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Channel Your Inner ’90s Supermodel With These Expert-Loved Brown Lip Liners
Fan-favorite picks from Make Up For Ever, Fenty Beauty, Glossier, and more.
If you search “lip combos” on YouTube or TikTok, chances are every video will have a common denominator: lip liner. And not just any lip liner; many of these videos feature lip liners in deep, dark brown hues that add a toasty edge—literally—to the lips, creating the perfect ombre border for glossy nudes or mauve-y lipsticks.
“A lip liner defines the lips, providing a clean border and guidelines for subsequent products,” says pro makeup artist Chloe Grace Baltimore. “It can also make lips appear fuller or more structured, enhancing the overall lip look. Lip liners are universally flattering and versatile when applied with the right techniques.”
Once a beauty staple seen on just about every ’90s icon you can think of—including Pamela Anderson, Naomi Campbell, and Victoria Beckham, to name a few—everything old is new again, and brown lip liners seem to be here to stay indefinitely. “As a Black makeup artist and consumer, brown lip liners have always been a staple for me and my clients because they complement deeper skin tones,” explains Baltimore. “Communities of color have embraced this look for decades. Yet, as pop culture trends often go, it was adopted by celebrities and influencers, making it mainstream, often without paying homage to its originators. The increasing popularity of brown liners is a part of the embrace of ’90s culture and aesthetics,”
Our picks for the best brown lip liners of 2025
Finding the right brown lip liner is crucial to your desired look—too light of a shade can fade into your skin tone, while a darker liner can completely alter the color of your lip gloss or lipstick. To ensure you’re equipped with all the knowledge and inspiration needed to begin your search, we polled professional makeup artists, perused our personal beauty collections, and combed through customer reviews to find the 10 best brown lip liners to enhance your lip combos.
Ami Colé Soft Shape Lip Liner, Midnight
Pros
- Universally flattering for deep skin tones
Cons
- Staying power could be better
A lip liner should do more than create a border for your lipsticks and lip glosses—it should also soothe and nourish. Ami Colé’s formula does exactly that with the help of shea butter, marula oil, and vitamin E. It’s no wonder it’s a staple in the makeup kits of artists like Jaleesa Jaikaran, who favors these lip liners because “their deeper shades account for those with deeper hues. Ami Cole liners are a staple in my professional and personal makeup kit,” she tells ELLE.com.
Shades: 5
Sephora rating: 4.9/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve used and sharpened this lip liner so much it’s basically a mini liner now—that’s just how good it is. My lips are typically lined with eyeliner instead of a traditional lip liner because eye and brow formulas last longer on the lips. However, this lip liner truly rivals my favorite formulas because it has a buttery smooth application and has a deep brown shade that pairs well with Ami Colé’s lip glosses.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner, Brown
Pros
- Built-in sharpener
Cons
- More options for deeper tones
Baltimore reaches for these lip liners because they “are easy to use with a built-in sharpener for convenience.” For those using a drying lipstick, rest assured this lip liner can provide the nourishment needed. Like Tarte’s cult-favorite lip glosses, the liner is formulated with maracuja, along with conditioning hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
Shades: 8
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I tried this lip liner on a whim and have stayed with it ever since, and here we are years later. I have multiple colors, but my everyday ones are Dusty Rose or Mauve. It doesn’t bleed and stays all day; it goes well under my lipsticks, although I often don’t even need it and just wear lip liner by itself. I love that it doesn’t dry out my lips.”
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Longwear Eye, Brown & Lip Liner, Dimensional Dark Brown
Pros
- Suitable for use on the eyes, brows, and lips
Cons
- Will have to sharpen often for a smooth application
Regardless of your skill level, having this pencil in your arsenal will be a game-changer. The formula is designed for use on your lips, brows, and eyes, simplifying your makeup routine.
Shades: 11
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “My hunt to find the deepest, sexiest dark brown lip liner stopped when I tested this pencil in Dimensional Dark Brown. The hue is deep enough that it’s almost black, but still has a gorgeous brown shade that complements whatever nude lipstick or gloss I pair it with. Plus, because the formula works for other regions on our face, it lasts way longer than I expected.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Creamy formula
Cons
- Not deep enough for darker complexions
When it comes to lip liners, MAC Chestnut is a classic choice. The warm brown shade was probably everyone’s introduction to lip liners and looks flattering on most skin tones. “These liners are known for their rich pigment, blendability, and long wear,” says Baltimore.
Shades: 35
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is the holy grail and isn’t going anywhere. It's the perfect shade to help balance any lipstick, gloss, or lip oil. This liner has been my longest-used brown lip liner in my 12-year career.”—Jaleesa Jaikaran, makeup artist
Pros
- Creamy texture seamlessly glides on lips
Cons
- Could last longer
Hailey Bieber’s latest beauty offering focuses on creating shape and dimension. Great for enhancing your Peptide Lip Treatment or on its own, the new lip contours are already an ELLE Beauty hit and a favorite of Jaikaran. “Rhode Peptide Lip Shape in “Flex” and “Move” are gorgeous and the texture glides on seamlessly. This has quickly become a favorite of mine, and I know I will need multiples,” says Jaikaran.
