Lip and Cheek Tint: The Lowdown on this Spring Beauty Trend

WHAT IS A LIP AND CHEEK TINT?

A lip and cheek tint is somewhat of a hybrid product; it blurs the lines between a dewy gloss and a rich lip stain. A lip and cheek tint can add shine and colour to multiple areas of the face, including the lips, cheeks, and eyes. 

It’s also a buildable product, which means you can start light and layer up, depending on how pigmented you want the colour to be. 

It’s a multi-purpose product, so it’s ideal if you like to keep your makeup collection to a minimum if you’re travelling, or looking to save some money while updating your stash. 

A lip and cheek tint is also perfect for having on-hand for touch-ups — you’ll only have to carry one product around, instead of lugging a lipstick, blush compact, and eyeshadow palette around. 

HOW TO USE A LIP AND CHEEK TINT

First things first: you’ll need to find the right match for your skin tone. 

It goes without saying that you should wear whichever colour makes you feel most confident — there are no real rules! 

However, if you’re not sure which colours to look to, here’s a guide to get you started.

+ Fair Skin – Go for a softer shade. Think baby pink for an everyday blush, peach (especially if you have yellow undertones), or plum if you’re going for a more dramatic look.

+ Medium Skin – Look at slightly more pigmented shades, such as apricot, golden peach, and pink berry tones. 

+ Olive Skin – Cool blush hues tend to look a bit muddy on olive skin tones, so go for warmer tones instead. Consider rose and shimmering peach shades.

+ Dark Skin – Cooler tones can look ashy on dark skin, so opt for warm hues including deep terracotta, burnt orange, and red-coral.

When you’re on the hunt for the right shade, test the colour on the apples of your cheeks. Does it clash with your natural lip colour? If it looks unnatural, try another option.  

Whether you’re applying the lip tint to your lips, cheeks, or eyelids, we recommend starting light. You can always build up the colour as you go (working backwards is much trickier!). 

Let’s take a closer look at exactly how to apply lip and cheek tint to each of these areas. 

HOW TO REMOVE LIP TINT

When you’re ready to remove your lip tint, you can use an oil-based or waterproof makeup remover to soak the colour away.

Apply the solution to a cotton pad, then glide the pad over your lips to remove the colour.

Alternatively, there are some natural techniques you can use.

• Olive or Coconut Oil – Drizzle some olive or coconut oil onto a cotton pad and gently rub it over your lips. This will help to loosen the colour. Then, take a dry pad and pat dry. Once the colour has been removed, you can add another layer of oil to rehydrate your lips.
  
  
• Toothbrush – Sometimes rubbing the lip tint off your lips will leave some residual tint in the ridges of your lips. Apply a lip balm, then scrub your lips gently with a toothbrush.  When finished, wipe away the excess with a damp cloth.

• Vaseline – Apply a dollop of vaseline, about the size of a five-cent piece, onto your lips, and leave it to sit for a few minutes. Wipe away with a damp cloth to finish. 

HOW TO APPLY CREAM BLUSH/CHEEK TINT

A lip and cheek tint doubles as a cream blush, which is an essential product in any makeup collection. 

The creamy formula blends beautifully into the cheeks, delivering that natural, flushed glow that is dominating this season’s looks. 

So, how do you apply a creamy cheek tint?

STEP 1: START WITH SKINCARE

Follow your normal skincare routine, finishing up with moisturiser and sunscreen.

Give your skin a few minutes to absorb the product to ensure it doesn’t pill on the skin underneath your makeup.

STEP 2: APPLY YOUR CHEEK TINT

If your cheek tint arrives in a pot, scoop out the product with your index finger, and rub it between your finger and thumb. This helps to warm up the product and allows for smooth application.

Then, gently dab it onto the cheeks from the apples of the cheek up towards your cheekbones. This will give you a lifted look. Blend out with your fingers or your damp beauty blender.  

If your cheek tint has an applicator, dab a few dots onto the cheek and work the product into your skin with your fingers or a beauty blender. 

STEP 3: REMOVAL

To remove your cheek tint, we recommend using an oil-based makeup remover balm. Simply scoop out the product and massage it into the skin, as you would your cleanser.

This helps you gently lift the colour from the skin without having to scrub away with a makeup wipe. It’s a softer option for the skin, and it’s also a more environmentally-friendly option, as we know make-up wipes are bad for our planet. 

OTHER SPOTS TO APPLY LIP AND CHEEK TINT

You can also use your lip and cheek tint as an eyeshadow. We love this approach as it creates the most natural, understated, and cohesive makeup look. 

Apply two small dots onto each eyelid and blend outwards, either using your finger or a fluffy eyeshadow brush.

Alternatively, apply the tint as a contour. Dab the product onto your upper cheekbone, about 45 degrees down from your eye. This will give you a sculpted, lifted look while adding some colour to your complexion. 

This is a great option if you find contour looks muddy on your complexion, or if you’re going for a softer finish.