Korean makeup looks have taken the world by storm, and one of the rising trends is “cherry lips.” This look essentially involves filling the center of the top and bottom lips with lip gloss or glossy lip tint to make lips appear plump and juicy like cherries. Unlike matte lip products, glossy lip products offer a delightful burst of moisture and shine, making them a favorite for those with dry or thin lips. The cherry lips style adds volume and dimension to your lips, resulting in a fresh, juicy finish that enhances your natural beauty. Cherry lips are perfect for those who wish to create a vibrant, youthful look.
Achieving this cute makeup look is easier than you think! Here’s your ultimate guide to getting those cherry lips using must-try Korean lip products.
Understanding the Cherry Lips Aesthetic
The cherry lips look is all about creating a plump, hydrated appearance with a hint of color. The key is to combine vibrant shades with a glossy finish, giving the illusion of fuller lips.
Step 1: Prepare Your Lips
For smooth application and long-lasting color, it’s important to prime your lips before applying any lip color. Begin by neutralizing your natural lip color: take a makeup sponge and apply a light layer of foundation to your lips to create a clean base. This will set the stage for the perfect “cherry lips” look.
Step 2: Shape Your Lips
Next, define your lips with a lip pencil. Outline your lips starting from the cupid’s bow and follow the natural contour of your lips. Trace around the top and lower lips, particularly along the lower lip, to create a fuller appearance. Blend the edges using a brush or your fingertips for a smooth transition into your lip color.
Try UNLEASHIA’s Oh! Happy Day Lip Pencil for precise yet natural lip lining and shaping. Its soft texture glides smoothly over lips for easy blending and smudging. The long-wearing formula forms a film on lips. Out of the seven available colors, No.3 Strawberry Cake is best for achieving aespa member Winter’s lip look.
My Take: I used the UNLEASHIA lip pencil to prevent feathering and elevate the end result. This ensures that my lip color stays in place throughout the day, maintaining a polished look without any smudging. No.3 Strawberry Cake is a light and lively cool-toned strawberry milk color that gives my lips a refreshing pop of color.
Step 3: Choose Your Lip Product
1. Tinted Lip Balm
K-pop stars often favor the long-lasting, natural and lightweight formulas of tinted lip balms. One standout option is romand’s Glasting Melting Balm, which is known for delivering a glowy finish. Infused with plant-based ingredients like rosehip, argan and evening primrose oils, the vegan-friendly formula forms a moisture barrier for a nourished, dewy finish. A smooth swipe gives you a plump, rosy pout that beautifully completes a natural, barely-there makeup look. Choose #04 Hippie Berry from the seven available colors to achieve VIVIZ member Eunha’s look.
My Take: The colorful Glasting Melting Balm blends seamlessly with the color of my lips, allowing versatile application. For mix and match, I applied #01 Coco Nude as the base followed by #05 Nougat Sand. Alternatively, use #02 Lovey Pink as a base with #06 Kaya Fig for a more vibrant look.
2. Lip tint
Apply a blendable lip tint and dab it onto the inner portions of your lips. AMUSE’s bestselling Dew Tint, featuring a lightweight watery texture and a high-shine finish, is ideal for achieving a cherry lip look. With 35% water content, it offers long-lasting glow and clear color without smearing or stickiness. Choose from alluring shades ranging from MLBB nudes to juicy reds to match various skin tones. Use #01 La Vie En Coral for achieving Red Velvet member Irene’s look.
My Take: My favorite Dew Tint shade is the apricot nude #09 Seoul Soul, which offers a soft, natural look without overpowering my makeup. It blends beautifully and provides the perfect balance of hydration and shine, making it ideal for everyday wear or special occasions alike.
3. Lip Gloss
To achieve a glossy, plump finish, layer a clear or tinted lip gloss over your chosen lip color, applying it generously and focusing on the center of your lips for a fuller appearance. Try lilybyred’s Glassy Layer Fixing Tint Pink Magnetic Edition, which offers a glass-like finish. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, Manuka honey and jojoba seed oil for hydration. The lip gloss is available in #22 Pink Magnet, a light pink for warm-toned skin, and #23 Rose Magnet, a rose pink shade suitable for cool or natural skin tones. Use #23 Rose Magnet to achieve IVE member Wonyoung’s look.
My Take: My color pick is #23 Pink Magnet as this light pink shade perfectly complements my skin tone while adding a fresh and youthful touch to my look. Its glossy finish creates a cherry-like effect while keeping my lips hydrated throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
Achieving the Korean cherry lips look is all about combining hydration, color and shine. Finding the right product and shade for your skin tone can elevate your makeup to a whole new level. The K-Beauty lip products I tested this time are all must-try. Not only are they lightweight and non-sticky, their lip-plumping effects are also remarkable.
With the right products and techniques, you can create a fresh, youthful lip look reminiscent of your favorite K-pop idols. Go ahead and experiment with different shades and finishes, and flaunt those luscious cherry lips!
