They also prevent the lip color from smearing on your entire face, also known as bleeding. What’s more? Lip liners are known to avoid feathering, i.e., when the lipstick gets on the lines of your lips and results in uneven coverage. Before applying your lipstick, you can use a clear lip liner as a base, and it will hold your lipstick in place and provide an even-toned and strong-pigmented color. For many people, finding the right lip liner shade might seem like a hassle, so they can opt for a clear lip liner, which does the job equally well. In this article, we have curated a list of the best clear lip liners you can choose from. Keep reading!
What Does A Clear Lip Liner Do?
Clear lip liners or invisible lip liners can be a gamechanger when added to your beauty routine. Since they are transparent, they can match any lipstick color you apply and lock it securely to avoid feathering and bleeding. They draw precisely along your lips to accentuate them and give them proper definition. You can even use invisible lip liners as a primer to prepare your lips for lipstick or lipgloss to give it an even look. And if a clear lip liner comes equipped with some nourishing ingredients like essential oils or vitamins, even better. This will ensure that your lips are soft and kissable as opposed to being dry and cracked. Not only that, they hold both matte and glossy lip products well. So, go slather on that lip gloss, girl!
10 Best Invisible Lip Liners That Will Give You Bomb Lips
1. Best Long-Lasting:Maybelline New York ColorSensational Shaping Lip Liner
The Maybelline New York ColorSensational Shaping Lip Liner comes with a self-sharpening tip to completely revolutionize your lip vanity! It’s never been easier to give an impression of full and defined lips, as the creamy pencil glides easily along your lip line and cupid’s bow. Made with a smudge-proof formula, it helps your lipstick last longer by acting as a primer without any fear of feathering or bleeding. You can go on with your day rest assured that your lips are making an impact. This video will give you a better insight into the product. Pros
Long-lasting Easy application Smudge-proof Glides on easily Locks in lip product for long hours
Cons
Tip may be weak and prone to breakage
2. Best Weightless Formula:Covergirl Farewell Feathering Lip Liner Crayon
What’s better than an invisible lip liner pencil is one that also nourishes your lips. The Covergirl Farewell Feathering Lip Liner Pencil is filled with the goodness of jojoba and cottonseed oils and vitamin E which make your lips soft and moisturized, ready to take on some color. This clear lip liner makes sure to lock in color on your lips to prevent any bleeding or feathering. The chubby stick gives a sturdy grip and the tip glides easily to make application smooth even if you don’t have a steady hand. Pros
Can be paired with any lip color Easy, precise application Lightweight formula Works on any skin tone Doubles as a lip primer Long-lasting
Cons
May need frequent sharpening
3. Best Creamy Texture:Rimmel Moisture Renew Universal Transparent Lipliner
Rimmel is known to carry cosmetics that have become favorites in the beauty world. Their Moisture Renew Universal Transparent Lipliner is super creamy and gives a longer staying power to any lip color. If you were an artist, this invisible liner is your paintbrush and you can use it to fill, prime, and line your lips to accentuate them to the fullest. As a plus, this non-bleeding formula contains shea butter and castor oil to make your lips softer and more kissable. Get yourself a clear lip lining pencil that stays put through anything you do without becoming dry or cakey. It goes without saying that your lipstick won’t even budge for upto 7 hours— forget feathering! As the icing on top, the Moisture Renew Universal Transparent Lipliner is also dermatologically-tested. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of the product. Pros
Creamy texture Contains moisturizing ingredients Long staying power Smudge-proof Tip is soft and glides smoothly
Cons
Not water-resistant
4. Best Nourishing Ingredients:Milani Anti-Feathering Lipliner
For a pout that doesn’t bleed or feather, you need to get your hands on the Milani Anti-Feathering Lipliner. True to its name, it keeps your lipstick safe within the lines with no feathering and bleeding, giving you well-defined lips. The translucent shade helps to keep your lip color from spilling out and smudging. And what’s better is that you can even use it as a primer before applying your lipstick or lip gloss— saving both time and money! Your lips are going to feel soft due to its cocktail of vitamins and other hydrators that are set to moisturize and nourish. No parabens and it’s also cruelty-free. Need we say more? Pros
Smudge-proof Doubles as a lip primer Nourishing ingredients paraben-free
Cons
Tip is a little too soft and might break easily.
