Honestly, the beauty industry moves so fast it’s enough to give you whiplash. One day we’re all about matte liquid lipsticks that feel like Sahara desert sand on your mouth, and the next, everyone is obsessed with "cloud skin" and sheer oils. But through the chaos of TikTok trends and the endless cycle of "New Arrivals" at Sephora, the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil has just... stayed. It’s been there. It’s the reliable friend who actually shows up when you’re moving apartments.
Most lip liners are either too hard or too mushy. You know the ones. The hard ones feel like you're trying to draw on your face with a colored pencil from elementary school, dragging across your skin and leaving a patchy, sad line. The mushy ones? They snap the second you apply any pressure, or worse, they migrate into those tiny fine lines around your mouth within twenty minutes. This pencil hits that weirdly specific middle ground. It glides. Hence the name. But then it sets. And once it sets, it’s basically part of your DNA until you come at it with a heavy-duty oil cleanser.
The Science of Why It Doesn’t Budge
People always ask why this specific formula works when drugstore brands have tried to copy it for a decade. It’s not magic; it’s the ingredients. We’re talking about a waterproof formula infused with Vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil.
Usually, "waterproof" is code for "drying as heck." But the inclusion of those oils means the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil stays creamy long enough for you to actually blend it. You’ve got maybe thirty to forty-five seconds of play time. Use your finger or a brush to soften the edges if you're doing that overlined, "your lips but better" look. After that window closes? It’s locked.
The pigment load is also significantly higher than what you’ll find in a standard wooden pencil. Because it's a "gel-based" pencil wrapped in a sharpenable barrel, you get the precision of a pencil with the payoff of a lipstick. It’s a hybrid. It’s the Prius of lip products, but, you know, actually cool.
Stop Overlining Your Lips Wrong
We’ve all seen the "beef lips" trend or the aggressive overlining that looks great on a 4K camera but terrifying in the checkout line at the grocery store. If you’re using the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil to change your lip shape, the trick is the finish.
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Start at the Cupid's bow. Don’t draw one continuous line. Use short, feathery strokes. If you try to draw a circle around your mouth in one go, you’re going to end up with a lopsided mess. Focus on the center of the top and bottom lip, then fade the liner out toward the corners.
Shade Selection: Beyond Just "Naked"
Urban Decay's "Naked" shade is legendary. It’s the beige-pink that seemingly every human on earth can wear. But if you stop there, you're missing out.
- 1993: This is the ultimate 90s brown. It’s moody. It’s matte. It’s what you wear when you want to channel your inner Jennifer Aniston but with a bit more edge.
- 714: The red. It’s a mega-matte bright red that doesn’t lean too orange or too blue. It’s the classic "power" color.
- Blackmail: For the goths and the bold. A deep, blackened plum that stays put, which is crucial because nothing looks worse than a dark lip liner that starts smearing onto your chin.
A lot of people think they need to match their liner exactly to their lipstick. You don't. In fact, using a liner that is one or two shades darker than your lipstick—specifically in the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil range—gives your lips more dimension. It creates a shadow effect that makes your mouth look fuller without needing filler.
The Sharpening Nightmare (And How to Fix It)
One of the biggest complaints I hear is that these pencils are "hard to sharpen" or that they "waste product." I get it. They’re soft. If you use a dull, cheap sharpener, it’s going to chew up the wood and eat the precious pigment.
Do yourself a favor: put the pencil in the freezer for ten minutes before you sharpen it. It sounds like an old wives' tale, but it works. It hardens the oils just enough so the blade can get a clean, sharp point without the tip snapping off inside the sharpener. Also, buy a dedicated cosmetic sharpener. Don't use the one from your desk drawer. The blade angle is different.
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Why 24/7 Matters in the Real World
Let's talk about the "24/7" claim. Is it actually 24 hours? No. Nobody should be wearing lip liner for 24 hours. Please wash your face. But will it survive a latte? Yes. Will it survive a salad with vinaigrette dressing? Mostly.
The real value of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil is that it acts as a primer. If you fill in your entire lip with the pencil before applying lipstick, you’re creating a wax-and-oil base that the lipstick can cling to. When the lipstick eventually wears off—because lipstick always wears off—you aren't left with that awkward "ring around the mouth" look. You still have a stain of color underneath.
It’s about the fade-out. Some liners crumble. They flake off in little bits that look like you've been eating colorful dirt. This one just fades gracefully. It’s the difference between a cheap candle that soots up your wall and a high-end one that burns clean.
Common Misconceptions About the Formula
There's a weird rumor that because these are "waterproof," they’re bad for your lips. The logic is that they "seal" the skin and don't let it breathe. Lips don't have pores like the rest of your face, so the "breathing" thing is a bit of a myth. However, if your lips are already peeling and dry, any long-wear pencil is going to emphasize that.
The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil is moisturizing for a liner, but it's not a lip balm. If you’re struggling with dryness, prep your lips. Exfoliate with a damp washcloth, put on a thick balm while you do the rest of your makeup, then wipe the balm off right before you line. If the balm stays on, the liner won't "grip," and you'll lose that long-wear benefit. It’s all about the prep.
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Comparing to the Competition
Look, Charlotte Tilbury has the Lip Cheat. MAC has their classic Wood Pencils. Both are great. But the Lip Cheat is significantly more expensive and, frankly, you get less product. MAC's pencils are much firmer. If you like a very stiff, dry pencil, MAC is your go-to. But if you want something that doesn't tug on your skin—especially if you're over 30 and starting to see those tiny vertical lines—the Urban Decay formula is much more forgiving.
It fills in the lines rather than sitting on top of them.
Practical Steps for the Perfect Application
To get the most out of your pencil, follow this specific order. Don't skip steps or you'll be reapplying by noon.
- De-slick: Make sure there is zero gloss or balm on your lips. The skin must be dry.
- The X: Draw an 'X' on your Cupid’s bow to define the peaks. This ensures symmetry.
- The Corners: Slightly open your mouth and line the very outer corners. This prevents the "clown mouth" look when you smile.
- Connect: Link the X to the corners using short strokes.
- Fill: Shade in the outer thirds of your lips. Leave the very center bare if you want to apply a lighter lipstick for a pouty look.
- Set: Take a single ply of tissue, press it against your lips, and lightly dust a translucent powder over it. This "bonds" the liner to your skin.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Haul
If you're ready to try the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil, don't just grab the first pink you see. Look at your undertones. If your veins look blue, go for the cool-toned mauves. If they look green, the peaches and warm browns will be your best bet.
Check the "Last Chance" or sale sections on major beauty sites. Urban Decay often rotates shades, and you can frequently find these pencils for a steal when they’re rebranding a specific color.
The most important thing to remember is that a lip pencil isn't just a border. It’s the foundation of your entire look. Investing in a formula that doesn't move is the difference between looking polished and looking like you've been smudge-testing your makeup all day. Grab a sharpener, freeze your pencil, and stop settling for liners that disappear before your first cup of coffee.