6 lip stains that stand the test of time, according to reviews

Lip stains have come a long way since 1976 when Benefit Cosmetics first developed Benetint (usually $42, now on sale for $33.60 at The Iconic) for an exotic dancer who wanted to accentuate the rosy hue of her areolas while she was on stage. 

Ever since customers started figuring out they could paint their pouts (instead of their nipples) with the stuff, one of Benetint's five shades sells about every 13 seconds around the world. Even Rachel Zegler wore it in Disney's live action remake of Snow White — a far cry from it's origins in adult entertainment. 

These days, more modern iterations of the lip colour category have found their way to Australian shores by way of Asia, such as Korea's feather-light water tints, and the Sofia Richie-Grainge approved Sacheu Peel-Off Lip Liner ($23.71 from Revolve) — a Hong Kong export. 

And American cosmetic companies have introduced their own affordable alternatives to the market too. Like the viral NYX Professional Makeup Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain (usually $22.99, now on sale for $11.49 from Priceline) and Renee Rapp's favourite felt tip lip liner, Palladio's Lip Stain in 'Mocha' ($15.77 from iHerb), which ironically she swears is a perfect colour match for her areolas. 

While BEAUTYcrew's editors and REVIEWcrew Members can't claim to honour the genesis of the category with the same attention to detail as the pop star, we can put you on to the lip stains and lip tints that we love and believe are worth trying. Keep scrolling to peep our recommendations and reviews...

Fwee Pink Obsession Stay-Fit Lip Tint in ‘G02 Lavender Pink’

from $15.49 at Stylvana

"I’m not a huge fan of traditional lip stain formulas (I find they’re usually too drying for my tastes), but this water tint from K-Beauty brand Fwee ticks all the boxes for me. It has a ‘semi-glow’ finish that looks like a sheer lip oil, and feels just as hydrating, plus it’s feather-light and non-sticky. My favourite shade ‘Lavender Pink’ creates a popsicle pink ombre effect that I love, but sometimes I like to layer my favourite lip combination — Fwee’s 3D Voluming Gloss in ‘05 Move Currant 30%’ ($16.80 from W Cosmetics) and Isamaya Lip Liner in ‘Iberica’ ($42 from MECCA) — over the top too." — Briar Clark, BEAUTYcrew’s Beauty Editor

Key features:

Available in 20 semi-glow and semi-matte shades
Infused with chamomile flower and hyaluronic acid
Lightweight and longlasting formula
Easy to layer and never feels cakey
Natural, your lips but better colour

Available at:

usually $18.49, now on sale for $15.49 at Stylevana
$24 from W Cosmetics
$25 from Nudie Glow

Clarins Water Lip Stain Matte Kiss-Proof Lip Stain in ‘Red Water’

from $39.20 at Adore Beauty

"I like my lip stains to be matte in finish but moisturising in feel, which can sometimes feel like an impossible order, but this Clarins winner hits both briefs out of the park. I tend to reserve it for weekend wear when I have a more natural face, and whilst I usually beeline for any rosy pink colour, the ‘Red Water’ shade is my personal favourite. It gives a true ‘just had a Calippo’ popsicle lip, that you can build from subtle to statement-making as you see fit. It’s comfortable on the lips, doesn’t require balm beneath or over for hydration (impressive), and makes you look like your face has some life to it without calling for fussy or sticky lip combo steps." — Delaney Loane, BEAUTYcrew’s Editor

Key features:

Available in four shades
Infused with organic aloe vera, raspberry water and Clarins' Anti-Pollution Complex
Customisable colour
Lightweight, water texture
Matte finish
Can be layered from a subtle tint to a bold lip colour

Available at:

usually $49, now on sale for $39.20 at Adore Beauty
$49 from David Jones

Maybelline New York Superstay Teddy Tint

from $13.49 at Priceline 

"I love the Superstay Teddy Tint, a great range of flattering nude tints — my favourite. The thing I love best is that they stand out, they don’t smudge or bleed, and even after eating the colour doesn’t rub off. The staying power is amazing, and it also feels really light and comfortable to wear — it also doesn’t dry my lips out like some matte lipsticks can. It dries to a nice matte finish, glides over lips easily, and has a lovely light scent. It’s great value and I love the cute packaging, it’s easy just to throw in my handbag for touch-ups throughout the day. I love Maybelline New York products and this lip tint was a winner for me. I would recommend it and will be buying more colours." — Debbie P, REVIEWcrew Member

Key features:

Available in 14 shades
Blurred matte finish
12 hour wear
Lightweight comfortable wear
Infused with blurring powders and bouncy polymers

Available at:

usually $26.99, now on sale for $13.49 at Priceline
usually $26.99, now on sale for $13.49 at Chemist Warehouse
usually $26.99, now on sale for $16.19 at Adore Beauty

PeriPera Ink Mood Glowy Tint in ‘25 Hot Strawberry’

from $12.85 at Beauty Amora

"A few years ago when lip tints started taking off, I travelled to South Korea (not just for the lip tints!) and found myself in the wonderland that is Olive Young. Needless to say, after spending entirely too much money on K-beauty, I have consistently worn lip tints ever since, and have been through more than I can count! One that stands out though is the Ink Mood Glowy Tint from PeriPera. I use the shade ‘Hot Strawberry’ for a bold-but-not-too-intense wash of colour that lasts all day. The formulation is a water glow, so looks pouty and glossy on the lip, while also being ultra lightweight and long lasting. At only $16, it’s one that I repurchase time and time again, and has become one of my most worn lip colours." — Maddy Wilson, BEAUTYcrew’s Shopping Content Producer

Key features:

Available in 35 shades
Triple Layer Glow Mechanism enhances glow and plumpness
Fresh, glossy finish
Non-sticky texture
Layers easily without becoming cakey

Available at:

usually $16.39, now on sale for $12.85 at Beauty Amora
$16 from W Cosmetics
$16 from La Cosmetique

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in ‘Delight’

from $39 at Sephora

"I might have an ungodly amount of lip products on me at all times, but I’ve come to realise I actually have very few lip stains in my collection. But the one product that’ll always stay firmly in my collection is the lip-tinting oil from Rare Beauty. The stain starts with a glossy sheen that eventually dries down to a ‘your lips but better’ tinted texture. The best thing about it (aside the long-lasting colour, of course) is that it’s enriched with jojoba and sunflower seed oils meaning your lips will stay hydrated the entire time." — Emma Allcock, BEAUTYcrew’s Content Producer

Key features:

Available in eight shades
Gel-to-oil formula
Comfortable, non-sticky gloss texture
Smooths, hydrates and nourishes lips
Promises a fuller-looking pout

Available at:

$39 from Sephora

Dior Addict Lip Tint

from $64 at Adore Beauty

"The application was simple and easy, and it was easy to layer, as it never became thick, gloopy or caked on. My lips were left looking bright, pinky coral in colour... and I didn't need to re-apply except for once during that whole day. My lips did not feel tight, dry out or get flakey, and the beautiful coral colour works for any occasion, day or night." — Jordana T, REVIEWcrew Member

Key features:

Available in 12 shades
No-transfer formula
Semi-matte finish
Bare lip texture
Infused with cherry oil
Hydrates for up to 24 hours

Available at:

$64 from Adore Beauty
$65 from Sephora
$65 from MYER

Main image credit: @reneerapp

We've got more lip products in our makeup bags to talk about. Here, our editors reveal the best lip combinations for day and night.