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Beauty / Makeup
What's in this guide
- The best berry-hued lip tints
- How to select the right berry-hued lip tint for you
- How to apply berry-hued lip tints
- FAQs
- Meet our experts
- Why trust CNN Underscored
By Rachel Dennis, CNN Underscored
Published 2:49 PM EST, Mon January 20, 2025

Berry-hued lip tints quick picks
A reader favorite: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
A lip and cheek tint: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain
A glossy lip tint: Rhode Peptide Lip Tint in Raspberry Jelly
A gel-to-oil lip tint: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain in Affection
A matte lip tint: Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick in Jam
If there’s one takeaway from the countless videos of people applying Clinique’s viral Black Honey Almost Lipstick, it’s that few beauty products are as universally flattering as the $25 berry-toned lip tint. The cult-favorite product, which has been around since the ’70s, looks good on practically everyone, making it a must-have product for those smitten with the “berry lips” aesthetic this season.
“Winter is the perfect season to embrace berry-hued lip tints; they’re versatile, flattering and strike the right balance between bold and wearable,” Astrobabe founder Jenny Qian says. “As a makeup founder, I’ve seen trends evolve through the years, but berry shades remain a winter classic for their ability to add warmth and dimension to any look.”
According to Qian, part of the appeal of berry tints lies in their versatility. “Berry shades suit a wide range of skin tones, from soft mulberry for fairer complexions to deeper plum hues for darker skin,” she says. “The tint format also allows for a buildable finish, letting you customize the intensity to match the occasion.”
To help you find the best berry-hued lip tints for the season, we asked several beauty experts to share their thoughts and recommendations.
The best berry-hued lip tints
Reader Favorite
Offering sheer coverage and a glossy finish, this popular moisturizing berry lip tint adds a natural-looking flush of color to the lips. The brand also has a lip oil, which is just as incredible, in the signature shade. Did we mention it's an Underscored reader favorite too?
Alexa Persico, a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Alexa Persico Cosmetics, recommends this $6 product from e.l.f. Cosmetics that is formulated to be transfer resistant. “The formula is enriched with vitamin E and shea butter to hydrate your lips while offering a pop of color that’s perfect for daily wear,” Persico says. She adds that the product gives lips a fresh, plump look but doesn't leave them sticky.
“A cult classic for a reason, this rose-berry shade offers a natural, flushed look that’s perfect for winter,” Qian says. The liquid lip and cheek tint, also available in several other colors, is designed to be long-lasting and non-drying. Persico also recommends this product, which she describes as “lightweight, long-lasting and ideal for an everyday tint.”
Celebrity makeup artist Elaina Badro says this Jones Road lip product in the shade Pretty is a great option for anyone looking for a berry-hued lip tint. She notes that the color can be built if “you’re looking for a more dramatic lip.”
“While this is technically a lipstick, it gives the perfect flush of color since the rich pigmentation stains your lips similarly to a lip tint,” Persico says of this lipstick from her own line. She notes that the product, formulated with ingredients like castor seed oil, is great for “creating a natural, just-bitten look” and can be layered for a more intense look.
“Infused with color-adapting pigments, this luxurious lip balm enhances your natural lip color with a subtle berry tint and provides a gorgeous, hydrating glow,” Qian says. Formulated with hydrating ingredients like cherry extract and shea butter, the lip product plumps and hydrates while depositing a natural wash of color.
Both Badro and Persico recommend this plumping lip tint from Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand, which moisturizes the lips while leaving a beautiful wash of color. “It’s infused with raspberry extract and nourishing oils that hydrate and plump the lips while giving a fresh, dewy look,” Persico says. “Perfect for a healthy, effortless pop of color!”
Shervonne Kitto, a professional makeup artist and the founder of Makeup by Sherviii, recommends this lip tint from Inglot in shade 69, which has a silky formula and is transfer resistant.
“This lip stain provides long-lasting, vibrant color with a lightweight feel,” Persico says, adding that the shade Violet Water works well for “creating a sophisticated look.” Ingredients like raspberry water and aloe vera in the formula help keep the lips soft and hydrated.
“This clean beauty favorite combines a soft berry hue with hydrating shea butter and rosehip oil, delivering a dewy finish perfect for dry winter days,” Qian says. Described as a natural mauve, the lip color can be built to achieve your desired level of intensity.
Kitto says this tinted lip oil from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty brand is “perfect for those who desire a dewy tinted lip.” The product has a gel-to-oil formula and is made with jojoba and sunflower seed oils.
Persico is a fan of the Dior Addict Lip Tint in Natural Rosewood, which she describes as a “soft rosy shade with a semi-matte finish.” The product is formulated to offer up to 12 hours of wear and is infused with cherry oil to keep lips hydrated. Kitto also recommends this lip tint from Dior but in the shade Natural Berry.
“For a modern matte finish, this berry shade is buildable and effortlessly chic, giving a blotted lip effect that’s trendy and wearable,” Qian says. Made with ingredients like blue agave to lock in moisture, it’s also cruelty-free and vegan.
Kitto recommends this hydrating lip stain from Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line, noting that it “leaves behind a vibrant berry hue perfect for all-day wear.” The product offers sheer-to-medium coverage and is formulated to be feather-resistant.
How to select the right berry-hued lip tint for you
“Lip tints are fantastic for achieving a natural, long-lasting color without the heaviness of traditional lipsticks,” Persico says. “They provide a lightweight feel, giving you a more ‘your lips but better’ look.” She adds that lip tints also require fewer touch-ups throughout the day since the product stains the lips.
When shopping for berry lip tints, Persico says there are a few things to consider, like the type of finish you’re after and your skin’s undertones. “If you have warm undertones, look for berry shades with a touch of red or orange,” she says. “For cooler undertones, berry tints with more of a purple or blue base will complement your complexion best.” She also recommends checking out the product’s formula if you have dry lips to ensure the lip tint won’t dry them out.

How to apply berry-hued lip tints
As with most lip products, it’s important to prep your lips before you start swiping on the color. Badro recommends using an exfoliator and a lip mask like the Mario Badescu Lip Mask with Coconut and Mango to prep your lips. “It really helps to rejuvenate and hydrate your lips!” she says of the mask. Similarly, Persico recommends following up with a hydrating lip balm after exfoliating, noting that proper prep will help your lip tint last. “Once the lip balm is absorbed, apply a layer of your lip tint,” Persico says. “You can blot with a tissue for a softer effect or layer it on for more intensity. If you want to enhance longevity, lightly powder around your lips to prevent any movement, or set your lips with a little translucent powder.” She also recommends using a matching lip liner to define the lips and “keep the tint in place.” Badro says that she suggests “dabbing the lip tint on the inner part of your lips.” As she explains, “it allows the color to be diffused outward,” which gives a more natural look.
Depending on the occasion, a berry lip can work for the day or night. “For a daytime look, apply a single, sheer layer of tint and pair it with natural makeup,” Kitto says. “To transition [it] to nighttime, build intensity by layering the tint and adding a touch of gloss for a sultry finish or a complementary lipstick for lasting lips.” She recommends finishing the look with a “defined or smokey eye.”
FAQs
The following FAQs have been answered by celebrity makeup artist and founder of Alexa Persico Cosmetics Alexa Persico, professional makeup artist and founder of Makeup by Sherviii Shervonne Kitto and celebrity makeup artist Elaina Badro.
If you have a warm skin tone, Persico recommends looking for lip tints with a slightly red or orange undertone. “Shades like Benefit’s Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain in [rosy Benetint] work beautifully, as they balance warmth while providing a subtle flush of color,” she says. For cool skin tones, Kitto recommends “berry shades that have blue or purple undertones, such as deep cranberry or rich mauve.”
“Blushes that go great with berry-hued lip tints can be very deep or even soft to keep focus on the lips,” Badro says. “If you’re looking for the lip tint to pop, opt for a blush like Rhode’s Soft Mauve and sheer out the application. She recommends a blush that skews more berry or plum for those with deeper skin tones.
Persico suggests using the lip tint to give the cheeks a natural flush of color. “Just dab a small amount onto the apples of your cheeks for a monochromatic look and blend for a seamless flush of color,” she says. “It’s an easy way to tie the whole look together and keep it fresh and cohesive.”
“Use an oil-based makeup remover or cleansing balm to break down the stain gently,” Kitto says. “Follow up with a lip scrub and mask to keep your lips smooth and supple.” If you don’t want to use a makeup remover or cleansing balm or don’t have one on hand, Persico says coconut oil is “a natural, moisturizing alternative.” “Simply massage it into the lips and wipe away with a cotton pad or tissue,” she says.
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following beauty experts to gain their professional insights on the best berry-hued lip tints for the winter.
- Elaina Badro, celebrity makeup artist
- Shervonne Kitto, professional makeup artist and founder of Makeup by Sherviii
- Alexa Persico, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Alexa Persico Cosmetics
- Jenny Qian, founder of Astrobabe
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, our editorial coordinator Rachel Dennis interviewed four beauty experts who shared their tips on shopping for berry lip tints, along with their recommendations.
Rachel Dennis Editorial Coordinator
Rachel Dennis is an editorial coordinator at CNN Underscored. She oversees the site’s celebrity column, The Essentials, and contributes to lifestyle coverage through roundups and one-off reviews. You can find her watching Lifetime movies, brushing up on her music skills or playing video games.
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