10 Best Lip Stains and Tints in Australia in 2025
Gone are the days of needing a quick lipstick touch up with this viral item that TikTokers say is “worth the hype”.
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Makeup lovers are all too familiar with the lunchtime reapply – digging through your bag, searching for that lipstick, and hoping to make themselves look as good as they did when they walked out the door.
If you’re tired of reapplying after every sip of coffee or constantly checking a mirror to see if your lipstick has smudged, there’s a “bizarre” solution to keep you looking flawless all day: lip stain.
Unlike glosses and traditional lipsticks that sit on top of your lips, lip stains absorb into your lips, delivering a long-lasting colour that won’t smudge, bleed, or feather. It fades naturally throughout the day, leaving you worry-free and looking fabulous.
One of the most popular lip stains right now is the Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Masque. It has gone viral on TikTok thanks to its metallic blue/purple colour that dries into the skin and peels off, leaving behind an amazing ‘your lips but better’ colour.
If you prefer a lip tint, the Dior Addict Lip Tint is another favourite that has the tick of approval by shoppers, influencers and makeup artists.
Continue reading to find all the best lip stains to transform your makeup routine and keep you looking fresh and fabulous for the entire day.
Best peel off lip stain
Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Masque, $34.28 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: After leaving it to dry for 60 seconds, your lips will have a bold and bright colour that can last up to 12 hours.
What to consider: Some said it has a watery consistency and needs a couple of layers to get a rich, deep colour.
Size: 4mL | Finish: Matte | Colours: Beautiful and Sweetheart
What You Need To Know
Peel off lip stains are having a huge moment on TikTok with thousands testing out the beauty hack for themselves. The best of the best you can find is the Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Masque.
This vegan and cruelty free stain promises transfer-proof and waterproof coverage that can last for up to 12 hours.
Unlike traditional lip stains that absorb into your lips, this one bonds with the skin and creates a flexible peel using a PVA base and indigofera tinctorial leaf extract (AKA indigo leaf), so don’t be alarmed by the initial blue colour.
Once applied to your lips, leave it to dry for up to 20 seconds for a light colouring or up to a minute for a bolder, brighter look. Then remove the blue peel with a damp cloth and uncover the perfect lip colour.
Making it even better is the wide combination of refreshing and hydrating ingredients, including purified seaweed filled with vitamins, vegan squalene for extra moisture and hydra-g complex to hydrate your lips and leave them feeling firm and soft for the whole day.
One five-star review calls it a “marvel,” adding “The color [sic] is vibrant and natural, without a sticky feeling.
“The best thing is its duration: it can withstand food, drinks and does not transfer. Without a doubt, a great buy if you are looking for a long-lasting lipstick.”
TikTok makeup influencer @theoliviasaurusrex said it’s “so fun to use and definitely transfer-proof,” while model @katiemacdonald added, “I received this just before I went to Italy and let me tell you I used it every single day and it was a Godsend.”
Best lip stain
Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain, $43 at Sephora
Why we love it: The customisable colour helps you perfect your look by adding more layers for a richer shade.
What to consider: Shoppers have noted that there are stains with similar effects that sell at a cheaper price point.
Size: 3g | Finish: Glossy | Colours: Berry Banger, Strawberry Sangria, Zesty Bestie, Mai Type, Gem and I, Fuchsia Wife
What You Need To Know
Creating “an effortless, low-maintenance look,” this Fenty Beauty stain has everything you could ask for from a lip stain. It is feather and bleed resistant, cruelty free and gives you “juicy, all-day hydration.”
To help you achieve your makeup vision, you can customise the colouring from sheer to medium coverage. The more you layer on, the deeper the colour.
The celebrity element also makes this one a popular choice. Fenty Beauty is singer Rihanna’s signature makeup brand. When discussing this product, she said “Makeup is all about play, and when I was developing this lip stain, I had so much fun. This product just hits different. You get that sexy, wet-look shine and your lips feel super hydrated.”
Shoppers agree, with one saying it “Last[s] all day and is so hydrating,” while another called it the “Most hydrating lip stain there is.”
A third added “I completely understand what the fuss is with this brand. the red colour and the formula is amazing!”
Best lip tint
Dior Addict Lip Tint, $64 at Dior
Why we love it: Not only will your lips have a rich colouring for up to 12 hours, it will also leave them hydrated for up to 24 hours.
What to consider: Customers have said the darker shades last longer than the lighter colours.
Size: 5mL | Finish: Semi-matte | Colours: Natural Peach, Natural Coral, Natural Poppy, Natural Fuchsia, Natural Nude, Natural Hibiscus, Natural Rose, Natural Sienna, Natural Tea, Natural Berry and Natural Ginger
What You Need To Know
This luxe offering from designer brand Dior may be one of the more expensive options, but it is a favourite among shoppers and makeup professionals.
