The secret to a defined, polished lip look often lies in an unsung beauty hero: lip liner. Specifically, when it comes to crafting a versatile, universally flattering lip aesthetic, brown lip liners are the tools that work their magic with subtlety and sophistication.
Brown lip liners can add depth and dimension to your pout that transcends the realm of traditional lip products. These staples, available in an array of undertones, can amplify your natural lip color, contour the shape of your lips, and provide a robust base to enhance the longevity of your lipstick or gloss. What’s more, they’re adept at preventing the dreaded feathering or bleeding of lip color, promising a crisp, well-defined finish that lasts all day.
The utility of a lip liner is as effortless as its effect is striking. Encased in a pencil-like body, these liners are designed for precision. Simply trace the natural line of your lips, paying attention to the cupid’s bow and corners, and you’re primed for an immaculate lip look. Overstepping the line? No worries. With a little concealer and a steady hand, any mistake can be quickly rectified.
More than just a preliminary step in your lip routine, brown lip liners stand their ground as standalone lip colors too. Their matte, smudge-resistant properties coupled with a range of hues—from soft nude browns for a natural, understated look to deep, rich chocolates for a bold, statement pout—offer an incredible versatility that caters to every mood and occasion.
In a beauty landscape teeming with lip liners, identifying the right brown shade and formula for your beauty arsenal may feel overwhelming. Rest assured, we’ve done the groundwork for you, rigorously testing numerous liners on the basis of their texture, pigmentation, staying power, and ease of application.
Stay with us as we spotlight the cream of the crop in the realm of brown lip liners, each handpicked to amplify your lip game with grace and style.
- Versatile shade
- Long-lasting
- Creamy and pigmented
- High cost
When you’re looking for a lip pencil that can go from day to night, give this one a try.
Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Lip Liner is the perfect companion to any lipstick collection. This square-shaped pencil allows you to sharpen it down to a fine point, so you can easily create precise lines and shapes on your lips.
All the more, its creamy formula glides on smoothly, providing a velvet-matte finish that lasts all day long. The product comes comes in 18 shades, including several brown hues, so there’s something for every skin tone.
It even contains natural antioxidants that help keep your lips looking soft and healthy—and it’s made with cruelty-free ingredients. You can use it alone or layer it over your favorite lipstick for extra staying power and color pay-off (it won’t smudge!).
- Versatility
- Easy Application
- Travel-friendly
- Limited shades
When you’re looking for a liner that can do it all, Tower 28 Beauty’s OneLiner Multi-Liner is the way to go.
This versatile product can be used as an eye shadow, lip color, or face contour. It glides on smoothly without tugging or dragging, and its high-pigment formula means that you’ll get a bold look with just one swipe.
The moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and marula oil will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth after application. Although a bit limited, the three different colors of this liner are rosy nude, chocolate brown, and pink taupe—all perfect for creating infinite looks that are sure to impress!
“I absolutely loved this product, very easy application. The formula is very light and creamy,” explained one reviewer. I definitely recommend this product to all looking for a new liner.”
- Long-lasting wear
- Plumping effect
- Versatile shade
- Sensitivity concerns
When it comes to lips, Buxom’s Power Line Lip Liner is here to help you define your pout and make it pop.
Its chisel-tip shape has been specially designed for precision outlining, and it’s also perfect for filling in bare spots in your lip color so you can achieve a fuller effect. The creamy matte texture makes it easy to apply, especially during those times when it matters the most.
Just swipe on some color and then blend it in with the built-in blending brush at the opposite end. The color will stay put for up to 8 hours, so you can get through a long day without needing a touchup!
- Versatile shade
- Long-lasting formula
- Creamy texture
- Limited use
NYX’s Slim Lip Pencil is a creamy formula with a long-lasting effect and a smooth texture.
It blends well with lipsticks and is easy to apply, meaning you can get the perfect lip line every time. The formula is enriched with moisturizing coconut oil to hydrate and condition dry lips while increasing your lip color’s wear and intensity.
The pencil comes in a range of highly-pigmented colors and nude shades, and each one glides on easily to provide a precise outline for your lips. Plus, there’s no need to worry about it fading or bleeding, even if you’re eating or drinking!
“It works well with a clear gloss,” explained one wearer. “For reference, my skin is somewhat fair, and my lips have a pinker tone. It is very smooth going on and blends well.”
- Long-lasting
- Creamy and smooth application
- Wide shade range
- Higher price point
We’re obsessed with this lip pencil from Pat McGrath.
The creamy gel formula goes on like a dream and doesn’t skip, which is great because we all know how annoying it is to keep going over the same spot. It’s legendary wear and transfer-resistant, so those lips will be kiss-ready all night long!
They’re perfect for blending effortlessly and defining your pout with effortless precision. Wear them alone or layer them on top of other lip products for added dimension—either way, this pencil is lightweight in feel and will leave your lips looking plump and sculpted.
According to reviews, “This is the creamiest, smoothest lip liner I have ever used! I love the color as I have so many lipsticks it pairs well with.”
- Enhances lip definition
- Prolongs lipstick wear
- Versatile use
- Potential dryness
There’s a lot of lip liner out there, but this one is special.
The formula is smooth and creamy, so it glides on seamlessly and won’t tug at your lips. The color is a rich chocolate brown that defines your lips without being too bold or too light.
One swipe with this liner will make your lipstick application even more perfect, because it prevents feathering and keeps your lip color in place all day long. And at this price point? It’s a steal!
