Frequently Asked Questions
How do you apply a lip liner stain?
According to New York City-based makeup artist Crystal Gossman, the way you apply a lip liner stain depends on its form. “If the applicator is a felt-tip pen, I draw it on and use a hydrating lip balm on top,” she says. On the contrary, if it’s a lip stain that you’re using as liner, she would use a lip brush to create a fine liner on the outer lip and then go in with her finger to pat the stain across the lips until the coverage is even and diffused.
How do lip liner stains stay so long?
Gossman explains that lip stains last longer because they’re mostly alcohol- or water-based rather than emollient-based. Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos adds that the key is pigment concentration: The more pigment a lip color contains, the more it can actually stain the lips. That’s why lip stains typically pack a higher pigment load than traditional lipsticks.
Are lip stains better than lip liner?
One isn’t inherently better than the other—it all depends on what you’re looking for in your lip product. “Both serve a purpose,” says Dresher. In fact, they actually play well together, and using both can be more beneficial than using just one or the other: “I personally love using a lip stain in the morning, and then sharpening the corners with a lip liner [or lip liner stain] and touching up throughout the day as needed with a lip liner,” Dresher adds. However, if you prefer more natural, subtle contouring, Dresher says a lip stain is the way to go rather than a sharp lip liner.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best lip liner stains, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
