Everyone wants a lip product that provides long-lasting color with a rich payoff. If you prefer something lighter than a typical lipstick but heavier than a tinted balm and that isn't sticky or messy like a lip gloss, a lip stain is what you're looking for.
Makeup artist Brenna D tells Shop TODAY that it's not uncommon for people to use lip glosses and lipsticks together to create their desired look. You can also layer lip stains with other products like balms or glosses (which can be either clear or tinted depending on if you want to create a new shade). Before layering anything on top of lip stains, she recommends making sure the stain is dried on the lips first, because layering a product while the stain is still wet can cause some of its color to come off.
We asked Brenna and makeup artist Tobi Henney about the benefits of using a lip stain and to pass along any application tips for the best results. Plus, shop picks that have their seal of approval, along with a few shoppers (and Shop TODAY editors!) can't seem to get enough of.
What is a lip stain?
Lip stains vs. lip sticks
Very simply, Brenna described lip stains as “products that are absorbed into the skin instead of sitting on top so they penetrate.”
She compared a lip stain to a stain on a shirt, offering the example of spilled wine, which soaks in immediately, or baby food (or something that has a similar texture to it); she explained that, when you wipe them away, a stain is left behind.
“There’s lip stains that immediately go right into the lips and there’s ones that they wear off or, if you were to wipe off the top layer, you’re left with a stain,” she elaborated.
Furthermore, makeup artist Tobi Henney tells us in an email that lip stains give a more natural-looking appearance, while lipsticks offer more pigment and coverage.
How to choose a lip stain
While shopping, Brenna recommends opting for a lip stain with hydrating ingredients like almond or coconut oil to help the product penetrate and provide all-day wear.
Henney looks for natural finishes and packaging that is easy to use.
Best lip stains, according to makeup artists
A lipstick that also stains: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
- Many shades available
- Up to 16 hours of wear
- It's a lipstick, but leaves a slight stain
Key Specs
Available shades: 28 | Use on: Lips
Brenna called this liquid lipstick “one of her favorite products” and said it stays on for a long time.
“If you want just the stained look, you can apply the product, let it dry down and take a paper towel to dab off some of the product and it’ll look like more of the stain. Or you can use the finger application or the brush application for less of a color payoff,” she said.
Overall best lip stain: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain
- Smudge- and transfer-proof
- Long-lasting formula
- Can be a tad drying
Key Specs
Available shades: 6 | Use on: Lips and cheeks
Brenna says this tint is very thin in texture, which reminds her of a wine glass stain. “It goes on feeling more on the liquid-y side, and it penetrates and dries into the lip rather quickly,” she noted.
For full coverage: Nars Cosmetics Powermatte Lip Pigment
- Matte and full coverage
- Long-wearing formula
- Some reviews say it is a bit drying
Key Specs
Available shades: 10 | Use on: Lips
Brenna also likes this lip pigment from Nars and said it's an option to consider if you want something a bit more luxe. With over a dozen different colors offered, there's something for every season and every occasion.
Viral lip stain: Wonderskin Wonder Blading Peel and Reveal Lip Stain
- An Amazon bestseller
- Continues to be viral on TikTok
- Once peeled, it leaves a stain
- Mixed reviews on how well it peels off
Key Specs
Available shades: 27 | Use on: Lips
Brenna loves this lip treatment because, even though it's a two-step process, it "leaves that stain without texture," she said. Shop TODAY associate social media editor Dani Musacchio said she liked how the color held up throughout the day. "To my surprise, the stain survived a days’ worth of coffee-drinking, meals and daily wear. So, if you’re looking for all-day color without having to reapply your lip product, I’d say this is one TikTok find that’s worth giving a try."
Most luxurious: Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint
- Matte yet moisturizing
- Weightless feel
- Applicator is a tad small
Key Specs
Available shades: 5 | Use on: Lips
Another pick from Henney, this lip tint from Victoria Beckham Beauty will “give your pout a natural flush of color,” according to the brand. Its formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and squalane for hydration and mustard sprout extract for a plumping effect. Henney likes it not only for its chic packaging, but also because the Cherie shade is “perfect for all skin tones,” she said.
Best lip stains, according to editors
Best budget lip stain: E.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain
- At a great price point
- Long-lasting formula
- Comfortable feel
- Mixed reviews on color accuracy
Key Specs
Available shades: 8 | Use on: Lips
A budget-friendly pick, this lip stain goes on glossy for immediate shine and dries on as a long-lasting stain. It comes in up to eight shades with a range that includes bold reds and neutral browns. Commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto can also attest to how comfortable it feels on the lips.
