The Korean gradient lip, also called "ombre lip" or "bitten lip", is one of the best-known K-beauty makeup techniques. You see it on many K-pop idols, K-drama actresses and Korean beauty creators. This guide covers the steps, the products and shades for each personal color season.
What Is a Korean Gradient Lip?
Instead of applying color evenly across the lip, the gradient technique puts the strongest color at the center of the lips and blends it outward so it fades at the edges. Lips look fuller and "just-bitten".
In Korean this is called "그라데이션 립" (gradation lip). It is the default lip in Korean makeup; full, even color is the exception.
How Do You Do Korean Gradient Lips? (Step-by-Step)
- Prep your lips: exfoliate with a lip scrub and apply a thin layer of lip balm. Wait 2 minutes, then blot with a tissue.
- Conceal the lip line: dab concealer or foundation along the outer edges of your lips. This hides your natural lip line so the gradient fades cleanly.
- Apply tint to the center: using a lip tint (not a lipstick), apply product ONLY to the inner center of both lips. Think of a small circle, not the full lip.
- Press and blend: press your lips together gently to transfer product. Then use your fingertip to tap and blur the color outward from center to edge.
- Build intensity: for stronger color, repeat steps 3-4 once more on the very center only.
- Optional: clear gloss on center: for a "juicy" gradient, dab a tiny amount of clear gloss on the very center of the lower lip.
Which Products Work for Gradient Lips?
Romand Juicy Lasting Tint
Peripera Ink Mood Glowy Tint
Use a lip tint. Lipsticks and glosses don't stain, so the gradient does not last as long.
Which Gradient Lip Shades Work for Your Personal Color?
- Spring Warm: Coral gradient (#11 Romand Juicy), peach-to-clear blend
- Summer Cool: Rose gradient, mlbb (my lips but better) pinks
- Autumn Warm: Brick-to-nude gradient, warm brown-red center
- Winter Cool: Cherry gradient, deep berry-to-clear blend
Find your season at our personal color guide.
Common Gradient Lip Mistakes
- Using too much product: start with a tiny dot. You can add more.
- Skipping the concealer step: without concealing the lip line, the gradient won't look clean.
- Using lipstick instead of tint: lipstick sits on the surface and transfers. Tint stains, so the gradient lasts.
- Blending too far out: the color should fade to nothing about 60-70% of the way to the lip edge.
