We Tried Every Viral Lip Stain Launch—These 9 Came Out on Top, According to Our Before-And-Afters
Listening to a great playlist and putting my makeup on before work each morning is a self-care ritual that I take very seriously. Carefully applying each of my products is a crucial part of prepping myself for the day, especially considering I’ll be far too busy later on to bother reapplying anything.
For that reason, I almost always avoid lip liners and lipsticks; spending 15 minutes applying a gorgeous lip combo just for it to inevitably pull a Houdini immediately after my first sip of water is a waste of time. For this reason, my go-to is always a lip stain. And while I’m not lazy (… okay, maybe a little), I’ve always believed in working smarter, not harder. Lip stains are about as smart as it gets.
“The pigments in lip stains sink into the skin instead of just sitting on top like a lipstick,” says makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent. Lip stains come in an unbelievably wide variety of finishes, opacities, and shades. You can achieve a barely-there flush or change the color of your lips entirely. Whatever your preference, the result will stay all day long.
Cosmo editors have, of course, tested them all, and we’ve compiled a list of our faves below.
Our top picks for the best lip stains:
Keep reading for the full breakdown of the best lip stains, plus pro tips on how to choose the perfect formula, and what to look for before you buy.
Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain Masque
Pros
- Takes less than a minute to set
- Cosmo Holy Grail Award winner
Cons
- Can be a bit drying, so throw your favorite lip oil or mask on top
Why we love it: Wonderskin’s iconic blue lip stain may, at first, resemble Coral Blue No. 2 (anyone?), but don’t fret; after leaving the product on for five minutes, you can gently wipe it off. What’s left is a surprisingly natural stain that lasts alllll day long.
One Cosmo editor says: “Wonderskin’s lip stain is basically lip blushing without the needle. Just apply, wait 30 seconds, then wipe it off with a damp cloth to reveal a long-lasting, transfer-proof tint. You can wear it alone or layer it with your favorite gloss, balm, or oil for extra shine and moisture. I was skeptical when I first saw the bright green formula on TikTok, but after one try, I was hooked—it goes on like any regular lip product, and the quick 30-second wait makes it perfect for on-the-go touchups.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
MAC Lustreglass Stainglass Lip Tint
Pros
- Once it dries, it doesn’t cling to any dryness on my lips
- Comes in a fantastic range of shades, from neutrals to brights
- Has a shiny, not sticky, finish
Cons
- Have to wipe a lot of product off the doefoot before applying to my lips
Why we love it: MAC’s Lustreglass Lip Tint is absolutely packed with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E-rich raspberry seed oil, antioxidants, squalene, and fatty acids. It’s a super long-lasting and transfer-proof formula, crafted with the same high-quality care that you can expect from all MAC products. The packaging is also très chic and compact enough to fit in any makeup bag.
One Cosmo editor says: “I fell in love with glossy lip stains when I went to Korea last fall, the mecca and originator of this category. But MAC’s new take on it is easily the best I’ve used. It goes on with a sheer, glossy finish that’s almost jelly-like and makes my lips look juicy and fresh. But once it dries, it leaves behind a soft tint that stays for hours without looking too matte or dry.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint
Pros
- Comes in a variety of sizes
- Works on both cheeks and lips
Cons
- Not the best option for lining the lips
Why we love it: I know, I know. You’re tired of seeing Benetint on these lists. But leaving it out would be like making a list of salad ingredients and not including lettuce. It’s the lip stain blueprint, and for good reason. The classic sheer wash of color is stunning on both lips and cheeks and is ridiculously easy to apply.
One Cosmo editor says: “You weren’t cool at my high school unless you had a Benetint in your pencil case. But honestly, we were onto something, because this lip stain still holds up nearly a decade after graduation. I just dab the OG Benetint shade onto my lips with the brush-tip applicator and top it with a gloss—it gives that natural, just-bitten tint that somehow makes my lips look a little warmer and fuller when I overline. One quick swipe and finger blend gives me the perfect sunkissed flush in seconds. Plus, it doubles as a cheek stain, dries down fast, and feels totally weightless, which is a lifesaver for hot days or sweaty nights.”—BG
| Shades | 8 |
| Finish | Matte |
| Size | .2 oz |
NYX Lingerie Lip Liner Stain
Pros
- Blends out really nicely
- Expansive shade range
Cons
- Less product comes in it than other options on this list
Why we love it: NYX’s Lingerie Lip Liner Stain has the absolute greatest precision that lip stains can offer. With its sleek shape and conical brush, it’s basically like using a fountain pen to line your lips. Once it sets, this stain is transfer-, smudge-, and waterproof, lasting all day long. And, if you prefer the look of a more blurred liner, just smudge with a finger immediately after applying to blend it out.
One Cosmo editor says: “This will forever be a CRITICAL step in my lip routine! I love to apply a sheer stain to bring some life to my lips and follow it up with Lingerie (usually in shade Cuff Me) to define and (slightly) overline my cupid’s bow and bottom lip. The combo is perfection, and, topped with a gloss, completely transforms my lips. I also use this stain to touch up any mistakes from applying other stains. It does it all!”—JAYNE LEMIRE, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Features at a Glance
e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Doesn’t require downtime to set on lips
Cons
- Applicator could get a bit messy
Why we love it: E.l.f. has truly perfected the art of packaging with this product. While many other similarly sheer and watery lip stains exist, most have a fairly basic wide-neck opening. E.l.f.’s packaging, however, has a very narrow opening, which helps remove excess product from the brush and keeps it from becoming oversaturated and dripping everywhere. Additionally, one of the shades acts as a bronzing stain (the much-coveted and impossible-to-find Maple Latte), which is groundbreaking in itself!
