Beauty editors are a discerning breed. Our expertise doesn't allow us to be easily swayed by internet hype. We give beauty products a meaningful seal of approval only after testing them out for ourselves and making sure they meet or exceed our strict criteria. Recently, I've tested everything from TikTok-viral blushes to an internet-famous blurring balm (and hundreds of products in between). However, I can't remember testing a product that was buzzier or more hyped-up than the one I tested most recently: peel-off lip stain.
These lip stains are all over the internet. I can't open TikTok or Instagram without seeing one. At first glance, they seem incredible. I mean, who wouldn't want a product that deposits all-day color without the need for a single touch-up? It sounds like something straight out of my lip-combo dreams. But that doesn't mean I was immediately convinced that they were worth the money. After all, I've been burned by TikTok Shop before. So, I decided to test three of the most viral lip stains and enlist the help of my fellow editors. Read our honest thoughts below.
Wonderskin
Wonderskin is one of the OG internet-viral lip stains. Don't fear the cobalt-blue formula. Once it dries down on the lips and you peel it off, it leaves behind the most beautiful and long-lasting color. You can choose between nude, sheer, and full-pigment shades.
How to Use: Apply the lip stain to the lips, let it sit for 60 seconds, spritz with the Wonderskin Activator Spray (you can buy this separately or as part of a kit with the lip stain), and peel.
Features: Transfer-proof, water-proof | Shades: 18 | Wear Time: 10 Hours
Kaitlyn McLintock, Beauty Editor
I had never used a peel-off lip stain before, so I proceeded cautiously with the shade XOXO, a light rose color. The initial cobalt-blue color didn't faze me. (I had done my research.) After spritzing the Activator Spray, I peeled it off all at once—I found this to be extremely satisfying. There were a few little blue bits left by the inner corners of my lips, so I used a tissue to remove them.
I LOVED the result. My lips had a subtle, rosy-pink color that looked stunning on its own and even better with a light layer of gloss. What's even better is that it lasted through hours of eating and drinking. (I'm a self-confessed coffee addict.) I only noticed it start to fade at the seven-hour mark. I can see this becoming a staple in my low-effort, high-impact daily makeup routine.
How Long It Lasted: 7 Hours | Shade Intensity: Medium | Rating: 5/5
Shop Kaitlyn's Shade:
Alyssa Brascia, Associate Beauty Editor
"Now, I’ll admit that I’ve used Wonderskin’s lip stain before (shade Charming is my cutesy pink go-to), but nothing stole my heart like this gorgeous neutral brown. Not too warm or cool, this hue is my new favorite for when I’m headed out for a night full of good food and drinks (or a day when I just really need my lips to survive without touch-ups). I use the applicator like a lip liner and like to sketch a rough, slightly overlined outline of my lips for a base that won’t budge, and I think this shade would work for lip contouring, too. Overall, I’ve loved how easily this glides on and sheers out or builds up where I need it to. It’s great for dinners and long days—I’ll definitely be utilizing this during wedding season—but I’m curious to see if it keeps its quality with time. My mom swore by her Lip Masque for a few months before it started to crack and develop spots of its odd purpley-blue shade on her lips, even after fully removing it." — Brascia
How Long It Lasted: 6–7 hours | Shade Intensity: Buildable | Rating: 4.75/5 (It may not be mature-lip friendly.)
Shop Alyssa's Shade:
Sacheu
If Wonderskin is the OG internet-viral lip stain, then I'll crown this one as the buzziest. I swear I see Sacheu's Peel Off Lip Liner Stay-N on my FYP at least once a day. It helps that Billie Eilish used it in a TikTok makeup tutorial.
Instead of a cobalt-blue formula, this one has a dark purple, inky-looking color upon application. But let it dry down, and you'll be left with defined lips. You can choose between 10 shades, ranging from nude to coral and red.
How to Use: Cleanse and exfoliate the lips, or, at the very least, remove product residue. Apply the lip stain, and leave it on for up to 20 minutes. After the formula has set, use your fingers to slowly peel it off.
