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14 Best Lip Stains of 2024, According to Pros

Benefit's Benetint is low-key one of the best products ever?!

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Confession: I can't be bothered with lip products most of the time. There's a mountain of lipsticks, lip glosses, liquid lipsticks, and tinted lip balms that sit largely untouched on my vanity. The only product in my lip collection that gets some action? A tinted lip stain. It's the easiest way to give my lips color and definition without any hassle or touch-ups.

And whaddya know, makeup artists are fans of lip stains too, largely thanks to their major staying power. The pigments in lip stains sink into the skin instead of just sitting on top of it like a lipstick, says makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent. That means they won't smudge, transfer, or bleed like lipstick; and they usually gradually fade into a subtle tint over time.And unlike lipsticks which fade in a few hours, especially after eating or drinking anything, lip stains give your lips a tint that stays put for hours.

Have I convinced you to join Team Lip Stain yet? Because I did some seriously tough work, testing dozens of formulas to compile the best lip stains of 2023, whether you want a sheer wash of color, an opaque finish, or a glossy tint. Keep scrolling for my favorites, plus tips from makeup artists to choose the best one for you:

Our top pics for the best lip stains of 2024

  • 1
    Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint

    Best Overall Lip Stain

    Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint

    $33 at Sephora
    Read more
  • 2
    Lip Blush Cream Lip & Cheek Stain

    Best Sheer Lip Stain

    Huda Beauty Lip Blush Cream Lip & Cheek Stain

    Read more
  • 3
    Ink the Velvet Lip Tint

    Most Pigmented Lip Stain

    Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint

    Read more
  • 4
    Calligraphy Lip Stain

    Best Lip Stain Marker

    Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain

    Read more
  • 5
    Socal Superbloom Lip + Cheek Tint Soft Stain Blush

    Best Lip-and-Cheek Stain

    Caliray Socal Superbloom Lip + Cheek Tint Soft Stain Blush

    Read more

Now keep reading for the full breakdown of the best lip stains, according to my own testing and product reviewers, along with tips from makeup artists on how to choose the best lip stains and what to look for before you buy.

    1
    Best Overall Lip Stain

    Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint

    Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint
    1
    Best Overall Lip Stain

    Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint

    $33 at Sephora$33 at Saks Fifth Avenue$30 at Bloomingdale's
    Pros
    • Testers loved how it lasts on their lips all day long
    • Can also be used as a rosy cheek stain
    Cons
    • Reviews said that it dries quickly, so you have to blend it fast

    You weren't cool at my high school unless you had a Benetint in your pencil case. But low-key we were all onto something, because this lip stain still holds TF up in 2023. Heck, it's still my favorite I've tried nearly a decade post-graduation.

    The water-y formula has major stain power. I just dab the O.G. Benetint shade onto my lips with the brush-tip applicator and top with a lip gloss (currently love the raspberry jelly Rhode Peptide Lip Tint on top, or a clear plumping gloss like Manifest Beauty Plump Pout Lip Plumper). It gives my lips a really natural, just-bitten color but makes them look a bit warmer and bigger if I overline.

    • Shades: 4
    • Finish: Natural
    • Size: 0.33 oz

    Glowing customer review: "I kid you not, I have been using this product since 2013. It is hands down the best, most natural flushed look that NO other product has been able to replicate. Every few years, I'll try to explore a new blush—assuming there is something better—but I haven't been able to find it yet."

    2
    Best Sheer Lip Stain

    Huda Beauty Lip Blush Cream Lip & Cheek Stain

    Lip Blush Cream Lip & Cheek Stain
    2
    Best Sheer Lip Stain

    Huda Beauty Lip Blush Cream Lip & Cheek Stain

    Pros
    • I loved the natural, sheer color on my lips and cheeks
    • Dries to a soft matte finish that won't settle into lip lines
    Cons
    • Some reviewers wished it were more moisturizing or glossy

    Sometimes I just want a teensy-bit of a tint on my lips without adding all that much color at all, and in those moments, I reach for these lip stains from Huda Beauty. They give just a hint of color in a natural matte finish that blends well on my lips without looking too dry. I dab it on and if my lips are feeling dry, swipe a clear lip balm on top to give my lips some extra moisture.

