The 10 Best Lip Tints for Effortless Color Without a Mirror
Maybe she woke up like that—or maybe it’s a lip tint.
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Once upon a time, we all had an affinity for matte liquid lipsticks. Full coverage, suffocating, and crackly by the end of the day, those formulas kept our lips dehydrated for years. The tide has shifted, and these days, when we opt for matte lipstick, the newer formulas maintain the hydration levels of our lips rather than sucking the life out of them. Moisturized, juicy pouts now dominate our feeds, whether it's a shiny lip gloss or a plumping peptide lip treatment. However, one of my favorite trending categories is the lip tint.
Our top picks for the best lip tints of 2024
Lip tints are almost the antithesis of matte liquid lipsticks. While they vary in formulation and finish—some are as thin as water, and others are a thick, comforting balm—they’re all meant to envelop your lips in a sheer coat of color. These are true my-lips-but-better products, and some may even trick a passerby into thinking that your lips are naturally tinted.
As a self-proclaimed lip tint connoisseur, I’ve tested too many of them to count. Only a select few have the privilege of gracing my lips, and I’m here to share them with you. You can rest assured that I’ve picked out the cream of the crop when building this list, and whichever one you choose, it’s definitely one of the 10 best lip tints on the market.
Pros
- Thin texture absorbs quickly
Cons
- Can apply unevenly to flaky lips
Reportedly one of Victoria Beckham’s favorite products, the Bitten Lip Tint from her eponymous beauty brand has amassed plenty of fans since its debut. The precise applicator allows you to deposit the sheer, gel-like formula exactly where you want it, and once it sets, it won’t disappear until you remove it completely at the end of the day.
Shades: 5
Size: 0.19 oz.
Victoria Beckham Beauty rating: 3.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Victoria Beckham makes the most beautiful products, and I’m not just talking about the exquisite packaging. Each formula and shade range feels intentional, and the Bitten Lip Tint has been on my to-try list since it launched. Because it’s watery yet gel-like, it feels comfortable on the lips, and I can barely feel it after the initial application. I like to apply a hefty layer, let it sit, and then wipe off the top layer for a subtle lip stain effect that lasts for hours. My go-to shade is Bisou, which gives my lips the sexy depth I crave.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
Pros
- Works for a wide range of skin tones
Cons
- Lips need to be hydrated before use
This thin formula sinks into the skin, tinting it with a transfer-proof color that promises to stay put for hours. The product has a nearly matte finish yet keeps your pout nourished, thanks to an infusion of cherry oil.
Shades: 5
Size: 0.2 oz.
Sephora rating: 3.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ll never say no to a Dior lip product, and I’ll wear this one when I don’t feel like reapplying for a while. Not only do I appreciate its longevity but also its versatility—a thin coat gives me a wash of color, and additional coats can replicate the appearance of a regular lipstick.” —Carol Lee
Pros
- Non-drying
Cons
- Must be built up for full coverage
When developing this tint, French makeup artist Violette was inspired by the way lips look right after you’ve been kissed. Usually, you’d have to blot your pout with a tissue after applying regular lipstick to replicate the look, but this soft balm recreates that vibe in just one swipe—no extra work required.
Shades: 6
Size: 0.08 oz.
Violette_FR rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Whether my lips are chapped or not, this balm smoothes them over and leaves an even layer of matte color even with flakes or dry spots. I don’t know how they did it, but they did. I appreciate that I can apply the product like a regular lipstick but end up with a blurred, softer effect without any extra work.” —Carol Lee
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip + Cheek Blush Stain
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Some reviewers found it drying
Benefit’s lip and cheek tints have experienced several rounds of intense popularity after its initial launch, and they went viral once again on TikTok earlier this year. It’s not hard to see why; the universally flattering shades give just the right amount of color to wake up your complexion and make you look like you’re naturally glowing, even when you’re not wearing a speck of highlighter.
Shades: 6
Size: 0.2 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Not all lip tints are lip stains, but the beloved Benetint is both, and I’ve never seen anyone look bad in it. It’s the perfect base for a lip combo, and even if your lip gloss and liner fade or wear off, the tint will still be there.” —Carol Lee
Pros
- Hydrating
- High-shine
Cons
- Some reviewers have received gritty formulas
It’s safe to say that Rhode’s peptide lip products kicked TikTok’s (and our) obsession with peptide lip treatments into high gear. The tinted version has the same plumping, fragrance-free formula as the original, but its secret weapon is its juicy, trendy color range, which has something for everyone.
