Party season! Dressing up and covering yourself in the anything and everything that shines is definitely something we look forward to, but definitely not the most because #FOOD. In December, every day is cheat day. We’ll still work in the work-outs, but you know, we’ll also not be watching out waistline. What we’re not so keen on, however, is the amount of lipstick stains we will be leaving on the countless cups and cutlery. Not the best gift to leave your hostess.

If you foresee plenty of eating and drinking, forget lipsticks, liquid or otherwise, and definitely forget the lip gloss. We’re suggesting lip stains instead. Aside from not having to discreetly wipe off your lipstick from your cup with your thumb – and any smudged bits that may have landed outside the confines of your lips, lip stains also stay on forever. Okay, well no, not forever. But as far as lip products go, lip stains are the “forever”. They give great colour payoff. What’s not to like?

There is a small downside – generally in the form of a liquid or gel, most lip stains dry pretty quickly because they contain alcohol. This also means that they are going to be on the drier side if you already have chapped lips, or in a climate that usually sucks all the moisture out of your skin. Alternatively, you can look for non-drying formulas, like this one from Smith & Cult that doesn’t contain alcohol. Not anything that cannot be solved with a layer of lip balm underneath or even on top of it after you’ve blotted your lips, though.

So, leave your bullet lipsticks and liquid matte lipsticks at home this event-filled month, because lip stains are the reason why we’re not excusing ourselves to the washroom every quarter-hour to check if our lips still look as fresh as when we walked in. Below, we list some of our favourite – and the best – lip stains we’ve ever used. Some of them aren’t technically labelled lip stains, but they leave behind a lasting tint on your lips nonetheless.

Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stain

Sephora Cream Lip Stain

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain

Etude House Dear Darling Water Gel Tint

Lancôme Matte Shaker Liquid Lipstick

NYX Professional Makeup Whipped Lip And Cheek Souffle

What To Read Next: What Really Goes Into A Flight Attendant’s Skincare Routine, We Asked 10 Women To Test Out Dior’s First Ever Liquid Lipstick and The Upper Lip Dilemma: Shave, Thread or Wax? | Cover Image: Natalyn Chan