Best Sheer Lip Stains of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

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Sheer lip stains are the perfect solution for those who want a subtle and natural-looking pop of color on their lips. These products are designed to provide a sheer and lightweight coverage that enhances the natural hue of your lips, without being too bold or overpowering. They are available in a wide range of shades, from soft pinks and corals to deeper reds and berries, so you can find the perfect color to suit your skin tone and personal style. Sheer lip stains are also long-lasting and easy to apply, making them a must-have in any makeup bag.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain Cover #TOP 1
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain
ftb score rating icon 9.8
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain in Berry Queen Cover #TOP 2
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain in Berry Queen
ftb score rating icon 9.7
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain Power Mauves Cover #TOP 3
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain Power Mauves
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Sheer Lip Stains

e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain

81682
Pinkies Up
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain Cover
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain, Long-Lasting, Lightweight Lip Stain For A Sheer Pop Of Color & Subtle Gloss Finish, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Pinkies Up

Your lips deserve the best, and the e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain is here to deliver. This lightweight lip stain offers long-lasting color that stays put, a healthy sheen, and comfortable wear. With its non-drying formula, it provides sheer color and a hint of shine in just one step. It's like a lip balm with more pigment and less boldness than a lipstick. The unique gloss-to-stain finish gives your lips a sheer pop of color and a subtle gloss effect. Plus, it won't transfer, so you can enjoy fresh-looking and feeling lips all day long. Choose from 8 gorgeous shades and let your lips shine. All e.l.f. products are made from skin-loving ingredients and are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and leaping bunny certified.

What We Like
Long-lasting color
Comfortable wear
Unique gloss-to-stain finish

e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain in Berry Queen

81686
Berry Queen
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain in Berry Queen Cover
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain, Long-Lasting, Lightweight Lip Stain For A Sheer Pop Of Color & Subtle Gloss Finish, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Berry Queen

The e.l.f. Lip Stain in Berry Queen is a sheer lip stain that offers long-lasting color, a subtle gloss effect, and comfortable wear. The non-drying formula provides more pigment than a lip balm but is less bold than a lipstick. It won't transfer, keeping your lips fresh. The unique gloss-to-stain finish gives you a sheer pop of color. Made with skin-loving ingredients, it's vegan, cruelty-free, and leaping bunny certified.

What We Like
Long-lasting color
Subtle gloss effect
Comfortable wear

e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain Power Mauves

81688
Power Mauves
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain Power Mauves Cover
e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain, Long-Lasting, Lightweight Lip Stain For A Sheer Pop Of Color & Subtle Gloss Finish, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Power Mauves

The e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain offers a lightweight and comfortable way to add a sheer pop of color to your lips. Its unique formula provides a healthy shine without feeling heavy or drying, perfect for those who want more pigment than a balm but less intensity than a lipstick. Thanks to its long-lasting, buildable formula, you won’t have to worry about frequent touch-ups, and it won’t easily transfer onto other surfaces. The gloss-to-stain finish gives your lips a subtle shine that looks fresh and natural. Plus, it’s made with skin-friendly ingredients and is vegan, cruelty-free, and certified by Leaping Bunny, making it a great choice for conscious users.

What We Like
Sheer color with shine
Long-lasting wear
Non-transfer formula
Gloss-to-stain finish
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 4

Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint

1277
Spritz - Coral
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint Cover
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint – Long-Lasting Sheer Lip + Cheek Stain with Firming Vegan Collagen + Hydrating Aloe – Transfer Proof, Buildable Lip Tint + Blush – Spritz (Coral), 0.17 oz

The Milk Makeup Jelly Tint is a versatile lip and cheek product that offers a lightweight, hydrating feel while providing a sheer, buildable color. Its innovative jelly formula glides on smoothly, making application quick and easy, without any mess. You can enjoy a refreshing burst of hydration thanks to ingredients like vegan collagen and aloe, which help your skin look healthy and vibrant. Plus, the tint dries quickly, allowing you to blend and build your desired color effortlessly, ensuring long-lasting wear throughout the day.

What We Like
Sheer, buildable color
Hydrating and refreshing
Quick and easy application
Long-lasting wear
#TOP 5

stila Calligraphy Lip Stain

SE08010001
Stacey
stila Calligraphy Lip Stain Cover
stila Calligraphy Lip Stain | Long-Lasting Tint, Moisturizing, Transfer-Proof, Lightweight, Sheer Buildable Color, Fades to a Natural Wash of Color | Stacey, 22 Fl. Oz.

The stila Calligraphy Lip Stain offers precise lip lining and full color coverage, making it easy for you to define your lips with accuracy or fill them in completely. Its lightweight, non-drying formula provides up to 8 hours of wear, so you can enjoy long-lasting color without the need for frequent touch-ups. The unique calligraphy-style pen applicator gives you control to apply the stain either with a fine tip for detailed lines or a flat edge for bold color. Plus, the formula is transfer-proof and smudge-resistant, ensuring your look stays fresh and neat all day.

