Last fall I wrote about being converted into a daily lipliner-wearer, and that statement has still been ringing true today. I've collected a small arsenal of neutral shades (surprise, surprise) that pretty much go under any lipstick shade, and lately I just can't even go a day without donning one of these trusty shades. My lips are a little uneven in color, with it fading out to my skintone at the edges, so using a natural lip liner just makes them look plumper without even overlining.
MAC Whirl, MAC Soar, Marc Jacobs Prim(rose), Milani All Natural, MAC Edge to Edge
I'll start this roundup with MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl, the one that started it all. This is a super pretty dusty rose shade that can look more pink or more brown depending on how much pressure you use to apply it. This is really perfect if you're going for a neutral look, and it looks phenomenal under a 90s brown lip (yep, I'm still into those). I'm a huge fan of the MAC Lip Pencil formula - creamy enough to glide on, but dry enough to stay put for ages.
Soon after I fell in love with Whirl, I set my sights on Soar by MAC. I thought this slightly more pinky/mauve alternative would be a perfect addition to my collection. I wear this one under my more mauvey neutrals, and it was my go-to for the spring.
Up until earlier this summer, Whirl and Soar were pretty much the only two I rotated between. But you may recall my impulse purchase of the Marc Jacobs (P)Outliner Longwear Lip Pencil in Prim(rose), which I have absolutely zero regrets over. It's similar to Soar, but it's slightly paler, making it the perfect my-lips-but-better shade for me. I've been ranting and raving about this baby all summer, so I'm sure you probably know by now I've been blown away by its lasting power. I don't know how they do it, but it's more creamy than the MAC pencils and yet lasts longer.
Another one I got around the same time as the Marc Jacobs offering was the Milani Color Statement Lipliner in All Natural (04). This, along with the Marc Jacobs pencil, was mentioned in my July Favorites. This one has more of a brown tone to it, but again is paler than Whirl or Soar, so it looks more natural. It's perfect if I'm doing a neutral look and don't want the lips to make a huge statement. It also goes perfectly underneath MAC Velvet Teddy.
Lastly is a new addition (I only got it a week ago), but it's one I've been reaching for almost every day this week. I happened to be at the MAC counter swatching lip pencils (because I just can't get enough neutral ones) when I stumbled upon Edge to Edge. I had never heard of it before, but it looked like the perfect addition to my collection. As you can see from the swatches above, this one doesn't have much of a brown tone to it like the other ones, but instead is just the perfect cool pinky-mauve. It's a nice change from the barrage of brown tones, and it actually goes perfect underneath MAC Syrup - a combination I haven't been able to get enough of since getting this pencil.
What are your favorite lip pencils?