When Mary Philips first launched her makeup line, m.ph, the internet went ballistic for good reason. The artist, known as much for her A-list roster (Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Zoë Kravitz) as for her viral underpainting technique, debuted a lineup designed to recreate her signature sculpted look. But while everyone else fixated on the now-infamous underpainting palette, my attention went straight to the lip pencils. The Overliner Lip Liner Pencil ($25), available in eight neutral shades, felt like the ultimate toolkit for crafting the perfect nude lip.
Naturally flushed lips aren’t so simple when you have two-toned lips. Achieving that seamless, softly defined finish usually requires at least three shades to create depth and balance. When I discovered this range, I knew I’d found something special. It’s not just about one great brown or beige—it’s the subtle tonal variation that makes all the difference. Here’s my honest review.
The Benefits of The Overliner Lip Liner Pencils
The days of stiff, tugging pencils are (thankfully) behind us. These lip liners have a creamy texture that glides on smoothly and melts into your skin like butter. That’s no coincidence. The formula features a peptide known for its hydrating and smoothing properties. It helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and promotes moisture retention, resulting in a plumper look. There is also good old Vitamin E to soothe chapping and provide antioxidant protection.
The format is classic—a traditional wooden pencil that sharpens easily—housed in minimalist packaging that feels as elevated as the shades themselves.
What I Love About The Overliner Lip Liner Pencils
For everyday makeup, I typically use lip liner to both line and fill in my lips for a softer, more natural finish. Finding neutral shades that actually work for that purpose hasn’t always been easy, but this range simplifies the process. The colors span pinky nudes, warm caramels, rich espresso and reddish-browns, with subtle tonal differences between each. That nuance is what makes creating an effortless, believable nude lip so much easier.
Then there’s the formula. “Blurred” and “diffused” aren’t words I usually associate with lip liner, but that’s exactly the effect here. Phillips is known for her sculpting techniques, so it makes sense that these pencils deliver that same softly defined, pout-enhancing look. The creamy texture allows for subtle overlining without harsh edges and blends seamlessly with a fingertip or lip brush. I don’t typically overline, but I appreciate the flexibility—it fills in beautifully and gives my lips a gently plumped appearance without feathering or emphasizing texture.
As for the finish, you can’t go wrong with a soft matte. The muted effect is so flattering that I’ve worn it without gloss, which is a big deal for me.
My Go-to Shades
m.ph The Overliner Lip Liner Pencil in French Exit
m.ph The Overliner Lip Liner Pencil in Cherry Cola
m.ph The Overliner Lip Liner Pencil in Bittersweet
