The Best Lip Stains, According to Our Editors
July 14, 2020
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How to Prep Lips for a Lip Stain
STEP 1: Moisturize Your Lips
The biggest mistake you can make before reaching for your new fave lip stain isn’t the lip stain you choose, but skimping on lip balm. That little layer of moisture keeps flaky dryness at bay and gives you an overall smoother, softer surface with which to work. Throw a tube in your bag to keep lips looking fresh and juicy throughout the day. We like the Maybelline New York Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Lip Balm.
STEP 2: Lock it in With Lip Liner
Yes, lip stain is designed to stick around, but it’s not going to apply as precisely as a good old-fashioned lipstick with a pointed bullet and the creaminess to trace a line. Reach for a lip liner in a matching color (or clear, if you’re going for a more natural look). The goal here is to use a soft stroke, just to have a guideline. Pro tip: Blend the lip liner so there’s no obvious outline.
STEP 3: Choose the Right Color
Now, it’s time to choose the right shade for your skin tone. Cool tones, those that are blue-based, work better for fairer skin. Warm tones, those closer to orange or red, look gorgeous on olive to dark complexions.
Best Lip Stains to Try
L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Matte Lip Stain
This lightweight lippie has become a new favorite stain in our collection. It’s long-wearing, applies smoothly with a doe foot (like a liquid lipstick) and is extremely comfortable to wear.
The water-in-oil emulsion feels like a second skin and dries to a lush matte finish. This baby is perfect for doing an ombré lip that flawlessly melds into your natural lip color. Use the sponge-applicator tip to apply the color to the center of your lips only and blot out for slightly tinted finish.
YSL Beauty Tatouage Couture Matte Stain
For a watercolor soft wash of pigment, the Tatouage Couture Matte Stain won’t disappoint. What we love about this product is that you can layer it a few times (make sure to blot in between) to pack an extra color punch.
The Milk Makeup Glow Oil Lip Tint is a makeup minimalist’s best friend because of its subtle color. Not only will this formula give you a slight glowing sheen and a beautiful flush of color, but it also contains antioxidant-rich rice bran oil to give your skin maximum hydration.
IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush 4-In-1 Reviver Lipstick Stain
This multi-purpose lippie was designed to give you the natural pretty flush of a lipstick with the hydrating feel of a lip balm and a long-wear stain all-in-one. The formula is made with skin-loving ingredients, like plum oil, cherry oil, shea butter, aloe and jojoba to hydrate, condition, and nourish your lips, and vitamins to ward off free-radical damage.
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Lip Dye
This fluid and lightweight lip stain is super pigmented and dries down to a matte finish. Wear it alone for a dramatic finish or pair it with your favorite lip gloss to give it a glossy shine.
Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick
This matte lip cream by Sephora is one of our favorites because of its cloud-like consistency and powerful stain. It has extremely high coverage that keeps your lips colored for hours and comes in more than 80 shades.
127 East Matte Liquid Lip Stain
This smooth formula offers a full-coverage matte finish, similar to a liquid lipstick and long-lasting wear, like a lip stain. Available in many different colors, you’re sure to find a shade that suits your style.
Uoma Beauty Boss Gloss Liquid Marble
Take all of your favorite qualities of any lip product ever and you get this Uoma Beauty Boss Gloss Liquid Marble. It has the gorgeous non-sticky shine of a lip gloss, long-wear of a lip stain and skin-care benefits of a lip balm all-in-one formula. Infused with lychee fruit extract, it protects your pout from harmful UV rays all while keeping them soft and supple.
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