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Lip stains have been around for a very long time. Before formal, packaged lip stains, women used berries, plants, and flowers to color their lips!
In the late 1970s, Benefit Cosmetics introduced Rose Tint (now known as Benetint), a rose-colored liquid tint created in response to a request from an exotic dancer who wanted to add color to her face.
Lip stains were popular in the 90s, after a shift away from super matte lipstick.
And, well, here we are again, with lip stains back on top! I’ve been buying and trying several different ones over the last few months, and I’m here to share my findings.
Are Lip Stains Worth the Hype?
When I worked at Ulta last year, I started seeing lip stains and lip liner stains hit the shelves. I never really thought twice about them, but I heard great things about some of them.
It wasn’t until I moved to Buffalo and started regularly going out for drinks and dinners that I started buying lip stains. Why?
Truthfully, because I wanted to know my lip color was staying put no matter what I ate or how much beer I was chugging – ha!
So, I started purchasing drugstore lip stains. I wanted something long-lasting, affordable, and with good color options.
Here’s what I found:
What to Look for in a Good Lip Stain
Here are a few things you might consider when shopping for a good lip stain:
- Longevity: How long does the color actually last?
- Comfort: Does it dry out your lips?
- Pigmentation: Is the color buildable, or is it too sheer?
- Application: Is it easy to apply evenly?
- Transfer resistance: Does it stay put when you eat, drink, or kiss?
- Removal: Does it come off easily at the end of the day?
Lip Stain Reviews: My Honest Experience
Here are all of the lip stains I’ve purchased and worn lately:
Essence Beauty What a Tint! Lip & Cheek Tint | $4.99
Shade: Kiss From a Rose
This is the lip stain I heard the most about. It’s said to be a dupe for the Benetint one, but at a fraction of the price. I can’t compare it to Benetint (I haven’t used that one), but I do like this one a lot.
It’s a beautiful shade that gives the lips a berry-bitten look. I have only worn this on my lips (not on my cheeks), but I always get compliments when I wear it.
It’s fully a liquid stain (a water-like consistency), so it takes a steady hand to apply. It stays on, and while it’s not hydrating, it doesn’t dry out your lips. I like to let it dry and then apply a gloss on top and it looks natural but BETTER.
Essence Beauty Line N’ Stain Tattoo Lip Liner | $4.99
Shade: Everyone’s Nude Pink, Must Have Brown
I bought two shades of these liners, and the awesome thing is, you can use the fine-point tip to line your lips or turn it sideways and fill them in. I do the latter and just use it as an overall stain.
It has great precision, and I love both the shades I purchased. This stays on all night and applies like a felt-tip marker. A great choice if you want the lip liner option.
Essence Beauty What a Tint! Staining Lip & Cheek Tint | $5.99
Shade: Raspberry Vibes
Essence made things a little weird by naming this product so similarly to the liquid lip and cheek stain mentioned above. This product is in stick form.
I don’t really use it on my lips, but I use it almost daily on my cheeks. It doesn’t fully dry, so I can’t imagine it would last long on my lips, but it works great as a blush!
The color is great and would be a good lip color, just without the expectation of a stain.
Etude Dear Darling Water Lip Tint | $9.99
Shade: Strawberry Ade
I bought this one at TJ Maxx after I loved the Essence stain so much! This is a Korean brand, and it’s a water-like stain as well.
It’s very similar to the Essence one, but it has a slight strawberry scent! It stays on the lips long, has great color payoff, and, is a little bit bigger of a bottle than the Essence one — find it on sale or at a discount store for an even greater deal 🙂
Wet n’ Wild Perfect Pout Lip Liner Stain | $4.99
Shade: I’m Blushing, Nude Tights
I bought two shades of this one, too!
It has a felt tip, too, but a very unique shape. However, you can draw a thin, precise line or fill it in as you like.
The “Blushing” shade is lovely, but the “Nude” shade was a little too dark for my complexion. However, this product stays on the lips and applies beautifully.
NYX Lingerie Lip Liner Stain | $12
Shade: Naughty Nude
This was the first lip liner stain I bought, and I was actually really disappointed. I typically don’t like to mention products I don’t like, but this was kind of pricey, and it had no color payoff. I felt like it dried out as I was using it.
I normally love NYX products, but I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Which Lip Stain Is the Best?
I use different ones for different reasons…
- Best Overall Lip Stain: Essence Beauty What a Tint! (water-based one)
- Best Long-Lasting Lip Stain: Any of the Essence or Wet n’ Wild ones
- Most Comfortable Lip Stain: None of them were drying or uncomfortable
- Best Budget-Friendly Lip Stain: Any of the Essence or Wet n’ Wild ones
- Best Everyday Lip Stain: Essence Beauty Line n’ Stain Tattoo Lip Liner
- The One I Wouldn’t Buy Again: NYX Lingerie Lip Liner Stain
I cannot express how long these stay on; truly. I love not having to check my lip every time I go to the restroom or worry that it’s transferred to my face or drinking glass.
Final Thoughts: Are Lip Stains Worth Buying?
Yes. If you want something long-lasting, grab a lip stain. I personally love wearing them as a base, then topping with a clear or sheer gloss.
You could top with a lipstick, too.
I think the hardest part of buying a stain is knowing what the color will look like on your lips. The color on the package or online isn’t always correct. However, I know it’s that way with all sorts of makeup products.
That’s one reason I’d stick to the budget-friendly options 🙂
If you’ve tried a lip stain, which one was it? What did you think? I’d love to add more to my list to try.
This beauty review is not sponsored — nor are any of the reviews on this blog. I am a beauty and skincare junkie and enjoy sharing the products I love right here! For more reviews and similar posts, please subscribe to the blog by clicking subscribe on the right side of your screen. Cheers!
