Lip Tints vs Lip Gloss – Which is Better
The cosmetics industry is constantly evolving with new products being released every day. Lip coloring products are now more popular than ever. Gone are the days when lipstick was your only option for applying lip color.
And each type of lip product uses different formulas and finishes to add color to your lips.
Now in this article, we will compare lip tints and lip gloss, so you can easily choose which is better suited to be added to your makeup routine.
What are Lip Tints and Lip Glosses
Both lip tints and lip glosses are similar in that they are both used to enhance your lips by adding a different finish and color.
But the major difference is that they enhance the lips using different techniques.
Gloss uses its thick formula to add shine and a mild color to lips. While the tint adds a natural-looking and long-lasting color to boost lips.
Lip Tint
Lip tint is a type of lip coloring cosmetic, in the form of a liquid, gel, or mousse product that applies a sheer subtle color all over the lips. They are especially great at creating the gradient or ombre style of lip color.
Lip tints have a mostly sheer or matte finish but they last longer than most other lip coloring products.
The level of coverage though will generally vary with each type of tint. Lip tints are packaged in vessels similar to lip gloss and lip balms.
You can check out the links below to see the lip tints that I think are the best:
Pacifica Beauty Color Quench Natural Lip Tint
Or for some natural lip tint recipes consider –
DIY Beetroot Lip Stain, Tint & Lip Balm – Natural Recipes
Natural DIY Lip Stain with Food Coloring – Safe & Easy
How Lip Tint Looks
Lip Gloss
Lip glosses are very popular because they are easy to apply. They are used to give lips a glossy luster, and sometimes to add a subtle color. It is usually in the form of a fluid or a soft solid texture.
A Basic lip gloss simply adds shine to the lips without color. Whilst Colored lip gloss adds a combination of color and shine. Glittery lip gloss has a glitter base, with or without color.
Lip glosses are mostly packaged in a cylindrical tube with a wand applicator but some come in tubes with a mouth for easy application.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP offers a wide variety of long-lasting shades- Click here to see their line of Butter Gloss, Non-Sticky Lip Gloss.
Lip Tints or Lip Gloss- Which Is Better
Lip tints and Lip Glosses are both great products. But depending on your cosmetic need, one may be better suited for you based on your preference. Below are some comparisons that highlight the differences in both products.
| Lip Tint | Lip Gloss | |
| Colors | The colors in tints are sheer and natural-looking. But are more pigmented when compared to glosses. | Traditional Glosses added shine but no color. But recent formulas of lip glosses have a mild subtle color. |
| Shade range | Tints have a greater variety of shades compared to glosses. | Glosses have options when it comes to shade range. But the options are limited to clear, pinks, reds, and browns. |
| Ingredients | Traditional lip tints were drying to the lips but recent formulas have improved to be more hydrating. | Lip glosses are made from a mixture of waxes, oils, and pigments. These ingredients are very hydrating to the lips. |
| Finishes | Lip tints have a sheer, matte, or natural finish. | Glosses have a glittery, glossy, or metallic finish. |
| Longevity | Tints last a longer time than glosses. On average a tint will last for 3-4 hours before it needs reapplication. | Glosses don’t last long on the lips and need reapplication often. |
| Coverage | Tints while sheer have greater coverage than most glosses. Plus the color is usually buildable. | Lip glosses give a shiny translucent coverage with mild colors. |
| Appearance on lips | Lip tints give the lips a smoother appearance. | Lip glosses make the lips look bigger by hydrating them. |
| Formula Texture | The formula of most Lip tints are runny but it feels light once applied to the lips. | Lip glosses have formulas that are thick, sticky, and feel heavy on the lips. |
| Smudge | Lip tints don’t smudge as easily as glosses. | Because of their texture glosses are easy to smudge. |
| Gradient Effect | Lip tints work well to create the gradient effect. | It is difficult to use a lip gloss to layer color on the lips. |
| Ease of application | Tints need to be applied carefully since some formulas can be runny. | Glosses are easier to apply to the lips as they have a thicker formula. |
| Ease of Transfer | Lip tints dry quickly so they won’t transfer as easily as glosses | Lip glosses remain tacky on the lips so they transfer easily. |
Differences in the way Lip tints & Lip Glosses Work
Both Lip tints and Lip Glosses work very differently because they are made using different formulas and are used for different styles of lip makeup.
Lip tints work using a water- based formula mixed with pigments. Once the tint is applied to the lips, the watery base evaporates leaving behind the pigment which stains the outer layer of the lips.
In tints, the water in the formula is what makes the pigment easily absorbed by the skin. When the water in the tint dissipates, the pigment remains and “tints” or “stains” the lips.
Some lip tints have a peel off formula that once applied and dried, it can be peeled off. The formula leaves behind the pigment on the lips even though it has been removed.
Whereas, Lip Glosses are made using a formula containing a mixture of waxes, oils, and pigments. Now once the gloss is applied to the lips, it covers the top layer of the lips.
With the gloss being the new surface, your lip changes to the glosses’ color and glossy shiny gel-like texture.
Related article – Click here to read the differences between Lip Tints and Lipsticks.
Effects of Lip Tints & Lip Gloss on your Lips
Effect of Lip Tints
Once a Lip tint is applied to the lips, it adds a flush of translucent color. This color is very natural looking since it has a matte finish. Even if the tint residue is wiped off, the pigment still remains on the lips.
However, some tints can have a very drying effect. If your lips are already dried or cracked make sure to moisturize them with a lip balm before applying the tint.
If your lips are hydrated, lip tints tend to have a smoothing effect on them because they penetrate into the lip lines, making the lips look bigger.
So you should always look for tints that have hydrating ingredients. You can also apply some lip gloss after using the tint for a glossy effect.
Related Articles –
Natural DIY Lip Stain with Food Coloring – Safe & Easy
Does Vaseline Make Lips Dark or Lighter – What’s the Truth
Effect Of Lip Gloss
The colors in lip glosses are not as prominent on the lips as lip tints. But the waxes and petroleum in lip glosses form a barrier that prevents the evaporation of internal lip moisture.
Glosses also help to keep lips soft and moisturized. They also enhances the lips by making them look plumper from the increased hydration as well as shine.
Which One lasts Longer – Lip Tint or Lip Gloss
Lip tints last an average of 3-4 hours while lip glosses last only 1-2 hours. The reason why lip tints last longer has to do with its water-based formula that sticks onto the outer layer of the lips.
Lip glosses, on the other hand, are made from an oil-based formula making them sticky and easy to remove.
Which one Smudges Easier – Lip Tint or Lip Gloss
Now because lip glosses are thick and sticky they are not absorbed into the lips so they transfer easily from the lips to other objects such as eating utensils.
Lip tints don’t smudge easily since the pigments in them stain the lips rather than sit on the outer layer of them.
