As far as staying power is concerned, nothing quite compares to a lip stains or lip tint. Formulated to literally stain your pout with pigment, these formulas can help transform your natural lip color and also serve as a base coat for lipsticks, lip glosses, and more. But it’s not as simple as staining the skin on your lips, these makeup products need high-quality formulas that are comfortable enough for all-day wear, too (after all, they color the lips for extended periods of time).See our top picks for the best lip stains and tints, ahead.
1.Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip & Cheek Tint
Size: 0.20 ounces | Shades: 6 | Ingredients Highlight: Sulfate-free, phthalate-free, mineral oil-free
Star Qualities
· Works on lips and cheeks
· Light and pleasant rose scent
· Watery consistency is easy to apply and blend
· Also comes in a larger size
Red Flags
· We couldn’t find any!
Benetint is designed to serve as both a lip stain and a cheek tint, making it one of the most versatile options on our list. It also stays true to the integrity of lip tints, and instead of moonlighting as a gloss or lipstick, it simply stains the lips, so you can choose to wear it on its own or layer your favorite lip balm or lip gloss on top. On top of all that, the Benefit lip stain lasts forever. Seriously, you will hardly need to replace this, even with regular use.
2.Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
Size: 0.22 ounces | Shades: 6 | Key Ingredients: Squalene
Star Qualities
· Lightweight consistency is buildable for a more pigmented finish
· A little goes a long way, so you can get a lot out of one tube
Red Flags
· Not super hydrating, so you might need an extra layer of lip balm
The Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain is our top pick for the best buildable formula because it has a lightweight consistency that is easy to build upon. On top of that, it features rich pigmentation, so a little goes a long way and you don’t need many layers to achieve a bold look.
While this Fenty lip stain claims hydration as a benefit — and features squalane in its ingredient lineup — we found that its hydration benefits are subtle, so an additional layer of lip balm might be necessary for those with dry or chapped lips.
3.Clarins Water Lip Stain
Size: 0.20 ounces | Shades: 4 | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, sanicle, raspberry, African ebony, furcellaria, succory dock-cress
Star Qualities
· Features a lightweight, watery consistency that’s easy to apply
· Hydrating formulation includes aloe vera
· Subtle enough for daily wear
Red Flags
· Tough to remove, so we recommend a cleansing balm or oil
The best lip stain for everyday is the Clarins Water Lip Stain. This formula is lightweight and has a watery consistency that tints the lips without any noticeable texture. Despite being on the more liquidy side, it’s also slightly hydrating thanks to ingredients such as aloe vera and raspberry and also features skin-protecting ingredients like sanicle, African ebony, and furcellaria.
Since the formula is more of a true lip stain, removal is a bit tricky as you can’t just wipe this away with micellar water or a makeup remover wipe. Instead, we recommend either letting it fade naturally or using a cleansing oil or cleansing balm to lift away the pigmentation at the end of the day.
4.Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint
Size: 0.32 ounces | Shades: 5 | Key Ingredients: Vitamin and berry fruit complex
Star Qualities
· Similar to Benetint but at a fraction of the price
· Comes in five different shades
· Buildable consistency
Red Flags
· We didn’t notice a difference in hydration
Whether you want something more budget-friendly or are looking for a Benetint lip stain dupe, the Etude House Dear Darling Lip Tint is an excellent pick. It’s available for less than $10 — but don’t let its cheap price tag speak for the quality. After testing this formula, we were highly impressed by its ability to blend into the pout for an even yet buildable coverage. We also love that it comes in several different shades, including some you don’t see as often, like grape and orange.
The formula stays put and barely transfers after application, so it stays true to its tinted design. The doe foot applicator wand also makes it easy to apply without creating a mess around the mouth (something you definitely do not want with a lip stain). We didn’t notice any hydrating effects since it doesn’t have a creamy or glossy texture like lip balm.
5.Dior Addict Lip Tint
Size: 0.17 ounces | Shades: 12 | Key Ingredients: Cherry oil
Star Qualities
· 12 different shades offer something for everyone
· Subtle pigmentation gives a natural-looking tint
· Impressive staying power
Red Flags
· Difficult to remove
The Dior Addict Lip Tint is our top pick for the best investment for several reasons. First, this formula comes in 12 different shades, which is extensive for a lip tint and allows lots of variety for makeup application. We love the subtle finish that enhances the natural lip color.
Despite having subtle pigmentation, we found that this designer lip tint has impressive staying power. It’s so effective at staining the lips that it’s a bit difficult to remove, even with a makeup wipe and micellar water. Nonetheless, we recommend this as a high-quality and splurge-worthy formula that can elevate natural lips for long wear.