One Cosmo editor says: “While typical lip stains just impart a color on the lips, e.l.f. did the seemingly impossible and created a hydrating lip stain that also boasts a glassy finish. It goes on just like a typical lip gloss filled with hydration and shine, except the color lasts even longer than the sheen. I don’t need to wear a hydrating lip product on top. I can just apply this and be good for hours! It’s also infused with mango seed butter so it’ll nourish the lips as you wear it.”—JH
Features at a Glance
Sacheu Lip Liner STAY-N
Pros
- Applicator is super precise
- Peels off so easily
Cons
- Takes 15 minutes to set
Why we love it: When it’s time to pull out the lip stain big guns, there’s nothing but Sacheu. The infamous peel-off stain will last through pretty much anything and keeps its pigment all day long. There’s also the bonus of the peel itself; in a sick way, it’s really satisfying!
One Cosmo editor says: “This lip stain is completely worthy of its viral status. The tip is precise yet flat, so you can either use it as a true lip liner or a full lip tint. Simply draw it on before you start your makeup, and by the time you’re ready for your lip gloss, just peel it off and you’ll have a long-lasting lip stain. After three meals and countless snacks, my lip color looks just as good as it did 12 hours prior when I use this stain. Since it’s a tint, there’s zero smudging, smearing, or feathering either.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- There’s a variety of intensity based on which shade you choose
- Great color and scent range
Cons
- Can sometimes turn more pink than expected (thanks to the pH technology)
Why we love it: Urban Decay’s Lip Toy applies just like a glossy lip balm. Application is sooo simple and the formula is so smooth; the combination of superstar ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ceramides keep lip hydration at a 10. You can truly apply this on the go without a mirror and not have to worry about how precise your application is; it’ll look gorg either way. Lip Toy comes in 7 shades, including two transparent lip stains. Each shade reacts to your pH and develops into a color that perfectly suits your tone.
One Cosmo editor says: “UD’s Lip Toy is so much fun!! The scents are fabulous (not sure how they did it, but “Popped Off” smells exactly like popcorn) and it stains beautifully! I especially love that some of their colors come in “high stain” while others come in “low stain.” I am a natural makeup lover, so being able to choose the stain intensity while also getting major hydration is a win-win.”—JL
Kulfi Lassi Lips Moisturizing Matte Blur Lip Stain
Pros
- Formula blurs and smoothes my lips
- A lot of cool-toned shade options, unlike many other picks I’ve tested
Cons
- Can be a tad drying
Why we love it: In a market full of staining oils and glosses, Kulfi took a totally different route and created a matte, blurring stain. While other matte stains certainly exist, Kulfi’s squalene-infused formula is incredibly silky and transfer-proof and also has a very unique shade range. The shade ‘Earl Grey’, in particular, is basically beige and works beautifully for the cool-toned girls!
One Cosmo editor says: “As much as I love a glossy formula, I’m often impatient after applying a lip product and want to be able to take a sip of water or a bite of food without making a mess of the stain. With Kulfi’s Lassi Lips, I can apply the product and be pretty much ready to go immediately, thanks to its matte formula. It’s also fun to be able to add one of my favorite lip balms on top to get the best of both worlds!”
Summer Fridays Flushed Lip Stain 12HR Transfer-Proof Lip Tint
Pros
- Has some of the best longevity of the lip liner stains we’ve tested
- Not too pigmented that it looks stark on your lips
Cons
- Must be stored upside down to preserve the juiciness of the tip applicator
Why we love it: “Flushed” is the perfect way to describe Summer Friday’s lip stain. Buildable, long-lasting color combined with aloe vera gel and panthenol protect the lip barrier and lock in moisture, while simultaneously giving lips that just-bitten blush. What’s not to love? And, just like with a craft marker, you can either create a precise line using the tip, or hold it at an angle to cover more surface area. One side of the tip is actually fluffier than the other, meant to help create a more diffused look.
One Cosmo editor says: “I suck at meticulously lining my lips with a sharp pencil, but this felt-tip makes it so easy to get precise pigment without makeup artist-level skills. And it’s a true stain, so it actually lasts on your lips. It dries down quickly, is completely transfer-proof, and leaves behind bold definition.”—JH
How we tested lip stains
Cosmo ediwithrs are constantly testing lip stains to share the best options on the market to you (as well as include in our beauty awards). To compile this list, we…
- Narrowed down a list of more than 50 popular lip stains
- Personally tested every single one to determine which had the best wear time, texture, and shades
- Vetted my top 10 based on longevity, price, and formula
- Read thousands of reviews from testers to discover common pros and cons with each lip stain that made it onto this list
How to choose the best lip stain for you
Consider the shade.
First off, don’t be alarmed if the application of your lip stain is a bit darker or a completely different color than the advertised shade. Sacheu and Wonderskin’s dark stains peel off to deposit a your-lips-but-better tint. And make sure 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
- Dani Kimiko Vincent is a celebrity makeup artist and eyebrow technician in Los Angeles, 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, who has worked backstage at New York Fashion Week and with brands like Bobbi Brown and MAC.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she tests all the best makeup products. For this story, she tested dozens of lip stains along with beauty editor Beth Gillette to find the most long-lasting formulas.
Jayne Lemire is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan with a year of experience researching and writing beauty stories that range from best fresh fragrances to standout highlighters.