I’m someone who has never really got on board with lipstick. Most lipsticks make me look too ‘done’, they transfer off and then inevitably end up on my teeth. Instead, I want a low-maintenance hint of colour that makes my lips look mine, but won’t smudge or require a top-up after eating or drinking. That’s why I’ve been testing some of the best lip stains that promise lightweight, smudge-proof colour that lasts all day long. Because who has time to top-up their lipstick every other hour? Not me.
However, not all lip stains are made equal. And right now, so many lip stains are launching—in fact, they’re all over my TikTok For You Page too. The thing is, lip stains come in a whole range of different formulations, from watery tints to glossy stains and even lip oil tints and peel-off lip masks that impart transfer-proof colour. There’s now even lip liner stains that provide long-lasting definition for your lip combo. They all deliver slightly different results and as a beauty editor, I’ve tried a lot of them. During testing I’ve found that it really depends on your preferences and what you’re wanting from your lip stain. What one person rates another may not get on board with.
So which ones are the best for you? I tested all the best lip stains from my social feeds and rated them on their ease of application, their longevity after eating and drinking and the colour payoff.
Best Lip Stains, Tried & Tested
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
- Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Peel Off Masque (£18)
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint (£37)
- Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint (£22)
- Nyx Professional Makeup Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain (£11)
- Sacheu Stayn Lip Liner (£12)
- Dior Addict Lip Glow (£33)
- REM Beauty Practically Permanent Lip Stain Marker (£16)
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil (£20)
- Kiko Milano Long Lasting Colour Lip Marker (£12)
- Benefit Benetint (£23)
- E.l.f Glossy Lip Stain (£6)
- Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain (£21)
- Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain (£20)
- Zara Lip and Cheek Tint (£13)
- Rimmel Lip Ink Pen Lip Stain (£10)
1. Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Peel Off Masque
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
Wonderskin
Wonder Blading Lip Stain Peel Off Masque
The first thing you need to know about this lip stain if you don’t already is that they apply blue. Yes, you will look like Joey wearing blue lipstick from that episode of Friends. But trust me, it’s worth the process. You apply a generous layer all over the lips and wait for it to dry for up to a minute before removing with a damp cloth to reveal your stain underneath. When I initially reviewed the Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Peel Off Masque I was blown away at how well it worked, and this is by far the longest lasting lip stain I’ve tried on this list. I tried the shade Charming and it lasted me for hours, even through eating and drinking. However, I also tried Adore, a lighter pink, and I found the pigment wasn’t quite as long-lasting, so I’d lean towards the darker shades if you’re torn. The only thing I will say is that you have to make sure your lips are throughly exfoliated as this will cling to any dry patches. So it might not be for you if you have very dry lips or have any chapping right now. But otherwise, I think this is the best lip stain for the price, colour payoff and longevity.
For
- Long-lasting pigment
- Smudge- and transfer-proof
- 18 shades
- Activates quickly
- Feels like you’re not wearing anything on your lips
Against
- Can cling to dry patches
- Blue mask can be messy to remove
- Can be a little drying
- Lighter shades might not be as long-lasting
2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Bitten Lip Tint
There are many things I adore about these lip tints—they re one of my favourite Victoria Beckham Beauty makeup products. Bitten is definitely the key word here—these bestow a just-bitten flush to your lips that looks very Parisian. It comes in a gel formula that glides onto the lips and has a little slip for a short while as your first apply it. But as it dries you’re left with a pretty stain that is totally weightless and transfer-proof. The elongated applicator makes it really easy to get a precise application too. Compared to other lip stains I’ve tried, these lean more on the subtle side and are more natural-looking compared to others on this list. That being said, if you want something to impart a hint of a tint and don’t mind topping up a couple of times a day, these make a for luxurious lip stain option. Can we take a moment for the beautiful glass tiger’s eye-inspired packaging too?
