Lip liner is the makeup product for perfect looking lips. It defines your lips and locks lipstick in place preventing it from wandering outside the lines. Lip liner can also be used for the entire lip for those not fond on lipstick. All this to say, whether you’re going for a natural your-lips-but-better look or you want your lipstick to stand out, lip liner just makes it better.
There are countless of lip liners on the market and they come in many forms, colors, textures and prices. We narrowed down the best cruelty-free lip liners. Below our top 11, in no particular order.
Vegan
In the beauty industry, ‘cruelty-free’ only refers to animal testing. However, the way that many animal ingredients are obtained is simply cruel too, which is why we can image you want to buy products that are cruelty-free as well as vegan. If you’re in the market for a cruelty-free and vegan lip liner, this list offers you 6 options.
Index
- Essence – Soft Contouring Lipliner
- Kat von D – Everlasting Lip Liner (VEGAN)
- NYX Cosmetics* – Slim Lip Pencil
- Urban Decay – 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil (VEGAN)
- Milani – Easyliner Mechanical Lip Liner Pencil (VEGAN)
- Tarte – Tarteist Lip Crayon (VEGAN)
- E.l.f. Cosmetics – Lip Liner and Blending Brush (VEGAN)
- NYX Cosmetics – Slide On Lip Pencil
- BH Cosmetics – Waterproof Lip Liner (VEGAN)
- L.A. Girl – Ultimate Intense Stay Auto Lipliner
- Buxom – Plumpline Lip Liner
The 11 Best Cruelty-Free Lip Liners
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1/11
Essence – Soft Contouring Lipliner
Shop at Essence | $
Exhibit 1 quality make up does not need to be expensive. This bestselling lipliner only costs a few bucks a pop. The liner has the perfect balance between waxy and creamy, making it so easy to contour your lips. Beautiful natural shades that match every lip color. The shade Sucker for Grey is the perfect muted plum. Non-drying. That being said, it is not the most long lasting lip liner either. Tip: make sure you apply your lip balm after applying your liner, not before, and it will last longer.
Free of: sulfates SLS and SLES, paraben, alcohol, silicone
Ingredients Sucker for Grey: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Paraffin, Tocopherol, Talc, Sorbitan Tristearate, Polyethylene, Citric Acid, Ci 45410 (Red 28), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)
2/11
Kat von D* – Everlasting Lip Liner (vegan)
Shop at Kat von D | $$$
Looking for a lip liner that does not budge all day long? Kat von D Everlasting Lip Liner is what you need. This liner is going nowhere until you want it to (and use makeup remover). The velvety texture delivers beautiful pigmented color in just one swipe and dries down matte. Cult favorite color Lolita is a rosy nude and is the perfect your-lips-but-better shade for literally every skin color. Another plus, this pencil doesn’t need sharpening.
Fun fact: according to the internet these lipliners also seem to work great as a waterline eye liner.
Free of: paraben, fragrance, animal (by)products, gluten
Ingredients Por Vida: Methyl Trimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyethylene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecanol, Ozokerite, Nylon-12, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tin Oxide. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)
*Note: Kat von D is owned by Kendo, a company that is not cruelty-free.
3/11
NYX Cosmetics* – Slim Lip Pencil
Shop at Amazon | $
This very affordable lip pencil is one of NYX’s bestsellers and comes in an impressive range of 34 shades. The tiny tip glides on smoothly and creates the cleanest lines that define and prevent your lipstick from feathering. The colors are highly pigmented. Staying power: medium. Created with coconut oil preventing your lips from getting dry.
Free of: gluten
Ingredients Flower: Sorbitan Isostearate, Isocetyl Stearate,Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax,Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Unsaponifiables, Beeswax, SimmondsiaChinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, Caprylic/Capri Triglyceride, Nylon-12,Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Silica, CoperniciaCerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Hydrogenated, Coconut Oil, Tocopherol,VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, StearylGlycyrrhetinate, Propylparaben, Prolylene Carbonate
*Note: NYX is owned by L’oréal, a company that is not cruelty-free.
4/11
Urban Decay* – 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil (vegan)
Shop at Amazon | $$$
We wouldn’t say it wears 24 hours, but it is definitely long-lasting. It is also waterproof without drying your lips out. Available in 39 (!) shades, that match with UD’s Vice Lipsticks. The lip pencils are also excellent to wear by itself for a matte stain or finish with a little balm or gloss. If you want the benefits of a liner, but not the color there is a clear shade called Ozone. It works as a nourishing primer and helps to keep lipstick in place and make it lasts longer.
Free of: paraben, animal (by)products, gluten
Ingredients Ozone: Isododecane, Paraffin, Polybutene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ozokerite, Ceresin, Hydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower/Carthame) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
*Note: Urban Decay is owned by L’oréal, a company that is not cruelty-free.
5/11
Milani – Easyliner Mechanical Lip Liner Pencil (vegan)
Shop at Amazon | $
Looking for the perfect nude lip liner that doesn’t break the bank? Opt for this your- lips-but-better pencil. Available in two shades, of which the shade Most Natural is a rosy-brown nude and has a fanbase on its own. The other shade, Sugar Plum is a rich plum color. Both colors are highly pigmented and can be worn alone or paired with lipstick for a bolder look. For a creamy texture pretty long lasting. Retractable tip so never need to sharpened.
