Gradient Lips vs. Cherry Lips – How to Create the Trendiest K-beauty Lip Styles

K-beauty is known for its innovative and aesthetically pleasing makeup styles. Two currently popular lip trends are Gradient Lips and Cherry Lips – two techniques that highlight the lips in completely different ways. Here we go through what makes these styles unique and how you can easily create them yourself at home.

What are Gradient Lips?

Gradient Lips, also known as "ombre lips," is a signature K-beauty style where the lip color is gradually faded from a darker center to a lighter or more natural shade at the edges. This technique creates a soft, sophisticated, and youthful effect, perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions.

How to create Gradient Lips at home:

1. Apply a thin layer of foundation or concealer on the lips to neutralize their natural color.
2. Add a darker shade, such as red or pink, to the center of the lips.
3. Gently fade the color outward toward the edges of the lips using your fingertip or a small brush.
4. Finish with lip gloss for added dimension or keep the lips matte for a minimalist look.

Pro Tip! A handy way to emphasize the lip shape is to do a lip contour, where a soft lip liner is drawn just outside the lip edges. This works perfectly with the gradient lip style. Try, for example, the Unleashia Oh! Happy Day Lip Pencil in the shade Burnt Toast.

What are Cherry Lips?

Cherry Lips is the latest trend that has taken the Korean beauty world by storm. This style mimics the shape of a cherry by focusing on fullness in the center of the lips. The makeup creates a youthful and natural lip shape, with the outer edges kept subtle.

How to create Cherry Lips with makeup:

1. Use a cherry red lip shade and apply it to the center of both the upper and lower lips.
2. Fade the shade slightly with your fingertip to create a soft transition.
3. Want more fullness? Use a lip gloss with a high shine effect to give the lips a plumper appearance.

Which style suits you?

Both techniques offer unique benefits:

• Gradient Lips suit you if you want a natural and romantic look that feels modern and youthful.
• Cherry Lips is perfect if you want to emphasize the shape of your lips and give them subtle fullness without exaggeration.

Products for the perfect finish

We have everything you need to create these lip styles:

• Gradient Lips: Try our long-lasting lip tints in reddish and peachy shades, such as [espoir] Couture Lip Tint Blur Velvet and [Laka] Fruity Glam Tint.
• Cherry Lips: Explore our cherry red lipsticks and shiny lip glosses, such as [Etude Dear Darling Tint] and [MOOMIN x BBIA] Lip Oil, which gives a translucent shine over the lips.

Summary

Gradient Lips and Cherry Lips represent the core of K-beauty: subtle beauty that highlights natural features. Whether your favorite is the romantic Gradient Lips or the full Cherry Lips, we have the products to help you easily achieve the style at home.