9 Best Lip Stains That Will Not Budge Even After a Smooch #KissProof

When it comes to lip products, there’s no such thing as having too many. From lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip balms, each offers distinctive benefits that make them essential to any beauty vanity. However, if you’re looking for something with impeccable staying power that doesn’t budge, transfer, or bleed, lip stains are the answer to your prayers. If you need help choosing the best product, you’re in for a treat — we have personally tried and tested a plethora of lip stains. Below, we’ve sifted through the extensive list to present the best lip stains you need in your kit.

What Is a Lip Stain?

According to Michelle Shakeshaft, a pro makeup artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, during an interview with Byrdie, “A lip stain is a sheer wash of a natural matte colour that stains the lip.” Though lip stain and lip tint have been used interchangeably, they are actually different in terms of the formulation and finishing. As its name suggests, lip stain works by absorbing into the skin, rendering your lips with a wash of colour that lasts long. It has vibrant colours that are highly pigmented, which feels lightweight on the lips upon application. It boasts a staying power that does not budge even after a drink or eat.

How Long Does a Lip Stain Last?

How long a lip stain lasts on your lips can vary depending on the brand, formula, and how much you eat or drink. However, generally, a lip stain can last several hours, fading gradually, and some long-lasting formulas can even stay on for more than 12 hours. With their potent staying power for all-day wear, most lip stains in the beauty market nowadays typically need to be removed with makeup remover or a cleanser.

What’s the Difference Between Lip Stains vs. Lip Tints?

Lip stains and lip tints may be confused in terms of look, but there are major differences you need to know between these two lip products. Lip stains have a more pigmented formula to provide intense colour payoff. Often having a matte finish, they are popular for those who wish for long-lasting wear.

Meanwhile, lip tints have a lighter, almost sheer wash of colour that enhances your natural lip shade for a more hydrating feel compared to lip stains. With their dewy, glossy finish, this lippie can be wiped off easily and requires reapplication throughout the day.

The Best Lip Stains in Malaysia 2024

1. 3CE Lazy Pop Lip Stain

Taking over our spot of the best lip stains is the 3CE Lazy Pop Lip Stain, which has a cult following thanks to its high-performance formula. Having tried this product, we are amazed by its vibrant colour that lasts throughout the day, without the need to reapply it throughout the day. Powered by the hydro-locked formula, we love how its hydrating properties keep our lips moisturised without the uncomfortable, dry feeling we often felt when using other lip stains. With just one swipe, it accentuates our lips with instant, vivid hues that are pigmented. It also comes in five selections of colours that suit all skin tones, including Luztic, Coolest, Yay or Nay, Spiced Up, and Tan.

Price: RM82.50

Where to buy: Shopee

2. Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush

As someone who has tried numerous lip stain products, the Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush is by far one of our personal favourites. Its formula is just a chef’s kiss, as it is packed with skin-loving ingredients like Triple Berry Complex, lemon fruit extract, and olive squalane, which work together to hydrate, brighten, and protect our lips and cheeks. In addition to its lightweight texture, we love how buildable its formula is, allowing us to control the intensity of colour payoff based on our preference. Plus, its cute keychain design makes it a perfect addition to our keys or purse for a quick application anytime. We personally love the Cherry Spritz variant, which offers stunning blue-red hues that look natural.

Price: RM107.00

Where to buy: Kaja’s official website

3. Emina Glossy Stain

For some serious pouty lips that will make everyone envious, Emina Glossy Stain is your go-to lippie. This award-winning product was also crowned the winner of Beauty Insider Malaysia’s Beauty and Wellness Awards 2024 for Best Lip Stain and Beauty Insiders’ Choice Award. Available in a variety of stunning colours, we are head over heels with its hues that include Coffee Drop, Apple Shower, Autumn Bell, and Spring Dazzle. Featuring a hydrating formula, it seamlessly melts on the lips without leaving any greasy residue, leaving you with intense, highly pigmented colours that last a long time. It is not only comfortable, but it adds a lovely sheen to your lips too. 

