Why Are There So Many Lip Tints in Korea?
In This Article
Why Are There So Many Lip Tints in Korea?
One of the most surprising sections for people visiting Korean beauty stores for the first time is the lip tint section.
Rows of similar-looking products fill the shelves, and the shades are surprisingly detailed and specific.
At first glance, many of them look almost identical. But when you look closer, every color is slightly different.
A Country Where Lip Tints Became More Popular Than Lipsticks
In recent years, more people in Korea have started preferring lip tints over traditional lipsticks. They feel lighter, are easier to reapply, and look more natural. Korean makeup trends also tend to favor styles that make the skin and lips look naturally healthy rather than heavily made-up, which is one reason why the soft and natural finish of lip tints became so popular. As a result, tint formulas have continued to evolve, and recently glossy “glow tints” have become especially trendy.
Korea Really Has Every Shade Imaginable
Lip colors in Korea are divided into incredibly detailed categories. Instead of simply being labeled as “red” or “pink,” there are shades described as:
* dried rose
* muted mauve
* gray-toned beige
* low-saturation coral and many more.
International beauty communities often joke that: “K-beauty tint shades are endless.”
The Influence of Personal Color Culture
Another reason behind this trend is Korea’s “personal color” culture.
Over the past few years, terms like “warm tone” and “cool tone” became widely popular in Korea.
People also began categorizing themselves into four seasonal groups:
* Spring Warm
* Summer Cool
* Autumn Warm
* Winter Cool
At one point, getting personal color analyses and trying to figure out which category you belonged to became a major trend. Because of this, people started looking for colors that matched their own skin tone and overall vibe rather than simply following whatever color was trending. Beauty brands responded by releasing even more detailed and specialized shades. As a result, the Korean lip tint market now includes products with extremely subtle color differences that are easy to find in stores.
A Culture of Easily Trying New Colors
Lip tints are also very easy to find in Korea. From drugstores like Olive Young to Daiso, road shops, and online stores, lip tints are available almost everywhere. The prices are also relatively accessible, which naturally created a culture where people casually try multiple shades without too much pressure.
If you ever travel to Korea, it might be worth stopping by the lip tint section of a beauty store instead of only visiting famous tourist attractions. You may end up discovering a color that suits you better than expected.
Source: Youtube Channel 「Haley Kim」 - "BEST Korean Lip Gloss & Lip Tint + full review (watch BEFORE you buy!)"