For
- Lightweight
- Subtle tint
- Wearable shades feel curated
- Feels like you’re not wearing anything on your lips
- Luxurious packaging
Against
- Not the most long-lasting
- More subtle compared to other lip stains
- More expensive than others
3. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint
Milk Makeup
Cooling Water Jelly Tint
They were of TikTok’s most iconic beauty launches and I still stand by Milk Makeup’s Cooling Water Jelly Tints if you want a lip stain that also doubles up as a blush. These come in a jelly twist up stick can imparts an instant stain wherever you apply it. I own Spritz, a coral hue and Chill, a more cool-toned bright pink and I reach for the popsicle hues every summer—they’re so fun to apply. The shades all lean very bright, so if you want something natural-looking scroll on. The cooling jelly texture makes them so much fun to apply and emulate the kind of tint you get after eating a fruity ice lolly. If you’re using them on your cheeks, you’ll want to blend them quickly as they dry fast. But for lips they’re great to throw in your bag for touch-ups.
For
- Can be used on lips and cheeks
- Long-lasting stain
- Cooling jelly texture
Against
- Stick is quite big, so not the easiest to get a precise application
- Not much time to blend if you’re using it on cheeks
4. Nyx Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain
These are all over my For You Page right now and I genuinely think they’re worthy of the hype. These apply as a rich, glossy lacquer and as it fades you’re left with a pigmented lip stain underneath. You can also leave it on for 10-20 minutes and remove if you want to skip straight to wearing the lip stain. I tried both Hydra Honey (a rosy beige) and Blush Rush (a pink berry tone)and found that the deeper shades deliver more colour payoff and longevity than the lighter shades. I do love that these can be worn as a gloss that fades into a stain or removed for an instant stain too. I found them to be really hydrating and moisturising too. And at just £11, they’re one of the more affordable lip stains on this list and they’re one of my favourites that I’ve tried.
For
- Can be worn as a gloss while it imparts a stain underneath
- 16 shades
- Moisturising and hydrating
Against
- Lighter shades aren’t as long-lasting
- Often sold out in stores
5. Sacheu Stayn Lip Liner
If you’re after more of a long-lasting lip liner, then look so further. Sacheu’s Stayn Lip Liner delivers a lip liner stain thanks to the fine tip. You apply it in a thick layer to trace your lip line (or apply it all over) before peeling it away after it has set. This is a good one to try if you find most lip liners wear off too quickly and want something that will remain in place for longer. Some say that the lighter shades aren’t as pigmented as they’d hope and they look less noticeable on darker lip colours, so go for a hue slightly darker than you’d usually go for you’re unsure.
For
- Long-lasting alternative to lip liner
- Defines and contours lips
- Can also be worn as an all-over lip stain
Against
- Lighter shades are not as long-lasting
- Not as noticeable on darker lip colours
6. Dior Addict Lip Glow
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
If you’re someone who loves a subtle tint of colour, step this way. While these are technically a tinted lip balm, Dior’s Addict Lip Glow formulas react with the pH of your lips to deliver a long-lasting tint of colour too that is bespoke to your lips. I love wearing these are the silky, balmy texture is so hydrating and nourishing but long after it has worn away, I’m left with a subtle flush of colour on my lips. I own both the Berry and Coral shades and find the stain colour is very consistent across the different hues. Traditionally, lip stains can be drying so this is a great one to try if you want something that hydrates and tints at the same time.
For
- Balm texture
- Shades react with the pH of your lips for a custom shade
- Hydrating and nourishing—doubles as a lip stain and lip balm
- Leaves a pretty stain after the balm has worn away
- Luxurious packaging
- 22 Shades
Against
- More expensive than others
7. REM Beauty Practically Permanent Lip Stain Marker
REM Beauty
Practically Permanent Lip Stain Marker
This marker pen style lip stain allows you to draw inside or outside the lines of your lips depending on the look you’re going for. You can use it to outline, define and contour your lips or use it all over the lips for a healthy flush of colour. The shades lean all towards pink, wine and berry hues so they might not be for you if you’re wanting some more neutral. But, they are so pretty and last really well on the lips without smudging or transferring. Like a marker pen, they can dry out if you don’t store them with the nib facing down to help the ink travel up the nib.
