The Best Lip Stains Ever

This category covers the very best lip stains, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity.

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain (“Red #24”): A sponge-tipped applicator makes this foolproof stain easy to apply, and it lasts for hours without feeling dry or crackly. For shine, use the clear gloss at the other end. “Red #24” is a gorgeous crimson that can be layered from natural to dramatic. $22
2. Tony & Tina Herbal Lip Stain (“Inspiring”): Weightless yet indelible, these stains are loaded with vitamins and aloe to soften lips. “Inspiring” is a juicy, natural red—the color you wish you were born with. $16
3. Urban Decay Ink (“Bitten”): A handy marker dispenses natural, transparent matte color that is goofproof and buildable. “Bitten” is a flattering brick red. $17
4. LORAC Sheer Wash (“Sheer Luck”): Love the roll-on applicator, and love the long-lasting sheer stain it dispenses even more. “Sheer Luck” is a universally flattering neutral. $17.50
5. Hard Candy Stain & Shine (“Stop”): This double-ended product features a sheer, durable stain in a mini roll-on on one end, and a shiny gloss on the other. “Stop” is a very wearable, natural red. $15
6. NARS Color Wash (“Pussycat”): More intense than most stains, NARS’ version offers real color, intense and buildable, that also manages to look natural. The cool packaging and rosy smell doesn’t hurt either. “Pussycat” is a gorgeous deep red. $24
7. Vincent Longo Lip & Cheek Gel Stain (“Baby Boo”): This highly-pigmented yet natural-looking product offers sheer, buildable color and is versatile enough to use on lips and cheeks. “Baby Boo” is a beautiful red. $22.50
8. Sephora Lip Marker (“Strawberry”): These ingenious pens really are as easy to use as markers, dispensing sheer, mango-scented washes of color onto lips. “Strawberry” is a natural red. $10
9. Hard Candy Stain for Lips & Cheeks (“Baby”): A sleek little silver tube delivers sheer, waterproof color. “Baby” is a sheer red. $12
10. Philosophy The Supernatural Lip & Cheek Tint (“Super Red”): A convenient sponge-tipped applicator makes application simple, leaving only healthy color behind. “Super Red” is a sheer, natural red. $15

The Popular Vote
1. Benefit Benetint, $26
2. MAC Lipglass Stain in “Hi-Resin Rose”, Discontinued.
3. Vincent Longo Lip Stain in “Cherry”, $21
4. Urban Decay Ink Lip Stain in “Bitten” and “Naked” (tie), $17
5. Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey”, $13.50
6. LORAC Sheer Luck Travel Sized Sheer Wash, $17.50
7. Sephora Aquatint in “Auburn”, Discontinued. (A representative from Sephora said comparable products include NARS Color Wash, LORAC Sheer Wash, and Benefit Benetint.)
8. Stila Lip Rouge in “Moue”, $26
9. NARS Lip Stain Gloss in “Chandemagor”, $20
10. NARS Color Wash in “Modesty”, $24