Lip stains have revolutionized the way we approach our daily beauty routines. Unlike traditional lipsticks that require frequent touch-ups, the best lip stains have an incredible staying power, ensuring that your lips look freshly painted throughout the day, no matter how many cups of coffee you sip. This attribute alone makes them a go-to choice for anyone seeking a low-maintenance yet bold and beautiful lip color.
Unlike traditional lipsticks that sit on top of the lips, lip stains employ a unique technology called “dye-based staining.” These formulas contain pigments that penetrate the top layer of the skin on your lips, leaving color that lasts for hours. This process ensures a vibrant, transfer-proof color that won’t fade or feather throughout the day.
Benefits of Lip Stains:
In addition to their impressive staying power, lip stains offer several other benefits:
- Lightweight and Comfortable: Their lightweight formulas feel barely-there on the lips, ensuring comfortable wear throughout the day.
- Hydrating: Many lip stains are formulated with moisturizing ingredients to keep your lips feeling soft and hydrated.
- Versatile: From subtle washes of color to bold, statement lips, lip stains offer a versatile range of looks to suit any occasion.
- Mess-Free and Kiss-Proof: No more worrying about lipstick smudges or transfer. Enjoy mess-free wear and kiss-proof confidence.
What sets lip stains apart is their remarkable versatility. They come in a myriad of shades, catering to every skin tone and personal preference. Whether you’re after a subtle, natural hue or a vibrant pop of color, there’s a lip stain out there that’s perfect for you. Unlike some traditional lipsticks, these stains don’t leave your lips feeling dry or chapped. The simplicity and effectiveness of lip stains make them a true hero and their ease of application is a huge bonus.
Are you searching for the perfect lip stain to add to your beauty arsenal? Let’s dive into what experts are raving about in the world of lip stains! Share your favorite finds and personal recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best Lip Stains, According to Beauty Experts
1. Dior Addict Lip Tint
Number one on the list of best lip stains is Dior Addict Lip Tint. “We want it all: bold color, yet a subdued and demure look; matte finish, but with a little bit of movement. The Dior Addict Lip Tint checks all these boxes. The lip stain is available in 12 bold shades and comes in a semi-matte finish, yet is super hydrating thanks to a mix of cherry seed oil, glycerin and squalane. Robinette loves the line for its long-lasting wear and fun, pigmented colors,” says Forbes.
The variety in shades, especially in the red spectrum, allows users to experiment and find their ideal match for any occasion. “We love carrying anything around that’s embellished with Dior’s iconic logo, but that’s not the only reason why we love the Dior Addict Lip Tint enough to name it number one on our list. Each tube of this sheer, buildable formula is spiked with cherry oil to leave lips feeling kissably smooth and flake-free. Its shade range features five different glossy-finish reds, ranging from the brick-hued Natural Tea (seen above) to the raspberry-toned Natural Berry,” shares Allure.
Beauty enthusiasts appreciate this lip stain for its long-lasting, transfer-proof formula these lip tints. “This matte lip stain, which adds a pop of full-coverage color that’s transfer-proof. Even though it’s matte, it’s not drying, thanks to infused cherry oil,” says Oprah Daily.
2. Peripera Ink The Velvet Lip Tint
Number two on the list of the best lip stains is Peripera Ink The Velvet Lip Tint. “This TikTok sensation is the top-rated best-selling lip stain on Amazon, with over 27,000 4-star ratings—and it’s easy to see why. It doesn’t mess around when it comes to color. The wide range of shades, from dusty roses to deep reds and perky oranges, are intensely pigmented and glide on smoothly with an easy-to-apply applicator. One of the most impressive features is its all-day wear. Expect for it to stay put through your iced coffee, masks, workouts and more. Just be warned: The matte finish can leave lips on the drier side, so keep your favorite lip balm handy,” says Forbes.
Users admire this lip stain for its exceptional color. “Who else remembers the days when you couldn’t scroll through your social feed without Peripera’s Ink Velvet Lip Tint making an appearance? This long-wearing lip stain became one of the most popular beauty products on the world wide web for its velvet-like matte finish and impressive color payoff,” shares Allure.
Many appreciate the boost given by the K-beauty community. “Peripera’s Ink the Velvet has cemented itself as a cult favorite lip stain — and for good reason. The lip stain stamps on a budge-proof, transfer-proof pigment that’s raved about among the K-beauty community and our own GH staffers. Rather than deliver high shine, it comes in 20 velvet matte finishes that span brown, berry, pink and red. Plus, we appreciate its affordability,” writes Good Housekeeping.
3. Clarins Water Lip Stain
Number three on the list of the best lip stains is Clarins Water Lip Stain. “Key ingredients in the Best of Beauty winner include soothing aloe vera, moisturizing glycerin, and antioxidant-rich camellia sinensis leaf extract (aka green tea). Red Water (a candy-colored red, seen here) is one of four fun shades,” says Allure.
Fans of these lip stains often rave about the comfort of the application. “Clarins lip stain for its non-sticky formula. It’s loaded with glycerin, castor oil and aloe vera, which can makes lips feel soft and hydrated. This moisturizing lip stain is easily the most comfortable to wear,” shares Good House Keeping.
This is really for those who prefer a glossy finish without the stickiness of traditional lip gloss. “If you’re aiming to find a lip stain that stands in for a lip gloss, you’ll adore this one from Clarins. It’s undoubtedly a fantastic alternative, especially since it has a glossy finish sans stickiness or color fading. We found it to be more glossy-looking than other lip stains, so we recommend keeping it on hand as a less-sticky alternative to lip gloss. During testing, we loved how comfortable this formula felt on the lips, even after a few hours. It’s a great choice for those who don’t love the feeling of lip gloss or don’t like having to continuously reapply lipstick. It can get melty in hotter temperatures, so that’s something to keep in mind if you live in a warmer climate,” writes Byrdie.
4. Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
Rihanna has done it again with this beautiful lip stain! “All things Rihanna are having a moment, including her award-winning lip stain. Not only does the Poutsicle line deliver a gorgeous wash of color, but instead of drying out lips like stains of years past, it goes on glossy and instantly hydrates with squalane. With its buildable, sheer-to-medium coverage that softens and smooths lips, you’ll feel unstoppable like, ahem, you know who. Makeup artist and host of The Life Of A Makeup Artist podcast Jaleesa Jaikaran especially loves Poutsicle’s vibrant color selection,” says Forbes.
Lip stain enthusiasts appreciate the comfort of its lightweight, barely-there texture, making it a daily essential for a natural look. “We already expect nothing but the best formulations from Fenty Beauty but the Poutsicle Lip Stain is so good that we just had to give it an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2022. It has the lightweight, barely-there feel and pigmented wash of color that you expect from a tint with the added benefits of moisturizing, lip-softening squalene,” writes Allure.
The best part is it doesn’t dry out like a normal stain. “When first trying this formula, we were surprised — it went on more like a rich, glossy liquid lipstick than a stain, and left our lips looking plump and juicy. However, as the stain settled in, the shiny finish gradually wore down, leaving vibrant pigment in its wake — without ever settling into the fine lines on our lips. The more we applied, the bolder the look we achieved, and a little went quite a long way, making this a great product to pick if you want to splurge a little but still want bang for your book. When drinking out of a white cup, practically nothing transferred from our lips to the vessel, and we had no need to reapply; once the stain set on our lips, it wasn’t tacky or sticky,” says In Style.
5. Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain
Number five on the list of the best lip stains is Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain. “Here’s a lip stain with some major oomph: YSL’s Vinyl Cream Lip Stain provides more color (think full-coverage) and shine than typical stains. We’d call it a special occasion stain. Plus, it’s very comfortable on the lips. And despise the intense gloss factor, it stays put for hours and hours (10 hours according to the brand), thanks in part to the diamond shaped wand, Jaikaran’s favorite feature, which allows for precise application even in the hard-to-reach corners of the mouth,” says Forbes.
People who prefer day long hydration love this one. “GH Beauty Director April Franzino also enjoys the brand’s soft, creamy balm that leaves a stain-like tint in its wake and doubles as a cheek tint,” writes Good House Keeping.
Fans of high-quality lip stains often seek out products that promise durability, like this one. “Go ahead and spoil yourself with Yves Saint Laurent’s Vinyl Cream Lip Stain, a high-shine tint that’ll put the glossiest lip glosses currently in your makeup bag to shame. This lip stain is currently available in two reflective red shades (Psychedelic Chili, seen above, and Burgundy Vibes) that are guaranteed to stay put for up to 10 hours,” says Allure.
6. Colourpop Fresh Kiss Glossy Lip Stain
Number six on the list of the best lip stains is Colourpop Fresh Kiss Glossy Lip Stain. “If you can’t sacrifice on moisture but need a long-lasting product, a glossy lip stain might be just what you’re looking for. This hydrating and water-based product is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients like guava and lychee extract,” writes CNN.
The luminous finish of these lip stains is a favorite feature, giving a subtle glow that brightens the overall makeup look. “Glossy formulas don’t always have the staying power of a more matte finish, but Colourpop’s Fresh Kiss Glossy Lip Stain shines and doesn’t budge. The water-based tint keeps lips hydrated even after it dries down. The stain also has antioxidant-enriched guava and lychee extracts to protect the skin in this area from free-radical damage,” says Allure.
For people who use lip stains, the blend of color and care in one product is a game-changer for their beauty routine. “The doe-foot applicator helps precisely swipe on the Colourpop Glossy Lip Stain. Note that it’s more creamy than a typical lip stain, offering longwear glossiness. After applying a layer, online reviewers enjoyed blotting it to reveal a shiny, non-drying pigment. It’s worth noting, though, that many shoppers complained about the scent” shares Good House Keeping.
7. L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Signature Shiny Lip Stain
Finally, number seven on the list of best lip stain is L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Signature Shiny Lip Stain. “It’s functional and just right for anyone on the hunt for that all-in-one lip product,” writes CNN.
Ready for a budget beauty find? “Get the high shine of gloss without the added layers. In a stroke of brilliance, this formula from L’Oréal feels lightweight with the staying power of a stain, says Hart. It comes in 12 pigmented colors, each at a budget-friendly price of under $12. The brand claims its precise applicator helps contain feathering and smearing, a common qualm with lip stains,” says Good House Keeping.
The shade ranges are amazing! “Affordable lip stains can be few and far between, which is why we were delighted by this drugstore pick from L’Oréal. We loved its lightweight, balmy texture, which nicely fills in fine lines while leaving behind a lasting glossy finish without ever feeling sticky. When eating an apple, very little of the stain came off, and we still had plenty of even, intense pigment afterward. Beyond the product’s high performance, we were impressed by the compelling shade range, which includes many neutral colors as well as more intense wines, pinks, and corals. You’ll even see some shimmery options, which only serve to enhance the shiny finish of the formula,” shares In Style.
Do you prefer lighter or darker lip stains? Leave a comment to share your preference.
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Sources:
- Forbes
- Good House Keeping
- Allure
- Byrdie
- CNN
- In Style
- Today
- Harpers Bazaar
- Who What Wear
- Cosmopolitan
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.