Shades: 8
Size: 0.3 oz.
Rhode Skin rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I resisted trying this product for as long as it could because I wanted to resist the hype. But I was blown away by it once I finally got it onto my lips. Not only does it resist being too sticky, but it also makes my lips look plumper (without any stinging) and shines like a lip gloss but still feels lightweight. The colors also feel carefully curated, and I’ve never come across a shade of this tint that I haven’t liked.” —Carol Lee
Kosas Wet Stick Moisturizing Shiny Sheer Lipstick
Pros
- Solid, magnetic packaging
- Variety of shades
Cons
- Can fade quickly
Kosas recently added this sheer lipstick to its roster, and we’re grateful it did. The product features plenty of moisturizing and softening ingredients, including ceramides, mango butter, hyaluronic acid, and peptides.
Shades: 12
Size: 0.1 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve gotten multiple compliments while wearing this lipstick in the shade ‘Malibu.’ It’s one of those products I can reapply without a mirror, and it’s so hydrating that it doubles as my lip balm for the day.” —Carol Lee
Pros
- Beautiful shade range
Cons
- May not be suitable for very dry lips
This product is a true skin care-makeup hybrid. The formula comes in a variety of colors and contains peptides to plump lips, as well as shea butter and ceramides to keep them hydrated. Although it’s not a physical lip scrub, it also exfoliates lips with a combination of AHAs, PHAs, and salicylic acid.
Shades: 15
Size: 0.51 oz.
U Beauty rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “While I balked at the hefty price tag at first, I can now see why someone might shell out big bucks for this lip treatment. The entire experience is luxurious, from the soft packaging and cooling metal applicator to the instantly hydrating and smoothing formula. My lips have never been softer. If I could, I’d have this product in every single color.” —Carol Lee
Pros
- Pigmented
Cons
- Can feel thick on top of lips
Addiction Tokyo has been around for 15 years and has become a makeup artist's favorite. The lighter shades of the balmy product are perfect for every day, office-appropriate lips, while the darker ones shine on a night out.
Shades: 9
Size: 0.06 oz.
Addiction Tokyo rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I reach for this tint when I want to wear lipstick, but my lips are cracked and dry. The deeper shades provide nearly full pigmentation, and the nourishing formula soothes flakiness instead of accentuating it. It’s one of those products that live in my purse so that I’ll always have it if I need it.” —Carol Lee
Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm
Pros
- Deeply hydrating
Cons
- Some may dislike thick texture
Infused with hibiscus enzymes and lactic acid, this luxe lip tint gently lifts dead cells and flakes as it sits on top of the skin. Meanwhile, peptides and rich butters plump up the lips and nourish them, leaving them juicier than when you first applied the balm.
Shades: 5
Size: o.49 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This is one of my favorite discoveries of 2024. Once again, I love a metal applicator, and this one helps to evenly apply the formula onto the lips. Deeper shades can tend to look patchy on my skin tone, but the applicator completely eliminates that issue. I also have chronically dry lips, so the fact that it exfoliates and plumps simultaneously is a huge plus. Last but not least, the shade Boba Bounce is my perfect rich brown, and I just know that I’ll be wearing it all fall.” —Carol Lee
Merit Shade Slick Classics Tinted Lip Oil
Pros
- Non-sticky
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
This pick from Merit’s is fueled by three different plant-based oils: rosehip oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil. The ingredients work in tandem to drench lips in moisture and lock it in to ensure all-day hydration. Of course, there’s a clear option in the collection, but there are also plenty of ‘90s-inspired shades that are bona fide compliment magnets.
Shades: 7
Size: 0.23 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I rarely wear lip gloss, and the number one reason is that I hate stickiness in my lip products. However, this lip oil was one of the first glossy lip products I tried that I didn’t want to scrub off immediately. I adore the lightweight texture, and I don’t mind that I have to reapply it a little more often than a thicker, more tenacious lip gloss—I’m happy to make that trade for a more comfortable experience overall.” —Carol Lee
What’s the difference between lip tints and lip stains?
There are some products that can be considered both lip tints and lip stains. While both add a thin layer of color to your lips, you can generally wipe tints off with a napkin or makeup wipe, whereas lip stains actually sit on the skin a bit, making them last longer but also much harder to take off.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee tested dozens of lip products and combed through reviews for top-rated options, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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