I think every woman, no matter what her skin tone, should have at least one brown lip pencil in her arsenal. Besides its obvious powers of enhancing a brown lipstick, it can serve as a great base to turn reds into deeper burgundies, assist with an ombre lip as well as create a nice border for an array of neutrals. Altogether, I have three - two of which I'm sure you've heard me mention before plus one I'd love to tell you about right now.
MAC's Chestnut is a rich, reddish-brown and it is one of my faves. It was the first brown lip pencil I ever bought and it's one that I always come back to. Shrouded in battle scars from tip to tail, my Chestnut stays in constant rotation as I rely on it to set my deep browns and bring dimension to my dark reds. I've got history with this shade. In fact, this particular pencil is my third one!
Chestnut has a creamy texture that glides on the lips and imparts full-on color without tugging or pulling. I have no problem with it fading or feathering out as it stays true to my lips all day long, issue-free.
Another fave of mine is Cork lip liner, which MAC describes as a "muted, golden brown". I just re-upped on this shade as this, too, is one of my staples. Less dramatic in color than Chestnut, I like to wear Cork with my peachy lipsticks and lipglosses or by itself with a clear gloss on top.
Just like Chestnut, Cork is soft on the lips and has a strong color payoff. I have no problems with the liner fading or bleeding as it lasts all day on me. Very nice shade. I think this may be my third or fourth pencil as well... And counting!
Last, but not least, is a lip liner from drugstore fave Wet 'n' Wild. I didn't see a name on the pencil, but it's numbered 712 and is a pretty nutmeg shade. Now, I haven't used it yet (of course!) but I can see pairing it with a host of glosses and some darker nudes, perhaps.
A little drier than the MAC liners, 712 applies and feels more like a true crayon liner. It tugs a bit, but imparts a good amount of color with each pass. It has ample staying power, too, as it stayed put all day without budging or fading away.
And so, there you have it. Unless I hear of or find a shimmery/pearly brown lip liner for me to cop, I think I have my brown bases covered. I'm still on the hunt for a nice red and orange, though. Nothing too bright... I may go to my local beauty supply this weekend to survey their supply of NYX pencils, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll prolly end up buying the shades from MAC. Hmm... we shall see.
But until then, I'll be looking and when I do the finding, I'll be sure to report back with the spoils from my hunt!
MAC Chestnut and Cork are available at Macy's and Nordstrom, and retail for $15. Wet 'n' Wild 712 is available at various drugstores and retails for .99¢.
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