Lipstick has always had a flair for the dramatic, from Cleopatra’s crushed carmine beetles to 1920s flapper reds.
But somewhere between the overlined pout and the ‘barely there’ balm lies the beauty world’s most adaptable invention: the lip kit.
A simple combination of products – ranging from a liner and a matte lipstick to a jumbo crayon and a sparkling gloss – is designed to streamline the most important part of your makeup routine.
It hasn’t, however, always been this neatly packaged. Once upon a makeup counter, the domain of the perfect lip was ruled by MAC. Since its inception in the early 80s, an era of big hair and even bolder lip looks, the iconic brand has remained unshakeable in its pro credentials, loved equally by backstage artists and beauty obsessives across the globe.
Yet its offering is overwhelming, to say the least. To this day, one can’t simply stroll into MAC without knowing exactly what you’re looking for, unless you’ve a few hours to spare.
This is where lip kits come in, though we’re getting slightly ahead of ourselves in this whistlestop beauty history tour. Boy George, Madonna and Grace Jones pioneered holographic purple lips, while the 90s saw bold liner looks with peachy-pink glosses à la Christina Aguilera and JLO. With the beginnings of the social media age, lip looks got shinier and shinier still.
Cue the 2010s, where lip trends became louder than ever. Jessie J was painting hers into Union Jacks with studs, which prompted the sale of stick-on lip looks that could mimic such intricacy. Kylie Jenner was selling bizarre, bright blue combos in boxed duos that flew from digital shelves in seconds.
Suddenly, a lip look wasn’t just a finishing touch; it was a personal brand. Finding your own unique combo became akin to the importance of finding a signature scent.
Today’s iterations nod to their viral past, only in a more subtle manner. Gabriette’s limited edition lip kit for MAC was an instant sell-out, promising to help makeup lovers achieve effortless it-girl status with an adaptable, neutral-toned combo that’s smudgy, punk-ish and sexily imprecise. Then there’s the return of Clinique’s Black and Pink Honey balms with matching liners, '90s relics turned TikTok darlings that are re-emerging as a fan-favourite natural look for every skin tone.
The extremes are still there, such as brown liners and vinyl glosses for the Nineties revivalists and purple combos for the bold, but so is the softness promised by cult-favourite combos like Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk.
What’s changed isn’t just the product, but the attitude. Where lip kits once promised transformation, now they’re about refinement. Layered textures, tones that mimic your own, a sense of personality rather than persona. Thankfully for heritage lipstick lovers, MAC is now home to a vast selection of easily shoppable lip kits that aren’t just limited edition collabs.
We’ve curated a selection of the best lip kits on the market below.
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Refy Lip Collection
Chic and clutch-friendly, Refy’s Lip Collection features the brand’s best-selling transfer-proof lip liner for sculptural precision, and a high-shine gloss that feels like a balm. The formula is hydrating and sleek, with a cool metal applicator for an effortlessly polished touch. Plus, it delivers long-lasting glow that can even handle coffee sips without drama.
Buy now £30.00, Refy
MACXIMAL Sleek Satin Lip Combo
A deft pairing of MAC’s updated Sleek Satin lipstick and matching lip pencil, this combo revisits classic 90s nude elegance with a silken, moisturising finish. It’s all that substance MAC’s known for: rich pigment and a creamy glide without sacrificing comfort, thanks to camellia seed, rosehip oil, and pomegranate flower extract. You can also explore MAC’s wider range of lip combos, which include Silky Matte Lipsticks, Lipglass Air Non-Sticky Glosses and more.
Buy now £38.00, MAC
Clinique Everyday Lip Duo
A refreshingly practical duo from Clinique that marries a lip pencil with the cult-favourite Almost Lipstick in a soft, flattering shade. It’s subtly chic, low fuss. and easy to carry straight from desk to drinks. The understated formula revives your lips with a sheer, polished wash that’s more “your mouth, but better” than full glam, perfect for daily ease.
Buy now £45.00, Clinique
Vieve Perfect Pairings
Vieve’s lip kit brings a beauty editor sensibility to your handbag: minimalist packaging, high-performance pigments, and an easy-to-use pairing of liner and signature glossy and non-sticky lip dew. Founder Jamie Genevieve’s eponymous brand nails that modern polished look, with options ranging from perfect peaches to deep cherry hues. Sophisticated, understated, and indulgent.
Buy now £34.00, Vieve
Kevyn Aucoin Glass Lip Duo
This iconic duo from Kevyn Aucoin delivers looks-good-on-everyone allure. It’s a lightweight, shimmering, blonze-y gloss with a luminous shine that’s never sticky. The Unforgettable Lip Definer is creamy, nourishing and easy to manoeuvre, while the Glass Glow Lip is infused with vitamin E, ceramides and jojoba oil to lock moisture in. Expect an elevated finish: sheer, radiant and irresistible.
Buy now £33.00, Space NK
Sculpted by Aimee Lip Duo
This wallet-friendly double-ended duo is a pro’s cheat code for precise, defined lips. One side shapes while the other fills with creamy colour – no balancing lids and odd ends between fingers while on the tube. Sleek, fuss-free, and polished enough to make an impact even when you’re running out the door.
Buy now £17.00, Sculpted by Aimee
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Mini Lip Kit
A petite version of the Pillow Talk phenomenon, this mini kit from Charlotte Tilbury delivers effortless romanticism in a blush-nude tone. The liner is brilliantly adaptable, and the creamy shade blends to a dewy, universally flattering kiss of colour. It’s the perfect indulgence for anyone chasing that habitual, ultra-feminine and handbag-ready pout.
Buy now £20.00, Charlotte Tilbury
Kylie Cosmetics Supple Kiss & Precision Pout Lip Duo Gift Set
Kylie Jenner’s lip kits gained legendary status on first launch, but not content with resting on her laurels, the brand has elevated the selection, and the Kylie Cosmetics Glossy Lip Kit is the embodiment of the evolution.
It contains the Precision Pout Lip Liner and the Supple Kiss Lip Glaze, the former of which is a precise pencil with a waxy formula, while the latter provides a sheer pop of buildable colour and shine.
Buy now £29.00, Lookfantastic
Trinny London Statement Lip
Trinny’s luxe offering sits at the intersection of skincare and pigment. Hyaluronic acid, peptides, and nourishing oils give a dewy, plush finish that looks sculpted and professional. This hardworking trio includes Just Joyous nourishing, buildable lip colour, Eye2Eye buildable eye colour, and Lip2Cheeck multi-purpose lip and cheek tint.
Buy now £64.00, Trinny London
