Soft matte or skincare gloss? The two lip trends of 2026
An analysis comparing @cosme's first-half 2026 Best Cosmetics across four Asian markets found lips splitting in two directions. It applies neatly to choosing K-beauty lip products too.
1. Soft matte
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Smooth going on, powdery when it sets.
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Newer mattes put more weight on not drying the lips than older ones did.
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Said to pair well with blurred-edge lip looks.
2. Skincare gloss
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Glosses with moisturising ingredients that add shine while caring for lips.
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In Korea you often see them layered over tint.
What they share: comfort
- For both, the analysis says the deciding factor is not just colour but how comfortable it feels all day.
What people often say when choosing
- If your lips get dry, prep with a lip balm before matte
- Compare tints on staining powerand glosses onhow long the shine lasts
- In store, swatch on a fingertip or somewhere closer to your lip colour than the back of your hand
Are you team matte or team shine right now?
Source: @cosme business — H1 2026 @cosme Best Cosmetics trends across four Asian markets
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