7 Tips How to use a Lip Liner or Pencil as a Lipstick
Lip liners, or lip pencils, are multifunctional cosmetic tools. They are used to fill in uneven areas on the outer lips before applying lipstick.
It is also used to outline the lips, keeping lipstick inside the lip area and making the lips stand out more. Alternatively, lip liner can be used to fill in the entire lip before the application of lipstick.
Recently, lip liners have been trending for being amazing as a stand alone lip color. If you are wondering if and how lip liners can replace lipsticks, this article answers all of these questions.
Can Lip Liner be used as Lipstick
Lip liners can be used by themselves as a lip color on the lips. They add a wash of color and dimension to the lips.
Plus they are quick to use and last long on the lips. Just choose a type and shade of lip liner that suits your skin, and you will be able to smash any makeup look.
However, it is important that when using a lip liner as a lip color – you must fill in your entire lips with the lip liner after out lining them.
Failing to fill in your entire lips with the lip liner can cause your lips to look mismatched. Follow the tips below to perfectly use a lip liner as a lipstick.
6 Tips How to Correctly Wear Lip Liner & Lip Gloss Together
Tips on How to Use A Lip Liner as a Lipstick
1- Correctly Prep Your Lips
Always prep lips by thoroughly cleansing them before applying the lip liner. Use a lip scrub to remove any dead skin on the lips.
Having smooth lips will help the lip liner to apply easier and create a cleaner look.
2- Moisturize Your Lips
Some lip liners can be drying so make sure to use a moisturizing lip balm before applying the lip liner to the lips. Leave on the lip balm for a few minutes then wipe away, before applying the lip liner.
3- Pick a Good Color
Choose a lip liner color that will flatter your skin tone. Remember this lip look does not have a variety of colors, so it is best to use your favorite lip liner shade that is guaranteed to suit you.
Click here to see tips on How to pick the right color lip liner
Related Article: Best Lip Liner for Dark & Brown Skin that Blends Well
4- Prep Your Lip Liner Pencil
Make sure the tip of your pencil is well moisturized and sharpened so it glides gently over your lips.
5- Correctly Apply the Lip Liner
Pay careful attention to symmetry and closely follow your Cupid’s bow. Draw a line from the Centre of your upper lip—at your Cupid’s bow—to the corners, following your natural lip line. Repeat the step for the lower lip line.
If you would like to have the appearance of larger lips, slightly overdraw the cupid bow but stick to the natural borders of the lower lip line. Then fill in the lip color with the lip liner.
6- Blend the Contours
Always blend the contours to ensure the line looks natural and then fill in the inside of the line with your lip liner. You can do this using a lip brush or clean fingers.
7- Apply a Lip Balm over Lip Liner
Use your favorite Chapstick or lip balm as a top coat for your lip liner. This will help to blend the lip liner as well as seal the color to your lips.
Plus lip balm adds moisture to the lips which is important when using matte lip liners. The balm or chapstick will add dimension to your lip liner shade and help the color to last longer.
Related Article: How to Correctly Apply a Lip Liner – Beginners Guide
Video of How to Use a Lip Liner as a Lipstick
Is Lip Liner Better than Lipstick
Lip Liners have a similar formula to lipsticks, and use similar techniques for application. The question of which is better- lip liners or lip sticks – all depends on what you require from the product.
If you’re looking for a product that quickly applies a dash of long lasting color and has a creamy or matte finish, then a lip liner is for you.
But if you want a very bold hue that has a high shine or shimmer then lipstick is the product for you.
If you are still having trouble deciding on whether a lip liner or lipstick suits you – check out the pros and cons list of using a lip liner as a lip color vs a lipstick.
Pros of using a lip liner on lips alone when compared to lipsticks
- Lasts longer– The key advantage to using a Lip Liner instead of a lipstick is that lip liners have a longer wear time.
- Easier to maintain – When compared to lipsticks, Lip liners are more easy to maintain on the lips and require fewer touchups.
- Natural Looking – Depending on the color, lip liners may look much more natural on the lips when compared to lipstick.
- Lip Liners can change your natural lip shape to a more flattering one.
- Lip liners are made in both creamy and matte formulas so application is easy.
- Since lip liners are packaged in a twist up tube or sharpened pencil form, they last much longer than lipsticks and require fewer refills.
- Lip Liners are able to cover pigmentation on the lips since they have a light to medium coverage.
Related Article: Tips on How to Use a Lip Liner to Make Lips Look Bigger
Cons of using a lip liner on lips alone when compared to lipsticks
- There are not as many shades of lip liners when compared to lipsticks.
- Lipsticks add more dimension to lips than lip liners.
- Lipsticks have a greater variety of finishes than lip liners. Lipsticks are available in creamy, matte, high shine, and metallic finishes.
- Some matte lip liners can be drying to the lips.
Related Article: Is a Lip Liner Really Needed – Everything you Need to Know
How long will a lip liner last as a lipstick
The longevity of every lip liner is different but on average a lip liner will last from 6 -12 hours depending on the brand and the finish. Matte lip liners tend to last longer than creamy ones.
Lip Liners typically last a long time on the lips as a lip color. Since most lip liners are made of wax and have a matte finish, they are able to resist heat better and are less likely to smudge or move around.
Best Lip Liners to Use as a Lipstick
Here are our best picks of lip liners that are great to use as lipsticks.
- Maybelline Color Sensational (Great for overlining)
- Revlon ColorStay (Extremely Long-lasting)
- Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat (Hydrating)
- Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon (Easy to apply)
- Estée Lauder Double wear (Very smooth formula with integrated lip brush)
- Dior Rouge Contour (Premium brand & great shade range)
1. Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner
Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner is a creamy, smudge-proof formula that prevents lipstick bleeding and feathering. It has a self-Sharpening Tip and is available in 14 super-saturated shades.
You can click here to view the current price on Amazon.
2. Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner
Revlon lip liners have a long lasting lip color that stays on for up to 8 hours after application without re-applying.
Plus there is no bleeding or feathering. It has a built-in sharpener, and is available in 14 shades.
Click here to see the different shades available on Amazon.
3. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner has a hydrating formula that is easy to apply and gives the appearance of smoother plumper lips. It lasts up to 6 hours and is available in 17 shades.
You can click here to see the current price of Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner.
4. Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon
Tarte Lip Crayon is a 2-in-1 lip crayon that helps you line and fill in lip color, no matter your skill level. This is due to its creamy, easy-glide formula that deposits rich, hydrating pigment in just one simple stroke.
To view the current price of Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon Click here.
5.Estée Lauder Double Wear Lip Pencil
This Lip Pencil by Estée Lauder glides on effortlessly for precise definition. It is Long-wearing, lightweight and has a creamy color. It also has a integrated lip brush to diffuse the liner color to the entire lips.
To view the current price of Estée Lauder Double Wear Lip Pencil Click Here
6. Dior Rouge Contour Lip Liner
Dior Rouge Lip Liners line lips and has 20 bold shades of color. It has a 8 hour wear time and has ingredients like red peony extract, pomegranate flower extract and shea butter. It is also No-transfer, does not feather or smudge, non-sticky.
To view the current price of the Dior Rouge Contour Lip Pencil Click here
