As temperatures continue to exceed soar, the best lip stains will serve you far better than a traditional lipstick. A lip stain promises to stay put through iced coffees, meals and long days in the sun, leaving behind a natural-looking wash of colour long after other formulas have faded.Unlike a lip gloss, which prioritise shine over longevity, lip stains are designed to tint the lips themselves, meaning the colour remains even once the top layer of product has worn away. Pair one with your favourite lip liner and you've got yourself a low-maintenance combination that can last from your morning commute through to evening drinks with zero faff.Of course, not every formula gets it right. Some can leave lips feeling tight, dry or patchy, while others disappear far sooner than promised. To separate the top performers from the disappointments, I tested a wide range of bestselling lip stains, assessing their staying power, comfort, finish and fade throughout the day. Here’s how I got on.Read more: The best lipsticks of all time, testedDuring testing, I considered the immediate colour pay-off as well as any residual stain (Lucy Smith/The Independent)Best overall – Nyx Professional Makeup lip IV hydrating gloss stain: £8.24, Amazon.co.ukBest budget buy – E.l.f. glossy lip stain: £7, Boots.comBest moisturising formula – Fenty Beauty poutsicle hydrating lip stain: £22, Cultbeauty.co.ukBest for a red lip – Kiko Milano long lasting colour lip marker: £11.99, Lookfantastic.comRead more: Best lip plumpers, tested