I consider a defined lip combo to be the cherry on top of a perfect makeup look. But there’s no worse feeling than meticulously tracing your Cupid’s bow and steadily overlining, just for your lip color to be undetectable by the time you’ve finished your coffee or breakfast. The definition and pigment have faded, and I’m left questioning if I even applied anything under my gloss at all.
The good news is that lip liners have had a serious upgrade in recent years. Gone are the days of drying and dragging pencils that demand MUA-level skills. Today’s formulas are super creamy and specifically designed to glide on with ease, delivering an extra plump finish in seconds. Even better, they actually stay put—holding their shape and pigment for hours on end. What used to feel like a superfluous step has become one of the easiest ways to transform any lip look, adding shape and definition with minimal effort.
Ahead, the best long-lasting lip liners that make your lips look fuller with just a few swipes.
Features at a Glance
| Format | Pencil |
| Number of shades | 17 |
| Finish | Natural matte |
Why we love it: This lip liner needs no introduction. Beloved by celebrities (like Hailey Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter), makeup artists, editors, and the internet masses, Make Up For Ever’s lip pencil is the gold standard for a defined and fuller-looking lip. It also comes in an extreme version, which is even more long-lasting and matte. And while you can’t go wrong with any of the shades, Wherever Walnut and Anywhere Caffeine are two standouts for the perfect mauve or nude lip.
One Cosmo editor says: “This has been my go-to lip liner for years. It’s incredibly easy to apply and it doesn’t smear or budge. And even though it’s a matte, the formula never dries my lips out. No notes here.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Format | Pencil |
| Number of shades | 8 |
| Finish | Matte |
Why we love it: Mary Phillips, mastermind behind our favorite beauty muses (like Kendall Jenner and Camila Morrone), created an artistry-level makeup line that’s perfect for makeup akin to a red carpet. This liner gives the mouth a “your lips but better” trace that’s easy to apply, and doesn’t get chalky or dried up after hours of wear, apropos of hyaluronic acid. Plus, it comes in a bunch of neutral hues to pair with or enhance your natural lip color.
One Cosmo editor says: "Normally, when a new lip liner launches, I think, snooze. But makeup artist Mary Phillips created a formula that seriously makes my lips look bigger. Her go-to makeup style is overlined lips, and the precise tip of this liner makes it really easy to get thin lines. But the formula smudges out a teensy bit to make any overlining look natural. My favorite shade is "cherry cola." It's a stunning pink-toned brown that looks good with a lot of my favorite lip glosses and lipsticks."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Format | Pencil |
| Number of shades | 30 |
| Finish | Natural |
Why we love it: If you’re in the market for a lip liner that won’t break the bank but boasts an easy application and long-lasting staying power, NYX’s liner has got you covered. And best of all is its impressive shade range, with 30 hues to glide on, so you’re sure to find one that matches your ideal lip combo for just $6.
One Cosmo editor says: “This is the GOAT of drugstore lip liners. I recommend it to all my friends for the excellent value and ability to stay put for hours—through meals, constant talking, and happy hour.” —LB
Why we love it: This luxe YSL lip liner glides onto the lips like butter (thanks to its jojoba-filled formula), so you won’t have any snagging across the lips or broken tips, so it’s basically impossible to mess up. It comes in a bunch of mauve and neutral shades that are perfect for creating a desert-island lip combo.
One Cosmo editor says: “This might be the creamiest lip liner I’ve ever used, and that’s saying a lot as a beauty editor who tries basically every new makeup launch. While $29 is on the pricier side, it’s truly worth it if you want a silky pencil that glides onto the lips with ease, making outlining pretty much foolproof. Because there’s nothing worse than spending a minute on tracing your lips just for them to come out looking lopsided.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Format | Twist-up pencil |
| Number of shades | 11 |
| Finish | Natural semi-matte |
Why we love it: Mrs. Bieber’s iconic lip liners are ideal for adding definition to the lips. The pencil itself is slightly thicker than a traditional one, making it ideal for overlining or creating a seamless blend between the lip and skin for a fuller look. It also features a silicone smudger on the opposite end to smooth any harsh lines for a true blurred lip effect.
One Cosmo editor says: “I'm all bought in on the Rhode hype and have at least one of these liners on me at all times. They're hydrating, come in a mix of neutral shades, and easily smudge out for a soft finish.”—BG
Features at a Glance
| Format | Stain |
| Number of shades | 6 |
| Finish | Natural |
Why we love it: With a thin, magic marker-esque applicator, this lip liner is so easy to trace and drag across the lips—or fill in completely for an all-over look. Best of all, it imparts a stain that lasts for hours on end, so you won’t need to keep reapplying.
One Cosmo editor says: “I suck at meticulously lining my lips with a sharp pencil, but this felt-tip makes it so easy to get precise pigment without makeup artist-level skills. And it’s a true stain, so it actually lasts on your lips. It dries down quickly, is completely transfer-proof, and leaves behind bold definition.”—JH
Features at a Glance
| Format | Peel-off stain |
| Number of shades | 12 |
| Finish | Natural |
Why we love it: Odds are you’ve seen a makeup routine on your social feeds with someone wearing a dark ring around their lips, and this viral stain is why. You simply paint it on wherever you want some added color, let it sit for at least 10 minutes while you do the rest of your makeup, then peel it off to reveal a deep pigment that actually lasts for hours.
One Cosmo editor says: “Celebs like Billie Eilish and Alix Earle have been spotted using this lip liner, and I fully understand why. It leaves behind a nice pigment that doesn’t skimp on staying power. Plus, it’s just $12 and is easy to maneuver for anyone who isn’t the best with a precise pencil tip.”—JH
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things makeup. For this story, she, along with beauty editor Beth Gillette and Lauren Balsamo, combined their years of experience testing lip liners to narrow it down to these seven picks based on pigment, staying power, ease of use, and more.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
