$5 e.l.f. Lip Stain Markers Review: Ballet Core & Mauvelous
Updated: Aug 27
I love lip stains, especially when I can find one that gives me lasting color without having to constantly reapply it.
So when I saw the new e.l.f. Main Stain Lip Markers for just $5 each, I picked up two shades that looked particularly promising for cool-toned skin: Ballet Core and Mauvelous.
I've tried plenty of lip stains over the years, but this was my first time using one with an actual marker tip. It was definitely an experience.
It genuinely felt like I was drawing on my skin with a Crayola marker.
But I liked it, 😅.
I swatched both Ballet Core and Mauvelous on my cool-toned skin before trying Ballet Core on my lips. The two shades look quite different next to each other, and Ballet Core turned out to be a really beautiful bright pink.
e.l.f. Lip Stain Markers Ballet Core and Mauvelous Swatches
I started by swatching Ballet Core and Mauvelous side by side on my arm. Since my skin is naturally cool-toned, this gives me a good idea of whether a shade stays cool or starts pulling warmer once it's actually applied.
The marker tips give you a surprising amount of control. You can use the narrower edge to create a thinner line or angle the marker to lay down more color.
The difference between the two shades is easy to see in the swatches.
Ballet Core is a bright pink, while Mauvelous is much deeper. I'll get more into Mauvelous once I've actually worn it on my lips, so for now I'm basing my thoughts on that shade solely on the arm swatch.
Ballet Core was the shade I tested on my lips, and I really like what I'm seeing.
Is e.l.f. Ballet Core Cool-Toned?
On my skin, Ballet Core looks pretty cool-toned.
It's a beautiful bright pink that doesn't seem to turn obviously coral or orange against my cool undertone.
The best description I can come up with is a natural bright pink. I know that sounds slightly contradictory, but it makes sense once it's on the lips.
There's enough brightness to make my lips look noticeably pinker, but the color still feels wearable for everyday makeup.
I really love this color.
I also immediately thought Ballet Core would look beautiful with a clear gloss over it. You'd still get that stained pink base underneath, with a little shine on top. I also want to try doing an ombre with Stone by MAC and Balletcore in the inside.
If Ballet Core is your kind of pink, I have a few more favorites worth checking out. My guide to Cool-Toned Lipstick Shades: 8 Flattering Picks That Won’t Pull Warm includes eight shades I recommend for keeping your lip color on the cooler side.
What Do the e.l.f. Lip Stain Markers Feel Like to Apply?
If you've never used a marker-style lip product before, the applicator takes a little getting used to.
I've used lip stains before, but never one quite like this.
Again, the first time I put the marker against my skin, I couldn't get over how much it reminded me of using a Crayola marker.
That's not necessarily a bad thing.
I actually really like the amount of control the marker gives me. It's easy to get around the edges of the lips, and then you can use the broader part of the tip to fill everything in.
The whole application process is quick and surprisingly easy. The marker can be used sideways for a precise line, and the flat end is great for filling in/shading. The shapely edge makes filling your cupid's bow a snap!
Are the e.l.f. Lip Stain Markers Drying?
It can be a little drying, but it also has a bit of a sheen, but it doesn't glide.
If you're already prone to dry lips, this is something I'd keep in mind. A stain like this doesn't have the creamy feeling you'd get from a traditional lipstick or gloss.
Personally, I think Ballet Core is completely fine on its own. I love the finish and don't feel like I absolutely need something over it.
If you do want more moisture, I'd add a lip balm after the stain has had plenty of time to set. I think a clear gloss would also look gorgeous over Ballet Core.
I'd personally give the stain at least 10 minutes to dry before adding anything on top. That way, you're giving the color time to properly set before disturbing it with another product.
Does e.l.f. Ballet Core Transfer?
This has been one of the most impressive parts of wearing Ballet Core so far.
I've been drinking Diet Coke and vaping while wearing it, and I haven't noticed any transfer whatsoever.
I don't condone vaping, obviously. Apparently my bad habit has finally found one productive purpose by becoming an unexpectedly thorough lip stain transfer test.
There have been plenty of opportunities for the product to transfer, and I'm impressed with how well it has stayed put.
My wear test with Ballet Core lasted about three hours before I removed it. I would say it's probably about a 6-7 hour wear.
Do the e.l.f. Lip Stain Markers Smell Bad?
I specifically paid attention to the scent because I'd seen some TikTok users describe their Main Stain Lip Markers as smelling rancid or unpleasant.
I didn't have that experience. I am pretty sensitive to smell, and I like a mild scent in a lip product. Like the MAC Satin Lipsticks, they smell like a light vanilla (yummy).
Scent is subjective, and there can also be differences between individual products, so I can only speak for the two markers I purchased.
Neither Ballet Core nor Mauvelous smells bad to me, and I definitely wouldn't describe either of mine as rancid.
If you're particularly sensitive to scents in lip products, it's still something to keep in mind. It just hasn't been an issue with mine.
Do the e.l.f. Main Stain Lip Markers Dry Out?
Neither of my markers has dried out.
I did just get them, so I can't speak to how the formula will behave after being stored for a longer period of time.
