Often overlooked, lip tints are the best of both worlds: deeply hydrating and providing a flush of color. Here’s everything you need to know about lip tints and how to best use them.
There is no shortage of lip options available when it comes to painting your pout. But one category often overlooked is lip tints. Foolproof, comfortable to wear, and universally flattering, lip tints deserve a place in your lip arsenal. But what is a lip tint and how do you use one? We discover the tricks of the trade below.
What Is A Lip Tint?
A lip tint adds a beautiful wash of color to the lips. While a lip stain leaves behind an unbudgeable hue, a lip tint is a more sheer, blendable formula that can be applied with less precision than a lipstick, but can impart as little as a wash of color or built up for a more opaque appearance. It’s also seamless to use because a lip tint is just a hint of color, so it doesn’t require a precise application method. Additionally, a lip tint usually has a moisturizing benefit, with ingredients that are designed to nourish and hydrate the delicate lip area; the trifecta of the best lip care routine for winter. Think of a lip tint as the best of both worlds: a super hydrating lip mask or balm, but with the added benefit of a flattering flush of color. The only downside? Lip tints are not long-lasting—and they’re not designed to be so. Just like a balm, you can continuously reapply throughout the day as needed (sans mirror).
How to Use a Lip Tint
While it might seem obvious how to apply a lip tint (they are foolproof, after all), there are a few insider tricks that make them more effective and flattering.
1. Exfoliate
Kinu Pure Silk Polishing Face Cloth
Gentle Exfoliating Cloth
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A step makeup artists never skip? Exfoliating the lips before applying any lip product, whether that’s a stain, lipstick, or lip tint. This helps to gently buff away any dry spots, flakes, or makeup debris. You can use a dedicated lip scrub to accomplish this. Another failsafe option is a damp washcloth, like our Kinu Exfoliating Silk Face Cloth, which was designed to delicately polish the face (even lips) for baby-soft skin. An added bonus of this step? It boosts blood circulation around the lips, temporarily increasing their fullness and imparting a natural flush to the lip color.
2. Hydrate
While lip tints are naturally hydrating, prime the lips first with a generous amount of lip balm or a lip mask. Follow this step directly after exfoliation, when lips are renewed and ready for a hefty dose of nourishment. This next part is entirely optional, but some experts prefer to wipe away the balm/mask after 5 to 10 minutes so the lip product can adhere to the lips better. This is vital for a lipstick or stain, but when it comes to a lip tint, you can simply swipe the tint directly atop the moisturizing treatment for an added hue of color. This second step is only effective if you layer on a moisturizing product that actually repairs lips. If you prefer a lip balm, which seals in moisture and protects lips, consider our beloved Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm. If you’d rather have a more restorative, hydrating, and plumping treatment, grab a lip mask, like our bestselling and cult-status Kissu Lip Mask.
3. Apply Your Lip Tint
Now that your lips are prepped, it’s time for your lip tint. Start at the middle of your bottom lip and apply the product directly from the applicator, filling in to the edges of the bottom and top lips. Since lip tints are so carefree, have fun with them! You can mix and match colors, apply as little or as much as you’d like, and wear with or without a lip liner. You can perfect the coverage with your fingers or a lip brush, there is no wrong way to apply your lip tint.
Best Lip Tint: The Kissu Lip Tint
Now that you know how to properly use a lip tint, let’s get to swiping on one of the best options. Look no further than Tatcha’s new Kissu Lip Tint, which hydrates, seals in moisture, protects from sun damage, and provides a flattering wash of color. Made with silk protein and botanical lanolin, this unscented formula keeps lips hydrated and nourished all day without pesky side effects, like stickiness or drying. And the lip tint features SPF 25 coverage to shield from damaging UVA and UVB rays, preventing photoaging. Available in three universally beautiful shades, The Kissu Lip Tint is unique in that the formula is customizable, building from sheer to medium coverage in just a few easy swipes.