Issy Lip Bait Collection Review: The Multi-Use Lip Liner Worth Adding to Your Stash

A long time ago, lip liners or lip pencils were known as the supporting actors in our makeup routine. They helped lipsticks last longer and finished our lip looks, but they were still seen as somewhat supplemental, something we'd save for special occasions. This changed in the past decade or two, as lip liners saw a surge in popularity and became lip products that can stand on their own while still playing well with other formulas, opening the door to even more makeup looks. True to the brand's spirit of versatility and self-expression, Issy has released the 15-shade Lip Bait line-up, a prime example of the lip liner phenomenon in full swing.

The Issy Lip Bait (P399) is a retractable lip pencil with a built-in brush, making it a two-in-one tool for both lining and blending. It has Smooth-set Color and Film-forming Polymers in the formula, which help the pigments adhere evenly and give a smudge-resistant finish that holds up through the day. There are 15 shades available, but it's not just a grab-bag of colors to choose from. Issy thoughtfully grouped the shades into categories based on the Lip Bait's intended use, making it easier to find the right one for the look you're going for.

Issy Lip Bait component features a brush at one end

‍ ‍Issy Lip Bait features an angled tip that you can adjust and use to fill in or define your lips

Ten of the options are Shaders, meant for "defining the lip line, worn softly diffused, or built up as a full-lip color," and these come mostly in reds, pinks, and nudes. Two are Definers, deep-toned browns designed for contouring the lips. Another two are Lifters, used for highlighting and adding dimension to the lips, while the last is a clear Plumper that "enhances the look of volume with a mild plumping effect." Below is a list of the shades within their categories:

Shaders

*69 (𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦)

Bare (𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦)

Bebe (𝘯𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩)

Bonbon (𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦)

Break (𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘵)

Cardinal (𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦-𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘥)

Flirt (𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘶𝘥𝘦

Good Girl (𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘬)

Kitten (𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘬)

Salty (𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘯𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘶𝘷𝘦)

You can use the Issy Lip Bait Shaders on their own, or mix the different categories to sculpt your lips the way you sculpt your face with highlighters, blush, and contour. Below are lip swatches of the Plumper, Lifters, and Definers so you can visualize the effect of each one. I especially like the Definer in Low-Key for intensifying my lip looks, while Frost is my go-to cool-toned Lifter. I don't typically use plumpers since they always seem to irritate my lips, but Hot is one I actually enjoy pairing with a collagen-plumping lip balm for a little extra oomph. Just be sure not to use the Plumper on the eye area!

Bare Lips

Hot (Plumper)

Low-Key (Definer)

Frost (Lifter)

Trace (Definer)

Pearl (Lifter)

Issy also claims over 20,000 possible combinations in layering the Lip Bait with, not just within the different categories but also with other Issy lip products. There are suggested combinations which are also available as Issy Pout Lip Edit (P748) sets but in true Issy fashion, feel free to create your own mix: Lip Bait + Mousse Lip Tint = Cloudy Pout, Lip Bait + Gelée Lip Tint = Juicy Pout, Lip Bait + Lip Bullet in True Matte = Power Pout, Lip Bait + Lip Bullet in True Satin = Silky Pout, Lip Bait + Fat Gloss = Glossy Pout, Lip Bait + Lip Bullet in True Velvet = Creamy Pout‍ ‍

To be honest, I rarely reached for lip liners before, even if I understood their appeal. I just felt that they were an extra step I didn't need in my routine. But the Lip Baits have genuinely changed my mind, as they're refreshingly multi-use and the shade range helped me find a few daily go-tos. Kitten, Bonbon, and Good Girl are my top picks, since you can almost always find me with a pink lip. Cardinal is great on its own too, as it leaves a nice stain, while Bare and Trace define my lips in the most natural way. In a pinch, I can also use Low-Key as an eyeliner, which gives it major plus points, though I haven't tried using it to contour my face just yet.

Issy definitely gave us a great range to play and experiment with. They've even made me a lip liner convert this 2026, and you can now find one in my daily stash instead of the drawer where they used to sit untouched. Do note, though, that the Lip Baits set pretty quickly, so you'll want to work fast when applying and blending. They can also feel a bit dry on my dehydrated skin, so prepping your lips (and the surrounding skin) beforehand is a must, especially if you plan to use them on the rest of the face.

The Issy Lip Bait is available online at Issy’s official Shopee and Lazada stores plus the Issy website, where you can check out the store locator if you want to go swatch in-store.