    • Shades: 5
    • Finish: Natural matte
    • Size: 0.2 oz

    Glowing customer review: "Beautiful color for summer. I love the formula and staying power. IMO, it’s better than any other stain I’ve used. Tempted to get more colors."

    3
    Most Pigmented Lip Stain

    Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint

    On Sale
    Ink the Velvet Lip Tint
    3
    Most Pigmented Lip Stain

    Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint

    Now 10% Off
    Pros
    • Completely opaque just like a liquid lipstick
    • Doesn't transfer even while eating/drinking, per my testing
    Cons
    • Can easily get smeared when applying, due to thickness of the formula

    This is unlike all of the other lip stains on this list, thanks to the mousse-y, thick texture that gives the formula total opacity. One swipe on my lips, and I have full color payoff like a liquid lipstick. But it goes transfer-proof almost immediately, giving a stain-like effect on my lips that darkens a bit as it dries. I am typing this at hour six of wearing this lip stain, and my lips still have a dark, brown color.

    • Shades: 41
    • Finish: Velvet matte
    • Size: 0.14 oz

    Glowing customer review: "This product is lovely! It glides on smoothly, and I love the applicator! It isn't sticky or drying on my lips at all. It feels soft on the lips, and it's so comfortable, I forget that I even have it on."

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    4
    Best Lip Stain Marker

    Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain

    Calligraphy Lip Stain
    4
    Best Lip Stain Marker

    Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain

    Pros
    • V easy to line your lips in my experience
    • Lasts at least six hours on me without reapplying
    Cons
    • Angular marker tip can make it hard to fill in your full lips

    I saw a TikTok a while ago that recommended over-lining your lips with a lip stain for a natural, juicy look that won't smudge or wear off. It's a genius tip...but the problem is that most lip stains are a bit too messy to create a straight line. The exception? These lip stain pens from Stila. They make it so easy to line my lips with color, whether I opt for a bright red, a muted berry, or a dark brown. I just let it sit on my lips for two or three minutes, then layer on a lip gloss, and the color underneath doesn't smear or budge for about six hours.

    • Shades: 16
    • Finish: Natural
    • Size: 0.704 oz

    Glowing customer review: "These slap for sure! I wear malala most days. I use it as a lip liner and blend it in with my finger!! It's so good!!! I get so many compliments. I hate when things look super fake for daily use and I hate reapplying lip liner frequently. This looks natural AND hardly gets on your lip brush."

    5
    Best Lip-and-Cheek Stain

    Caliray Socal Superbloom Lip + Cheek Tint Soft Stain Blush

    Socal Superbloom Lip + Cheek Tint Soft Stain Blush
    5
    Best Lip-and-Cheek Stain

    Caliray Socal Superbloom Lip + Cheek Tint Soft Stain Blush

    Pros
    • Works really well on both cheeks and lips
    • Has a hydrating, dewy finish
    Cons
    • Only lasts a few hours on my lips

    A lot of lip stains can work double-duty as cheek stains in a pinch, but few are good at both. But I actually love this multi use stain from Caliray on my cheeks just as much as I do on my lips. It has a glossy, dewy finish (shout-out hyaluronic acid and squalane) that blends out on my cheeks into a sheer color, but builds up in opacity when I layer it on my lips. I love pairing it for a super-easy, monochromatic look that takes legit zero effort.

    • Shades: 4
    • Finish: Glossy
    • Size: 0.19 oz

    Glowing customer review: "SO glad I found this! as a blush, it blends very well and doesn’t look too bright or garish. It doesn’t feel dehydrating either, which is a big win for my dry skin! On top of that, it stays put as a lip stain. Plus, I love the smell. So glad I decided to try this, I’ll be repurchasing!"