I've seen people mention having issues with their markers drying out. Because this type of applicator relies on product reaching the felt tip, I recommend storing the marker tip-side down.
I've also seen people share a trick for a marker that seems to have dried out. With the cap securely attached, they store it tip-side down and give it a few quick downward flicks or shakes to help move the product back toward the tip. Some people have said this brought their marker back to life.
I haven't needed to do this with either of mine because they're both dispensing normally.
Is the $5 e.l.f. Main Stain Lip Marker in Ballet Core Worth It?
Based on what I've experienced with Ballet Core so far, I'm really impressed with what e.l.f. has done for $5.
Ballet Core looks pretty cool-toned against my skin and gives my lips a beautiful bright pink color that still feels surprisingly natural.
The marker applicator is also much easier to use than I expected. The Crayola marker feeling is a little strange initially, but the precision it gives me makes sense for a lip stain.
The formula does have the potential to feel drying, particularly on already-dry lips. Giving it time to set before adding a balm or gloss should make it easier to customize the finish without immediately disturbing the stain.
The transfer resistance has also been excellent during my wear test. I've been drinking and vaping normally, and I haven't noticed the stain transferring.
For $5, Ballet Core has given me a beautiful cool-leaning pink, an easy application and impressive transfer resistance so far.
Most importantly, I really love the color on my lips. I applied the Elf Clout Pout pen in clear and this is it after three hours.
Trying Mauvelous
Mauvelous is quite a bit deeper than Ballet Core, and I noticed almost immediately that the darker color makes the marker format a little harder to work with.
With Ballet Core, I could draw the color on fairly easily without worrying too much about getting every section perfectly even. Mauvelous requires a little more care. Any unevenness in the stain is much easier to see because the color is deeper. It is patchy.
I am a bit embarrassed by this photo, it makes my application look awful, but the product was very hard to work with. I don't edit my photos on here for transparency, but I was tempted to because it's awful.
The color itself is really pretty and appears somewhat cool-toned on me. It's a much deeper shade than Ballet Core and gives the lips a more dramatic stained look. But the consistency is not good. It could be my lips being dry, but it would be way more suitable as a lip liner than a full stain.
I don't care for Mauvelous as a full lip stain, but Ballet Core is definitely my favorite of the two.
Does Mauvelous Need a Gloss or Balm?
This is one area where my experience with the two shades is quite different.
I think Ballet Core looks gorgeous completely on its own. I don't feel like it needs a topper at all.
With Mauvelous, I would personally add one.
Because the shade is so much darker, I can see the areas where the stain isn't completely even much more easily. Adding a gloss or balm helps soften that patchiness and makes the finished lip look much more polished.
One thing I really like about the e.l.f. lip stain markers in general: gloss doesn't take the stain off. I have had this happen with a lot of lip stains, and it's a pain-point for me!
This also makes me think the formula itself may be better suited to lighter and brighter shades, at least based on the two colors I've tried.
I will say it had staying power. After I wiped my lips with micellar water and a terry cloth pad, some of the color remained, and it stayed on bright for at least three hours.
Are Ballet Core and Mauvelous Rare Beauty Lip Oil Dupes?
The colors immediately reminded me of two shades from the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil line.
To me, Ballet Core has a similar look to Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Happy, while Mauvelous reminds me of Affection. That being said, Affection is a much nicer stain with coverage compared to Mauvelous.
They're not identical products, and I'm not claiming they're exact shade matches. The colors are similar enough, though, that I immediately made the connection when I saw them on my lips.
The biggest surprise is that I actually prefer the stain Ballet Core leaves behind compared to Happy. Mauvelous reminds me of Affection in color, although I find Affection gives me much nicer, more even coverage.
For $5, that's impressive. Both stains lasted through vaping, eating, drinking, and kissing my husband. AND with gloss on! Each color lasted about three hours.
Still trying to figure out which lip colors work with your particular cool undertone? My Cool Undertone Lipstick Skin Tone Chart: How To Pick Shades That Actually Work breaks down which lipstick families to look for and can make choosing your next shade a whole lot easier.
Ballet Core or Mauvelous: Which Would I Buy Again?
This one is easy for me.
I'd 100% repurchase Ballet Core.
It's my favorite color of the two, it's easier to apply, it looks beautiful without anything over it, and the stain has performed incredibly well on me.
Mauvelous is still pretty, and I'll absolutely use the one I bought. I just don't think I'd purchase it again. The deeper color makes the application less forgiving, and I prefer it with a topper to help disguise some of the patchiness. I think it would make a really good lip liner though and for $5, you can't beat it!
Ballet Core is the shade I'd reach for regularly.
My only real hesitation about repurchasing these markers in general is whether the felt tip will stay saturated over time. Mine haven't dried out, and I'm storing them tip-side down to hopefully keep the product flowing properly.
If that changes and either marker dries out with continued use, I'll update this review with what happened.
As things stand, Ballet Core is easily my winner of the two $5 e.l.f. Main Stain Lip Markers.
Have you tried the e.l.f. lip stain markers? If so, what did you think of them? Which shades did you try, and would you repurchase them? Leave it in the comments!
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