From diets, sartorial choices, to make-up and skincare, few command the authority to influence and inspire your next purchase like Korean celebrities. Everything they have, the world wants. But only a select few walk away victorious from the game of quick decisions and fast fingers because, well, things sell out fast.
For your next ‘I’ll-have-whatever-she-has’ moment, we’re looking at all things lips—from lip balms, lip tints, lip gloss to lipsticks. Rounding up 18 different lippies that’ll take you from a petal-pink pout to a fiery, passionate red, treat this as your ultimate guide to nailing a selfie-approved pout—validated, loved and worn by the biggest and brightest K-stars.
Lip Balm
Dehydrated, chapped lips aren’t a good look on anyone, and even a superstar status can’t save you from that. Crucial for a pair of healthy-looking lips and even more so if you’re reaching for a long-lasting, matte lipstick—here are the lip balms these stars trust to keep their pout hydrated through the sheer number of performances and long-hours on set.
If these lip balms are good enough for the Kings of Pop, sold-out concerts and chart-topping bops, they’re good enough for anyone. With Armys’ (BTS’ fan base), no mystery goes unsolved and no stone is left unturned. Shop these lip balms used by the boys—because this might be the closest we’ll ever get to them.
Kim So Hyun may only be 21 years old, but she has appeared in more than 40 dramas and movies, making the seasoned actress a household name. Known for both her stellar acting and natural barefaced beauty, she’s now the face of Hanyul—a Korean beauty brand that takes inspirations from traditional folk remedies practised and perfected for generations. Kim So Hyun opts for Hanyul’s Nature In Life LipBalm, in shade Ja Cho—a glossy, charming warm red.
If you’re looking for an effortless instant face-brightener, warm corals are a great choice of colour for lips whether you’re heading to the office or out for drinks. Take it from EXID’s Hani, who sports a warm mandarine shade from Sisley’s Phyto Lip Twist Tinted Balm in shade 7 coral—a head-turner enriched with Kokum butter, aloe vera and Jojoba oil.
Lip Tints
Amongst the litany of blessings that the Hallyu Wave has washed on our shores, lip tints are without a doubt, one of them. Besides the youthful, innocent, girl-next-door allure that lip tint helps you achieve, nailing this look doesn’t require a pair of steady hands or ample time in the morning—just dab a fair amount on the centre of your lips, purse them together and voilà—a perfectly imperfect gradient lip.
There is much to be said about hit K-drama ‘Itaewon Class’—a powerful, provocative story of second chances, social class and chestnut hair cuts—still cute though, Park Seo Joon! While they were many powerful characters in this drama, we’re turning our gaze to Jo Yi Seo (played by Kim Dal Mi), and her pout to be exact. Tinted to perfection, she relies on Benefit’s Love Tint Cheek and Lip Stain for a fiery-red flush, which she whips out in episode 7 for a quick swipe-and-go—a scene almost characteristic of all k-dramas—but we’re not complaining.
With her bronzy, tan skin and slightly thicker physique, Hwasa doesn’t quite fit the unyielding beauty conventions of South Korea. But she couldn’t care less—and that’s exactly why she’s the It-girl and reigning queen. With her rare charms, it is thus fitting that she’s the muse for beauty brand RareKind, sporting a sultry, blazing red lip from the brand’s Overmsmudged Lip Tint.
Although she’s the latest face for M.A.C Cosmetics, Blackpink Lisa leaves room for drugstore picks like Peripera—for which our wallets echo a sincere ‘thank you’. The doe-eyed Thai beauty is a fan of Peripera’s Ink the Velvet range, however, though the exact model seems to be discontinued, the brand’s near-identical alternative is your next go-to for pink, pillowy lips.
The current muse of Laneige and star of periodical drama ‘Love in the Moonlight’, Kim Yoo-Jung needs the bare minimum when it comes bringing out her beauty. But what is a k-drama without the iconic random make-up touch-ups? During an episode of ‘Clean with Passion for Now’, Yoo-Jung whips out Laneige’s Stained Glasstick in No.6 Red Spinel for a sparkling coral red lip—last we checked, there were only 4 left in stock.
Lip Gloss
Her dreamy pink lips–a classic, seasonless, occasion-proof lippy, is the handiwork or Hera. As she dresses down in a slouchy, grey turtle neck, Jennie keeps the glam factor with Hera’s Sensual Spicy Nude Lip Gloss.
Lip Sticks
The make-up artist behind Jeongyeon’s soft-bohemian look for Twice’s ‘More and More’ music video dishes on the exact make-up products used, revealing that when it comes to lips, she relies on two powerhouses to nail that perfect pout. She first lightly dabs M.A.C Powder Kiss Liquid (in Devoted to Chili) in the centre of the lips, using a lip brush to gently blend it out, creating an ombré lip effect. She then lines her lips with Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in a peachy coral shade (Get Off), before going back in with the brush to smoothen out lines and wrinkles.
If you’re into soft, rosy warm pinks, Innisfree has the perfect pick for everyday wear. The ‘He Is Psychometric’ actress Shin Ye Eun parades her love for Innisfree’s Vivid Cotton Ink in shade 18 in that selfie, and honestly, her pout is love at first sight—adding to cart, stat.
Before Blackpink, there was Girls’ Generation—SM Entertainment’s first girl group to grace the global stage and shape the standards for what it means to be a K-pop idol. Loved by fans for her girl-next-door, familiar yet striking looks, Yuri often sports a romantic rosy pout. Thankfully, she has generously shared the deets—she’s using Tom Ford’s Lip Color Lipstick in Scarlet Rouge, a satin lipstick that marries just the right amount of luminosity and colour payoff.
Another stunner from the OG girl-squad, Sooyoung from Girls’ Generation rocks a creamy, rosy plum shade from Urban Decay’s Vice Lipstick range, as detailed by her make-up artist @iammaeng. Packed with ultra-nourishing ingredients like Aloe vera, jojoba, avocado, and babassu oils, hydration certainly isn’t compromised with the rich colour payout.
With her crescent-shaped eye-smile and her charmingly blithe persona, it didn’t take long for Son Ye Jin to crash land right into our hearts—where she shall live rent-free forever. Amongst a litany of buzz-worthy moments, one thing we can’t get our minds off is the radiant, no-make-up makeup-up look she wore whilst roughing it out in North Korea. So, what exactly charmed the socks off Captain Ri? We reckon her nude rosy beige pout might’ve helped a little.
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