Are Lip Stains The Perfect Alternative To Lipsticks?

Unlike traditional lipsticks which have an oil or waxy base, lip stains are typically water-based, which makes them last longer and prevents transfer. This gives them an automatic advantage over lipstick. They also get absorbed into the lips, whereas lipsticks are layered onto the lips. Eventually, the shiny coat of the lip stain will fade throughout the course of the day, but it will leave the color on the lips.

L'Oréal Associate Principal Chemist Roselin Rosario told Makeup that lip stains usually have a mattifying finish. "The actual stain will give you a matte finish because dyes and colorants in general do not impart shine," she explains. But, if you want a lip stain that leaves a shiny, glossy finish instead, those are readily available. The Elf Glossy Lip Stain is an excellent option that comes in eight shades.

With lip stains, you can go about your normal daily activities such as talking, eating and drinking, working, or even doing sports without worrying about your lips losing their color or touching them up. They last all day long, so it's safe to say that lip stains are an excellent alternative to lipstick.