9 Lip and Cheek Tints For a Natural Flush of Color

Best Lip and Cheek Tints

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If you’re taking makeup way more seriously than you should, you’ve probably never used a lip and cheek tint before. It’s not really a thing for people who consider makeup a whole choreographed ritual. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve gotten lazy or I like that effortless French girl makeup look but I’ve been enjoying lip and cheek tints a lot lately.

They’re like makeup without labels where you can use any color on any part of the face without even needing a tool. But these formulas have gotten so good that you can even use them in a full glam routine! So you have no more excuses left! If you’ve never used one before, below are the best lip and cheek tints to try. But first, here’s why they deserve your attention!

What Is a Lip and Cheek Tint?

A lip and cheek tint is a multi-purpose makeup product that can be used on both the cheeks as blush and on the lips as lipstick. Lip and cheek tints can come in different forms such as balm, stick, or liquid. They work like a moisturizing cream blush and a hydrating tinted lip balm.

The most important benefit of a lip and cheek tint is that it’s so practical and convenient that you can quickly put together a whole look with one single product.

Additionally, lip and cheek tints look more natural than a typical blush. That’s why they’re perfect for natural makeup where you can’t tell where your bronzer ends and where your blush starts.

Lip and cheek tints blend in seamlessly with your makeup and they turn makeup into something more flexible and fun to play with.

Best Lip and Cheek Tints

1. Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain - Best Lip and Cheek Tint

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 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/6 ml
Good To Know: Scented

2. RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek

RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek - Best Lip and Cheek Tint

Duh! Who else does have a whole collection of multi-tasking and skin-caring staples made with organic botanicals? From corals and peaches to 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/4.82 gr
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

3. Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick

Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick

This looks incredibly flattering as a cream blush stick. And it’s just as good as a moisturizing lip balm. It’s made with avocado oil and mango butter, which makes it super moisturizing for the skin. It leaves the skin looking subtly radiant and dewy as if you’ve used highlighter.

The stick combines all your summer essentials together. The colors are buildable and offer a range of options to achieve a healthy, vibrant, and youthful look with only a few swipes.

Finish: Satin
Shades: 11
Size: 0.21 oz/6 gr
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

Related: Best Cream Highlighters

4. Tata Harper Cream Blush

Tata Harper Cream Blush - Best Lip and Cheek Tint

You can go ahead and stop feeling guilty about choosing makeup over skincare. Because this one right here is skincare disguised as soft makeup. The clean beauty must-have is anti-aging.

It’s infused with antioxidant-rich green tea, and vitamin E as well as moisturizing jojoba and olive oils. 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: 7
Size: 0.15 oz/4.5 gr
Good To Know: Natural, cruelty-free

5. Ilia Multi Stick

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/4.5 gr
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

6. Pixi Beauty On-the-Glow Blush

Pixi Beauty On-the-Glow Blush - Best Affordable Lip and Cheek Tint

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.

The finish is soft and radiant but the colors are 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/19 gr
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

7. Milani Supercharged Cheek + Lip Multistick

Milani Supercharged Cheek + Lip Multistick - Best Drugstore Lip and Cheek Tint

If you need something shimmery that won’t break the bank, this super affordable drugstore cheek and 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

8. Nars The Multiple

Nars The Multiple - Best Multi-Tasking Lip and Cheek Tint

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 and makeup.

Finish: Radiant
Shades: 5
Size: 0.50 oz/14 gr

9. Wander Beauty Double Date Lip and Cheek Tint

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. 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, vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free

So these are some of the best lip and cheek tints to try. Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain is my personal favorite because it stains the cheeks and lasts the longest. But if you haven’t found what you’re looking for here, below is what to look for in a lip and cheek tint.

How to Choose Lip and Cheek Tints

Choose the Right Formula

Lip and cheek tints come in stick form, balm, or liquid. Stick options tend to be more practical for keeping in your bag and using on the go without creating a mess. Also, they work better if you don’t wear a lot of base makeup and you can easily apply the stick by swiping it on the cheeks and lips. Balm formulations tend to be much more moisturizing. If you have dry skin or you’re shopping for something to use in winter, definitely go for balm formulations that come in a pot. And lastly, liquid ones tend to work like lip stains and are usually much longer lasting than the other options. So if color payoff is important for you, go for liquid options.

Look for Buildable Colors

Keep in mind that you’ll be using these on your cheeks. So you need to look for the desired shades and make sure the colors are buildable too. Instead of going for an overpowering color payoff, look for a lip and cheek tint with a buildable formula that allows you to layer the color depending on your desired intensity.

Keep Your Skin Type in Mind

Any cheek product has the potential to cause breakouts. So when choosing a lip and cheek tint, make sure it’s suitable for your skin type. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, go for lighter, liquid options and non-comedogenic options to avoid clogging pores. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a gentler, fragrance-free option. If you have dry skin, make sure to go for a very moisturizing formula so that it doesn’t look patchy or flaky on your cheeks.

How To Apply a Lip and Cheek Tint

I wanted to add here a quick guide on how to apply a lip and cheek tint because you may need some practice. Before diving in, know that while you can use a blush brush to apply lip and cheek tint, use your fingers for a more natural, blended look. If you’re wearing a full coverage foundation and don’t want your lip and cheek tint to move or separate your foundation, apply your blush using a Beautyblender to create a seamless look without moving your base makeup around.

Step 1: Apply the Tint Onto the Cheeks

Dab a small amount of your tint onto your finger or directly onto the apples of your cheeks. Remember to start slowly and only use small amounts so that you can build the color as you go.

Step 2: Blend

Tap and blend the tint onto your cheeks using your fingertips. Keep blending to blur out harsh edges using gentle circular motions or tapping motions.

Step 3: Apply the Tint Onto the Lips

You can apply the tint directly onto your lips much like lipstick. If you want more control over the color payoff, use your fingertips to apply the tint and gradually build the color.

Step 4: Build

If you want to intensify the colors, wait for your first layer to dry and repeat the same process to build more color. Alternatively, you can apply a powder blush on top of your cheek tint for a long-lasting makeup look.

Read Next: How To Get Rosy Cheeks Naturally

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