6.Huda Beauty Lip Blush Lip & Cheek Stain
Size: 0.20 ounces | Shades: 5 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid powder, coconut extract
Star Qualities
· Lightweight consistency dries quickly on lips and cheeks
· Thin formula is easy to blend and build
· Strong pigment lasts a long time
Red Flags
· Wand can be a bit messy
The Huda Beauty Creamy Lip and Cheek Tint is a versatile formula that features rich pigmentation and nourishing ingredients. Since the formula consistency is on the thin side, it dries quickly on the lips and cheeks and is easier to blend. On top of that, its pigmentation is super strong, water-resistant, and doesn’t transfer, making it an excellent choice for all-day wear.
Since this formula is so pigmented, it’s possible to experience slight bleeding if you have too much formula on the wand when applying. To prevent this, we recommend wiping off the excess and applying a thin layer first, then building upon that.
7.Jones Road The Lip Tint
Size: 0.06 ounces | Shades: 13 | Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil
Star Qualities
· Formula resembles a hydrating lip balm
· Subtle, sheer pigment is buildable for a customizable look
· Castor seed oil softens the lips and hydrates over time
Red Flags
· Not as matte as a traditional lip stain
Our top pick for the best stick lip tint is The Lip Tint from Jones Road. This formula is a hybrid formula that provides a subtle pop of pigment while also moonlighting as a nourishing lip balm. Designed with castor oil for long-lasting nourishment, the formula goes on smooth and features a creamy texture that instantly hydrates lips while depositing light pigment. Since the pigment is more subtle, it’s also an excellent option for those looking for a buildable formula to customize their overall lip look.
While it’s not a deal breaker for us, it’s also worth noting that this isn’t like more traditional stains (such as the Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip and Cheek Tint and Etude House Dear Darling Lip Tint). Because it has a more hybrid formula, the lip stain features a slight sheen instead of a matte look — which some may prefer!
8.Peripera Ink The Velvet Longwear Lip Tint and Lip Liner Kit
Size: 0.14 ounces | Shades: 16 | Key Ingredients: Castor Oil
Star Qualities
· Thick and creamy texture dries matte on the lips
· One layer gives a bold finish
Red Flags
· Not buildable
· Transfers enough to leave a kiss mark
Most lip stains feature a subtle and buildable color. However, if you want something with deeper pigmentation, we recommend the Peripera Ink Velvet. This highly pigmented lip stain has a thick and creamy texture and resembles more of a liquid matte lipstick than a stain. Due to its thick texture, you only need one layer to reach a desired look, so a little bit goes a long way, and you don’t need to build upon the pigmentation. Despite being thicker, the formula still feels lightweight and comfortable on the pout, too.
The stain comes in 16 different shades, including an excellent nude range, plus some fun pink and peachy hues. While it does transfer a little, we didn’t experience any bleeding or smudging when testing the formula in our lab.
9.Stila Cosmetics Calligraphy Lip Stain
Size: 0.71 ounces | Shades: 16 | Key Ingredients: Glycerin
Star Qualities
· Pen-like tip gives a precise application
· 16 shades include nudes and bold hues
· Feels lightweight, so it’s barely noticeable on the lips once dried
Red Flags
· No hydrating benefits
Depending on the formula, application can get a bit tricky with lip stains — which is why we appreciate the Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain’s fun applicator tip. Inspired by a calligraphy pen (hence the name), this formula has a pen-like tip that allows for precise application while lining the lips with its rich pigment. We love it because, in addition to its application, the formula feels super light on the lips, and once dried, you barely even notice it’s there. On top of that, the lip stain comes in 16 different shades, including a good range of nudes and bold pigments like violet, fuchsia, and coral.
10.Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint
Size: 0.19 ounces | Shades: 5 | Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, mustard sprout extract, squalane
Star Qualities
· Watery formula provides a very light wash of color
· Absorbs quickly on the lips and provides a subtle finish
· Applies smoothly for an even application
Red Flags
· We wish it had a different applicator
If you like lip stains for their subtle and natural finish, the Victoria Beckham Bitten Lip Tint is the best option for you. This lip stain features a more opaque pigmentation that slightly elevates the natural lip color without looking too bold and noticeable, making it great for a no-makeup look. We love that it absorbs quickly onto the pout (similar to other true tints), and it provides a subtle finish that doesn’t overpower.
Since this lip stain has a lightweight, watery consistency, we don’t love the doe foot wand as an applicator and instead wish it came with a brush-on wand. Nonetheless, the formula still applies smoothly on the lips for an even tinted layer.
