I Tried the Lip Stain That’s All Over TikTok—Does It Actually Work?

I love the idea of wearing lip products. A bold red lipstick, a shimmery lip gloss, a coat of moisturizing tinted lip balm—they instantly make you look more put together without requiring much added time to your makeup routine. But I 1) sip a lot of water throughout the day (via my at-home Stanley cup and my office Owala, ofc), and 2) hate reapplying. The second my lip product starts to fade or smear, I just wipe it off and forget I even tried to be that kind of person for the day. I’m convinced, for this reason, that lip stains were made for me.In lieu of carrying around a bunch of lip products all the time, a lip stain should, in theory, be the answer to all my prayers. To see if it really stood up to the test, I tried one of the most-hyped lip stains out there: Wonderskin's Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain.Anyone with a TikTok account has probably seen influencers wiping away the affordable-yet-terrifying blue metallic stain to reveal flawlessly pink (or brown, or red, or berry, or neutral) lips. Wonderskin claims the formula is smudge-proof, waterproof, and transfrer-proof. But does it actually work? I tried it out, so peep my full review below.About the Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip StainThe “Wonder Blading” name isn’t just a cute play on words. This formula actually uses what the brand calls “Ionic Blading Technology” to temporarily dye the top layer of the skin on your lips for long-lasting color. But there is a special technique involved. First, you layer on the formula all over your lips. Don’t be alarmed by the blue color; this will go away. After 60 seconds, you can wipe away the blue color with a wet tissue or paper towel. You’re left with a stain that Wonderskin claims lasts up to 10 hours, even through eating, drinking, and kissing. But we’ll be the judge of that...The application process I had mindlessly applied some lip balm about 30 minutes before I sat down to do my makeup, so I wiped off that residue before carefully painting on the Wonderskin lip stain in the shade Whimsical (it's a lovely rosy pink, although you can't tell just yet!). It tingled slightly upon application and felt more like a liquid lipstick than a thick mask.Btw, don't be afraid to layer up—my first few swipes were pretty sheer but I eventually discovered that it was better to dab on the mask little by little rather than making wide swipes across my mouth.Hannah OhAlthough everyone on TikTok tries to peel it off, the formula is actually meant to be lightly wiped away with a paper towel dipped in water. This should get rid of any remaining blue residue.The resultsHannah OhAnd wouldn't you know it—I'm OBSESSED with the subtle, I-woke-up-like-this results. The alien blue stain left behind the most gorgeous tint that makes my lips look healthier and more flushed. It's the pouty, just-bitten lip color I wish I naturally had—the same results I imagine lip blushing would give me, minus the scary needles and the high price tag.The Wonderskin lip stain is also a reeeeally great base for other products. I'm just wearing a touch of Aquaphor in the after photo, but a sheer lipstick or tinted gloss would look A+ over this natural stain.Shop all my favorite shades:More Cosmo editors’ reviews: Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor Jasmine Hyman for Cosmopolitan“I really love this stain when I know I have an event or long meal ahead of me (filled with multiple drinks, greasy food, lip gloss applications, and maybe some smooches) and it's somehow still perfectly intact by the end of my night. It pairs seamlessly with any lip oil/gloss/balm, so you can layer on your favorite hydrating formula without needing to rely on drying lipsticks for bold pigment. The only downside? You need a wet tissue or cloth to remove the purple layer, so be sure to do this before your makeup routine to avoid accidentally wiping away other products.”Beth Gillette, beauty editor"Now, Wonderskin is definitely better if you want to cover your entire lip. It's also available in a gazillion shades, which is def helpful if you want a wide range, like a red lip that won't budge. I just wish this one had a guide color since all of them apply purple/blue, and I really gotta look at the bottom to see what shade I'm putting on."SHOP THE WONDERSKIN LIP STAIN HEREThe final verdictI'll start with a con: I'm not gonna lie, after 12+ hours, the stain was a little crusty. There. I said it. The stain isn't inherently moisturizing, so I'd recommend wearing a lip balm or gloss on top. But to be fair, that's still wayyy better than solely relying on a mediocre lip oil that comes off every time I take a sip of my drink or a gooey lipstick that transfers onto everything I touch.And when it comes to the pros, where do I start?! The Wonderskin stain is easy to use, comes in a gorgeous range of colors, and this might seem like a given, but it really, truly stains your lips! You can rub 'em as hard as you want and it won't come off.Consider me a fan! Gtg, currently fighting the urge to stockpile this in every single color...SHOP THE WONDERSKIN LIP STAIN HEREWhy trust Cosmopolitan? Hannah Oh was the shopping editor at Cosmopolitan where she tested and reviewed hundreds of tech, beauty, lifestyle, home, and fashion products to give her honest reviews. For this story, she also consulted Cosmo’s beauty editor Beth Gillette, and assistant beauty editor, Jasmine Hyman.Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.