Celebrity makeup artist Jenna Kristina has worked with Megan Fox, Zoey Deutch and Lily James. She said in a TikTok video “Dior Addict Lip Glow is better than ever with pH-activated shades in warm and cool tones!”
It provides up to 12 hours of no-transfer wear and is infused with 94 per cent natural ingredients. This includes cherry oil which provides hydration to the lips for up to 24 hours.
Another great feature is the applicator. Rather than using a standard doe foot applicator, it has a rounded end which makes it easier to contour around the curves of your lips and apply an even coating.
“The best lip tint I’ve used,” one shopper says, adding “It’s hydrating, even without a lip primer for base, and it really is transfer proof once it’s dried.
“The pigment is vibrant at application in the morning, and by evening after eating, drinking numerous time, and wiping my mouth, it’s faded to a more natural colour.”
Best matte lip stain
Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint, $11.11 at iHerb
Why we love it: This K-Beauty product feels light and smooth on application and leave you with a rich colour.
What to consider: Some reviews said most have a cool tones and suit those with lighter skin better.
Size: 3g | Colours: Sellout Red, Love Sniper Red, Classy Plum Rose, Beauty Peak Rose, Spring Salmon, Active Coral, Soft Coral, Vitality Coral, Enjoy Mute, Bright Pink, Sunny Orange, Mauveful Nude, Cocoa Nude, Wine Nude and Classic Nude
What You Need To Know
Korean skincare products are a huge phenomena online, and now many are trying their hand at Korean beauty, with the Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint becoming a fan favourite.
Boasting a “weightless texture,” this matte tint comes in a huge selection of red, peach, pink and nude colours and is designed to hydrate and soften lips using hyaluronic acid, marine collagen and jojoba oil.
“The Peripera tints are my must have,” one shopper remarked.
“I love their creamy texture on application, and the finish is slightly glossy and gradually becomes matte over time.”
Another calls it “perfect for making a statement while feeling lightweight and comfortable.
“The highly pigmented formula provides long-lasting wear without drying out the lips thanks to its moisturizing, [sic] airy texture.”
Best satin lip stain
Dear Dahlia Blooming Edition Satin Glow Tint Stain, $52 at Sephora
Why we love it: It does more than just a stain your lips, with natural oils and extracts giving them an antioxidant boost.
What to consider: There are some reviews that say it can leave lips feeling dry.
Size: 5mL | Colours: Adore, Lust and Serenity
What You Need To Know
Giving you “a luminous satin glow,” the Dear Dahlia Satin Glow Tint Stain has a watery gel formulation that glides over the lips and leaves them with a subtle shine and bold colouring.
One Sephora shopper praised how it both feels and looks, saying “A little application goes a long way and leaves a really nice tint. I love it.”
Another five-star review said “these stain well and leaves a nice sheen, they feel comfortable on the lips and don’t have too strong of a scent to them.
“I have all three shades and they are lovely.”
It is also packed with antioxidants and nourishing ingredients like dahlia variabilis flower extract, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, lavender oil, grapefruit peel oil, bergamot fruit oil and sweet almond oil. All these combined will leave your lips feeling soft and smooth.
Best sheer lip stain
Clarins Water Lip Stain, $49 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: It will show off your natural lip colour while raspberry water and aloe vera keeps them soft and hydrated.
What to consider: One shopper said the applicator brush was “not comfortable to use.”
Size: 7mL | Colours: Rose Water, Orange Water, Violet Water and Red Water
What You Need To Know
Like most sheer lip stains, the Clarins Water Lip Stain has a glossy watery texture and leaves behind a very subtle hint of colour. But this one stands out among the pack thanks to its “kiss-proof matte finish.” A study of 22 wearers found it can last up to 300 kisses before you need to reapply and all without smudging.
They’ll be even more kissable thanks to the raspberry water infusion which softens the skin and aloe vera which makes them feel more hydrated.
Along with hundreds of five-star reviews, one Myer shopper raved “I love this lip tint! The color [sic] pay-off is perfect, very sheer but still natural-looking. It feels lightweight and hydrating on my lips, even after hours of wear.
“I have a medium skin tone with warm undertones, and the shade blends beautifully.”
Best glossy lip stain
Yves Saint Laurent The Inks Vinyl Cream Mirror Shine Lip Stain, $75 at Yves Saint Laurent
Why we love it: The natural prickly pear and tuberose extracts will leave your lips feeling hydrated and looking fantastic.
