Budget Beauty Throw Down: Five Korean lip stains under P450

I think it’s safe to say that the KBeauty domination isn’t going away anytime soon. You won’t hear us complaining though – the Project Vanity team is crazy about the SoKor makeup aesthetic of radiant skin and youthful glow! One key component to acing that doll-like Korean makeup look is the lip tint. Applied either as a gradient or at full opacity, the tint can bring a new level of freshness and brightness to any FOTD. If you’re as crazy with their lip tints as we are, here’s five more under P500 that are worth adding to your kit!

TheSAEM Saemmul Real Tint (P190 at Althea)

I’d say this is on my top three lip tints of all time! It has a gel-like consistency that’s very easy to spread either for that gradient, just-bitten look or for the typical all-over stain. It lasts about a half day on me before fading, so I do have to keep this in my purse for retouching. I particularly love the grapefruit scent and that it’s a deep, toned-down red. Plus points: it doesn’t dry my lips as badly as other tints would!   

Witch’s Pouch Radiant Tint (P350 at Althea)

The mousse-y, glossy formula reminds me a lot of the Laneige Water Drop Tint. Even the applicator is spot on – it’s a diamond-shaped tip with a hole in the center, so you don’t have to keep dipping the wand in for more product. It’s definitely one of my balmier lip tints but it also has the best moisturizing power among these five. It won't color immediately upon application, but wait a few minutes to see it develop a nice, even stain on your lips!

Holika Holika Holy Berry Tint (P275 at SM Beauty)

If natural tints are your kind of thing, this comes highly recommended! The tint has a very watery consistency for a sheer, lovely color that looks good on both your lips and cheeks, but you can build it up to a medium opacity with layering. It’s not as long lasting as I’d like but it’s practically fool-proof for quick touchups! A few dots of this and a little tapping can bring life back into my complexion without fear of streaking if I don’t blend out fast enough.

Tony Moly Kiss Lover Lip Master (P440 at Tony Moly stores)

For juicy, glossy lips without the sticky feel, this would be my tint of choice. It has a yummy fruity-candy scent and taste, and it feels as moisturizing as it looks. It lasts about three to four hours on me before the gloss completely goes away, leaving a nice stain in its wake.  

Yadah All Day Tint (P345 via Beauty Bar)

The Yadah All Day Tint is no doubt the winner for pigmentation and longevity. If I need something to instantly brighten my lips, I would reach for this over anything else. I won’t say it lasts all day as the name suggests but it does leave a nice stain even after several meals. It can be a little drying, but nothing that a quick swipe of In Her Element’s Nourish & Cleanse Balm can’t fix!

From left: Holika Holika Holy Berry Tint, Tony Moly Kiss Lover Lip Master, TheSAEM Saemmul Real Tint, Witch’s Pouch Radiant Tint, Yadah All Day Tint

What do you think of the K-beauty lip tint look? Have you tried any of these tints?

Kimberly Anne Capeding

Age range: 18-23

Skin type/shade: light with yellow undertones (MAC NC25), oily and acne-prone

Skin concerns: large pores, scarring, blemishes, whiteheads/blackheads

Hair type: naturally curly/wavy and color-treated

Hair concerns: hairfall and frizzy hair

Eye shape: round and hooded

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