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Brown lip liner might look like one of today’s trend-driven essentials, but its story goes far beyond aesthetics. What started as a tool born of necessity has become a staple for sculpting, defining, and enhancing lips of all shapes and tones. “Black and [brown] women started lining their lips with brown pencils, particularly in the 1990s,” says Ciara Williams, a makeup artist based in Columbus, Ohio. “Makeup brands lacked inclusivity,” she explains, which led many to use eyebrow and eyeliner pencils instead. “It showed resourcefulness, creativity, and ultimately empowered [these] women to stand out in a beauty standard that excluded them.”
Fast forward to now, and brown lip liner is no longer a workaround—it’s the blueprint. Whether you’re reaching for a cool taupe to contour, a warm cocoa to overline, or a neutral brown to subtly enhance your lip shape, there’s a hue to match every look. The best formulas do it all: sculpt, define, fill in, and lock in color under your go-to lip products. Layer it under a gloss for a juicy finish, blend it into lipstick for an ombré effect, or wear it solo for that blurred, lived-in look.
Our Top Brown Lip Liners
- Best Overall: MAC Lip Pencil in Cork, $25
- Best for Overlining: Merit Signature Lip Liner in Bespoke, $24
- Best Drugstore: ColourPop Long-Lasting Lippie Pencil in BFF 3, $7
- Best Cream Finish: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner in Brown, $23
- Best Matte Finish: Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Travis, $26
- Best Multi-Use: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Endless Cacao, $24
- Best Dark Brown: Fenty Beauty Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner in Coal Blooded, $20
- Best for Sharp Precision: Juvia's Place Luxe Lip Liner in Espresso, $13
- Best for Gloss Pairing: NYX Professional Makeup Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner in Make a Statement, $8
Ahead, you’ll find the best brown lip liner pencils, loved by editors and backed by pros, that elevate any lip combo and hold up through meals, cocktails, and kiss-tested wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you find the right brown lip liner shade?
- What’s the best way to apply brown lip liner, and do you have any tips for people with double lip lines?
- Can you make your lip liner smudge-proof or minimize transfer and smudging?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: MAC Lip Pencil in Cork
Why we love it: MAC’s iconic Lip Pencil in Cork is a backstage regular for a reason. The creamy formula applies like a dream without skipping or dragging, providing a consistent application that’s perfect for defining, overlining, or filling in lips. This fan-favorite, mauve-brown hue is one of 10 curated brown tones in the lineup. Whether worn solo, layered under gloss, or paired with your favorite lipstick, Cork delivers versatile wear for any look. Blend it out for a contoured ombré effect, or trace it just outside your natural lip line for instant fullness.
Tester feedback from Allure social media manager Bianca Richards: "Growing up, the MAC pencil lip liner was a staple in my mom's makeup stash, so it makes sense why it's become my holy grail liner. Not only is this a tried-and-true liner for its color payoff and formulation, but Cork complements my lips so well. It's so hard to find that perfect shade of brown that is versatile in a way where I can apply one coat for a simple/minimal contrast, or add more product for more definition without appearing too stark."
Finish: satin-like | Key ingredients: N/A | Brown shades: 9 | Sharpenable: yes
Best for Overlining: Merit Signature Lip Liner in Bespoke
Why we love it: Achieving a pretty, my-lips-but-better pout just got easier with Merit’s Signature Lip Liner. Our pick? Bespoke is a cool-toned pinky-brown that applies like a balm with a satin finish and builds to full coverage. Its rounded tip makes overlining effortless, allowing for smooth, even strokes that follow the natural curves of your lips. Infused with a nourishing jojoba complex, the lightweight gel formula won’t tug or break, providing a smooth, moisturizing glide that keeps lips hydrated throughout the day. The pencil also features a built-in sharpener, providing a precise, pointed tip whenever you need it.
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Tester feedback from Allure content director Kara McGrath: "As a pretty pale person, I find that a solid brown lip liner can look a little too harsh on me for everyday. That's why I'm obsessed with Merit's version: It's a sheer (but buildable) liner that just gives my lips a little bit of definition. It blends really easily, layers beautifully under a lip oil, and comes in a fairly wide range of browns. My personal favorite is Bespoke, which has a pinky undertone that works well with my natural lip color."
Finish: satin-like | Key ingredients: jojoba complex | Brown shades: 5 | Sharpenable: yes
Best Drugstore: ColourPop Long-Lasting Lippie Pencil in BFF 3
Why we love it: A bold lip doesn’t have to break the bank—welcome ColourPop’s Long-Lasting Lippie Pencil in BFF #3 to the chat. This deep-neutral brown with warm undertones delivers a rich color payoff in a single swipe. Its classic pointed tip makes precise application easy, whether you're sketching out your cupid’s bow or subtly overlining for extra fullness. While it feels creamy and applies smoothly, it sets down to a matte look with impressive staying power, especially when worn alone. And yes, it sharpens with any standard pencil sharpener for always-crisp lines.
Tester feedback from Allure shopping market editor Ang Trakoshis: "I'm testing lip liners for Best of Beauty, and to the brands that sent me brown hues—thank you! This one for ColourPop is a chocolate brown that’s creamy, buildable, and long-lasting. Apply it with a light hand for a softer nude or a firmer hand for a deeper brown."
