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14 best lip liners for creating definition and plumping your pout, tried and tested
Pucker up 💋
Every lipstick lover knows just how important a great lip liner is. Think of them like the tyre to a car: without a sturdy liner, you run the risk of your (most likely expensive) lipstick breaking down.
You see, liners work like borders. They are the building blocks that provide the foundation to your lipstick AND the edges that keep it from smudging and smearing all over the place.
The best liners are the ones that draw on a stunning pigment, last well (even when faced with a cheeky afternoon snack), and glide on without tugging. Many are also formulated with conditioning ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to stop the formula from flaking. There are SO many that are up for the job, so here's a sneak peek at what's to come:
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A lot of people get confused about their purpose because they believe lip liners are only here to do one thing: pout plumping. Believe me when I say that they do have this power – if you want to enhance the size and shape of your lips, grab a lip liner in a shade as close to your lips as possible and draw the line slightly over the edges of your natural lip line. This creates the illusion of fuller lips.
But onto the more functional qualities. Before you apply your lipstick you can use your liner as a base. Not only does this hold your lipstick in place, but it also provides a strong, even-toned pigment to work from, giving the lipstick shade a little boost.
So, lip liner lecture over, what should you be arming yourself with?
There is a LOT to choose from, don't worry, I know. But as a lip liner lover who's always looking to fill her pout, I've tested a silly amount... and I'm here to share! From the cult Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner in Pillow Talk to the NYX £4 budget buy Mrs Bieber loves (as well as her new rhode Lip Shape), I've rounded up the hardest hitters in the game. Get 'em or regret 'em, guys...
Best lip liners to define and plump...
Coming in at the number one spot, it's one of my all-time faves – REFY's Lip Sculpt. Honestly, I'd sell my left kidney to this brand, I love all of their products that much. But the Lip Sculpt will forever be the LOML and it's just been given a sparkling new upgrade.
Now without the lip setter – which, tbh, I thought was never needed – the liner has been reformulated to last all day on its own. It still has the same vibrant colour pay off and buttery formula, all thanks to vitamin E and coconut oil that keep the lips nourished throughout its wear. And, two new shades – Oat and Suede – have been added to the family.
NYX's pencil is proof that you don't need to spend loads of money on a great liner – yup, this bb is only £4 and it's the liner that went viral after Hailey Bieber posted this video of her using it.
I totally see why this is celeb approved. It provides your pout with maximum colour in a non-drying matte finish, and if you slightly over line, it creates the illusion that you have naturally fuller lips. Apply before going in with lipstick and it will stay put all day long.
Ok, here's the thing – yes, Rhode's Peptide Lip Shape is an incredibly cool liner to have in your makeup bag, but hear me out as before you drop £24, I need to tell you somethin'. This is not your classic liner. In fact, I wouldn't call it a liner.
It has a chunky dome applicator so it doesn't create precise lines, but adds a blurred, soft-focus wash of colour to the lips. The shades are stunning and the formula is creamy, but don't expect this one to create sharp edges. It's not made for that.
Read our full Cosmo team review here.
So, I know you know Wonderskin for its viral lip stain, but this 360 Contour Lipliner deserves just as much spotlight, IMO. It's my current go-to that has earned me *so* many compliments in the Cosmo office. It's buttery, easy to apply, lasts an impressive amount of time and gives me the illusion of bigger lips. I use the shade Nutmeg, a pinky-brown hue, which is the perfect 'my-lips-but-better' hue for daily wear.
Lip Cheat Lip Liner Pillowtalk
It wouldn't be a lip liner gallery without mentioning the legendary Pillow Talk. Coined 'your lips but better' this is the perfect neutral shade to add colour and definition, without making your lips look too “done”. It's a must-have product for creating a natural look – and, it also comes in a Medium and Intense iteration if the OG Pillow Talk shade isn't right for you.
Oh – and it's a hit amongst celebs too, like Amal Clooney and Poppy Delevingne.
Glossier dropped the Lip Line last year, and it has remained an MVP in the Cosmo beauty cupboard since. Smudge, transfer and water-resistant, this creamy formula isn't going anywhere. They're smooth to apply and don't require any skin-tugging. Plus, they come in a variety of nipple-matching shades. What's not to love?
If the budget won't quite allow for a Dior handbag this month (feels) treating yourself to this £26 liner is the perfect compromise – well, not quite but hay ho. Not only is the packaging as classy as you'd expect, but it glides on with a creamy finish and the colour pay off is just 'wow'. There's a gorge array of nude tones in the collection, but I'm obsessed with Rouge Zinnia – a vibrant red – on days when I want to feel a little more, well, Dior.
Love the look of liners but hate how drying they can be on the lips? I feel you. Well, Kosas have solved that conundrum by packing their formula with thirst-quenching hyaluronic acid. No, it won't hydrate your lips as much as your fave lip balm, but the creamy formula means it won't flake throughout the day.
Ever since Pixiwoo (a.k.a., OG beauty Youtuber Nicola Chapman) introduced Laura Mercier lip liners back in 2009 I have been obsessed. You cannot go far wrong with these if you're looking for the perfect flattering nude for any skin tone.
If you're after a colour recommendation, my personal fave is Plush Pink. Close enough to the natural hue of my lips, I use the pencil to slightly over line, creating a 'my-lips-but-fuller' illusion.
VB Beauty may be famous for its best-selling Kajal Liners (and rightly so, they're *chef's kiss*) but do not sleep on their lip liner offering. These creamy crayons seamlessly glide on so you can blend into your lip to create a blurred effect or to fill in the lip entirely and layer on a lipstick for long-lasting colour. Plus, they come in an array of nudes and chocolate shades that are so Posh Spice.
When it comes to affordable lip liners, you can't get much better than Rimmel. Not only do I love these because of the £3.99 price tag – which also allows me to inevitably lose one without it ruining my day – but they're super creamy, draws on intense pigment in one swipe and I find they last long too, even when up against a cheeky sweet treat or coffee.
I mean it's a bit of a classic really. The NARS Precision Lip Liner is the MVP in *so* many makeup bags, from beauty editors to the professionals. There is a wide choice of shades, not just sticking to the safe nudes but the spectrum branches out to include stunning mauves, punchy reds and vibrant pinks. Yeah, it's on the pricier end but thanks to ingredients like vitamin E, silk powder, and mango seed oil, a little bit glides a long way.
MAC's cult Ruby Woo red shade is also available as a liner (best news ever, we know). Alongside rich pigment and incredible colour payoff, MAC's liners are renowned as some of the best in the business for over-lining and leaving lips buttery and smooth.
If you have a deep skin tone this shade needs to be in your beauty stash. It perfectly defines dark lips for a nude look and if you have a light to medium skin tone it'll give you a nineties lip vibe.
Jamie Genevieve, a.k.a, the brains behind Vieve, knew exactly what she was doing when she made this formula. The buttery formula sticks around so you don't need to keep on applying – my biggest bugbear when it comes to liners – but it's easy to blend when you first apply so you can opt for a softer finish if you fancy.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
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