Brown lip liner isn’t just a trend — it’s a legacy. Once born out of necessity, this beauty staple has grown into a symbol of cultural identity and creativity for Black and Latina women. In the decades when the beauty industry failed to provide inclusive options, women of color innovated with what they had — often using brown eyeliner pencils to define their lips, contour their features, and create iconic looks that have stood the test of time.
Today, brown lip liner continues to evolve, with major brands finally catching up and offering a more inclusive range of shades. To dig deeper into its significance and explore the best liners on the market right now, I spent a day at Sephora and Mac in SoHo, NYC, with celebrity makeup artist Saint Laurahs’, whose clients include JT, Doechii, Baby Tate, the Claremont Twins, and more.
Watch Full Interview Here
Why Brown Lip Liner Still Matters
“For Black and Latina women, brown liner were never just about makeup — it was about making something out of nothing,” Saint explains. “It became a creative act of self-definition when the industry wasn’t making products for our undertones.”
Saint reflects on the legacy of icons like Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, and Selena, who all made brown lips their signature look. “It was bold but still natural. It enhanced our features in a way that pinks and reds just couldn’t.”
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Brown lip liner has always been more than just a product — it’s a cultural tool. From the underground beauty hacks of the ’90s to today’s high-end shelves, it continues to reflect the creativity, resilience, and evolving standards of beauty within communities of color.
Choosing the Right Brown: It's All About the Undertone
Finding the right brown lip liner is still a challenge. “The biggest issue with brown liners today is the undertone,” Saint says. “A lot of liners are either too warm or too dark. You have to balance them — sometimes by pairing with a pink lipstick or layering with gloss — to soften the look.”
Saint matches lip liners to her clients by skin tone, undertone, and the vibe they’re going for. “If someone wants a natural look, I go lighter. For something bolder, I’ll pick a deep brown. There’s no rule — just intention.”
Saint’s Top Brown Lip Liners - Swatched & Reviewed
1. Makeup by Mario- Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil
- Dark Chocolate: A deep, rich brown perfect for darker complexions. Comes with a smudge brush for seamless blending.
- Travis: Ideal for lighter skin tones — gives a soft, natural brown look.
- Jeff: A cool-toned mid-brown that suits a wide range of complexions.
2. Make Up For Ever – Artist Color Pencil
- Endless Cacao (Shade 506)
“This one is a perfect cool tone brown for lighter clients,” Saint says. “It blends beautifully and doesn’t overpower the lips.”
3. Refy Lip Liners – Lip Sculpt
- Shade Fawn
Long-lasting and versatile, this light brown liner comes with a setting liquid to keep it in place. “It works on fair to medium complexions and enhances any look,” she notes.
4. Fenty Beauty - Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner
- Put Butta: A warm light brown — smooth and great for everyday wear.
- Brown’d Out: A deeper brown for more definition and contrast.
- I Woodn’t: A universally flattering shade for subtle depth.
Saint's Dream Lip Kit
When asked to build her ideal trio, Saint didn’t hesitate:
- Liner: MAC Chestnut — “The classic brown. It gives you structure before you go in with color.”
- Lipstick: MAC Snob — A bright pink that pops against the brown liner.
- Gloss: MAC Dreamy — A light pink gloss with glitter for the perfect finishing touch.
“This combo is playful, feminine, and universally flattering,” she says.
Corein’s Brown Lip Liner Faves
- Rare Beauty - Kind Words Matte Lip Liner
- Gifted
- Strong
- Makeup by Mario – Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencil
- Spice Chai
- Refy – Lip Sculpt in
- Oat
- Suede
- Revolution Beauty – Pout Bomb Plumping Lip Liner
- Espresso Cool Brown
- Deepest Mauve
A Go-To Nude Lip Combo for Everyday
If you're looking for an everyday nude lip that pairs with any outfit or occasion, Saint recommends:
- MAC Chestnut Lip Liner – blend it out for a soft outline.
- MAC Please Me Lipstick – adds a warm pink tone.
- Blend everything using a lip brush for a natural, flawless transition.
- Finish with a gloss to enhance and pull the entire look together.
