Finish: matte | Key ingredients: N/A | Brown shades: 4 | Sharpenable: no
Best for Gloss Pairing: Nyx Professional Makeup Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner in Make a Statement
Why we love it: If your lip gloss deserves a power partner, Nyx’s Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner in Make a Statement is it. The pencil lays down vibrant color with a creamy, waterproof formula that hugs the lips without smudging or feathering. Infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E, two skin-care ingredients known for their nourishing and antioxidant properties, it keeps lips smooth, soft, and hydrated throughout the day. It has a soft matte finish that grips gloss without slipping, making it ideal for extended wear. The sharpenable tip allows for precise application every time, perfect for crisp edges, plump-looking lips, or a full-color base under gloss or lipstick.
Tester feedback from Taylor: "Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner was my first introduction to lip liners, and it completely won me over. I picked it up at my local drugstore for under $10, but it performs like a high-end formula—made to last and easy to blend. There’s even a subtle skin-care element that keeps my lips feeling soft and comfortable, even after hours of wear. The shade Make a Statement has just the right depth for bold, evening looks, and it’s become a go-to in my rotation, even amongst my pricier pencils.
Finish: matte | Key ingredients: jojoba oil and vitamin e | Brown shades: 4 | Sharpenable: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find the right brown lip liner shade?
Choosing the right brown lip liner comes down to your skin tone and the overall effect you’re trying to achieve. “If my client wants a contoured lip with a nude lipstick or gloss, I will take a shade of brown about two shades darker than her skin tone,” says Williams. “This will give a softer appearance when blended into the nude lipstick or gloss.” For bolder looks, she takes it up a notch: “I will use a shade three to four shades darker than her skin tone, which will give a sharp contrast.” Just as important, she says, is making sure the undertone of the liner complements the rest of the makeup: “I always make sure the shade is cohesive with the warmness or coolness of the look (eyeshadow, blush, bronzer).”
What’s the best way to apply brown lip liner, and do you have any tips for people with double lip lines?
“The best way to apply brown lip liner is to start following the natural shape of your lips with light pressure,” says Williams. “Once you’ve gotten the initial line, you can darken it and then decide based on your preference if you’d like to slightly overline to make the lips appear fuller. If so, I recommend doing so at the cupid’s bow.” For those with double lip lines, she adds, “I suggest following the top lip line rather than the line beneath, because lining the one beneath will result in the lips appearing smaller than what they are.”
Can you make your lip liner smudge-proof or minimize transfer and smudging?
“If you want your lip liner to be smudge-proof, you can purchase liners that [are marketed as] long-lasting or water-resistant because they’re designed to stay put with minimal touch-ups,” says Williams. She also suggests a simple prep step: “You may also use a matte lip liner or powder your lips with translucent powder before applying liner to minimize transfer.” And if you're looking to get the most out of your makeup? “You can use a brown waterproof eyeliner as lip liner,” she adds. “There are no rules to makeup!”
Meet the experts
- Ciara Williams, a makeup artist in Columbus, Ohio
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