Lip tint

Tints come as water- or gel-based liquids, oils, balms and jelly textures. Many use the same kind of dyes as a lip stain, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. In general, a tint is lighter and more sheer, and a stain lasts longer.

Because a tint is translucent, the final shade is always a mix of the product and the wearer’s own lips. That makes the listed hex a guide to the tint’s colour rather than a prediction of the result: on naturally deep-toned lips a pale pink tint may barely show, while on pale lips it reads close to its colour.

Tints are often used for a soft gradient look, with colour concentrated at the centre of the lips and blended outward, a variation of ombré lips. They can be layered for more intensity or topped with a gloss for shine. Their finish is usually natural or dewy rather than matte.