Best Lip Stains 2023

May 31, 2023

Sometimes you want little something on your lips without necessarily going all out with lipstick. Maybe you just want to look more presentable and pulled together when hitting the laundromat or picking up your kid from school, but applying pigmented lipstick or a slick lip gloss feels a little extra. The best lip stains are perfect for those everyday, in-between moments. "They make you look fresh-faced and like you’re not trying too hard," says celebrity makeup artist Jeannia Robinette, who is a big proponent of the natural look. She says these lightweight lip products are especially great for her celebrity clients who don't like the creamy texture of lipstick.

The best lip stains provide a gorgeous wash of color without drying out lips.

Throwing on a lip stain takes two seconds and gives your pout a rosy pick-me-up or wine-stained sexiness that—unlike a lipstick or a lip gloss—actually lasts for hours on end. Newer formulations are buildable and provide a wash of color without drying out lips, so you look effortless and appropriate no matter what the occasion. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite lip stains for the perfect pout.

Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin

All things Rihanna are having a moment, including her award-winning lip stain. Not only does the Poutsicle line deliver a gorgeous wash of color, but instead of drying out lips like stains of years past, it goes on glossy and instantly hydrates with squalane. With its buildable, sheer-to-medium coverage that softens and smooths lips, you’ll feel unstoppable like, ahem, you know who. Makeup artist and host of The Life Of A Makeup Artist podcast Jaleesa Jaikaran especially loves Poutsicle's vibrant color selection.

e.l.f. Cosmetics

If you’re all about that glazed look, you’ll love this long-lasting lip stain by e.l.f Cosmetics. The non-drying formula is buildable and delivers a healthy dose of sheen. But despite the glossiness, it has a natural, subtle effect. One reviewer says, "I love that the stain that lasts for hours. It makes my lips look like they are naturally the shade I choose." Another bonus: the chic packaging. The stylish mini is the perfect size to throw in even your smallest clutch. And at this price point, you can get one to throw in all your bags.

Dior

We want it all: bold color, yet a subdued and demure look; matte finish, but with a little bit of movement. The Dior Addict Lip Tint checks all these boxes. The lip stain is available in 12 bold shades and comes in a semi-matte finish, yet is super hydrating thanks to a mix of cherry seed oil, glycerin and squalane. Robinette loves the line for its long-lasting wear and fun, pigmented colors.

Amazon

This TikTok sensation is the top-rated best-selling lip stain on Amazon, with over 27,000 4-star ratings—and it's easy to see why. It doesn't mess around when it comes to color. The wide range of shades, from dusty roses to deep reds and perky oranges, are intensely pigmented and glide on smoothly with an easy-to-apply applicator. One of the most impressive features is its all-day wear. Expect for it to stay put through your iced coffee, masks, workouts and more. Just be warned: The matte finish can leave lips on the drier side, so keep your favorite lip balm handy.

walmart

Anyone with thinner lips: This one's for you. Buxom's lip stain is formulated with moisturizing hyaluronic acid to plump up your pout without any stinging. The hydrating formula glides on like a gloss but then dries down to leave a supple, smooth look. The colors are also buildable, so if you’re going for a more dramatic look, apply a few more coats and you’ll be good to go.

Sephora

"This old school classic gives the best color," says Robinette. Originally made for the nipples of exotic dancers in the 1970s, the rose-tinted stain soon rose to cult status thanks to the blushing glow it gave, perfect for lips and cheeks—yes, it's a multitasker. One reviewer writes, "This product is a dream come true. It creates the most natural red, flushed cheeks and fruit punch lips. It's long lasting and smells likes roses too!" The only downside is it can be a tad drying. It's why Robinette recommends layering it with a balm like Carmex for a velvety finish.

Walmart

Here's a lip stain with some major oomph: YSL's Vinyl Cream Lip Stain provides more color (think full-coverage) and shine than typical stains. We’d call it a special occasion stain. Plus, it's very comfortable on the lips. And despise the intense gloss factor, it stays put for hours and hours (10 hours according to the brand), thanks in part to the diamond shaped wand, Jaikaran's favorite feature, which allows for precise application even in the hard-to-reach corners of the mouth.

