Best Lip Liners (Including drugstore).

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I’ve been working my way through my stash of beauty products, not only using what I’ve got but organizing the products so I can really see what I’m working with.

I was sharpening my collection of lip liners and realized I’ve got some favorites, most of which are drugstore brands!

I thought I’d share in case you’re looking for your go-to.

First, let me say that I prefer pencils that need manual sharpening. I do have some twist-up ones on this list, though!

Also, I like lip liners that really stay on the lips and even have a bit of tack to them. I typically line and fill and either wear like that or top with a lipstick or a gloss. So the liner almost works as a primer for me.

Now, let’s get into it!

PS. These are not listed in any particular order 🙂

Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner

MUA Kelli Anne introduced me to this drugstore retractable lip liner and I’ve purchased it repeatedly — I really love catching a BOGO deal because I know this is a liner I’m always going to reach for.

It glides on smooth, offers a lot of pigment, and dries as a suede-matte finish. It has a tiny bit of tack to grip lipstick on top, but I love wearing it alone, too!

Favorite shade: Totally Toffee

Milani Color Statement Lipliner

Milani is my favorite drugstore brand and their lipliner (they spell it as one word, but IDK how I feel about it) is ELITE. It’s a pencil (requires manual sharpening) with vegan ingredients, and it’s typically around $6.

Last winter, I caught a sale and bought every color the store had! I truly love these. The formula is easy to apply and provides a great, long-lasting base for lipstick and gloss. You can really shape and define your lips with this one, and they have several great shades.

Favorite shade: Spice

Mac Lip Pencil

In my eyes, Mac is KING when it comes to lip products. Lipsticks, gloss, liner — they nail it every time. You truly cannot go wrong with one of their lip pencils, and several of their shades have cult followings!

The Milani pencils do compare, but it obviously depends on your budget. The Mac pencil requires sharpening and can offer a base for additional color or serve as lip contour. If you can catch these on sale, they are a staple item!

Favorite shade: Whirl

Lunar Beauty Lip Pencil

If you like supporting indie brands, look no further than Lunar Beauty — the brand behind Manny MUA.

The lip pencil is a soft formula that really glides on the lips and serves as a great difiner. They sell lipsticks in the same shades (with the same names!) as their lip pencils, so if you like to match, it’s easier to find and purchase.

This is a higher-end lip pencil in terms of quality and price, but it’s not as expensive as other brands, and you’re supporting a small, family-owned business. Wins all-around.

Favorite shade: Milk Tea

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Liner

I know Kylie Cosmetics is a CHOICE, but I cannot deny how well the lip liner stays on! I have only used the lip liners that come with the Lip Kits, but I assume the individually-sold ones are similar.

I have at least five of the lip kits, mostly the matte forumula but one of the velevt, and they stay all day, which is great for work or even dinner! I wore these a lot when I was working retail and couldn’t reapply often.

Favorite shade: Mary Jo K

NYX Retractable Long-Lasting Mechanical Lip Liner

When I started wearing lip liner, I went with NYX. It’s a solid drugstore brand with great prices and a huge range of shades. They have mechanical lip liner as well as the classic pencil style, and you truly can’t go wrong with either.

They are typically $5 or less so you can try a lot of types for less cash, which I love.

Favorite shade: Nude

Those are my top lip liner picks! I’d love to know if you’ve tried any of these or what lip liners you like to use.

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