9 Best Lip Stains That Look Fresh All Day

"I wholeheartedly believe that no one does lip stains better than Korea. When I travel to Seoul, I do a haul in Olive & Young. This one has been a favorite. I love a red lip and this is a subtle stain that lasts through multiple meetings. You can build the watery texture from just bitten flush to a deeper red. It dries down to feel like absolutely nothing on the lips."—Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

“This is officially my most reached-for lip tint ever. While it's not as long-lasting as a matte lip stain, the beautifully spreadable, serum-like consistency more than makes up for that. This formula transfers the color so well upon first swipe and dries down quickly to a smooth, dewy, and barely-there finish. That said, it's still buildable for extra sheen. The wide shade range stands out, too. While there are some shades that are a little too similar to their counterparts, there are some real gems, like this deeper berry called Plum Coke I'm wearing above (I don't have anything else quite like it) and Fig Fig for a low-key, cool-toned pink. The juicy scent is a bonus!" —Sarah Han, commerce editor

• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid complex, mango seed butter, raspberry seed oil, plum seed extract
• Shades: 23
• How to use it: apply to the center of the lips, spread the color outwards, and apply another layer if needed for a brighter color
• Finish: glossy, then dries down to a stain

"I forgot just how good these are. They are truly deserving of the stain categorization and hold up very well through two meals, various drinks, and kisses peppered throughout the day. (Based on other experiences, ramen (and super soupy or oily meals, which is kinda to be expected) doesn't pan out the best in terms of longevity, but everything else I've tried while wearing it? Beautiful! Speaking of beautiful, the shades are super pretty and relatively pigmented for such a liquidy formula! I like applying two layers for a brighter pop but one layer is perfect for those who prefer a more subtle lip.

I will caveat that, similar to other super long-lasting tints, I cannot skip my lip balm prep—meaning I apply lip balm while I do the rest of my makeup and wipe off the excess before applying the stain—and sometimes remedy midday dryness by layering a balm on top. (Hung Vanngo's Glossy Lip Hue in Limitless Sky is a gorgeous pairing with Violet Water.)" —Sarah Han, commerce editor

"I love a bold lip, but I find it too high-maintenance for everyday wear. This lip stain has pretty much changed my life: It stayed put through a Stanley tumbler's worth of water, my soup-and-salad lunch, and even a hot coffee in the afternoon. After seven hours of wear, it still looked pretty vibrant and pigmented, and there were zero smudges to be found." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

• Key ingredients: aloe vera, glycerin, green tea extract
• Shades: 3
• How to use it: apply to the center of your lips and blend out for even color
• Finish: glassy

“One of the coolest things about this lip stain is how the color develops when you first apply it. It goes on pretty neutral, then blooms into a rich red (or berry or caramel) in the first few seconds. Once it's fully blossomed, that color sticks around for hours—and since the stain is oil-based, it doesn't feel drying either. The brand sent me all four shades when Lip Nectar first launched, and I love them all, though I pick up Bêtise and Dahlia Noir most often.” —Kara McGrath, former content director

• Key ingredients: squalane, shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
• Shades: 4
• How to use it: apply to the lips and wait two minutes before applying other layers if desired
• Finish: glossy

“While this lip stain doesn't have the tattoo-adjacent powers of something like Wonderskin, I do think it strikes a happy medium between being a pretty, glossy lip color and leaving behind enough pigment that you don't have to worry about reapplying every thirty minutes. It reminds me a lot of the silky Korean lip stains I've tried, so it's great to see formulas like this becoming even more widely available. Mocha remix is a gorg jammy brown shade too.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

• Key ingredients: Water-Oil Remix complex, ceramides, peptides
• Shades: 9
• How to use it: swipe one layer on for a sheer finish or wait a few seconds and apply (a few) more for a brighter result
• Finish: glossy, then dries down to a stain

