner?

• The exact inventor of lip liner is not well-documented, as it evolved over time with the development of makeup products. However, lip liner became popular in the early 20th century, especially during the 1920s and 1930s, as women began to emphasize their lips with defined shapes and bold colours.

How to sharpen lip liner?

• You can use a pencil sharpener. We sell a perfect cosmetic sharpener for this job. Stargazer Pencil Sharpener

How to choose lip liner?

• Choosing the right lip liner can enhance your overall look and help your
  lipstick last longer. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect lip
  liner:

Match Your Lipstick: Select a lip liner that closely matches your lipstick shade. This ensures a seamless blend and prevents any noticeable lines. If in doubt, go for a neutral shade that matches your natural lip color.

Consider Your Skin Tone:

• Fair Skin: Opt for pink, peach, or light nude shades.
• Medium Skin: Choose mauve, rose, or darker nude shades.
• Dark Skin: Go for deep berry, plum, or chocolate shades.

Determine Your Desired Look:

• Natural Look: Use a liner that matches your natural lip colour or is slightly darker.
• Bold Look: Choose a liner that is a shade darker than your lipstick for added definition.
• Ombre Effect: Select a liner that is a few shades darker than your lipstick to create a gradient effect.