While there’s no arguing that Korean skin care is top-tier, don’t sleep on K-beauty makeup products, particularly when it comes to the best Korean lip stains. Over the course of the last year, they’ve managed to dethrone most of my go-to lip products. And that’s no mean feat coming from a beauty journalist who tests makeup for a living.
These lip stains are blurring, hydrating, and deliver serious pigment to easily last you the whole day without the need for a top-up. Whether you’re after glass-like shine or a matte, powdery finish, they’re versatile enough to suit any preference. But they truly shine when it comes to their wearable shade range. Some of the most popular iterations on the Western market tend to offer a sparse range that usually includes bolder hues of pink or red but almost never feature something more neutral for day-to-day wear. That, dear fellow beauty lover, is rarely the case with Korean lip stains. From your mauve-y nudes to the brown-ish pinks or subtle berry shades, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of options.
To help you pick the right formula, I’ve put together an edit of the best Korean lip stains out there, rounding up the most standout shades and finishes, and relying on my K-beauty expertise to do so.
The best Korean lip stains, at a glance
- Best Overall: Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint, $18
- Best for Matte Finish: Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint, $10
- Best Pigment: Colorgram Fruity Glass Tint, $15
- Best Long-Lasting: Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush, $25
- Best for Dewy Finish: Rom&nd Dewyful Water Tint, $15
Best Overall: Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint
There aren’t many Korean lip stains that are just as coveted as the Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint. Offering a wide shade range that includes everything from wearable nude colors to the bolder reds and pinks, this lightweight formula feels incredibly hydrating on the lips and deliver seriously impressive pigment after just a few minutes. Perfect if you’re after a glass-like dewy finish too. Plus, the gloss intensifies over time, guaranteeing a lasting “glazed donut” effect. I’ve been swearing by this lip stain for a little over a year now, and I can confirm that it fully deserves all the hype that it gets. I love using it on the days when I know I wouldn’t have the time to top up my lips while relying on the pigment that I get from this clever formula. Hands down, one of the best lip products I’ve ever tried.
- Finish: Glossy
- Glamour-recommended shades: 23 Nucadamia, 24 Peeling Angdoo, 11 Pink Pumpkin
- Pros: Lightweight formula, wide shade range, impressive pigment
- Cons: May cling onto dry patches
Best for a Matte Finish: Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint
Now, if you’re someone who tends to gravitate toward more blurring lip products with a soft-matte finish, look no further than the Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint. But unlike most matte lip products, this viral formula doesn’t feel drying on the lips, courtesy of a whole host of skin-loving ingredients such as vitamin E, cotton seed oil, green tea oil, and mango oil. Whether you intend to wear it on its own or as a topper as part of your go-to lip combo, you can rest assured knowing that this lightweight stain won’t budge and will last you for hours on end. I rely on it whenever I’m in the mood for an ombré lip, and I love that it doesn’t feel cakey or drying—even after a whole day of wear.