Features: Transfer-proof, water-proof | Shades: 10 | Wear Time: Up to 12 Hours
Maya Thomas, Associate Beauty Editor
"Initially, I was nervous about using this product (I haven't had the best luck with lip stains in the past), but I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked! I started with a single, thin layer on my lips, which showed up against my deep skin tone but wasn't as pigmented as I wanted it to be. To get the look I desired, I went in with a second layer, let it dry longer, and got the stunning burnt-red shade! To finish off my look, I topped off the liner with Anfisa Skin's Ân-Gloss Gloss in Berry Crumble ($45)." — Thomas
How Long It Lasted: 4 hours | Shade Intensity: Medium | Rating: 3.5/5
Shop Maya's Shade:
Jamie Schneider, Senior Beauty Editor
"I had sky-high hopes for this Billie Eilish–endorsed lip stain, and I'm happy to report that it does live up to the hype! The dark-purple pigment looks a bit scary upon application, but trust me, it deposits the prettiest, most natural-looking tint post-peel. I like to slightly overline my Cupid's bow for a rounder, fuller effect, which tends to smudge rather quickly with regular liner (especially after eating or drinking), but Sacheu's stain allowed me to keep that flirty shape all day—no exaggeration.
"My only callout is that it can be difficult to peel off the entire strip of pigment in one go. I was left with tiny, purple flecks on drier areas of my lips, but they came right off with a dry cotton swab (which you can also use to blend any harsh lines). Just make sure your cotton swab is completely dry, or you'll risk wiping off the stain." — Schneider
How Long It Lasted: Over 8 hours | Shade Intensity: Strong | Rating: 5/5
Shop Jamie's Shade:
Cilrofelr
Last but not least, I've seen Cilrofelr lip stains pop up on my FYP. At first glance, these are extremely similar to the Sacheu in that they offer highly pigmented, opaque color. The only difference is that these boast a whopping 24 hours of wear time. However, they don't appear to offer any extra lip-benefitting ingredients.
How to Use: Cleanse the lips and remove product residue. Apply the lip stain, and leave it on for up to five minutes. After the formula has set, use the attached tweezers to peel it off.
Features: Transfer-proof, water-proof | Shades: Four | Wear Time: Up to 24 Hours
Sabrina Talbert, Assistant Beauty Editor
"This liner was definitely darker than what I expected, but it did a good job at staining my lips. It was super easy to apply and peel off. Plus, the pigment lasted all day. My only con is that this doesn’t work as well with lip oil, as it causes the formula to break down faster." — Talbert
How Long It Lasted: 8 hours | Shade Intensity: Strong | Rating: 3/5
Shop Sabrina's Shade:
Kaitlyn McLintock, Beauty Editor
The application process for this one was similar to the others. The inky liquid was easy to apply in precise strokes, which makes me think it would work really well as a long-lasting lip liner. However, I have thin lips that tend to bleed color quickly, and seeing as I didn't want to end up with a ring of color around my mouth, I filled the color in all over my lips.
The shade itself was really nice, but it was a tad too opaque for my taste. I tend to prefer a subtler, more neutral-toned lip color for daily wear. I also noticed that it wasn't as hydrating as the other lip stains. In fact, it highlighted my dryness and lip lines. While it was long-lasting (it lasted me all day), I don't think I'd come back to this one as quickly as I'd come back to the others.
How Long It Lasted: 8+ hours | Shade Intensity: Strong | Rating: 2/5
Shop Kaitlyn's Shade:
The Verdict
Overall, Wonderskin's Wonder Blading Lip Stain scored higher than Sacheu's Peel Off Lip Liner. However, it's worth noting that our editors thought the Wonderskin one was lighter and less opaque than the Sacheu one, so if you want the most highly pigmented color, we suggest going with the latter. Regardless of which one you pick, we're pleased to say that these are one of the rare internet-viral products that absolutely live up to the hype.
As for the Cilrofelr one, we didn't feel it lived up to the hype. The color wasn't as uniform as the other two, and the pigment was almost too intense. Still, it might be worth a try for seasoned lip-stain wearers.
8 More Editor-Approved Lip Tints
This stains the lips with the most beautiful, blotted color.
These French-girl lip stains are new summer staples.
This lip-and-cheek stain is a classic! You truly can't go wrong with choosing this one.
Don't sleep on Fenty Beauty's Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain. It delivers a juicy wash of long-lasting color set in a hydrating formula. This is one of my all-time favorites.
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil ($30) has gone viral multiple times, but this new product might eclipse it. The Hydrating Water Lip Stain gives the lips a splash of punchy color with a high-shine finish. It's perfect for my upcoming summer lip combos.
Ere Perez's natural, nontoxic lip-and-cheek stain uses beetroot as its pigment.
This drugstore lip stain is so good. I love the precise pen-like applicator.
Not only does Maybelline's Teddy Lip Tint come in the chicest shades, but it has a unique, plush texture that feels so comforting and lightweight on the lips.
This article was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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