We Tried Every Viral Lip Stain Launch—These 9 Came Out on Top, According to Our Before-And-Afters

ProsTakes less than a minute to setCosmo Holy Grail Award winnerConsCan be a bit drying, so throw your favorite lip oil or mask on topWhy we love it: Wonderskin's iconic blue lip stain may, at first, resemble Coral Blue No. 2 (anyone?), but don't fret; after leaving the product on for five minutes, you can gently wipe it off. What's left is a surprisingly natural stain that lasts alllll day long.One Cosmo editor says: "Wonderskin’s lip stain is basically lip blushing without the needle. Just apply, wait 30 seconds, then wipe it off with a damp cloth to reveal a long-lasting, transfer-proof tint. You can wear it alone or layer it with your favorite gloss, balm, or oil for extra shine and moisture. I was skeptical when I first saw the bright green formula on TikTok, but after one try, I was hooked—it goes on like any regular lip product, and the quick 30-second wait makes it perfect for on-the-go touchups."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITORProsOnce it dries, it doesn't cling to any dryness on my lipsComes in a fantastic range of shades, from neutrals to brightsHas a shiny, not sticky, finishConsHave to wipe a lot of product off the doefoot before applying to my lipsWhy we love it: MAC's Lustreglass Lip Tint is absolutely packed with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E-rich raspberry seed oil, antioxidants, squalene, and fatty acids. It's a super long-lasting and transfer-proof formula, crafted with the same high-quality care that you can expect from all MAC products. The packaging is also très chic and compact enough to fit in any makeup bag.One Cosmo editor says: “I fell in love with glossy lip stains when I went to Korea last fall, the mecca and originator of this category. But MAC’s new take on it is easily the best I’ve used. It goes on with a sheer, glossy finish that’s almost jelly-like and makes my lips look juicy and fresh. But once it dries, it leaves behind a soft tint that stays for hours without looking too matte or dry.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITORShades8FinishGlossy, until it dries down to a sheer, matte stainSize0.1 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsComes in a variety of sizesWorks on both cheeks and lipsConsNot the best option for lining the lipsWhy we love it: I know, I know. You're tired of seeing Benetint on these lists. But leaving it out would be like making a list of salad ingredients and not including lettuce. It's the lip stain blueprint, and for good reason. The classic sheer wash of color is stunning on both lips and cheeks and is ridiculously easy to apply.One Cosmo editor says: “You weren’t cool at my high school unless you had a Benetint in your pencil case. But honestly, we were onto something, because this lip stain still holds up nearly a decade after graduation. I just dab the OG Benetint shade onto my lips with the brush-tip applicator and top it with a gloss—it gives that natural, just-bitten tint that somehow makes my lips look a little warmer and fuller when I overline. One quick swipe and finger blend gives me the perfect sunkissed flush in seconds. Plus, it doubles as a cheek stain, dries down fast, and feels totally weightless, which is a lifesaver for hot days or sweaty nights."—BG Shades8FinishMatteSize.2 ozProsBlends out really nicelyExpansive shade rangeConsLess product comes in it than other options on this listWhy we love it: NYX's Lingerie Lip Liner Stain has the absolute greatest precision that lip stains can offer. With its sleek shape and conical brush, it's basically like using a fountain pen to line your lips. Once it sets, this stain is transfer-, smudge-, and waterproof, lasting all day long. And, if you prefer the look of a more blurred liner, just smudge with a finger immediately after applying to blend it out.One Cosmo editor says: "This will forever be a CRITICAL step in my lip routine! I love to apply a sheer stain to bring some life to my lips and follow it up with Lingerie (usually in shade Cuff Me) to define and (slightly) overline my cupid's bow and bottom lip. The combo is perfection, and, topped with a gloss, completely transforms my lips. I also use this stain to touch up any mistakes from applying other stains. It does it all!"—JAYNE LEMIRE, CONTRIBUTING WRITERFeatures at a GlanceShades12FinishMatteSize.03 fl oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsBudget-friendlyDoesn't require downtime to set on lipsConsApplicator could get a bit messyWhy we love it: E.l.f. has truly perfected the art of packaging with this product. While many other similarly sheer and watery lip stains exist, most have a fairly basic wide-neck opening. E.l.f.'s packaging, however, has a very narrow opening, which helps remove excess product from the brush and keeps it from becoming oversaturated and dripping everywhere. Additionally, one of the shades acts as a bronzing stain (the much-coveted and impossible-to-find Maple Latte), which is groundbreaking in itself!One Cosmo editor says: "While typical lip stains just impart a color on the lips, e.l.f. did the seemingly impossible and created a hydrating lip stain that also boasts a glassy finish. It goes on just like a typical lip gloss filled with hydration and shine, except the color lasts even longer than the sheen. I don't need to wear a hydrating lip product on top. I can just apply this and be good for hours! It's also infused with mango seed butter so it'll nourish the lips as you wear it."