You may have seen lip tints making the rounds, not just in Korean cosmetics but also in brands all over the world. But what exactly are they and, more importantly, should you get one?
What is a lip tint? Lip tints are all the rage in Korea and elsewhere in the cosmetics world. These are stains that can be comprised of many different ingredients and can be matte or shiny. But the main separation from a lip tint and say, a classic lipstick, is that lip tints tend to be far more subtle (read: natural-looking) and also give you the option of easy gradients or layering. Personally, I also like lip tints because they are easy to apply and smudge, making them fairly forgiving for an easy or sloppy execution. Lip tints can be applied several ways. For a gradient application, apply the lip tint in the center of the lips and blend outwards. For a darker or brighter look, apply several layers. For the matte versions, apply lip moisturizer beforehand. Difference between a lip stain and a lip tint Lip stains literally stain the lips, with the color bleeding into your tissue. Those suckers stay on a long time, so make sure it's right before you leave the house! As I unfortunately learned one day trip, there will be no smudging and fixing later in the car. Some of the Korean brands last a full day or more, especially ones branded as lip ‘tattoos’. Lip stains are also much more pigmented and brighter than tints. This makes them harder to take off--both a blessing and curse, depending on your usage. Lip tints by contrast are sheer and easily smudge across the lips. They come off easily and are much more natural looking. Both lip tints and lip stains work differently than lipsticks: they absorb into the skin moreso than lipstick, which forms a layer on top of your lips, sometimes resulting in that cracked look. Lip tint types Lip tints come in a variety of formats: water, gel, cream and oil. Water lip tints are the most common and also the most subtle. They tend to be well, watery, and very minimal or natural looking, providing an easy pop of light color. Despite the texture, they are actually quite drying on lips so you will definitely want to apply some lip balm beforehand. Beware though—their staying power is fairly minimal so this is one you need to carry around with you. Others that go with a more “stain” texture can be a bit messy or drippy but absorb quickly into the lip. Make sure you test these out at the store first to see, as I’ve had the gamuntlet of water vs. dry tints. In terms of ingredients, I’ve noticed many lip tints tend to have more botanical or natural ingredients, which can be a big plus for a lot of consumers (and with a bonus of having a nice subtle scent). Pros and cons of lip tints To summarize, if you’re considering trying a lip tint, here are the advantages and disadvantages. (Please note, these are tips for an average lip tint, but all lip tints vary based on ingredients.) Pros:
Cons:
Lip tint recommendations Read on for some of the Korean lip tints I’ve tried and enjoyed!
Tony Moly's Get It Tint is really more of a stain, but provides a nice, not-too-bright lip color that lasts a long time. It's available in a variety of colors which you can order online, including: All Night Red, Red Chili, Coral Pink Ming, Play Orange and Peach Punch.
RATING: 3/3 Rating Score Sheet: 1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back. 2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale. 3/3: Shut up and take my money!
Skinfood's Tomato Cool Jelly Tint (read full review here) is a gel-based tint but really I didn't notice much difference than a water tint. The application was slightly watery and very subtle, but created a nice natural color. Minimal staying power.
RATING: 2/3 Rating Score Sheet: 1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back. 2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale. 3/3: Shut up and take my money! Etude House's Water Tints are also subtle but I like the natural heightening of color they provide. RATING: 2/3 Rating Score Sheet: 1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back. 2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale. 3/3: Shut up and take my money! Have you come across any amazing lip tints? Feel free to share!
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PRODUCT: Botanical Magic Lip Tint
COMPANY: Nature Republic (Korean) DESCRIPTION: This is a *very* subtle lip tint. Despite the bright orange color I selected, the tint is pretty neutral on the lip and definitely not vivid. The application is a sponge-like marker tip that is easy to apply, though I strongly recommend lip balm before or after as it feels a bit drying. The product box description is: "Marker-type tint for an easy and complete look, as if you're drawing with a pen." It is somewhat like using a dry felt-tip marker on your lips. The single application is comfortable and easy and generous with mistakes (no need to fill in the full lip as it blends easily), so it's good for a fast hint of color. Despite its subtlety, you can see from the ingredient analysis below that the product is chock full of fruit extract and royal jelly as an extra, probably leading to its fragrant scent. INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PPG-26-BTETH-26, ROYAL JELLY EXTRACT, THEOBROMA CACOA (COCOA) SEED POWDER, ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER WATER, CITRIS LIMON (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT, PYRUS COMMUNIS (PEAR) FRUIT EXTRACT, ACTINIDIA CHINENSIS (KIWI) FRUIT EXTRACT, SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM (TOMATO) FRUIT/LEAF/STEM/EXTRACT, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) FRUIT EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLDIUM HYALURONATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYLCERIDE, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL, DEHYDROACETIC ACIDE, FRAGRANCE ORANGE 4, RED 28, ACID RED 18 Overall, this lip product is good if you are looking for the bare minimum of color or going for an all-natural look. SMELL: subtle floral/fruity TEXTURE: smooth YAY OR NAY: Yay if you are looking for a subtle, botanical-based lip tint. RATING: 2/3 Rating Score Sheet 1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back 2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale 3/3: Shut up and take my money!
