The beauty community in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are abuzz about lipsticks in “red bean paste” shade. Beauty enthusiasts seek them out from different brands and share swatches within the community to much oohs and aahs. That’s when we know it’s a trend that we should take a closer look at.
What is a “red bean paste” lipstick colour?
The origins of this “red bean paste” lipstick shade are unclear, but most people agree that it has always been a very popular lipstick shade. Its popularity was further boosted after well-loved Chinese period dramas Yanxi Palace and Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace aired, in which many of the concubines were frequently spotted wearing this lip colour.
There is no official standard on what constitutes a “red bean paste” shade, but a general consensus is that the colour falls somewhere between pink, red, and brown – basically similar to that of red bean paste.
It is well-loved for being easy to pull off on many different skin tones, and a colour that is appropriate enough for most occasions, be it school or work. Some people also believe that wearing this shade gives the illusion of fairer, younger skin.
That being said, the caveat of “red bean paste” lipsticks is that if you pick one that does not match your skin tone, you actually run the risk of looking overly mature instead.
What are some popular “red bean paste” lipsticks?
1. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick #420 Rebellious Rose
Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick #420 Rebellious Rose is widely acknowledged to be the “gold standard” for a “red bean paste” lip colour – it is somewhere in between red & pink, and suitable for most skin tones, so anyone can pull this off.
This super creamy lipstick is said to glide on effortlessly and smoothly while hydrating your lips. It also promises a six-hour wear, so your lips can look beautifully shaped and sculpted for a long time!
Get this at SGD52 from all Estee Lauder boutiques, counters, Sephora stores, and website.
2. Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet No.17 Dark Rosewood
Burberry’s Liquid Lip Velvet is one of the top favourites when it comes to matte liquid lipsticks. It’s not hard to see why: delivering rich pigment, smooth application and a whipped texture, all it takes is one swipe for a lovely colour that lasts for up to eight hours.
No.17 Dark Rosewood is a warm shade of nude pink, and an extremely close match for Estee Lauder’s #420. The main difference is that Burberry’s offering is more pink than it is red, which is perfect for people who want a more muted colour that they can wear daily.
Get this at SGD46 from all Burberry counters, Sephora stores and website.
3. Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense No.11 Velvet Red
Mamonde’s 3-in-1 crayon type lip pencil comes with an intense colour of lipstick and creamy velvety texture that doesn’t emphasise the dry patches on your lips.
If you need any further convincing that shade No.11 Velvet Red is for you, Korean actress Park Shin Hye wore this exact same shade in the drama Memories of the Alhambara. Now, you can look just as gorgeous and ravishing as a celebrity with a swipe of this lipstick!
Get this at SGD16 from Mamonde boutiques and counters.
4. Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Vernis A Levres Vinyl Cream #407 Carmin Session
Yves Saint Laurent Beauté’s Vernis A Levres Vinyl Cream in the shade #407 is arguably just as famous as their Rouge Pur Couture in No. 52, which was mistaken as the shade that Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun wore in the drama My Love from the Star.
#407 is a warm shade of plum with a cream finish and long-lasting tint, making it an extremely beautiful colour that you can definitely pull off even for daily wear. The opaque glossy finish also feels comfortable and not sticky at all, so you can have the prettiest pout from dawn to dusk.
Get this at SGD52 from all Yves Saint Laurent Beauté boutiques and counters.
5. A’PIEU Water Light Tint RD03 Bitter Rose
For those who are on a tight budget, Korean brand A’PIEU has the perfect dupe for Yves Saint Laurent Beauté’s shade #407.
Many makeup junkies have tested both of these lippies and attest that they are almost identical, be it their colour, finish, or texture. You essentially get a similar soft red colour and glossy finish, but at just a mere fraction of the price!
What’s more, A’PIEU Water Light Tint claims to be infused with floral and fruit extracts, so your lips can both look and feel great.
Get this at SGD5.50 from Shopee.
6. Givenchy Le Rouge N105 Brun Vintage
It’s not just the real leather case of this Givenchy lipstick that looks elegant: shade N105 is a luxurious colour that will instantly amp up even the simplest makeup looks. A medium muted rose colour with a hint of brown undertone, it is said to be flattering for most skin complexions.
It also has a creamy texture that ensures a silky smooth and streak-free application – it is little wonder that this lippie has won the hearts of so many beauty fans.
Get this at SGD58 from all Givenchy counters, Sephora stores and website.
7. Nars Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
We couldn’t miss out NARS’ cult favourite Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. Despite being a matte lippie, it is formulated to be long-lasting, yet non-drying, so you can sport a beautiful pout for hours without drying your lips out.
Dolce Vita is a dusty rose that leans towards a warm coral – if you have warmer undertones, this shade would look absolutely stunning on you. Reviewers also strongly recommend this colour if your original lip colour is not too dark, as the coral colour of Dolce Vita will show up better.
Get this at SGD38 from all NARS boutiques, counters, Sephora stores and website.
8. BBIA Last Lip Mousse #1004 Rose
BBIA’s Last Lip Mousse is a weightless, buildable, waterproof lipstick with a velvety soft finish that feels almost like you’re wearing nothing on your lips.
This lipstick comes in 10 shades for you to choose from, and we recommend that you try out #1004 if you want to hop onboard the “red bean paste” trend. This shade is described as a dusty rose red, and is perfect on days that you want to exude a more mature and alluring vibe.
Get this at SGD10 from Shopee.
9. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Walk of Shame
The Matte Revolution Lipstick features a revolutionary angled square tip, an ingenious feature that makes lipstick application so much easier when you are trying to apply on the edges.
This berry rose tinted shade in Charlotte Tilbury’s matte lipstick is actually said to be inspired by the timeless beauties of Christina Hendricks and Margot Robbie. Now, even if we can’t actually be superstars in real life, we still can look like one!
Get this at USD34 from Beautylish.
10. Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet 07 Nude-Ist
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet is a long-lasting liquid lipstick that promises intense and comfortable matte colour up to 24-hour hold, and has received multiple rave reviews since its launch.
For those who are wary about rocking red lips and prefer a more pink hue, Bourjois has one that is a fan favourite. Described as a lip-toned pink, Nude-ist is the perfect shade of “red bean paste” to enhance your lip colour.
Get this at SGD16 from all major drugstores and Zalora.
