10 Best Lip Liners For the Perfect Pout

The most important traits we look for in any lip liner is pigment and precision. The retractable tip on this Clinique liner easily passes both departments, and it's super convenient—just be sure to push out a bit at a time to avoid drying out the creamy formula.

Lancome’s classic Le Lipstique just got a makeover, and we’re already superfans. The pencil is super water- and smudge-proof, but still glides on creamy. After lining your lips and topping with your favorite lipstick, simply flip over to the lip brush on the other end for a flawless blend.

If you're looking for a universal shade that works with all your fave lipsticks, this is it. Since it’s transparent, it will fit with any skin tone or lipstick shade. Plus, your lips will get an extra hydrating kick from the jojoba oil-rich formula.

Glide on NARS' moisturizing formula to ensure your lip color (and hydration levels) stay put all day. We love it because the sharpen-able wood pencil allows for a razor-sharp tip every time.

Laura Mercier used her expertise as a painter to devise a sleek, matte liner that offers as much control and blendability as possible. Your perfectly lined lips will be your own masterpiece.

Highly silky and super pigmented, you're sure to find your color in Maybelline's vast array of color options. Pro tip: use a color that’s slightly darker than your desired lipstick shade to create what looks like natural plumpness and definition.

Lipstick Queen’s newest liner draws the best qualities from its past crowd-pleasers. It's nourishing, oil-based, waterproof, and offers rich coverage. The cap even has a built-in sharpener, so be sure to twist tight after each use.

These matte, creamy pencils are made specifically for contouring, so you can give off the illusion of plump lips with just a few swipes. Plus, we can rave for days about the color pigmentation and smudge-free formula.

This lipliner is one of the newest products in MAC’s Strip Down line, a lip-centric set of products catered to every shade of skin there is. Its silky-smooth formula has impressive staying power, so you don't have to worry about feathering and fading throughout the day.

In this new era of minimalism, we’re looking to stock up on as many multi-use products as possible. This jack-of-all-trades pencil is not only ideal for contouring lips, it can also be used as a blush, brow filler, or eyeliner. Now, that's useful.