I’ve Tested What Feels Like Hundreds of Lip Liners—These 9 Come Dark-Skin-Approved

No. of Shades: 14

Shades in the range for dark skin: Spin, Jump, Stretch, Flex, Move

Liner Type: Creamy crayon

More often than not, I prefer a lip liner that contours and adds volume rather than a precise line, which can be harder to blend out. Rhode’s Peptide Lip Shape not only features a rounded, domed nib that ensures the soft, blurred outline I’m looking for, but also comes in a range of shades that look beautiful on dark skin. Of course, if you’re looking for something very precise, then a regular wooden pencil is the best option for you, but I’m obsessed with this creamy formula that gives my lip combos a seamlessly blended look with one swipe and also uses peptides to hydrate the lips, something you don’t usually find in a traditional liner. The shades Spin, Flex, and Move are my personal favourites—all of which are deep, near-black browns that perfectly complement my dark skin. But trust me when I say that there’s something for everyone in this range, from the palest to the deepest of skin tones.

No. of Shades: 7

Shades in the range for dark skin: 04, 05, 06

Liner Type: Soft matte pencil

Known for her “your lips but better” liner, Victoria Beckham’s Lip Definer range was created to give the illusion of fuller, more pronounced lips. And although VB’s favourite shade 02 is too light for deeper skin tones, three shades in the collection are sure to give your dark skin the same nude-lip effect. The creamy yet soft matte pencil glides onto lips easily without tugging and manages to last all day even when paired with high-shine glosses. At £31, this liner sits at a significantly higher price point than others on the market; however, if you love a natural-looking, true-to-skin liner that shapes and contours instead of providing a bold wash of colour, I cannot recommend this luxury formula enough.

No. of Shades: 26

Shades in the range for dark skin: Nightcap, Trendsetter, Berry Cola, Brûlée, Sugar Pie, Whipped, Date Night, Other Half

Liner Type: Creamy matte pencil

If you ever needed proof that you don’t need to splash out loads on a quality lip liner, look no further than Morphe’s Signature Lip Pencil. It not only feels much more sophisticated than its affordable price tag, but it’s also genuinely one of the most pigmented lip liners I’ve ever used, and the range is filled with several brown and berry shades that work well on darker skin tones. The formula is creamy and smooth, gliding on the lips without tugging; however, it sets down into a smudge- and transfer-proof formula that can last for ages without the need for reapplication. I already own the shades Date Night and Trendsetter, but at £8, I can see at least 3 of the other 26 shades making their way into my makeup bag very soon.

No. of Shades: 10

Shades in the range for dark skin: 06, 07, 08, 09, 10

Liner Type: Soft matte pencil

The newest lip liner in my collection, HNB Cosmetics’ Soft Sculpting Lip Pencil, is another drugstore find that I’ve fallen completely in love with. With a range of 10 nude shades (half of which are dark-skin-approved), this blurring matte pencil creates the perfect definition for a natural-looking lip combo. Shade 07 (which is very similar to MAC’s Chestnut) is my true-nude shade; however, I’m also obsessed with the three deeper shades, 08, 09 and 10, which give me the perfect ‘90s lip look I often like to recreate for more formal occasions. I’ve never seen quite so many nude options for those of us with dark skin, especially at this affordable price point, so if you haven’t yet tried this brand out, I’d highly recommend it.

No. of Shades: 36

Shades in the range for dark skin: Caviar, Chestnut, Root for Me, Nightmoth, Vino, Grape Expectations, Cyber World, Centre of Attention, Ruby Woo, Cherry, Chili Rimmed, Burgundy, Plum, Beet, Auburn

Liner Type: Creamy-matte pencil

You can’t talk about dark-skin-approved shade ranges without mentioning MAC Cosmetics. Of course, this lip liner has long been adored by many of us for years due to its extensive shade range and easy-to-blend formula, but although the brand’s Chestnut lip liner will forever have a place in my cosmetic bag, the shade Caviar has been my most recent obsession. Reminiscent of the eyeshadow pencils and eyeliners that many of us used to use as lip liner, the black liner will create a sharp, defined edge that stands out cleanly against dark skin. I typically like to use this shade to add some depth to my bold red lipsticks to make them feel more wearable, but when blended out properly, this liner can fit seamlessly into any lip combo.

No. of Shades: 8

Shades in the range for dark skin: Plum, Teak, Umber, Berry, Clay

Liner Type: Matte crayon

I’ve been a big fan of Refy’s Lip Sculpt for years now, so I was not expecting the brand’s newer blur liner to take over as my favourite. But whilst the original liner’s red shade is too light for deeper skin tones, the new product has two dark red liners that are the perfect addition to any red lip combo. My favourite is Plum, a rich burgundy hue that feels slightly more wearable for my more minimal makeup taste. However, the shade Berry is a deep wine pink that’s perfect for those who prefer a brighter lip. With a soft matte finish and a rounded dome tip that gives the illusion of voluminous lips, it’s one of those easy-to-use products that you can take with you on the go without having to worry too much about precise application

No. of Shades: 12

Shades in the range for dark skin: 06 Up to No Good, 08 After Hours, 09 Send Nudes, 10 Up All Night, 11 Hot & Heavy, 12 Wild Side

Liner Type: Ballpoint felt tip lip stain

If you’re looking for a long-lasting liner that truly lasts all day, a lip stain is your best bet. And whilst most current stains come with a larger doe-foot, which can hinder precision, NYX’s Lingerie Lip Stain is packaged in a ballpoint felt tip, allowing you to create clean lines that won’t look messy. A soft nude shade that melts onto the lips, Wild Side is a deep brown hue that suits my dark skin tone without looking ashy or grey. And the best part? Because of the nature of a staining product, none of the shades contains any white base pigment, allowing most of them to work well on a wider range of skin tones, from pale to deep.

No. of Shades: 16

Shades in the range for dark skin: Coal Blooded, Brown’d Out, I Woodn’t, Whiskey, They So Vine, Bored Heaux, RiRi

Liner Type: Creamy crayon

If there’s one thing Fenty Beauty knows how to do, it’s create shades that work perfectly on dark skin. The Trace’d Out Lip Liner has been a recent favourite of mine thanks to its creamy formula, which glides onto the lips effortlessly without feeling dry or pulling against the skin. The shade range is particularly impressive, with rich browns, deep neutrals and vibrant berry and red hues that actually show up beautifully on deeper skin tones. I love using this to define and slightly overline my lips before adding my gloss, but the formula is creamy enough to blend out for a smoother, more diffused finish if you prefer that look. If you’ve been on the hunt for a liner that gives you definition and volume without that overly rigid, drawn-on look, this one is an easy addition to any makeup bag.

No. of Shades: 12

Shades in the range for dark skin: Arabica, Mocca, Bean, Coffea, Java, Roast

Liner Type: Gel-based liner

If you’re looking for a liner that delivers that instantly defined look, Isamaya’s lip liner deserves a place on your vanity. The formula has that satisfyingly smooth gel texture that makes it easy to trace around the natural shape of your lips as well as blend it in for a softer finish. Not to mention that the deeper shades in this fully neutral range work particularly well on dark skin without appearing ashy or washed out. I love to use this product when I want my lip combo to feel a little more dramatic, whether that’s paired with a creamy lipstick for a chic, ’90s-inspired look or used underneath a nude gloss to give the lips some extra dimension. It’s one of those products that can be tailored to be as precise or as diffused as you’d like, making it a particularly good option for someone who wants a liner that sits in between being matte and creamy.