L'Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Matte Liquid Lipstick, Ultra-Matte Lip Stain, Up To 24 Hours of Colour, 115, I Am Worth It, 41 ml

Product Information

This lip stain’s doefoot features a unique hollowed-out design, which captures a lot of product — and if you’re not careful, this could result in a messy application, complete with feathering. We suggest wiping it down a bit before applying, as you can always add more. This is a true and traditional stain and works very well — almost too well, to the point that we struggled to remove it. It was no match for a makeup wipe and we’d recommend using a cleansing balm or oil to help you remove as much of it as possible. However, if you’re looking for something that seriously lasts, this Clarins formula is for you. For a different take on the purple lip trend, swipe on I Rebel. This popping purple shade will instantly become the center of your makeup look, just as it should be. SWATCH #9: I STAND This collection of neutral lip stains from K-Beauty brand Kaja can be used on cheeks and lips to create a realistic and flattering flush. If you’re a no-makeup-makeup kind of person, this product is a dream come true — we found that it built up nicely for a more saturated look, the color lasted all day, and the bottle even features a little decorative (and functional!) keychain that loops easily onto the handle or zipper of a bag for midday touch-ups or just to add a bit of flair and sparkle to your favorite accessory. This K-Beauty formula from Peripera is a cult favorite, and for good reason — it’s budget friendly, delivers a velvety matte finish, and comes in 30 shades, the largest color range on this list. Many are mauve-y neutrals, but there are still plenty of pinks, reds, and corals to choose from. It features a mousse-y texture that felt silky as we applied it to our lips. Because of its rich texture, we only needed to apply one coat.

There are really no rules when it comes to selecting a lip stain shade — it’s all about the mood you’re trying to evoke with your look. If you’re going natural, Thomas recommends seeking out a shade that is slightly more vibrant than your true lip color, which will give a bit of a flushed appearance. “If you are looking for something bold, go with a color that makes you happy or compliments your outfit,” she adds. Because the first coat went on very faint and sheer, we chose to apply several layers to get a bolder look. This heavier application meant we needed to wait about 10 minutes for our lips to dry, but even after blotting our lips (after which there was some transfer to our tissue), we didn’t have to apply more color. Once it had fully set, there was minimal transfer to our water cup — and we also found this formula to be quite water resistant, so we had to use several passes of the makeup remover wipe to get it off. Overall, we were thrilled by the results of this lip stain, especially for the price point. If you used lip stains in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, you probably associate this makeup category with severe dehydration. Happily, things have changed. “Lip stains have come a long way—we are seeing more hydrating formulas as well as stains that are so powerful that a swipe of gloss on top won’t cause them to move or disintegrate at all,” says Thomas. She recommends formulas that feature nourishing oils and known moisturizers, like Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain, which contains squalane to keep lips nourished. Wayne adds that products with plant-derived ingredients can also support lip hydration; try Clarins Water Lip Stain and Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush With Keychain, both of which contain fruit extracts like raspberry and lemon fruit. Be aware that this product is more like a lip cream, so it does take some time to set and your lips won’t feel fully dry until that initial layer has worn off. This propensity to transfer may make it more of a challenging formula to master for those who aren’t more experienced makeup wearers. It’s easy to use, but not unfussy; if you wouldn’t call yourself a makeup expert, we recommend carefully applying it, letting it sit on the lips for about five minutes to let the stain do its thing, then wiping off that cream formula so you can see the stain left behind.

SWATCH #2: I REPRESENT

Sometimes, you want a lip color that resembles your natural lips—but better! I Empower is exactly that kind of lip. The light, nearly nude hue will define your pout without taking attention away from the rest of your makeup look. SWATCH #6: I CREATE You’ll also need to stay hydrated. “If you are prone to having dry lips, increase the amount of water that you’re drinking throughout the day,” says Thomas. “Your lips are the first place to show signs of dehydration.” Because of this product’s fluid texture, it is more likely to automatically stain the inside part of the lip more heavily than the outer edge. This created a “just ate a popsicle” effect that we enjoyed, but weren’t expecting. However, if this is your go-to look when applying a lip stain, you’ll love how easy this pen makes that technique.

description":"Add a pop of colour to your cheeks – instantly brighten your complexion for every season with a hint of carefully applied blusher or bronzer. No matter your face shape, with the right techniques you can transform your features for a defined look. Before you apply your lip stain or tint, you’ll want to make sure your lips are soft and smooth for an even application. Use a lip scrub to buff away any flakes or rough texture on your lips. If you don’t have a lip scrub, use the corner of a damp towel or washcloth to lightly exfoliate your pout. The damp terry texture does an effective job of making your lips smooth without causing irritation. description":"Every season comes with its different challenges – dry winters, rainy springs, hot and baking summers and windy autumns. The question is, how do you find a makeup routine that works with you to combat the elements – regardless of climate – without leaving you with either that caked-on feeling or with half your makeup down your face by mid-day? What We Love: This lip stain offers the largest shade range we’ve ever seen in the category at a great price. We’ll admit that the product does come off, but that’s because of the unique formula — the creamy color stains the lip beneath it, so as the initial application wears off (which it will, as it is not water or transfer resistant), it will reveal the underlying, natural-looking pigment. It looks almost like permanent lip blushing in the best possible way.In case you haven’t heard, coral is one of the biggest trends for 2019—and that certainly holds true when it comes to lip color. We particularly adore coral shades, like this one, for summer. It’s easy to see why since with its orange base, I Achieve puts a sun-kissed twist on classic rouge. SWATCH #5: I EMPOWER These left strong, reddish stains behind (they didn't vary much, just warmer/cooler takes on red) after they wore off, which was around five to six hours overall. While the product’s name may be “tint,” it’s definitely a stain — it actually used to go by the name “tatouage” (tattoo in French). A favorite of Hart’s as well as our testers, this sophisticated formula offers saturated color in a thin, almost lotion-like formula that offers great control, spreading smoothly across the lip for flawless coverage. We got great color with three coats, though you could always apply less for a subtler look or more for bolder pigment. This lip tint (that doubles as a liquid blush) provides a sheer wash of dewy color that brings instant hydration to the lips and cheeks. In six shades like berry pink to warm orange, it gives an effortless, post-popsicle lip look that feels so comfortable and light, it’s easy to forget you have anything on. It was very similar to YSL's Glossy Stains, and I had similar issues applying some of the lighter shades in the YSL range as I did in this one. One of the issues was that the staining power of the formula itself really interfered with the lighter pigments, which resulted in an uneven look--like I applied a milky gloss over a lip stain.