Though lip tints have lately become popular on TikTok, they have long been popular in South Korea, as least as long as I can recall. When I was a teenager, I was there to see the trend come to life. I watched with great interest as girls painted the insides of their lips in a gradient to give the appearance of a small, petal-shaped pout, and I did my best to imitate. According to Hae Jin Chang, brand director of K-beauty brand Joah, “Korean women strive for that natural makeup look, and lip tints make it very effortless to enhance the natural look of lips and add a pop of color.”
The best thing about those cosmetics is that they are more pleasant to wear than standard lipstick and are so versatile you can pretty much produce any effect with them. Lauren Kim, the associate director of marketing and communications at Clio Cosmetics, says, “Korean lip tints have more moisturizing ingredients that prevent the chapping and drying that can be caused by traditional lipstick and water-based lip tints.”
Whatever the intended outcome, Korean beauty firms may assist you in achieving it with their assortment of lip tints. “There are sheer tints with a glossy finish, velvet cream lip tints with a moisturizing feel, water-based lip tints, and oil-based lip tints (which are more pigmented and more like lip oils),” explains Kim. There is a Korean lip tint for everyone, regardless of whether you want something more one-and-done or something to serve as a base for your lipstick, lip gloss, and liner. Discover the top seven Korean lip tints below, which we picked based on hundreds of user ratings, professional advice, and our own personal experiences.
1. Etude Dear Darling Water Tint Cherry Ade
This Korean lip tint feels like water, but it leaves a gorgeous, long-lasting color that isn’t sticky. You won’t even feel as though you have anything on your lips. The vivid hues are stunning on their own or serve as a lovely foundation for any lip combination you choose to apply on top.
An editor at ELLE claims: “As a teenager, I went straight to Etude to get this exact shade. I have the impression that most teenage Korean females have attempted this at some point. It’s still as wonderful as I recall, according to a recent test. Your lips immediately absorb the thin, liquid substance, and the stain remains on your lips until you scrub it off. In a pinch, it also functions as a cheek stain. — Carol Lee, associate beauty e-commerce writer for ELLE.com
2. Peripera Ink the Velvet Korean Lip Tint
This Peripera bestseller feels just like velvet on the lips, true to its name. There is a shade in the line for everyone, and the formula is so smooth that it never clumps or adheres to dry areas. “Our best-selling shade, #17 Rosy Nude, is a truly universal nude that can be used on many different skin tones and built upon for the perfect nude-lip look,” says Kim, if you’re looking for a specific recommendation.
An editor at ELLE declares: “This lip stain is an absolute classic. It feels best described as a mousse-like substance on your lips. It never really dries down, despite being matte, so unlike other matte lipsticks, it doesn’t dry out my lips. Additionally, it’s simple to overline your lips and yet have a natural look thanks to the mousse texture. — Carol Lee
3. Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint
The slightly subdued colors of Rom&nd’s Juicy Lasting Tint Bare Juicy Series are all intended to be “my lips, but better” shades that go well on everyone, makeup or not. This tint is a true time-saver for getting lips that resemble the popular Asian candied fruit snack, tanghulu.
“I love a glossy lip, but I find that a lot of them don’t last or have that mirror-like finish I want,” an editor at ELLE says. With this product, Rom&nd—one of my all-time favorite makeup brands—solves both problems. It will create a glassiness that lasts all day if you let it settle after swiping it on rather than pressing your lips together. — Carol Le.
4. Joah Water Color Velvet Lip Tint
Applying like a serum, this lip tint dries into a matte stain. Cupuaçu butter and vitamin E are added to the product to provide intense skin hydration while it’s on. According to Chang, the product is designed with moisturizing gel capsules that offer a chilling sensation when applied and hydration.
“Any lip product that looks matte but doesn’t feel like it,” exclaims an editor at ELLE. This lip tint has a velvety, smooth finish and moisturizes the lips. Furthermore, it can be a bit challenging to remove without an oil cleanser or a thorough cleansing with a makeup wipe due to its tenacity.— Carol Lee
5. Hera Matte Lip Tint
This smooth lip tint applies smoothly to parched lips, leaving a matte, blurred look. The product feels opulent on the lips, and you can apply many coats for a bolder, more dramatic look, or just one layer for a more natural look.
“It is a little more expensive than the price of others, but the quality, color, and feel of this tint when I wear it make it worthwhile,” an Amazon reviewer comments. Getting one in every shade is my aim. I adore this so much.
6. Dasique Juicy Dewy Tint
This lip color is a great choice if you like the clean female look. The hydrating nature of the product is similar to a combination lip tint, gloss, and oil; it leaves lips feeling luscious and shining like a gem.
Shades: 25
Dimensions: 0.12 oz.
Reviews on Amazon: 4.3 out of 5
“This is my favorite lip color I’ve ever bought!” a customer on Amazon states. It applies quite wet and glossy, and when it dries, it will have a subtle, non-thick sheen. My favorite feature is that I can use my pastel water bottle to drink without leaving any stains.
7. Lilybyred Bloody Liar Coating Tint
This fruit-inspired Korean lip tint adds the vivid hues of lychees, cherries, apricots, and more to your pout. With more than a dozen hues available, you’re sure to discover the perfect combination.
14 Shades
Dimensions: 0.17 oz.
Amazon user rating: 4.4 out of 5
According to an Amazon reviewer, “My lips usually looked smaller or even dry when I used lip tints.” I detested how lip tints felt on my lips. I assumed I didn’t have enough lips for a color because you could see the gaps in them! However, this genuinely changed the game. It’s a really beautiful color that can be built up, and it feels moisturizing! Additionally, the wrapping was adorable! Without a doubt, I will receive more.
