Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all seen the TikToks where a lip liner looks like the "perfect pink" on camera, only to buy it and realize it looks like straight-up orange mud on our actual faces. It's frustrating. When Rare Beauty dropped the Kind Words collection, the hype was immediate because, well, it’s Selena Gomez. But among the ten original shades, one name kept popping up in every comment section: Humble.
Is it actually the "your lips but better" holy grail everyone claims? Sorta.
The by Selena Gomez Kind Words Lip Liner Humble is officially described as a "rose mauve." If you’re a fan of that soft, romantic, slightly 90s-inspired pout, this is usually the first shade you grab. It’s meant to be a middle-ground neutral. Not too purple, not too brown. Just a soft, wearable rose. But as many makeup lovers have discovered since its 2022 launch, "neutral" is a very subjective word in the beauty world.
Why the Humble Shade is So Polarizing
Here is the thing about Rare Beauty’s color science: it leans warm.
I’ve spent hours scrolling through Reddit threads and Sephora reviews where people are genuinely confused. "Why does Humble look like terracotta on me?" is a common refrain. If you have cool or very fair undertones, that "rose mauve" description can be a bit misleading. On cooler skin, the orange pigments in the formula tend to pull forward, making it look more like a warm peach or a soft brick red rather than a true pinkish-mauve.
However, if you have olive or warm undertones? It’s magic.
Basically, it bridges the gap between a nude and a pop of color. It’s vibrant enough to show you’re wearing something, but muted enough that you can wear it to a 9:00 AM meeting without feeling "extra." For medium skin tones, specifically, it’s often cited as a more pigmented alternative to Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk, which can sometimes wash people out.
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The Texture: It’s Not Just a Pencil
The formula of the by Selena Gomez Kind Words Lip Liner Humble is where things get interesting. Most liners are either "wooden-pencil-dry" or "gel-slick-smudgey." Rare Beauty tried to land right in the middle.
They call it a "balm-like" glide.
It’s a retractable plastic component. You don’t need a separate sharpener (well, technically there is a tiny one hidden in the bottom, but you get the point). When you swipe it on, there is zero tugging. It feels like a creamy crayon. This is a massive win for anyone with drier lips or those of us who have started to notice fine lines. It doesn't settle into those cracks like a traditional dry pencil might.
But that creaminess is a double-edged sword.
Because it’s so soft, the tip blunts almost instantly. If you’re someone who wants a razor-sharp, Instagram-defined line every single time, you’ll be using that built-in sharpener after every second use. It’s a bit of a product-waster, honestly. Some users have even reported the product breaking if you twist it up too far, so keep it low.
How It Holds Up (The Longevity Test)
Is it waterproof? Yes. Is it life-proof? That depends on lunch.
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In consumer studies conducted by Rare Beauty, 100% of participants said it keeps lipstick from feathering. That’s a bold claim, but it mostly holds up. Once this stuff sets—which takes about 30 seconds—it’s fairly smudge-proof. You can sip coffee and go about your morning, and the outline of Humble will still be there.
But if you’re eating anything oily, like a salad with vinaigrette or a burger, the cream-based formula will break down.
It’s not a "permanent marker" type of liner. It’s a comfort-first product. Selena has been vocal about wanting her makeup to feel like nothing, and that’s exactly what this is. It’s lightweight. It doesn't make your lips feel like they're being squeezed by a rubber band.
The Ingredients That Matter
Rare Beauty isn't just about the aesthetic; the formula includes a "Botanical Blend." We're talking:
- Lotus Flower Extract: Known for soothing.
- Gardenia Fruit Extract: Adds a bit of antioxidant protection.
- White Water Lily: Helps with hydration.
It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, which is pretty much the standard for the brand. It’s formulated without parabens or sulfates, making it a safe bet for those with sensitive skin who usually get itchy or flaky from heavy lip products.
How to Actually Apply by Selena Gomez Kind Words Lip Liner Humble
Don't just draw a circle around your mouth. That’s the quickest way to look dated.
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If you want the "Selena look," start at the Cupid's bow and draw a small 'X'. Instead of following your natural line all the way to the corners, try "ghosting" the corners—keep the line slightly inside your natural lip line at the very edges. This lifts the face. Then, take your ring finger and lightly tap the edges of the line. Because Humble is so creamy, it blends beautifully.
You can actually use it as a full-on matte lipstick. Just fill in the whole lip. It won't feel as heavy as a liquid lipstick, and the rose-mauve pigment is strong enough to cover your natural lip color entirely.
- Prep: Exfoliate first. If your lips are flaky, the soft matte finish will highlight them.
- Sharpen: Pull the bottom cap off to find the hidden sharpener for a fresh point.
- Trace: Outline and fill in slightly for a base.
- Layer: Pair it with the matching Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Humble, or if you want a more 2026 vibe, throw a clear gloss like the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm over the top.
Is It Worth the $15-$18?
Price-wise, it sits in that "prestige but accessible" bracket. It’s more expensive than a drugstore liner from NYX, but cheaper than luxury brands like Dior or Pat McGrath.
The main drawback? You don't get a ton of product. Because the formula is so soft, you go through it much faster than a traditional cedar wood pencil. Some daily users find they’re hitting the bottom of the tube in just a couple of months.
However, for the specific shade of by Selena Gomez Kind Words Lip Liner Humble, many find the cost worth it just for the ease of use. It’s a "no-mirror" kind of product. You can't really mess it up because the color is so forgiving and the glide is so smooth. It’s the kind of item you keep in your car or your smallest evening bag because it works for literally every occasion.
If you’ve been burned by liners that feel like drawing with a lead pencil or colors that look "off," Humble is worth a shot—especially if you have a hint of warmth in your skin. Just be prepared for it to be a bit more "rose" and a bit less "mauve" depending on the light.
To get the most out of it, try swatching it on your thumb—the skin there usually mimics your lip's natural flush better than your wrist does. This will give you a much more accurate idea of how the pigment will react with your unique chemistry before you commit to the full application.