10 Best Waterproof Lip Liners Of 2024, Recommended By A Makeup Artist
Define and plump your lips to achieve the perfect shape that makes you appear gorgeous.
Savanah Norman is a full time professional makeup artist with six years of experience in the field. She originally started college studying fashion design but took a leap of faith to start accepting clients when she knew makeup was her passion. Since 2017, she has put her whole heart into becoming a better artist and business owner.
Read full bio of Savanah Norman
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
Read full bio of Srijita De
Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Image: Shutterstock
If the perfect pout is all you aim for, you need to get the best waterproof lip liner for your lips to get that perfect shape and balance. Once you apply it correctly, it will give your lips the correct definition and enhanced beauty, making them look plump and gorgeous. Moreover, since nobody wants their lipstick to smudge or fade as it ruins the whole look, this versatile lip liner is the perfect choice as it is water-resistant and functions as a primer. You can apply them on the edges of your lips in a classic lip liner fashion; also, you can use them all over the lips like a lip color. You can also use it as a base for your lipstick. Therefore, understanding its significance, we have made a list of 10 top waterproof lip liners that offer exceptional results and will help you achieve your dream of that perfect pout. Also, since the market is already brimming with umpteen options, this curated list will make your search mission easier. So, give this piece a read and pick the liner that suits you best.
In This Article
10 Best Waterproof Lip Liners For That Perfect Pout
1. Best Long-Lasting:Haus Laboratories RIP Lip Liner – Supermodel
You can trust Lady Gaga to create this creamy, high pigment, high precision lip pencil that gives you a demi matte payoff. The comfortable, long wearing, waterproof formula has been formulated to outline your lips with ease or fill in for color all over. Though long wearing, several reviewers attest that this classic pencil feels smooth and lightweight while going on and it ensures that your lipstick doesn’t feather, flake, or bleed. This waterproof, vibrant lip liner from the celebrity-endorsed brand softens your lips, leaving them feeling moisturized and creamy. The non-drying lip liner is also available in 7 other vibrant colors from a fun purple to a gorgeous cherry red to accentuate your natural lip shape.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Long lasting
- Precise application
- Available in a wide shade range
Cons
- Some may find the application patchy
Quick TipUse a lip liner both before and after applying bold shades of lipstick to soften the lip line.
2. Best Non-Toxic:Wonder X Lip Liner Pencil Set
Tired of your lipstick feathering and bleeding? This long-lasting wear lip liner set comes in a pack of 12 assorted colors ranging from red, pink, rose, plum, peach, cherry, dark brown to natural, that each work well with many different lipstick shades. They fill in the uneven areas that may be present on the outer edges of the lips to define your natural shape before you apply lipstick. They can also be used to outline the lips, keeping lipstick within the lip line and preventing it from bleeding, making the lips stand out more as a result. These affordable options can be used not only as liners but to fill in your lips with color for a beautiful matte look. You can also sharpen these pencils to a point for precise application.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Hypoallergenic
- Versatile
- Prevents bleeding
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- May not be highly pigmented
3. Best Highly Pigmented:DC Beautiful Pudaier Stereoscopic Lip Liner Set
You will be spoilt for choice with these waterproof, lasting lip liners that come in a set of 12 different colors and offer a high-quality, long-lasting color with a soft application. These lip pencils are soft, smooth, easy to apply, and give long-lasting color all day long, even after eating. Reviews on online forums praise
these highly pigmented,perfect lip liners that help you define your lips for a perfect pout. They are made of natural and safe ingredients like candle wax which has excellent moisture retention, Brazil palm wax that adds luster to your lips, and squalane that penetrates the skin and forms a natural barrier. These lip liners are also not tested on animals, making them an ideal cruelty-free option. Overall, having this set in your makeup kit will add color to your lips while caring for them.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Highly pigmented
- Long-lasting color
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
- May require pressure for proper application
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 3,149 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
4. Best Vegan:NYX Professional Makeup Extreme Color Lip Liner – Nude Suede Shoes
Pucker up and apply NYX waterproof lip liner for a rich, matte color. Numerous reviewers attest that it goes on to your lips very smoothly, has a long-wearing finish, prevents bleeding, and enhances color payoff and longevity. It contains moisturizing ingredients, like vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil to prevent your lips from drying out, which is essential when using a waterproof lip liner. The professional lip liner has the added advantage of being vegan and cruelty-free. These lip pencils come in a wide range of bold colors from rosy red to blue and violet that can be easily sharpened with any small sharpener. Check this video to learn more about a tester’s experience with this matte lip liner before adding it to your makeup collection.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Matte finish
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
- Might be difficult to sharpen as it is made from plastic
5. Best Easy To Wear:Sankuwen True Lips – Lip Liner Pencils
Can’t decide which color to buy? Well, you don’t have to worry any more! This set of 12 waterproof lip liner pencils are long lasting, easy to wear, natural and give you all the choice you want. Their precise application makes it easy to draw a delicate, thin line. The lipliner colors are great, and range from shades of pink, rose, burgundy, and red to orange, suitable for both deep skin tones and medium skin tones. It’s all the colors you’ll ever need, and they are relatively easy to remove with a tissue. With impressive staying power, these lip products don’t allow your lipstick to bleed, fade, or feather, lasting pretty much all day.
Pros
- Long lasting
- No smell
- Easy to wear
- Prevent bleeding, fading, or feathering
Cons
- Some may find the colors too bright for their liking.
6. Best Water-Resistant:Eternal Automatic Lip Liner – Nude
If you don’t want to go for a very obvious look, this nude pencil is just the one for you. This retractable lip liner glides on easily, is long lasting, and doesn’t smudge. The richly pigmented lip liner offers a creamy, matte finish, which means you don’t end up with those flaky, and dry lips. It helps you boost the color and longevity of your lipstick. It can be applied as a lip liner, as a matte lip color, or as a shade intensifier, so take your pick. The slim and pointed tip gives you more control than a lip brush and will help define your lips, easily contour them, and add a plumping effect. This waterproof glide-on lip liner helps correct thin or uneven lips while offering full coverage, so you can draw a new lip shape easily, adding more fullness if necessary. Multiple reviewers recommend its high-definition, water-resistant formula that does away with regular touchups and keeps you looking fabulous all day long.
Pros
- Long lasting
- Water-resistant
- No feathering
- Soft and creamy
- Wax based
- No mineral oil
- No paraffin
- No animal derived ingredients
- Not tested on animals
- Dermatologist tested and approved
Cons
- May smears easily
Quick TipIf your lip liner does not match your lipstick shade use a nude liner, as it blends with all lipsticks, making the lipstick shade pop.
7. Best Paraben-Free:Palladio Retractable Lip Liner – Nearly Nude
Unlike some other products, this waterproof lip pencil is conveniently retractable and doesn’t require any sharpening. Ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile extract, safflower, and jojoba seed oil infused in the lip liner moisturize, soothe, and nourish your lips. It also contains beeswax, which means it isn’t vegan, but it is cruelty-free and gluten-free. It’s also packed with antioxidant vitamins like A, C, D and E, and powerful botanicals to help nourish your lips. This lip liner has a long wear and doesn’t smudge, feather, or transfer even after eating or drinking. This rich and creamy lip liner glides over your lips for a seamless line, so you can define your lips, enhance your pout ,or balance out the shade of your natural lips. Ethically-conscious reviewers also favor this lip liner as it is not tested on animals.
Pros
- Transfer-proof
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Contains antioxidants
Cons
- May break easily because of its soft texture
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received over 2,701 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.
8. Best Smear-Proof:Sormé Smearproof Lip Liner – Natural Nude
Define your lips naturally with this creamy, richly textured, long lasting waterproof lip liner. It’s infused with hydrating lecithin that keeps your lips supple and smooth, while rich antioxidants like vitamin C and E keep your lips youthful. The unique and distinct square shape of this liner has garnered positive reviews online for offering complete control during application. Its high-definition pigment requires minimal pressure, delivering maximum color pay-off. Prevent your lipstick from bleeding or feathering with this long-lasting creamy lip liner.
Pros
- Smear-proof
- Creamy texture
- Contains antioxidants
- Highly pigmented
- Lightweight
- Unique square shape for better grip and control
Cons
- Contains parabens
9. Best Soft Texture:Niceface Lip Pencil Set
This waterproof lip liner set contains 12 pencils in colors ranging from nude, brown, purple, rose, red, orange, and wine. The pencils are soft and smooth, making it easy and effortless to apply. They help to define your lips and can make your lips look fuller and plumper, while locking in the color of your lipstick. The soft texture of the pencil has become a favorite of many reviewers for making it easy to outline your lips in just one swipe. You can be sure of no feathering or bleeding with these smudge-proof lip liners as you can look picture perfect all day long.
Pros
- Smudge-free
- Soft texture
- Easy application
- No feathering or bleeding
Cons
- May not be as long lasting
10. Best Creamy Texture:Urban Decay Glide-On Lip Pencil – Liar
This durable, waterproof lip liner primes your lips and its creamy texture enables it to glide on smoothly, defining your lips with intense color. It can be used both as a liner and to fill in your lips completely for longer lasting lipstick, gloss, and color. You can be confident that it will last through eating, drinking, and whatever else you choose to do. Its moisturizing, cruelty-free formula is infused with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil to nourish your lips and never allows them to feel dry or cakey. It holds color in place and prevents bleeding and feathering.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Long lasting
- Creamy texture
- Moisturizing
- Contains natural ingredients
- No bleeding and feathering
Cons
- Some may find it difficult to sharpen
Now that you have been through our review of the 10 best waterproof lip liners, it’s very important to know what to keep in mind while choosing one for yourself, so that you can achieve the best pout possible.
How To Choose The Best Lip Liner
- Go lighter for a subtle look
When you’re choosing a waterproof lip liner, it is not necessary for it to be the exact same shade as your lipstick, as it really depends on the look you’re hoping to achieve. For a more subtle look, go for a lip liner that is 1 or 2 shades lighter than your lipstick and then blend in the lipstick and lip liner seamlessly.
