Whether it's bold or neutral, there's no denying a nice lip color can complete a makeup look. In fact, it can be the centerpiece of your whole look if you don't want to get dramatic with your eye makeup. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: When I'm not feeling a full face of products, my go-to makeup look is a bold lip with a few dabs of concealer and a swipe of mascara. It's my easy out for days when I feel lazy or have zero time to get ready. And I think it's just as flattering as a full face of makeup.
From lipsticks to tinted balms to glosses, I've amassed quite a collection of lip products because of this makeup habit. One product I've really gotten into lately is lip stains. I love that they melt into my skin and leave a sheer color that looks 100% effortless.
Criteria: High-Quality Products With Affordable Prices
The good news is that my favorite lip stain, Revlon's Kiss Cushion Lip Tint in Wine Lit, is a drugstore find that costs just $5. I love a good bargain and a wine-hued lip color.
I swear I get compliments every time I wear it. More often than not, people would tell me, "I love your lipstick. Where is it from?" Or they'd say, "That lip color is super flattering. I want it!" I'd get a little thrill each time I told inquiring minds it was a $5 find. Now, I like to wear it during Zoom meetings at work or while FaceTiming with friends to make up for the fact that I'm most likely wearing leggings or pajama bottoms.
As for the product itself, the applicator is a sponge-like soft tip that lets you build on color exactly how you want it. You can do a few quick dabs for a sheer hint of color or more for a saturated hue. It sinks in and leaves a blotted finish without drying out my lips. It's so lightweight that it doesn't feel like you're wearing anything.
Even though I'm partial to the Revlon one, I've realized there are quite a few lip stain options in the drugstore aisle. So if you want to try one out without spending a lot of cash, here are some affordable ones.
Editor-Approved Drugstore Lip Stains
Best Overall: E.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain in Berry Queen
Beauty and fashion editor Aniyah Morinia is a big fan of this ultra-glossy and pigmented lip stain by E.l.f. Cosmetics (she's wearing it in the pic above). It's a high-quality product at an affordable price point. If you love Fenty Beauty's Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain in Berry Banger, you should give this one a try.
Pro: Highly pigmented
Con: Not transfer-proof
Customer review: "This goes on smooth and silky, dries quick and easy, doesn't smear easily, and isn't heavy or goopy like some lipsticks that I've tried are. It also smells nice and isn't expensive, which is always a huge plus! I would definitely recommend this product."
Similar to Buxom's Serial Kisser Plumping Lip Stain, you'll get saturated color but won't feel weighed down by the product. And with so many colors to choose from, you'll find one that suits you perfectly.
Pro: Long wearing
Con: Color transfer
Customer review: "This lipstick makes me want to throw all my other lipsticks away. It's that good. It blends into the lips so naturally and smooth. The applicator is genius an unique and make applying it a breeze."
Are you a fan of Rare Beauty's new Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm but not of its price? This lip stain applies with a gel-like texture but dries like a regular stain. The water-based formula will provide your lips with all-day hydration.
Pro: Transfer-proof
Con: Potentially drying
Customer review: "It goes on so smoothly. My lips feel hydrated even after it absorbs! I love that you can apply multiple layers for your desired intensity. And it stays put - no traces on my coffee cup! Definitely adding to my necessity list!"
Revlon is killing it with the stain options. This one has all the moisturizing properties of a balm and gives just a hint of color that's buildable. It's infused with shea, mango, and coconut butter. In other words, it's like Bobbi Brown's Extra Lip Tint for over half the price.
Pro: Smooth application
Con: Not moisturizing
Customer review: "I absolutely love this lip stain. I bought one once just to try and see if it was good, and it blew my mind. The color is very rich, and it feels very soft when I apply it and afterward as well. It also has a nice minty smell (not like some lipsticks that smell and taste like plastic). I definitely recommend it."
Although this is technically a liquid lipstick, I think this one has a similar splash of saturated color that doesn't budge like a lip stain. It goes on super smoothly and lasts for 16 hours. KVD's Everlasting Hyperlight Vegan Transfer-Proof Liquid Lipstick has some major competition.
Pro: Long-lasting
Con: Difficult to remove
Customer review: "This lipstick literally lasts all day long through eating, drinking, kissing, everything. That means that I never have to reapply, and I never have to be without color on my lips throughout the day. This stuff doesn't budge until I scrub it off at the end of my day."
