Brides

From the happy tears to the chatting to the drinking—not to mention the smooching and smiling—weddings test the limits of makeup, especially when it comes to lip color. Every bride wants their lip color to last the entire wedding without bleeding, fading, or transferring to their partner’s cheek. A lip stain is one of the few makeup products that can last through events like this—these lightweight, highly pigmented liquids stain your lips for color that lasts for hours.

To determine the best lip stains for your big day that don't dehydrate your lips and look amazing for hours, our team of testers tried out 23 different lip stains and rated each product on the application, pigment, feel, and staying power. To truly put the lip stains through the test, we recorded how much product transferred after eating, drinking, and rubbing our lips with napkins. We also rated the stains on how easy they were to take off at the end of the night. After compiling our results, we rounded up the best lip stains that gave us long-lasting, beautiful color and a comfortable feel.

Top Picks

Best Overall Lip Stain:

Huda Beauty Lip Blush Lip & Cheek Stain at Hudabeauty.com Jump to Review

Best Lip Stain to Invest In:

Dior Addict Lip Tint at Nordstrom $42 Jump to Review

Most Pigmented Lip Stain:

Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain at Fentybeauty.com Jump to Review

Easiest Lip Stain to Apply:

Byredo Liquid Lipstick Matte at Nordstrom $55 Jump to Review

Best Natural-Looking Lip Stain:

Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint at Amazon $7 Jump to Review

Best Lightweight Lip Stain :

SALE

Clarins Water Lip Stain at Amazon $32 $25 Jump to Review

Lip Stain With the Best Shade Range:

Peripera Ink the Velvet Liquid Lip Tint at Amazon $10 Jump to Review

Best Multipurpose Lip Stain:

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip & Cheek Tint at Ulta Jump to Review

Most Versatile Lip Stain:

Monika Blunder Beauty Sweet Talk Lip Oil at Amazon $32 Jump to Review

Best Lip Oil Stain:

SALE

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil at Amazon $34 $20 Jump to Review

Best Overall Lip Stain

Huda Beauty Lip Blush Lip & Cheek Stain

Credit: Huda Beauty

View on Hudabeauty.com

From the pigment to the staying power to the mid-range price point, this lip and cheek stain impressed us on all accounts. With one dip of the brush, we got a ton of color payoff from this creamy yet lightweight stain. Our drinking cup was left looking spotless, and the color lasted through the entire work day until it was time to take off our makeup at the end of the night.

Shades: 5 | Finish: Satin Matte | Size: 0.2 oz

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Best Lip Stain to Invest In

Dior Addict Lip Tint

Credit: Sephora

$42 at Nordstrom View on Dior.com $42 at Sephora

If there ever is a time to invest in a good quality lip color, it’s your wedding. You should want a product that can last through all the smiling, kissing, and eating while still feeling comfortable on your lips–Dior Addict Lip Tint is it. The tint has a mild minty scent and a lightweight, watery gel consistency that wasn’t sticky at all. We loved how the tint didn’t dry out our lips or settle into the creases of our lips. Yet what impressed us the most was its staying power—even after blotting, eating, and drinking, the color didn't budge. It took an entire makeup wipe, plus a tissue with micellar water, to remove it. Yes, the $40 tube is a bit pricey, but you can be assured it will last through the wedding ceremony and reception.

Shades: 12 | Finish: Semi Matte | Size: 0.2 oz

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Most Pigmented Lip Stain

Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

Credit: Kohl's

View on Fentybeauty.com

$28

$23 at Ulta $28 at Kohls.com

For the most color payoff, we recommend this stain. Although it’s a bit glossier than the others on this list (thanks to hydrating squalene), it packs a color punch with just a single swipe of product. Although we had to wait a bit for it to dry, it barely transferred to our cup after drinking and didn’t require reapplication. We appreciate how the product didn’t settle into our lips' crevices, and all the layers we applied blended for a seamless look.

