But how should you go about choosing a tint that will flatter your skin tone? “When you’re choosing a lip tint, start with your actual lip color. Your lips aren’t neutral. They’re usually pink, mauve, brown, or peach, sometimes with a cool or warm cast,” says celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno. “If your lips are naturally rosy or mauve, most rose and berry tones will melt in. If lips lean brown or grey, go for spiced rose, cocoa rose, brick, or warm berry so they don’t turn ashy,” Briceno says. “If they’re very pale, I would skip nudes and choose peach-rose, soft berry, or warm pink so they don’t disappear.”
Not sure where you land? Briceno says that the ‘teeth test’ is an easy way to determine if a shade will be flattering. Hold the tint or shade indicator up to your teeth. It should make them look whiter and brighter, not more yellow—that’s a clue that the shade you picked is too warm.
How to prep your lips for a lip tint
No matter how high-quality your product or technique, any lip tint will underperform if you’re not prepping your lips properly. “Exfoliating and hydrating lips well before application will enhance the overall performance and longevity of a lip tint,” says Brenda Orduno, professional makeup artist and senior product developer at Beauty Creations Cosmetics.
Briceno recommends cleaning your lips with a gentle, non-drying cleanser (his go-to is Purdori Natural Cleanser) to start. Next, he suggests applying a hydrating balm and letting it soak in for two to five minutes. Finally, “Blot using a tissue to remove the excess. You want soft, not slippery,” he says.
How to apply your lip tint, based on your desired look
Soft blurred lip stain
Use your lip stain as a base for ‘cloud lips,’ the blurred lip trend that celebrities can’t get enough of right now. Briceno says that that this application flattering and modern. Here’s how he says you can get the look using a one-step tint:
Step 1: Apply a dot of your tint in the center of the top and bottom lip.
Step 2: Tap the product outward toward your with your fingertip or a small, dense lip brush. As you reach your natural lip borders, keep the edges diffused, not sharp.
Step 3: Blot your lips once. Add a thin second layer of product only if needed.
Full outlined lip stain
We all have 2016 makeup trends on the brain lately: Here’s how to put your Kylie Lip Kit skills to use in 2026. If you’re looking for a bolder look (or want to make your lips appear fuller), follow Briceno’s advice below.
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