5. Best Waterproof Formula:Smashbox Always Sharp Clear Lip Liner
The Smashbox Always Sharp Clear Lip Liner is a top-notch option for those who don’t have time to waste sharpening their lip pencils. Say goodbye to all your feathering woes with this waterproof and smudge-resistant formula that can complement any lip color you choose for the day. The precision tip allows for perfect lining to give the illusion of fullness and accentuate your lips. We love a multitasking product and the Smashbox Always Sharp Clear Lip Liner also readies your lips for color or gloss by acting as a primer. As a plus, this smashing product is also vegan and cruelty-free so you can shop it without guilt! Formulated without any parabens, sulfates, silicone, phthalates, oils or fragrance, this is the best invisible lip liner to give your lips some lovin’. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product. Pros
Prevents feathering Water-resistant Smudge-proof Long-lasting Self-sharpening Fragrance-free
Cons
May be a little drying
6. Best Smudge-Resistance:Golden Rose Lip Barrier Transparent Lip Pencil
As the name suggests, the Golden Rose Lip Barrier Transparent Lip Pencil shields your lipstick or lip gloss from feathering and getting on to your skin. The formula is transparent and smooth, ensuring that the pencil glides on smoothly without messing up the definition you worked so hard to create. It not only pairs well with all lip colors, but gives staying power to all lipstick types from glossy to matte. It is also enriched with vitamin E to keep your lips soft and hydrated. Being transparent, you don’t have to worry about staining the skin around your lips. It’s also cruelty-free so that means we have a winner, right? Pros
Long-lasting Smudge-resistant Vitamin E nourishes skin Prevents feathering and bleeding Works well on all types of lipsticks
Cons
Some may find it difficult to sharpen
7. Best Matte Finish:Grande StayPut Invisible Lip Liner
If you seek to define your lips with precision and sculpt the cupid’s bow, the Grande Cosmetics GrandeLIPS StayPut Lip Liner works wonders. With a creamy texture, it glides smoothly to ensure that your statement-making lip color or lip gloss stays put the entire day. Since it is invisible, it won’t transfer onto your skin while also keeping your precious lip product from bleeding or feathering away. Call it the Tinder of lip liners, since it will match any lipstick or lip gloss color you own! Pros
Smudge-proof Doesn’t bleed or feather Works with matte lipsticks Works with all colors of lipstick and lip gloss
Cons
Slightly expensive
8. Best Anti-Allergy:Mary Kay Lip Liner
The Mary Kay Lip Liner is an invisible pencil which has a long-lasting formula to give your lipstick a full-day wear. Your lipstick feathering horror stories can be a thing of the past now. It is a great choice if your skin gets easily irritated, as it is clinically and dermatologically tested for safety and allergies. With a smooth tip, it ensures perfect definition along your lip line and cupid’s bow, minus tugging! What takes the cake is that the pencil is retractable and doesn’t need to be sharpened. Dare we say this invisible lip liner is a dream come true? Pros
Prevents feathering Retractable pencil Smooth tip Smudge-resistant Tested for allergies
Cons
May dry out lips for some
9. Best For Moisturization:L’Oréal Paris Crayon Petite Automatic Lip Liner
This ultimate clear lip liner by L’Oréal Paris is a stand-out product with its transparent formula. The chubby crayon stick glides on smoothly without any tugging whatsoever to give you a clean and defined outline for your lips. And to make your lips extra soft, it is infused with aloe and castor seed oil which also ensure that your lips don’t look cakey. With a long staying-power and smudge-resistant formula, your lipstick will now stay where it’s supposed to! No more worries about feathering or bleeding as you go about your day! Pros
Smudge-proof Long staying-power Has moisturizing properties Prevents feathering and bleeding Can be used with lipstick of any color
Cons
Some may not like the smell of the product.