PRODUCT: Liptone Get It Tint #5 All-Night Red
COMPANY: TONY MOLY COST: ~7,000 WON ($7) DESCRIPTION: This is one red in a series of color options in Tony Moly's immensely popular long-lasting lip tints. EXPERIENCE: This product has really opened my eyes to the potential of a good lip tint! This lip product doesn't feel like anything and absorbs really rapidly. whatever it touches it will stain red, with little spreading power, so I had to take more time to make sure it covered every spot of lip, as any space missed would create a noticeable contrast. This is a very different tactic for me, as I typically apply a smudge of lip product to the inner portions of upper and lower lips and then gently smear and smooch to get a subtle, natural look that, most importantly, only takes a few seconds to apply. However, with this one I had to apply carefully to the outer lip edges and take time to not miss a spot. I wore this out to dinner and a movie, where I was constantly eating, drinking and rubbing my lips with napkins. But behold--the color remained! After about 5 hours it lost a bit of its brightness but this stuff does not come off! it's really quite amazing. Because it is so bright and long-lasting this is probably one I'll save for special occasions. (Also I find it a tad bit alarming how effective it is, feeling like its seems and permanently binds to my lip cells!) SMELL: Very lightly fragrant TEXTURE: The tiniest bit drying YAY OR NAY: Yay, for being an incredibly effective long-lasting lip color. There are additional colors you can see here and another "HD" line you can read about here.
PRODUCT: Tomato Cool Jelly Tint
COMPANY: SKINFOOD COST: ~6,000 WON ($6) DESCRIPTION: South Korean beauty shops offer a LOT of lip products, many claiming to be supremely long-lasting. This supposedly tomato-based product is one such item. EXPERIENCE: This is shaping up to be one of my favorite lip products from South Korea. Not quite a moisturizer, not quite a gloss and not quite a lipstick either, strangely enough. It is more of a water-based stain that sinks into the lip tissue to give a nice natural bit of long-lasting color. Intriguing indeed. INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: I could not find an ingredient list unfortunately. SMELL: minimal TEXTURE: minimal YAY OR NAY: Yay, for being a nice, casual lip color that is easy to apply, looks natural and doesn't feel heavy or caked. LINK: Amazon (pricier than in Korea) PRODUCT: Banana Lip Balm COMPANY: Tony Moly COST: ~4,000 WON ($4) DESCRIPTION: A sweet fruit-flavored lip balm containing banana extract, coconut oil and milk protein extract with a small keychain attached. EXPERIENCE: I have never been one for sweet/strong fruit flavor smells, so if this wasn't a K product I probably would have skipped it. That said, this cute little balm makes lip care on-the-go more fun and gives me a burst of entertainment and nourishment for the suckers. The banana scent and flavor is distinct but not overpowering. While adorable and moisturizing, it is not incredibly long-lasting. INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Banana extract is far down on the list, with the other 'good' ingredients, coconut oil and milk protein extract. However, cheap ol' petroleum is the lead ingredient. SMELL: As expected, banana. If you don't care for the flavor, skip it. TEXTURE: smooth, probably from the mix of petroleum and coconut oil YAY OR NAY: Nay, unless you find it cheap. LINK: Ulta (Several times the price) INGREDIENTS Petrolatum, Polybutene, Silica Silylate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Diisostearyl Malate,Tocopheryl Acetate,Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Fragrance (Parfum), Polyethylene, Dehydroacetic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2Triisostearate, Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Ceramide 3, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Milk Protein Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol PRODUCT: Lipstick
COMPANY: INNISFREE COST: ~4,000 WON ($4) DESCRIPTION: A straightforward lip moisturizer/color in the "rose" color. EXPERIENCE: Great, bright blast of color, smooth on and with decent lasting power. I bought a few of these to throw into my purse/leave at work for an easy way to freshen up. SMELL: None YAY OR NAY? Yay! |
About meWith a background in molecular biology, I worked for decades as a scientist and science journalist. I use my background to look into the science of affordable and high-quality Korean skincare products. Then, I share my findings with you!
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