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Since makeup and fashion are trends that keep on evolving with time, it is quite hard to keep up with them. However, today we’re bringing you a guide to the new rage in the makeup industry that has taken it by quite a storm: lip stains. Makeup is now considered to look the best when it's fresh, natural, and flawless, and lip stains help you achieve that "no-makeup" makeup look. Just a few drops of a natural rosy stain will go a long way, even if you indulge in a full meal. Lip stains also make your lips look naturally full and take care of any discoloration you might have. And they're great not just for the lips; you can use these stains on your cheeks for an instantly healthy, rosy glow. Here we have listed the top lip stains in 2024 to help you pick one.
Detailing Our Favorite Lip Stains of 2024
Wonderskin Lip Stain — Best Overall
Key Features
- Waterproof and alcohol-free
- Long-lasting without smudging
- Cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free
- Can choose the intensity of the color
This Wonderskin lip stain is very simple to use while giving you the most promising results. It contains a two-step system to create a smooth lip color that will neither smudge nor fade while lasting you all day. Guaranteeing similar results as professional staining, of course without the high cost, commitment, and pain, this natural-based waterproof lip stain is a cruelty-free, gluten-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, and vegan product so you can be satisfied that the product you are buying was not tested on animals. What’s more, you can choose how intense you want your stain to be. If you’re looking for a softer color that will give a natural and beautiful finish then leave the mask on your lips for 10-15 seconds. However, if you’re going for a darker and bolder look then you can leave the mask on for 30-45 seconds. The lip stain will fade naturally without leaving any awkward lines or patches over time as other lip stains do.
ETUDE Lip Stain — Runner Up
Key Features
- Smudge-proof and kiss-proof
- Many vivid colors to choose from
- Lightweight and non-sticky finish
- Moisturizing formula with pomegranate and grapefruit extract
Available in a three-color set, this ETUDE lip stain is quite a cult favorite. Not only does this have an attractive color range that gives a beautiful and natural finish to every kind of skin color but it is also smudge-proof and kiss-proof with a water base that is absorbed into the lips quickly. Moreover, it doesn’t leave your lips feeling sticky while also staying on for the whole day. The color palette includes vivid colors that help you look more lively and energetic. With quite a weightless and non-sticky finish, this lightweight lip stain is comfortable to wear as it feels like you have nothing on your lips at all. But the best part is the hydration it provides your lips as the formula is abundant with vitamins and moisturizing pomegranate and grapefruit extract, leaving you with a moist and fruity water tint with a refreshing feel to get you ready for the day.
Golden Rose Lip Stain — Honorable Mention
Key Features
- The pointed tip provides precision
- Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E
- Natural fade tint
- The semi-permanent formula leaves your lips feeling smooth
This Golden Rose lip stain is different from the usual mask-based stains as it comes in a lip marker form in different shades and different finishes. This stain lets you build up the color you want by applying two or three layers, giving you full control over the color. The color does slowly fade throughout the day but doesn’t go away completely. The fading pattern of the tint is also very natural as it starts getting light in the middle first, giving a beautiful rosy look. Just shake the color down to the tip before you apply and use the pointed tip to have a stunning tint that will last you even after removing your makeup. The semi-permanent formula doesn’t take more than a few minutes to dry and leaves your lips feeling smooth for up to 12 hours without any dryness. The formula is also enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, giving your lips the moisture it needs.
Peripera Lip Stain — Editor's Pick
Key Features
- Includes high-intensity color pigments
- Smooth layer without leaving your lips sticky and clumpy
- Wide range of colors
- Precision applicator included
A product that we personally love, this Peripera velvet lip stain stays all day and provides you with long-lasting colors thanks to the breakthrough formula with high-intensity color pigments that leave your lips with a natural stain. The color goes on smoothly and will be durable throughout the day. The adhesive formula uses a double-layer elastomer that fills in the fine curves of your lips to give you that emollient and silky finish. This lightweight layer on your lips will help you get through the day without leaving a sticky or clumpy feel on your lips. With a precision applicator to help you shape and line your lips, it gives off a professional look while also giving you a velvety stain that looks like your own lips, just better. The wide range of colors is suitable for every complexion and skin type.
