Brown Lip Liner Must-Haves: Saint Laurahs' Picks For Melanated Girls
Brown lip liner isn't just a trend — it's a legacy. Once born out of necessity, this beauty staple has grown into a symbol of cultural identity and creativity for Black and Latina women. In the decades when the beauty industry failed to provide inclusive options, women of color innovated with what they had — often using brown eyeliner pencils to define their lips, contour their features, and create iconic looks that have stood the test of time.
Today, brown lip liner continues to evolve, with major brands finally catching up and offering a more inclusive range of shades. To dig deeper into its significance and explore the best liners on the market right now, I spent a day at Sephora and Ulta in SoHo, NYC, with celebrity makeup artist Saint Laurahs', whose clients include JT, Doechii, Baby Tate, the Claremont Twins, and more.
'For Black and Latina women, brown liner were never just about makeup — it was about making something out of nothing,' Saint explains. 'It became a creative act of self-definition when the industry wasn't making products for our undertones.'
Saint reflects on the legacy of icons like Mary J. Blige, Lil' Kim, and Selena, who all made brown lips their signature look. 'It was bold but still natural. It enhanced our features in a way that pinks and reds just couldn't.'
Brown lip liner has always been more than just a product — it's a cultural tool. From the underground beauty hacks of the '90s to today's high-end shelves, it continues to reflect the creativity, resilience, and evolving standards of beauty within communities of color.
Finding the right brown lip liner is still a challenge. 'The biggest issue with brown liners today is the undertone,' Saint says. 'A lot of liners are either too warm or too dark. You have to balance them — sometimes by pairing with a pink lipstick or layering with gloss — to soften the look.'
Saint matches lip liners to her clients by skin tone, undertone, and the vibe they're going for. 'If someone wants a natural look, I go lighter. For something bolder, I'll pick a deep brown. There's no rule — just intention.'
'This one is a perfect cool tone brown for lighter clients,' Saint says. 'It blends beautifully and doesn't overpower the lips.'
Refy Lip Sculpt in Fawn
Refy
Long-lasting and versatile, this light brown liner comes with a setting liquid to keep it in place. 'It works on fair to medium complexions and enhances any look,' she notes.
When asked to build her ideal trio, Saint didn't hesitate:
Mac Lip Liner in Chestnut
Mac Cosmetics
'This combo is playful, feminine, and universally flattering,' she says.
Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner in Gifted
Rare Beauty
If you're looking for an everyday nude lip that pairs with any outfit or occasion, Saint recommends:
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