Lip liner is a makeup product that adds pigment to your lips to create dimension and distinct lines between your lips and skin. There are three types of lip liners: pencil lip liners, twist-up lip liners, and crayon lip liners. You can sharpen pencil lip liners to a fine point, while twist-up and crayon liners have a thicker tip ideal for adding volume. Lip liners come in a wide range of colors, from neutral pinks and browns to bold reds and purples.

Lip liners pigment and outline your lips to create definition or added volume. Tracing your lip area with liner also serves as an outline as you glide on lipstick or other lip products.

You can experiment with different lip liner shades to create bold or natural makeup looks. Here are some tips to help you pick the right lip liner:

1. 1. Consider your natural skin tone. When selecting a lip liner, use your skin type and natural undertones as a guide. Cool skin tones have a blue tint, so lip liners with a purple, mauve, or blue hue enhance your natural complexion. If you have warm undertones in your skin, select a lip liner with orange or red hues, such as peach or coral shades.
2. 2. Decide how much definition your lipstick look needs. Different lip liners offer various benefits. A slim lip pencil has the thinnest tip, allowing for greater precision, while crayon or twist-up lip liners create a softer, thicker line.
3. 3. Look for lip pencils with staying power. Look to add long-lasting lip liners to your makeup bag to help ensure your lip products remain in place without smudging for as long as possible.
4. 4. Match your lip liner with your lipstick color. Create definition and volume by overlining lips with lip liner and wearing a matching lipstick shade. Opt for lipstick shades close to your natural lip color for a no-makeup look, or try a bold red lipstick.
5. 5. Opt for a moisturizing lip liner. Look for sulfate- and cruelty-free lip liners with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, and hyaluronic acid if you have dry skin. Matte lipsticks can dry out lips, so apply other lip moisturizers like lip balms or oils to finish your makeup look or at night to keep dry lips hydrated.

Whether you opt for a matte lip look with liquid lipstick or try a high-shine finish with tinted lip gloss, lip liners help you create a defined lip look. Follow these skincare and makeup steps to help you apply lip liner:

1. 1. Start with exfoliation. Create the perfect pout by exfoliating first to remove flaky skin from your lips. Use a soft toothbrush or a drugstore or DIY lip scrub to remove dead skin and avoid exfoliating more than once a week since too much exfoliation can irritate your skin and make your lips drier.
2. 2. Prep your liner. Select a lip liner pencil that matches the color of your lipstick. Before applying the liner, use a pencil sharpener to prep the tip and ensure the lines come out thin and sharp. Lining your lips helps you outline where to apply your lipstick and prevents it from feathering, creating a long-wearing and striking lip look.
3. 3. Add volume and define your lip shape. Makeup artists suggest starting your liner application at your cupid’s bow or the center part of your upper lip and tracing your top lip first. Continue to follow the natural lip line to the outer corners. After you line your upper lip, repeat on your bottom lip. Nude lip liner shades create a natural shadow that adds depth to the lip area.
4. 4. Pair lip liner with concealer for extra definition. Try this liner hack: Apply concealer arond the edges of your lips. Applying concealer after your lipstick and lip liner creates well-defined lines, helping draw attention to your bold lips, especially if you use a bold color. After finishing your lip color application, clean up the edges by carefully applying concealer around the pigment to create a pronounced line between your lips and skin.

Avoid the makeup hack of using lip liner as eyeliner; the pigments in lip liners include ingredients formulated for your lip area only, so only use the products to line lips.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Bobbi Brown, RuPaul, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furste