5 Simple Hacks to Avoid Lipstick Stains on Glasses and Clothes

Stunning lips can pull an entire makeup look together.

But the trouble usually starts after the fact, when a partner complains about lipstick stains on a shirt collar. Getting those stubborn marks out of clothes or cups isn’t always simple.

No matter how careful the application, a small touch of a glossy lip can transfer color onto fabric. Most lipsticks transfer at least a little.

Here are five simple tips for avoiding lipstick stains altogether.

Try a Lip Primer to Avoid Lipstick Stains

For color to attach properly to the surface, priming beforehand makes a real difference.

A lip primer preps the lips by creating an even, smooth base.

The ingredients in a lip primer also help lipstick last longer while preventing smudging onto collars and glasses.

Foundation

Applying foundation to the lips before lipstick helps the pigment show up more vibrantly, meaning less lipstick is needed overall.

The thicker the lipstick layer, the more likely it is to stain clothes and cups.

Applying foundation and setting it with compact powder creates an even base for lipstick to stick to, resulting in fewer stains.

Wear a Lip Liner

Wearing a lip liner before lipstick is an excellent way to make lips pop while also keeping lipstick from transferring.

Lip liner formulas tend to run a bit dry in texture, which holds up the creamy structure of lipstick and keeps it from spreading.

A lip liner enhances lip shape, adds depth, and holds the chosen lip color in place, resulting in a transfer-proof, long-lasting look.

Avoid Lipstick Stains With Powder

Here’s another easy, effective way to set lipstick in place.

After applying lipstick, covering the lips with a favorite compact or translucent powder using a big brush, then adding another coat of lipstick, does the trick.

Dabbing a matching blush over the top helps keep lipstick in place too. The powder reduces excess moisture from the lipstick, which is the main cause of transfer.

Remember to Blot

Blotting lipstick keeps the formula from shifting around. A thin layer of lipstick applied to the lips, blotted with clean tissue paper, sets things up well.

Adding another coat of lipstick afterward seals the formula in place. The trick is avoiding overly aggressive blotting, wiping off the lipstick entirely defeats the whole purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use vinegar to remove lipstick stains: Combining two cups of warm water, a spoonful of detergent, and distilled white vinegar creates an effective solution. Soaking a clean cloth in the mixture and applying it to the discolored area, then letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, helps lift the stain. Soaking another clean cloth in plain water to wipe the area, then blotting dry with a paper towel, finishes the job. An absorbent substance can help soak up extra liquid and keep it from spreading further.

Remove lip gloss from carpet: Dabbing the spot with a clean cloth and a small amount of rubbing alcohol, repeated until the stain disappears, works well. Washing the spot with water afterward finishes the process.

Use rubbing alcohol to remove lipstick stains: Yes, rubbing alcohol can remove lipstick stains from clothes effectively.

Use hand sanitizer to remove lipstick stains: Yes, hand sanitizer is another effective method for removing lipstick stains from fabric.

With these tips for preventing lipstick stains, the days of constant complaints are over, leaving more room to focus on creating eye-catching lip makeup instead.