Price: RM22.50

Where to buy: Watsons 

4. Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

Get a luscious kissable pout in just one swipe with the Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain. If you prefer a hydrating formula like us, this is your best bet. Powered by oil-in-water innovation with squalene, it seals in the moisture for soft, smooth, and plumper-looking lips. Plus, our personal experience of using this product has been exceptional. It features a customisable sheer-to-medium coverage that provides a high-shine finish. We recommend applying an opaque layer without blotting it off for a vibrant, juicy look. While those who prefer a sheer stain finish look, make sure to wipe it off with a tissue to prevent it from bleeding.

Why we love it:

• Hydrating properties
• High-shine finish
• It comes in a selection of colours

Cons:

• Some reviewers reported that it does not last long 

Price: RM130.00

Where to buy: Sephora

5. Huda Beauty Lip Blush Creamy Lip & Cheek Stain

If you’re looking for the best lip stains that are versatile, we could not recommend enough the Lip Blush Creamy Lip & Cheek Stain from Huda Beauty. Having tested this lip product, we noticed that even though it has a hydrating and creamy texture, it renders our lips with a splash of colour, offering a matte and satin finish. The blurred effect look on the cheeks is stunning as it adds a natural flush of colour. We also love its doe-foot applicator, which provides precise application. Though it feels hydrating on the lips, we felt that its staying power is slightly less than other similar products we tried before. 

Why we love it:

• Hydrating formula
• It delivers a stunning matte-satin finish
• It contains hyaluronic acid powder and coconut extract

Cons:

• Reviewers stated that it leaves a patchy look 

Price: RM133.00

Where to buy: Sephora 

6. Dear Dahlia Satin Glow Lip Stain

Dear Dahlia Satin Glow Lip Stain is the secret to attaining a lush pout, thanks to its sheen satin glow. Honestly, we adore its hydrating formula and luminous finish that glaze over our lips with a subtle natural pigment. Despite its high-shine look, it does not feather or bleed. The best part? It is infused with Dahlia Variabilis flower extract to condition the lips with its hydrating and nourishing properties. Additionally, we recommend that you apply it starting from the centre of the lips and work your outwards. It comes in three shades of Adore, Lust and Serenity. 

Why we love it:

• High-shine finish
• Buildable formula
• Hydrating properties 

Cons:

• At the top of the price range

Price: RM130.00

Where to buy: Sephora

7. Clarins Water Lip Stain

With its formula, texture, and finishing look, Clarins Water Lip Stain checks all of the boxes on the things we’re looking for in the best lip stains. Having given it a shot, we love its barely-there texture that feels lightweight on the lips upon application. Its formula, which is infused with botanical extracts, nourishes the lips while it hugs the lips with a matte finish that is long-lasting and buildable. Personally, we love the extensive range of shades available, from Soft Water Pink, Orange Water, Red Water, to Mocha Water. 

Why we love it:

• Pleasant scent
• Barely-there texture
• Buildable formula 

Cons:

• Some reviewers stated that the high payoff colour does not last long

Price: RM148.27

Where to buy: Care to Beauty

8. Stila Calligraphy Lip Stain

Have you tried the Calligraphy Lip Stain by Stila? We think this unique-looking lip stain honestly deserves more rave from makeup enthusiasts. It is a double-duty stain that works to line lips with great precision while also providing an amazing sweep of soft yet buildable payoff. Plus, this lippie has a non-drying, transfer-proof formula that keeps your lips looking fresh throughout the day and subtly fades to a natural wash of colour. You can’t miss its blade-like, calligraphy-style tip that is so fun to try out. Oh, and this lip stain is available in many shades, from pinks to reds and browns.

Why we love it:

• Provides amazing precision
• Unique calligraphy-style tip
• Available in various stunning shades

Cons:

• May be hard to control for first-timers

Price: RM119.00

Where to buy: Sephora

9. Make Over Powerstay Vivid Waterlite Lip Stain

As one of the best lip stains in Malaysia, the Make Over Powerstay Vivid Waterlite Lip Stain offers lasting colour with its barely-there consistency for a lighter feel on the lips. It provides intense colour with a natural, non-oily finish that can last up to 12 hours — all without making your lips look dry and patchy. Not only that, this lip stain is easy to blend and hydrates the lips with its high-impact lip colour. Available in plenty of shades, we personally like Double Dare for a daring, bold pout, making it perfect for date nights.

Why we love it:

• Lasts up to 12 hours
• Feels light on the lips
• Non-oily finish

Cons:

• The range of shades lacks soft and nude tones

Price: RM47.20

Where to buy: Guardian

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