Love the look of Huda’s viral Lip Contour stains? We test Kiko’s half-price versions to see if they are good alternatives
When it comes to long-wear lip colour, a good stain can be a lifesaver. No fuss, no constant touch-ups, just pigment that holds its own whether you’re sipping coffee, chatting through a full day at work or heading out in the evening. I recently put two of the most talked-about versions to the test: Huda Beauty’s Lip Contour Stain and Kiko Milano’s Long Lasting Colour Lip Marker.
Both products promise lightweight wear, bold pigment and serious staying power, but they go about it in different ways. Huda’s is pitched as a dual-purpose liner and stain in one, with a smart two-sided tip for precise outlining as well as filling in. Kiko’s comes more like a felt-tip pen, a throwback to the marker-style lip stains we used to see years ago, and it’s designed to give that ‘tattoo’ wash of colour that clings on without transfer.
After trying both side-by-side for a TikTok tutorial, here’s how they actually perform…
Huda’s Lip Contour Stains
Price: £22 from Cultbeauty
Shade range: Eight neutrals and brights
The Huda stain has an undeniably luxe feel. The formula glides on smoothly and sets quickly into a matte finish that looks pigmented without feeling heavy or sticky. The dual tip is genuinely useful: the fine point works well for shaping the cupid’s bow or edges of the lips, while the broader side fills in colour fast.
What I noticed most was the staying power. It lasted through a half-day, including lunch and coffee, without fading into that dreaded uneven outline. The shade range is also flattering, leaning into nudes, browns and reds to suit all skin tones– light and dark. My only niggle is that the pen really does need to be stored tip-down, otherwise the product can feel a little dry when you go back to it. This is fine if you have them in a pot at home, but I like to store mine in my handbag, so sometimes the tip of the pen gets a little dry.
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Kiko’s Long Lasting Colour Lip Marker
Price: £11.99 from LookFantastic
Shade range: Six neutrals and brights
Kiko’s Lip Marker is a different feel altogether. It feels light on the lips, almost as if you’re not wearing anything, but still leaves a punch of colour that sets quickly. The texture is thinner and waterier than Huda’s, which makes sense as it’s a marker formula, and it gives that ‘bitten-lip’ look.
It wears well for a few hours, though it doesn’t quite match Huda’s longevity. I liked that the chunkier nib makes it easy to build up colour – you can swipe once for a soft tint or layer a few times for something bolder. It does lean a little drier, though, so if your lips are prone to flaking, you might want to add a balm on top. It’s definitely more of a wash of colour rather than a contouring line of pigment.
Pros and cons at a glance
- Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stain Pro: Incredible longevity with strong, even colour payoff that really does last all day Con: Needs to be stored tip-down to stop the applicator drying out
- Kiko Milano Lip Marker Pro: Lightweight formula with an easy nib for buildable colour and a natural stain effect Con: Lighter pigment and can feel drying and a little patchy if your lips aren’t well prepped
So, which would I recommend? Honestly, it depends on what you want from a lip stain. If you’re after something with maximum staying power, and you want the polish of a full lip look without worrying about reapplication, Huda’s Lip Contour Stain is the one to go for. It feels luxe, the colours are rich and once it’s on, it’s not going anywhere.
If, however, you prefer something lighter, more casual and you don’t mind reapplying once or twice through the day, Kiko’s Lip Marker is a great affordable option. It gives a soft, blurred look that’s very on-trend, and it won’t weigh down your lips. Both have earnt a place in my make-up bag.