Rimmel's lip stain is a two-step product: First, apply the lip color and keep your lips apart for 60 seconds. Next, add the topcoat, which will set the color and moisturize your lips. You'll get up to 16 hours of wear with this one.
Pro: Transfer-proof
Con: Topcoat runs out before color
Customer review: "This is the best lipstick I have ever found, and I hope they never stop making it! The colors are beautiful and rich, and the staying power is terrific. I literally do not use my old lipsticks anymore!"
You don't have to worry about dried-out lips here. This gel tint is formulated with plenty of nourishing ingredients to hydrate your lips, like purified water, rose water, and vitamin E. It's also a great alternative for Ilia's Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment.
Pro: Weightless feel
Con: Sticky texture
Customer review: "Love this buildable lip product. [I] bought it for all of my friends as stocking stuffers! I keep this in my purse at all times for a quick lip and cheek brightener, or [you] can let it dry in between applications and build it up to be a bold lip stain that doesn't transfer onto clothes/cups/etc."
This Amazon buy provides saturated color that goes on super smoothly. It leaves a lightweight, silky finish that will last you the whole day. It also happens to be an A+ replacement for Kaja's Love Swipe Lightweight Cushiony Lip Mousse.
Pro: Moisturizing
Con: Reapplication needed
Customer review: "Got this on a whim and was so pleasantly surprised! This formula is so lightweight and has the perfect satiny application. It smells like strawberries too. It doubles as a successful stain by simply letting it sit and then wiping off excess product. I need all the colors!"
Just like Stila's Calligraphy Lip Pen, Kiko Cosmetics' water-based lip stain leaves a natural-looking flush of color. It has a pen-like applicator to help you define your lips without making a big mess.
Pro: Lightweight
Con: Potentially drying
Customer review: "I will definitely buy other shades [because] this marker is a spectacular discovery for me. Weightless on lips and not sticky. Acts as a lip pencil itself, which is fantastic. Intensity can be adjusted by applying an extra layer. Lasts all day [when] drinking and eating. Love it."
This one is more of a crayon and a balm (like Laura Mercier's Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon), but the matte finish gives you a similar look to what you get with a stain. The creamy product is enriched with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and kendi oil.
Pro: Highly moisturizing
Con: Not long-lasting
Customer review: "This is a great product! I wasn't sure what to expect since most crayon-type lip products I have tried in the past have dried out my lips. But I found this to be very moisturizing. Glides on easily, and I love the color!"
Are you looking for a dupe of Haus Labs' Le Monster Lip Crayon Vegan Lipstick and Lip Liner? Found on Amazon, Golden Rose's lip stain has a chisel-tip applicator to make it easy for you to apply color evenly. The water-based formula is completely buildable, so you can do one swipe for just a hint of color or a couple more for a saturated look.
Pro: Transfer-proof
Con: Limited shade selection
Customer review: "This lip stain is extremely long-lasting. I like it as a base with lipstick over the top. This product gives you a lot of options to wear alone or under lipstick for a constant look of color on your lips."
Nars's Velvet Matte Pencil is great, but have you tried this Palladio product? Another Amazon buy, this lip stain has a matte finish but is formulated with panthenol, a provitamin, to prevent dryness.
Pro: Natural-looking finish
Con: Dries out quickly
Customer review: "It's the perfect long-lasting stain that doesn't dry and crack my lips. I let it soak in for a few minutes, then dab some balm on top, and I'm good to go. This is the first stain I've used that isn't drying.
Yes, this is technically a lip oil, but if you're looking for that hint of effortless color that a stain provides, this one gets the job done. The long-lasting color is also packed with ingredients that will keep your lips extra soft: vitamin E and jojoba, camellia, and sesame oils. It's so good. It rivals Dior's viral Lip Glow Oil.
Pro: Applies smoothly
Con: Not long-lasting
Customer review: "My new favorite lip tint oil. [I] love the color. [I] love the texture. It stays put and moisturizes as well. Will continue to purchase this amazing product."
Ready to give up your Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint? This water-based tint is absorbed quickly and lasts a long time. It's enriched with pomegranate and grapefruit extracts to keep your lips soft and happy.
Pro: Natural finish
Con: Uneven stain on dry lips
Customer review: "The color is beautiful. I apply it before ChapStick, and it looks so cute. Some tints get smelly or chap my lips but not this one. I'm so happy there's so much product inside. It's going to last me a long time. Will definitely buy again."
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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