As someone who wears some sort of lip color daily, I'm always on a mission to find the best lipsticks. Smudging, feathering, and fading have become enemy number one. As a result, sometimes the best everyday lipstick for me isn't lipstick at all. Instead, I've found myself reaching for the best lip stains.
"A lip stain is more liquidy in texture and consistency," explains professional makeup artist Allison Kaye, adding that lip stains can have many finishes—from matte to high-shine—but always dye one's lips like "a coat of paint." While most pigmented lip products differ from the texture of one's natural lips, lip stains blend in with them, often lending lips a flush of long-lasting color that stays put after hours of eating, drinking, and talking.
"Reach for a lip stain when you won’t have time to re-apply throughout the day," agrees Erica Marie Gatt, a professional esthetician and makeup artist. "A typical lipstick or lip gloss wears off after you eat, drink, and talk. Lip stains are specifically formulated so that the color is absorbed by your lips, therefore providing a longer lasting color."
Ahead, picks from Kaye, Gatt, and our editors (including yours truly) for long-lasting, smudge-free color.
The Best Lip Stains
- The Best Lip Stain Overall: Violette FR Petal Bouch Matte
- Best Matte Lip Stain: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick
- Best Glossy Lip Stain: Thread TranspHorm It Color Changing Lip Oil
- Best Sheer Lip Stain: E.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain
- Best Affordable Lip Stain: Stila Stay All Day Long Wear Liquid Lipstick
If a buildable lip stain is what you're after, look no further. "Violette FR's Cerise Desir is dark—almost wine-colored—and becomes darker the more you layer it on," says Marie Claire's Contributing Writer Katherine J. Igoe. "It's a blue-red, meaning it doesn't have as much yellow or orange pigment and it's a nice match with my skin tone. If I just want a little color, I take a small brush, tap the end of the applicator, and then dab it over my lips. The effect is deep but also semi-sheer in the most amazing way."
Pros: Editor-approved; Buildable; Works well on cool skin tones; Award-winning
Cons: May not work as well on warm undertones
I'm not exaggerating when I say I have at least a dozen of these in my makeup bag. These lip stains come in every conceivable color and are highly pigmented, so they look exactly how they're supposed to on my lips. They stay on all day, too. You can't go wrong with any color, but my favorites are Coral Sunset and Autumn Wind.
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwear; Affordable; Available in many colors; Highly pigmented
Cons: Drying
A combination of glossy lip oil and a subtle lip stain is exactly what you'll get with Thread. "It's clear, and then it turns into whatever color, so prepare for a little bit of a surprise," says Kaye. "It's more pink than anything though." Unlike most lip stains, which are matte, this option is perfect for those who shy away from drying matte formulas.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Not drying; Fun to use; Affordable
Cons: Not a predictable color
This drugstore option has a lightweight feel and a sheer finish that customers love. It comes in seven bright, highly pigmented colors, and is ideal for standalone wear or as part of a layered look. Pair it with slightly deeper or lighter shades to complete an ombré look.
Pros: Lightweight; Affordable; Buildable
Cons: Small container
With an impressive selection of bright shades for spring and summer, I highly recommend getting this range into your makeup bag. The stain dries evenly and stays on all day, and, although it's a bit drying, it has a creamy formula that's way more comfortable than most of its competitors.
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwear; Vibrant color selection; Highly pigmented
Cons: Drying
Also Recommended
I am amazed by this unique lip stain, which requires a bit more work on the front end but has a payoff that's well worth it. It's a mask that goes on deep blue-purple. Leave it on for 10 to 30 seconds, then gently wipe it off, and your lips will be the color of your choice. It doesn't come off all day, no matter what you eat or drink, and dries so lightweight that it doesn't feel like you're wearing anything.
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwear; Doesn't budge; Lightweight finish; Great for layering
Cons: Needs to be applied with absolute precision or it can dye your skin
"This is a super antioxidant rich formulation that provides the perfect stain while also hydrating the lips for all day wear," says Gatt of this viral formula from Hailey Bieber's popular beauty line. It promises to provide both lasting hydration and subtle pigment, and comes in four colors.
Pros: Expert-approved; Doesn't dehydrate lips; Fragrance-free
Cons: Not deeply pigmented
Gatt also stands by this lip stain from Credo Beauty, which is vegan, fragrance-free, and perfectly sized for travel. She explains, "This is a buildable stain that plumps and hydrates dry and dehydrated lips revealing dewy lips with a pop of color."
