I’m a proud card-carrying member of the Sad Girl Club. I jam out to Lana Del Rey like most people do to Cardi B, and spent most of high school journaling and making playlists in my room rather than going out. I have a lot of feelings, and my beauty look has consisted of embracing that, including tear-proof eyeliners and moody lipstick. That being said, I could use some help in the lip department. I long for the flushed, pillowy lips of someone who looks like they just cried. (I just want to look as pouty as I feel, OK?)

Despite the popularity of lip fillers, I have yet to bite the bullet. I have a folder of inspiration photos saved on my phone (mostly of Lily-Rose Depp) and access to plenty of derms, but the idea of seriously changing my face—at least for about six months—is still scary to me. So that’s how I became obsessed with lip liner.

As someone who was too young to reach for MAC Spice in its heyday, I was initially a bit intimidated by the concept; which is what led me down a rabbit hole of reviews about the best lip liner. I needed something easy, but not expensive, and above all the color needed to look natural. Nearly every review told me Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk is hands down the best lip liner, but I still had a hard time justifying $22 on something I was on the fence about. So I settled for what my research said would be the next best thing: Essence Soft Contouring Lip Liner in Lost in Love.

Um, can I just say wow.

Nearly all my favorite makeup products come from the drugstore, so I’m not often surprised when the quality is great. But I definitely wasn’t expecting something that costs $2 to be so revolutionary. Every glowing review about Essence’s Lip Liner was spot on. It strikes just the right balance between waxy and creamy, so it’s easy to get a clean line without skipping or pulling on my lips. And it stays on for hours. The shade is also a flawless match for my lips, which makes it perfect for overlining without looking obvious.

For maximum pout, I’ll line just outside my natural lip with the Essence pencil, and then top it with the Fenty Gloss Bomb, and I swear it looks like I’ve had a little work done. If I want a more matte look, I’ll overline and then fill in my lips using just the pencil—that’s how good it is.

I love this pencil so much, I buy it in bulk and keep one in every bag. For $2 a piece, you can’t blame me. And for something that gives me the hot-sad-girl lips of my dreams? It’s a no-brainer.

Bella Cacciatore is a beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.

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