Shades: 11
An ELLE editor says: “Although this isn’t technically considered a lip liner, I use it to line and blur my vermillion border, which helps create the illusion of a plumper lip without looking like I colored outside the lines. Hailey Bieber named “Stretch” as one of her go-to’s for the ’90s-inspired look, and it’s become my favorite neutral milk chocolate brown to pair with anything from Chanel’s lipstick in Boy to Merit’s matte lipstick in Equestrian.”—Carol Lee, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner, Coal Blooded
Pros
- Rich hues
Cons
- Will need to sharpen often for smoothness
As a performer, Rihanna knows a thing or two about a product’s lasting power. Therefore, it makes sense that her lip liners would not only be incredibly pigmented but would also last through yap sessions, meals, and drinks.
Shades: 10
Sephora rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “When I say I like dark brown lip liners, Coal Blooded is exactly the hue I’m referring to. Not only does this creamy texture slide on my lips like butter, but the shade is so deep and pigmented that I look like an old-school vixen in just one swipe.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Creamy, buttery finish
Cons
- Needs more options for darker tones
A Charlotte Tilbury darling understands that no look is complete without a gorgeous, semi-overlined lip and lipstick. Even with a velvety texture, this liner offers precision to expertly outline your lips for the perfect Hollywood glam finish Charlotte Tilbury is known for.
Shades: 23
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat in Foxy Brown is perfect. No notes. Most lip liners eventually dry my lips out, but this one manages not to suck out all the moisture out of my lips and still stay in place. Plus it’s a delicious shade of chestnut brown that’s weirdly hard to find. This lip liner plus Charlotte Tilbury’s lipstick in Pillow Talk Medium has been my everyday lip combo for months at this point, and I can’t tell you how many people have asked about it. I lost my train on the purse in December, and those were the two products I was the most sad about losing and eager to replace.”—Carol Lee, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner, Matte Brown
Pros
- Strong staying power
Cons
- Product finishes fast
You get the best of both worlds with this Sephora eyeliner. Yes, technically it isn’t designed for lips, but for those looking to reduce touch-ups throughout the day, this formula is both waterproof and long-lasting, built to last throughout whatever your day may bring.
Shades: 17
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “A a few years ago, I had my makeup done by a makeup artist who suggested I switch my lip liner for an eyeliner or brow formula to help my lip color last longer. My first purchase was this Sephora eyeliner, which is retractable—perfect for someone like me, whose vanity is no place for a tiny sharpener. This pencil stays put through my morning lattes and even lunch. And throughout the day, it fades to a subtle, natural outline around my lips.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Sacheu Lip Liner Stay-N-Peel Off Lip Liner Tattoo, HEY-zel
Pros
- Long-lasting formula
Cons
- Needs deeper shades
If you’re an avid TikTok scroller, you’ve seen videos of people peeling something off the outline of their lips before applying a lip product. Sacheu’s peel-off lip liner is the culprit, beloved for its transfer-proof and long-lasting formula.
Shades: 7
Amazon rating: 3.7/5 stas
An Amazon reviewer says: “The process was so simple; mine dried down super fast and left a very pretty color when I peeled it off. Will be ordering another color!”
Glossier Lip Line Enhancing Hydrating Longwear Lip Liner Pencil, Bare
Pros
- Transfer- and water-resistant
Cons
- Not pigmented enough for darker skin tones
A blend of nourishing ingredients, like jojoba oil and fractional quartz, are found in this liner to keep your lips hydrated and moisturized throughout the day. Plus, it’s so lightweight and easily applies to the lips.
Shades: 9
Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is the best lip liner I have EVER tried!!! This needs some more hype. It lasts awhile, and the color is just so pretty. This is my new favorite lip liner!”
Meet the Experts
Chloe Grace Baltimore is a professional makeup artist.
Jaleesa Jaikaran is a NYC-based makeup artist.
What is the best way to apply lip liner?
This is where your elementary school drawing skills come into play. “The best way to apply lip liner is to trace the natural lip line in short strokes, then blend the liner into the center of the lips with a brush or your fingertips,” Baltimore explains. “For added fullness, you can slightly overline, making sure to keep the overlining subtle for a more natural effect.”
What are some common mistakes to avoid when using lip liner?
“One common mistake is overlining too dramatically,” Baltimore says. After all, the point of a lip liner is to create a border for your lip products to ensure your finished look is clean and precise. “While a subtle overline can enhance the lips, going too far outside the natural lip line can appear unflattering, especially from a side profile. Blending the liner well is also important to avoid a harsh line that doesn’t match the rest of the lip,” she shares.
Experimenting with different shades is important to find the most suitable option for your skin tone. “Another mistake is using a lip liner that doesn’t compliment your natural skin tone—this is especially important for those of a deeper complexion whose lips are often naturally darker. Lastly, avoid skipping the blending step! A liner that’s too sharp or not blended into the lips can create an overly defined, harsh look,” she adds.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose polled makeup artists to find the best brown lip liners for all skin tones.
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