Collection: Lip Pencils

The right Korean lip pencil shade depends on the look you want to create. For a natural, everyday look, choose a lip liner that closely matches your natural lip colour or the shade of lipstick you will be using. For example, if you have naturally pink lips, one of the lighter shades of the Laka Stain Lip Liner will create soft, seamless definition. 

* Malkn Tip: If you prefer a more defined, 90s-inspired lip, opt for a lip pencil that is one or two shades deeper than your natural lip colour or pair it with a deeper lipstick. One of our favourites is the Laka Stain Lip Liner in #06 Mauve Whisper, which adds subtle depth while remaining easy to blend.

Creating a softly over-lined look is incredibly straightforward with a blendable lip pencil. Start by gently gliding the pencil slightly over your natural lip line, focusing primarily on the Cupid's bow and the very centre of your lower lip line to add instant roundness and volume. Next, use your fingertip to softly smudge the outer edges, diffusing the line into your skin. Finish by applying your favourite glossy lip tint to the centre of your lips and blending it outwards to meet the blurred pencil border for a seamless, perfectly plumped look. Consider Rom&nd Lip Mate Pencil for a natural over-lip drawing.

One of the most common lip liner mistakes is drawing a harsh outline without blending it into your lipstick or lip tint. While using a slightly deeper lip liner can create the illusion of fuller lips, leaving a sharp, unblended line can look unnatural and, instead of making the lips look bigger, make them look smaller than they actually are.

Multiple tricks can be applied to take full advantage of the lip pencil. However, a  Malkn favourite is the just-kissed effect, which can be achieved by overlining the centre of the lips only. Instead of applying the lip liner on your entire mouth, only glide your lip pencil slightly outside your natural border at the very peak of your Cupid’s bow and the plumpest centre part of your bottom lip. Then smudge gently and diffuse the outer edges of the line into your skin. This will create a soft shadow that will make your lips look instantly fuller without any obvious makeup lines.

The secret to a long-lasting lip liner is proper prep. Start by ensuring your lips are completely dry and free of excess balm, then apply a bit of concealer or foundation to neutralise colour and create a clean base, especially if you have pigmented lips. Next, trace your outline and fill in the outer third of your lips so there isn't a harsh line as your lipstick wears off.