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If you’re taking makeup way more seriously than you should, you’ve probably never used multi-tasking lip and cheek tints before. It’s not really a thing for people who consider makeup a whole choreographed ritual. Here’s exactly why you need one.
Have you ever been on a date where you didn’t bother to wear makeup but the guy turned out to be really cute? An hour into the date and you get a little tipsy and flirtatious from the red wine. With the higher body temperature, your cheeks flush a bit and you bite your lips. You head on to the bathroom and check yourself out in the mirror. And you actually like what you see!
The best lip and cheek tints give you the exact scenario! Well, minus the guy, obviously.
Because they don’t give you an overly-done makeup. With these tints, you can’t tell where your bronzer ends and your blush starts. They blend in and adapt to your skin. They turn makeup into something more flexible and fun to play with.
And needless to say, they look incredibly natural. Because with one shade to stain the lips and cheeks, nothing stands out like a sore thumb. And your bare skin or your makeup looks even and put together.
The Best Multi-Tasking Lip and Cheek Tints
Below are multi-tasking cheek and lip tints to fake that flirtatious flush of color.
1. Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain
The shade looks super pigmented, I know. And it’s intimidating and kind of makes you wonder how the hell would anyone look natural wearing this. However, the bottle is misleading. One gentle stroke of this liquid on your cheek and you’ll see that the pigments disappear into the skin. What’s left on the cheeks is a faint rosy flush of color that gives the illusion of a 30-minute workout. And for your lips, you don’t even need to apply it like you’d apply a gloss. Just swipe the brush on the lower lip and move it around with your fingers for an even more natural look. This is pretty unique in that most lip and cheek tints come in sticks but this is literally a liquid tint. And because of that, it looks gorgeous when you apply it with a damp sponge.
Finish: Natural
Shades: 5
Size: 0.2 oz
Good To Know: Contains fragrance but the scent is really faint
2. RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek
Duh! Who else does have a whole collection of multi-tasking and skin-caring staples made with organic botanicals? Corals, peaches, roses, and pinks… The shades are all incredibly flattering. They color up the complexion and give it a low-key dew in all the right places. The cream formula enriched with coconut oil is the ultimate moisturizing balm for the cheeks and the lips and is an absolute must-have for touchups.
Finish: Natural
Shades: 7
Size: 0.17 oz
Good To Know: Clean, cruelty-free
3. Too Faced Peach Bloom Color Blossoming Lip & Cheek Tint
The shades with this one are very subtle and soft. And the finish is like the one you get from very moisturizing lip balms with a barely-there sheen. The lip and cheek tint is like a gloss with the most natural-looking shimmer. The jelly-like consistency spreads out beautifully and has amazing replenishers like soybean oil and honey to care for your skin. All shades are lively, cheerful colors to freshen up the skin and make it look more youthful.
Finish: Glossy
Shades: 4
Size: 0.25 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
4. Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
These babies will tint your cheeks and lips alright. But the shimmer is so good that you’re not going to need a highlighter! Blush, lip balm, and highlighter; that’s your summer go-to’s right there! What’s more is the skincare benefits of antioxidant-rich avocado oil. The stick gives you a healthy, vibrant, and youthful look. The color is buildable and looks as good on the lips as it does on the cheeks.
Finish: Satin
Shades: 11
Size: 0.21 oz
Good To Know: Clean, vegan, cruelty-free
Related: The Best Cream Highlighters
5. E.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick
Cheeks and lips aside, this drugstore tint also colors up your eyes for a wholesome monochromatic look. It’s the best affordable cheek and lip tint that has a variety of shades to go with any skin tone. The shimmery finish completes your breathable summer makeup and also freshens up your bare skin.
Finish: Dewy
Shades: 7
Size: 0.155 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free
6. Tata Harper Vitamin-Infused Cream Blush
You can go ahead and stop feeling guilty about choosing makeup over skincare. Because this one right here is actually skincare disguised as soft makeup. The clean beauty must-have is actually anti-aging. It’s infused with botanical extracts -all organic, and vitamins. The lightweight natural tint keeps the cheeks and lips plump and hydrated. The soft creamy formula also deserves a place in your skincare fridge.
Finish: Satin
Shades: 6
Size: 0.15 oz
Good To Know: Clean, organic
7. Ilia Multi Stick
This stick lip & cheek tint leaves a gorgeous wash of color on the cheeks and looks amazing with and without foundation. The flattering shades blend so easily into the skin that you’re going to want to skip foundation and go makeup-free. Plus, it’s formulated with skin-caring avocado oil and shea butter. The fragrance-free tint is so beautifully subtle that it leaves people guessing if it’s makeup or just good skincare.