Pros: Expert-approved; Clean; Vegan; Buildable; Hydrating
Cons: Expensive for a small bottle
If you're worried about a matte stain drying out your lips, this Huda Beauty option, which is infused with hyaluronic acid, will calm you down. Despite the shine-free finish, it leaves lips soft and nourished. "They have a ton of different shades, so you can pick whatever you feel flatters you best," says Kaye. Scores of reviewers agree, adding that because the formula is highly pigmented, it shows up as advertised on all skin tones. It's also buildable and works great as a blush.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Versatile; Buildable; Goes on glossy and dries matte; Cruelty-free; Moisturizing
Cons: Small container
With thousands of five-star reviews and best-seller status at Sephora, it's no surprise this lip stain made the list. "This one's kind of cool because you can use it as a blush or as a lip product, so if you want to bring it with you for a touch-up, it can touch up two things on your face rather than just one," notes Keys.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Versatile; Long-wearing
Cons: Doesn't come in many colors
This lip stain from Clarins is perfect for those who typically like a balmy gloss. Without sacrificing an ounce of pigmentation, this formula moisturizes lips all day for weightless hydration. It doesn't bleed, so feel free to apply it on the go or, if you're really brave, without a mirror.
Pros: Hydrating; Editor-approved; Doesn't budge
Cons: Limited range of colors
This hidden gem from Peripera is one of my recent obsessions. The formula has a creamy, comfortable finish that stays on beautifully and doesn't feather, and its flexible applicator makes for easy, precise application. You don't even need a lip liner to get a smooth line. Plus, it has an adorable design that constantly garners compliments when I apply it while out and about.
Pros: Editor-approved; Comfortable; Not drying; Affordable
Cons: Can transfer
I will forever shout my love for Milani from the rooftops. It's affordable, available in most drugstores, and its products truly hold up. This lip stain comes in six rich, highly pigmented colors, feels creamy to the touch, and stays on beautifully for the entire day. I love this stain for a night out because it comes in such striking mauves, berries, and reds.
Pros: Editor-approved; Affordable; Long-wear; Minimal transfer
Cons: Limited color range
How Long Do Lip Stains Take to Dry?
When buying a lip stain, consider how much time you need to apply it. If you have trouble coloring within the lines of your lips, it's best to choose lip stains that stay wet a little longer. This way, you have plenty of time to blot, spread, and wipe away any mistakes.
Kaye says that 10 minutes is the perfect drying time for beginners and aficionados alike. "That doesn't sound like a long time, but it should be enough to be able to apply, mix it around, or do whatever you need to do," says Keyes.
What's the Opacity of a Lip Stain?
If you want your lip stain to mimic the look of lipstick by giving lips a high-intensity color, your best bet is to go with a thicker, more opaque formula. If you're more of a gloss fan, Kaye recommends more subtle, sheer finishes that are buildable.
How to Apply a Lip Stain
For optimal application, Gatt recommends, "Make sure to grab your favorite lip exfoliator to remove dead skin and provide a clean surface prior to applying any lip products." She also advises outlining the lips with liner before applying the stain for maximum longevity.
Once it's time for the stain itself, Kaye says precision is key. "Apply [the lip stain] in the middle of your lips, and then rub your lips together to move it towards the outside," she advises. This way, you won't have to worry about lining the outline of your lips perfectly on the first try.
The next steps are totally up to you. I tend to leave my lip stain alone for a smooth, matte finish, but Kaye says she likes to layer a gloss or a sheer lipstick over her lip stains for a shinier finish.
"It also gives you a second emergency layer for your lip, especially if you know that your lips will need a touch-up," she says. "The stain underneath is a nice way to ensure that if your top product comes off, you'll still have some color underneath."
How to Remove a Lip Stain
One of the advantages of lip stains is that the best ones never come off, no matter how much friction they're faced with. However, this doesn't feel like such an advantage hours later, when you're scrubbing your lips raw in an effort to get the pigment off. If your go-to makeup removers and micellar waters won't get your favorite stains off, it's time to break out an oil-based cleansing balm.
In my experience, Korean cleansing oils also do an incredible job of getting even the most stubborn makeup off in just a few seconds.
If you're still struggling, Gatt recommends using a product called the Lip Luffa, which she says "removes the stain, exfoliates, and hydrates all in one."
Meet the Experts
Allison Kaye is a makeup artist specializing in celebrity and influencer services, best known for styling NFL and MLB players' wives and girlfriends. She also offers classes on makeup application. She is currently based in Florida.
Erica Marie Gatt is a esthetician and makeup artist specializing in developing easy, minimalist beauty regimens. She has worked with the likes of Vanessa Hudgens, Paula Abdul, Sofia Vergara, and more, and has a beauty retreat in Hermosa Beach, California.
