Clarins Water Lip Stain: The Review & Swatches
Clarins Water Lip Stain, could it be the lip colour of your summer? I think so. Squeezing everything you’d want from a long-lasting lip tint into a smudge-proof, kiss-proof and transfer-proof stain that feels weightless on the lips, I have a feeling you’re going to want to find out more about Clarins’ newest launch…
What’s different about the Water Lip Stains?
The Water Lip Stains have all of the usual benefits you expect to see in a lip stain, but better. Their water-like texture stops colour transferring, so they’re perfect for holiday, if you’ve got a little one, or you’re just looking for a fuss-free option that feels like you’re wearing nothing.
These lip tints do more than colour your lips, they’re packed with conditioning benefits to counteract the dry lip look that we sometimes associate with lip stains. The combination of 77% water, organic aloe vera and raspberry pro-actively smooth, soften and moisturise, making the texture fresh and cooling on the lips. It’s not sticky or drying, and a little bit definitely goes a long way.
Another bonus of this skincare-infused lip tint is its Anti-Pollution complex, so you can expect your lips to be protected against any nasty aggressors (cigarette smoke, dehydration, etc) whilst you’re out and about too.
Finally, I have to mention their scent! These lip stains are definitely the best smelling and tasting lip product that I’ve EVER had the pleasure of using; picture a fresh red berry cocktail that you never want to end – they smell exactly like that!
How long does the Water Lip Stain Last?
I’ll be honest, it’s not an all-day tint, but depending how many cups of coffee you drink, you can expect these stains to last between 3-6 hours. If you don’t mind re-applying, they’re perfect for an instant colour boost to take you through to your lunch break.
Since testing these out, I’ve also discovered that they work perfectly as a ‘pre-lipstick primer’ to stop bleeding and patchiness of colour. I like to mix the stains with nude lipsticks for a muted shade, or pair with them with bold lip shades for a brighter, wilder look. If you already use the Joli Rouge Lipstick, the Instant Light Lip Oils, Lip Balm Perfector or the Natural Lip Perfector, the Water Lip Stains will be a nice way to enhance your look for summer.
How does the Water Lip Stains look on the lips?
I genuinely love how fresh these water stains look; teamed with a neutral bronze or cat eye for summer, they give your look that little bit of glamour it may have otherwise been missing.
They’re also more precise than you’d imagine. Their brush has been designed to hug your lips with its small, firm bristles. You can line your lips easily then fill in the colour without and smudges, as there’s nothing worse than a lip stain going outside of your lip line – talk about messy!
Sheer but buildable, their matte stain finish can be layered to create two different looks with only one colour, so for spontaneous desk to dance floor trips, it’s always handy to keep one of these in your back pocket.
A side note: The Water Lip Stains are only meant for your lips, so it’s not advised that you wear them on your cheeks.
See the Water Lip Stain swatches
From baby pink lip stains to bold berry tints, with only 4 shades in the collection, it’s easy to pick your perfect colour…
01 Rose Water
Looking for a fun pop of colour that’s not too daring, but can be if you need it to? 01 Rose Water is just the shade. Choose to apply one layer for a light flush of colour, or layer up your application to create the ultimate bubblegum lip – the choice is yours!
02 Orange Water
From the first swatch, you’d instantly think 02 Orange Water would quite bold on the lips, but it’s sheer finish blends with your lip colour to create a coral lip tint that gently warms your skin. Don’t get me wrong, you can easily achieve a tropical, tangerine hue – just apply two or three strokes instead of one, it creates the perfect colour for holiday season!
03 Red Water
03 Red Water is my favourite shade in the collection. When you apply one layer it creates a ‘your lips but better’ look, and when you amp it up and apply more, you get this stunning bright red shade that looks effortless – I call this multitasking beauty at its finest.
04 Violet Water
This vibrant raspberry tint is more versatile than you think; it looks incredible on fair or dark skinned beauties. For times when you need that certain je ne sais quoi to lift your look, you can always rely on 04 Violet Water to give you an instant glow up.
Discover More
• Discover the Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil swatches
• Find your perfect Clarins SOS Primer shade