Staining is both an advantage and a drawback, so I think it ultimately comes down to the color and formula. It’s convenient that your lips still look flushed after eating, but if the color after staining is different from the color when you first apply it, or it settles heavily into lip lines or dry flakes, it can look patchier each time you touch it up. I’m especially careful to check the original color of tints that leave a fluorescent-looking pink stain.

On days when flakes are more noticeable, rather than layering water tints several times, it tends to clump less if you moisturize and smooth your lips, apply one thin layer, then gently press with a tissue. At night, you can reduce irritation by briefly holding a cotton pad soaked in lip and eye remover against your lips, then wiping it off without rubbing. Staining varies a lot by product, though, so I’ve found the most accurate way is to check how the color looks on your lips after some time, rather than just swatching it on your inner arm.

Since there’s already an existing poll, I’ll skip making a new one. Which do you consider more important: the convenience of a tint that lasts a long time, or one that wipes off cleanly?