If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the beauty aisle, trying to decide between buying lipstick, lip gloss, or lip stain, you’re far from alone. Though these different types of lip products are similar in some ways, their finishes, wear time, and color payoff can (and often do) vary. Ahead, we’ll break down the differences between lipstick vs. lip gloss vs. lip stain and offer tips on how to choose between the three depending on the effect you’re after.
What Is Lipstick?
Classic lipstick is a solid, wax-based lip product that comes in a tube. Though longevity and color payoff can vary from product to product, it’s generally relatively pigmented with medium to long wear time. Finishes can be glossy, satin, or matte, depending on the product you choose. Another popular variation is liquid lipstick, which is, as the name implies, is liquid rather than solid. Liquid lipstick tends to be extremely pigmented and offers longer wear time than traditional cream formulas—our Lip Lingerie Matte XXL Liquid Lipstick, for example, provides up to 16 hours of fade- and transfer-resistant wear.
Regardless of the formula you choose, lipstick is available in a wide array of shades, from classic hues like nudes and pinky-nudes to bold shades such as red, blue, or black. If you need help selecting the perfect shade, check out our article How To Pick The Best Lipstick Color for Your Skin Tone and Undertone.
Lipstick vs. lip stain and lip gloss
The primary difference between lipstick and lip gloss or lip stain is that lipstick can be solid or liquid, while stains and glosses are always liquid. But there are a few other differences, too:
- Pigmentation: In general, lipstick is the most pigmented option out of these three different types of lip products. Lip stains come in second place, while glosses, which are typically sheerer, offer the least amount of coverage.
- Finish: While lipsticks come in a variety of finishes from powdery matte to high-shine, lip stains are typically matte, and lip glosses offer a shiny, glassy finish.
- Formula: Lipstick—especially solid lipstick— is typically wax-based. By contrast, lip stains are usually water or gel-based, while lip glosses can have a water, oil, or gel base.
- Longevity: Lipstick generally has better staying power than lip gloss but less than lip stains, which are designed for ultra-long-lasting wear.
- Application: Depending on the formula, lipstick can be swiped on directly from the tube, or applied on with a lip brush. Glosses and stains, meanwhile, typically come with dedicated applicators.
What Is Lip Stain?
Lip stain is a liquid lip makeup product that “stains” the lips (hence the name). Typically, it adds a wash of color that can last for several hours without fading. Because lip stains are often water-based, they tend to feel incredibly light on the lips, making them a great pick for those who don’t love the feel of traditional lipsticks. While most lip stains dry down matte, some offer a shiny finish when first applied. Our Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain is one such example—and it leaves the lips feeling hydrated for up to 12 hours (we love a multi-tasker).
Lip stain vs. lipstick and lip gloss
Here’s how lip stains stack up against lipstick and gloss:
- Pigmentation: Color payoff is one of the primary differences between lip stain and lip gloss. Lip stains are typically much more pigmented than glosses, which tend to be on the sheerer side. However, the pigmentation of lip stains is generally less than that of solid or liquid lipsticks.
- Finish: Lip stains usually have a matte or natural finish, unlike the glossy finish of lip glosses and the variety offered by lipsticks. The Lip I.V. Lip Gloss Stain stands as an exception—the hybrid product applies with a high-shine finish but leaves behind a natural stained finish.
- Formula: Most lip stains are water or gel-based and tend to feel extremely light on the lips. Lip glosses often have a water or gel base, too, but they tend to have a thicker, more viscous texture than stains. Lipsticks, by contrast, are generally wax-based.
- Longevity: Lip stains win in terms of longevity, as the stain effect provides a wash of color for hours with minimal fading.
- Application: Some find that lip stains can be a bit trickier to apply evenly than lipsticks and lip glosses. However, this isn’t always the case—choosing the right formula and prepping your lips properly can help ensure a smooth, even application.
What Is Lip Gloss?
Lip gloss is a popular type of lip makeup product designed to give the lips a shiny, glassy finish. It can come tinted or untinted, and like lipsticks, tends to be available in a wide variety of colors to suit different occasions. Some, like the Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss, can also help give the lips a fuller, plumper appearance. If you’re interested in faking the appearance of a fuller pout, check out our article How To Choose The Right Lip Plumping Gloss for Your Skin Tone for help finding your perfect match.
Lip gloss vs. lipstick and lip stain
The key identifying characteristic of lip gloss is its shiny, glassy finish. But there are a few other ways in which it differs from lipstick and lip stain:
- Pigmentation: Generally speaking, lip glosses tend to offer less pigmentation than both lipsticks and lip glosses. Many are sheer or slightly tinted, though fuller-coverage lip glosses do exist, too. The classic Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss is one such example, and it’s available in dozens of shades, from soft nudes and pinks to shimmery metallic hues.
- Finish: Lip glosses are known for their glassy, reflective finish, unlike the matte finish of lip stains and the variety of finishes offered by lipsticks.
- Formula: Glosses can be water-based, gel-based, or oil-based—the latter is a great option for those with dry lips. To nourish your lips and score a shiny lip look, try the Fat Oil Lip Drip, a lip gloss-oil hybrid that offers up to 12 hours of non-sticky hydration.
- Longevity: Lip gloss usually needs to be reapplied throughout the day, as it does not last as long as lipsticks or lip stains.
- Application: Lip glosses typically come with their own applicator, so they’re very easy to apply (you may not even need a mirror). However, as mentioned, most lip glosses require touch-ups throughout the day to maintain their high-shine finish.
Lipstick vs. Lip Stain vs. Lip Gloss: Which To Choose
Choosing between lipstick, lip stain, and lip gloss ultimately depends on the occasion, your desired look, and comfort. For a formal event or a bold look, lipstick may be your best option, as it’s pigmented, versatile, and well-suited for a variety of occasions. If you prefer a long-lasting, natural look, consider swiping on a lip stain. Thanks to the longevity of these formulas, you likely won’t have to touch up your lip look too often. Finally, if you’re seeking a slick, shiny finish, lip gloss is your best bet. You can choose a clear or sheer option for a subtler look, or opt for a pigmented gloss for a bold wash of color and shine.
Next: Find inspiration for your next signature lip look in our article How To Get Bigger-Looking Lips With Makeup .
Which NYX Professional Makeup lippie is your fave? Let us know by sharing a pic on social and tagging us @nyxcosmetics
PRODUCTS USED
Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick
16H Full-Bodied Matte Liquid Lipstick
Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain
Hydrating gloss stain in sixteen shades
Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss
Plumping gloss with spicy ginger in 18 shades
Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss
Fan Fave Buttery Gloss
Fat Oil Lip Drip
Hydrating tinted lip oil gloss in 18 shades.
FAT OIL SLICK CLICK
Lightweight, buildable pigmented lip oil balm in click up packaging available in 20 shades.
