I'll forever be a fan of full-coverage lipsticks, but like many of us at the height of the pandemic, I expanded my beauty routine to include a few swipes of the best lip stains as well. Like mastering an easy cat eye or swapping all-over foundation with a few well-placed dabs of concealer, a great lip stain makes enhancing your beauty look a breeze, since they can practically be applied with your eyes closed. Plus, you won't have to worry about them accidentally rubbing off, since their formulas stay put through food, drink, and more—some for up to 12 hours per wear.

YSL BEAUTY

Vinyl Cream Lip Stain

If you're typically a fan of wearing gloss, we recommend taking a closer look at this creamy, high shine lip stain from the experts at YSL Beauty. It uses a diamond-shaped applicator for expert-level precision, and is designed to last for up to 10 hours.

ETUDE HOUSE

Fixing Tint in Analog Rose

This K-Beauty favorite is available in up to 17 different shades, and has a soft matte finish that dries down in 60 seconds flat. And as an added bonus, you can round out your makeup go-tos with a set of three shades for under $30.

R.E.M. BEAUTY

Practically Permanent Lip Stain Marker

R.e.m Beauty's pigmented, non-drying stain won't bleed into the cracks of your lips, and its marker-style packaging makes it a breeze place color exactly where you like (plus, it's fun).

CLARINS

Water Lip Stain

This non-sticky lip stain combines the moisturizing power of a treatment with the pigmentation of a lipstick, with a water-based formula that lasts all day. "It applies like water then sinks into lips with a natural and long-wearing color," celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman tells BAZAAR.com. "It wears really well under a lip balm."

FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA

Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

Fenty Beauty's hydrating lip stain is a makeup staple that's ideal for anyone who reaches for balm on more than a regular basis. With sheer-to-medium coverage, a hydrating formula, and shiny finish (that eventually dries into a long-lasting stain), it's the gloss-lover's stain.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Tinted Love

When it comes to my makeup routine I like to keep things simple, which is why a great multi-use product is always key. This popular stain from Charlotte Tilbury dries down to a dreamy, satin-like finish, and can be dabbed on your lips and the high points of the cheeks for a fresh-faced look.

E.L.F. COSMETICS

Glossy Lip Stain

Nearly 1,900 Ulta customers consider this creamy lip stain from e.l.f. Cosmetics one of the very best, since its gel-to-stain formula is not only vegan, but also a steal at less than $10.

DIOR

Addict Lip Tint

Since Dior's sheer tint is designed to last for up to 12 hours and fuses to your lips like a literal tattoo, we highly recommend wearing its lightweight formula on date night.

SEPHORA COLLECTION

Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick

This transfer-proof stain is a massive hit among Sephora shoppers—over 11,000 to be exact. Not only does it come 74 different color options to complement every makeup look under the sun, but it also has a creamy formula that feels nearly weightless all day.

VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY
Bitten Lip Tint

Here's a sheer, buildable gel stain from Victoria Beckham Beauty to provide lips with a subtle flush of color. It uses hyaluronic acid and squalane to keep them plump while boosting their overall hydration.