Amazon

For those who can't make up their mind if they want to go full-on lipstick or scale back with a stain, L’Oreal's version offers the perfect compromise. According to the brand, it is designed to "deliver the high-color impact of a liquid lipstick with the no-makeup feel of a lip stain." And according to our in-depth review, it does just that. Bonuses include a comfortable matte finish, precise doe foot applicator, affordable price point and extensive 20-color range. But its real star power is its impressive staying power. You can rely on this stain to stick with you through multiple coffee cups, sweaty dance parties and even your big day—without the need to reapply.

Ulta

It's the fun marker-style applicator that makes this lip stain a no-brainer. Just color in the pigmented formula (like you would during an art project). Apply generously for a bold statement lip or paint on a few light strokes for a more natural look. Either way, expect the color to stay put. In a study by the brand, 100% of users said the weightless stain did not bleed or run. Instead it offers a comfortable, non-drying feel.

WONDERSKIN

If you’ve got some time, this kit will give your lips color that will last all day. Here's how the three-step application process works. First you apply a couple layers of the bluish-purple pigment across your lips (don't let the Halloween-ish color scare you—this is not the final shade). Let that settle for for 10 to 15 seconds for a soft hue or up to 30 to 45 seconds for a bolder shade. Next, spray one to three pumps of the activator until your lips are damp. According to the brand you may experience some tingling sensation on your lips and a sweet taste. After a few seconds, it's time for the big reveal. Starting at the corner of your mouth, grab a bit of the masque and peel it off to reveal a natural-looking color.

They’re not kidding either when they say the color won't budge; in fact, to get the product off you have to use an oil-based cleaner or makeup remover. One reviewer says, "For about 20 years I’ve been trying to find something that looks natural, wears all day, and doesn't feel dry or crusty on my lips. This product does the trick! It doesn't really moisturize, but it doesn't dry out my lips, either. It's like how my lips feel with nothing on them—completely natural."

Between shade range, finish and applicator type, there are several factors to consider in a lip stain. Here's what to keep in mind.

Lip stains are great for their longwearing power but the downside is they can leave your lips dry and wrinkly. Robinette recommends looking for formulas that contain hydrating ingredients like squalane, oils, and botanical extracts. You want your lips to feel good, she says. And if there's a drier formulation or shade you absolutely love, just layer a lip balm on top to keep your lips moisturized.

Traditionally stains came in drier matte or satin finishes but new formulations can be glossy, too. Choosing a finish really depends on your comfort level (can you handle a drier pout or will you be happier with a little hydration?) and the look you’re going for.

Stains come packaged in a few different ways. The most common include a nail polish style bottle with brush applicator, a marker or a tube with doe foot applicator. Test a few to find the option that's most comfortable for you to use. Be warned: It's easy to apply too much product with a brush so if you’re going with that option Robinette says start with a dab and blend it out before adding more.

Before you reach for your lip stain, exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub, says Robinette. "I don't know one person on the planet that doesn't have dry lips, and you have to care for them first," says the expert. Once your pout is prepped, she says to use your finger to apply the stain and blend it into your lip.

Lipsticks are usually creamier and have fuller coverage, which makes it the best choice when you want a bolder, vibrant look, says Jaikaran. Lip stains on the other hand are meant to look more sheer and natural. "They carry a watery consistency that absorbs easily into the lips, leaving a wash of color that usually lasts for a long time," says the expert. In most cases if you want an effortless look that's long-lasting, go with a lip stain.

Lip stains provide a more natural look for when you want a little something on your lips without wearing a thicker lipstick or high-shine gloss. They are lightweight and low maintenance. The biggest selling point is that lip stains stay on for hours, making them perfect for busy people who don't have time to reapply throughout the day.