What to consider: Coming from a luxury designer brand, it is one of the most expensive options on the market.
Size: 6.5mL | Colours: Chili Provocation, Blush Connection, Nude Champion, Brown Ignition and Plum Liberation
What You Need To Know
Offering a “high-pigment mirror shine,” this Yves Saint Laurent lip stain leaves your lips feeling moisturised for up to 24 hours thanks to the prickly pear and tuberose extracts, which also smells amazing.
All it needs is a single coat applied in the centre of the lips and brushed towards the corners to have a huge impact on your look, and the glossy texture makes it easy to glide on.
While on the pricier side, there are plenty of customers giving it high praise and saying it’s worth the splurge.
One raved “It’s absolutely stunning! The formula is lightweight yet offers an intense pop of color [sic] with a high-gloss finish that lasts for hours. I love how it feels on the lips – not sticky or heavy like some glosses, and it keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day.”
Another loves the way it feels, saying it “glides on smoothly and delivers an intense color [sic] pay-off with a gorgeous high-shine finish. What I love most is how lightweight it feels — almost like a lip gloss — but with more lasting power.”
Looking for a more mattifying effect? You can also try the Yves Saint Laurent The Inks Blur Blurring Matte Lip Stain.
Best lip and cheek stain
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tint, $42 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: It will give your lips and cheeks a rosy hue while the salicylic acid leaves them feeling smooth.
What to consider: Some have said it is too “liquidy” and can spill from the bottle.
Size: 6mL | Finish: Sheer | Colour: Rose
What You Need To Know
The Benetint Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tint is a cult favourite and bestseller, and all for good reason.
Described as smudge-proof, transfer-proof, waterproof and kiss-proof, you can easily apply your colour using the applicator or dab it on with your fingers and blend. It also has buildable colouring, so if it isn’t as rich or deep as you want, you can simply add more.
If the rosy colour wasn’t enough, it is rose scented too! Plus the salicylic acid formula works as a chemical exfoliant to leave your lips and cheeks soft and smooth.
One shopper speaks highly of this stain as it gives them “a natural, long-lasting flush of color [sic] to both lips and cheeks without feeling heavy.”
Another said they love this stain as “it stays on all day without having it to be reapplied,” while a third goes on to add “I have been using this as a lip tint and it is amazing! Smells like roses and lasts.”
If you’re looking for a bigger bottle, you can also buy the 10mL size at Myer and Sephora.
Best budget lip stain
e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain, $12 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: It gives a glossy glow all without spending the big bucks on a designer brand.
What to consider: Some shades appear darker in person than in the images.
Size: 3mL | Finish: Glossy | Colours: Pinkies Up, Spicy Sienna, Cinnamon Dreamz and Power Mauve
What You Need To Know
Big makeup brands know how to charge, and unfortunately many shoppers don’t know of any decent alternatives and end up paying a pretty penny to achieve their desired look. If you’re after a glossy finish that lasts for hours and comes at a bargain price, e.l.f. has the answer.
The Glossy Lip Stain uses a vegan and cruelty free formula and “offers the best of both worlds,” providing an irresistible shine while giving you long lasting wear.
One shopper called it “a game changer for my everyday makeup,” as well as “lightweight, non-sticky, and leaves my lips looking juicy.”
Another used this as a replacement to a designer brand, but has made it their go to choice, revealing “I felt that the stain lasted longer and I like that it has a glossy/shiny finish to start off with. I only have to reapply after eating, but even then it fades so nicely that sometimes I don’t reapply during the day at all.”
How we choose our products
We scour through hundreds of reviews, ratings and articles to find the best products to include in our roundups. When looking for the best lip stains, we considered their colours, finish, size, ingredients, how long it will last before reapplication and price.
What to consider before buying a lip stain or lip tint
Finish: There are four main lip stain finishes: sheer, glossy, matte and satin. Choose one that you think best suits your style or look.
Shade range and intensity: Like all makeup, there is a huge selection of colours and shades to choose from. Some have a slight tint or colouring whereas other lip stains can create a bold effect. Pick the colours you’re more likely to wear and match them to the finish you prefer to get the right intensity.
Skin tone: Some colours and shades suit different skin tones better. While all colours can look amazing on everyone, lighter and more pink shades often work well with those with fairer skin, and deeper red shades look great on those with darker skin.
Longevity and removal: Lip stains are designed to be long lasting as the pigment sinks into the lips. Before you apply, see how long the brand says it will last and if that will see you through your day. Also think about how easy it will be to remove. If you only need it on for a couple of hours, a 12-hour stain may take a while to wash off.
