The 12 Best Lip Liners for Women Over 50: Long-Lasting Formulas That Make Lips Look Smooth and Plump

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend? More like lipstick is a girl’s best friend. It’s no secret that a good lip product can change your entire look, from a bold red hue to make a statement to a pretty, soft pink shade to make skin glow. But what’s lipstick without its partner in crime, lip liner? Lip liner not only helps to make the overall look last longer, but it also can make lips look fullerand more defined, making it the perfect lip product for women over 50. That’s why we rounded up the best lip liners for women over 50 that will complete any lip look with a single swipe.

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What to look for in a lip liner

There’s more that goes into choosing the best lip liner than just picking the color you like best (Although that definitely is important!). There are a few other factors to consider to ensure you’re choosing a liner you can rely on for your lip combo.

Look for lip liner that will have longevity

We’ve all used that lipstick or lip gloss that seems to wear off about as quickly as we put it on. It’s so frustrating to feel like you constantly need to reapply it throughout the day, and really, who has time for that? Thankfully, there are long-lasting lip liners that will make it through the day with little to no touch-ups. Make sure you look for labels that specifically say “long lasting”, “long wear”, “waterproof” or “transfer-proof”. These formulas are all more likely to last than the standard lip liner (that doesn’t include these on the label).

Find a lip liner that’s non-drying

Next, look for lip liners that won’t dry out your lips, or make them feel chalky or cakey. You want a smooth, soft formula that still has some grip to it. Many prefer gel or cream liners because they are nice and smooth, and easily glide onto the pout.

Opt for a lip liner that has precision

Lip liners are intended to define your lip shape, make lips appear fuller and add dimension and color to lips. Hence, make sure you choose a lip liner that has a precise applicator. If you have thin/small lips, avoid anything with a thick applicator. A pointed tip is typically best for the most precision.

Try a lip liner that will give lips more dimension

As mentioned above, lip liners can help add dimension to lips, which can make them look fuller, similar to how contour can make our face and features look more defined. And just like how with contour we choose a shade a little deeper than our skin tone, the same can be applied to our lip liner. Choosing a shade that’s slightly darker than your preferred lipstick or gloss will create the illusion of fuller lips, adding dimension and shape.

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The 12 best lip liners for women over 50

Not that you know what to look for in a lip liner, keep reading to see the best lip liners to pair with your favorite lipstick, gloss or lip oil for women over 50.

Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil

Starting off strong, Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil is a fan-favorite, and for good reason. It’s both waterproof and transfer-proof, and reviewers rave about its staying power. It has over 100 5-star reviews on Sephora, and many say they’ve repurchased multiple times because of how much they love it. Plus, the creamy formula glides on smooth, and even comes with a sharpener.

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Longwear Lip Liner

We love that Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Longwear Lip Liner has “longwear” in the name — a green flag to look for when choosing the best lip liner — and we think the claim holds true. This one also has a cult following, and users swear by both its longevity and smooth formula, despite it being matte (which can sometimes feel drying). It also gets bonus points for its ultra-precise applicator and pointed tip, which will give you defined lips effortlessly.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

By now, you’ve probably seen the hype over Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick and liner, the beautiful nudeish-pink color that seems to look good on everyone. But you might not have tried the brand’s other lip liners, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner , which we think deserve just as much hype as their OG Pillow Talk lipstick. It’s waterproof and transfer-proof, and claims to last up to six hours (pretty impressive for a lip liner!). We also love its shade range, with 19 hues to choose from. Just line lips and top with your favorite lip color!

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Sephora Collection Retractable Rouge Gel Lip Liner

For another option with an impressive shade range, turn to Sephora Collection Retractable Rouge Gel Lip Liner . With 18 shades, you’re sure to find a color that you love and pairs perfectly with your lipstick. It’s a creamy, gel formula, meaning it glides on smooth as butter and can help soften the appearance of fine lines. It lasts quite a while, but if you do need to reapply, it comes with a built-in sharpener that is easy to use on-the-go. Our personal favorite shade is the TikTok-viral Sephora lip liner in “Hot Sauce”. Plus, it’s just $13.

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Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner

This lip liner, Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner , made our list due to its waterproof, feather-proof and fade-proof properties, and even more, the fact that it actually plumps lips to amp up the fullness . The brand’s Semi-Permanent Micropigment Technology is what helps the color to not fade throughout the day, meaning little to no touch-ups. And its plumping effect comes from the formula’s moisturizing meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba oil and shea butter.

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Shaper Plumping Lip Liner

For another plumping lip liner option, look no further than Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Shaper Plumping Lip Liner . The brand is known for their lip plumping line, such as the Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper Gloss , which delivers plumper-looking lips quickly after applying. It does have a slight tingle, so if you’re sensitive to these kinds of lip plumpers, it’s probably best to avoid. But overall, we love how it can amp up thin lips, and that it’s waterproof and long-wearing.

Refy Lip Sculpt Lip Liner and Setter

You definitely won’t have to worry about your lip liner fading or feathering with Refy Lip Sculpt Lip Liner and Setter . Why? Because it comes with basically what is a setting spray for your lips, in the sense that it’s dual-ended with a precise brush and “setting” formula you swipe on after applying the liner. This “locks” in the formula, helping it to not budge all day or night. Its one caveat is that it doesn't have many shade options.

MAC Lip Liner Pencil

MAC is one of the OG’s when it comes to lip products, so it’s not surprising that MAC Lip Liner Pencil made our list for the best lip liners. This applicator is one of the most precise out of the bunch, which is ideal for mature lips that tend to be on the thinner side and may need more precision.

Kosas Hotliner Hyaluronic Acid Contouring Lip Liner

Hydration is key for achieving the look of fuller lips, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with Kosas Hotliner Hyaluronic Acid Contouring Lip Liner . Hyaluronic acid is a superhero ingredient for attracting moisture into skin and lips, and this in turn creates a plumping effect. To make it even better, it comes with a built-in sharpener, as well as a brush which can easily clean up any mishaps while lining lips.

Hourglass Shape and Sculpt Lip Liner

Lips will feel truly moisturized with Hourglass Shape and Sculpt Lip Liner , made with nourishing jojoba oil. Reviewers like the fact that it doesn’t “tug” at lips, or in other words, it glides on effortlessly and smoothly. However, it doesn’t have the largest shade range.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Lip Liner

Talk about long lasting, it’s hard to beat Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Lip Liner , which claims to have up to 16 hours (!!) of wear. The brand is known for their 24/7 Setting Spray, which will keep your makeup in place for hours, so it’s no shock their lip liner is just as long lasting.

NYX Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner

For the best drugstore lip liner option, we like NYX Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner , which has the widest shade range from this list with 24 colors to choose from. It costs less than $10, making it also the most affordable on this list. It’s infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E for soft lips and has a creamy formula for smoother application.

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