It was Alexa Chung who influenced us (no change there). Posted amongst an Instagram photo dump captioned simply “🍓 🍑” was a picture of the Londoner standing in a field at Glastonbury, reapplying her lip liner. The scene was refreshingly approachable: dressed in an oilskin Barbour jacket and otherwise barefaced, Alexa was snapped tracing the perimeter of her pout al-fresco, nary a mirror or care in sight. It was the antithesis of lip liner’s slightly prissy reputation: hard to master, easy to muck up.

Then, at the Olympics, superstar Simone Biles was photographed between gold medal winning routines applying fresh liner (according to NZ-born celebrity makeup artist Amber D, “word on the street is the lip liner shade ‘Club Hopper’ from Nyx Cosmetics).

Between Alexa and Simone, and Fenty Beauty's much-hyped launch in July, lip liner is having a moment - and in 2024 it is much more adaptable. Wear it by itself feathered all over your lips, pair a dark shade with a lacquered gloss for 90s pouty perfection or lean right in and layer with a matching lipstick.

Despite the nonchalant application, Alexa’s choice of liner was relatively high fashion: Gucci’s Crayon Contour ($70). But options abound! We asked some opinionated (in a good way) friends to outline the liner they love, and how they use them.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat liner in Pillow Talk, $50

Loved by Elle Pugh, Elle & Riley Cashmere co-founder

I was an early adopter of Charlotte Tilbury 11 or 12 years ago and it's still pretty much the only lip liner I use. I wore it on my wedding day because it's just a perfect, natural looking colour. It’s very helpful now she has lipsticks and glosses to pair with it!

M.A.C Lip Pencil in Whirl, $46

Loved by James Dobson, Jimmy D fashion designer and beauty blogger

When I used to do my full going out “Beauty Bender” mode look, I was a red lip only kinda gal (Stila in Beso, for those wondering) but I remember the first time I did a Kristen Mcmenamy-inspired look with a black smokey eye and a 90s nude lip and I felt completely transformed. The lip combo I arrived at was a Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in Just What I Needed, a moderately warm toned burnished rose colour, lined with the iconic M.A.C lip pencil in Whirl.

I love a M.A.C liner as they’re on the waxier side and the pigment can be built up as opposed to creamier pencils which go in strong but can start to get a bit clumpy. Because of that waxiness, it’s always good to warm up the pencil with a good few strokes on your hand before using on the lips, and then I always feather the edges in with a lip brush so the lipstick blends in more seamlessly and holds the lipstick onto your lips for a longer wear.

Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lip Definer in Minimal, $50

Loved by Georgia Patten, Bored George founder 

I have recently found my second love in this lip liner. Like a good black dress you can dress it up and down however you like. I match it with M.A.C’s Satin lipstick in Spirit, and the combo is unbeatable. This is my go-to lip liner even on days I am not so dressy, as I pop a bit on the top and bottom lip and smudge it a bit for a touch of colour, pop some Vaseline on top and I'm ready to go.

Too Faced Lip Injection Shaping Liner in Cinnamon Swell, $45

Loved by Lara Daly, writer and makeup artist 

The Too Faced Lip Injection Shaping Lip Liner in Cinnamon Swell is the perfect warm nude brown for me - not too dark or too pale. It's always in my bag. I love the slight stinging and plumping effect, and it really stays on. I apply it slightly overlining my lips at the centre, top and bottom (this gives more of a full, pouty look - overlining the sides of your mouth looks weird IMO) and scribble the colour lightly over my lips, then rub them together and voila! Just remember it might sting whoever you kiss…

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude, $50

Loved by Lenita Seker, MECCA makeup artist

My holy grail lip liner. It definitely lives up to the name iconic! A perfect nude balance of cool and warm. I love to use this to overline my lips ever so slightly and pair with a nude brown lip balm. To get the perfect crisp line, make sure your lipliner is sharpened and your lips are dry. Tilt your head when applying on the outer sides of your lip to keep it steady and sharp

Other liners we love:

Fenty Beauty Trace'D Out Lip Liner, $34

Clinique Quickliner, $47

Kosas Hotliner Hyaluronic Acid Contouring Lip Liner, $37

Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil, $60

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner, $46

Dior Rouge Dior Contour lip liner pencil, $57

Half Magic Sculptitude 2-in-1 Longwear Lip Liner, $33‍

Estee Lauder Double Wear 24H Stay-in-Place Lip Liner, $65

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner, $33

‍Dead set against liner? Try these alternatives:

Rom&ND Glasting Melting Balm, $19

Loved by Courtney Joe, stylist

I don’t know if this is beauty blasphemy but I don’t use – nor own – a lip liner! I’ve never felt the need to use one, and when it comes to my lips I like to keep it simple, i.e. the easier it is to apply sans mirror, the better. That said, I do love a good lippy, especially a shade that’s close to my natural lip. Some of my current favourites (that don't need a liner) are Nature Republic’s Honey Melting Lip in Apricot, Rom&nd’s Glasting Melting Balm, in nougat from Hikoco, and M.A.C’s Hug Me. 

Violette_FR Bisou Balm in Calisson, $52

Loved by Biddie Cooksley, Tuesday Label co-founder

I have a drawer full of beautiful lip liners but in all honesty I never reach for them. I’ve come to realise I like my beauty products as I do my clothes - uncomplicated, hardworking and all-purpose. For me Violette-FR is the perfect liner/balm/lipstick combo. It’s that ’just-bitten colour’ the French do so well, but in the texture of a creme which makes it life-changing. I have all the shades, but Calisson is my fave.