Shades: 6 | Finish: Satin | Size: 0.22 oz

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Easiest Lip Stain to Apply

Byredo Liquid Lipstick Matte

Credit: Byredo

$55 at Nordstrom $55 at Bloomingdales View on Selfridges.com

Weddings call for an elevated lip stain, and this launch from the French house, known for its minimalist, sophisticated, and artisanal fragrances, delivers the best of the best. We were delighted by the soft mousse formula that never cracked or creased for eight hours when we tested this, and we loved how our lips stayed hydrated and intensely pigmented through eating and drinking (but you can also easily reapply a dab in the center of your lips and blend out to retouch). We love the soft focus effect from blurring out the product with your fingertip, but you can also opt for a defined matte effect by applying with the precision applicator tip. The velvety texture truly feels like a second skin, perfect for your wedding day.

Shades: 10 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.13 oz

Best Natural-Looking Lip Stain

Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint

Credit: Etude House

$7

$7 at Amazon

The product reminded us of fruit juice, with a light scent and a thin, watery consistency. We had to be careful when applying it to our lips to ensure it didn't drip, but with a few swipes, we had a very natural, matte flush. We loved how buildable the color was and how it truly didn’t feel like we had anything on. Still, the product had incredible staying power, barely transferring to tissues and drinking cups during our tests. Taking it off with makeup remover took a bit of elbow grease, but that’s a good problem to have.

Shades: 5 | Finish: Semi Matte | Size: 0.18 oz

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Best Lightweight Lip Stain

Clarins Water Lip Stain

Credit: Sephora

$32

$25 at Amazon View on Clarinsusa.com $32 at Sephora

If you don't like the feeling of wearing a lot of makeup but still want some color for a wedding, we recommend this lip stain from Clarins. As the name suggests, the product is as lightweight and smooth as water. Plus, it packs raspberry water and aloe vera to hydrate while the brand’s anti-pollution complex protects your lips from environmental stressors. In other words, you can comfortably use this long after the big day. We found the color to be very pigmented, so we only needed a couple of coats. Our lips seemed to soak up the color, creating a flawless, "woke up like this" hue. And the stain barely left a trace on napkins and drinking cups. Considering how it works for everyday and special occasions, the higher price point is worth it.

Shades: 4 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.2 oz

Lip Stain With the Best Shade Range

Peripera Ink the Velvet Liquid Lip Tint

Credit: Amazon

$10 at Amazon $11 at Target

With 45 different shades, Peripera's tint is ideal for the bride seeking a precise and perfect lip shade. The formula has a thick, creamy texture that deposits a ton of color in just one swipe. Due to its velvety texture, it appeals to those who prefer a more luscious look rather than a completely matte finish. As the color dried, we barely felt it on our lips. Though some of the product did transfer onto our drinking cups, our lips stayed evenly pigmented with no color bleeding or straying. As demonstrated on TikTok, this budget-friendly product is popular for its versatility, as it can be used on both your cheeks, too.

Shades: 45 | Finish: Creamy Matte | Size: 0.14 oz

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Best Multipurpose Lip Stain

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip & Cheek Tint

Credit: Sephora

View on Ulta View on Benefitcosmetics.com $28 at Sephora

Benetint has been the go-to lip and cheek stain for a reason. The universally flattering shade dried fast, imparting a gorgeous rosy glow on our lips. We love how we could just put it on and go, without too much prep work or cleanup. And when it came to eating and drinking, it barely transferred. Yet it only took a few passes to remove at the end of the day, making our lives a little bit easier.

Shades: Rose | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.33 oz

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Most Versatile Lip Stain

Monika Blunder Beauty Sweet Talk Lip Oil

Credit: Monika Blunder Beauty

$32 at Amazon $32 at Nordstrom View on Monikablunderbeauty.com

If your lips tend to dry out shortly after applying a stain, or you're looking for additional benefits from your lip products, consider an option with various skincare properties, such as this lip oil. While this product is not technically a lip stain, it leaves behind a long-lasting, natural-looking hue while providing nourishment with ingredients like jojoba seed oil alongside others like antioxidant-filled vitamin E, blueberry, and prickly pear seed oil1234. This nonsticky formula comes in multiple gorgeous colors that you can play with for any of your bridal looks.

