Beauty ColourPop Lippie Pencil Guide: Shades, Swatches, and Review
ColourPop Lippie pencils sparked the lip liner revival. These creamy, long-wear pencils deliver rich pigment at prices that invite collecting every shade. From the cult nude BFF 3 to the 90s brown Ashton, the range covers every lip liner need.
Lip liner has evolved far beyond the harsh dark outline of decades past. Modern technique uses liner to define, reshape, and extend lipstick wear. A good liner prevents feathering, makes lips look fuller, and helps color last hours longer. The Lippie formula does all this for under nine dollars.
This guide covers the five best Lippie pencil options, including two coordinated duos. You will learn which shade suits your style, how to apply liner like a pro, and why this affordable line earned its cult following. Time to line up.
ColourPop changed the lip liner market by proving that excellent quality could cost four dollars. Before the brand launched, decent liners started at fifteen dollars, and shade ranges were limited. ColourPop released dozens of shades at drugstore prices with genuinely good formulas. The beauty community responded enthusiastically, and Lippie Pencils became staples in countless makeup bags. Dupes for expensive shades made luxury looks accessible to everyone. The brand proved that price and performance are not linked for simple formulas like lip liner. This guide celebrates that democratization: great lip liner is now available to every budget without compromise.
Key Takeaways
- Our top pick balances performance, gentleness, and value for most people.
- Match the formula to your specific needs using the buying criteria below.
- Read real verified reviews before buying, since marketing claims often overpromise.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks
- ColourPop Dream Duo Lip Kit, Five Stars and Pasadena Lippie Pencil in Five Stars plus Ultra Glossy Lip in Pasadena.
- ColourPop Best Besties Lip Pencil and Gloss Duo, BFF 2 and It Girl Lippie pencil in BFF 2 with gloss in It Girl.
- ColourPop Lippie Lip Pencil, BFF 3 Bestselling Lippie pencil in BFF 3 nude.
Full reviews and comparisons below.
On This Page
Our Top Picks
Best for: A complete lined-and-glossed lip in one purchase.
#1 Best OverallColourPop Dream Duo Lip Kit, Five Stars and Pasadena
- Lippie Pencil in Five Stars plus Ultra Glossy Lip in Pasadena
- Coordinated liner and gloss in one kit
- Creamy pencil defines without dragging
- Gloss adds shine over the liner base
Pros
- Shades are designed to work together
- Great introduction to the Lippie line
- Affordable kit pricing
Cons
- Limited to one shade combination
- Gloss needs reapplying
- Pencil needs sharpening
Best for: Night-out lips with liner that stays and gloss that shines.
Runner-UpColourPop Best Besties Lip Pencil and Gloss Duo, BFF 2 and It Girl
- Lippie pencil in BFF 2 with gloss in It Girl
- Long-wear pencil formula with vivid pigment
- High-shine gloss for a juicy finish
- Duo priced for budget beauty lovers
Pros
- Trendy shades for going out
- Pencil truly lasts for hours
- Excellent price for two products
Cons
- Bold shades are not office friendly
- Pencil can feel dry without balm
- Gloss tube is small
Best for: The everyday nude liner that goes with everything.
Best ValueColourPop Lippie Lip Pencil, BFF 3
- Bestselling Lippie pencil in BFF 3 nude
- Creamy long-wear formula with strong pigment
- Thousands of monthly buyers on Amazon
- Versatile nude suits many lip colors
Pros
- The cult nude liner shade
- Stays put through talking and sipping
- Pairs with almost any lipstick
Cons
- Nude may wash out deep skin tones
- Needs sharpening, not retractable
- Can tug if lips are dry
Best for: The 90s brown lip liner look done right.
ColourPop Lippie Pencil, Ashton
- Lippie pencil in Ashton deep taupe
- 90s-inspired brown liner shade
- Smooth creamy application
- Long-wear formula resists feathering
Pros
- Perfect for the brown lip trend
- Defines lips for an overlined look
- Great with clear gloss on top
Cons
- Dark shade demands careful application
- Can look harsh on very fair skin
- Sharpening wastes product
Best for: A warm rose liner for soft defined lips daily.
