“Stain” Makeup Is the Key to a Long-Lasting Look Without Touch-Ups

Product Shot ImageWas this the first-ever lip stain? Well, no. But it was the initiator of this whole trend. I can’t scroll on a GRWM on Instagram or TikTok without seeing someone with this purple/blue mask all over their lips. And it really works. Just swipe this on, let it dry, then wipe it off with a damp washcloth. It’s the most long-lasting lip stain I’ve ever worn (it stays on my lips through eating and drinking every time).Inspired by Wonderskin’s iconic lip stain came this blush version. No, it won’t turn your cheeks blue, and no, there’s no need to wipe it off. Instead, this lightweight formula tints your cheeks for long-lasting coverage. And unlike most cheek tints and stains on the market, it has great pigment, acting as a true cream blush (just with way more longevity).Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWant to brighten up dark circles or reduce the look of redness for up to 12 hours? That’s the promise of One/Size’s Color Corrector Stain. It’s a creamy stick that delivers long wear in a mix of peachy and orange tones, plus a green shade for redness. Apply it on top of your primer, before foundation or concealer. The formula doesn’t mix with your base products, like many color correctors, which effectively increases its longevity. I will say it’s slightly drying, so if you have very dry under-eyes or skin, it might cling to patches. But I love the green for disguising breakouts for many hours.The first time I tried this, I didn’t realize it was a stain. So I globbed a bright-pink all over my lips before leaving the office. By the time I made it home, I peeked in the mirror and saw that my lips were hot pink. Whoops! Now that I know how to use it, though, I love this formula. It goes on like a lip oil. Glossy, wet, and super hydrating. But as it starts to dry down, as all lip oils will eventually, it leaves behind a fresh stain. Each shade is a bit different (in fact, they also all have a unique flavor too). I’m partial to the clear version in “Pop Off” which smells like buttered popcorn and gives my lips a popsicle effect.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowYou can’t talk about lip and cheek stains without Benetint, the original formula that was initially developed to tint the intimate areas of exotic dancers that’s often treated like the OG lip stain. It’s been my favorite since college. It offers a soft, natural, reddish shade that works really well on both my lips and cheeks. And now, it comes in this pocket-sized format that also comes with a juicy gloss for a full lip look in one.For a sheer tint of color with a glossy finish, the e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain makes lips feel hydrated without reducing wear time. Most glosses disappear in a few hours, but this one stays put for a while, leaving behind a soft color even after the shine starts to wear away.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowThere are a lot of lip liner stains on the market, many of which come in marker formats. But I really love this pick from Kulfi. The creamy pencil goes on like a traditional lip liner (a really moisturizing one, at that), but it has incredible longevity, leaving behind a soft stain that stays on my lips for hours. Many of the marker-style lip liner stains require a lot of precision, but this can be easily cleaned up with just my finger, leaving a lot of room for error. Once it’s on, it blends evenly and makes my lips look plump and smooth.The trick to a natural-looking contour? One that won’t fade away as the day goes on. The Contour Stain from Sacheu is modeled after the brand’s iconic lip liner stain, but I actually think this is the best product they sell. In application, it’s no different from many other cream contours I own. It has a doe-foot applicator that dispenses product, so I can quickly dot the contour exactly where I want it, then blend with either my fingers or a brush. But where this stands out is on the longevity front. This cream will stay on my skin for a full day, helping me truly fake chiseled cheekbones.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.