Let's talk liners!
When I line my lips with lip pencils, I almost always color in my whole lip so that if the lipstick on top fades, there will be an even layer of product underneath and will not just have a line around my lips. If you don't want to fill in your lip, it is actually a good idea to apply your lipstick first and then apply the liner to the edges. Again, this is to prevent product fading and leaving you with just a line around your lips.
I used to get customers at my job quite often that would pick out a lipstick and when I asked "Do you need help finding a lip liner for that?" they would say something along the lines of "Oh no, that's too complicated for me."
My internal reaction was WHAT?????
My professional response was either to say okay and move on or explain to them why lip liners make it easier. I'm always shocked when people find lip liners complicated because it's a pencil! You have ten times the precision from the fine point of a liner than you do with a fat lipstick bullet or liquid lipstick applicator. You can get perfectly lined and defined lips when you use a liner.
Whether you apply the liner before or after the lipstick, the key is to not go all the way to the edge of your lip with the lipstick so that you don't make a mess or have shaky lines. I honestly go on and off applying liner before or after the lipstick.
Also, if you are trying to get an ombre effect with your lipstick, liners help a lot. You can use a darker liner and line the lips while also coloring in the outer corners of your mouth. Then apply the slightly lighter lipstick all over the lips and go back in to touch up with the liner on the corners to blend together.
Here are some lip liners I've tried:
Essence Lip Liner ($1.99): One of my favorite lip liners because they're good and SO affordable! Honey Bun is my go-to to wear with light nude lipsticks. I use it almost every time I go out and wear a nude lip.
Essence Long Lasting Lipliner ($2.49): Just as good as the originals but these are retractable.
Jordana Easyliner for Lips ($2.49): I really like these because they’re retractable, they go on smoothly with nice pigment, and they’re so affordable!
Milani Anti-Feathering Lip Liner ($5): This is clear and it's meant to stop lip products from feathering/bleeding off your lips onto the skin around your lips but I honestly don't think it works.
Milani Color Statement Lip Liner ($4.99): Great liners! Creamy and pigmented.
NYX Retractable Waterproof Lip Liner ($5): Good, but not my favorite. Very similar to the Jordana ones. (see NYX slim lip pencil swatches below)
NYX Slide On Lip Pencils ($8): My favorite lip liners! They go on SO smooth, creamy and pigmented. I use Nude Suede Shoes all the time and also love Sugar Glass and Need Me. Dark Soul is the greatest burgundy everrrr. These are also waterproof so they’ll last long.
Revolution
NYX Slim Lip Pencil ($4): Another good affordable liner but not my favorite formula ever. Mauve is probably my favorite color in this line.
NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner, Soft Spoken ($4): Very similar to the NYX Slim Lip Pencils, but maybe a little more pigmented. They were made to be exact matches for other NYX lip products, including the entire range of Liquid Suedes and a lot of Soft Matte Lip Creams.
Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner ($4.79): They look nice on the lips but they tend to crumble when I apply them so I guess the formula is just too soft.
Wet n Wild Perfect Pout Gel Lip Liner, Bare to Comment ($2.99): Really good and affordable lip liner- smooth and pigmented.