Ingredients: Some lip stains and tints use hydrating and nourishing ingredients that not only make the lips look good, but feel good too. Look for hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, cherry oil and other soothing, moisturising and plumping ingredients.
Price: How much you’ll be paying for your lip stain will depend on the brand and quality. Weigh up whether you want to pay more for a more reputable product that will last longer or if you want to save some money and try a cheaper option but risk losing some of the better features like longer wear and moisturising ingredients.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MATTE, SATIN, GLOSSY AND SHEER LIP STAINS?
Everyone has their own style and look, and will have a certain finish in mind. When applying a lip tint or stain, there are four finishes you can try: matte, satin, glossy and sheer.
Matte lip tints and stains
Those after lips without a sheer wash or glossy finish should use a matte lip stain. These are non-reflective tints that have intense, bold and flat colouring and are typically a longer lasting option that won’t smudge or easily be removed as you go about your day.
Satin lip tints and stains
With a creamy texture, satin lip stains create a hydrating, velvet-like shine with a slight glossy effect but still maintains a smooth matte finish. They are often seen as the balance between matte and glossy stains and are a good option for those with dry lips who want a strong colour coverage but find matte lip stains too dry.
Glossy lip tints and stains
Glossy lip stains create a dewy, wet finish while moisturising and hydrating the lips. While they don’t offer the same intense colouring as matte stains, they do provide a medium amount of colour coverage.
Sheer lip tints and stains
Sheer lip stains typically have a lightweight texture and are almost transparent. While some have a tiny amount of colour to stand out, they are designed for everyday wear and create a natural look.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LIP STAIN AND A LIP TINT?
While often used interchangeably, there are a few differences between lip stains and lip tints that may make you prefer one over the other to complete your look.
- Lip stains: These are long-lasting, transfer-proof lip colours that have a watery formula which absorbs into the skin and leave your lips feeling hydrated and smooth. They require less top ups throughout the day compared to lipsticks and lip glosses. and tend to produce a more natural finish compared to lip tints.
- Lip tints: These have a gel-like formula and usually offer deeper and richer colour options that are less natural looking than lip stains. You can also build up and layer the colouring on your lips rather than have the same colour stained on. The more you apply, the more intense it becomes. Most have a glossy finish, but some are available in matte options.
HOW DO PEEL OFF LIP STAINS WORK?
Peel off lips stains have been going viral on TikTok and their popularity continues to rise.
It is applied like a regular lip stain in a liquid or gel-like formula. You’ll need to leave it to dry (see the instructions of the specific peel off lip stain to confirm the time needed) and as it bonds with your lips, the colour will stick and a flexible layer will develop. Once dry, you can peel off this layer to reveal your stained lips and bold colour.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY LIP STAIN LAST LONGER?
Generally, a lip stain will start to fade after a few hours, but there are a few ways to improve its longevity.
- Moisturise and exfoliate beforehand: Stains absorb better into lips that are smooth, soft and don’t have flaky skin.
- Use a lip liner: Outlining your lips can prevent feathering which will help the stain keep in place and last longer.
- Don’t over apply: While you may think applying more will help it last longer, but this is not always the case. It can actually make absorbing take longer, which will make it wetter on your lips and easier to wipe off.
- Watch what you eat: If you use lip balms throughout the day or are eating oily food, it will make the stain wear off faster.
WHAT CAN I USE ON MY LIPS?
If a lip stain or tint doesn’t provide the look you’re after, there are plenty of other makeup options you can try.
- Lipstick: This is the classic lip makeup that typically come in a twist-up tube and are available in a huge selection of colours, textures and intensities. You can also buy liquid lipsticks that come with an applicator and dry easier for longer-lasting wear.
- Lip gloss: Lip glosses are translucent and add a distinct shine to your lips. Some come with slight colours and tints and can be formulated with plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
- Lip balm: These are hydrating and moisturising lip care products that are usually cheap and can be used everyday.
- Lip oil: A lip oil is the typically seen as the middle ground between a lip gloss and a lip balm. It provides the hydration the lips needs while giving off a luscious shine.
- Lip liner: Lip liners are used to outline the lips and prevent lipstick from bleeding.
- Lip mousse or cream: These have a whipped texture that create a matte or satin finish without feeling too thick and heavy or making your lips feel dry.
- Lip masque: Often applied overnight, a lip masque hydrates, moisturises and softens the skin on your lips to wake up and have them looking and feeling fresh.
More Coverage
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- ‘Really magic’: Popular cream with a secret hydrating ingredient
- ‘Fabulous’: The popular moisturiser that’s entirely natural
- ‘Foolproof’ foundation for ‘flawless’ skin
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