Somewhere between a lipstick and a lip balm, the best lip stains offer sheer, buildable and often moisturising pigment with unmatched staying power. A few of the instances when Vogue editors opt for lip stains over other products on the market are no make-up days in the sun when we want a natural flush of colour, and busy workdays where time doesn’t allow for continuous touch-ups.
As party season approaches, the lip stain takes on even more appeal: swipe one on and you can expect colour that stays smudge-free through any occasion, from sipping cocktails to mistletoe moments. Sound like the kind of lip product your make-up bag is missing? You’ve come to the right place. Scroll on for all the lip stains our editors love for effortless – and enduring – lip looks.
Vogue’s favourite lip stains at a glance:
Best peel-off: Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Peel Off Masque
- Why we love it: One of the many gripes we have with a lot of lip products is that they disappear the moment you eat or drink something. That is not the case with this one from Wonderskin. The brand uses a patented technology that infuses colourants and pigments (safely) into the top layer of your lips. So no matter where the day takes you, you don’t have to worry about constant reapplication. “This lip stain has become one of my favourites for a defined lip,” says Vogue beauty writer Tracy Achonwa. The shade Whimsical deposits a warm flush of rose that has just enough depth to sketch a natural-looking, but more voluminous, pout. What’s more, the formula feels hydrating and has a soft-focus matte finish that doesn’t emphasise dryness or lines. Whether you follow with gloss to complete the look or wear it alone, it lasts all day long. I’d recommend going in with the brand’s exfoliating lip pencil before you apply – it’s a convenient lip scrub that immediately softens and smooths chapped lips, priming your canvas for the best results. ”
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 17
- Key ingredients: Seaweed extract, glycerin, squalane, glucose
Best matte: Clarins Water Lip Stain
- Why we love it: You know the feeling of biting into a strawberry and noticing your lips have been dyed the perfect shade of pink? That’s what this lip stain does for you – no fruit required. And despite its matte finish, each of the four available shades are notably moisturising thanks to ingredients like sanicle, raspberry bush, African ebony, and aloe vera.
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: Four
- Key ingredients: Sanicle, raspberry bush, african ebony, nipplewort, furcellaria, aloe vera
Best classic: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip + Cheek Blush Stain
- Why we love it: One of the industry’s most acclaimed stains, Benetint is well-loved for good reason. The formula delivers a burst of pigment to the lips and cheeks with just a few drops – a little really goes a long way here, so start slow and build to your desired flush. The shade Rose is the most popular, imparting a berry flush suitable for all skin types, though the brand has since introduced three other hues worth considering.
- Finish: Skin-like
- Shades: Four
- Key ingredients: N/A
Best hydrating: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
- Why we love it: If you want a lip stain that commands attention, Fenty Beauty’s Poutsicle is the one for you. Powered by an oil-in-water complex with squalene, it’s designed to keep the lips soft and smooth while delivering a gloss to matte tint. Apply it lightly and wipe it off for a barely-there effect, or layer it on to amp up the pigment. “The best thing about Fenty’s lip stain is its dual finish – you can leave it as applied and enjoy the drama of its oil-slick shine, or blot it for a more dialled-down, lived-in lip look. Whichever way you wear it, vibrant lips with a healthy flush are guaranteed, and you’ll get hours of comfortable colour thanks to its serum-like formula.” – Tracy Achonwa, beauty writer
- Finish: Glossy or matte
- Shades: Six
- Key ingredients: Squalane
Best lightweight: Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint
- Why we love it: It’s lightweight and never sticky. You won’t even remember you’re wearing Victoria Beckham Beauty’s lip tint, no matter how much you layer on. It won’t dry your lips, thanks to hydrating ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, mustard sprout extract, and squalene, and with five sleek shades to choose from, you’ll be surprised by how many people come up to you and ask how your lips look so naturally flushed.
- Finish: Sheer
- Shades: Five
- Key ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, mustard sprout extract, squalane
Best affordable: e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain
- Why we love it: While some love a matte lip stain, others may prefer something a bit glossier – which is where this E.L.F. Cosmetics formula comes in. Its staying power puts this in the lip stain category, but the wear is similar to that of a lip gloss. It’s quite pigmented and imparts a sheer yet satin finish. The fact that it’s only £6 makes us eager to pick up more than one shade. We’d recommend the shade Pinkies Up for a pinkish-mauve, or Cinnamon Dreamz for a chocolate brown.