Free of: sulfates, fragrance, animal (by)products
Ingredients Most Natural: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Ceresin, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, BHT, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. +/- May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 7 (CI 15850), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Manganese Violet (CI 77742)
6/11
Tarte* – Tarteist Lip Crayon (vegan)
Shop at Tarte | $$$
Prime and define with Tarte’s Lip Crayon. The twist-up pencil makes for easy and precise application and doesn’t need to be sharpened. The liner doubles as a crayon, for completely filled in lips. Goes on lips very smoothly. Good staying power for a creamy liner. Smudge- and budge proof. Available in 12 super pigmented popping colors.
Free of: paraben, sulfates SLS and SLES, phthalates, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil
Ingredients Amaze: C11-12 Isoparaffin, isododecane, trimethylsiloxysilicate, polyethylene, polyglyceryl-3 stearate, phenyl trimethicone, beheneth-5, microcrystalline wax/cera microcrstallina/cire microcrystalline, paraffin, lecithin, tocopherol, polyglyceryl-3 palmitate, silica. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), yellow 6 lake (CI 15985), red 28 lake (CI 45410), red 7 lake (CI 15850), blue 1 lake (CI 42090), red 6 (CI 15850), yellow 5 lake (CI 19140)
*Note: Tarte is owned by Kose, a company that is not cruelty-free.
7/11
E.l.f. Cosmetics – Lip Liner and Blending Brush (vegan)
Shop at Amazon | $
Double sided twist up lip liner with blending brush, to not only (out)line but also blend the color inwards. The gradient effect creates the illusion of bigger lips. Smooth no-smudge formula that keeps lipstick in place. longish lasting formula. Best part? This liner only costs a few bucks.
Free of: paraben, fragrance, animal (by)products, gluten
Ingredients Red: Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Ceresin, Synthetic Beeswax, Ozokerite, Microcristallina Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Paraffin, Polyethylene, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Triacontanyl PVP, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol MAY CONTAIN: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 22 Lake (CI 45380), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090)
8/11
NYX Cosmetics* – Slide On Lip Pencil
Shop at Amazon | $
Another lip pencil of drugstore brand NYX that is ticking all the boxes is the Slide On Lip Pencil. As the name suggests this buttery formula slides on. After it sets it stays on for hours. Also works perfect to fill in the lips. Available in a wide range of bold shades from baby pink to emerald green. Bedrose is a gorgeous pinkish nude with a hint of red. Use a small sharpener to grind back to a perfect point.
Free of: paraben, fragrance, gluten
Ingredients Bedrose: Cyclopentasiloxane, Polybutene, Synthetic Wax, Isododecane, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Ceresin, Ozokerite, Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Rosin / Colophonium / Colophane, Barium Sulfate (CI 77120), Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 30 (CI 73360)
*Note: NYX is owned by L’oréal, a company that is not cruelty-free.
9/11
BH Cosmetics* – Waterproof Lip Liner (vegan)
Shop at Amazon | $
For bold looking lips all day long. The soft formula glides on without tugging. It quickly dries down so don’t wait if you want to blend it out. This lip liner stays put for hours. Still the formula is non-drying and comfortable to wear.
Free of: animal (by)products
Ingredients Earth: Isododecane, Ozokerite, Cyclopentasiloxane, Paraffin, Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Mica, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate. May Contain/Peut Contenir [+/-: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140:1), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850:1), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 21 Lake (CI 45380), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090:2), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
*Note: BH Cosmetics is owned by Midocean Partners, a company that is not cruelty-free.
10/11
L.A. Girl – Ultimate Intense Stay Auto Lipliner
Shop at Amazon | $
Compliment your lippies with this affordable long lasting lipliner of L.A. Girl. The formula is is so soft and creamy that glides on so easily and sets to a matte finish. Lasts for hours perfectly. Available in 8 intensively pigmented shades to choose from, including some very good nudes shades such as Non-stop Nude and Keep it spicy. Fine, retractable tip that doesn’t need sharpening.
Free of: sulfates SLS and SLES, paraben
Ingredients Keep it Spicy: Isododecane, Polyethylene, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polydicyclopentadiene, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate. May Contain/ Peut Contenir : Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Mica (Ci 77019), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090)
11/11
Buxom* – Plumpline Lip Liner
Shop at Amazon | $$$
This versatile lip liner is not as thin as most lip liner pencils, but therefor works great to not only line but also fill in the lips, making for a very natural fuller lip look. Comes with a built-in brush to blend the color it in. Smooth and waxy formula that lasts until lunch time, but easy to reapply. The thicker pencil holds a lot of products and will last forever. They come in 20 shades. Cult faves in the section nude is Hush Hush, which is a pinkish brown. Tap it off with a bit of Buxon plumping lip cream and your lips are all set.
Free of: sulfates SLS and SLES, paraben, phthalates
Ingredients Hush Hush: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ozokerite, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Triethylhexanoin, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Beeswax (Cera Alba/Cire Dabeille), Phenyl Trimethicone, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Tribehenin, Squalane, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Bht. May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)
*Note: Buxom is owned by Shiseido, a company that is not cruelty-free.
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