Korean Lip Tint 101, Plus Product Recommendations Just For You!

Hi, K-beauty lovers! Whether you’re already riding the K-beauty wave for a while or just beginning to test out the waters, you might be familiar with a Korean lip tint. Oh… another lip product? Yes, but also no. It’s more than just a lip product, but a new and different category in the ever-expanding Korean makeup trends. This bright and youthful sensation has been a popular makeup staple among Korean women, boosted even further by the growing popularity of K-dramas and K-pop idols showing off their fresh lip colors right on the big screen.

Korean Lip Tint 101

Literally interpreted, lip tint means lip ink. It’s different from the thicker and waxier consistency of Western lipsticks and lip creams where the formula only ‘sits’ on your lips. Lip tint has a watery and gel base, absorbing more easily into your lips and creating a long-lasting stained finish even after the top layer is gone from eating or smudging. The tint gives a softer and more natural look, or what beauty enthusiasts call my lips but better, making it a perfect choice for daily and casual use. Or apply a second layer, and you’ll get a bold lip look for parties.

Ombre Look

Okay, so you can’t talk about lip tint and not mention the ombre look. If anything, the ombre lips are the defining standard of all lip tints. Yep, it’s THAT important to know what an ombre look is before you try out any lip tints. Imagine a sunset with beautiful mixed hues of red and orange on the horizon. Well, the ombre look is the same. You start with a lighter nude color as your lip base, then apply a darker color on the inner part of your lips, blending it well with your fingers to produce a gradient appearance. An orange base with a red highlight is a perfect combination for a sweet radiant look. Or, if you’re looking for a bolder and more daring style, brown and mauve can brighten up your complexion and balance out well with a smoky eye look.

The result of this ombre lip? A plump, kissable lip as the highlight of your makeup!

Lip tints are not only a booming rage in Korea but also in many Asian countries. In my home country Indonesia, many local brands are adding lip tint in their catalog, emphasizing the pigmented high-quality formula with a mix of our seasonal colors. Because the traditional Korean lip tints are aimed at fair-skinned women, all of us who have a darker lip color need to look for a deeper shade. You can also mix and match your right color based on your skin’s undertone, cool or warm.

Speaking about skin undertone, here are some tips for choosing the right Korean lip tint color for you.

How to Choose the Right Lip Tint Color

Look at the veins on your wrists. If they’re mostly green, then you have a warmer undertone. If they’re blue or purplish, you have a cooler undertone.

For warm tones, if you have a yellow or olive skin tone, try looking for lip tints that are bright orange, coral peach, brick-brown, or even golden copperish.

For cool tones, safe options are tints with a blue or pink hue, like wine red, plum, cherry, mauve, and pink purples.

If you’re the lucky ones with a neutral undertone, you can work with any shade that complements your skin color!

We’ve covered the base of what lip tint is, so now let’s check out some of the common types of lip tint and some product recommendations you can find in your local drugstore or online!

Korean Lip Tint Recommendations

Water-based

This lip-tint has a water-like texture and instantly stains your lips with how light and absorbable it is. The color pigments are usually strong, like red and bright pink, so you must first spread them thinly to avoid blocking your lips in just one spot. Water-based lip tints are often used as the base for gradient lips. However, it can also be quite drying as it evaporates quickly. To fix this, you can first apply a colorless lip balm to moisturize your lips so the stain can be more even.

Try these: ETUDE Fixing Tint, ETUDE Dear Darling Water Tint, Tony Moly Delight Tony Tint.

Oil-based

An oil-based lip tint is your go-to for those who want a glossy finish. Because of the moisturizing ingredients, this variant is often used by those with dry lips. But unlike water-based tints, it doesn’t stain as strongly and brightly, so it’s more suitable as a sheer lip gloss or the topmost layer.

Try these: IM MEME Im Lip Jelly, LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm, The Saem Eco Soul Lip Oil.

Creamy

Similar to the consistency and feel of a thicker lip cream, this type gives the impression of bold full lips with the lightness of a tint. It slides easily on your lips with a matte satin finish. Creamy lip tints are usually the most long-lasting due to their powdery velvet layer. Transfer-free and smudge-proof, the perfect tint to wear under your mask!

Try these: 3CE Velvet Lip Tint, APIEU Water Light Tint.

Gel-based

Last but not least, we have a type of tint that combines all the goodness from the other types. It gives a sharp, strong stain like water-based tints, hydrating and glossy like oil-based tints, and is easily applicable like creamy tints. The only disadvantage is that it’s not as long-lasting, but if you like to reapply your tint a few times a day, you’ll find this variant your favorite.

Try these: A’PIEU Juicy-Pang Color Lip Balm, APIEU Juicy-Pang Mousse Tint Dried Fruit Edition

The Korean lip tint is a must-have in your purse every day. Here we have chosen the best Korean lip tint for every occasion. Let us know which one you liked the most!

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