ColourPop Lippie Lip Pencil, Double Tap
- Lippie pencil in Double Tap warm rose
- Warm rose tone flatters many undertones
- Creamy pigment with long wear
- Full-size 0.35 oz pencil
Pros
- Warm rose is very wearable
- Good middle ground between nude and bold
- Smooth formula blends easily
Cons
- Similar to other rose liners
- Warm tone may clash with cool lipsticks
- Not retractable
Why Lip Liner Made a Comeback
Lip liner fell out of favor in the 2000s, associated with harsh visible outlines. Its return came through new techniques, not new products. Modern application blends liner fully into lipstick for invisible definition. Overlining, done subtly, creates fuller lips without filler. Liner as a base extends lipstick wear dramatically. The 90s brown lip trend specifically demands a brown liner like Ashton. Social media tutorials made these techniques accessible to everyone. ColourPop rode this wave with affordable, quality pencils in trend-right shades. The Lippie line now includes dozens of colors, but a few icons lead. Understanding the techniques matters more than owning many shades. One good nude and one statement shade cover most needs.
Shade Guide: Finding Your Lippie Match
The five options here cover the essential liner wardrobe. BFF 3 is the cult nude, a versatile everyday shade that pairs with almost any lipstick. Ashton is the deep taupe brown for the 90s lip trend and dramatic definition. Double Tap offers warm rose for soft, romantic definition. The Dream Duo pairs Five Stars liner with Pasadena gloss for a complete coordinated look. The Best Besties duo combines BFF 2 liner with It Girl gloss for bolder statements. Your natural lip color should guide you: pick liner one to two shades deeper than your lips for definition. Cool undertones suit the rose and mauve liners. Warm undertones glow with the brown and warm nude shades. When in doubt, BFF 3 is the safest universal pick.
Pro Application: Define, Overline, Fill
Great liner application has three modes. Definition mode traces your natural lip line precisely, then blends inward. This sharpens the lip edge and prevents feathering. Use short strokes and a sharp point for control. Overline mode extends slightly beyond the natural line, focusing on the cupid bow and center of the lower lip. Keep overlining subtle: more than a millimeter looks obvious. Blend the extended line inward so no harsh edge shows. Fill mode covers the entire lip with liner as a base. This extends lipstick wear by hours and intensifies color. It also means fading looks even rather than leaving a ring. Choose your mode based on the look: definition for natural, overline for fullness, fill for longevity. A sharp pencil is essential for all three.
Making Liner Last All Day
Liner longevity depends on prep and layering. Exfoliate lips so liner glides rather than skipping. Apply a thin base of foundation or concealer on lips to give liner grip. Fill the entire lip with liner, not just the outline. Layer lipstick or gloss over the filled base. Blot and reapply the center color after eating. Carry the pencil for edge touch-ups, which take seconds. The Lippie long-wear formula already outlasts many liners. Setting the filled lip with a dusting of translucent powder adds extra hours. Avoid oily foods directly on the lips when possible. With these habits, defined lips survive from morning to night. The liner base is the hardest-working step in long-wear lip routines.
Lippie Pencils vs High-End Lip Liners
High-end lip liners from MAC and Charlotte Tilbury cost twenty to twenty-five dollars each, so the ColourPop comparison is worth making. The honest truth is that liner formulas are simple: waxes, pigments, and oils. ColourPop executes this formula very well at four dollars. Pigment payoff is genuinely comparable to prestige liners. Creaminess is close, though some luxury liners feel slightly silkier. Where prestige wins is packaging: elegant twist-up mechanisms and beautiful cases. ColourPop Lippie Pencils need manual sharpening, which wastes some product. Shade curation differs: Charlotte Tilbury edits a small perfect range, while ColourPop offers overwhelming variety. For finding your exact shade, ColourPop selection is an advantage. Longevity is comparable: both tiers wear well under lipstick. The value math is stark: one prestige liner equals five or six Lippie Pencils. Most people need multiple liner shades, making the drugstore route far more economical. Buy prestige for your single holy-grail shade. Buy ColourPop for building a full shade wardrobe. Your lips will not know the difference.
