The sky is blue. The grass is green. Southern women can’t live without lipstick. There are some universal truths. And if you’re a Southern woman who loves her lipstick, get ready for lip tints. Similar to lip stains but with more variety in texture, lip tints are going to be your new go-to. Whether you need a barely-there nude to last you 9-5 or a spunky red that will outlast the last call, recruit one of these lip tints. The best lip options have color that lasts as long as a stain but that also hydrates and nourishes your lips. From drugstore lip tints that cost less than $5 to luxury brand lip tints that are worth-it splurges, these are the best lip tints. Bonus: Many work double duty as cheek tints, too. When we find a product that does twice as much work for one small price, we can’t help but test it out. These lip tints bring out your natural features and give you a glowing, flushed look. For color that works overtime, these are the only way to go.
Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro
Buy It: $38; bloomingdales.com
We know—the price is hefty. But if you’re a daily lipstick wearer, it’s worth the cash. This isn’t just another liquid matte lipstick—its award-winning formula is made to keep you moisturized without cracking. Shade 400, The Red, is a best seller if you reach for red at the beauty counter.
Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain
Buy It: $9.49; walgreens.com
This product is less expensive than luxury brands, but it can hold up to the competition. The shade Honey, a universally flattering mauve (pictured), is one of the most popular. This stick gives lasting color without drying out.
Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain
Buy It: $36; sephora.com
This dreamy product goes on like a gloss but dries as a stain. If you want a long-wear lip product, this is the one for you. It stays, and stays, and stays. If you’re willing to splurge on products that work, this is a good place to start.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Gotta Glow Lip Tint
Buy It: $6; elfcosmetics.com
Of all the affordable beauty brands, e.l.f. Cosmetics is one of the most dependable. Their makeup and skin care is top quality, and it actually works. So it’s no surprise that this barely-there lip tint is a must-have. Try it in pink, berry, or peach and see how your skin reacts to create a personal shade that flatters your color. At that price, you can try all three colors without breaking the bank.
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain
Buy It: $30; benefitcosmetics.com
Benetint was Benefit Cosmetic’s first product decades ago, and it continues to be a best seller year after year. The rosy-hued shade gives a beautiful flush to cheeks, and you can control how bright you want your lips with number of coats. Benefit’s other cheek and lip stains, ChaChatint, Posietint, Lollitint, and the newest, GoGotint, are all fan favorites, too.
NYX Whipped Lip & Cheek Soufflé
Buy It: $6; amazon.com
Like its name implies, this tint is deliciously light and fluffy. The best part about this product is by far the creamy consistency that goes on smooth without ever feeling cakey. This budget-friendly beauty buy is great for on-the-go application.
Dior Addict Lip Tattoo
Buy It: $30; sephora.com
If the name is any indication, this stuff will last (and last, and last…). The colors, Natural Nude, Natural Rosewood, Natural Cherry, Natural Berry, and Natural Pink, have a good range for any taste, whether you want a pop of pink of a neutral everyday shade.
Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint
Buy It: $17.50; nordstrom.com
If you want a tint that moisturizes like a balm, get this version of Clinique’s famed Chubby Stick. The name fits it well, so if you’re looking for highly pigmented color, this isn’t the one for you. If you want a hint of color that will last and moisturize, here’s your product. Although some of the colors look super bright, they go on sheer and flattering.
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks
Buy It: $30; bobbibrowncosmetics.com
Bobbi Brown is the master of the natural makeup look, and the Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks has been a best seller for years. It’s light, creamy, and gives enough color (but not too much!). The colors are beautiful and bring out your natural beauty. If you’ve never tried it, girl, come on.
Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint
Buy It: $4.99; target.com
If you haven’t tried this all-natural brand yet, you’re going to love it. This product has the hydrating and moisturizing effects of a lip balm with a hint of color. This is a tint you’ll want to keep in your purse at all times, especially during dry winter months.
RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek
Buy It: $36; dermstore.com
This all-natural brand is the answer to your dry skin’s prayers. This balm will nourish your cheeks and lips, and its main ingredient, coconut oil, is a super hydrator. The demure colors enhance your natural features, and you can dial them up by applying more.
Becca Beach Lip and Blush Tint
Buy It: $25; sephora.com
This oil-free formula contains vitamin E to soothe your skin, and it’s water-resistance (per the name—it’s beach-proof). It’s great for a natural makeup, fresh-faced look, and it smells wonderful.
Wet ’n Wild MegaSlicks Balm Stain Moisturizing Lip Color
Buy It: $2.99; walgreens.com
Talk about bang for your buck! This affordable lip stain does its job. It tends to lean toward the “stain” aspect of its name more than the “balm,” so if you’re looking for a budget-friendly tint with staying power, this one’s for you. It’s not as moisturizing as a balm, though, so keep that in mind.
Tarte Lippie Lingerie Matte Lip Tint
Buy It: $24; dermstore.com
Like a barely-there nightie, Tarte’s lip tint isn’t heavy or caked on. It comes in eight nude hues that cover multiple skin tones, it’s rich in natural moisturizers, and it won’t budge. Reviewers can’t get enough of this creamy formula.
Milk Makeup Oil Lip Stain
Buy It: $18; urbanoutfitters.com
Goes on like a gloss, stays on like a stain. This all-natural formula is hydrating, nourishing, and stays shiny. With easy rollerball application, you can swipe this on any time of day, though you might not need to reapply.
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Lipcheek
Buy It: $35; nordstrom.com
It might look too-bright pink, but this glossy tint goes on sheer with a hint of pink for a freshly flushed look. The formula reacts to your skins pH, creating a shade that’s fit for you. If you want to look glowing (in a natural way), invest in this splurge—you won’t regret it. If you’re a fan of Guerlain perfumes, you’ll recognize the name of this product. As a bonus, this tint’s fragrance is inspired by La Petite Robe Noire.