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: Eight
- Key ingredients: Mango seed butter
Best staining lip liner: Sacheu Lip Liner Stay-N
- Why we love it: If TikTok led you to this viral lip liner tattoo, you’re not alone. Proving not to be the stuff of internet legend, this buzzy find actually works. To use, line your lips as usual and let the product sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Once dry, peel it off to reveal perfectly lined lips that won’t budge all day long. A pro tip is to exfoliate your lips beforehand for a smooth application.
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: Three
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Best for travel: Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint
- Why we love it: Not only is the Milk Water Jelly Tint tempting enough to bite into (please don’t), but the bouncy texture glides easily onto both the cheeks and the lips. You can either apply it directly or tap it onto a brush for more precision. It’s pretty sheer at first touch, but it’s a buildable formula, so you can really intensify the colour if you so choose.
- Finish: Sheer
- Shades: Four
- Key ingredients: Vegan collagen, aloe, seawater
Best luxury: Dior Addict Lip Tint
- Why we love it: All of Dior’s lip products are staples in our beauty kits, but this semi-matte lip stain definitely ranks high on the list of go-tos. Infused with cherry oil, it leaves a punch on the lips while also being incredibly hydrating. With a slew of flattering shades to choose from, you can go bright and punchy or barely-there nude, depending on the look du jour.
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 13
- Key ingredients: Cherry oil
Best glossy: Etude Dear Darling Water Tint
- Why we love it: For a perfectly stained pout on a budget, this lightweight tint from K-beauty brand Etude is the answer. Its nonsticky formula stays on for hours and keeps your lips hydrated throughout the day with a vitamin and berry fruit complex.
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: Five
- Key ingredients: Berry fruit complex
Best for shade range: Peripera Ink The Velvet Lip Tint
- Why we love it: For bold and long-lasting colours, Peripera is the way to go. Priced at under £10, we’d happily stash one in every tote bag we own for a natural, silky finish on demand. It’s designed to fill in the curves of your lips, so application with its soft doe-foot applicator brush is easy and never streaky or patchy.
- Finish: Velvet
- Shades: 10
- Key ingredients: N/A
Best texture: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain
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What is a lip stain?
According to make-up artist Viktorija Bowers, a lip stain is a cosmetic product that absorbs into the skin and temporarily stains your lips – unlike traditional lipstick, which sits on the surface. “It also creates a look that is more blurred and soft, resembling a bitten lip,” she explains.
How long does a lip stain last?
Bowers says that the amount of time a lip stain lasts depends on the brand and product, but some lip stains can last up to eight hours or more. Your chosen shade’s saturation is also a factor. For example, red lip stains tend to last longer, while muted pinks and oranges may fade sooner.
How to take off lip stains
To remove a lip stain, Bowers suggests using something emollient, like a cleansing balm, but you can use Vaseline in a pinch. She advises: “For extra stubborn stains, you can exfoliate your lips a little,” perhaps with a lip scrub of sorts, “then generously moisturise them” to lock in hydration.
What is the difference between a lip stain and a lip tint?
According to celebrity make-up artist Kelly Mellinger, a lip tint provides a wash of colour that wipes off easily. “Think of a tinted lip balm as an emollient – it doesn’t stain your lips and requires reapplication to maintain the colour,” she explains. Tints are much lighter than lipsticks. On the other hand, lip stains have more pigment and, while still lightweight, are designed to leave lasting colour that isn’t easily wiped off. “You can’t simply remove it with a tissue; you’ll likely need a makeup remover or oil cleanser,” Mellinger adds.
Does a lip stain actually stain your lips?
While you might wish a lip stain lasted forever, that’s the realm of permanent make-up. Mellinger clarifies, “The stain on your lips from a lip stain is temporary and can be easily removed with a make-up remover or oil cleanser.”
How do you ensure your lip stain stays on?
The key to a long-lasting lip stain is to ensure your lips are hydrated and well-exfoliated. “I like to use a lip scrub before applying a lip stain,” Mellinger says. “Next, I apply a lip treatment while I prep the rest of the make-up. Before applying the stain, I wipe off any remaining lip treatment with a tissue, making sure the lips aren’t too glossy.” For added intensity, you can build the colour in layers, dabbing your lips with a tissue between applications to increase the depth of the stain.
Meet the experts
- Viktorija Bowers is a make-up artist.
- Katie Mellinger is a celebrity make-up artist.
