I love lip gloss and lipstick as much as the next person, but you know what I find frustrating? Reapplying continuously throughout the day only to have that color vanish after a sip of water. Is it too much to ask for a lip product that’ll add some color to my lips without the constant touch-ups? Thankfully, lip stains have entered the chat. They don’t smudge, transfer, or bleed, and instead of fading immediately after you eat or drink something, they leave behind a tint that stays in place for hours.
Lip tints aren’t anything new, but recently, Korean lip tints have taken the Internet by storm. If you’re a regular in the K-beauty space, brands like Rom&nd and Etude House are household names. Their fans claim they do it all: look good, feel good, and stay on all day. My curiosity was piqued—how good could they really be? So, I prepped my lips with Cosrx Lip Scrub and Aquaphor Lip Repair and decided to put five popular Korean lip tints to the test to see if they lived up to their cult status.
Korean Lip Tint #1: Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint
Wearing Bare Grape
The Good: This tint was probably the one I was most excited to try since I’m already in love with Rom&nd Glasting Melting Balm and Bare Water Cushion Foundation. I got the shade Bare Grape because of its natural pink hue, and it was perfect for an everyday natural lip. It’s buildable and the tint has a bit of staying power, lasting well past the first sip of coffee.
The Bad: Compared to the other tints, this one had a bit more slip to it, so it took a few minutes longer to dry. The shiny gloss finish was one of the best I’ve seen, but it disappeared quickly.
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a simple wash of color, Rom&nd would be your best bet! Paired with a lip gloss, it would be a great lip combo option.
Korean Lip Tint #2: Muzigae Mansion Objet Liquid Tint
Wearing No.2 Sequence
The Good: This lip tint’s texture was the most similar to a liquid lipstick without the stickiness. It dried down to a soft matte velvet finish, giving my lips a smooth and plush look. Bonus points for its cute packaging. I would reapply just to show it off!
The Bad: You can’t skip the prep. It’s super unforgiving to cracks, and it will definitely get caught in any dry patches.
Final Verdict: If you’re fine with lip prep, this tint gives a great matte-lip energy without the drawbacks that come with more heavy-duty lipsticks.
Korean Lip Tint #3: Etude House Fixing Tint
The Good: Of the five tints I tried, this one was the easiest to apply. The formula was thin and lightweight but pigmented—one swipe lasted the entire day, and I basically forgot I had anything on! The pointed applicator was great—it was firmer than the others, making it easy to quickly line the lips sans lip liner.
The Bad: While I love the color, this wasn't exactly what I thought mauve would be. With a name like Midnight Mauve, I assumed that it’d be a purplish-pink shade coming out of the tube. It was a rosier pink than I expected but still pretty on the lips.
Final Verdict: This one was definitely the most comfortable to wear. It didn’t feel like the lip was slipping and sliding. I’d probably keep this one handy for summer since the formula is so lightweight.
Korean Lip Tint #4: TonyMoly Get it Tint Waterful Butter
The Good: As the name suggests, this tint had a light buttery texture and the smoothest formula of the five. Formulated with shea butter and ceramides, it felt hydrating like a fresh swipe of a lip balm. After the initial vibrancy wore off, my lips were still stained a wash of red that lasted well throughout the day.
The Bad: To be fair, the bad could be a positive for some, but I’m a little lazy. The staining power from this tint is absolutely insane. I typically use one full pump of the Beauty of Joseon Cleansing Oil, and that easily melts everything right off. Meanwhile, it took a couple of extra pumps and a silicone pad to fully get this tint off my lips.
Final Verdict: Similar to the Etude House tint, this was super comfortable to wear without feeling drying, and the tint did not budge. The Get It Tint was pretty similar to the brand’s OG Delight Tint, just creamier and more hydrating than its counterpart.
Korean Lip Tint #5: LilyByRed Moody Liar Tint
The Good: A couple of dabs and blends is all it took for this tint to last past the giant Sweetgreen bowl I had for lunch. Pro-tip: a dab dries faster and stains for much longer than an actual full swipe across the lip. I also loved the shade—it didn't look heavy or dramatic. It works as an everyday color, and with a couple extra dabs, it definitely would have been perfect for a night out, too.
The Bad: I tried a full swipe instead of small dabs of the product and that was my mistake. While the color was much more pigmented with a swipe, it bled past the lip line and smudged onto the chin by the first sip of coffee. If you’re looking for more color payoff, I recommend layering bit by bit—a little goes a long way!
Final Verdict: Hands down, my one true winner. It lasts and leaves behind a perfect wash of color. Plus, I’m a total sucker for an economical and practical product.
