Lip Stains

Posted on March 1st, 2009 / Filed under Beauty , For the Face:

I admit it. I’m a lip stain convert. After a few bad experiences with “long-wearing” products that didn’t do much but make my lips drier than the Sahara, I’ve been sticking to glosses and tinted balms. But I recently decided to give stains another try, and I was pleasantly surprised. Formulas are lighter, easier to apply and many of them wear very well. Don’t get me wrong: you still need a balm or moisturizing gloss, but stains are a great option if you’re going out for the evening (or day) and don’t want to keep touching up your lips.

How to ApplyLips

1) The key to a smooth application is a smooth surface. Dead, dry skin makes for patchiness and uneven color, so make sure you exfoliate your lips regularly. You can use a bit of your regular facial exfoliant a couple of times a week or a soft-bristled toothbrush. Apply a thick lip balm — or even just petroleum jelly — every night before bed to moisturize while you sleep.

2) Make sure your lips are clean and dry. Don’t apply any products beforehand, otherwise the stain won’t, well, stain.

3) If you’re using a wand-style lip stain, remove excess product by scraping the brush against the opening of the tube (the way you do with nail polish). You need to work quickly, since they tend to dry fast. Apply the stain lightly and evenly, following the natural shape of your lips. Wait a minute to let it “set.”

4) Apply lip balm and then top with clear or colored gloss. If I want a more subdued look for daytime or if I’m just in a hurry, I apply the stain and top it with Smith’s Rosebud Salve ($6, sephora.com), but any clear, glossy balm will do.

Suggested ProductsLips

BeneFit Benetint Pocket Pal ($18, sephora.com)
Bobbi Brown Matte Stain for Lips ($20, gloss.com)
Bourjois Lip Stain Pen ($15, sephora.com)
Hard Candy Stain & Shine ($15, hardcandy.com)
LORAC Sheer Wash ($17.50, beauty.com)
mark KissInk Lip Tintmarker ($6, meetmark.com)
Vincent Longo Lip & Cheek Gel Stain ($22.50, sephora.com)

Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid using your fingers to apply if you can, because you’ll end up with red or pink fingertips.
  • You can make your own stain by applying lip balm and then patting powder blush on top.
  • Minimize the number of products you need to carry around with you. Many lip stains now come as dual-ended tubes, with the stain on one end and a clear gloss on the other.
  • Don’t wear lipstick over stains, unless they’re of the sheer, glossy variety. Matte or dark-hued lipsticks will make the effect too garish and make your lips look (and probably feel) very dry.
  • Some stains go on very dark. Experiment with the right amounts the night before to make sure you get it right.
  • If you make a mistake, wet your mouth and remove the stain by exfoliating lightly (in circular motions) with a damp washcloth. It may not all come off, but it should tone it down enough. You can also try diffusing the color a bit by adding a light peach or pink gloss.
  • If you’re using a pen-style stain, make sure you close tightly after each use, to prevent it from drying out.