The Rise of C-Beauty and the Douyin Lips Phenomenon
In recent years, C-Beauty, a term representing Chinese beauty trends, has taken the global stage by storm. Drawing from a rich heritage of traditional aesthetics, modern minimalism, and innovative formulations, C-Beauty is more than just cosmetics; it’s an expression of personality, subtlety, and elegance. At the forefront of this movement in the West is the ‘Douyin Lips’ or ‘Xiaohongshu Lips’ trend, a playful, fresh, and highly stylized look inspired by Chinese beauty trends on social media!
Named after Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, and equally similar to Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, ‘Douyin Lips’ are all about making a statement without being loud. The look is defined by a soft, diffused gradient that blends shades seamlessly, creating a natural yet bold appeal. Its youthful and effortlessly chic vibe somehow perfectly blends the soft qualities of Asian beauty while making the lips appear more full and plump. Who wouldn’t what to try this!
So, why are Douyin Lips so popular? The trend taps into a growing desire for individuality while conforming to the preference for glossy, plump, and soft looking lips. On platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, influencers and everyday users often showcase the look through engaging tutorials and stylish lip-sync videos. This beauty trend has also become popular on Western TikTok, which is where it has been commonly coined as ‘Douyin lips’! Social media visibility has turned a simple makeup technique into a cultural movement, and one that’s accessible, inclusive, and endlessly customizable!
How to Create Douyin Lips: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Achieving the perfect Douyin Lips is easier than you might think. With the right products and techniques, you can master this eye-catching look in minutes.
What You’ll Need:
- Lip balm
- Lip tint or pencil in a bold shade
- A lighter shade for gradient blending
- Lip brush or your fingertips
- Translucent powder (optional, to set)
Step 1: Prep Your Lips and Conceal
Start by gently exfoliating your lips to remove dry skin. Follow up with a hydrating lip balm to create a smooth, moisturized base. For extra staying power, apply a lip primer to help the color adhere better and last longer. Then, apply a concealer to the outer sides of your top and bottom lips to blur the natural lip line. Blend the concealer outwards to create a smooth base for the new lip shape.
Step 2: Apply Your Base Color
Using a lip tint or pencil, apply a bold shade to ONLY the inner third of your top lip and center of your bottom lip. Blend this outwards from the center of your lips. This creates the vibrant focal point of the gradient.
Step 3: Blend with a Lighter Shade
Take a lighter hue and gently blend it from the outer edges toward the center. Use your fingertips or a brush to soften where the two colors meet, creating a seamless ombre effect.
Step 4: Emphasize Dimension
Use a darker shade of lipstick or preferably lipliner to line the outer corners of your top lip, under your bottom lip, and finally to the cupid’s bow for a more defined look!
Step 5: Add a Plump Finish with Gloss
Apply a clear lip gloss, focusing most of the product on the center of both the top and bottom lips. Avoid applying the gloss all over to maintain the dimensional, plump look.
Touch-Up Tips
Carry a compact mirror and your lighter lip color for quick touch-ups throughout the day.
Styling Douyin Lips for Every Occasion
One of the best things about Douyin Lips is their versatility. Whether you’re heading to a casual brunch or a glamorous evening event, this look adapts beautifully.
- For Daytime: Keep the rest of your makeup minimal—light foundation, soft brows, and a touch of mascara. Let your lips be the star.
- For Night Outs: Amp up the drama with winged eyeliner, glowing highlighter, or a shimmer eyeshadow. A glossy Douyin Lip pairs perfectly with evening wear.
- Personalize Your Shade: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try soft pinks for a romantic vibe, vibrant corals for fun, or deep berries for a bold twist.
A perfect Douyin Lips look starts with a smooth, hydrated canvas. For that characteristic dewy, Korean-style complexion that pairs beautifully with this lip trend, be sure to check out our guide to the best Korean cushion foundations. These foundations provide the lightweight, skin-like base that lets your lips be the star.
Perfect Products for Douyin Lips
C-Beauty Stars
For Blurred Finish:
INTO YOU Waterproof Lip Mud
Discover the revolutionary air-whipped formula that redefines matte lip wear. This lightweight mousse transforms upon application, delivering intense color saturation while maintaining a comfortable velvet-soft finish. The buildable coverage allows you to create anything from a subtle stain to full dramatic impact, all while nourishing ingredients like raspberry extract and vitamin E care for your lips. Shade W1 is a fan favourite!
Wear Characteristics:
- Transfer-resistant formula lasts up to 8 hours
- Weightless matte finish never feels drying
- Buildable pigment for customizable coverage
- Soft staining effect perfect for gradient looks
Judydoll New Cushion Lip Powder Cream
Experience effortless blending with this innovative wax-based formula specifically engineered for the perfect blurred lip effect. The angled tip design offers precision application while the unique texture melts seamlessly into lips, creating that coveted soft-focus appearance that maintains your natural lip texture.
Wear Characteristics:
- One-stroke blending capability
- Available in 4 gradient-optimized shades
- Portable twist-up design eliminates sharpening
- Creates signature soft-focus effect
For Glossy Finish:
JOOCYEE Glass Lip Gloss
Achieve the ultimate glass-like shine without any sticky residue through this advanced light-refracting formula. The non-viscous texture glides on smoothly, creating multidimensional shine while squalane and jojoba oil work to hydrate and smooth lip texture for a perfect pout.
Wear Characteristics:
- Non-sticky, high-shine finish
- Maintains gloss for 3-4 hours
- Can be worn alone or layered over color
- Hydrating formula with squalane and jojoba oil
Florasis Celestial Luster Lip Gloss
Indulge in luxury with this exquisite lip glaze featuring intricately carved ceramic packaging inspired by Chinese porcelain art. The silicone-oil free formula enriched with silk peptides and peony extract delivers sophisticated shine and comfortable wear, while the custom doe-foot applicator ensures perfect product distribution.
Wear Characteristics:
- Provides medium pigment with high-shine finish
- Comfortable wear without feathering
- Gradual color release maintains fresh look
- Luxurious ceramic packaging
K-Beauty Favorites:
Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint
Experience the holy grail of lip tints with this innovative dual-phase technology that combines the best of stain and gloss in one product. The unique water-gel formula separates into clear gloss and color pigment upon application, delivering both immediate shine and long-lasting color. Choose between #27 Pink Pumpkin for a warm coral-pink freshness or #25 Bare Grape for a sophisticated mauve tone.
Wear Characteristics:
- Provides initial juicy gloss that transitions to natural stain
- Contains 5 fruit extracts for continuous hydration
- Fade-resistant technology maintains gradient effect
- Dual-phase technology for stain and gloss
Peripera Ink Mood Glowy Tint
Embrace the “my lips but better” trend with this advanced color dispersion technology that creates a translucent, skin-like finish. The oil-in-water formula containing panthenol and madecassoside soothes lips while providing a beautiful wash of color that maintains a moisturized feel throughout wear.
Wear Characteristics:
- Creates soft-focus optical blur without heavy pigment
- Provides healthy, glass-skin finish for lips
- Maintains moisturized feel throughout wear
- Perfect for low-maintenance gradient looks
Final Thoughts
Douyin Lips are more than a trend—they’re a celebration of creativity, confidence, and cultural beauty. By blending color, texture, and personal style, this look invites everyone to participate in the vibrant world of C-Beauty! So go ahead, experiment, express yourself, and let your lips tell your story.
Have you tried the Douyin Lips trend? What’s your go-to product or shade? Share your looks and tips in the comments below!
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This was such an exciting read! Even though I hadn’t heard of Douyin Lips before, I’m definitely intrigued. I love how this trend blends gradient techniques with cultural expression, and the step-by-step guide really makes it feel beginner-friendly.
The product recommendations were great—INTO YOU Lip Mud and Rom&nd; Juicy Tint both sound perfect for achieving that soft-focus effect.
A question though: Do these gradient looks hold up well throughout the day, or do they require frequent touch-ups?
Thank you for your kind words Mohamed! I’m so glad you found the guide helpful. You’ve asked a great question about longevity. The gradient look can hold up quite well, but its staying power depends on the products you use. A stain-based product like the Rom&nd; Juicy Tint will leave a lasting color gradient even after the glossy top layer fades, making it low-maintenance. If you use a more creamy formula like the INTO YOU Lip Mud, the blurred edges may soften after eating or drinking and might need a quick touch-up.
For all-day wear, I’d suggest using a lip stain as your base and carrying a tinted gloss for easy refresh. This keeps the gradient effect intact with minimal effort! Hope this helps!
Loved this deep dive! You perfectly break down how the Douyin lip is so much more than a look, it’s a whole vibe. It’s cool to see it framed as a key part of the “C-Beauty” movement, creating a unique space that’s different from K-Beauty or Western styles.
What really stands out is how it mixes art with everyday life. The soft gradient and glossy finish are like a visual language for a fresh, modern kind of elegance. And the fact that it’s so customizable and uses nourishing formulas shows it’s not just about appearance, but a smarter approach to beauty.
So my question is, to what extent do you think trends like this become real tools for personal and cultural expression, way beyond just makeup? It feels like wearing a Douyin lip is almost like wearing a statement of confidence and cultural connection.
Thank you so much for this overview! I think the ‘Douyin’ lip as known in the West is a way to show off a modern Chinese beauty standard that stands apart from Western or Korean trends.
This article perfectly captures why the Douyin Lip trend has become such a global sensation! I love how it breaks down not only the technique but also the cultural influence behind C-Beauty’s rise. The emphasis on subtle artistry — creating a soft, youthful gradient that’s both natural and striking — really shows how beauty trends can blend tradition with modern creativity. The step-by-step tutorial makes it feel approachable for anyone, while the detailed product recommendations, from INTO YOU’s Lip Mud to Florasis’ luxurious gloss, give readers plenty of inspiration to try different finishes. What stands out most is how this look celebrates individuality and elegance without overdoing it — a refreshing change in today’s bold makeup world. Whether for casual days or special nights, the Douyin Lip look proves that understated glamour never goes out of style. Absolutely loved this guide!
Thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and detailed comment! You completely made my day. I’m thrilled that the cultural background of the trend resonated with you. I agree, it’s fascinating how C-Beauty blends subtle artistry with modern self-expression. And I’m so glad the tutorial felt approachable, that was the goal! It’s true, the ‘understated glamour’ of the Douyin lip is its real magic. Thanks again for reading and for sharing your kind words!
This is the first time I have heard of Douyin Lips, but they are beautiful. Thank you for the step by step instructions to get there. They do take some time and effort, but the result is lovely. I love the natural look it creates without being too out there.
Why do you only take the lighter shade for touchups? Does the darker one last because of the primer and the powder? I can’t imagine any lipstick lasting that long.
Hi Michel! Aww, that’s such a great question, and you’ve pretty much nailed it! You’re right, the darker base color is set with powder and primer, which locks it in place and makes it surprisingly long-lasting. The lighter, glossy shade on top is what creates that beautiful, plump dimension, but it’s designed to wear off more naturally throughout the day. So for touch-ups, you’d just need a quick swipe of the lighter color to refresh the 3D shine without disturbing the blurred base underneath. Hope that answers your question, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying the look!
I’ll be honest — as a guy, this whole Douyin lip trend is way outside my wheelhouse. My wife might know more about it than I ever will ???? but I still found it interesting to see how much technique and artistry actually goes into creating this look. The step-by-step breakdown made it surprisingly easy to follow, even for someone like me who’s more familiar with tools in the garage than lip tints and gloss.
Curious though — for someone totally new to this, is there a “starter product” you’d recommend that’s simple and beginner-friendly? My wife might want to try it, and I’d love to point her in the right direction.
Hi Jason, thanks for taking time to comment even though you’re not familiar! I’m so glad you found the guide easy to follow! For a perfect starter product for your wife, I’d recommend the Rom&nd; Juicy Lasting Tint. It’s a lip stain and gloss in one, making it super beginner-friendly and low-maintenance. It’s a cult-favorite for being easy to apply and comfortable to wear.
Hope she has fun trying it out!
The Douyin Lip trend from C-Beauty has become popular for its soft, gradient look that makes lips appear fuller and naturally plump. Combining vibrant inner shades with lighter outer tones and a touch of gloss, it creates a youthful, glossy finish that’s both playful and elegant. Easy to customise for any occasion, this trend reflects a growing focus on expressive, creative beauty that enhances individuality while keeping the look effortless and wearable.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your summary! I’m so glad the specific brand recommendations resonated with you. Wishing you many flawless makeup days ahead!