Lip Stain

If the thought of wearing a dark lipstick shade seems daunting, Urban Decay's Lip Envy ($17) is the training wheels of the vampy lip trend. Although the color appears inky in the bottle, this lip stain swipes on lips in a soft berry shade (think: raspberry, not blackberry). And the water-based color goes on sheer and matte, meaning you can build up to your desired depth. Packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and green tea to keep lips smooth and supple, the stain will stay on lips through hors d'oeuvres and midnight kisses. So stop being afraid, and take the dark lipstick trend on a test run. Next stop: oxblood.

Nobody would ever really be keen on the idea of putting blood or tears on our lips, so Rain Cosmetics is really lucky that its new lip stain, Blood ($12), and gloss, Tears ($12), are so superlatively great. Blood is a deep pink gel-based stain that's like a thicker, less-red Benetint. The lasting power is excellent when applied on the lips, but it works well on cheeks, too — even though it's not strictly for use as rouge. And thanks to the gel texture, the product spreads on wonderfully, allowing you plenty of time to blend away splotches.

Tears, the less eccentrically named of the two, is perfect if you're tired of supershiny, goopy gloss that makes you look like you just freshened up your makeup before eighth grade science class. Tears isn't sticky, the shine is so subtle that it almost looks more like balm, and it goes over stain or lipstick beautifully. So don't judge a gloss by its slightly creepy packaging; this stuff is much better than your average bodily fluid.

OnSugar blogger LesleyKat has been trying to make the best of the hot weather by testing some fun new products. "Lip stains are super hot for summer," she writes, "since they deliver color with minimal effort and don't melt under sunlight. I recently picked up a few New York Color Smooch Proof 16-Hour lip stains from the drugstore. Do they stack up?" To find out what the answer to her question was, just keep reading.

Lip stain is a clever concept that doesn't always live up to its potential. In theory, long-lasting color is a great idea. In practice, however, too many stains are drying, which highlights chapped lips like nobody's business. This is why I like makeup artist Christopher Drummond's creamy lip stain ($22.50). It deposits a pretty hue that (mostly) lasts through lunch, but ingredients like jojoba seed oil and beeswax keep lips conditioned. See what it looks like after the jump.

The problem with many lip stains is that they tend to feel or look dry on the lips, but with Revlon's new double-ended Lip Stain + Balm ($8 each) — not to be confused with the brand's Just Bitten Lip Stain from a few years back — these types of problems are less of an issue.

With 10 shades in the collection, ranging from a rich dusty rose to an intense red, the stains are a lot darker and bolder than what the outer packaging would have you believe. (I tried Beloved, which turned out to be a bright berry hue.) You can, however, easily adjust the intensity by layering on more product or thinning it out with the balm. So to see the pros and cons of this multitasker, just keep reading.

We're excited to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Allure!

I rarely wear lipstick, even at formal events, because the color usually spends more time on my wine glass than on my actual lips. Even long-wearing lipsticks have let me down—the color stays put, but I don't like that many of them leave my lips feeling as dry and scratchy as sandpaper. (I'm sensitive—what can I say?) Enter the new generation of lip stains that last long and keep your mouth moist. I gave several a go, to discover that these are the best.

To find out what made the cut, just keep reading.

Looking for a new lip color? Earlier this week, I asked you about your go-to lip shades, and you delivered. Whether you have warm undertones or your skin skews on the cool side, there's something here for everyone. From bold and bright to soft and versatile, here are five reader-approved lip shades. Get the details when you read more.

I love combination lip and cheek colors. There's no better way to get a natural, pretty flush, and that's why I was glad to see reader Medgrl726's smart, informative review of Stila Convertible Color ($25). (Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman is also a fan.) Medgrl725 tells us:

I'm almost out of my Stila Convertible Color, and felt compelled to talk up its mileage for all this time. The creamy color has rich pigment, so just a dab does the trick on cheeks and lips. I find that it lasts longer when I'm wearing a sweep of powder blush over it, but no powder can fake the beautiful, rich flush this cream produces. It has lasted me a while, so though the price is steep, it's worth it if you crave a high-quality cream blush.

Are you absolutely glowing from your latest blush experience? Or glowering from a not-so-pleasant one? Want to know what other people really think about that new lip and cheek stain you've been coveting? Just click your way to our Product Reviews pages. There are well over 50,000 products to review and hear about other users' experiences with, and members add new ones every day, so there's always more to learn and see.

Recently, I asked celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman for some of his back-to-school beauty tips, and he delivered, by providing ideas for changing up your bronzer to adapt from warm- to cool-weathered times. Now, he's sharing another back-to-school tip, whether you're hitting the books for the start of a new school year, or you're looking for some different approaches to makeup.

"Lip glazes make a big difference," he said. Not only do they add a deep stain of color, but they offer pigment-staying power with a touch of shine, perfect for long days at class or even at the office, when touch-up time is limited. Get his recommendations for the perfect popsicle-stained lips after the jump.