6 Best Vegan Lip Stains and Tints for Pristine Lips

They provide a long-lasting shade and blend with the natural color of your lips to give you a ‘woke up this way’ look all day long.

We’ve rounded up the best vegan lip stains and tints for you to check out, and be on your way to naturally gorgeous lips!

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Quick List of Top Picks

• Pacifica Beauty Color Quench Lip Tint
• BaeBlu Organic Cheek & Lip Tint
• Au Naturale su/Stain Lip Stain in Marsala
• Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass Lip and Cheek Stain
• French Girl Organics Aphrodesie Lip Tint
• INIKA Nourishing Organic Lip Tint and Lipstick

What are Lip Stains and Tints?

What are lip stains and tints, and how do they differ from regular lipstick? We dug more into this subject to give you the ‘skinny.’

People have been applying lip color to their lips since around 1923 with the invention of the twist-up lipstick.

However, unlike lipstick which is mostly a wax and oil base, lip stains are formulated with water and gel often using naturally-derived waxes and oils as emollients with a thinner consistency.

The major difference is the staying power of lip stains and tints. They are designed to provide lips with a hint of color which lasts hours, and gives you the weightless, ‘no makeup look.’

Since they are designed to literally stain your lips, the formula sets faster than lipstick pigment which usually will only ‘sit’ on your lips.

Finally, lip stains and tints typically offer more moisture than lipsticks which are infamous for drying out your pout.

Watch this video to see how lip stains compare to lipsticks:

Provided there are key differences from lipstick, there is a technique to learn for application of lip stains and tints.

In this video learn how to apply it like the pros:

Note, it is suggested you use lip balm and primer in the video, but with the products in our roundup, you don’t have to!

Finding Your Perfect Lip Stain or Tint Color

When it comes to choosing lip color, you have to consider a few factors such as your skin tone and undertone.

We’ve all seen how tacky or artificial the wrong color can look; so follow these tips to avoid this happening to you!

Beginning with your skin tone, and more importantly your undertone, determine if you are warm, cool, or neutral.

Need help figuring out your skin’s undertone? Watch this comprehensive video with lots of helpful information on the subject:

Cool skin tones look best with bold reds, orange shades, or pinks; these colors also look good on warm skin tones along with nude or coral shades.

Neutral tones can pull off many shades, but pay close attention, since sometimes it could look a little ‘off’ since neutral skin tones are a combination of cool and warm.

Deep reds, pinks, and bold reds may be a safe bet, but test it next to your skin.

Regarding hair color, if you notice a shade clashes with your hair color, it isn’t your hair, but the undertone which isn’t suitable for certain lip colors.

Surface skin color is also important since most people range from fair, light, medium (olive), or dark.

Finally, the size of your lips matters as well. If you have thin lips, avoid darker shades which can extenuate their thinness.

Things to Look for That Differentiate These Products

Overall, the lip stains and tints on our list are vegan, cruelty-free and contain only plant-derived ingredients and natural minerals.

As I mentioned earlier, the products are also moisturizing and long-lasting eliminating the need for balm or primer.

However, there are a few differences among the brands.

These include the color options available from each brand. Your perfect shade may be one of the options a brand offers, but perhaps not another brand!

Next, the ingredients vary depending on the product. Most contain emollients such as shea butter, but each use a different base ingredient.

There are a few which are also designed to work as a cream cheek color, and they also differ regarding flavor and scent.

We are sure you’ll find the one you can’t live without; no matter your needs and preferences!

6 Top Picks for Vegan Lip Stains and Tints

If you are looking for an all-natural lip stain or tint and maybe for your cheeks too, you are sure to find the perfect one for you here!

Pacifica Beauty Color Quench Lip Tint

Pacifica Beauty Color Quench Lip Tint gives your lips sheer color and lots of skin-loving moisturizers!

Formulated with a base of coconut oil, and other emollients such as avocado oil, they feed the skin on your lips with essential fatty acids and a protective layer to retain moisture.

Extra hydration comes from soothing cocoa seed butter, and the vitamin E and rosemary extract treat and heal.

The color is derived from minerals and the delicious flavors are all-natural!

Featured here is ‘Vanilla Hibiscus’ which is close to a mauve shade, while other options such as ‘Sugared Fig’ resembles pomegranate or a brownish shade called ‘Coconut Nectar.’

With such a variety, you are sure to find one perfect for your skin tone and complementary to your natural lip color.

This product is 100% vegan and cruelty-free! It is also free of undesirable ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, petroleum, and triclosan.

If you have allergies or sensitivities – you’re in luck! This lip tint is also gluten and peanut-free!

BaeBlu Organic Cheek & Lip Tint

BaeBlu’s organic 2-in-1 cheek and lip tint comes in a compact size, and could be the one must-have for your makeup bag or purse!

The formula is anti-inflammatory, gluten-free, and non-GMO – plus it is 90% organic. It’s also good for all skin types, is long-lasting, and completely all natural and non-toxic.

It is a cream blush and lip tint containing hydrating shea and cocoa butter to condition the skin and lips.

The four colors are made up of natural mineral pigments, and they are buildable; making it easy to create your desired look!

