How To Remove Lip Stain – 5 Effective Methods
Finding the perfect long-wearing, but comfortable, lip colour is an elusive task.
While lip products have advanced to have a long-lasting claim, there are many formulas to consider based on the look you want.
Liquid lipsticks are often the go-to choice for long-lasting, high-impact colour, but lip stains are also a good option for more subtle colours that last throughout the day.
Whether you like full-on colour or not, removing long-wearing lip products at the end of the day can be difficult.
Lip stains have the word “stain” in their name for a reason, so naturally, they will leave behind traces of colour even after you attempt to wipe them off.
Having a lip product that is meant to leave a wash of colour behind as it fades comes with its own need for the best removal method.
So, how do you remove lip stain?
There are five great methods for removing lip stain, including using makeup wipes, cleansing balms, lip scrubs, makeup removers, and micellar water. However, you’ll want to use these products properly to avoid damaging your lips.
Below are five removal methods that will fit into your beauty and skincare routine to ensure you won’t leave a trace of makeup behind.
From oils to exfoliators, these products work well for overall makeup removal, but are gentle enough to be used on the lip area specifically.
What Is A Lip Stain?
Lip stains are related to lipstick and liquid lipsticks.
They are meant to be long-wearing and leave behind a tint of colour on your lips.
Instead of a product sitting on top of your lips, however, lip stains are designed to adhere and absorb into your lips for hours of wear with a natural finish.
Lip stains are available in a variety of textures.
Traditional lip stains give the appearance of colour on your natural lip, while there are also versions that have a glossier finish.
Typically, the gloss will dissipate after a few hours of wear, leaving a stain of colour behind.
Ultimately, lip stains are designed to provide low-maintenance, soft washes of colour on your lips that require minimal to no touch-ups.
They are designed to absorb into your lips, providing a natural colour that is smudge- and transfer-proof, and will last throughout the day.
How To Prep Lip For Lip Stain
While lip stains will have their maximum staying power when applied to dry lips, ensuring your lips are prepped beforehand is a critical step when using any long-wearing product.
Since the product is meant to last for hours, you want to ensure your lips are well-hydrated.
It is also essential to make sure your lips are free of any dead skin cells so the colour can apply evenly and won’t cling to dry patches.
Starting with a lip exfoliator (we love this ultimate lip scrub from Sara Happ),if you find you struggle with chapped lips.
It will give your lips a clean, smooth slate to apply any lip product on top of.
As lip stains absorb the colour into the lips, giving yourself a fresh canvas will make sure the colour doesn’t appear patchy.
The lip exfoliator will also come in handy later, as we discuss removal methods.
If you decide to exfoliate your lips beforehand, the next step is to lock in that moisture so your lips don’t feel dehydrated throughout the day.
Please give yourself a nice coat of lip balm to moisturise at the start of your beauty routine and let it sink into your lips.
After your lip balm has been completely absorbed and the lips are free of product, you are ready to apply your lip stain and take on your day.
Lip stains can be applied directly to the lips, eliminating the need for additional lip products for a quick and easy application.
Adding a lip liner before applying will not only enhance your lip shape but will also help to extend the wear time of the stain.
Tapping the lip stain onto the centre of the lip with a finger and diffusing out towards the edges of the lip will give you a natural, wash of colour.
How To Remove Lip Stain
As with any makeup removal process, there are several ways you can achieve freshly clean skin.
Because the lip area is so delicate, it’s essential to be gentle when removing long-wearing products.
You want to avoid any harsh tugging or scrubbing, especially after they have been subjected to hours of wear from a lip product.
It is essential to ensure you have a makeup remover that is safe for the lip area.
For optimal results, it is best to opt for an alcohol-free formula, as you want to avoid drying out your lips.
Below are five of the easiest, quickest ways to remove your long-lasting lip stain.
1. Makeup Remover Wipes
Makeup remover wipes are great for quick, mess-free removal.
Not only do they work well on lip colour, but they are the perfect solution for a lazy, all-over makeup removal.
They are also perfect for switching lip colour midday without disturbing any of the other makeup on your face, or for cleaning up any mistakes made when applying.
Wrap the makeup remover wipe around your index finger and gently swipe the colour from the centre outwards, avoiding the surrounding area on your skin.
If you find that colour is still left behind, you can use a clean part of the wipe with some additional makeup remover for a more thorough cleanse.
2. Makeup Cleansing Balm
Makeup cleansing balms are a gentle and hydrating way to remove makeup, particularly for dry or sensitive skin.
Made up of hydrating oils and cleansing ingredients, cleansing balms melt into the skin to break down and remove makeup.
Cleansing balms do not require water and are best used when worked into dry skin and then gently wiped away to remove makeup while retaining the skin’s moisture.
Cleansing balms are perfect for rehabbing your lips after hours of wearing a stain.
It completely removes any traces of colour, but adds the hydration back to your lips that can disappear from frequent use of long-lasting stains or lipsticks.
You can wipe away the cleansing balm with a makeup remover towel for a swift and complete clean.
3. Lip Exfoliator Scrub
As mentioned earlier, lip scrubs are the perfect way to ensure a smooth canvas for your lip products.
However, lip scrubs also work exceptionally well with stubborn, hard-to-remove colours.
Additionally, since long-wearing lip products can be drying for your lips, the scrub will also help remove any dry patches that may have developed from a long day of wear.
Lip scrub exfoliators are created explicitly for the lips, so they are going to be gentler than your typical facial exfoliator.
It is essential to follow up with a hydrating lip balm afterwards, just as you would with your moisturiser after exfoliating your face.
A lip scrub and lip balm combo will help your lips look and feel soft and smooth.
4. Makeup Remover Oil
Similar to a cleansing balm, cleansing oil is ideal for dry skin.
It is created with a blend of hydrating oils to remove any traces of dirt, oil, or makeup while also providing moisture to your skin.
Applying a light amount of cleansing oil to dry lips will help break down the lip stain, removing any trace of colour thoroughly.
Makeup remover oils emulsify when mixed with water, effectively removing all makeup and leaving your skin feeling hydrated and smooth.
You can then follow up with your favourite face wash to deeply cleanse the skin.
Adding a bit of cleansing oil to the lip scrub is a great way to combine hydration, exfoliate dry patches, and remove lip product.
5. Micellar Water & Cloth
Using a makeup remover towel is a sustainable alternative to using makeup wipes.
Various brands manufacture these reusable towels in a range of sizes and shapes.
Some are designed to mimic the appearance of a cotton round.
While others are larger towels intended to replicate the function of a makeup wipe.
Because you can wash and reuse them multiple times, they are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Some makeup removal towels only need to be dampened with warm water to initiate the removal process.
While others work in conjunction with your liquid makeup remover.
Micellar water is a gentle cleansing solution that removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
Adding micellar water to a makeup-removing towel will thoroughly cleanse the lip of product, without drying out your lips or smearing product over your face.
Conclusion
Now that you have the best removal methods for your long-wearing lip stains, you can experiment with colours and textures to find the ones you like best.
Lip products are a fun way to switch up your everyday makeup routine by adding different pops of colour or keeping it natural and effortless.
Having a long-wearing product that doesn’t require reapplication for hours is excellent, and having a way to ensure it is entirely removed after a long day of wear is even better.
