I'm All About Low-Maintenance Makeup—These Lip Stains Stay Put All Day, No Reapplication Needed

The first thing you need to know about this lip stain if you don't already is that it applies blue. Yes, you will look like Joey wearing blue lipstick from that episode of Friends. But trust me, it's worth the process. You apply a generous layer all over the lips and wait for it to dry for up to a minute before removing with a damp cloth to reveal your stain underneath.

When I initially reviewed the Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Peel Off Masque I was blown away at how well it worked, and this is by far the longest lasting lip stain I've tried on this list. I tried the shade Charming and it lasted me for hours, even through eating and drinking. However, I also tried Adore, a lighter pink, and I found the pigment wasn't quite as long-lasting, so I'd lean towards the darker shades if you're torn. The only thing I will say is that you have to make sure your lips are throughly exfoliated, as the pigment will cling to any dry patches. So it might not be for you if you have very dry lips or have any chapping right now. But otherwise, I think this is the best lip stain for the price, colour payoff and longevity.

There are many things I adore about these lip tints—they re one of my favourite Victoria Beckham Beauty makeup products. Bitten is definitely the key word here—these bestow a just-bitten flush to your lips that looks very Parisian. It comes in a gel formula that glides onto the lips and has a little slip for a short while as your first apply it. But as it dries you're left with a pretty stain that is totally weightless and transfer-proof.

The elongated applicator makes it really easy to get a precise application. Compared to other lip stains I've tried, these lean more on the subtle side and are more natural-looking compared to others on this list. That being said, if you want something to impart a hint of a tint and don't mind topping up a couple of times a day, these make for a luxurious lip stain option. Can we take a moment for the beautiful glass tiger's eye-inspired packaging too?

They were one of TikTok's most iconic beauty launches ,and I still stand by Milk Makeup's Cooling Water Jelly Tints if you want a lip stain that also doubles up as a blush. These come in a jelly, twist-up stick that imparts an instant stain wherever you apply it. I own Spritz, a coral hue and Chill, a more cool-toned bright pink and I reach for the popsicle hues every summer—they're so fun to apply.

The shades all lean very bright, so if you want something natural-looking scroll on. The cooling jelly texture makes them so much fun to apply and emulate the kind of tint you get after eating a fruity ice lolly. If you're using them on your cheeks, you'll want to blend them quickly as they dry fast. But for lips, they're great to throw in your bag for touch-ups.

These are all over my For You Page right now and I genuinely think they're worthy of the hype. They apply as a rich, glossy lacquer and as it fades you're left with a pigmented lip stain underneath. You can also leave it on for 10-20 minutes and remove if you want to skip straight to wearing the lip stain.

I tried both Hydra Honey (a rosy beige) and Blush Rush (a pink berry tone) and found that the deeper shades deliver more colour payoff and longevity than the lighter shades. I do love that they can be worn as a gloss that fades into a stain or removed for an instant stain, too. I found them to be really hydrating and moisturising. And at just £11, they're one of the more affordable lip stains on this list, and they're one of my favourites that I've tried.

If you're after more of a long-lasting lip liner, then look so further. Sacheu's Stayn Lip Liner delivers a lip liner stain thanks to the fine tip. You apply it in a thick layer to trace your lip line (or apply it all over) before peeling it away after it has set. This is a good one to try if you find most lip liners wear off too quickly and want something that will remain in place for longer. Some say that the lighter shades aren't as pigmented as they'd hope and they look less noticeable on darker lip colours, so go for a hue slightly darker than you'd usually go for you're unsure.

If you're someone who loves a subtle tint of colour, step this way. While these are technically a tinted lip balm, Dior's Addict Lip Glow formulas react with the pH of your lips to deliver a long-lasting tint of colour too that is bespoke to your lips. I love wearing these because the silky, balmy texture is so hydrating and nourishing, and long after it has worn away, I'm left with a subtle flush of colour on my lips. I own both the Berry and Coral shades and find the stain colour is very consistent across the different hues. Traditionally, lip stains can be drying so this is a great one to try if you want something that hydrates and tints at the same time.

This marker-pen style lip stain allows you to draw inside or outside the lines of your lips depending on the look you're going for. You can use it to outline, define and contour your lips or use it all over for a healthy flush of colour. The shades lean towards pink, wine and berry hues, so they might not be for you if you're wanting something more neutral. But they are so pretty and last really well on the lips without smudging or transferring. Like a marker pen, they can dry out if you don't store them with the nib facing down to help the ink travel up the nib.

A lip oil and a stain? Yep, Rare Beauty has done it. These glide on with a nourishing tinted oil formula that feels plumping and cushioning on the lips. Meanwhile, a subtle stain develops underneath, so as the oil wears away, you're left with a pretty hint of colour without any dryness. I found this formula really hydrating, and I love the watercolour-esque tint the stain left behind.

Kiko's lip marker is another great choice if you favour precision, and it has the option to use your lip stain as either a lip liner or an all-over wash of colour with 10 hours of wear. What's great about this one is that you can wear a sheer tint or layer up with a few coats for a bolder result. It can be a tad drying, so you want to make sure your lips are nice and hydrated before applying for a seamless finish. However, the portable design is perfect for throwing in your bag and topping up if you need to.

This is one of the original lip stains that is now nearly 50 years old but is still as good as ever. And more recently it has inspired newer shades in a whole spectrum of hues. The original, however, is a bright rosy crimson that delivers a sheer wash of colour to the lips and cheeks. It's quite watery in texture, which allows you layer up the intensity to your preferences. It also has the delicious scent of roses.

If you want all the benefits of a gloss with the long-lasting effects of a stain, then you really can't beat the E.l.f Glossy Lip Stain, which is the most affordable in this list. The gloss-to-stain formula bestows a mirror-like shine without any stickiness, while the stain gets to work underneath to last for hours. You can layer it up each time for a deeper hue or let the gloss wear off and enjoy a sheer flush of colour.

If you want something brighter with big pigment payoff, then let me point you to this one. The shades all lean towards bright pinks, purples and corals which are great if you want to make a statement. They apply in a hydrating glossy coat at first but soon dry down into a bright stain that will last for hours on end.

The nib on this lip liner is genius. Inspired by calligraphy pens, it has a thin tip that you can use to line and define the lips, while the flat side is perfectly designed for swiping the colour all over. They come in so many shades, so whether you're after a neutral or a statement hue, there is one for everyone. This lasts up to eight hours, so it will withstand long and busy days if you don't have time to top-up.

This is a universally flattering bright poppy red that imparts a healthy flush to the lips and your cheeks—kind of like the natural flush you'd get after a brisk walk in the cold. It's very sheer, so you can wear it as a soft stain or layer it up with a couple of coats more a brighter result. I wish Zara would bring out a couple of extra shades of this formula.

This felt-tip lip stain not only imparts lightweight pigment that stays transfer-proof, but the precision tips makes it great for contouring and lining your lips. Equally, it's just as good for filling in the entire lip area for a statement. From neutral tones to brights, the shades feel really considered, and there's a hue for every mood.