The best lip crayons deserve a permanent spot in your makeup bag this year. Why, you ask? They pair the glide of lip balm with the polish of a traditional lipstick and the precision of a chubby lip liner. Unlike the fleeting glimmer of lip gloss or the crackle of a liquid lipstick, lip crayons offer a refined versatility that makeup artists swear by.

Of course, the category is varied. Some formulas lean soft and creamy, melting into lips with a high-shine sheen, Others are firm, matte, and long-wearing, making them the understated heroes of all-day wear. And the best part? Whether you reach for a high-end favorite or a drugstore gem, there’s a crayon for every mood and moment.

Ahead, two celebrity makeup artists decode everything you need to know about lip crayons, plus the standout shades and textures worth shopping now.

Vogue’s Favorite Lip Crayons:

In This Story:

Best Overall: Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Lipstick + Lip Liner Crayon

• Why We Love It: “I love this soft, hydrating, and velvety matte formula,” celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris says. “It’s a perfect balance of precision and color payoff.” Lip Sketch is available in 15 modern shades—from a deep, blue red to a pinkish mauve—each enriched with a host of hydrating agents from hyaluronic acid to rosehip oil, which keeps lips soft, smooth, and chap-free. Plus, the soft-matte finish imparts a your-lips-but-better look.
• Key Ingredients: Sea succulent, hyaluronic acid, seaweed extract, rosehip oil
• Finish: Matte
• Shades: 15
• *More To Know: Cruelty-free, clean formula

​​Best Gloss: Sisley Paris Phyto-Lip Twist

• Why We Love It: As precise as a lip pencil, pigmented as a lipstick, and shiny as a gloss, Sisley’s Phyto-Lip is the versatile formula to know. “The texture is ultra-creamy, and this crayon is twist-up, so no sharpening is required,” Harris notes—giving it his stamp of approval. And, thanks to a hydrating blend of plant-based active ingredients, your lips will remain supple, smooth, and just a tad glossy. Go for shade Litchi for daily wear, or True Red for a night out.
• Key Ingredients: Commipheroline, phytosqualane
• Finish: Glossy
• Shades: 17
• More To Know: Cruelty-free, dermatologist tested, paraben-free