Lip Liner · updated 2026-06-15

The best MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupes

We compiled and scored the affordable, currently-available dupes for MAC Whirl Lip Liner — ranked by how close they really are, with live prices and direct links.

See the ranked list → How we score

Ranked by consensus

Every MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe, scored & ranked

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#1 85/100 NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Mauve

Dupe of MAC Whirl Lip Liner

NYX — Slim Lip Pencil in Mauve

● Very close

A very similar muted mauve-brown at a fraction of the price, though the formula is slightly drier and can drag a touch more than Whirl.

“Best budget match overall”

Known dupe widely cited as a MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe

$5.97

Check price at Amazon → Save $1774% less than the MAC Whirl Lip Liner Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#2 80/100 ColourPop Lippie Pencil in BFF

Dupe of MAC Whirl Lip Liner

ColourPop — Lippie Pencil in BFF

● Very close

A creamy '90s mauve-brown that's very close in shade with smooth application, but it's a touch more pink-leaning than Whirl.

“Smooth affordable near-match”

Known dupe widely cited as a MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe

$16.00

Check price at Amazon → Save $730% less than the MAC Whirl Lip Liner Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#3 78/100 NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Nude Truffle

Dupe of MAC Whirl Lip Liner

NYX — Slim Lip Pencil in Nude Truffle

● Good enough

A slightly deeper, browner take on Whirl that suits medium-to-deep skin well, but it leans a bit warmer than the original.

“Great deeper-skin alternative”

Known dupe widely cited as a MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe

Check price at Amazon → vs $23 retail

#4 75/100 Jordana Easyliner for Lips in Cocoa

Dupe of MAC Whirl Lip Liner

Jordana — Easyliner for Lips in Cocoa

● Good enough

A very affordable twist-up liner in a comparable rosy-brown with a creamier glide, though it's less matte and slightly less precise.

“Cheap convenient twist-up”

Known dupe widely cited as a MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe

$7.99

Check price at Amazon → Save $1565% less than the MAC Whirl Lip Liner Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#5 70/100 Wet n Wild Perfect Pout Gel Lip Liner in Bare to Comment

Dupe of MAC Whirl Lip Liner

Wet n Wild — Perfect Pout Gel Lip Liner in Bare to Comment

● Good enough

A budget mauve-nude in the same family with a gel-creamy feel, though it reads a bit lighter and less brown than Whirl.

“Drugstore close-enough option”

Known dupe widely cited as a MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe

$3.79

Check price at Amazon → Save $1984% less than the MAC Whirl Lip Liner Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#6 68/100 e.l.f. Lip Liner & Blender in Mauvey

Dupe of MAC Whirl Lip Liner

e.l.f. — Lip Liner & Blender in Mauvey

● Worth a look

An ultra-cheap dual-ended mauve liner in a similar tone, but it's softer and less pigmented so the color payoff is weaker.

“Cheapest passable pick”

Known dupe widely cited as a MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe

$4.00

Check price at Amazon → Save $1983% less than the MAC Whirl Lip Liner Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

We have not personally tested these — every score blends independent community and reviewer sources, weighted by independence, with no paid placement. Read the full methodology →

No paid placements — just the trade-offs

Why these rank the way they do

For a $23 liner whose whole appeal is that exact muted '90s mauve-brown, these picks are ranked first on how precisely they nail Whirl's shade and matte-satin finish, then on formula glide and pigmentation.

NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Mauve

It earns the top score because the shade is a very similar muted mauve-brown, which is the single thing Whirl is famous for; it loses a few points only because the formula is slightly drier and can drag a touch more on application.

ColourPop Lippie Pencil in BFF

A genuinely creamy '90s mauve-brown that applies smoother than the NYX, so it's the better pick if skin feel matters most; it ranks just behind because it leans a hair more pink than Whirl's brown-heavy tone.

NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Nude Truffle

A smart sleeper for medium-to-deep skin, where it reads truer to Whirl than the lighter options do; it scores a bit lower as a universal match because it's deeper and warmer than the original.

Wet n Wild Perfect Pout in Bare to Comment

Same mauve-nude family with a pleasant gel-creamy feel, but it reads lighter and less brown than Whirl, so the shade match is looser — that distance is why it sits below the closer pencils despite a nice formula.

e.l.f. Lip Liner & Blender in Mauvey

The cheapest passable option and a similar tone, but it's softer and less pigmented, so the color payoff is weaker — you trade accuracy and intensity for the lowest price, which is why it ranks last.

Bottom line: Get the NYX Mauve for the closest shade at the biggest saving, step up to ColourPop BFF if you want a creamier glide, reach for NYX Nude Truffle on deeper skin — and skip down to the e.l.f. only if you want the absolute cheapest and can live with weaker payoff.

About MAC Whirl Lip Liner & its dupes

MAC Whirl is a cult-favorite lip pencil in a dirty, muted rosy-brown — a "1990s nude" that reads as a deeper, mauve-taupe brown on lighter skin and a flattering rosy-brown on medium-to-deep skin. It has a matte finish and creamy-but-firm formula, and became iconic largely because it pairs with the MAC Whirl matte lipstick to create a defined, "your-lips-but-better" vintage nude. Its slightly grayed-down, brownish undertone is what people specifically chase in dupes — many cheaper liners skew too warm-peach or too cool-pink to truly match.

How to choose a MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe

Start by deciding what you want Whirl to do: most people want the grayed mauve-brown that makes lips look defined without looking warm or orange. If your goal is the exact shade match, prioritize liners described as "90s brown nude" with a neutral-to-cool brown undertone rather than warm terracotta ones. Consider your finish preference — Whirl is matte, so a satin/creamy liner will look slightly different on the lips even if the shade matches. If you have deeper skin, lean toward the richer, more pigmented options that won't look ashy; if you're fair, the lighter mauve-leaning picks will read closer. Finally, factor in how you'll use it: a retractable twist-up liner is more convenient for everyday lining, while a classic sharpenable pencil gives a crisper edge for precise outlining.

MAC Whirl Lip Liner dupe FAQ

Why does MAC Whirl look different on everyone?

Whirl is a muted, grayed-down rosy-brown, so it shifts a lot with your natural lip tone — it reads deeper and more mauve-brown on lighter lips and warmer/rosier on deeper skin tones. That undertone interaction is normal and why swatch photos vary so much.

Should I match Whirl lip liner with Whirl lipstick?

They're designed to complement each other but aren't identical — the liner is slightly cooler and more defined, while the lipstick is a touch creamier. Many people use the liner alone all over the lips for a more matte, lasting version of the look.

Is Whirl a matte or creamy liner?

It's matte in finish but has a reasonably creamy, glide-on application for a pencil. If your dupe is a satin or more emollient formula, expect a slightly more comfortable but less flat-matte result.

What makes a good Whirl dupe versus a bad one?

A good dupe matches the neutral-to-cool brown undertone; bad dupes skew too warm/peach or too pink. Shade accuracy matters more than brand here, so always check side-by-side swatches on skin similar to yours.