Luckily, more and more brands are getting onboard the lip tint train, with a huge variety of options now available in some seriously fun colors for brown skin. From sheer looks to heavier balms, we’ve consulted the experts to find the best of the best when it comes to lip tints and lip stains for deep skin tones. Grab some for yourself or sneak them under the Christmas tree for a loved one: either way, you’ll have a very happy holiday indeed.
Dior Addict Lip Tint, one of Ahuja’s favorites, contains cherry oil for a velvety finish. “This one has a more semi-matte appearance and long-lasting wear,” she says, adding that the 12-hour wear time makes it stand apart from other lip tints. While this formula is on the heavier side, it’s ideal for those who want a finish that’s more than a balm, but lighter than a lipstick.
The creamy, two-in-one Nu Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint from YSL offers hyaluronic acid and orange blossom as key ingredients, which soothe and minimize irritation. Ahuja is also a huge fan of the liquid applicator, which allows you to add as little or as much color as you want. “Multipurpose products are so much easier to stuff in your bag [when you’re] on the go,” she stresses.
Blushington’s Mahtani recommends the Nudestix Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm for its rich formula because it’s “buildable, long-lasting, and ideal for both daytime sheerness and full-coverage [looks],” she says. The crayon shape makes it very easy to apply, even for makeup newbies, while the plant oils (rapeseed, sunflower, cottonseed, and soybean) in the formula help with hydration.
Mahtani also uses PYT Beauty’s Friends With Benefits Lip Duo, which sports a creamy lipstick on one end and a nourishing lip gloss on the other, noting that the formula “enhances the natural pigment in the lip, letting the deep undertones in brown skin shine.” Her favorite shade is Rumor, a light, peachy color that’s an incredible mood booster.
A favorite of Allure contributor Nikhita Mahtani, the Chantecaille Lip Tint Hydrating Balm is a sheer, lightweight option perfect for daily wear. “It stays on forever and adds just the right amount of shine for when I want to look presentable for meetings, but don’t want to go too heavy on the matte finish,” she says. The Verbena shade is a light plum that highlights brown skin without washing it out.
