Meet The New Lip Liners I’m Suddenly Obsessed With
While some people diligently apply lip liner every day, I only recently caught the bug. As a longtime clear balm devotee, I used to approach lip colour with caution, reserving it for special occasions when I had the energy for touch-ups. However, that changed the moment I tried Byfrow’s new Pigment Pencils — a collection of buttery-soft formulas that make my lips look prettier and more polished, without feeling overdone.
Created by content creator Victoria Magrath — who has spent her over-a-decade-long career helping to sell countless lipsticks for other luxury brands — these pencils distil everything she knows about comfortable, wearable lip products. Years in the making, the range includes seven nude, blush and berry tones, ensuring there’s a shade for every skin tone, mood and ensemble.
Magrath herself wears one daily, often layering it with The Lip Companion, a minty-fresh balm housed in a chic lipstick bullet, for a dewy, natural finish. “Most days I just wear skincare and then put on a lip,” she tells Vogue, adding that she keeps at least five lip liners in her bag at all times. “I’m obsessed with making sure my lips are always on — these pencils are the lip wardrobe I need to complement every outfit.”
While developing the lip products, she had firm criteria. They needed to glide on effortlessly (check), offer just the right amount of slip (check), avoid bleeding into fine lines (check), and stay put all day (also check). “It was really important that they didn’t dry out the lips,” she says. “We’ve created a formula that holds its shape beautifully, yet still has wonderful slip and creaminess.”
The pencils can be used to subtly contour the lips or build fuller, more impactful colour. Magrath also likes scribbling shades like Toasted Rose and Pink Sorbet onto her cheeks, and blending them with fingertips or a brush for a soft flush. “I even love using Dark Roast to create faux freckles,” she adds. “You just need a sharpened tip.”
Having road-tested them myself for a while now — my favourites are Cherry Berry and Chai Latte — I can vouch for their supreme comfort. At this time of year, when the cold air leaves everything a little drier and my lips are the first to suffer, these pencils have remained in my routine. Even on glacial days, I’m happy to apply, especially when layered with a balm for extra protection against the elements.
To see how they look IRL, I took photos of each one on my face on the same day. Some are better suited to different looks/skin tones. Here goes:
