Even as a beauty editor who has tried almost every lip liner going, many of them have left me pretty disappointed. Some are too dry and drag across my skin, and others are just too creamy to have any real lasting power. I also don’t like the idea of paying upwards of £20 on a luxury lip liner. More often than not I end up choosing the wrong shade anyway (I always end up with something way too warm-toned or just too dark).

So, one day I made my way down to my local shop to find a trusty drugstore lip liner. As I was crawling to my next payday, I challenged myself to find one for under £5 and came across Rimmel Lasting Power Lip Liner in Cappuccino (£4)—the last one on the shelf. Little did I know I’d just found my holy-grail lip liner, and since then I’ve never looked back.

Rimmel Lasting Power Liner in Cappucinno

The Shade and Formula

Cappuccino is a true cool-toned brown. I often find most brown lip liners lean too warm or too dark for my complexion, but this one adds the right amount of definition without looking too harsh. As someone with light skin, it’s a good neutral brown that would also suit medium and tan complexions. However, if you have a deeper complexion, it may look more natural. If you want something more bold, I’ve heard the shade Brownie Pie (£4) is a good alternative.

As for the formula, it’s really easy to apply. It’s creamy and glides effortlessly onto the lips. If you’re going for a contoured lip or blurred look, it’s easy enough to blur into your lips, but equally, if you’re looking for a precise line this lip liner can achieve it as well. It’s so fool-proof, in fact, that I carry it as my main lip liner in my handbag as it’s so easy to use and I know it pairs well with anything I apply on top—usually a lip gloss or a lip oil.

While I’m not someone who typically overlines my lips (mostly because I’m truly awful at it), this shade acts as a good contour if you’re wanting to go outside the lines slightly to make your lips look more full and plump. It’s also easy to sharpen, so you can always get a precise nib. What’s not to love?

Before Applying Rimmel Cappuccino Lip Liner

After Applying Rimmel Cappuccino Lip Liner

I really love the cool-toned shade of this lip liner, which I usually pair with a clear gloss or a tinted lip oil. But what’s also great about it is that, lightly applied, it leans more pink, but if you want more intensity it can be layered up for a ’90s-inspired brown. Whatever your preference, it applies and blends like a dream, and I like that it gives my lips definition without looking too ‘done’.

As for its longevity, this is a really long-lasting lip liner for the price. Even after eating and hours of wear, it lasts. I’d definitely look at topping up throughout the day, but there is no chance of this disappearing into thin air.

Rimmel Cappuccino Lip Liner With Gloss

After speaking with the Rimmel team, I found out that the lip combo everyone rates with the Cappuccino lip liner is the Rimmel Thrill Seeker Glassy Gloss in Coco Sugar (£9). And I have to agree, I love this clear gloss on top of the liner. It adds a glassy yet non-sticky sheen and deliciously smells like jelly pick ‘n’ mix sweets.

The Verdict

I can easily say that this lip liner will be a forever staple in my makeup bag, as well as my main bag for on the go touch-ups. Not only is the lasting power incredible, but it actually lasts a lot longer on my lips than some of the more expensive lip liners I’ve tried. The Cappuccino shade is versatile enough for day-to-day and suits most skin tones too. Overall, if you want a great lip liner I’d highly recommend it. I’d easily pay four times the price for this affordable formula, but the fact it costs less than an actual cappuccino is even better.