What is lip liner made from?
Manufactured from the same core ingredients as lipstick, including coconut oil, hydrogenated palm oil, castor oil, Synthetic Japan Wax, beeswax, shea butter, and various preservatives, lip liners are typically firmer and more pigmented (a result of more oil, less wax, and stronger pigments). The most commonly used pigments are derived from non-toxic iron oxides, lake dyes, carmine, and even fruit extracts. Meanwhile, some eye liners also contain vitamins C and E which have antioxidant properties and others contain Oryzanol which helps slow visible ageing.
In pencil form, the formula is moulded into a lead-like tube or stick that is housed within a wooden casing (just like a coloured pencil), whilst pens, crayons, and gels are typically housed within plastic tubes. Meanwhile, some liners, elf’s Lip Liner & Blending Brush range included, also come with built-in lip blending brushes attached to the opposite end of their coloured tips.
What are the different types of lip liner?
Lip pencils – Lip pencils are the original, and most common type of lip liner. The best option for creating sharp lines, they are typically made from a wooden shell and function in same was as regular coloured pencils, but houses a near-solid pigmented stick instead of a coloured lead.
Automatic lip liners – Essentially a lip pencil with a self-sharpening function, and usually sold in a retractable or twist up format, automatic liners offer identical results to lip pencils, but with the added convenience of not requiring manual sharpening.
Lip crayons – Best described as a liner and lipstick hybrid, lip crayons feature a pointed tip which makes it easy to both trace and fill in your lips, so provided you aren’t looking for contrasting lip and liner colours, it can negate the need for two items and therefore two applications.
Lip pens and lip markers – Sometimes also called liquid lip liner or ink liner, lip pens and markers dispense a special cosmetic grade ink through a soft, flexible tip. They can be used to either line the lips or to colour them in completely as an alternative to lipsticks, glosses, and tints.
Gel lip liner – With a soft, gel-like centre, gel lip liners provide great coverage and glide on more smoothly and easily than regular liners which makes them a great alternative for beginners.
Transparent lip liner – Often also referred to as clear or invisible, transparent liners are used to trace the outline of your lips just like regular liners, but rather than adding colour, they are designed to create an invisible barrier to prevent your lipstick or gloss from smudging or running whilst also prolonging wear time.