    6
    Best Customizable Lip Stain

    Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

    Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
    6
    Best Customizable Lip Stain

    Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

    Pros
    • Leaves a glossy, hydrating finish if you don't wipe it off
    • Can blot down for a matte look
    Cons
    • A bit patchy on some testers' lips

    This moisturizing lip stain is great for those who want ~options~. Want a shiny finish? Swipe on an opaque layer and don't wipe it off. But if you prefer a more stained look, blot off the glossy finish with a tissue to reveal a sheered-out version of the color that doesn't feather or bleed.

    • Shades: 6
    • Finish: Glossy or matte, depending on application
    • Size: 0.22 oz

    Glowing customer review: "This lip stain is moisturizing and doesn’t feather or bleed. It’s easy to use and has nice color."

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    7
    Best Long-Lasting Lip Stain

    Dior Addict Lip Tint

    Addict Lip Tint
    7
    Best Long-Lasting Lip Stain

    Dior Addict Lip Tint

    Pros
    • Testers love how it goes on lips as a hydrating gloss but lasts like a stain
    • Made with 95 percent natural ingredients
    Cons
    • Some testers reported that it pilled on their lips

    I mean, if I’m covering my lips in a stain, I basically want it to be like a tattoo, you know? Enter this pigmented lip tint that applies like a gloss yet dries down into a semi-shiny, ultra-bright stain. But unlike other stains that can feel drying, this one has glycerin and squalane to keep lips hydrated. I popped the shade "natural rosewood" on my lips at 9 a.m. before a day's worth of meetings, eating broccoli cheddar soup for lunch, and guzzling a whole pot of coffee. My mom asked me at 3 p.m. what was on my lips because the shade still looked opaque.

    • Shades: 5
    • Finish: Natural
    • Size: 0.2 oz

    Glowing customer review: "It’s creamy but not thick, you can build the color from a light tint to full color. I finish it with Dior lip gloss or oil, and it’s a soft color that lasts for hours."

    8
    Best Affordable Lip Stain

    Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint

    On Sale
    Dear Darling Water Tint
    8
    Best Affordable Lip Stain

    Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint

    Now 12% Off
    Pros
    • The tint doesn't feel sticky; it totally absorbs into my lips and skin
    • The least expensive lip stain on this list
    Cons
    • Reviewers said this doesn't last as long on the lips as Benetint does

    If you love Benetint and want to try a similar formula for less $$, try Etude House's Dear Darling Water Tint, which offers a similar look but at a fraction of the price. Similarly to the O.G., I use the sponge-tip brush to apply this water-like formula on my cheeks and lips and then use my fingers to pat the color in. Hot tip: I use the brush to overline my lips, which I find looks like the most natural lip liner ever.

    • Shades: 4
    • Finish: Natural
    • Size: 0.32 oz

    Glowing customer review: "I am a tried and true fan of Benefit Cosmetics Benetint, and this Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint looked quite similar. It's is very, very close [to Benetint]. Benetint lasts longer on my lips, but the longevity and flush on my cheeks appear to be the same, and this one is a fraction of the price!"

    9
    Best Glossy Lip Stain

    Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush

    Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush
    9
    Best Glossy Lip Stain

    Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush

    Pros
    • When the jelly finish wears off, you're left with a really great lip stain that lasts for hours,
    Cons
    • Testers say it works better as a lip stain rather than a blush

    Besides the fact that this lip stain and keychain is the cutest thing I have ever seen, it also leaves my lips looking totally juicy and glossy thanks to the added natural emollient, squalane. The jelly lip stain and blush has a fan following, with reviewers raving about how well it moisturizes their lips while still feeling lightweight.

    • Shades: 6
    • Finish: Glossy
    • Size: 0.17 oz

    Glowing customer review: "This is definitely a new fav product, I want every color! The texture is so light; it feels like water on my lips and it doesn’t dry them out at all. The keychain is so cute and is perfect to add to a bag or even your keys. The formula of the lip stain is great as well, it lasts for multiple hours."