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 12
Size: 0.15 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
8. Pixi Beauty On-the-Glow Blush
Another budget-friendly option with playful shades is this stick. The moisturizing formula glides on the skin without wiping your foundation away. The stick tint melts into the skin and brings life to the cheeks and lips with one swipe. And the finish is soft and radiant but the colors are really pigmented. You might be intimidated by how big the stick is. But after you put the stick onto the cheeks, the heat quickly helps with the application to avoid creating streaks on the skin.
Finish: Natural
Shades: 3
Size: 0.6 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
9. Milani Supercharged Cheek + Lip Multistick
If you need something shimmery that won’t break the bank, this super affordable drugstore cheek & lip tint is going to be your new favorite! The balm stick applies super easily, gets even better with heat, and leaves a glistening wash of color on the skin. You can choose from light peach and pink to deep brown and berry to match your skin tone. What you see is what you get with these sticks because the shades end up looking exactly the way they look in the tube.
Finish: Natural
Shades: 8
Size: 0.17 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
10. Nars The Multiple
Containing the iconic Orgasm among the shades, this multi-stick with its gorgeous shimmery finish is everything! Just swipe the cream-to-powder formula on the cheeks for a lively pop of color. Or dab your finger on the stick to fake a post-workout flush all over. It also goes on amazingly well on the eyelids. Because of the creamy texture, it looks so much better than powder eyeshadows. It’s a multi-tasker and is all you need for that youthful glowing skin & makeup.
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 5
Size: 0.50 oz
11. 3CE Take A Layer Multi Pot
Get excited because this right here is the best Korean lip and cheek tint! The matte but never flat finish of these pots goes beautifully on your cheeks, eyes, and lips. The cute packaging has a mirror to let you cheer up your complexion comfortably. The shea butter enriched balm melts with heat and glides easily on the skin. Try the shade Cabbage Rose for a natural pinky blush and hydrated, plump lips.
Finish: Matte
Shades: 7
Size: 4.2 g
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
12. Wander Beauty Double Date Lip and Cheek Tint
This one is super practical in that it comes with a clear balm as well. Just in case your lips tend to get dry and chappy, you can use the balm to moisturize and prep them before applying the tint. And it’s not just for that; you can also use the balm as a subtle highlighter for the inner corners of the eyes, the brow bone, and the cheekbone. The tint is formulated with moisturizing botanical oils and has a creamy texture to it. There are two shades to choose from and both of them are great for just bringing a youthful wash of color to the cheeks and reviving the lips and lids.
Finish: Natural
Shades: 4
Size: 2×0.07 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
So these are some of the best lip and cheek tints that deliver. #1 on the list is my personal favorite because it stains and lasts the longest. I once applied a few drops on my cheeks and got interrupted during my makeup. So the cheek stain stayed on my face for a good 10 minutes. When I came back in front of the mirror, it was really difficult to blend it because the red drops did not budge! Now that’s something you want if you sweat a lot or wear face masks for long hours! But don’t wait that long to blend!
How To Apply a Lip & Cheek Tint
I wanted to add here a few tips on how to properly apply a lip & cheek tint because you may need some practice. First of all, know that these types of products look different when you first apply them and when you start building up the color.
You can use your fingers to apply your lip & cheek tint. Whether it’s liquid, cream, or stick, apply a small amount of the product onto your cheeks. Now you have a very bold color on your cheeks. If you start blending right away, you’ll get the least amount of color but you’ll be able to tone things down.
Because that’s how stains and tints work. They need a few seconds before they can actually tint the area. If you apply the product but give it about 10-20 seconds before blending it out, you’ll get a more pigmented application, which might make things difficult. And you may end up with harsh lines.
So it’s always better to apply, blend, and then reapply. This is especially important for your cheeks. You can also use a blush brush to blend the product. Because some products may actually stay on your fingers!
And if you feel like the product, especially the sticks, may move your foundation, keep it safe and stick with the brush. Also, you can apply your blush using a Beautyblender if you want a seamless look.
Lips are easier than cheeks. To apply the tint on your lips, you can follow the same steps. If you want something bold, apply it like lipstick and wait for it to dry. Then layer on top of it.
Read Next: How To Get Rosy Cheeks Naturally
