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The Korean Lip Tint Formulas Beauty Experts Swear By
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Lip combos are all the rage right now, with everyone’s lineup ranging from matte or satin lipsticks to uber-glossy lip formulas, and of course, precision lip liners. However, a cheat code to achieving the perfect long-lasting pink or berry base on the lips isn’t a multi-layer application, but one very unassuming product: lip tints.
While its popularity has steadily increased over the years, lip tints have always been a core part of Korean women’s makeup routines. “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,” says Hae Jin Chang, brand director of K-beauty brand Joah. Korean lip tints typically arrive in shades of pink and red to subtly accentuate the color of one’s lips, just with a glossy finish and a stain that lasts through laughter, sips, and meals. Beyond its sheen, many lip tint formulas provide a healthy dose of moisture that keeps the lips hydrated, rather than cracked.
“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,” explains Lauren Kim, the associate director of marketing and communications at Clio Cosmetics.
Top picks for the best Korean lip tints in 2025
The different kinds of lip tints that Korean makeup brands offer can help you get your desired result, no matter what it is. “There are water-based lip tints, oil-based lip tints (which are more like a lip oil but with more pigment), sheer tints with a glossy finish, and velvet cream lip tints with a moussier feel,” Kim says. Whether you want a tint to provide a base for your lip liner, lip gloss, and lipstick, or want something that’s more one-and-done, there’s a Korean lip tint for you. Below, discover the eight best Korean lip tints, chosen based on our own personal experiences, expert insights, and hundreds of customer reviews.
Pros
- Multiple shades to layer with
Cons
- Some users note it’s better as a base than on its own
No red flags here—just five different shades of the color to choose from. Depending on your preference, you can start with a soft, light pink or go all the way to a deep berry hue. Glycerin offers moisturizing benefits, helping the sheen and color stay comfortably on the lips (or cheeks) for hours.
Shades: 6
Size: 2.89 oz
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “These lip tints are beautiful! They finish with a matte look, and are so bright! Super tiny, tho and great as blush!”
Pros
- Formulated with nourishing oil blend
Cons
- Some users note the stain can be hard to remove
Here’s a lip oil that goes beyond its aesthetic appeal to provide long-lasting hydration and great color payoff. The Appleplum Lip Oil combines jojoba oil, kakaduplum, and appleseed oil to condition the lips with a light-as-air texture and non-sticky finish.
Shades: 13
Size: 0.12 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Small but mighty! I love this gloss/stain. I have two now and will definitely buy more. The stain lasts for several hours, and I have had many compliments on how it looks. Easy application, leaves no bad taste after applying and the tube is so small you can even carry it in your pocket.”
Pros
- Transfer-proof
Cons
- Can take practice to apply evenly
While this Korean lip tint feels like water, it offers a beautiful, non-sticky stain with plenty of longevity. In fact, it won’t feel like you have anything on your lips at all. The vibrant colors look amazing on their own or provide a beautiful base for any lip combo you place on top.
Shades: 5
Size: 0.32 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
Our expert says: “When I was a teenager, I beelined to Etude to buy this exact tint. I feel as though most young Korean girls must’ve tried this at one point. I tested it again recently, and it’s still just as good as I remember. The formula is so thin and liquid-y that your lips absorb it right away, and the stain lasts forever until you scrub it off. It also works as a cheek stain in a pinch.”—Carol Lee, beauty writer
Pros
- Non-drying
Cons
- Not transfer-proof
True to its name, this bestseller from Peripera feels like velvet on the lips. The formula is so smooth that it never clumps up or clings onto dry patches, and there’s a shade in the line for everyone. If you’re looking for one particular recommendation, “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,” shares Kim.
Shades: 29
Size: 0.14 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
Our expert says: “This lip stain is a true classic. The best way to describe it is that it feels like a mousse on your lips. Even though it’s matte, it never quite dries down, so it doesn’t dehydrate my lips like other matte lipsticks tend to do. Also, the mousse texture makes it easy to over line your lips and have it look natural.”—Carol Lee
Pros
- Lightweight on the lips
Cons
- Can be a little sticky
Inspired by fruit, this Korean lip tint captures the vibrant colors of lychees, cherries, apricots, and more and brings them to your pout. With over a dozen shades to choose from, you’re sure to find your match.
Shades: 14
Size: 0.17 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Usually, lip tints usually made my lips look smaller or even dry. I hated the feeling of lip tints. You could see the cracks on my lips, so I thought I just didn’t have the lips for a tint! But this was literally a game-changer. It gives me a hydrating feeling while being an absolutely lovely color that can be buildable! The packaging was really cute too! I’m definitely going to get more.”
Pros
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Can be a little drying
Each of the choices in Rom&nd’s Juicy Lasting Tint Bare Juicy Series is a slightly muted color designed to be a “my-lips-but-better” shade that flatters anyone and everyone with or without makeup. This tint is truly a shortcut to achieving lips that resemble tanghulu, a popular candied fruit snack in Asia.
Shades: 23
Size: 0.2 oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “I love a glossy lip, but I find that a lot of them don’t last or have that mirror-like finish I want. Rom&nd, which is one of my absolute favorite makeup brands, solves both issues with this product. After you swipe it on, don’t press your lips together—just let it settle, and it’ll produce a glassiness that stays throughout the day.”—Carol Lee
Pros
- Applies and wears off evenly
Cons
- Can leave lips a little dry
If you’re into the clean girl aesthetic, this lip tint is a perfect fit. The formula is like a lip tint, gloss, and oil in one, with a hydrating formula that soaks lips in moisture and makes them shine like a precious jewel.
Shades: 25
Size: 0.12 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is my favorite lip color I’ve ever bought! It goes on very wet and glossy, and later, it will dry for a light shine that doesn’t feel thick. My favorite part is that I can actually drink from my pastel water bottle,and I don’t leave a stain.”
Pros
- Buildable color
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
This silky lip tint glides over dry lips for a blurred and matte finish. The formula feels luxurious on the lips, and you can use one layer for a natural look or apply several coats to create a more dramatic and bold effect.
Shades: 10
Size: 0.18 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “It is a little higher than the price of others, but the quality, color, and feel of this tint when I wear it make it worth it. My goal is to get one in every shade. I love this so much.”
Meet the Experts
Hae Jin Chang is the brand director of Joah.
Lauren Kim is the associate director of marketing and communications at Clio Cosmetics.
How should you apply lip tints?
While you may be tempted to use a lip balm before swiping on a lip tint, that may not be such a good idea. “We do not recommend [doing that], as it will mute the pigment and cause the product to wipe off prematurely,” Kim says. However, you should exfoliate your lips before.
During application, Shin suggests “leaving the tint on for 30 seconds and then wiping off excess product. Once the top layer is off but the color is still on your lips, re-apply to your desired pigment. This will have your lip tint lasting all day,” they explain.
How do you remove lip tints?
Some of them grip onto the lips so well that removing them can be a struggle. “I use waterproof makeup remover. If waterproof makeup remover is not enough, I would use a lip scrub/exfoliator,” says Chang. Additionally, for extra touch lip tints, Kim and Shin recommend utilizing “an oil-based makeup remover to remove your lip tint,” they explain.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty expert Carol Lee consulted Korean beauty experts to learn about the best Korean lip tints. Lee and ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose also read through countless customer reviews and evaluated each product on its features.
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