Are you tired of seeing lipstick on your teeth, clothes, and cup? Watching it bleed at the edges or having it dry out your lips? What about when the stick breaks or melts?

Solve all those problems by switching to the best Korean lip tint.

Go ahead, compare them to Benefit’s Benetint, one of the all-time favorites of K-pop idols. You’ll find that the Korean cosmetic industry has met and surpassed the original standard.

Korean lip tint versus lipstick versus lip balm

As you may know, lip tint is similar to lip stain. It’s longer-lasting (by far) than either lipstick or lip balm. It’s lightweight, richly pigmented, and comes in either velvet or glossy finish.

You’ll forget you’re wearing it until you look in the mirror because it won’t transfer or feel sticky.

Moreover, Korean lip tint is ideal for creating a gradient lip, AKA ombre lip. It’s straightforward to build bold color on the inside that fades toward the edges.

Liquid lip tints come with a wand or doe foot applicator similar to lip gloss. Then, there are also stick applicators similar to lipstick. In any case, you shouldn’t have to touch up the tint much or at all during the day.

If you look at the ingredients, you’ll see that lip balms and lipsticks are based on wax and oil. But tints are gel or liquid, often with silicone for long wear and to seal in moisture.

Still, don’t expect lip tint to be very hydrating. But if you prepare your lips ahead of time, the tint will look perfect.

How to use Korean lip tint

If you exfoliate and moisturize your lips the night before, the lip tint will look flawless. That’s because dehydrated lips won’t stain evenly, emphasizing the cracks.

Use a soft brush or a lip scrub to remove dead skin. Then slather on the lip balm before bed.

When you awake, gently remove any leftover debris before putting on the lip tint.

Now, it’s time to decide between full coverage, gradient, or diffused looks.

Full coverage means outlining the edges and working towards the inside for an even color.

But gradient means starting on the inside of the lip. Apply a small amount in the center and press your lips together to spread it. Some makeup artists prefer using a lip brush or a swab to tap and blend. Repeat the process if you want to go darker.

Finally, diffused just means you won’t need to outline the lips. Apply the tint over two-thirds of the lips and press them together.

The lip tint should set quickly. Feel free to use lip gloss on top for extra moisture.

How to remove Korean lip tint

Like any long-wear makeup, lip tint can be challenging to remove. Don’t try to scrub it off. Instead, use makeup remover or oil cleanser.

Best Korean Lip Tint in 2023

Now, here are reviews of the best Korean lip tints.

ETUDE HOUSE Dear Darling Water Gel Tint Ice Cream Lip Tint

For fifty years, Etude House has been one of the most successful Korean cosmetics brands. You can’t go wrong by trying one of their lip tints first.

Check out the adorable ice cream on a stick packaging. The playful appearance hides a seriously pigmented formula. The colors range from light peach to deep red.

Twist the handle, and out comes the doe foot applicator with a soft sponge tip. The tint feels like gel going on, and it absorbs rapidly. It smells like fruit but has a slightly bitter aftertaste that fortunately fades.

Once it’s dry, it’s kiss-proof and won’t transfer to clothing, cups, or skin.

Although Etude House claims that this is a moisturizing formula, take that with a grain of salt. Although it contains soapberry, minerals, and vitamins, it won’t be as hydrating as lip balm.

On the bright side, it’s paraben-free.

Peripera Ink Airy Velvet Lip Tint

Peripera makes a variety of lip tints that differ in small details. For example, the Ink Airy Velvet tint is amazingly lightweight. You’ll forget you’re wearing it.

The texture is powdery and silky, and it glides on with a single swipe of the applicator. Then, it sets to a velvet finish. But don’t equate matte with flat. The tint has elastomer and emollients that plump the surface to smooth the lip.

Some of the colors will surprise you, though. The Pretty Orange Pink shade looks orange in the bottle but sets to a lovely pink. Plus, each color is buildable from light to maximum intensity.

Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint

This tint is designed for hours of wear without the need for touch-ups. It leaves the lips velvety soft and silky-looking. It won’t clump or transfer.

The bold colors are highly-pigmented, and they don’t bleed. If you want a shiny finish, you’ll need to put on lip gloss, but it may shorten the wear time.

Happily, it comes with a precision applicator.

TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint Set

This is a Korean drugstore brand known for using cute packaging and appealing fragrances. Their lip tint is an amazing value worth trying.

For instance, it’s infused with natural skin conditioners like argan, jojoba, and rosehip oils. Yet, it feels sheer and sets matte. After it’s dry, it won’t budge.

Each tint is fruit-scented and richly-colored. It won’t bleed, although you may need to touch up after a few hours.

I’M MEME I’M Mystery Volume Tint

How do you choose between this lip tint and the next? Well, it depends on whether you prefer glossy and plump or creamy and matte.

The Volume Tint is available in five shades with a shiny finish. Each one offers more hydration than the average lip stain.

Each is buildable and easily blendable with the included doe-foot applicator. Users say it’s one of the few lip tints that doesn’t leave the lips feeling dehydrated.

Try Mystery Peach shade on a no-makeup day.

I’M MEME I’M Mystery Blur Tint

Reviewers call this their favorite MLBB lip tint. (That’s “My Lips But Better”.) That’s not surprising, as the shades were created by a professional colorist.

The super-pigmented formula glides on effortlessly with the diamond-shaped cushioned applicator. Within moments, it sets to a velvet finish. Yet, it’s not flat or dull because the silicone elastomer complex smooths the surface.

