11 best nude lip liners for every skin tone – including Hailey Bieber's £4 favourite
Like the rest of us makeup lovers, I'm a sucker for nude lip liners, never leaving the house without my trusty lip pencil in my work bag for those on-the-go touchups. The appeal of the nude lip liner is undeniable – they go with virtually any look and manage to complement every skin tone. Not to mention, a good nude lip liner is the ideal base for any lip combo, whether you're after a classic office-friendly look, a 90s-inspired glossy lip or if you wanted to diffuse a bold red lipstick for an ombré ensemble .
Lucky for us, lip liners have evolved from drying and chalky variations to creamy formulas that glide on like butter, allowing for maximum precision and seamless application. Plus, there's plenty of long-lasting options that will easily get you through your 9-5 (Refy Lip Sculpt, we're looking at you).
As far as shades go, nude lip liners come in a wide variety of colours. You have your neutral browns, your mauvy pinks, and everything in-between. There's also a plethora of shades that are meant to best compliment your exact skin tone, according to your undertone. So if you're someone who has a cool undertone, you might want to stick to nude shades that are more on the pink side, whereas warm undertones call for brown tones, and if you're team neutral – aim for for a balance of both.
Best nude lip liners at a glance – our top picks:
- Best nude lip liner overall: NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Liner Pencil, £4, Boots
- Best 2-in-1 nude lip liner: REFY Lip Sculpt, £18, REFY Beauty
- Best drugstore nude lip liner: Rimmel Lasting Finish 8Hr Lip Liner, £3.99, Boots
- Best hydrating nude lip liner: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner, £21, Charlotte Tilbury
Everyone from professional MUAs, content creators and celebs swear by nude lip liners, and you'd be surprised by just how affordable some of the said options are. Case in point: in one of her " Strawberry girl" makeup videos on TikTok, Hailey Bieber was seen applying a certain nude lip liner from NYX Cosmetics in shade Nude Truffle, which ICYMI costs just £4 (yes, really).
She was also seen wearing the viral Makeup Forever lip liner in shade Anywhere Caffeine, which is another cult-favourite brown shade that has the TikTok stamp of approval. Speaking of celebrity-adored lip liners, none other than Kylie Jenner (the queen of lipsticks herself) has repeatedly worn the iconic MAC lip pencil in shade Whirl, which is a mauvy nude that compliments all skin tones.
But we get it: given the sheer amount of brands (and shades) available, choosing the perfect nude lip liner can feel a bit intimidating, especially when shopping online. Luckily, we've done all the hard work for you and have rounded up the very best option on the market right now, including cult-favourite classics and viral shades, as well as affordable gems and some of the pricier options if you're in the mood to splurge. Rest assured, because the GLAMOUR beauty team has already tested hundreds of the said lip liners to see how they perform in terms of longevity and pigment departments. So buckle up, and start bookmarking…
Looking for more lip products? Check out our guides on the best lipsticks, best lip liners, best lip stains and lip tints, as well as the best lip oils, best lip balms and the best nude lipsticks that suit all undertones.
For more makeup, skincare and haircare content from Glamour UK Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Ahead, all of the best nude lip liners worth adding to your makeup bag…
NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Liner Pencil
Why we love it: Not only is this lip liner from NYX widely considered to be one of the best around, it’s also incredibly affordable. It features a long-wear formula that glides on like butter and resists bleeding or feathering. Oh, and did we mention that it’s also adored by none other than Hailey Bieber (AKA the queen of lip combos herself)?
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Nude Truffle.
For medium skin tones: Mauve.
For dark skin tones: Club Hopper.
Looking to save some money at checkout? Check out our Boots discount codes when shopping for the best nude lip liners.
Why we love it: REFY combines a creamy, blendable lip liner with a one-of-a-kind lip setter, which helps set your lip liner and creates a smooth matte finish that keeps your makeup look fresh and hydrated for up to 10 hours at a time. It comes in 6 different shades to match any skin tone and you won’t ever need to reach for the sharpener since it never dulls.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Taupe.
For medium skin tones: Fawn.
For dark skin tones: Sepia.
Save big when shopping for nude lip liners using these Sephora discount codes.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil
Why we love it: Is it a lip liner, an eyeshadow pencil, a blush or an eyeliner? The answer is yes. This versatile lip kit has a highly pigmented, creamy finish that’s powered by ingredients such as kaolin, ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C), synthetic wax and iron oxides.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Anywhere Caffeine.
For medium skin tones: Up & Down Tan.
For dark skin tones: Versatile Chestnut.
Why we love it: It’s clear to see why an ultra-smooth nude lip liner with a soft and creamy texture would be such a global bestseller and firm favourite among makeup artists. Ideal for shaping, filling and applying the perfect lip line, this product can even be sharpened for those occasions when you’re after a very precise application.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Boldly Bare.
For medium skin tones: Stripdown.
For dark skin tones: Chestnut.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
Why we love it: With Charlotte Tilbury, fuller lips have never been easier to achieve. This iconic lip liner features a hydrating and moisturising formulation that features just the right blend of jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid to help your lips look and feel amazing. Give it a whirl!
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Iconic Nude.
For medium skin tones: Pillow Talk 2 Medium.
For dark skin tones: Pillow Talk 3 Intense.
Why we love it: Looking to create the perfect pout? Say no more. This sculpting lip liner from Bobbi Brown is exactly what you need. It comes with a velvety formula that creates a natural-looking definition – just pair it with your favourite lip gloss and watch it work its magic.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Pale Mauve.
For medium skin tones: Nude.
For dark skin tones: Chocolate.
Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner
Why we love it: This waterproof lip liner from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty provides full coverage, a matte finish and unmatched staying power all in just one quick swipe. The best part is that the brand also has a matching lipstick for each lip liner shade, meaning you’ll never have to worry about mismatching products.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Talented.
For medium skin tones: Worthy.
For dark skin tones: Strong.
Rimmel Lasting Finish 8Hr Lip Liner
Why we love it: Available in 14 different shades to choose from, this long-lasting lip liner from Rimmel London blends in seamlessly and matches all lip colours and lipsticks with ease. The best part is its affordable price point – after all, under £4? Yes please.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: 90’s Nude.
For medium skin tones: Cappuccino.
For dark skin tones: Brownie Pie.
Why we love it: Available in 12 different shades, this retractable lip liner never goes blunt, meaning you’ll always have it available whenever you need you’re in the mood for some gorgeous, filler-free overlining. All the glam with none of the fuss.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Pinky Brown.
For medium skin tones: Warm Brown.
For dark skin tones: Rich Brown.
Max Factor Colour Elixir Lip Liner
Why we love it: Conditioning, plumping, defining… Is there anything this pigmented lip liner can’t do? It’s an absolute must-have for your makeup bag, in part thanks to a nourishing formula that contains ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C), hydrogenated cottonseed oil and seed oil, all of which work in tandem to keep your lips moisturised.
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: Brown N Nude.
For medium skin tones: Mauve Moment.
For dark skin tones: Brown N Bold.
KIKO Milano Creamy Colour Comfort Lip Liner
Why we love it: This trending lip product packs a punch, thanks to a transfer-proof, smudge-proof and waterproof formula that consistently delivers rich colour. Plus, did we mention that it’s skincare-friendly and dermatologist-approved?
GLAMOUR-approved shades:
For fair skin tones: 04 Vintage Rose.
For medium skin tones: 21 Cinnamon Honey.
For dark skin tones: 22 Red Amber.
