T&C Tried & True: A Perfect Lip Tint for the Lipstick Averse

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Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.

I'm not a lipstick girl. Sure, I'll put a little color on my lips every now and then, but I have never felt the confidence so many women feel when they swipe a bit of rouge onto their pucker. Until somewhat recently.

Earlier this spring, when Tatcha announced the launch of its Kissu Lip Tint, there was something in my gut telling me to try it. Maybe it's because I am a fan of Tatcha in general (the Camellia Oil Cleanser, FTW!) or maybe it's because tints tend to be less harsh than lipsticks, but whichever the reason was, I am so happy I gave it a go.

The lip tint has the creamiest, dreamiest formula my pout has ever felt. It offers the lasting hydration of a lip balm with silk protein and botanical lanolin, but with the subtle color of a lipstick. Yet, at the same time, it's nothing like a lipstick either. Oftentimes, I find even the creamiest lipsticks can feel powdery and cling to dry patches—but the Kissu Lip Tint is anything about that. The formula is absurdly nourishing and lightweight and melts onto lips, leaving a smooth and soft finish. I've even been reaching for it instead of my usual lip balm lately. And the fact that it offers sun protection with SPF 25 makes it an even greater option for these sunny days ahead.

But as much as I love the feel of the formula, it's really the shade I chose that sealed the deal for me. Like I said, I'm not huge on lipstick because they always make me feel meh rather than confident. But the Camellia shade? Beyond flattering. Tatcha describes it as "soft red tint," but I definitely think its tinged with pink, too. In fact, I love it so much that I will go as far as to say the shade could be the new Black Honey. I said what I said.

The one thing I will note, though, is this isn't the kind of product you should reach for if you're looking for all-day color. The tint sits on the lips rather than stains it, which mean it does fade and require reapplying after a couple of hours. But then again, what creamy lipstick truly lasts as long as a matte lipstick or stain?

To conclude: the Tatcha Kissu Lip Tint has turned me, a true lipstick averse girl, into a convert. One swipe, and you'll be hooked too. I promise.

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