Revlon Lip Stain — Also Consider
Key Features
- Creates a personalized lip stain
- Triple butter complex of shea, mango, and coconut butter
- Retractable crayon with no sharpener required
- Moisturizing balm formula
The best kind of lip stain to take with you on the go, this Revlon balm stain has a lightweight formula that gives you the perfect flush of color while hydrating your lips with a moisturizing balm. Infused with a triple butter complex of shea, mango, and coconut butter, it not only is great for your lips but also smells amazing when you apply it. A retractable chubby crayon that doesn’t require any sharpener, you can easily apply it no matter where you are. It includes a multidimensional shimmer pearl with a flushed stain available in 8 collectible limited edition shades that appear different on everyone, thanks to the pH reacting pigments, giving everyone a personalized lip stain that suits their lips and faces best.
Buying Guide: Lip Stain
What Exactly Is a Lip Stain?
A question that many people struggle with is, how is a lip stain different from lipstick? Well, lip stains are water-based and are much more absorbable than lipsticks, leaving color pigments on top of your lips, giving you a beautiful rosy flush that lasts the whole day thanks to the long-lasting color properties. They also don’t form a layer on your lips like lipsticks do, instead blend seamlessly with the lip skin, providing a very natural-looking finish.
Types of Lip Stains
There are quite a few different types of lip stains and tints:
Peel off lip stains
Peel off lip stains apply like a mask that leaves a deep color lasting up to 12 hours. This thick layer of the lip stain needs to be left on for at least 10 minutes if you want a dark color. All you have to do then is peel off the top layer when it’s dry and that’s it. The color will quickly absorb into the lips and give you a rich and smooth look. These peel-off lip stains tend to last the longest time on the lips as compared to the other types.
Liquid lip stains
Liquid lip stains happen to be the most common tints, widely popular in the market. They have a watery formula that makes them easy to apply and absorb, leaving your lips looking juicy with a natural pop of color.
Lip tint sticks
Lip tint sticks are usually available in a lipstick or lip balm format and apply just like any typical lip stain/tint would. They have more of a creamy, fluffy, and light texture than watery and include moisturizing properties that not only hydrate your lips but also give them a fuller and softer look. Moreover, lip tint sticks tend to last a longer time than liquid lip stains do, making them the better choice if you tend to require more durability.
Matte lip stains
Matte lip stains are available in various formulas including markers, crayons, and mousse. However, they all have a light texture and offer a smooth color without making your lips too dry. Matte lip stains do give complete coverage with a lasting matte finish.
How to Buy the Right Lip Stain
When buying a lip stain, don’t depend entirely on the price since the most expensive option might not be the best option. You can get added benefits like increased longevity, smudge-proof wear, and beautiful packaging to justify the price, but it doesn’t mean the formula will be the best you can get. There are some high-end brands that are beautiful to look at but don’t fare well on the lips. So to avoid blotchy, residual colored stains on your lips that end up decreasing your beauty, check the reviews from other buyers of the product. This is because what looks good on a beauty influencer might not look the same on you. Everyone’s skin tone and lip shape is different, two things that can completely change the look.
Another tip to keep in mind when trying out any shade is to step out and get a look at it in daylight. Because the excessive lighting in stores can be quite deceiving in how they show their products, this will help you get an up-close look in natural light. A shade that works at both daytime and nighttime is a shade worth buying.
Moreover, keep in mind that you shouldn’t try out more than three shades in a store. This is because the lip stain will start tinting your lips by building a layer of pigment and any shade that will go on top of it will just look off. So just make it a general rule of thumb to not try more than three shades at a given time, and start with the lightest shade and then gradually build up to the darker tones.
Keep in mind that lip products have a shelf life of three years so whatever you buy, you’ll be wearing it for a long time. So, spend your money wisely.
