Rhode Lip Liner Review: I Tested 4 Lip Shapes Shades

A good lip liner can completely transform your look, and the new Rhode lip liner is taking it to the next level. Designed to contour and sculpt, this innovative product isn’t just about adding color—it’s about redefining your lips with a fuller, more natural finish.

With 11 neutral shades and a built-in silicone smudger, it promises effortless blending and a soft ombré effect that’s anything but ordinary.

However, the biggest question is whether this product is really innovative or actually great marketing, like the genius Mrs. Bieber is? I’ve put them to the test, and I have some thoughts.

Overview Of Rhode Lip Liner

Rhode Lip Liner isn’t just your average lip pencil—it’s a game-changer in how we think about defining lips. That’s why they’re called Lip Shapes instead! Designed with 11 neutral-forward shades, it’s perfect for anyone who loves a soft, sculpted look without the drama of (fake-looking) overlining.

What really sets it apart is its dual-ended design: one side is the creamy, satin-finish liner (without a sharp pencil tip!), and the other is a silicone smudger that gives you total control to blend, diffuse, or clean up edges for that effortless ombré real lip finish.

Rhode is a cruelty-free, 100% vegan, and clean brand that has been certified cruelty-free by PETA and Leaping Bunny. Moreover, the brand is fragrance-free (or offers a fragrance-free option), paraben-free, and gluten-free.

On top of that, the brand is sustainable and gives back to the community. Rhode’s bottles, tubes, and caps are made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, and they pledged a minimum of 1% of sales and ongoing team efforts to support organizations actively dismantling the barriers that impede women in their careers and limit their access to healthcare while supporting them in pursuing their long-term goals.

Rhode is really submerging into the makeup world now, with their second makeup launch (or third, if you count the peptide lip treatments as a makeup product) after the Pocket Blushes. I’m curious to see if we can expect more makeup products in the future, but first… let’s talk about these liners.

Features Of The Rhode Lip Liners

Ingredients

The two key ingredients in the Lip Shapes are peptides and Fenugreek Extract:

• Peptide: a short chain of 3 amino acids that help soften lips for a visibly smoother appearance and are known to boost hydration
• Fenugreek Extract: derived from organic fenugreek sprouts, it visibly enhances the look of lip volume and gives lips a firmer appearance

I’ve reviewed the complete ingredient list, and while most of it is clean, I did find Polyethylene and Phenoxyethanol.

Polyethylene is considered safe by this research and “good” by EWG, which means it is very, very unlikely to cause any harm to humans or the environment. However, since this ingredient is still debated sometimes, I like to mention it.

Phenoxyethanol can be a risky ingredient because of respiratory concerns. This ingredient has a higher chance of being toxic if used in inhalable product forms (e.g., sprays, powders), while it is less risky when used in products like solids or liquids. In this case, it is used in a solid form and thus less toxic, but still be aware that this ingredient is in the liners.

Formula & Application

Rhode’s lip liner is formulated with a creamy, satin‑finish pencil that remains comfortable on the lips. The texture is notably smooth and emollient, allowing the pigment to lay down evenly in a single swipe without requiring tugging or warming.

Instead of a sharp, fine point, the liner features a thicker, rounded tip. This shape offers a broader surface for contouring and reshaping the lips, making application approachable even for users who prefer a softer outline.

A dual‑ended format pairs the pencil with a silicone smudger, enabling quick diffusion for an ombré effect or precise cleanup around the lip line.

Versatile Shades

With 11 shades in warm, neutral, and cooler tones, there’s something for everyone, no matter your skin tone or preferred vibe. On top of that, the shades go from light tones to deep browns, which means that this is an inclusive line of products for all skin colors.

My Rhode Lip Liner Review

When I first got my hands on the Rhode Lip Liner, I was definitely intrigued. A soft, creamy formula with shades made to match a variety of skin tones? Sign me up.

When I first tried it, the pencil felt thicker/less precise than what I usually use (duh Simone, that’s the whole point!), But it’s not for precision lines; it’s for reshaping and contouring to enhance your natural lips, and to be fairly honest, it does just that!