For application, using your fingers will ensure the product is evenly distributed, and will assist in melting the natural oils thereby making it more blendable.

For a medium shade on lips, apply directly in swiping motion, and for a sheer look, dab on your lips with a finger.

If you are looking for a dark shade on your cheeks, apply directly and blend with fingers.

A flushed look is achieved by applying to fingertips and blending, and if you are going for only a little bit of color, you can apply directly to apples of each cheek and then dab with fingertips.

Au Naturale su/Stain Lip Stain in Marsala

No products found.

Au Naturale su/Stain Lip Stain contains ethically sourced ingredients and is all-natural!

This lip stain uniquely nourishes with many beneficial ingredients while giving you so many color options to play up your lips!

The pigments are derived from the earth using safe minerals such as mica, iron oxides, and titanium dioxide.

Castor seed oil has the ability to inhibit bacteria growth and viruses, and acts as a protective barrier on the skin to retain moisture.

Jojoba seed oil naturally mimics skin’s own oil it produces; so it absorbs well and is beneficial to all skin types.

Finally, you’ll gain further moisture from the shea and cocoa butter which are also rich in antioxidants.

Palm oil is also high in antioxidants and vitamin E – critical in slowing skin’s aging process by fighting free radicals and restoring the natural oils of your skin.

In keeping with their ethical standards, the palm oil is ‘Palm Done Right’ oil, the pigments are ‘Eco Cert,’ and they are COPA compliant.

The color featured is ‘Marsala’ which is a deep mauve, and there are 9 other colors to choose from with varied undertones and shades.

Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass Lip and Cheek Stain

Elizabeth Mott’s lip and cheek stain – ‘Tints & Sass’ – is as sassy as their name suggests!

The cool, red color makes your lips pop and is a long-lasting formula which tastes like cherries!

I really like the spill-proof bottle so the only stain you get is on your lips and cheeks, and the consistency allows you to blend it before it dries.

Also, a little goes a long way; so you will enjoy using the same product for a while!

It has the ability to accent the shape of your lips so you don’t need to apply a lip liner first, which I personally appreciate given the limited time I have to apply makeup every day.

Apply with the applicator and then blend with your fingertips. If you desire more of a dramatic color, it is buildable – so layer it on!

A special ingredient in this lip and cheek tint is ‘Rosa Centifolia Flower Water,’ which is great for conditioning skin, contains antioxidants like vitamin C and it can also sooth and heal the skin.

Finally, this product is proudly cruelty-free; so no animals were used for testing.

French Girl Organics Aphrodesie Lip Tint

This lip tint by French Girl Organics is olive oil based and designed to moisturize your lips while giving them long-lasting color.

‘Le Lip Tint’ has a smooth texture with a glossy finish with no drag on the lips. This is created using organic waxes, butters, and oils.

Among these plant-based ingredients is coconut oil, which is inherently anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, moisturizing, and healing.

Jojoba oil and shea butter are also included to offer further hydrating, and vitamin E is one of the best vitamins for the skin since it plays a huge role in healing and protecting.

Rose hip and neem seed oils are two of the most incredible extracts you could use on your skin!

Rose hip oil is anti-aging, for lips specifically; it is used for soothing dry lips and evening out discoloration.

Neem seed oil has been used throughout history for its medicinal qualities, and will soothe and heal lips.

The formula is finished off with spearmint and peppermint oil – so it tastes great and could even give you fresh breath!

There are 8 wonderful colors to choose from, and the color featured is called ‘Aphrodesie.’

INIKA Nourishing Organic Lip Tint and Lipstick

INIKA organic lip tint and lipstick delivers beautiful sheer color and also acts as a great ‘chap stick’ on-the-go!

Combining plant-derived oils, waxes, and butters – along with mineral pigments – it’s everything your dry lips need!

This product is sunflower oil based, and uses candelilla wax, castor oil, and coconut oil to create a very emollient finish.

In fact, sunflower oil is high in vitamin E and rich in essential fatty acids which will help heal and protect chapped lips.

Plus, vitamin E is added to ensure your lips are protected and it will also assist in healing any chapped or cracked skin.

INIKA has included certified, organic peppermint oil to deliver a refreshing flavor to your lips as well!

All of the company’s products, including this one, are 100% naturally-derived, cruelty-free, and vegan.

Its compact size makes it easy to take with you everywhere and alone will give you a pretty hint of color; or you could use it over your favorite vegan lipstick for added moisture.

Top Choice for the Best Vegan Lip Stains & Tints

These lip tints and stains are all wonderful in their own right, and offer hydration as well as versatility if used on your cheeks too.

However, since I’m such a fan of products with the ability to treat your lips and skin, and give your lips long-lasting, enhancing color – the top choice from our list is French Girl Organics Aphrodesie Lip Tint!

I love the unique inclusion of beneficial ingredients like rosehip and neem seed oil, along with moisturizing shea butter and coconut and jojoba oils.

I also love minty products for my lips, and this one combines spearmint and peppermint oils for a fresh feeling!

The super emollient formula doesn’t drag on the lips and leaves a glossy finish – so pretty!

Overall, I’m very excited about this lip tint and the many different color options available so you too can find a perfect match!