Rimmel Lasting Finish 8HR Soft Lip Liner Review – Is It Worth the Hype?
Quick Verdict
Pros
- Soft, creamy texture that actually glides without tugging
- 8-hour wear time holds up through meals and coffee refills
- Vibrant color payoff in just one stroke
- Prevents lipstick bleeding and feathering effectively
- Budget-friendly price point for daily use
- Precise tip allows for clean lip lining
Cons
- The thin formula requires frequent sharpening
- Noticeable transfer on coffee cups throughout the day
- Cap doesn't always snap securely in makeup bags
- May need reapplication after particularly oily meals
Quick Verdict
The Rimmel Lasting Finish 8HR Soft Lip Liner genuinely delivers on its soft texture and blendability claims. After three weeks of daily testing — commute coffee runs, lunch breaks, and a few unintentional fall-asleep-with-makeup-on incidents — this liner earned a permanent spot in my makeup drawer. The 705 Cappuccino shade is versatile and the 8-hour claim holds up reasonably well, though expect closer to 6-7 hours with real-world eating and drinking. Score: 4.3/5
What Is the Rimmel Lasting Finish 8HR Soft Lip Liner?
Let's cut to the basics. The Rimmel Lasting Finish 8HR Soft Lip Liner is a retractable lip pencil from the iconic British drugstore brand. Weighing just 1.2 grams, it promises 8 hours of wear with a creamy, soft texture that glides on without pulling. The 705 Cappuccino shade I'm reviewing falls in the warm brown family with subtle pink undertones.
Rimmel has been making makeup accessible since 1834, and this lip liner sits comfortably in their budget-friendly lineup alongside the legendary Wake Me Up concealer and the Lasting Finish foundation family. It's vegan and cruelty-free, which is increasingly important to today's makeup shoppers.
Key Features
- 8-hour long-lasting wear that survives meals and drinks
- Ultra-soft, creamy formula glides without tugging delicate lip skin
- Vibrant pigment delivers color in a single stroke
- Prevents lipstick bleeding and feathering along lip lines
- Precise tip ideal for detailed lip lining and lip contouring
- Lightweight, comfortable feel with no waxy residue
- Available in 7+ shades from nude to bold
Hands-On Review
I opens the packaging on a Tuesday morning — rain tapping the window, coffee brewing, the usual chaos. The first thing I noticed was the satisfying click of the twist mechanism. No hunting for a sharpener, at least for that first use. I lined my lips with the 705 Cappuccino, and the softness genuinely surprised me. No skipping, no dragging, just smooth color deposit.
By hour two, I'd had two cups of coffee and forgotten about the liner entirely — which is exactly what you want. Around hour five, I noticed slight fading on the inner lip, but the outer edge and cupid's bow held strong. The preventing-bleeding claim is where this liner really shines. I wore it with a liquid lipstick that normally migrates like nobody's business, and by 4 PM, my lip lines were crisp and clean.
What surprised me was the color intensity. I expected a subtle, defines-the-lips kind of liner, but Cappuccino delivers honest pigment. One pass gives you enough color to wear alone. By the end of week two, I'd started pairing it with nude lipsticks for a monochromatic look that felt effortless and polished.
The one thing nobody mentions in the listings: this liner transfers. Not catastrophically, but if you're planning a day of Zoom calls with a coffee mug practically glued to your hand, expect faint lip marks on your cup. Reapplication after lunch isn't optional — it's maintenance.
Who Should Buy It?
Here's my honest breakdown:
- Everyday makeup wearers who want a reliable lip liner without spending designer prices
- Lipstick lovers fighting feathering — this liner creates a barrier that actually works
- Beginner liner users — the soft formula forgives wobbly lines, and the precise tip allows correction
- Anyone wanting a natural, long-wear lip color — the Cappuccino shade wears beautifully alone
Skip this if you're after bulletproof, transfer-proof wear for 12+ hours. This isn't a tattoo liner. Also skip it if you prefer bold, vampy lip colors — the Cappuccino shade leans warm and natural. Check the shade range before buying if you're after something more dramatic.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If the Rimmel Lasting Finish 8HR Soft Lip Liner isn't calling your name, here are two solid alternatives:
- NYX Professional Slim Lip Liner — More shade options and an ultra-fine tip for precision, though slightly less creamy texture
- Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner — Similar price point with excellent pigmentation, but some users report more frequent sharpening needed
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil — Considerably higher price but delivers superior longevity and a wider shade range for professional use
FAQ
In real-world testing, I found it holds up for about 6-7 hours on average. The 8-hour claim holds true on lighter eating days, but coffee, oily foods, and constant lip-touching will cut that down to around 5-6 hours. Still respectable for a drugstore liner.
Final Verdict
The Rimmel Lasting Finish 8HR Soft Lip Liner in 705 Cappuccino earns its reputation as a drugstore staple. The soft, blendable formula makes application feel effortless, the wear time is genuinely impressive for the price, and that prevent-bleeding technology actually works. It's not perfect — the transfer issue and frequent sharpening are real drawbacks — but for everyday wear at this price point, it's hard to beat.
Whether you're lining your lips for a polished office look or locking in your favorite lipstick for a night out, this liner delivers reliability without the premium price tag. Will I keep using it? Absolutely. Just with a sharpener in my bag.