{"id":1562,"date":"2025-07-10T11:00:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T11:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/?p=1562"},"modified":"2025-07-10T14:57:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T14:57:56","slug":"huda-beautys-lip-contour-stains-are-causing-a-commotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/10\/huda-beautys-lip-contour-stains-are-causing-a-commotion\/","title":{"rendered":"Huda Beauty\u2019s Lip Contour Stains Are Causing A Commotion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When Huda Beauty unveiled its Lip Contour Stains<\/a> \u2014 a smudge-proof lip stain-meets-lip liner promising 12-hour wear \u2014 the internet went\u2026 mild. Unlike the brand\u2019s Easy Bake Setting Powder and Easy Blur Foundation<\/a> (both recent viral hits among beauty enthusiasts, makeup artists, and editors alike), the stains have received a wave of less-than-glowing reviews.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What are people saying about Huda Beauty\u2019s Lip Contour Stains?<\/h2>\n

On TikTok, it doesn\u2019t take long to find videos claiming that the $25 products arrive completely dry<\/a> or dry out<\/a> after just a couple of uses. In response, beauty lovers are flooding the comments with tips and suggestions, like wetting the felt-tip brush before use. The commotion even prompted a TikTok response from Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan herself.<\/p>\n

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@monalisahater<\/a> Got it yesterday and stored it upside down to see if that would help\u2026 it did not \ud83d\udc94 Is this a me problem #hudabeauty<\/a> #hudabeautylipcontour<\/a> #lipstain<\/a> #helpme<\/a> #makeup<\/a> \u266c original sound \u2013 nora \ud83e\udec2<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In a video<\/a> with 1.7 million views and climbing, Kattan defended the product as a sleek new innovation she believes will soon be everywhere, adding that some users may simply be using it incorrectly. Referring to the tapered felt-tip applicator, she added, \u201cRight now, there\u2019s nothing on the market that looks like this. [It was] made in Japan, and the formula was made in Germany \u2014 it\u2019s fancy. It\u2019s the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of quality.\u201d<\/p>\n

With costs rising across the board, we\u2019ve come to expect serious quality, not to mention ease of use, from every makeup product we buy. But it\u2019s clear that the brand\u2019s claims don\u2019t match the reality of some consumers. So what\u2019s gone wrong?<\/p>\n

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@hudabeauty<\/a> Addressing all the questions you have about our NEW Lip Contour Stains \ud83d\udc96 #lipcontourstains<\/a> #hudabeauty<\/a> \ud83c\udfa5: @champagnebecca, @christxiee, @memefrederick,\u00a0 @slaybyjess, @sallysa3eed_, @taontm, @freddiechen, @thefashionfreakk, @makeupbybrooktiffany, @nemesismarie06, @aysha_harun, @rohiimaaa, @not_another_hanna \u266c original sound \u2013 Huda Beauty<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Why is my Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stain dry?<\/h2>\n

Cosmetic chemist Javon Ford<\/a> took to Instagram to explain why your Lip Contour Stain might dry out quickly<\/a>: \u201cThis is partly because it\u2019s a marker, but also because of this specific marker\u2019s composition,\u201d said Ford. Without diving too deep into science, he explained that beyond water and aloe vera juice, the main ingredient is a film-former called polyurethane-35, which helps the color adhere to the lips: \u201cIt\u2019s long-lasting and fast-drying,\u201d said Ford.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Javon Ford (@javonford16)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He said that all markers can dry out quickly as the volatile substance \u2014 in this case, water \u2014 can slowly evaporate from the cap. But where Huda Beauty\u2019s is concerned, it can become even more noticeable when there\u2019s a large percentage of a non-water-soluble ingredient, in the case of polyurethane-35. Ford added that while other lip stains are solely water-based (like CoverGirl\u2019s Outlast Lip Stain) or oil-based, such as Haus Laboratories\u2019 Hybrid Lip Oil Stain, Huda Beauty\u2019s formula needs extra attention to work properly.<\/p>\n

Zobia Ahmed<\/a>, a cosmetic chemist and product developer, agrees that the creamier, more viscous liquid inside Huda Beauty\u2019s lip stains might make the product trickier to use: \u201cEmulsions have a habit of thickening over time, so maybe that viscous liquid gets \u2018stuck\u2019 and you have to tap it on a hard surface or tip upside down to force the liquid to the tip. Or maybe the viscous liquid becomes thicker just by sitting in the marker,\u201d she says. But here\u2019s the catch-22: that thicker consistency \u2014 also made of glycerin and plant oils \u2014 is what cushions the lips, making it more moisturizing and flexible, and helping to prevent dryness and bleeding outside the lip line, says Ahmed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For consumers whose pens aren\u2019t working at all, Ahmed says it\u2019s possible that during the manufacturing or filling stage, the tip might not have been primed adequately: \u201cIf you don\u2019t saturate marker tips and felt tips properly, they will feel dry upon first use,\u201d she says. If yours isn\u2019t doing anything, just reach out to the brand.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Zobia | Cosmetic Chemist (@zobssssa)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How do you stop the Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stains from drying out?<\/h2>\n

Besides this, Ahmed says that user error could contribute: \u201cWhen this product was developed, it was done so with clear instructions: store the marker cap-side down,\u201d she says. \u201cIf users aren\u2019t following the instructions, chances are they\u2019ll experience these drying issues.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Makeup artist Maria Asadi<\/a> says that dried-out tips are a common issue with pen-style applicators like these: \u201cThe ink inside behaves a lot like a felt-tip pen, so how you store it really matters,\u201d she confirms. \u201cIf you\u2019re holding or storing it with the tip facing up, the ink naturally sinks away, travelling down from the tip, making it dry out faster.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alicia Lartey<\/a>, an aesthetician, product developer, and cosmetic chemist in training, also recommends shaking it downwards before applying and ensuring the cap is firmly closed when you\u2019re finished. Lastly, because it\u2019s a stain, Lartey recommends applying it directly onto bare skin \u2014 and Kattan agrees: \u201cI don\u2019t apply it on top of foundation,\u201d she said, as it simply won\u2019t stick. \u201cWhat will also happen is you\u2019ll clog the tip,\u201d Kattan added, though running it under hot water can help unclog it.<\/p>\n

