Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Along with the recently launched Rouge Dior Baume (reviewed here), Dior has released 3 new Couture Colour Contour Lip Pencils (CAN $30.00 each) that aim to provide long-lasting colour, as well as help maintain and intensify any lipstick shade or gloss that’s layered on top. Each pencil comes with its own sharpener – a convenient addition, as I prefer to NOT use one sharpener for all my pencils; this way it keeps the shavings, such as that of a darker hue, from staining lighter colours (and vice versa). The other end of the pencil holds a built in brush – again, very handy in blending the liner into your lipstick/gloss shade, as well as helping you avoid needing to carry a separate lip brush.

I found the Couture Colour pencils to be a little hard initially, in particular #468 Spring, but after warming them up between my fingers for a few seconds and lightly wearing down the point on a paper towel, the colour applied easier. Do not expect these pencils to glide across the skin the way others with a more emollient formula do; the best way to use these on a larger area -such as when applying to the entire lip – is by employing a swiping motion, leaving the tip for more precision work (i.e.: cupid’s bow and outlining the lips). Neither drying nor moisturizing, their longevity is beyond impressive: in the swatches below, you can see how even after being wiped off with a makeup remover-soaked pad, the colour is still very visible and relatively intact.

The beauty of these Couture Colour Contour Lip Pencils, is how they can work in either a supporting role (such as, lining lips to keep lipstick/lip gloss/lip balm from feathering or bleeding into surrounding lines), or by taking centre stage and being applied to the entire lip, then lightly dabbed with a clear balm or gloss for a bit of moisture & sheen. When worn in tandem with their matching Rouge Dior Baume shades, some wonderful things happen: not only is the balm’s colour amped up, but the staying power is then increased by several hours as well. Definitely win-win.

Natalie Portman for Dior, wearing Rouge Dior Baume #558 Lili

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette, ingredients (click to enlarge)

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette (sharpener included with each pencil)

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette (attached lip brushes)

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

#468 Spring Couture Colour Lip Liner (CAN $30.00) | A salmon pink hue with coral undertones, warm leaning. Slightly harder in initial application than the other two shades, but becomes easier to apply with continued use. TIP: Apply #468 Spring all over the lips and then layer a sheer nude lipstick shade on top for a unique multi-dimensional effect.

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring with Rouge Dior Baume #468 Spring

#558 Lili Couture Colour Lip Liner (CAN $30.00) | A dusky red hue (slightly more intense than its matching Rouge Dior Baume shade), with a relatively easy application. TIP: try applying a clear balm to lips first then lightly blotting it off, then follow by adding a light layer of #558 Lili all over for a juicy, bitten-lips effect that will also be incredibly long-lasting.

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #558 Lili

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #558 Lili with Rouge Dior Baume #558 Lili

#688 Diorette Couture Colour Lip Liner (CAN $30.00) | A gorgeous fuchsia hue that had the smoothest application of the three. Tip: #688 Diorette works amazingly well solo: applied to the entire lip with a bit of clear balm on top, turning it into a no-fuss pop of colour. Spectacular when used in conjunction with its matching Rouge Dior Baume (see swatches below).

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette with Rouge Dior Baume #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner with matching Rouge Dior Baume swatches

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner swatches

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner swatches after being wiped off

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette applied all over the lips

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette layered under Rouge Dior Baume #688 Diorette

Never the type to use lip pencils all that much, I have come around to their incredible usefulness over the past few years. Other than the ubiquitous lip lining factor, I love how these Dior Couture Colour Contour Lip Liner Pencils have provided me with new ways in using them – methods I never really thought of before for some bizarre reason. The most impressive part here, is definitely their staying power – the least impressive, the price. While on the steep side when compared to more mass-market brands (but definitely in line with other luxury brands), I doubt the quality will come close to what these offer and which to me, makes them well worth the investment.

Available now exclusively through The Bay (Canada), at all other Dior counters in October. Find more information via: