Lip Stains: We Tested 11 Formulas That Resist Food, Drinks, and Kisses

Our Top Picks

Honestly, no list of lip stains would be complete without the lip stain: Benefit’s Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain. The formula’s six hues are game-changing, to say the least, delivering asmudge-proof flush of color (and subtle glow) to the lips and cheeks that will look like you were born wearing it. It’s a favorite of editors, beauty gurus, and pro makeup artists alike, thanks to its super strong color payoff.

During testing, we loved how it amplified the look of our natural lips, giving them a punch of pigment that works for everyday wear as well as fuller glam moments. It is buildable, but we found that we didn’t need more than a swipe or two to achieve the color payoff we wanted. The formula itself is relatively lightweight (but never watery) and serves as awash of color that sticks onto the lips with minimal transfer, rather than a glossy topper or creamy lipstick that needs to be reapplied. During testing, we found that it was easy to apply too much, so take it slow. You may even want to blot the color in with your fingers for more control.

Price at time of publish: $21

Finish: Natural| Size: 0.20 fl oz | Shades: 6

Take one look at the Dear Darling Lip Tint, and chances are you’ll be transported to your childhood days of slurping down fruit juice with a slight tint of grape or raspberry left on your lips. While the formula isslightly more viscous—and, obviously, inedible—it has the same effect.

When we tested it in the lab, we noticed that it had a runny consistency—the texture looked and felt like colored water. But, once it dried down, italtered the color of our lips effortlessly, without any stickiness or feathering. Take your pick between five juice-inspired pigments; just be aware that the color in the bottle isn’t the color that’s deposited onto your lips. We tried the Orange Ade shade, and it appeared more nude-orange in the flesh.

Price at time of publish: $7

Finish: Natural| Size: 0.3 fl oz| Shades: 5

For a lip stain that’ll stay in place for 10 hours whilelooking natural and feeling weightless, you’ll want to reach for this pick from Dior. The tinted ink lightlyadds a healthy dose of color and lasts through drinking, sweating, and kissing without budging an inch. Wear it alone for a neutral-looking hue, or use it as a primer underneath your favorite gloss. “I’m a big fan of the Dior Addict Lip Tint, as it feels like a very sheer lip gloss but stays on for hours,” says Shahzada. We are, too. Thegorgeous palette of fresh and natural shades— including beige, raspberry, vibrant coral, and intense plum—are all wonderfully pigmented and designed tocomplement all skin tones.  

Upon application, we noticed that the tint has a mild minty scent and goes on fairly watery (not goopy or runny, though!) but settles into the lips nicely without irritation or stickiness. In fact, it feels like there’s nothing on the lips once it’s dried down fully.

Price at time of publish: $40

Finish: Natural | Size: 0.17 fl. oz| Shades: 8

Though it has a thin consistency, this creamy lip tint is theperfect cross between a hydrating lip balm and a tinted stain. When we swatched it, we were surprised at how thin it was and how little color initially came off, but once we got more acquainted with the formula, we fell in love with itssheer-buildable wash of color. (You’ll have to swipe a few times to achieve a noticeable color difference.) Also nice: It’s texture issmooth and doesn’t clump. There are 13 different colorways to choose from—including a fiery Valencia Orange and a subtler Just Peachy coral—so there’s something for everyone.

Price at time of publish: $26

Finish: Balmy | Size: 0.06 oz| Shades: 13

If you’re aiming to find alip 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 aglossy 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 howcomfortable 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.

Price at time of publish: $29

Finish: Glossy, natural| Size: 0.20 fl oz| Shades: 4

While all lip stains are considered long-lasting, this pick from Charlotte Tilbury outlasts a number of options on this list. What’s more, it’sbuildable and applies like a gloss on both the lips and cheeks, leaving behind an effortlessly flushed finish. During testing, we fell in love with its doe-foot applicator that deposits product perfectly onto hard-to-reach areas of the lips, giving every inch a gorgeous satin finish. Another plus: It contains vitamin E and hyaluronic acid for added hydration.

Price at time of publish: $34

Finish:Satin | Size: 0.33 fl oz | Shades: 5

A smoothing and plumping matte lip tintsounds like it could never exist, but this one from Victoria Beckham Beauty proves it’s (somehow) possible. With anatural, highly pigmented color, all you need is one swipe—and maybe a slight touch-up after lunch—to get you through the workday and onto happy hour. It’s unlike anything else we’ve tried, and we owe it to the product’splumping, blurring, and smoothingcapabilities. It can feel tacky on the lips, so that’s something to keep in mind before buying if you’re not a fan of lip products that feel sticky.

Price at time of publish: $36

Finish:Semi-matte | Size: 0.19 fl oz| Shades: 3

With a formula that applies like a gloss and stays put like a stain, there isn’t much left to be desired from this Flower Beauty pick. Its water-based formula,lightweight gel texture, andlong-lasting tintare packed with moisturizing ingredients that feel soft on the lips (never sticky). In the lab, we found that it builds nicely, so you can layer on as many coats as you’d like to achieve your desired result. The cherry on top: It comes insix shades—in pink and red variations—that lookfabulous on all skin tones and natural lip shades. Note: It takes a few minutes to set, so you’ll have to practice patience here.

Price at time of publish: $12

Finish: Glossy | Size: 0.16 fl oz| Shades: 6

With names like Cherry Spritz and Berry Colada, you might not think this stain would look the most natural—but you’d be wrong. It’s the product’ssmooth, slick formulationthat captured our hearts. It goes on wet—like most of the other products on this list—then dries down to ajelly-like consistency that enhances your lips natural color. Depending on the color you choose, the lip stain can actually be built upto a morevibrant color payoff,but it’s natural enough for daily wear, too. Our only complaint: It can be somewhat tacky, but this wasn’t a dealbreaker for us.

Price at time of publish: $25

Finish: Glossy, Natural | Size: 0.17 oz| Shades: 5

Paint your lips into works of art with this super-pigmentedlip stain from Peripera. Theadhesive formula fills in the curves of your lips with a smooth, silky finish and insane color payoff. The thick, viscous texture is just like paint (aka doesn’t feel like a lightweight lip gloss), and it dries down for a weightless, mattified finish. It’s not drying, though; in fact, it’s velvety and creamy. The formulacomes in 27 shades—the most expansive shade range on this list—and each really packs a punch. If you’re looking for a vibrant stain that will last despite drinking water, coffee, tea, etc., this is the one for you.

It’s important to note that one swipe is all you’ll need. It’s not a bad thing (we love a one-and-done application), but it’s worth mentioning because those with shakier hands or unsteady grips might have a harder time achieving clean, straight lines before the formula dries down and takes hold.

Price at time of publish: $10

Finish: Matte | Size:  0.14 fl oz | Shades: 27

Matte and transfer-proof, the Huda Beauty Creamy Lip and Cheek Tint formula is as long-wearing as it gets. Each stain contains hyaluronic acid and coconut extract toprovide lots of moisture, which is key for nourishing skin throughout the day.1 Warning: the pigment is very strongwhen first applied, but you could definitely layer more for a darker finish if you wanted to. We only had touse minimal amounts of productto achieve the tint we wanted, so we can honestly say thatone tube will last a while. Similar to the Peripera option, it sets quickly, so it’s great for a swipe on the go. Just beware, since it can set quickly, you’ll want to work fast.

Price at time of publish: $25

Finish: Matte| Size: 0.20 fl. oz.| Shades: 5

Watch Us Test the Best Lip Stains

The 11 Best Lipsticks of 2023

Updated by
Jill DiDonato

Article Sources

buuk.top takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Kaur, M., Kaur, A., & Kaur, R. (2019). Coconut extract improves skin hydration and reduces transepidermal water loss in volunteers with dry skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 41(3), 249-255.