Shades: 6 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.15 oz

Best Lip Oil Stain

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil

Credit: Sephora

$34

$20 at Amazon $24 at Sephora View on Rarebeauty.com

If you prefer the nourishment that a lip oil provides but the long-lasting color of a lip stain, Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil is the option you should add to your makeup bag. This option went viral for its staining abilities, no matter the color choice (there are eight total), and the jojoba seed oil in the formula prevents it from drying out your lips like other stains might5. Plus, the oil component allows for a high-shine finish that truly transforms your lips from meh to fabulous. If you're a fan of Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, this lip oil/stain hybrid provides similar results (just for your lips) and even has similar packaging.

Shades: 8 | Finish: Lustrous | Size: 0.1 oz

What to Look for in a Lip Stain

• Color: A lip stain is typically the first color you apply to your lips, acting as a sort of foundation for your wedding look, so it’s best to take some time to consider what color you want to wear on your wedding day. Most makeup artists recommend brides use their signature shade or something a few tones darker than their natural lip color. And if you're planning on taking black and white photos for the wedding, bridal makeup artist Michelle Schultz advises avoiding a shade that's too dark—it can make your lips appear almost black in photos (unless, of course, that's the look you're going for!).

• Finish: While lip stains tend to be more on the matte side of the finish spectrum, some offer more of a satin finish. The more matte a lip color, the more staying power it has, explains Schultz, so for a shade that truly won’t budge, go with a matte stain.

• Hydrating Ingredients: If you're getting married in an arid climate or are prone to dry lips, look for formulas with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, or jojoba oil.

FAQ

• What’s the difference between a lip stain and lipstick?

  Lip stains are lightweight, highly pigmented liquids that stain your lips for long-lasting color. Lipsticks, on the other hand, provide a waxy substance that creates a coat of color on your lips. Since lip stains are more matte, they are less likely to fade or rub off than lipstick. However, if you prefer a more shiny lip, Schultz recommends opting for a long-wear satin lipstick.

• How do I apply lip stain?

  Since lip stains are more sheer and less forgiving, it's best to make your lips smooth before applying them. We recommend using a lip scrub to buff away rough patches or dry spots. Then, use the applicator to apply the stain to your lips evenly, adding it in thin layers until you get your desired level of color. For a little extra shine, you can top the lip stain with lipstick or a gloss.

• How do I remove lip stain?

  As much as we love lip stains’ staying power, that also means they can be hard to remove. The best way to remove lip stains is to use an oil-based makeup remover, cleanser, or product like petroleum. You can apply the oil to your lips and let it sit for a few minutes, so the oil can start to break the color down. Then you can use a makeup wipe to remove the stain with inward strokes.

Why Trust BRIDES

Emily Cieslak is a former writer for BRIDES who covered all things beauty and fashion. For this article, we tested 23 different lip stains to find out firsthand how they wear, show up, and feel. BRIDES writer and shopping expert Madison Barber provided additional reporting. The BRIDES team also reached out to Michelle Schultz, bridal makeup artist, for additional insight.

Article Sources

Brides takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

1. Al-Naqeb G, Fiori L, Ciolli M, Aprea E. Prickly Pear Seed Oil Extraction, Chemical Characterization and Potential Health Benefits. Molecules. 2021; 26(16):5018. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26165018

2. Keen, Mohammad Abid; Hassan, Iffat. Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal 7(4):p 311-315, Jul–Aug 2016. | DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.185494

3. Blaak J, Staib P. An updated review on efficacy and benefits of sweet almond, evening primrose and jojoba oils in skin care applications. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022; 44: 1–9. doi:10.1111/ics.12758

4. 1.Francis, Bagchi M, Zafra-Stone S, Bagchi D. The Benefits of Antioxidant-Rich Fruits on Skin Health. Published online January 1, 2009. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-8155-2029-0.50018-1

5. Blaak J, Staib P. An updated review on efficacy and benefits of sweet almond, evening primrose and jojoba oils in skin care applications. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2022;44(1):1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12758