- Precise application
- Long-lasting
- Wide shade range
- High cost
If you’re looking for a lip liner that will last all day, this is the one.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat Lip Liner is a waterproof formula that smoothes over your lips, reshaping, resizing, and balancing the look of your pout while keeping them hydrated. It’s smooth and creamy in texture, so it glides on easily and stays put until you want to take it off.
The 15 shades range from pinkish nude to deep red—and we love how it looks when paired with a gloss for a lighter finish. Plus, the formula doesn’t feather or transfer onto cups or glasses—so you can drink without worrying about leaving behind color!
“Wonderful product. Just everything you want from a lip liner and even to do fill-ins. Creamy and glides good onto lips,” wrote one shopper. “I can use this liner with high-end lip products and drugstore ones too!”
- Versatility
- Portability and convenience
- Layering and blending
- Limited coverage
Whether you’re looking for a bold, bright lip or a subtle, natural-looking one, Morphe’s Color Pencils are the way to go.
The formula is creamy and smooth-glide, so it goes on easily and stays put without smearing or flaking off. The range of neutral to beyond-bold shades means there’s something for everyone—from super pale skin tones to deeper ones—and each shade has its own unique tone that makes it stand out from other products in the same category.
One thing that sets these pencils apart from others is their ability to blend seamlessly with other products as well as with each other. You can take one color and use it to highlight areas of another color on your face—for example, if you want to highlight your cheekbones with a light purple and then add some darker purple along the outer corners of your eyes and under your eyebrows instead of going full-on with another color.
- Long-lasting wear
- Precise application
- Matte finish
- Dryness
It’s hard to top about-face’s brown lip liner when it comes to buildable color that defines your lips for hours.
The key ingredients in this product are what make it stand out from other lip liners. Vitamin C and E provide antioxidant protection, while the hyaluronic acid spheres lock in moisture so your lips stay hydrated throughout the day.
Ultimately, it’s great for those with sensitive skin who want their lip products moisturizing but not greasy or heavy on their face.
“These are incredible. A new staple for life,” raved some reviewers. “They glide on in such a creamy way; they’re the softest liners I have ever felt.”
- Versatility
- Creamy and smooth application
- Long-lasting formula
- High price
Natasha Deona’s nude lip liner is a dream come true.
It’s creamy and matte, infused with silky botanical oils that help it last for hours, and delivers the intensity of a lipstick formula in pencil form for high precision. It can be applied alone or combined with other lip products to increase dimension.
The pencil is sharpenable and comes in convenient plastic packaging that’s easy to travel with. Meanwhile, the precision tip makes application a breeze—and I love how it feels on my lips: like buttery goodness!
What to Look for in Lip Liners
Pigmentation and Color Range
One of the first things to consider when choosing a lip liner is the pigmentation and color range it offers. A highly pigmented lip liner ensures that the color shows up vividly on your lips and matches the description or appearance on the packaging. The wider the color range, the more likely you’ll find a shade that complements your skin tone and pairs well with your favorite lipsticks.
Texture and Application
Lip liner texture determines how easily the product glides onto your lips. You want a formula that’s creamy enough to apply smoothly without pulling or tugging at the skin but also firm enough to provide precise lines. Whether in pencil form or retractable packaging, the application process should be hassle-free and the end result, neat and defined.
Longevity
A key function of lip liner is to prolong the wear of your lipstick and prevent it from bleeding or feathering outside your lip line. Thus, the longevity of a lip liner is crucial. Look for products labeled as long-wearing, smudge-proof, or transfer-resistant. These lip liners are designed to adhere to your lips for several hours, helping your lip color stay put.
Comfort and Hydration
While lip liners must be long-lasting, they shouldn’t compromise comfort or hydration. Some lip liners can be drying, leading to discomfort and unattractive lip texture. Opt for lip liners infused with moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E or Jojoba Oil. These formulas outline and define your lips and keep them feeling soft and hydrated.
FAQ
What does lip liner do?
Lip liner is a fantastic tool in the makeup arsenal that serves multiple purposes. Primarily, it acts as a boundary for your lipstick, preventing it from bleeding or feathering outside the lip line. It also defines the shape of your lips, allowing you to subtly modify their appearance or to emphasize their natural symmetry. Moreover, by providing a base layer for your lipstick or gloss, lip liner can enhance the longevity and vibrancy of the color.
How do you apply brown lip liner?
When it comes to applying a brown lip liner, there are a few steps you can follow. First, ensure your lips are clean and moisturized. Start by lightly tracing the natural line of your lips with the brown lip liner. The key is to go slow and steady, making sure you’re not drastically altering the natural shape of your lips, unless that’s the look you’re aiming for. After the outline is done, you can lightly fill in the rest of your lips with the same liner. This not only creates a base for your lipstick or gloss but also enhances the depth of the color and increases its wear time.
How do you use brown lip liner with gloss?
To use a brown lip liner with gloss, follow the same application method as before: outline, then fill. Then, apply your chosen lip gloss over the top. The brown liner beneath will add depth and richness to the gloss, while the gloss will provide a shiny, plump finish. Combining brown lip liner with gloss is a great way to achieve a luscious, full-lipped look with a hint of color that’s not overpowering.
Can you use lip liner as eyeliner?
As for using lip liner as an eyeliner, technically it’s possible, but it’s not usually recommended. The formulas for lip liner and eyeliner are different, and the ingredients in lip liners may not be safe or comfortable for use around the sensitive eye area. Also, lip liners are generally softer and may not deliver the precision and smudge-proof qualities that you would typically look for in an eyeliner. For safety and best results, it’s advisable to use products as they’re intended.
