Lip Stain 101 . . . Plus Advice & Tips

So what’s all the fuss about lip stains? And how does lip stain differ from lipstick?

Lip stains came in vogue about the same time everyone had to wear a mask—which quickly smudged lips when lipstick would transfer. Lip stains, by contrast, were less likely to transfer to a mask . . . and even when masks were no longer required, folks liked lip stain as an alternative to lipstick.

We asked our parent readers for their favorite lip stains. Then we tried out several ourselves. Along the way, we discovered some tips and advice on getting the most out of this relatively new beauty product:

• Lip stains have a water base. Lipstick, by contrast, has a wax or oil base. As a result, stains are absorbed by your lips instead of sitting on top.

• Use it quick. Most lip stains contain alcohol in order to help them dry or set quickly. As a result, you need to apply lip stain quickly as well. 

• Matte finish is the effect. Most lip stains give a matte finish, but you can add a clear gloss or lip balm on top to create a shiny look.

• Consider using a lip balm as a base. Since lip stain is dry, many folks need to moisturize— both under the stain when it first is applied (with a lip balm) and later when it is removed.

• Creative tip: consider blending different colors together. Or use a colored gloss to change the hue of the lip stain.

After trying out a dozen lip stain brands, here are the ones that came out on top.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!