Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between lip stains and lip tints?
There is no difference between a stain and a tint—it all comes down to marketing, according to Amanda Lam, the cosmetic formulation chemist based in Warwick, Rhode Island. “The formulas for both are usually the same and give the same effect of long-wear staining without being opaque and are water-based with water-soluble pigments,” Lam explains.
Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos adds that, depending on composition, just about any lip product can act as a stain or tint. “The color additives are the primary determinant of whether a color actually stains the lips,” she says. “So balms, glosses, and lipsticks can all be lip stains,” depending on how much pigment they’re formulated with.
How to apply a lip stain
If your lips are on the dry side, prep with a lip scrub to gently buff away any flakes before applying. “A lip mask or light, clear lip balm will help even out your lips’ hydration levels, prepping them for a more even application,” Claire says. She also recommends using a lip liner as a base, which helps extend the stain’s wear time.
Once you’re ready to apply your lip stain of choice, Claire recommends drawing a “V” at the bow and outer corners of your lips and a “U” towards the bottom. Then, connect the dots, fill in the lips, and voíla. For a natural-looking finish, Genevieve Garner, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles, advises tapping the product directly onto your lips using your fingers. For a more saturated look, Claire recommends applying the stain straight from the tube.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best lip stains, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products and wear them for four to eight hours during the day. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and shade range. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