Even at the end of the day, it leaves a little color on the lips.

I’M MEME I’M Mystery Flash Tint

It may be called the Mystery Flash Tint, but it’s much more permanent than that. You’re going to need makeup remover to take it off.

It has a no-budge gloss finish and comes in seven vivid colors. Even with the shine, it’s not sticky or greasy.

What’s more, it contains hyaluronic acid a berry complex to keep the lips from getting dehydrated.

PASSIONCAT Twist Velvet Tint

Instead of an angled doe foot applicator, you might prefer this soft cushion applicator instead. It’s handy for a gradient look. You won’t need to grab a cotton swab to help you blend.

The matte finish of the tint remains intensely pigmented for up to sixteen hours. It won’t rub off if you eat something or kiss someone.

There are fourteen colors to choose from, including nude shades and rich reds.

Reviewers say it has a thick consistency that feels comfortable going on. The sponge applicator diffuses the texture perfectly.

It’S SKIN Colorable Draw Tint

If you do a search for “Korean lipstick”, this will be one of the top results. It resembles a lip crayon, but the sponge applicator is inside.

But lipstick it is not. It’s a weightless gel that blurs the lips’ texture. It dries to a matte finish with just the right amount of color.

The only complaint we heard is that the fruit fragrance is a bit strong before it fades.

[The Saem] Saemmul Water Candy Tint

Someone reminded us that this is like a lip stain from the 1990s. What’s nice is that it’s surprisingly moisturizing with honey and hyaluronic acid.

Even as the tint naturally fades, it still boosts the lips’ natural color.

MQNY Jelly Plumpling Water Tint

If you love the K-beauty vivid lip look, join the other MACQUEEN fans that use this tint. It’s almost like staining your lips with fruit juice gel.

Not only is it moisturizing, but it smells nice and even tastes good. When it dries, it’s velvety soft, and smudge-resistant. Users say that it won’t rub off on a face mask.

Look closely at the jelly jar and you’ll see there’s an applicator inside.

BBIA Last Velvet Lip Tint Boss Series

This discreet tube contains a velvety lip tint that creates a blurred effect. Then, the color stays “like a tattoo” all day long. It’s budge-proof.

Reviewers have described it as more moisturizing than expected and with a more natural color, too.

BBIA Blur Tint Series 1

What’s the difference between this lip tint and the one above?

First, this one is available in a wider range of colors, including some sheer shades like pink and peach. And second, the pigment isn’t as long-lasting.

But it’s also weightless with a silky texture. It offers a blurred finish that disguises lip creases.

FLYNN Addiction Velvet Tint

Choose from a dozen shades, all of which have a moist velvet texture. Users welcome the hydration they provide. The formula contains moisturizers like honey, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.

Each color has a subtle fruity fragrance but no flavor.

When it dries, the tint has a smudge-free satin finish. It’s packed with pigment but free of parabens and gluten.

VELY VELY Color Essence Lip Tint

Make your lips shimmer with this lip tint. For extra shine, apply lip gloss over the top.

On its own, it’s transfer-resistant and hydrating. The cushiony texture contains grapeseed, macadamia seed, and jojoba oils for plenty of conditioning. Again, it’s not lip balm, but it’s more moisturizing than the typical lip stain.

3CE Velvet Lip Tint

It’s straightforward to do a gradient lip or full coverage with this tint. Reviewers love the non-sticky creamy texture that builds from blurred to full in moments.

Although it doesn’t rub off easily, you’ll want to touch up after eating.

Touch In Sol Pretty Filter Chiffon Velvet Lip Tint

If you want to go bold yet avoid a glossy finish, try this satiny tint. It’s available in ten intensely pigmented shades.

Users say it’s as light as air and long-lasting.

PONY EFFECT Stayfit Matte Lip Color

No review of Korean cosmetics would be complete without Pony Effect. Their creamy lip color steps outside the box in a few crucial ways.

First, it has a wand with a flat tip, which is easier for drawing lines. It picks up just enough, but not too much.

Second, the formula is infused with natural extracts for plenty of hydration. But they say you can’t apply lip balm underneath or gloss on top if you feel it’s not enough moisture.

And third, it contains a unique powder that enhances the color and helps it last longer, giving it a velvet finish.

ETUDE HOUSE Lip & Eye Remover

Quickly remove long-wear makeup with this safe and effective product. Give it a shake, then dispense the watery oil mixture onto a cotton pad.

It will erase waterproof makeup and lip tint in moments. Plus, the formula is paraben-free.

I DEW CARE Berry Melting | Makeup Remover

When you travel, it’s a pain to deal with liquids. That’s where this makeup remover comes in handy.

It starts out as a solid balm that melts into the skin and dissolves waterproof makeup and lip tint. It’s blueberry-scented, but that’s not just the fragrance. There’s actual fruit extract in it.

The formula also features glacier water and jojoba oil to refresh the skin.

Reviewers say that it’s the perfect makeup remover because it works perfectly and moisturizes at the same time.

The only complaint is that it comes with a tiny spatula and no place to store it inside the lid. (Maybe a piece of tape would help?)

Conclusion

If you love lipstick, you’ve got to try Korean lip tint. You may never switch back. The vibrant, long-wearing colors outperform the competition. There’s no better way to create a gradient lip.

We hope the reviews helped you discover your new favorite K-beauty cosmetics today. If so, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below.