On the back of a desire for a low-maintenance beauty look that still enhances our appearance, it’s probably not a surprise a long-lasting lip colour you don’t have to touch-up has taken off.
It feels a bit like the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon, where once you notice a lip stain-type product, you’ll see it everywhere. But judging on the new releases landing on counters, it’s not a trick of the mind, these lip stains really-are a quickly growing beauty trend.
What is a lip stain?
The need to continually re-apply lipstick, particularly after eating or drinking, spurred the development of long-lasting liquid lipsticks a number of years ago. But they could be dry and delivered very bold, opaque colour.
Then came the sheer lip oils and tints that introduced the idea of a hint of colour. These have been around for a while, and generally deliver a glossy, understated colour. It there was any lasting tint, it didn’t stick around for long.
Now there’s a new generation of lip stains that leave a colour on lips that’s designed to last for much longer – several hours or more. The lip stain products are now also being created in more modern hues like neutral rose-pinks and caramel browns. It means a more low-key look that works well for casual days like the weekend or the gym where you don’t have to look in the mirror.
@whoaaitschlo my first tiktok shop order 💋
How do you use lip stains?
Generally coming in a thick, gloss formula, they are intended to be applied and left on lips for a number of minutes. Then, you can either choose to go about your day and let the gloss wear off naturally revealing the stain tint of colour on your lips, or wipe away the shiny finish immediately, to leave a more natural finish to the stain on your lips.
Some products dry into a polymer-type finish you can then peel away, revealing lasting colour.
Some stars like Hailey Bieber have even been popularising their use as a lasting lip liner, using the stain first to outline lips and leave the center of the mouth bare. Then, when the tint is set they simply apply a sheer balm or lipstick over the top. The darker stain creates a lasting 3-dimensional look to the lips.
Billie Eilish helped popularise one brand, Sacheu’s peel-off lip stain by including it in a TikTok revealing her ‘pre-show glam routine’. She applies the blood-red stain, that dries down before she peels the colour off, leaving a stained lip line behind.
When using lip stain products, make sure lips are well exfoliated and hydrated and start with one thin layer. You can always build up for more intensity. This helps avoid patchiness and gives more control over the colour.
Most lip stains dry swiftly. Use a fingertip or lip brush to quickly blend and soften the edges after application.
Best lip stains to try
While many rely on ingredients like the iconic ‘colour-changing’ ingredient Red 27, others use newer pigments that create more modern colours on the lips. For a pretty hit of reddish-pink, the classic Benefit’s Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain (and its spin offs Floratint, ChaChatint, Lovetint and GoGotint) still works well, but we particularly like the new range from affordable brand NYX. Its Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain lip products come in a range of shades from berry-pink to deep grape, creating modern stain effects on the lips that suit a wide range of skin tones.
Try these: Sacheu Lip Liner Stay-N; NYX Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain; Benefit Floratint Desert Rose-Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain; Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
