Black especially loves the shades Iconic Nude, Foxy Brown, Hollywood Honey, and the legendary Pillow Talk, seen here. New York City-based makeup artist Joseph Carrillo also counts Lip Cheat among his favorites. “It’s the perfect shade for most light to medium skin tones,” Carrillo raves. “It’s 100% like your lips, but better,” adding that it glides on like a hydrating lip product yet stays matte and in place.
Tester feedback: “I personally believe that everyone—makeup newbie or MUA—needs a Charlotte Tilbury liner in their bag,” says shopping director Shanna Shipin. “They’re perfectly creamy, blendable, and stay put—in the loveliest pink-neutral shades to boot. Since my lips lean a natural mauve, the Medium shade is great for enhancing its color. I’ll usually line my lips, then layer a lip balm or tinted lip balm over it and be done. No need for lipstick!”
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, beeswax, jojoba oil, micronised powders, ceresin wax | Available shades: 23
Best for Dry Lips: Kosas Hotliner
Why it’s worth it: After a year-long sabbatical, the Kosas Hotliner is finally back, and the demi-matte formula is already a mainstay in Allure editors’ deskside beauty collections. Spiked with hyaluronic acid and konjac root to curb dryness and cracking, this new-and-improved version glides smoother than butter and stays in place without feathering or fading (that is, until you start eating or drinking, as with most lip products.) Since this retractable lip liner has a built-in brush and sharpener, you’ll be able to free up some space in your makeup bag.
Tester feedback: “I rarely use lip liner, but Kosas’ Hotliner currently has a chokehold on my lip routine,” says commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “Unlike other liners I’ve tried, this one doesn’t begin to crack or feather when I touch up my lips throughout the day. It also gets bonus points for its slender build, perfect for my ludicrously overstuffed tote bag.”
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, konjac root extract | Available shades: 8 (Hussein is wearing shade Supreme)
Best Dual-Ended Lip Liner: Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil
Why it’s worth it: Makeup By Mario’s dual-ended lip liner comes with a built-in brush to blend and blur the long-lasting lip liner’s pigment. Speaking of pigment, the Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil’s lightweight formula is available in over 20 red, berry, brown, and nude lip liner shades to mix and match with your favorite lipsticks and glosses. Since this matte-finish lip pencil locks in place for full-day wear, you can apply it as a wear-enhancing base for your lipstick or all by themselves.
Tester feedback: “Leave it to Mario Dedivanovic to create the perfect lip liner,” says Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. “I love this dual-ended lip liner that comes with a built-in brush to blend and blur all harsh lines. Most days, I’ll just line my lips, blend it out, and leave the house—no lipstick needed.”