10. Best Transfer-Proof:Jolie Waterproof Gel Lip Liner – Invisible
Jolie’s Waterproof Gel Lip Liner has an ultra-creamy texture that gives the smoothest application. Being invisible, it doesn’t transfer or feather and your lips will look put-together for long hours. You can blend it in without a hassle and it lasts for up to 7 hours without the need for retouching. Made without any parabens, this invisible lip liner allows you to maintain your perfect pout by locking in the color of your lipstick or lip gloss. It will work with any color of lipstick you choose to put on, and keep it looking fresh! Pros
Smooth tip Transfer-proof Easy application Works well with all lipstick colors Prevents feathering and bleeding
Cons
May not be water-resistant
Now that we have looked at the best clear lip liners on the market, read on to find out how to choose the best one for yourself.
How To Choose Clear Lip Liner
Ingredients
Clear lip liners do a fantastic job of lining the lips and there are so many on the market that also come with added nourishing ingredients. Aloe, vitamin E, jojoba oil, cottonseed oil, and castor oil are all ingredients that will provide much-needed nutrients and moisturization to your lips. This will prevent them from becoming chapped and discolored. Look out for these ingredients on the label.
Packaging
Clear or invisible lip liners can be in a pencil form that is either retractable, or not. Those that are not retractable usually need a sharpener to push out a new tip. If sharpening your lip liner is a hassle for you, opt for pencils that are self-sharpening to save time and product.
Safety
Our lips are delicate and should be handled with care. It is important to invest in lip liners that are formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates or other harsh chemicals that can cause dryness, irritation or discoloration to the lips. You can also check the packaging for ‘vegan’ and ‘cruelty-free’ claims if you’d want to make a guilt-free choice.
Smudge-proof
As with traditional lip liners, opt for clear lip liners that are smudge-proof so that they help lock the lipstick or lip gloss color securely without any feathering and bleeding.
Compatibility with lipsticks
The reason we choose a clear lip liner is so that we can easily match it with any lipstick shade we own rather than purchasing a liner for every color. It’s a good idea to check beforehand whether a clear lip liner goes well with lipsticks or lip glosses of all shades. A good lip liner must also be able to sit well with matte or glossy lipsticks. After you’ve chosen the right clear lip liner, the next step is to apply it! Read on to find out how to apply clear lip liner for a pout that will impress.
How To Use Clear Lip Liner
Step 1: Apply some clear lip balm or lip oil to your lips to prep them and keep them soft. You can also exfoliate beforehand for better results. Step 2: Sharpen your clear lip liner if it needs to be sharpened, as a pointy tip helps draw precise lines. Step 3: You can warm the clear lip pencil tip by drawing a small stroke on the back of your hand, or rubbing it with your index finger and thumb. Step 4: Start by drawing an ‘X’ on your cupid’s bow (the ‘V’ in the middle of your top lip). Step 5: Line your upper lip with a free hand, with small strokes. Repeat until you have traced the outline of your lower lip as well. Step 6: Apply lipstick, or just fill in the lines if you want to go for a natural look.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
To help you achieve the perfect pout, our skincare enthusiast and seasoned writer, Chaitra Krishnan, has compiled a list of the best clear lip liners. After extensive research, Chaitra has included the best-rated ones and has considered factors such as formula, shade, and textures before handpicking each one. These products are explained in detail along with their pros and cons to help readers pick the best. Are clear lip liners good? Yes. Since they are transparent, clear lip liners can match any lipstick color and seal in your lipstick to prevent smudging. They provide proper definition to your lips without being visible. What is a clear lip liner used for? A clear lip liner is used to accentuate your natural lip line. It fills the fine lines around your mouth without being too harsh on your skin. Should my lip liner match my lipstick or my lip? Your lip liner can match either your lipstick or lip color. However, more commonly, people use a lip liner from the same color family as their lipstick. You can also use transparent lip liners if you cannot find the right lip liner shade that matches your lipstick color or your lips. Can I use a white pencil eyeliner as an invisible lip liner? Yes, you can do so. But you may not get the desired result. Pencil white eyeliner may also have a harder formula that is not suitable for your lips. This can lead to unwanted bleeding and feathering around your mouth.
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