Lip Stain

Lip stain: colour that stays where you put it

What exactly is a lip stain?

A lipstick lays a layer of colour on top of your lips; that layer wears off as soon as you touch something. A lip stain works the other way round: the pigment grips the top layer of your lips themselves. That makes it feel lighter — often you stop noticing it after a minute — and the colour lasts hours instead of an hour. The trade-off: you don't quickly touch it up, and taking it off needs an oil-based remover rather than water.

Peel off lip stain: how does it work?

The peel off lip stain is the version people ask for most, and it's the most eye-catching too. You apply a layer of gel across the whole lip, let it dry completely for three to five minutes, and then peel it off in one piece. All that's left is the colour, and it stays put for the rest of the day. Two things decide whether it works: letting it dry completely — peeling too early takes the colour with it — and applying a thick, closed layer, because thin patches tear as you peel. The Genius Peel-off by Trouble Maker and the Lip Shift Ink by Makeup Revolution are the best known.

Water, gel or tint: the other formulas

Alongside peel off there are stains that simply sink in. A water tint is the lightest: fresh, sheer, easy to build. A gel or jelly formula gives more colour and a little more shine. And there are hydrating stains with hyaluronic acid or oils, for when your lips feel dry quickly — those come close to a lip oil in feel. Plenty of stains are lip and cheek: the same product works as a blush.

Lip stain, lip tint or lip liner stain?

These three get mixed up all the time. A lip stain and a lip tint technically do the same thing — colour that settles in — but a tint is usually lighter and more watery, and a stain more intense and longer lasting. A lip liner stain is something else: that one is for your outline, a pen you draw a line with that stays put. So if you want a long-wearing line rather than a full lip, that's where you should look.

How do you apply a lip stain?

Start with clean, dry lips — pigment grips badly on a layer of balm. Work from the middle outwards and keep the edge soft; a sharp line is harder to correct with a stain than with lipstick. Want more colour, then build it in thin layers instead of one thick one. If your lips are dry or flaky, use a lip scrub first, otherwise the colour takes unevenly. A lip gloss over the top afterwards is absolutely fine — the stain underneath just stays where it is.

Shop lip stains at Boozyshop

At Boozyshop you'll find lip stains from soft peach and coral through to deep cherry red and brown, in peel off and sink-in formulas. Not sure which one suits you? Our beauty experts are happy to think along with you via chat or email. Order before 8 PM, shipped today.