- Always go for the same shade family
It’s extremely important to always choose a lip liner in the same shade family as your lipstick. If your lipstick has pink undertones, choose a lip liner that also has pink undertones or if you’re using a brown lipstick, use a brown lip liner. Pick a liner that matches the color of your lipstick as close as possible for a seamless look.
- Find the perfect nude
If you have a whole drawer full of different lipstick shades, it’s best to find the perfect nude shade, which means finding a lip liner that’s the exact color as your lips. Depending on whether your lips have a red, pink, or brown undertone, find a lip liner that looks identical and use this as a base for other lipsticks that aren’t too different from your natural lip color.
- Type of lip liner
A lip liner pencil is best for a thin, precise line and is the most popular lip liner because of its rich, creamy, texture. Select a twist-up lip liner for an easy, dark line as it has a thin, pointed tip and requires no sharpening. A crayon liner gives you an easy application. Though similar to a pencil, they have a thicker, fuller tip. Many lip crayons come with a built-in sharpener and it’s best to sharpen your crayon before each use. Try a clear lip liner to keep your lipstick in place without additional color. If you want to prevent your lip color from bleeding but don’t want to add to your makeup, consider a matte precision lip liner.
- Skin tone
If you have cool undertones, lip liners with blue or purple undertones will go best. It is recommended that you avoid very light lipstick colors since they can make you look washed-out. If your skin has warm undertones, warmer shades of lip liners look the best, such as salmon, peach, and reddish orange. With a neutral skin tone, you can experiment with different colors as you have both warm and cool undertones to your complexion.
Now that you know what to look for while choosing the best waterproof lip liner for yourself, the next step is to know how to use it properly for the best effect. So, here are a few tips to help you in this task.
How To Use Waterproof Lip Liner
Step 1-
Place your pencil at the highest point of your lips and draw a diagonal line extending downwards while following your lip line. Repeat the same step on the other side as well to create an X at the center of your upper lip. The X shape works as a guide as to where you should start, especially in the beginning when you might have trouble creating the perfect shape on your own.
Step 2- Starting from the top of the X, draw a line going down towards the inner corner of your mouth. Repeat the same step for your lower lip as well. Start from the inner corner of your lips, and draw the line just till the center of your lip, slowly and steadily. This gives a good definition to lips.
Step 3- Follow the same steps on the other side as well. Use the pencil along the top of your natural lip line. If you have thin lips, it’s okay to take it slightly out of your lip line, but try not to overdo it. You can lightly smudge the line upwards with your finger, so that it looks like you’ve naturally fuller lips.
Step 4- Fill in with your lipstick of choice. You can also use a lip brush to blend the liner and lipstick together, but applying your lipstick straight from the tube or using your finger to lightly pat on the color will work equally well.
Infographic: How To Wear Lip Liners For Fuller Lips
Did you know you can create an illusion of bigger, fuller lips with a lip liner alone? It allows you to shape your lips and get that statement pout. Whether you love those overdrawn lips or ombre ones, you can nail just about any beauty trend using waterproof lip liners. Check out the infographic below to know more.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Lipsticks that smudge or fade easily can ruin your perfect look. In such cases, lip liners come as a blessing by defining the shape of your lips and providing statement-making, picture-perfect lips. For example, the DC Beautiful Pudaier Stereoscopic Lip Liner Set delivers long-lasting color and perfect pout, the NYX Professional Makeup Extreme Color Lip Liner – Nude Suede Shoes provides rich color payoff and matte finish, and the Palladio Retractable Lip Liner – Nearly Nude moisturizes and nourishes your lips. The most exciting part is that you can use the fade-resistant lip liners on the edges of your lips or paint your lips completely with them. A waterproof lip liner will always enhance lipstick life whether you wear it under your lipstick or on the lipstick. Furthermore, it is ideal to choose lip liners that are expertly crafted to be long-lasting, cruelty-free, and easy to wear. Finally, make sure that the lip liners you pick do not smear or break easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my lip liner be lighter or darker than the lipstick?
Always choose a lip liner that is one shade darker than your lipstick.
Should my lip liner match my lips or my lipstick?
A nude lip liner goes well with all lipstick shades. If you are going for a natural or no-makeup look, match your lip liner to your lip shade. If you are going for a bold lipstick color, choose a liner that is a shade darker than your lipstick color.
What is a permanent lip liner?
A permanent lip liner is a form of a tattoo on the lips. This process is called lip micro pigmentation. It makes your lips look fuller and symmetrical.
Does lip liner make your lips look bigger?
Yes, you can use a lip liner to make your lips look bigger. Choose a lip liner close to your skin tone and apply it slightly on the outer border of your lips to make them appear bigger.
Do you need a lip liner, even with matte lipstick?
Yes, you need a lip liner, even for a matte lipstick. Lip liner is essential irrespective of lipstick formula; it defines your lips and prevents the lipstick from bleeding out.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Srijani Roy Chowdhury, the author of this article, is a makeup aficionado. Her product recommendations are based on thorough research on various lip liners and user feedback. She has gone through multiple online forums to compile the list of the best waterproof lip liners for picture-perfect lips. These products can make your lips plump and gorgeous, and add the correct definition.
Read full bio of Savanah Norman
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Srijita De
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.