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    10
    Best Clean Lip Stain

    Ere Perez Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint

    Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint
    10
    Best Clean Lip Stain

    Ere Perez Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint

    Pros
    • A very bright color that doesn't overwhelm due to its sheerness
    • Made with clean ingredients (!)
    Cons
    • If you don't blend quickly, reviewers say the dots where you applied the tint with the applicator will be noticeable

    Are you a big fan of natural and organic makeup products? Then I promise you’ll be eager to try out this plant-based liquid blush. Its bright-red tint comes from beetroot extract, which is rich in antioxidants like skin-brightening vitamin C. If red isn't so much your vibe, opt for the fun and vibrant fuchsia color instead.

    • Shades: 2
    • Finish: Matte
    • Size: 0.15 oz

    Glowing customer review: "Perfect tint, great color, nice texture, non-drying, and there's no gross taste or cloying perfumy smells. Perfect clean beauty! This is gorgeous! Great on its own or under a clear gloss."

    11
    Best Lip Stain Applicator

    Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint

    Bitten Lip Tint
    11
    Best Lip Stain Applicator

    Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint

    Pros
    • Doe-foot applicator is great for applying the formula
    • I love the super chic packaging
    Cons
    • It's often out of stock due to popularity

    If you wanna splurge a little on a lip stain from a luxury beauty brand, may I recommend the Victoria Beckham Bitten Lip Tint? The lightweight formula is made with hyaluronic acid to visibly plump your lips and squalane to keep 'em hydrated. For an easy application, the lip stain has a doe-foot applicator which I find allows me to apply the product super precisely to my lips.

    • Shades: 5
    • Finish: Natural-to-matte
    • Size: 0.19 oz

    Glowing customer review: "I love VBB’s lip tints. They are matte, yet moisturizing. They have buildable coverage that is transfer-proof and lasts all day. It feels weightless on the lips and stays in place without feeling dry or sticky."

    12
    Best Drugstore Lip Stain

    Flower Beauty Bitten Lip Stain

    Bitten Lip Stain
    12
    Best Drugstore Lip Stain

    Flower Beauty Bitten Lip Stain

    Now 17% Off
    Pros
    • Testers say they didn't experience feathering with the product
    Cons
    • A few testers weren't impressed with the lack of staying power

    Look, not every celebrity-owned beauty brand is worth the hype, but this lip stain from Drew Barrymore’s Flower Beauty holds up, especially considering you can easily pick it up at the drugstore. The castor oil-spiked formula will lock moisture in your lips as it leaves a light pigment behind.

    • Shades: 6
    • Finish: Natural with a bit of gloss
    • Size: 0.2 oz

    Glowing customer review: "I bought mine this morning and fell in love instantly. It goes on so smoothly, my lips feel hydrated even after it absorbs, and I love that you can apply multiple layers for your desired intensity. And it stays put; no traces on my coffee cup!"

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    13
    Best Peel-Off Lip Stain

    Wonderskin Wonder Blading Peel and Reveal Lip Stain

    Wonder Blading Peel and Reveal Lip Stain
    13
    Best Peel-Off Lip Stain

    Wonderskin Wonder Blading Peel and Reveal Lip Stain

    Credit: Courtesy Image
    Pros
    • The product stands up to eating, drinking, and hours of wear
    • *Loved* by TikTokers
    Cons
    • Peeling off can be a bit tedious

    You might recognize this one from, um, all over social media. It’s one of those magic products that's all over the internet for while, but in this case, it actually deserves the hype. Just follow the lip kit’s instructions to carefully paint the lip masque on your lips, spritz with the applicator, and then peel it off to reveal fully pigmented lips.

    • Shades: 10
    • Finish: Natural
    • Size: 2.43 oz for both tubes

    Glowing customer review: "It gives your lips a good stain that lasts several hours, even while eating, but it still needs a top coat of gloss or colored gloss to complete the look. It felt complicated at first, but the application becomes easier the more you use it."

