Lip stains are in a moment of evolution. First came peel-off formulas and color-depositing lip oils; now the pendulum has swung to the lip stain marker. Leading their rise to prominence are recent debuts from Huda Beauty and Summer Fridays to Covergirl and NYX, all of which promise the precision of a classic liner with the staying power of a stain. A helpful benefit for those eager to ensure their lip combo lasts longer than it takes to finish a latte or get through happy hour.
However, according to pro makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, the longevity isn’t just marketing hype. Lip-staining markers genuinely outlast many traditional liners, which is why she reaches for them regularly in her own routine. “The beauty of these products is that they are an impactful liner but also work as a stain on the whole lip without feeling dry or tight,” Bhatty tells Vogue.
Vogue’s Favorite Lip Staining Liners
Precise application is also part of the appeal. Unlike peel-off and rub-off formulas, you simply sketch it on, just like you would a traditional pencil. “Lip stain markers give you a level of control,” Summer Fridays cofounders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland explain. “A marker lets you be intentional in exactly where you apply it. The pigment sinks in, so what you’re left with at hour six or seven is a beautiful, lived-in wash of color. It’s perfect whether you want to apply your lip in the morning and not think about it again, you’re eating and drinking and need it to last through an evening, or you just feel more confident with a bit of color.”
Still, despite the flurry of launches, lip markers remain surprisingly divisive among consumers. Case in point: here at Vogue HQ. While I’ve fully folded them into my daily routine—picking up a few application tricks along the way to keep them from looking like, well, actual markers when drawn on—beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden remains skeptical, albeit open to persuasion. The hesitation is understandable. These formulas come with two notable quirks: You have to blend them quickly before they dry down, otherwise you risk a sharply defined outline. Many also recommend storing the pens upside down so the felt tip doesn’t dry out.
Even the biggest lip stain marker skeptics might consider themselves converts with Kulfi’s latest launch—the indie brand is spearheading the the 2.0 version of a lip staining liner, one that’s superseded the marker tip and precious storage. Instead, it may look like just any creamy retractible liner, but it’s actually the first of its kind. “[With improper blending] markers can sometimes look patchy, while traditional stains can feel drying over time,” Kufli founder Priyanka Ganjoo says, emphasizing why her brand was determined to innovate with a creamy, cream-based formula. “It glides on without tugging and gives you time to define or blend before it sets. Then as it wears down, it leaves behind a soft stain that lasts for hours.”
That said, once you master the lip marker technique, the payoff is hard to beat. The key is simple: Trace along the lip line (or slightly above it, if you prefer) and use a Q-tip to soften any edges before the pigment sets. When I want the color payoff to read more subtle than defined contour, I take it a step forward and douse my Q-tip in just a bit of micellar water to soften the application from a defined line to a more natural, blurred finish. Cosigning the application method, Bhatty notes one key point—you may not see lip markers used as frequently in professional kits—not because artists don’t like them, but because felt tips are more difficult to sanitize between clients. For everyday wear, though, they’re remarkably effective.
So where will you lie on the spectrum of these viral lippies, a true believer or a skeptic? You’ll just have to swipe on our favorite formulas to find out. Below, a look at a few Vogue-approved favorites to consider.
NYX
Lip Lingerie Liner Stain
NYX’s super-skinny felt-tip applicator makes it easy to get precise with your lip liner. The ballpoint tip aims to hug the natural curvature of your lip for bleed-proof precision. Plus there are 12 shades to choose from—a number that also coincidentally matches the very affordable price point.
Summer Fridays
Flushed Lip Stain
Less of a harsh line and more of a flushed finish, Summer Friday’s lip stain is one to watch. “We didn’t want to create a product that felt at odds with everything we stand for,” Hewitt and Ireland said; it needed to feel easy to use and blend for a naturally defined look. “We wanted SoftLine to feel approachable for anyone—even if you’ve never used a lip liner before”
Outlast Lip Stain
Another drugstore lip marker option that’s been gaining popularity comes from CoverGirl. Best Replica price point aside, the shade range is excellent and was even recently expanded to feature true-to-skin tone shades of brown and nude, perfect for lip contouring and subtle overlining.
Palladio
Lip Stain Marker
My affinity for #BeautyTok led me to scroll to find Palladio’s lip stain marker three years ago. Ahead of its time (it initially launched in 2011), this pick seems to blend easier than most. A light swipe on my top and bottom lip, smudged with my ring finger, left the perfect blurred combo for a slightly more pillowy pout.
Kulfi
Lassi Lips Staining Lip Liner
Drum roll, please, for Kulfi’s innovative creamy staining lip liner. “Our community wants makeup that lasts, but they don’t want to feel like they’re wearing something heavy,” says Ganjoo. “It gives you six hours of defined color, and as it fades it leaves behind a soft stain that’s unique to you and can last up to 10 hours.”
Huda Beauty
Lip Contour Lip Stain
For a totally transfer-proof, pigmented liner stain, look no further than Huda Beauty’s option. My all time favorite, I wear some variation of my two favorite neutral shades (Toasty Brown or Soft Nude) almost daily. Just make sure to keep that cotton swap on hand for fast blending! The color payoff has lasted me through meals, drinks, and even a beach day.
Everything You Need To Know
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity makeup artists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to lip staining markers, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: applicator, shades, color payoff, ease of application, finish, and longevity. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Experts
- Kirin Bhatty is an LA-based celebrity makeup artist. Her roster includes Tessa Thompson, Freida Pinto, Kaya Scodelario, Kate Upton, Florence Welch, Jenny Slate, Rosario Dawson, and Zoe Kazan.
- Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland are the cofounders of Summer Fridays.
- Priyanka Ganjoo is the founder of Kulfi Beauty.
