Leave it to TikTok to blur the line—literally—between genius and girl, what are you doing?! The latest so-called beauty “hack” lighting up social media is all about ditching your trusty lip pencil and reaching for… wait for it… a Sharpie.
Yes. A Sharpie. As in, the permanent marker you used to label your high school notebooks, not line your Cupid’s bow.
The idea, demonstrated by a few bold influencers with shockingly steady hands, is that using a Sharpie as lip liner gives a long-lasting, ultra-defined edge that won’t smudge, fade, or feather. Think of it as commitment-level contouring for your lips—one wrong move and you’re basically rebranding your mouth for 72 hours.
The hack promises “tattoo-like precision,” with one user claiming, “It stayed on through three margaritas and a full sushi dinner.” Another proudly declared, “I didn’t even have to touch up once during Coachella.” (Impressive… if slightly concerning.)
But while the results may look snatched, dermatologists and toxicologists are urging people to put the caps back on their markers, stat. “Sharpies are not designed for use on skin, especially around the mouth,” warns Dr. Lena Chen, a cosmetic dermatologist in Los Angeles. “The chemicals in permanent ink can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and potentially be harmful if ingested.”
Despite the warnings, the trend shows no signs of fading faster than a matte liquid lipstick. It’s part beauty rebellion, part thrill-seeking—an aesthetic version of walking on the wild side, one lip at a time.
Still, for those tempted to try the hack, there are safer alternatives. Brands like Urban Decay and NYX now offer “tattoo” or “24-hour” liners with the same bold payoff—minus the trip to urgent care.
So is the Sharpie lip liner a genius move or a beauty blunder waiting to happen? We’ll let you decide. But just know: what happens in your makeup routine doesn’t always stay in your makeup routine—especially when it’s permanent marker.
Moral of the story? Maybe leave the office supplies out of your glam bag. Your lips (and your liver) will thank you.