Beauty Throwdown: Finding the Perfect Brown Lip Tint for 2025
The brown lip trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so I picked up some of the latest releases from late 2024 for this throwdown. I focused on lip tints with a soft matte finish since they tend to wear longer and give off that effortless vibe throughout the day. I’ll be scoring them based on formula (claims vs. actual performance), visual finish, longevity, and how well they reapply. Let’s check them out!
L-R: Issy Mousse Lip Tint in Teddy, Happy Skin Lip Mallow Plush Matte Lip Tint in Hazelnut, Benefit Plushtint Moisturizing Matte Lip Tint in French Toast
Benefit Plushtint Moisturizing Matte Lip Tint in French Toast (P1,590) 6ml = P265/ml
12 shades
Formula 5/5
Visual Finish and Longevity 4.5/5
Reapplication 5/5
Total Score 14.5/15
Claims:
Plush-matte finish, soft-focus blurring effect, longwearing lightweight formula, smudge-proof, water-resistant, humidity-proof, non-drying
Benefits:
Goji Berry Seed Oil for moisture, Hyaluronic Acid for smoothing fine lines, Glycerin for moisture and smooth application
I reviewed this tint along with the Splashtint when it launched, and this throwdown is reminding me why I liked the Plushtint. The shade French Toast is a mauve brown that shows up as a nude reddish-pink on my lips. The curved doe-foot applicator is easy to use, and the formula feels light and non-drying. You can layer it for a deeper color, though fading is more noticeable after eating. I prefer applying just one solid coat so it wears more evenly and is easier to reapply.
Happy Skin Lip Mallow Plush Matte Lip Tint in Hazelnut (P599) 4.5ml = P133.11/ml
19 shades
Formula 5/5
Visual Finish and Longevity 4.5/5
Reapplication 4.5/5
Total Score 14/15
Claims:
Budge-proof, smooth buildable color, lip stain lasts up to 12 hours, non-drying formula, stains without emphasizing fine lines
Benefits:
Hyaluronic Acid Essence Complex for hydration, Squalane for intense moisture, SPF15 for sun protection
This is one of the new shades of the Lip Mallow Lip Tint that I tried during the Lip Mousse relaunch last year. Hazelnut is described as a mocha brown, but on me, it leans more peachy-orange-brown with a single layer. You can build it up for a deeper hue, though layering and reapplication can sometimes make it a bit patchy. That said, I love how it looks on the first pass, and Happy Skin’s Lip Mallow Plush Matte Lip Tint remains one of my favorite matte tint formulas to date.
Issy Mousse Lip Tint in Teddy (P349) 5ml = P69.8/ml
12 shades
Formula 5/5
Visual Finish and Longevity 4.5/5
Reapplication 4.5/5
Total Score 14/15
Claims:
Plush-matte blur, even layer of color, resists settling into lip lines, non-drying, non-clumpy finish, mellows into understated stain
Benefits:
Ceramides for moisture and reinforce skin barrier, Rosehip Seed Oil for antioxidants and skin regeneration
From the original 10 shades I reviewed last year, I went with Teddy—a cool brown that sits near the middle of Issy’s shade spectrum, leaning toward the deeper end. Out of all the lip tints in this throwdown, this is the truest brown, swatching and wearing like a light chocolate on my lips. Like the others, Teddy deepens with layering and is easy to reapply throughout the day. It did lose a fraction of a point because I have to be a bit more careful with reapplication to maintain an even finish, though the initial application goes on smoothly.
I honestly don’t want to pick a winner for this throwdown because all three lip tints have solid formulas and offer different shades of brown to suit your preference. Issy’s Mousse Lip Tint in Teddy (14/15) is the truest brown among the three, while Happy Skin’s Lip Mallow Plush Matte Lip Tint in Hazelnut (14/15) is the deepest and richest brown in its lineup. Benefit’s Plushtint in French Toast technically wins with 14.5/15, but it’s also the most expensive per ml. That said, its applicator makes reapplication a breeze. If you’re after value for money, Issy is a great pick, while Happy Skin is the most comfortable for dry lips.
What’s your go-to brown lip tint?
