I am admittedly someone who can be influenced by TikTok. Despite my many attempts to fight it, the constant flood of creators trying the latest viral trend has a way of heightening my FOMO. And that’s exactly what I experienced with Wonderskin’s Blading Lip Stain Masque.
The peel and reveal lip stain has been all over my FYP and after seeing various creators painting on the metallic blue gloss and later revealing a more subtle, ready-to-wear hue, you'd better believe I was intrigued. Now, as with any product that seems to have nearly everyone raving about it, I had to put on my journalist hat and get to the bottom of the hype so I tried it out for myself.
Pros
- Wide shade range
- Long-lasting
- Smudge-proof
- Buildable color
Cons
- A little drying
- Learning curve with application process
At first glance, Wonderskin's lip stain seems like another trendy product everyone's trying out for aesthetics. (The lip stain comes in 18 colors spanning nudes, pinks, berry shades and reds, but when first applied, it appears as an unexpected metallic blue shade that's meant to be removed with a wet cloth or peeled to reveal the stain color.) The Blading Lip Stain Masque, according to the Wonderskin website, can achieve “the maximum color payoff of a lipstick with the all-day staying power of a stain,” which is a promise that, as someone who always fears her lipstick will disappear after a meal and scrambles to reapply, I would love to see honored.
Luckily, according to our pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab, Wonderskin's lip stain does in fact deliver long-lasting color rivaling most long-wear lipsticks. “In terms of longevity, we found that the color stayed on the lips longer than traditional lipstick, and it was smudge-proof,” Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann says.
My honest thoughts
The application process does present a bit of a learning curve. A thin oval shaped doe foot applicator allows you to use its wide side to cover most of your lip and the tip to outline the edges. Being precise is essential as it can also stain your skin and whatever else is nearby when you are using it. Though, if you have an unsteady hand, makeup remover or soap and water will help you clean it up.
The color then has to sit for 10 to 30 seconds before peeling or wiping off the blue base, so that the stain has enough time to infuse pigment onto the lips. The brand also says the formula is buildable and reapplication throughout the day can restore color to its initial vibrant hue.
On my very first application of Crush, a vibrant coral shade, I found the lip stain to be very liquidy but I was able to still smooth a thin layer onto my lips. After waiting 30 seconds I could tell that the stain was dry and I removed it with a wet cloth, as the instructions advise, which revealed a natural flush of color.
I'm usually hesitant to try super bright coral colors, especially without a lip liner, but this tint still looked flattering when worn alone. After application my lips did feel a bit dry, but I threw on a clear gloss and I was good to go. The brand also offers the Wonder Blading Top Gloss, which offers high shine and moisture that can be paired with the lip stain masque.
How long does Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain last?
I noticed the color from Crush lasted for over four hours, standing up to iced coffee and a chocolate croissant, but did fade over time. I also tried the shade Playful, which I would describe as a deep, blue-tone red, which I wore over the course of a full work day. In the beginning of the day it started as a bold candy apple red and later faded into a softer hue.
The initial candy apple color from Playful only took two swipes of product to achieve, while Crush required more applications to achieve a bolder color. However, both did not transfer. (I forgot I was wearing it and wiped my mouth after lunch and none of the pigment was left on my napkin.)
In our Beauty Lab's tests, Wizemann noted that a similar fading process occurred. "The color faded throughout the day, but not evenly, and the edges of the lips would remain more pigmented as if you applied a lip liner," she said. She added that "precision in applying was imperative, especially with deeper shades" — which I would argue could also contribute to patchiness that occurs as the product fades.
Do you need the activator spray?
I tried the lip stain without the Wonder Blading Activator. The spray, according to the Wonderskin website, "works in synergy with our Wonder Blading Lip Masque and the Wonder Blading Brow Masque to create waterproof, transfer-proof shades that stay fresh-looking and vibrant for hours."
It is applied after the masque and helps to remove the base to reveal the stain color. Some reviewers reported that the spray added moisture to their lips after the application as well. I instead removed the product with a wet cloth and didn't experience any stubborn pieces sticking to my lips, which Wizemann said was an issue she noticed in Lab tests.
Does Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain tingle?
There is a slight tingling sensation that feels similar to a plumping lipgloss on the lips that slowly dissipates over time. I did find that with added layers of product the tingling intensified, so I would suggest only using a thin layer when applying.
Is Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Masque worth it?
Overall, the Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain performed as promised. It delivered lasting color and was transfer-proof, waterproof and fun to use. I was truly impressed by the way it lasted through an eight hour work day and didn't immediately disappear after meals. Though the application process does require a steady hand, the results, in my opinion, are well worth it.
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Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
