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
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.
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.
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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