Finish: matte | Key ingredients: N/A | Brown shades: 1 | Sharpenable: yes
Best Cream Finish: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner in Brown
Why we love it: No one wants to drag a dry pencil across their lips. Thankfully, Tarte's Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner melts like butter. The classic brown color delivers a soft, satin finish, while maracuja oil and hyaluronic acid work together to hydrate, plump, and condition your lips. And you can rest assured that you’ll get a sculpted cupid’s bow every time, thanks to the built-in sharpener that keeps the tip precise.
Tester feedback from Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel: "Being a Black girl who grew up in the ‘90s, I’m a connoisseur of brown lip liners. My current go-to is Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner in Brown from Tarte. My favorite thing about it is that there is no need for a sharpener; just twist to get more. The formula is creamy going on, gives a few seconds to blend, but dries down to an immovable finish. I often pair it with my signature red liquid lipstick to give my lips definition."
Finish: satin-like | Key ingredients: maracuja oil, hyaluronic acid | Brown shades: 1 | Sharpenable: yes
Best Matte: Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Travis
Why we love it: Matte doesn’t have to mean dry, and the Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Travis is proof. This milk chocolate brown lends full-coverage, suede-like pigment in a single swipe, extending the life of any lipstick layered on top. With a built-in brush for blurring, blending, and shaping, and a separate sharpener included with every pencil, you’ll get clean, pristine lines every time. No wonder this standout liner earned a spot as one of Allure’s 2024 Best of Beauty winners.
Tester feedback from Trakoshis: “Leave it to Mario Dedivanovic to create the perfect lip liner. I love this dual-ended lip liner that comes with a built-in brush to blend and blur all harsh lines. Most days, I'll just line my lips, blend it out, and leave the house—no lipstick needed.”
Tester feedback from Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor: “I share Trakoshis' fondness for the lip liner, but in shade Travis, because it's the perfect medium-brown hue for my two-toned lips. It’s not too overpowering, and when paired with my favorite gloss, it really pops.”
Finish: matte | Key ingredients: N/A | Brown shades: 7 | Sharpenable: yes
More brown lip liners we love
Best Multi-Use: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Endless Cacao
Why we love it: One pencil, endless possibilities. The Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Endless Cacao is a cool-toned taupe-brown that doubles (and triples) as a lip liner, brow definer, eyeliner, and even as a contour stick. Its precision tip creates ultra-fine lines, while the velvety-matte, non-drying formula blends easily for smoky eyes, lined lips, or softly sculpted cheeks. This pencil delivers pro-level versatility, whether for a monochromatic moment or a full face of graphic detail.
Tester feedback from Taylor: “I’ve been searching for a cool-toned brown lip liner to complement my neutral undertones and two-toned pinky mauve lip color, and Endless Cacao by Make Up For Ever is my perfect match. The texture is also just dry enough to hold its shape, but still applies seamlessly, and it lasts through wining and dining.”
Finish: matte | Key ingredients: N/A | Brown shades: 5 | Sharpenable: yes
Best Dark Brown: Fenty Beauty Trace'd Out Longwear Pencil Lip Liner in Coal Blooded
Why we love it: With a name like Coal Blooded, this liner means business, making it an ideal base for an intense lip combo. Fenty Beauty’s Trace’d Out Longwear Lip Pencil in this deep black-brown shade delivers high-impact color that flatters every skin tone without ever veering ashy. The buttery formula offers an even, fluid application that sets like a liquid for a velvet-matte finish, lasting up to eight hours. It’s waterproof, transfer-resistant, feather-resistant, and very ready for day-to-night wear.
Editor’s tip: For those with two-toned or naturally darker lips, finding a liner that shows up without looking ashy is key, and Fenty Beauty’s Coal Blooded gets it right. “It’s very common for Black and brown women to have two-toned or darker lips,” says Williams. “The process of lining them is no different. It’s just about choosing a shade that has great color payoff.” The deep black-brown tint of Coal Blooded delivers definition that won’t disappear into your natural lip tone.
Finish: matte | Key ingredients: N/A | Brown shades: 4 | Sharpenable: yes
Best for Sharp Precision: Juvia's Place Luxe Lip Liner in Espresso
Why we love it: When it comes to precision, the Juvia’s Place Luxe Lip Liner in Espresso doesn’t miss. This twist-up pencil features a fine tip that lets you accentuate, shape, and overline with total control—no sharpener required. The coffee-brewed brown pigment sweeps across lips with a velvety texture and sets to a matte finish that stays put without fading or smudging. Perfect for lining or filling in, the long-lasting formula locks in color and enhances the wear of your favorite lipsticks or glosses.
Editor’s tip: Williams is a fan of Juvia’s Place not just for their pigment payoff, but for how effortlessly their brown lip liners show up across the full spectrum of skin tones. “They have great shade ranges,” she says, adding that you don’t need to splurge to find your match. Her go-to advice? Keep a warm, cool, and neutral-toned brown liner in your kit, always.
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
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best brown lip liners, we considered each product's performance across four primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
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