LIPSTICK IS GREAT. Lip gloss is awesome. Lip liners are essential. But at this stage of my life, I’m obsessed with big, fat lip pencils. I love a pencil that glides on like a lipstick, but allows more of that lip liner definition. It’s like using a beautiful crayon on your mouth. A bigger lip pencil can slip easily into your purse and make it past TSA without any overzealous agents trying to take your products away (speaking from experience here). And the beautiful thing is, now there are lip pencils in a variety of finishes and colors, making this the ultimate way to give your pout some impact. Let’s get into my favorite brands of lip pencils!

NARS – First there were the NARS Velvet Matte and Velvet Gloss pencils – both awesome, highly coveted beauty products beloved by makeup lovers and makeup artists everywhere. And now NARS has done it again, debuting their Satin Lip pencil. It comes in 13 fabulous colors, each named for parks and gardens around the world. The finish is creamy, soft, and beautifully sheeny (but not too shiny).

Black|up – This French makeup brand for women of color knows what looks good on women of all skin tones. Their 2 in 1 Lip Pencils are intended to be used as a base for other lip color, or as the main star of the show. In 12 delicious, high pigment shades, there’s bound to be one you love.

Milani – Milani is the best thing to happen for beauty loving women of color at the drugstore in years. The pigments in their lip products and eyeliners and even eyeshadows is beyond impressive, and the prices are a thing of beauty! Milani’s Lip Flash pencils were a little of everything. Glossy, glittery, high pigment color for less.

Cover Girl – Cover Girl’s new Jumbo Gloss Balm is so easy to wear! 16 shades of sexy, shiny, sheer color that slides on like a gloss and leaves subtle color behind. If you want a high impact look, layer over your favorite Queen Collection lipstick!

NYX – Makeup lovers and artists seeking to build a collection know ALL about NYX, the enormous brand with tons of shades to choose from available at Ulta. NYX Jumbo Lip Pencils are things of legend – high impact, long lasting, less than five dollars. They’re a must have for any lip pencil lover.

Clinique – Moisturizing, luxe and lovely – Clinique’s Chubby Sticks set the lip pencil bar high. They’re great for anyone seeking a hint of color when you’re on the go, or if your lips need nourishment and pizzazz.

Contributing Editor, Patrice Grell Yursik is the creator of Afrobella.com, one of the first blogs to celebrate the beauty of natural hair and ladies of all skin tones and sizes. Affectionately called the Godmother of Brown Beauty Blogging, Patrice takes her readers inside unique beauty, fashion and cultural experiences.