This Chic French Lip Stain Is My New Summer Makeup Staple

3 2 minutes read

Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. — Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock wearing Violette_FR Lip Nectar in Pois de Senteur

I love lipstick and lip gloss, but this summer, I'm swapping out both for lip stain. The allure of long-lasting color that doesn't require touch-ups is too compelling to ignore, especially when considering I'll be dealing with a busy schedule and scorching temps. It's the low-effort, high-impact makeup product I need.

Recently, I added a couple of TikTok-viral lip stains to my makeup bag—Wonderskin's Wonder Blading Lip Stain and Sacheu's Peel-Off Lip Liner. I recommend both for their budget-friendly price points and longevity. The only downside is that they don't feel very hydrating on my dry lips, which is why I often end up applying lip balm or a moisturizing lip color over the top of them. It's not the biggest inconvenience in the world, but I've long dreamed of a lip stain that is as hydrating as it is long-lasting.

Violette Serrat, longtime makeup artist and founder of Violette_FR, must have heard my silent wish because the brand just launched Lip Nectars aka hydrating, glossy, and long-lasting lip stains. They're incredibly chic in that enviable and effortless French-girl way. After testing them, I've given all four shades a permanent spot in my makeup bag. Ahead, check out Violette_FR's Lip Nectar.

Violette_FR Lip Nectar

Person holding Violette_FR Lip Nectars in four different colors.

(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

“The idea for Lip Nectar came to me when I couldn't find a truly ‘grown-up' lip stain,” Serrat says in a statement on the brand's website. “I wanted to create a product that was high-performance while being deeply nourishing and comfortable to apply and wear. My vision was for it to feel indulgent and sensual, like jam—rich in texture, with a luxurious burst of color, the perfect amount of shine, and just the right stain, all without the stickiness.”

I think she achieved her goal because, to me, these lip stains feel sophisticated, and they're nothing like the old-school lip stains I used as a teenager. Those could be thick, sticky, and patchy. These are chic, effortless, and altogether sexy.

There are a few reasons for that—namely the texture, finish, and formula. I'd describe the texture as a featherlight liquid. It sinks into the lips without feeling thick or sticky. The finish is high-shine, which I love since most of my other lip stains have a standard matte or satin finish. Last but not least, the formula is an oil-in-water emulsion that's packed with hydrating ingredients like squalane, shea butter, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. (That explains why I don't have to apply lip balm over top of it.)

In true Violette_FR fashion, each one of the four shades is on point. Inspired by nature, the shades were drawn from nectar-rich flowers, hence the name.

Lip Nectar - Pois De Senteur