Top Lip Liner Brands for a Perfect Pout

Lip liners have become an essential item in the makeup routines of beauty enthusiasts worldwide. They not only help define the lips but also ensure that lipstick stays in place, creating a polished and long-lasting look. With countless options available on the market, choosing the right lip liner can be a daunting task. This article highlights some of the best brands known for their high-quality lip liners, offering a perfect balance of color, texture, and longevity. Discover which brands make the cut below.

Illustration of lip liner

Best brands of lip liner in 2025

MAC Cosmetics

MAC Cosmetics is a leading brand in the makeup industry, particularly renowned for its high-quality lip liners. Founded in 1985 by Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan, MAC quickly gained popularity among makeup artists and consumers alike, with products like their lip liners being favored for their long-lasting, color-true formulas. By 2018, MAC's lip sales figures rose from 23.4% to 24.5%, and their market share of lipstick grew from 18.6% to 19.7% following a successful campaign with Vogue during London Fashion Week. In 2023, an estimated 2.6 million people in the UK used MAC lipgloss/lipsticks products, making them the most popular MAC product category. MAC's commitment to innovation and community, as seen in their VIVA GLAM campaign, has solidified their position as a top choice for lip liners.

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury is renowned as one of the best producers of lip liners, with their Lip Cheat liner standing out for its creamy, comfortable, and waterproof formula that lasts up to 8 hours. Available in 23 shades, including the iconic Pillow Talk, this liner is highly pigmented, smudge-proof, and ideal for both matte and glossy lip finishes. It is a favorite among beauty experts and consumers alike, with one Pillow Talk Lip Cheat sold every 2 minutes globally from March 2019 to February 2020. The brand's commitment to quality and versatility has earned it cult status, making it a top choice for those seeking long-lasting and flattering lip liners. Charlotte Tilbury's products are widely praised for their buildable color and smooth application. For more details, visit the Pillow Talk Lip Kit page.

NARS

NARS is renowned as one of the best producers of lip liners, offering highly pigmented, long-lasting, and smooth-gliding products. The NARS Precision Lip Liner, available in 29 matte shades, provides precise definition and is praised for its moisturizing formula and budge-resistant color. This product has garnered a 4.7-star rating from customers, highlighting its creamy texture and durability. As part of the global lip liner market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2031, NARS continues to be a significant player, especially in North America where the market size is estimated at USD 194.24 million in 2024.

Urban Decay

Urban Decay is renowned as one of the best producers of lip liners, praised for their 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils that offer superior texture, lasting power, and a wide range of shades, particularly in the nude and pale pink categories. These lip liners are hydrating, making them comfortable to wear all day, and they also serve as effective lipstick primers. The 'Native' shade is a favorite among users for its pale pink color that does not alter the color of the lipstick significantly. Urban Decay's products are highly recommended for their ability to enhance lip definition and complement modern beauty trends. The brand's lip liners are a staple in many beauty routines due to their exceptional performance.

NYX Professional Makeup

NYX Professional Makeup is a leading brand in the lip liner market, known for its high-quality and long-lasting products. Their Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner, for instance, is praised for its smooth, soft finish and waterproof formula infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E, ensuring comfortable and precise application. With a strong presence in the global market, NYX contributes to the sector's growth, which is projected to reach USD 779.76 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.00% from 2024 to 2031. The brand's products, such as the Slim Lip Pencil, have garnered high ratings and numerous positive reviews, highlighting their popularity among consumers. NYX's commitment to cruelty-free cosmetics further enhances its reputation.

Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty has revolutionized the beauty industry with its inclusive and high-quality products, particularly its Trace'd Out Pencil Lip Liners. Launched in 2024, these lip liners come in 10 universal shades, including the popular 'Coal Blooded' dark brown shade, which is praised for its creamy, transfer-resistant, and long-lasting formula. Fenty Beauty's commitment to diversity, as seen in its 40-shade foundation line launched in 2017 (now expanded to 50 shades), has set a new standard in the industry. The brand's strong social media presence, with over 12.8 million followers on Instagram and a 0.85% engagement rate, further underscores its impact. Fenty Beauty's success has been significant, with the brand earning $72 million in its first month and becoming the top-selling prestige makeup brand in the US in 2018.

Huda Beauty

Huda Beauty is renowned as one of the leading producers of lip liners, known for their high-pigmented, long-wearing, and creamy formulas. The brand's lip liner products have been a significant contributor to its success, with the Lip Contour Pencil lip liner selling 55,000 units in just three weeks after its launch in May 2016. This success is part of Huda Beauty's broader growth, which saw the company achieve $400 million in retail sales in 2018, with lip products being the best-selling segment within the colour category. The global lip liner market, in which Huda Beauty is a key player, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2024 to 2031, reaching $779.76 million by 2031. Huda Beauty's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position in the beauty industry. For more details on their lip liners, visit their official website.

Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown is renowned for its high-quality lip liners, which are praised for their creamy texture and long-lasting performance, similar to but slightly creamier than MAC Lip Liners. The brand's lip liners are designed to prevent bleeding and blend well with various lipstick formulas, making them a favorite among users. The global lip liner market, which includes brands like Bobbi Brown, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2024 to 2031, reaching a market size of USD 779.76 million by 2031. Bobbi Brown's products are highly regarded for their precision and natural, everyday look, as testified by numerous customer reviews. With a strong presence in the market, Bobbi Brown continues to be a trusted name in the cosmetics industry.

Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Labs is a renowned brand in the beauty industry, particularly noted for its high-performance cosmetics, including lip liners. Since its launch, the brand has broken global sales records, becoming the biggest selling beauty brand in Selfridges' history with its in-store launch in April 2019. Pat McGrath, the founder, is a highly influential makeup artist who has worked with top fashion brands and has been recognized with prestigious honors, including being named one of Time Magazine's 2019 100 Most Influential People. The brand's products, such as its debut GOLD 001, have sold out in record-breaking time, showcasing its popularity and quality. Pat McGrath Labs continues to push the boundaries of beauty with innovative and obsession-worthy cosmetics.

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Anastasia Beverly Hills is renowned for its high-quality lip liners, offering precise shaping, contouring, and long-lasting, velvety-matte finishes. These lip liners are available in 18 shades, complementing their Matte and Satin Velvet Lipsticks, and feature a square-shaped design for extreme precision. Despite some declines in social volume, ABH remains a dominant brand, particularly in the lipstick category, where it outcompetes brands like Huda Beauty with a higher share and similar growth rate. The brand's lip liners are praised for their creamy yet non-shiny formula and excellent color payoff, making them a favorite among makeup enthusiasts. With a strong consumer retention rate of 44.93% in December 2019, ABH continues to attract and retain loyal customers.