For a busy day, I use both. I start with a soft lip stain as a base, let it dry, and then dab a little balm or sheer lipstick on top. When the top layer wears away, I still have colour underneath. It is not completely transfer-proof, but it looks much better after coffee than lipstick alone.

I still prefer lipstick because stains can make my lips feel dry by lunch. My trick is using lip liner all over the lips first, then applying a satin lipstick instead of a creamy one. It does not last through everything, but it fades evenly and is easier to touch up without a mirror. A bold stain is less forgiving if it wears off weirdly.

Lip stain lasts longer for me, but it only looks good if my lips are smooth first. If my lips are dry, stain grabs every patch and looks uneven. I use lip balm while doing the rest of my makeup, wipe it off, then apply stain in thin layers. It fades more naturally than lipstick, which is why I prefer it for work.