Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: The Cut, Retailer
Earlier this summer, I sat a few feet from Dame Pat McGrath on the top floor of the Louis Vuitton 57th Street flagship store for a master class she was hosting on her signature technique of defining lips. That technique and her decades-long experience in the industry are why Louis Vuitton tapped her last year to be their brand’s beauty creative director. Now, she is debuting the LV lip crayon, a dimension-building liner that enhances the lips with McGrath’s genius and the luxury of Louis Vuitton.
The peptide-infused liner is designed to glide across the lips with ease and after testing it for the past six weeks, I can say that it is creamy. With ten shades, the pigments range from a light nude to deep plums and signature reds that “deliver the drama,” according to McGrath. It’s one of the more expensive liners, retailing for $58, pricier than the $26 Makeup Forever liner, the $35 Dior Beauty liner, or the $47 Tom Ford Beauty liner, though less expensive than Sisley’s $78 liner. But what actually makes for a good standout liner that’s worth investing in? We tried some of the shades, and here are our honest thoughts.
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Photo: Asia Milia Ware
Shade you tried: 193 Sépia Panorama
What did you think? What did you pair it with? It is definitely the shade I’ve reached for the most. For my skin tone, it’s a subtle chocolate brown that defines my lip shape without doing too much work; that’s the McGrath touch. I paired it with an LV lipstick (109, my perfect nude) and my go-to gloss lately, Chanel’s Hydra Gloss in Eclectique.
Would you buy it? If I were to spend $58 on a lip liner, it would have to be something I could wear every day. And this one hits the mark. Plus, beyond the formula, you’re paying for the experience: the gentle glide, the gold monogrammed brush, the ability to keep it on your bathroom shelf, without stashing it deep in a bag.
Photo: Asia Milia Ware
Shade you tried: 490 Plum Comet
What did you think? What did you pair it with? One of McGrath’s makeup artists persuaded me to try this shade at the master class, and I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. Since it’s already a color I usually wouldn’t go for, it feels like less is more by just diffusing the liner into my natural lip color instead of piling on other products.
Would you buy it? Not for myself. I’d gift it to my mom, who wears deep plum and burgundy lipsticks.
Photo: Asia Milia Ware
Shade you tried: Rouge Louis
What did you think? What did you pair it with? These days, I rarely wear red lipstick, but when I do, I opt for a deep red with blueish undertones. This was a little brighter. I paired the classic red liner shade with an LV lipstick. It felt like a statement and very Dame McGrath.
Would you buy it? This particular shade I wouldn’t purchase, but it’s a great splurge for the woman who lives in a red lip.
Photo: Carol Lee
Shade you tried: 191 Nude Rêverie
What did you think? What did you pair it with? This light rosy nude is the shade that is closest to the color of my lips. It’s a pretty hue, but I would probably need to outline them with a deeper shade. That’s how I wore it, whether I applied it alongside other shades of LV lip liners or some of my other favorites, like Victoria Beckham’s lip liner in 02 and KJH.Brand Precision Sculpture Stylo.
In terms of formula, you can tell it’s something Pat McGrath was involved in developing — it’s smooth, creamy, and comfortable. Because of the softer texture and semi-matte finish, it’s not as drying as other lip liners, which means it’s also blendable and buildable. However, that also translates into a little less lasting power and grip on the lips, which is fine for people who like reapplying their lip combos (like me!). I also like that the pencil is made with actual wood, meaning it’s easy to sharpen into a precise point.
Would you buy it? Nude Rêverie isn’t something I’d wear every day. And for its $58 price, I’d buy one or two of the other shades before I got this one.
Photo: Carol Lee
Shade you tried: 192 Nude Quest
What did you think? What did you pair it with? I’d describe this shade as the color my lips are after a makeout session. (LV calls it a “warm nude with terracotta undertones,” which I guess is accurate too.) I wore it on its own and blurred out the edges, using the fancy brush on the other side of the product, which made my lips look bigger. It gave my lips dimension, and I liked the color.
Would you buy it? Yes — since I can wear it by itself and not add too many other products, I can justify the price here.
Photo: Carol Lee
Shade you tried: 193 Sépia Panorama
What did you think? What did you pair it with? This is a warm, chocolatey brown with mahogany undertones. While it’s a beautiful shade that would look incredible on a variety of skin tones, I was disappointed that there wasn’t a deeper, cooler brown in the collection that would help me sculpt the shape of my lips. I also think a darker brown would be beneficial for those with deeper skin tones, and I hope LV continues to expand the line.
Would you buy it? If I were to buy two from the line, it would be this one and Nude Quest. But I would recommend buying these lip liners only if you have the room in your budget, absolutely love the shades, and want that LV, Pat McGrath–curated luxury experience. And if that’s you, these would be a wonderful way to treat yourself.
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