The satin formula glides on so easily—no tugging, dry feeling, and no chalky look. It’s comfortable, almost balm-like, and that’s a massive win for all-day wear.

Daily Wear Test

I wore this lip liner all day and noticed that I had to reapply after an hour of 2-3, depending on what I’d eaten or drunk. While not bad, it is not a long-wearing or all-day lip liner.

On the other hand, Rhode doesn’t promise it will be long-lasting either, and I’ve seen Hailey mention it as an “on the go” type of product, which feels like a hint towards re-applying occasionally. There’s nothing wrong with this, but if you’re an “apply once, wear all day” type of girlie, this won’t be your product.

Ease Of Use

Like I mentioned earlier, this lip liner is a little thicker than others I’ve used, which means that a very precise application is definitely a bit harder. However, I didn’t have lip liner all over my face because of a thicker tip. You can still line your lips precisely, but you won’t get sharp lines like a sharp tip.

Instead, the rounded tip is designed to hug your natural lip shape, making application a breeze. It really helps with just swiping it on, and you’re good to go. I actually ended up liking this a lot – it makes it look a lot more natural!

The creamy texture glided on without any dragging, which I absolutely hate. It applied smoothly, easily, and on top of that, it is buildable as well. I also tested two shades and blending them together as an ombré effect, and this worked absolutely amazing, so these lip liners are very blendable too.

This actually ended up being my go-to lip: Lift as the overall lip liner, and making my lips look fuller, and I used Twist to accentuate the places where I wanted my lips to look contoured.

To be pretty honest, I’m not a huge fan of the smudger that’s on the other side. It helps with blending, so I use it most of the time for that reason. I don’t find it helpful to remove any mistakes. It’s an okay tool to have, but if, for example, I had to purchase this on top of the lip liner, I wouldn’t have gotten it.

Comfort And Formula

From the first swipe, it deposits even, buildable pigment that blends seamlessly into your lips or other products. The satin-finish formula is lightweight and ultra-comfortable, like a mix of a balm and a lipstick.

I didn’t experience any of that drying, tight sensation that some liners can give after a few hours. Instead, thanks to those skincare-infused ingredients, my lips felt soft and kinda hydrated.

In short, this lip shaper effortlessly blends definition, comfort, and a natural vibe—a daily must-have for anyone who loves a soft yet contoured lip.

Rhode Lip Liner Swatches

Below, you can find all four shades I’ve purchased swatched separately and all together so you can compare them if you want to.

Mind you, when I took the photos below, I already used the lip shapes quite a lot, so they’re even more rounded than what you get from the start/unused.

Rhode Lip Shape Lift

Rhode Lip Shape in Lift is a gorgeous soft neutral pink.

Rhode Lip Shape Twist

Rhode Lip Shape in Twist is a pretty warm taupe with a slight neutral undertone, I would say.

Rhode Lip Shape Lunge

Rhode Lip Shape in Lunge is a rosy beige, but ended up looking quite warm (towards orangy/brownish) on my skin tone.

Rhode Lip Shape Press

Rhode Lip Shape in Press is a gorgeous warm pinky mauve.

All 4 Rhode Lip Shape Shades Swatched

Rhode Lip Liner Review In Short: Pros & Cons

If you’re someone who’s constantly hunting for a go-to lip liner that does more than just define, the Rhode Lip Liner might just be your next obsession. With its innovative features and thoughtful design, this product packs a lot of punch.

Rhode Lip Shaper Pros

Rhode Lip Shaper Cons

Conclusion

The Rhode Lip Liner has completely changed the way I approach my lip routine. It’s not just a liner; it’s a tool for creating effortlessly defined, natural-looking lips with a touch of luxury. The creamy formula, versatile shades, and innovative design make it a standout in my makeup bag.

Whether I’m going for a soft, everyday look, this liner delivers every time. It’s easy to use, feels amazing on my lips, and adds that perfect finishing touch to any look. I honestly can’t imagine my routine without it now!