I’m pretty sure I have every shade of the merit lip liners by now. I know they are compared to Rhode beauty lip liners so I went to Sephora to swatch those and see how they compare.
Rhode lip liners were a little splotchy and rough as I was swatching them. However I will say they are more pigmented than Merit.
Merit is more sheer BUT buildable. And they are BUTTERRRRR🧈So smooth. So comfortable on the lips. I also like their shade range better. I haven’t gotten to wear test Rhode but I obviously have with Merit and for me personally the staying power is amazing.
... Read moreOkay, so my collection of Merit lip liners is seriously growing, and for good reason! They're just so effortlessly beautiful. When I say they're 'buttery,' I mean they glide on like a dream, no tugging whatsoever. I love that they're sheer enough to look natural but totally buildable if you want a bolder line or even to fill in your entire lip for a matte look. The comfort is truly unmatched; sometimes I even forget I'm wearing lip liner! Their shade range, especially their nudes and subtle browns, just gets me. I've found my perfect everyday shades that enhance my natural lip color without looking harsh. And the staying power? Personally, I can wear mine through coffee, snacks, and hours of chatting without it fading or feathering. It really locks my lipstick or gloss in place.
Now, let's talk about Rhode. I went into Sephora with so much anticipation, especially hearing all the buzz. My swatching experience was a bit... bumpy, literally. They felt a little rough and splotchy on my hand, which was a surprise after Merit's smoothness. However, I can't deny their pigmentation is next level! If you're looking for a one-swipe, intense color payoff, Rhode might be for you. I noticed some really gorgeous, rich shades – think those perfect berry tones and deep browns that make a statement. While I haven’t had a chance to wear-test them on my lips for a full day yet, that initial swatch experience did make me pause. It makes me wonder how they'd feel for full-lip application or if they'd dry down comfortably.
When people ask about 'Merit lip liner dupes' or 'Rhode lip pencil swatches,' I always think about what they're really looking for. If you're after that smooth, comfortable, buildable, and long-lasting feel, Merit is probably your winner. It's more about enhancing your natural beauty. The shades are often described as 'your lips but better' – think soft pinks, mauves, and warm neutrals. For example, if you're eyeing a specific Rhode lip contour shade and hoping for a Merit bespoke lip liner dupe, it's not a direct 'dupe' in terms of texture, but you might find a similar color in Merit's range that offers a completely different, more comfortable experience. My image shows a 'Swap this for this' idea – sometimes it's not about finding an exact copy, but finding an alternative that offers a better experience or performance for your preferences. The brown lip liner in the image might be a Merit, offering that soft definition, while the reddish-brown swatch from a 'gold lip liner' might be Rhode, showing its intense color. It's about deciding what's more important: intense pigment or a smooth, comfortable, natural-looking application.
For those of you exploring rhode lip liner shades or merit lip liner colours, consider how you plan to use them. If you love to overline slightly for a fuller look, a buttery formula like Merit's makes it super easy and natural-looking. If you're going for a bold, crisp line that stands out, Rhode's pigmentation could be ideal, but you might need to ensure your lips are well-prepped. For a true rhode lip contour, you'd typically want a shade slightly deeper than your natural lip color to create shadow and definition. Merit also has excellent shades for this, offering a softer, more blended contour. Don't be afraid to experiment with different brands to find your perfect match. Sometimes a blend of both brands in your makeup bag makes the most sense – a Merit for everyday comfort and a Rhode for those high-impact moments where pigmentation is key, as long as the texture works for you!