How much product do you get in the Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stains?<\/h2>\n

Another of Kattan\u2019s concerns was the criticism around the product\u2019s fill \u2014 a seemingly paltry 1ml, according to users. In her video, Kattan addressed this, explaining that while it might not feel like a lot, it is. \u201cThe product is full,\u201d she said. Adding, \u201cIf we were to make it chubbier and fill it more, it would just be\u2026 a not great experience.\u201d Kattan and her team tested the product strictly as a lip liner, and she claims you\u2019ll get around 200 uses \u2014 but only if used as a liner.<\/p>\n

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@hudabeauty<\/a> <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk texture \ud83d\udc8b Our Lip Contour Stain = water-based, pigmented, soft matte finish, 12-hour stay. 8 shades from soft pink to juicy red \ud83d\udca7FAUX FILLER Jelly Oil = high-shine and packed with passion fruit oil & shea butter for soft, glossy lips. Grab yours at HudaBeauty.com before they vanish \ud83d\udecd\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 Huda Beauty<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Compared to similar pen liners, 1ml does feel quite scant. I asked Ahmed whether this is normal for lip liner pens. \u201cIn theory, 1ml may contain enough pigment for hundreds of applications when the formula is thin \u2014 like CoverGirl\u2019s,\u201d she tells me. Thicker formulas like Huda Beauty\u2019s, however, would likely have fewer applications: \u201cThis is because they don\u2019t distribute as easily as their thinner counterparts,\u201d says Ahmed. But there are merits to a thicker formula: \u201cIt\u2019s more concentrated, so there\u2019s less swiping back and forth, and less of a need for reapplication.\u201d Lartey adds that as a beauty consumer, she wants her lip liners to contain a reasonable amount of product that allows her to get enough use out of them without the formula going bad. \u201cWith that in mind \u2014 and with moderate use and correct storage \u2014 I do think 1ml is fair,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

What are the Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stains like IRL?<\/h2>\n

Having tried the Lip Contour Stains myself, I can confirm they leave very little room for error. Even as a seasoned lip liner wearer, I feel a little nervous every time I use one. Since the product behaves like ink, you only have a few seconds to blend with your finger if you want a diffused lip look, and micellar water only does so much to clean up any mistakes. But that\u2019s the entire point, says Lartey: \u201cI think people need to remember that the primary job of a lip stain is to stain. Plus, it\u2019s marketed as such.\u201d<\/p>\n

That said, Kattan is listening to her customers, though she seems hesitant to change the formula too much: \u201cI will work on how long you guys have to play with the product, but I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s going to work,\u201d she said in her video. She added, \u201cIt might make the product less long-lasting. We want to give you guys a product that lasts all day long.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a good alternative to Huda Beauty\u2019s Lip Contour Stains?<\/h2>\n

Asadi doesn\u2019t typically reach for lip stains unless a makeup client specifically requests them or she\u2019s working in very humid conditions and needs waterproof makeup. Instead, she likes to use VIEVE\u2019s Modern Lip Definer, $23<\/a>, and KIKO Milano\u2019s Everlasting Color Precision Lip Liner, $12.50<\/a>. \u201cThese are my go-to for a bulletproof lip liner that holds throughout the day,\u201d says Asadi. \u201cThey\u2019re super long-wearing, richly pigmented, and don\u2019t smudge.\u201d For maximum wear, she likes to apply the liner all over the lips as a base, skipping gloss or balm. \u201cThis gives you a clean, matte finish that lasts for hours without needing touch-ups, and that will take you through the day,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

Speaking of excellent staying power, Kattan is aware of the comparisons to other lip stains, particularly KIKO Milano\u2019s Long Lasting Color Lip Marker, $14.50<\/a>, and CoverGirl\u2019s Outlast Lip Stain, $11.99<\/a>. Ahmed has used the latter \u2014 and she has thoughts: \u201cWhile it\u2019s beautiful and effective, it lacks the conditioning agents and flexible film formers that would add to the user\u2019s comfort,\u201d she says. Adding, \u201cCoverGirl also relies on a high-alcohol system for quick drying, which is effective but may feel drier over time.\u201d However, Ahmed doesn\u2019t think we\u2019d notice the difference if we were only using the stains as lip liners, rather than all over the lips.<\/p>\n

Likewise, Kattan maintains that the Lip Contour Stain is different \u2014 in the best way: \u201cWe\u2019re not here to give you the same products as other brands,\u201d she said in her video. \u201cOnce you get the use right, I\u2019m confident you\u2019re going to love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the right technique and storage, the Lip Contour Stain can deliver on its long-wear promise, but for many, a lip product that demands more effort might not feel worth the payoff.<\/p>\n

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When Huda Beauty unveiled its Lip Contour Stains \u2014 a smudge-proof lip stain-meets-lip liner promising 12-hour wear \u2014 the internet went\u2026 mild. Unlike the brand\u2019s Easy Bake Setting Powder and Easy Blur Foundation (both recent viral hits among beauty enthusiasts, makeup artists, and editors alike), the stains have received a wave of less-than-glowing reviews.\u00a0 What…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1562"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1562"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1565,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1562\/revisions\/1565"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}