"I waited way too long to try this viral product, which is viral for a reason. I use one coat on my lips and let it sit for about 15 seconds before going in with a tissue to take off the excess. It gives the ideal pop of pink on my lips without looking like I'm wearing lipstick and it's completely weightless with no sticky residue. My jaw was on the ground after my first use, as it looked so natural. On my cheeks, I do one to two coats for a perfectly flushed look —three dots across my cheekbones blended out with a Beautyblender." —Kassidy Silva, social director

• Key ingredients: squalane
• Shades: 6
• How to use it: apply to lips and dab or rub them together
• Finish: sheer

"Stain is not an exaggeration when it comes to this funky little miracle product. Wonderskin's formula—depending on what shade you have—goes on dark, thick, and metallic. Once you let it dry and peel it off, though, it leaves behind bold transfer-proof color that truly feels like nothing and lasts for hours on end, fading into soft pinks and nudes (the proof is in the picture)." —Nicola Dall’Asen, former senior news editor

"The mask dries in less than five minutes and peels off way easier than other lip-tinting masks I’ve tried. A fair warning: There is a small learning curve when figuring out how much to apply and how long to leave on the mask, but once you crack the code to your desired results, it becomes second nature. And, just a heads up—this applicator isn’t the most precise, so be intentional about your strokes." —Jen Hussein, contributor

• Key ingredients: glycerin, seaweed extract, squalane
• Shades: 19
• How to use it: apply one to two coats, leave on for a minute, wipe away with a damp towel
• Finish: sheer but buildable

"While I've dabbled in many K-beauty lip tints over the years, I have a very soft spot for Peripera. They're incredibly affordable (you can build a collection without feeling too guilty!) and last the entire day—even after plentiful smooches and messy meals. The wear is super comfortable too, despite how long-lasting the formulas are. However, prepping my (very dry) lips with a clear lip balm (I sometimes wipe away the excess after a few minutes) is non-negotiable for an even finish—otherwise, your lip lines will likely show through." —Sarah Han, commerce editor

• Key ingredients: marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil
• Shades: 27
• How to use it: Use the flat side of the applicator to smooth it out for a vibrant finish, or tap it on to create a more natural look
• Finish: matte

“On days when I know I'll be running around from meeting to meeting without a chance to touch up my lip color, I reach for this long-lasting lip stain. When you first swipe it on, it feels and looks like a lip gloss, but in a few seconds, it gets a little more pigmented. It's really buildable too; the more layers you add, the stronger the shade. This is definitely not one of those lip stains that won't rub off at all (after a couple of meals and cups of coffee, I usually reach for a touchup), but it does stay on for hours and doesn't make my lips feel like sandpaper (it contains vitamin E and coconut oil). I like the shades First Sari (a berry) and Guava (a bright pink).

I will say the shade that shows on the tube is not really the shade the stain dries to, so it might take looking at the swatches on images before you buy them to make sure you get the shade you want and need.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

• Key ingredients: mango seed oil, coconut oil, vitamin E
• Shades: 9
• How to use it: use the tip of the applicator to define the lips before gliding it across the entire lip to fill in color
• Finish: goes on glossy, dries down matte

“The first day I wore this lip stain, I forgot I had it on and ate a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast. When my bright red lip stayed completely intact after the last bite, I knew it was a keeper! Ever since, this has been my go-to for long days. The formula is so thin and lightweight, I barely notice it's there. At first, it has a really pretty glossy shine; you can leave it as-is or blot it down for a matte finish. Throughout the day, there's very minimal fading and transfer. After about eight hours, I start to get the itch to reapply something a little more moisturizing on top, but it's not nearly as drying as a matte lipstick would be.

All of the shades have great color payoff. I also love that I don't need to wear it with a lip liner, since it never bleeds or feathers. If you're low-maintenance and want a lip stain you can truly set and forget, this is it.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor

• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane
• Shades: 6
• How to use it: use the pointed applicator to apply from the center outward; blot for a soft matte finish or layer for a bolder, glossier look
• Finish: goes on glossy, dries down to semi-matte