—JHFeatures at a GlanceShades10FinishGlossySize.1 fl oz.ProsApplicator is super precisePeels off so easilyConsTakes 15 minutes to setWhy we love it: When it's time to pull out the lip stain big guns, there's nothing but Sacheu. The infamous peel-off stain will last through pretty much anything and keeps its pigment all day long. There's also the bonus of the peel itself; in a sick way, it's really satisfying!One Cosmo editor says: “This lip stain is completely worthy of its viral status. The tip is precise yet flat, so you can either use it as a true lip liner or a full lip tint. Simply draw it on before you start your makeup, and by the time you're ready for your lip gloss, just peel it off and you'll have a long-lasting lip stain. After three meals and countless snacks, my lip color looks just as good as it did 12 hours prior when I use this stain. Since it's a tint, there's zero smudging, smearing, or feathering either."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITORShades10FinishMatteSize0.12 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsThere's a variety of intensity based on which shade you chooseGreat color and scent rangeConsCan sometimes turn more pink than expected (thanks to the pH technology)Why we love it: Urban Decay’s Lip Toy applies just like a glossy lip balm. Application is sooo simple and the formula is so smooth; the combination of superstar ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ceramides keep lip hydration at a 10. You can truly apply this on the go without a mirror and not have to worry about how precise your application is; it'll look gorg either way. Lip Toy comes in 7 shades, including two transparent lip stains. Each shade reacts to your pH and develops into a color that perfectly suits your tone.One Cosmo editor says: “UD's Lip Toy is so much fun!! The scents are fabulous (not sure how they did it, but "Popped Off" smells exactly like popcorn) and it stains beautifully! I especially love that some of their colors come in "high stain" while others come in "low stain." I am a natural makeup lover, so being able to choose the stain intensity while also getting major hydration is a win-win."—JLProsFormula blurs and smoothes my lipsA lot of cool-toned shade options, unlike many other picks I've testedWhy we love it: In a market full of staining oils and glosses, Kulfi took a totally different route and created a matte, blurring stain. While other matte stains certainly exist, Kulfi's squalene-infused formula is incredibly silky and transfer-proof and also has a very unique shade range. The shade 'Earl Grey', in particular, is basically beige and works beautifully for the cool-toned girls!One Cosmo editor says: "As much as I love a glossy formula, I'm often impatient after applying a lip product and want to be able to take a sip of water or a bite of food without making a mess of the stain. With Kulfi's Lassi Lips, I can apply the product and be pretty much ready to go immediately, thanks to its matte formula. It's also fun to be able to add one of my favorite lip balms on top to get the best of both worlds!"—JLShades6FinishMatteSize0.14 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsHas some of the best longevity of the lip liner stains we've testedNot too pigmented that it looks stark on your lipsConsMust be stored upside down to preserve the juiciness of the tip applicatorWhy we love it: "Flushed" is the perfect way to describe Summer Friday's lip stain. Buildable, long-lasting color combined with aloe vera gel and panthenol protect the lip barrier and lock in moisture, while simultaneously giving lips that just-bitten blush. What's not to love? And, just like with a craft marker, you can either create a precise line using the tip, or hold it at an angle to cover more surface area. One side of the tip is actually fluffier than the other, meant to help create a more diffused look.One Cosmo editor says: “I suck at meticulously lining my lips with a sharp pencil, but this felt-tip makes it so easy to get precise pigment without makeup artist-level skills. And it’s a true stain, so it actually lasts on your lips. It dries down quickly, is completely transfer-proof, and leaves behind bold definition.”—JHShades6FinishSheer, matteSize0.037 ozJayne Lemire is an executive assistant at Hearst Magazines. Prior to her work at Hearst, she was in book publishing and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in political science. When she's not at her desk, you'll likely find her spending hours in TJ Maxx without buying anything or creating her 400th Spotify playlist.Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.