8 Best Korean Lip Stains, According to a K-Beauty Obsessive

Denise Primbet
·9 min read

Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Photos: Courtesy of brand and original image by tester

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

Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint

$17.9.00, Amazon

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

Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint

$13.99.00, Amazon

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.

Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley tested the Star Plum Pink shade, a beautiful rosy pink with serious staying power, which stayed on after a three-hour workout.

  • Finish: Matte

  • Glamour-recommended shades: 022 Bouquet Nude, 002 Celeb Deep Rose, 023 Nutty Nude

  • Pros: Offers one of the widest shade ranges we’ve seen, weightless and blurring

  • Cons: May not be as hydrating as other options in this edit

Best for Precise Application: Etude Dear Darling Marker Tint

Etude Dear Darling Marker Tint

$10.99.00, Amazon

Long-lasting? Check. Highly pigmented and weightless? Check and check. The Etude Dear Darling Marker Tint is a perfect choice for anyone after a lip stain that’ll result in precise application, particularly if you’re someone who can’t go a day without using lip liner (cuz same). Available in six shades in total, from your reds to your pinks and peachy hues, this formula has an extremely light, watery texture and delivers a juicy satin finish. Thanks to its clever formula, it also doesn’t lack in the pigment department either, resulting in a smudge-and-transfer-proof finish. Definitely one of the most convenient lip stains out there.

Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary tested the Cherry Ade shade and said it didn’t budge, even after eating a sandwich during her lunch. “It does an incredible job of filling your lips with pigment (the applicator is small and flexible, making it easy to get into every nook and cranny of your mouth corners), all while keeping your lips feeling hydrated,” she says.

  • Finish: Satin

  • Glamour-recommended shades: Apple Candy, Grape Soda, Pink Tangerine

  • Pros: Weightless feel, easy to apply, offers precise application

  • Cons: Doesn’t come in as many shades as other options in this edit

Best Lasting Pigment: Colorgram Fruity Glass Tint

Colorgram Fruity Glass Tint

$15.99.00, Amazon

If you’re just as obsessed with #BeautyTok as we are, chances are you’ve probably already spotted this lip stain at some point on your FYP. To start, the Colorgram Fruity Glass Tint comes in super-adorable pastel packaging, which scores some points in our book. Formula-wise, you’ll find that this product feels weightless on the lips, resulting in a high-shine glossy finish all while remaining nonsticky. As far as pigment goes, this cruelty-free lip stain is definitely one of the strongest in this department, with staying power that’ll easily last you through a whole day. Sheer it out with your fingers for a subtle finish or layer for an extra-bold look. Just think about all the potential lip combos!

  • Finish: Glossy

  • Glamour-recommended shades: 04 Adorable Berry, 02 Dewy Grapefruit, 07 Shy Guava

  • Pros: Feels weightless on the lips, strong pigment, fun color range

  • Cons: Doesn’t offer many nude shades

Best 2-in-1 Lip Stain: Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush

Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush

$25.00, Sephora

Not only does it come with the cutest jelly charm, but it can also double as a liquid blush. It’s definitely worth considering if you’re after a versatile formula that will also save you some space in your makeup bag. Packed with various skin-care ingredients such as triple berry complex, lemon fruit extract, and olive squalane, this nourishing formula excels at keeping your lips nice and moisturized throughout the day, leaving them pillow-y soft from first application. This lightweight lip stain also offers buildable pigment so you can easily adjust it depending on your desired finish and whether an occasion calls for something a bit more dramatic. The best part? Its compact keychain design means that you can also use it as a bag charm or attach it to your keys. A must-have.

  • Finish: glossy.

  • Glamour-recommended shades: 05 Peach Fizz, 02 Squeeze Guava, 04 Fig Soda

  • Pros: Convenient keychain design, skin-loving ingredients, glossy finish

  • Cons: Doesn’t come in as many shades as other options in this edit

Best Lightweight: Clio Crystal Glam Tint

Clio Crystal Glam Tint

$15.5.00, Amazon

If thicker consistency isn’t your cup of tea and instead you’re someone who prefers lightweight and silky texture, be sure to check out the Clio Crystal Glam Tint, which is by far one of the most weightless formulas we’ve tested. Offering an all-day color payoff, this Korean lip stain delivers a smooth glossy finish and ensures a nourishing feel. Plus, thanks to a handful of skin-care components such as rose oil, this formula is also less prone to sticking to your dry patches or chapped lips, something that, annoyingly, is common with most lip stains. It glides on like butter in one swipe, delivering all the coverage and shine you could possibly ask for.

  • Finish: Glossy

  • Glamour-recommended shades: 006 Daily Mauve, 009 Bare Peach, 014 Heart Pink Diamond

  • Pros: Lightweight texture, extra-shiny finish, nonsticky

  • Cons: Doesn’t offer enough shades to complement darker skin tones

Best for a Dewy Finish: Rom&nd Dewyful Water Tint

Rom&nd Dewyful Water Tint

$15.2.00, Amazon

Everyone loves a juicy, weightless lip stain, especially if it comes from a sought-after brand like Rom&nd. Yes, I’m talking about the popular Dewyful Water Tint, a unique formula that offers a beautiful dewy sheen without feeling sticky. Thanks to four of the included herb extracts (think: lavender, oregano, thyme, and rosemary), this nourishing lip tint makes easy work of locking in the moisture to ensure lasting hydration. Whether you decide to layer it up for a more dramatic look or blend it out for a more natural finish, trust me when I tell you that this lightweight and shine-inducing formula has all the potential to become a must-have in your makeup collection.

  • Finish: Dewy

  • Glamour-recommended shades: 13 Custard Mauve, 03 If Rose, 12 Canyon

  • Pros: Gorgeous dewy finish, hydrating, nonsticky

  • Cons: Doesn’t offer enough shades to complement darker skin tones

Best Hydrating Formula: Laka Fruity Glam Tint

Laka Fruity Glam Tint

$15.00, Stylevana

If your main priority is keeping your lips hydrated and steering clear of drying formulas, we strongly recommend checking out the Laka Fruity Glam Tint. This vegan lip stain comes infused with a number of vitamin-rich nutrients to keep chapped lips at bay and offers a high-shine finish as well as buildable pigment. We’ll give credit where it’s due: This lip stain offers one of (if not the most) versatile shade ranges we’ve seen, so there’s definitely something to suit every taste and preference (whether you’re team “nude” or if you’re a fan of a bold red lip). I always praise this formula for keeping my lips hydrated all day long, a feat that’s not so easily achieved with other lip stains. I also adore the dewy look and how seamlessly it glides onto the lips.

  • Finish: Glossy.

  • Glamour-recommended shades: 104 Cherry, 107 Sugar, 114 Harmony

  • Pros: High-shine finish, impressive pigment, reasonably priced

  • Cons: May cling onto dry patches

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