Super pigmented, our tester was incredibly impressed with the colour, but due to the size of this lip liner, we would recommend it for lining only, rather than colouring the full lips. But, whatever you choose, we know you won’t be disappointed with any of these picks, whether worn alone or with a matching lipstick. Make a mistake though, and you’ll have to start over, as its pigment is so strong it does stain the lips (or face, if you really go off track). For luxury lovers, there’s a tougher challenge, as we’re leaving the choice between Chanel le crayon lèvres and Dior contour in your hands.

Essence Lipliner – House of Cosmetics Essence Lipliner – House of Cosmetics

This allows makeup enthusiasts of all budgets to enjoy professional-looking results without breaking the bank. Instead of a pencil, this liner is more like a felt tip, with a tiny round ball-point tip to draw around the edges of the mouth as well as colour in. It has also a cute sharpener at the end of the pencil which really works and the liner will look like brand new again everytime. In a twist-up style, there’s no need for a sharpener, but don’t take it too high, or you’ll increase the risk of breakage. Thanks to quite a long tip, it can also be used to quickly colour full lips when pressed on its side.Cotton seed derivatives and jojoba seed oil make for a smooth and nourishing formula that melts onto the lips and leaves it with a slightly tacky semi-matte finish that wasn’t in the least bit drying. Coming in a pencil-like form, either in a classic wooden style that needs to be sharpened or in a more modern twist-up, plastic-cased variety, there’s a huge number to choose from.

Essence Stay 8H Waterproof Lipliner Review — Giselle Arianne Essence Stay 8H Waterproof Lipliner Review — Giselle Arianne

It’s incredibly pigmented, meaning only one swipe was needed to get a great colour, and it has no transfer, even when in contact with water so you can eat drink and be merry while knowing your pout is perfect. Bucking convention, we just tested the refill of this lip liner, forgoing the case to get a tiny, micro-purse-sized liner that really can be taken anywhere. With more of a soft crayon consistency, it acted like an incredibly thin lipstick, hydrating and nourishing the lips with a shiny healthy finish. Another great advantage of using Essence Lip Liner 101 is that it helps prevent lipstick bleeding into fine lines around the mouth area. It is indeed waterproof because it does not budge when drinking water only because eating or even drinking anything warm would definitely fade it significantly.

With pinky undertones, it’s not your regular brown lip colour and can flatter a whole range of skin tones, making it quite the versatile pick.

Essence Lip Beauty Products: Affordable Lipstick, Lipgloss

Mac is one of the most famous make-up brands in the world, adored by make-up artists and beauty lovers alike, so it’s unsurprising that this liner is up there with the best. Depending on how soft it is, lip liner can also be used to colour the lips as a base for lipstick or for a hit of colour on its own that can be left as is or layered with a gloss or balm for a shinier finish.

For lips that look perfect for an ultra-long time: no matter whether for breakfast, lunch or a coffee break – the kiss-proof lip liners stay on your lips for up to eight hours. The key reason this stole our hearts was the fact it wasn’t as drying as the other options, thanks to jojoba wax and vitamin E. In a medium softness, it was easy to apply and left quite a precise line, but we did go over it a couple of times to get a stronger pigment, which lasted for around four hours before we needed to re-apply. Whether you prefer bold and vibrant colors or subtle nudes, this versatile lip liner can complement any look flawlessly. Say goodbye to smudged or bleeding lipstick and embrace flawless pouts with this game-changing lip liner from Essence.

Essence Lip Liner 101: The Key to Perfectly Defined and Long

Infused with nourishing vitamin E and coconut oil, it’s not drying and leaves a shiny finish that would rival any lipstick. Yes, we have been sneaky here, naming Dior the best designer lip liner and Chanel the best luxury lip liner, but there’s next to nothing between the two, meaning it comes down to personal brand preference. To make your lip color last even longer, fill in your entire lips with the lip liner before applying lipstick on top. More muted in tone, it’s a much heavier pencil, meaning it takes time and precision to drag it across the mouth, which gave us a much cleaner and sharper line.Although it has an impressive 28 shades, we would love to see the colour range expand into some brighter tones, so everyone can benefit from such a bargain. It didn’t last quite as long as some of the other options, but our tester got a good four hours’ worth of full colour before having to top up. More like a lip stain with an ultra-precise applicator, this lip liner certainly stands out from the crowd.