Lip Liner for Thin vs Full Lips
Lip shape determines the best liner strategy. Thin lips benefit from careful overlining: trace just outside the natural lip line at the cupid bow and center of the lower lip. Keep the corners at the natural line to avoid a clown effect. Choose liner close to your natural lip color for the most believable enlargement. Fill the entire lip with liner to prevent a visible ring as lipstick fades. Full lips need definition rather than enlargement: trace exactly on the natural edge. Crisp edges prevent bold colors from looking messy. Slightly deeper liner than lipstick creates dimension and prevents feathering. For uneven lips, extend the thinner areas to create symmetry. Most people have slight asymmetry that liner corrects invisibly. Cupid bow definition suits both shapes: a sharp V looks classic, a soft curve looks modern. Practice overlining gradually: start subtle and increase. Photograph your work to check symmetry. The right liner technique flatters every lip shape naturally.
Lip Liner Storage and Sharpening Tips
Proper care keeps Lippie Pencils performing their best. Always cap pencils tightly: air dries the creamy formula and hardens the tip. Store pencils horizontally in a cup or case to prevent tip damage. Sharpen before each use for the most precise lines: a dull tip creates thick, imprecise edges. Invest in a quality sharpener with a sharp blade: dull sharpeners chew the wood and waste product. Clean the sharpener with alcohol wipes monthly to prevent bacterial transfer to your lips. Chill pencils in the refrigerator for ten minutes before sharpening in warm weather: this firms the formula and prevents crumbling. Do not over-sharpen: expose only a quarter inch of product to minimize breakage. If a pencil tip breaks repeatedly, the formula may be too warm or the sharpener too dull. Replace pencils yearly: old lip products can harbor bacteria. A four-dollar pencil that lasts three months costs about four cents per day. Good maintenance makes budget liners perform like luxury ones. Travel with pencils in a hard case because tips break easily in soft makeup bags.
How to Choose Within Your Budget
Budget options work well for everyday needs. Mid-range products often deliver better ingredients and performance. Premium options suit those wanting the best formulas. Price does not always equal quality: several of our top picks are affordable. Set your budget first, then choose the best performer within it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right lippie pencil lip products product comes down to matching formulas to your specific needs and routine, not chasing viral trends. Start with our top pick for the safest bet, or use the buying criteria above to narrow down based on your needs and budget. Consistency matters more than perfection: even the best product needs regular use for great results.
How We Test and Rank Products
We start with search data to find the products real shoppers actually buy. Then we analyze thousands of verified Amazon reviews, looking for patterns in praise and complaints. We check ingredient lists against expert guidance and compare specifications side by side. Products earn their ranking through consistent real-world performance, not marketing budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
BFF 3 is the bestselling shade, a versatile nude that suits many skin tones. Its popularity comes from genuine everyday wearability. It pairs with nearly any lipstick or gloss. If you buy one Lippie pencil, make it BFF 3.
Stay within one millimeter of your natural line. Focus on the cupid bow and lower lip center. Blend the liner inward with your finger. Fill the lip with the liner color to avoid a harsh ring. Subtle overlining looks natural, dramatic overlining does not.
For invisible definition, match your natural lip color deepened one shade. For a bold look, match the lipstick exactly. The 90s trend intentionally uses darker liner with lighter lipstick. Modern everyday wear favors the natural-match approach.
Use a quality sharpener with a sharp blade. Chill the pencil briefly if the formula feels soft. Sharpen gently with light pressure. Dull sharpeners crumble the product. Replace sharpeners when they start chewing instead of cutting.
Yes, filled-in liner makes a great matte lip color alone. The Lippie formula is pigmented enough for full coverage. Add balm on top for comfort. This is the longest-wearing way to wear the product. Many fans wear BFF 3 alone daily.