I Tested Best Top 5 Cult-Favorite Drugstore Pencil Lip Liners for the Perfect Pout – Do They Budge? 💋💸
But you don't need to drop $25 on a pencil that you’re going to sharpen away in a month. I raided the drugstore aisle to test five "cult classic" liners to see which ones glide on like butter and which ones feel like drawing with a crayon. Here are the winners.
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Why Texture & Ingredients Matter 🧈
We’ve all used those dry, scratchy wooden pencils that tug at the delicate skin of the lips. It’s painful and results in a jagged line. During my testing, I looked for liners containing emollients like Vitamin E or Jojoba Oil. These ingredients are crucial because they allow the pigment to glide over the skin without skipping, while also providing hydration to an area that is prone to dryness.
Curious about why Jojoba is so good for skin? Check out this guide: Healthline: The Benefits of Jojoba Oil
(Pair your new liner with hydration! Read my review here: My Top 5 Tinted Lip Balms for Hydration)
Quick Look: My Top 5 Picks 👀
- ✅ e.l.f. Cream Glide: Best for a "my lips but better" sculpted look on a budget.
- ✅ Wet n Wild Icon: Best value for money (the pencil is huge!).
- ✅ Revlon Colorstay: Best for long-wear performance without a sharpener.
- ✅ Milani Color Statement: Best high-end matte finish dupe.
- ✅ NYX Slim Lip Pencil: Best for precision work and sharp lines.
1. e.l.f. Cream Glide Lip Liner 💄
e.l.f. rarely misses, and this liner is no exception. The name "Cream Glide" is 100% accurate. I barely had to touch the pencil to my skin to get color payoff. It feels more like a satin lipstick in pencil form than a traditional liner.
I tested the shade "Red Receipt," and the pigment was intense. Because it's a semi-matte, it doesn't dry down instantly, which gave me about 30 seconds to blend it out for an ombre look before it set. It’s incredibly comfortable.
Why I Loved It 👍
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The Downside 👎
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2. Wet n Wild Cream Finish Icon Pencil 💖
This pencil brings me back to my high school days, but honestly? It still holds up. This is a classic wooden pencil, and it is long. You get so much product for such a tiny price tag. I tried "Fab Fuchsia," and the color is vibrant.
The formula is a "gel-powder" hybrid, so it's not as slippery as the e.l.f. one, but it stays put longer. It has a bit more grip to it, which I find helpful for stopping lipstick bleeding.
Why I Loved It 👍
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The Downside 👎
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(Looking for a lipstick to match? Check out: My Top 5 Lipsticks for Every Occasion)
3. REVLON Colorstay Longwear Lip Liner 💜
If you hate carrying a sharpener in your bag (which makes a mess), this is for you. It’s a twist-up mechanical pencil with a tiny sharpener hidden in the tail. I tested the "Plum" shade, and "Colorstay" is not a lie.
I swatched this on my hand and tried to rub it off after a minute—it didn't budge. It’s perfect for overlining because once it sets, it doesn't smear onto your face. The finish is definitely matte.
Why I Loved It 👍
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The Downside 👎
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4. Milani Color Statement Lipliner 🌶️
The shade "Spice" in this range is legendary for a reason. Milani has nailed the "expensive" feeling. The gold packaging looks great, but the formula is the star. It is ultra-pigmented and totally matte.
I felt very "glam" using this. It is stiff enough to draw a sharp cupid's bow but creamy enough to fill in the whole lip without dragging. It pairs perfectly with matte liquid lipsticks.
Why I Loved It 👍
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The Downside 👎
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5. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Slim Lip Pencil ☕
You can't talk about drugstore liners without mentioning the NYX Slim Lip Pencil. I tested "Espresso," which is the holy grail brown liner for ombre lips. The pencil is thinner than the others, which allows for extreme precision.
It’s not as creamy as e.l.f., but that’s actually a good thing for definition. It has a waxy grip that holds onto lipstick. It’s the industry standard for a reason—it just works.
Why I Loved It 👍
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The Downside 👎
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Comparison: The Specs 📊
| Product | Texture | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| e.l.f. Cream Glide | Satin/Creamy | Sharpenable | Easy Blending |
| Wet n Wild | Gel-Powder | Sharpenable | Value/Budget |
| Revlon Colorstay | Matte/Fixed | Twist-Up | Longevity |
| Milani | Rich Matte | Sharpenable | Glam Look |
| NYX Slim | Waxy/Stiff | Sharpenable | Precision |
How to Choose the Best One for You 🧭
If you have dry lips and want comfort, go for the e.l.f. Cream Glide—it’s the softest. If you need your liner to survive a meal, the Revlon Colorstay is your best bet. If you want a specific, trendy shade (like a cool-toned brown), NYX likely has the exact color you need. For that luxury matte finish without the price tag, Milani wins.
(Prep your skin before your makeup! Read: Top 5 Drugstore Primers: I Tested e.l.f. vs. NYX)
Final Thoughts 💭
Lip liner is the secret weapon for a polished look. After testing these, I keep reaching for the NYX Slim Pencil for my daily definition, but I keep the e.l.f. in my purse for quick, comfortable touch-ups. At these prices, you can afford to grab a few!
Pucker up! 💋
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
What is the best long-lasting lipliner?
From this list, the Revlon Colorstay Longwear Lip Liner performed the best in terms of staying power and smudge resistance.
How to make lip liner last all day?
Apply the liner all over your lips as a base, not just on the edges. Then apply lipstick. Blot with a tissue and apply a second layer. This "sandwich" method locks it in.
Which lip liner is best for all lipstick?
A "nude" shade that matches your natural lip color (not your skin tone) is the most versatile. The NYX Slim Pencil has a huge range of nudes to match any natural lip tone.
How to choose a good lip liner?
Decide if you want precision (stiffer pencil like NYX) or comfort/filling (creamy pencil like e.l.f.). Always check if it needs a sharpener!
Is there a lip liner that stays on?
Yes, gel-based liners or twist-up formulas like Revlon Colorstay usually have "setting" agents that dry down and resist movement better than creamy kohl pencils.
Last Updated: 13 December 2025
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