Pink Lip Stain & Tint

Lip stain provides a translucent wash of color that absorbs into the lips. It’s usually water-based, so it’s able to sink into the outer skin layers of your lips and may last several hours as a result. You can find lip stains that offer a matte finish, such as Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink liquid lipstick, and some that provide a shiny coating as well as a lip stain so that once the gloss effect wears off, the lip stain color remains. 

Lipstick is usually wax-based and provides an opaque layer of pigment on top of the lips. The pigment stays on the surface and isn’t absorbed into the skin like a lip stain.  

For the best light pink lip stain, look for a formula that’s easy to apply. Lip stains often come in a tube with a soft applicator or brush, or they may have a built-in spongy cushion that deposits the lip stain directly onto the lips, as is the case with Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tint. 

In addition to providing color, some lip stains include moisturizing and hydrating ingredients, such as oils and butters, to help your lips retain moisture. Hydration comes from ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate, as used in The Creme Shop Universtain Lip Tint, to help draw in moisture.  

Pink lip stains usually come packaged with an applicator. Apply your pink lip stain to bare lips so that the stain can permeate the top layers of the skin. Start in the center of your bottom lip, and draw the stain outward with the applicator until your entire lip is stained. Repeat for the upper lip. You may need to wait a few moments for the stain to dry unless your lip stain has a built-in gloss or satin top coat. You can add a lip balm on top of the lip stain for extra moisture. 

For a light pink lip tint, blot with a facial tissue. Or for a more dramatic effect, repeat the application to build the color.