For
- Marker pen tip allows for precise application
- Long-lasting
- Easy to apply
- Ideal to use as a lip liner or full lip colour
Against
- The colours lean more pink than neutral
- Pigment can be inconsistent if not stored facing downwards
8. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil
Rare Beauty
Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil
A lip oil and a stain? Yep, Rare Beauty has done it. These glide on with a nourishing tinted oil formula that feels plumping and cushioning on the lips. Meanwhile, a subtle stain develops underneath so as the oil wears away, you’re left with a pretty hint of colour without any dryness. I found this really hydrating and love the watercolour-esque tint this lip stain left behind.
For
- Nourishing lip oil formula
- Hydrates and tints
- Long-lasting stain
Against
- More expensive than other lip stains
9. Kiko Milano Long Lasting Colour Lip Marker
Kiko Milano
Long Lasting Colour Lip Marker
Kiko’s lip marker is another great choice if you favour precision and the option to use your lip stain as either a lip liner or an all-over wash of colour with 10 hours of wear. What’s great about this one is that you can wear a sheer tint or layer up with a few coats for bolder result. It can be a tad drying so you want to make sure your lips are nice and hydrated before applying for a seamless finish. However, the portable design is perfect for throwing in your bag and topping up if you need to.
For
- Marker pen nib is precise, making it ideal for lip lining
- Long-lasting stain
10. Benefit Benetint
This is one of the original lip stains that is now nearly 50 years old but is still as good as ever. And more recently it has since inspired newer shades in a whole spectrum of hues. The original, however, is a bright rosy crimson that delivers a sheer wash of colour to the lips and cheeks. It’s quite watery in texture, which allows you layer up the intensity to your preferences. It also has the delicious scent of roses.
For
- Delivers a sheer wash of colour
- Can be layered for more intensity
Against
- Bottle isn’t the most travel-friendly
- Can take a while to dry on the lips
11. E.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain
If you want all the benefits of a gloss with the long-lasting effects of a stain, then you really can’t beat the E.l.f Glossy Lip Stain, which is the most affordable in our list. The gloss to stain formula bestows a mirror-like shine without any stickiness, while the stain gets to work underneath to last for hours. You can layer it up each time for a deeper hue or let the gloss wear off and enjoy a sheer flush of colour.
For
- Gloss-to-stain formula
- Affordable
12. Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
Fenty Beauty
Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
If you want something brighter with big pigment payoff, then let me point you to this one. The shades all lean towards bright pinks, purples and corals which are great if you want to make a statement. They apply in a hydrating glossy coat at first but soon dry down into a bright stain that will last for hours on end.
For
- Gloss-to-stain formula
- Big pigment payoff
- Fun colours to choose from
Against
- A little more expensive than others
- Only has bright colours
13. Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain
Stila
Calligraphy Lip Stain
The nib on this lip liner is genius. Inspired by calligraphy pens, the nib has a thin tip that you can use to line and define the lips, while the flat side is perfectly designed for swiping the colour all over the lips. They come in so many shades, so whether you’re after a neutral or a statement hue, there is one for everyone. This lasts up to eight hours, so it will withstand long and busy days if you don’t have time to top-up.
For
- Ultra-fine tip makes it easy to line lips
- Can be used all over lips too
- Range of shades
Against
- Has a slight bitter taste
14. Zara Lip & Cheek Tint
This is a universally flattering bright poppy red that imparts a healthy flush to the lips and your cheeks—kind of like the natural flush you’d get after a brisk walk in the cold. It’s very sheer, so you can wear it as a soft stain or layer it up with a couple of coats more a brighter result. I wish Zara would bring out a couple of extra shades of this formula.
For
- Can be used on lips and cheeks
- Can be layered for more pigment
Against
- Not easy to find in some stores
- Only comes in one shade
15. Rimmel Lip Ink Pen Lip Stain Urban Stain
Rimmel
Lip Ink Pen Lip Stain
This felt-tip lip stain not only imparts lightweight pigment that stays transfer-proof, but the precision tips makes it great for contouring and lining your lips. Equally, it’s just as good for filling in the entire lip area for a statement. From neutral tones to brights, the shades feel really considered and there’s a hue for every mood.
For
- Marker pen tip delivers a precise application
- Perfect for lining or filling in lips
- Affordable
Against
- Can cling to dry areas of the lips