A lip stain with a glossy finish: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil
- Feels cool when applied
- Comfortable feel
- Goes on glossy but leaves tint
Key Specs
Available shades: 8 | Use on: Lips
One of Rare Beauty's more recent launches, the Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil — caused quite a stir amongst fans and beauty gurus online. Its innovative formula and intense pigment also caught the attention of one of our own. "I own it in the shade serenity. Super comfortable, has a slight glossy finish, and leaves a really natural stain on the lips," says editorial assistant Madison San Miguel.
A lip liner stain: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Stain Liner
- Long-lasting formula
- Doesn't budge
- Very pigmented shades
- Not the most blendable
Key Specs
Available shades: 12 | Use on: Lips
San Miguel says this lip liner from Tarte requires "absolutely no touch-ups." She says, "I wore this lip liner while eating and drinking, and it was still visible after a long day." She also notes that while it is a matte, liquid pigment, the product isn't drying and doesn't settle awkwardly into lip lines. "I even love applying it across my entire top and bottom lip for an all-over lip stain," San Miguel adds.
Best 2-in-1 lip stain: Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint
- Stain lasts a long time
- Feels cooling
- Easy to blend
- Dries quickly
Key Specs
Available shades: 4 | Use on: Lips and cheeks
Amanda Fama, an editor at Shop TODAY, has a new favorite lip tint. This jelly tint by Milk Makeup "stains almost instantly" and "lasts all day," according to Fama. She says, "This lip tint truly feels cooling as you apply it, and although it dries quickly, it's simple to blend upon application whether you're using it on your lips or cheeks (or both)!" Plus, it was a Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner!
Works with gloss: Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain
- Unique applicator
- Precise application
- Mixed reviews on longevity
Key Specs
Available shades: 16 | Use on: Lips
"This Stila lip stain has made its way into my everyday routine," says former SEO intern Domonique Tolliver. "It’s my natural lip color but better. I never have to reapply, and it pairs well with any lip gloss!" she says about the product, specifically in the rose brown shade Hedy.
Frequently asked questions
Brenna calls out two main benefits of using lip stains: their long-lasting effect and the visual aesthetic. She also says lip stains tend to remind her of watercolors due to their softer appearance.
“Sometimes lipsticks can be quite pigmented or kind of harsh or you don’t quite love the texture. A lip stain is a perfect way to add a little bit of color without feeling like you have something on your lips,” she adds.
Another benefit is that even though the lightweight feel of a lip stain is ideal for summer , you can use it all year long. So while there’s not really a “best time” of year to use lip stains in general, Brenna says the only thing to take into account is the color you’re using.
You'll want to start with dry, clean lips. Brenna recommends exfoliating and making sure they’re dry before applying any products.
While applying lip stains might seem pretty straightforward, Brenna offered four different methods to try depending on the look you want to achieve.
Method 1: Apply it with the included applicator brush all over the top and bottom lips. Brenna said this is the way to get the most color payoff.
Method 2: Apply it with your fingertip by tapping some of the product on your finger and then pressing it onto your lips. This will give you more control as to where the color lands. Henney also recommends using this method.
Method 3: Use a buffing brush (like a small blending brush for your eyes) that is proportional to the size of your lips. Brenna said this tactic will help you control how much product you’re picking up. It also gives a soft, blended look to the outer edges of the lips. You can also use the brush to apply most of the color to the center of your lips and then brush it out to the side, she added.
Method 4: Apply the lip stain only to your bottom lip and mush your lips together while they're still wet to transfer some of that color to your top lip. “If you’re applying to both [lips], you’re going to get the most concentrated color, but if you apply it to one lip, that cuts that down and gives you a nice amount of color,” she said.
No matter which method you try, Brenna’s main piece of advice is simple: Practice, practice, practice.
“Play with the makeup that you have so you get more comfortable with it,” she said. “The last thing anyone wants is to be 90% ready to go out, you try something new, and you feel like you look ridiculous. So with all these different applications, try it out when you have nowhere to go and see what feels the most comfortable and most personal to you," she adds.
If you like to use a moisturizer after exfoliating, don’t forget to wipe it off! “That would be my biggest tip because that’s where a lot of people go wrong and it ends up coming off quicker,” Brenna emphasizes.
How we chose
Along with expert picks from makeup artists, we chose the best lip stains (and tints) that editors have used and currently recommend. The stains offer long-lasting results because of their ability to absorb into the skin.
Meet our experts
- Brenna D is a New York-based makeup artist who has 11 years of experience in the field.
- Tobi Henney is a bicoastal makeup artist originally from Sydney, Australia, where she served as the L'Oréal Paris Makeup Director for the region.