What We Like
Precise lip lining
Long-lasting wear
Lightweight, non-drying formula
Transfer-proof and smudge-resistant
Dual-tip applicator
#TOP 6

MAYBELLINE Super Stay Teddy Lip Tint

0041554089141
CURRENT MOOD
MAYBELLINE Super Stay Teddy Lip Tint Cover
MAYBELLINE Super Stay Teddy Lip Tint, Long Lasting Matte Lipstick For Up To 12HR Wear, Current Mood, 1 Count

The MAYBELLINE Teddy Lip Tint offers a long-lasting lip color that stays put for up to 12 hours, so you don't have to worry about frequent touch-ups throughout your day. Its smooth, teddy-soft texture glides on easily, providing a comfortable, lightweight feel on your lips. The color is buildable, allowing you to customize your look from a sheer tint to a bold matte finish, which is perfect whether you want a natural or more dramatic style. Plus, this lip tint is smudgeproof, kissproof, and waterproof, making it ideal for everyday wear without the hassle of fading or smearing. With 10 versatile shades available, you can find the perfect tone for any occasion.

What We Like
Long-lasting wear
Lightweight, comfortable feel
Buildable color options
Smudgeproof and waterproof
Multiple shade choices
#TOP 7

THE BODY SHOP Sheer Touch Lip & Cheek Tint POWER

BS-16304001
Power Red
THE BODY SHOP Sheer Touch Lip & Cheek Tint POWER Cover
THE BODY SHOP Sheer Touch Lip & Cheek Tint, POWER

The Body Shop Sheer Touch Tint is a convenient dual-purpose product that adds a natural pop of color to both your lips and cheeks, making it easy to create a coordinated look without extra effort. Its vibrant berry shade allows you to build the color to your liking, whether you want a light flush or a bolder appearance. The lightweight, sheer formula blends smoothly, giving your skin a fresh, natural finish that feels comfortable all day. Plus, the tint is simple to apply—use your fingertips for cheeks or the applicator for lips, making quick touch-ups hassle-free wherever you go.

What We Like
Dual-purpose formula
Buildable vibrant color
Lightweight, natural finish
Easy application
#TOP 8

Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain Mini

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Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain Mini Cover
Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain Mini

The Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain Mini has a precise applicator that glides on easily and lasts all day, with a non-drying formula that feels lightweight and comfortable on lips. It's smudge-proof, buildable, and beautifully blushes lips and cheeks, providing a natural-looking sheer hint of tint or more vibrant color with multiple coats. It's perfect for all-day wear and lets you play all day.

What We Like
Long-lasting color that lasts all day
Non-drying formula that feels lightweight and comfortable on lips
Smudge-proof and buildable for a natural-looking or vibrant color
#TOP 9

SKINTIFIC Peptide Brightening Lip Serum Coral Rose

SKINTIFIC
Coral Rose
SKINTIFIC Peptide Brightening Lip Serum Coral Rose Cover
SKINTIFIC Peptide Brightening Lip Serum, Hydrating & Plumping Tinted Lip Gloss, Moisturizing Lip Balm with Polypeptides & Squalane for Glossy Sheer, Smooth Lips (02 Coral Rose)

The SKINTIFIC Hydrating Lip Serum is a great choice if you want soft, smooth lips all day. Its blend of hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and squalane deeply moisturizes dry lips, making it perfect for anyone dealing with chapping or dryness. You’ll love the sheer, natural tint that adds a subtle shine and enhances your natural lip color without being too bold. The lightweight, non-sticky formula glides on easily, so you can reapply throughout the day without any heaviness. Plus, with peptides and vitamin C, this serum helps brighten your lips and smooth fine lines over time, giving you a fuller, healthier-looking pout without irritation.

What We Like
Deep hydration
Natural tinted shine
Lightweight, non-sticky texture
Lip brightening and plumping

MAYBELLINE Super Stay Teddy Lip Tint

0041554089066
WILD AT HEART
MAYBELLINE Super Stay Teddy Lip Tint Cover
MAYBELLINE Super Stay Teddy Lip Tint, Long Lasting Matte Lipstick For Up To 12HR Wear, Wild At Heart, 1 Count

The MAYBELLINE Teddy Lip Tint is designed for long-lasting wear, delivering a soft tint that stays on for up to 12 hours. This innovative formula allows you to easily apply a color that won’t smudge, fade, or transfer, making it perfect for all-day use. With its buildable color options, you can achieve a sheer, blurred, or bold matte finish to match any look. Plus, it comes in ten shades, giving you the freedom to create various lip styles, from ombre to gradient. This vegan lip tint is not just for lips; you can even use it on your cheeks for a cohesive look.

What We Like
Long-lasting color
Lightweight comfortable feel
Natural, flattering shades
Easy smooth application
Does not dry lips
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our sheer lip stain research, we found 48 sheer lip stain products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 234,429 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sheer lip stains list. We found that most customers choose sheer lip stains with an average price of $12.16.

The sheer lip stains are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sheer lip stains, including e.l.f., Milk Makeup, stila, MAYBELLINE, The Body Shop. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.