    14
    Best Ultra-Sheer Lip Stain

    Clarins Water Lip Stain

    On Sale
    Water Lip Stain
    14
    Best Ultra-Sheer Lip Stain

    Clarins Water Lip Stain

    Now 15% Off
    Pros
    • Testers love how the product does not bleed
    Cons
    • Super sheer texture that slightly shows up, so it's not for those looking for more pigment

    This is a pure and simple straight-up stain. It’s a thin, water-like liquid (it’s 77 percent water, in fact) mixed with a range of four pigments to give your lips a wash of long-lasting color. Brush it on over your bare lips, then layer with a lip balm for more moisture.

    • Shades: 4
    • Finish: Natural with a bit of shine
    • Size: 0.2 oz

    Glowing customer review: "After seeing a makeup artist share this on TikTok, I had to try it out and I'm so glad I did!" one tester's review reads. "This lip stain not only looks amazing, but it stayed on all day without bleeding!"

    Is lip stain good for your lips?

    line break

    Lip stain isn't necessarily good or bad for your lips. Generally, they can be a little bit drying, because the formula is meant to dry down to a matte, natural finish. “Think of lip stains as the sister to lipsticks,” says makeup artist Manuel Espinoza. But most of the lip stains on this list are filled with moisturizers like squalane and hyaluronic acid to help offset some of the dryness to keep your lips soft and smooth. And if you do notice that your lip stain dries out your lips a bit, just top it off with a moisturizing lip balm.

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    How to choose the best lip stain:

    line break

    Consider the shade.

    Just like shopping for lipsticks, it’s equally, if not more important, to pick a lip stain color you truly like and that's easy to wear—especially because once it’s on, it’s on. This is where elements like your skin undertones come into play, and virtual try-ons so you can get an idea of what it will look like IRL. Still not sure? Take a look at your fave lipsticks, too, and choose similar shades, which brings me to:

    Plan your look.

    If you want the opaque pigment of a lipstick with the low-maintenance factor of a lip stain, makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent suggests pairing your lipstick and stain together. “Sometimes I’ll stain the lip in a similar shade underneath the lipstick, that way you still have some color left when the lipstick wears off,” says Vincent. If that sounds like the perfect middle-ground for you, look for lip stains that most closely resemble your favorite lipsticks, so you can easily layer them for a long-wear look.

    Look at the ingredients.

    If you live in a particularly dry climate, dry lips are inevitable, and letting go of your hydrating lip balms even for a day might be unnerving. So keep an eye out for moisturizing ingredients like squalane, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. And if the one that you absolutely love still lacks in moisture, top it with a lip balm or gloss after the top layer of the stain has faded to prevent dryness.

    Meet the experts:

    line break
    • Dani Kimiko Vincent is a celebrity makeup artist and eyebrow technician in Los Angeles, CA, who has worked with celebrities like Sandra Oh. Vincent is also the founder of Kimiko Beauty, a beauty line specializing in brow products, face makeup, and makeup tools.
    • Manuel Espinoza is a makeup artist in Los Angeles, CA, who has worked backstage at New York Fashion Week and with brands like Bobbi Brown and MAC.

    Why trust 'Cosmopolitan'?

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    Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has been writing about makeup for more than five years. She's covered topics like Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops dupes, magnetic lashes, and 2023 makeup trends. Before writing this story, she tested dozens of lip stains on her own lips, then chatted with experts about their favorite formulas.

    Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She's an expert at writing beauty and makeup stories that range from setting powders for oily skin to the best green concealers. She's an authority in all beauty categories, but an expert when it comes to lip stains, thanks to a lifetime of trying every lip stain product she can get her hands on. She regularly tests and analyzes them, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists to assess new products and brands.

    Headshot of Beth Gillette
    Beth Gillette

    Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months. 

    Headshot of Siena Gagliano
    Siena Gagliano
    Associate Editor

    Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.

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