Is This K-Beauty Pigment Powder the Future of Lip Color?
*Adds beauty chemist to résumé*

Is there anything more tried-and-true than a shiny tube of lipstick? It's literally recession-proof. But while we'll always have a million tubes in our repertoire, a new approach to lip color has us rethinking everything. Enter, the K-beauty-bred trend of pigment powder, which leaves the color chemistry to you i.e. you can decide on the hue, how saturated it is, and even control the finish. I know, I know. Extra steps...patience...trial and error...But with beauty more individual than ever before, customizing a lip shade is so enticing.
A post shared by [CLOSE] (@gumawobeauty)
A photo posted by on
One of the most popular offerings in this category is the RiRe Lip Manicure Powder, which is housed in a nail-polish-like bottle and comes in fruity, universally-flattering shades like Orange Pop, Hot Plum, Sugar Rose, and Fashion Red. You can apply the powder straight out of the bottle (or mix different color powders on a palette beforehand) to naturally-moist lips, building the color as desired. You can also fuse it into a lip gloss or balm.
While it sounds like it might feel dry as a bone, the powder is super lightweight and infused with essential oils, like peppermint and rosemary extract, so that it melts into the lips and keeps them nourished. The consistency leans more fresh and light, as opposed to super-saturated, which makes it especially great for a gradient lip.
Made in Korea, you'll have to go the Amazon route to nab the powders, but we're convinced—they're worth the extra international shipping.
RiRe Women's Lip Powder, $6; amazon.com.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
Princess Kate Brings Diana-Inspired Nautical Vibes to Scotland
The Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance in Scotland.
-
Rihanna Kicks off Naked Shoe Summer With Clear Lucite Heels and a White Pedicure
The Cannes Film Festival nudity ban doesn't apply to shoes, apparently.
-
Bozoma Saint John Is Committed to Uplifting Black Designers on 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'
The marketing exec and reality star speaks to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
-
NARS Just Dropped a Lip Oil Shade Inspired by the South of France and I’m Living for the Glow
The kind of bronze shimmer that transports you to the French Riviera.
-
I've Been to Over 100 Concerts, Which Means My Sweat-Proof Makeup Routine Is Basically Flawless
Hours of dancing later, I can confirm this is the best concert-ready routine.
-
22 Under-$50 Products at the Shopbop Beauty Sale I Swear By for My Summer Glow
My favorite self-tanners, bronzers, sunscreens, and more are currently 20 percent off at Shopbop.
-
This Cult-Favorite Urban Decay Eyeliner More Than Lives Up to the Hype
It passes my strict standards with flying colors.
-
The 2025 Met Gala Beauty Looks Were Even Better at the After-Parties
The behind-the-scenes hair and makeup we missed on the navy carpet.
-
Everyone Needs a Bad Bitch Lipstick in Their Makeup Collection
Hot girl certified.
-
Patrick Ta's Major Glow Bronzing Body Oil Gives My Skin a Vacation Glow—Without the Vacation
Patrick Ta's newest drop gives a vacation glow without the vacation.
-
I'm Sweating Just Thinking About Summer's Hottest Makeup Trends
It's about to be a bold summer.