fwee Glowy Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm (The Comfort of a Lip Balm, the Color Payoff of a Tint, and the Shine of a Gloss)

Editor's Pick · Lip
2026. 04 · Beauty Team

The defining keyword in this year's lip market is, without question, "hybrid." Lip products that combine skincare-level hydration, effortless color in a single swipe, and a glossy sheen have firmly become the mainstream. According to global market research firm Circana, the tinted lip treatment category grew by more than 60% year over year, far outpacing lip liner growth at 28% over the same period.

At the center of that shift is fwee's "Glowy Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm," one of the brand's most ambitious launches of the first half of 2026. It first debuted in February as a Manggom collaboration edition, then officially launched in all 17 shades during Olive Young's March sale amid explosive response. The campaign starring TWICE's Nayeon also drew buzz. An Olive Young online-exclusive photocard event sold out immediately and even required a restock notice.

So I tried it for myself. Can this one tube really do the work of a lip balm, tint, and gloss all at once? Here's the editor's honest report.

01. A New Lip Formula That Melts In Like a Smoothie

Your first impression of the fwee Glowy Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm is likely to be: "Wait, this is a lip balm?" It offers more color than you'd expect from a balm, yet feels much softer than a typical tint. The texture really does feel like a layer of finely blended fruit smoothie melting over the lips, and the reason behind the word "smoothie" becomes immediately clear.

The heart of the formula is its skincare-like ingredient design. Rose PDRN helps create radiance and fuller-looking lips, while avocado oil, shea butter, and coconut oil form a moisturizing veil. Panthenol and ceramide NP help care for the lip barrier, and sodium hyaluronate draws in moisture. Plant-derived ingredients like acai berry extract, black cherry extract, and damask rose flower extract make it feel closer to a lip essence than a standard color balm.

That said, the nature of a balm texture comes with limitations. Wear time sits around two to three hours, so reapplication is necessary after meals. The glowy finish can transfer slightly under a mask, and some reviewers note that the 9.5g size feels like it disappears quickly relative to the bulky packaging. Still, the way it keeps lips comfortable even after multiple touch-ups is a clear advantage over typical tints.

Product Basics

Official Name	fwee Glowy Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm
Size	9.5g (mini 5g set sold separately)
Price	KRW 18,000 (KRW 10,900 during Olive Young sales / based on the launch sale in February to March 2026)
Colors	17 shades total (Glowy / Blur / Melting)
Made by	South Korea · B.NOW Co., Ltd.
Shelf Life	36 months after manufacture / 12 months after opening
Global Launch	Exclusive at Ulta Beauty in the U.S. ($16, curated launch with 6 shades)

Key Ingredients: Rose PDRN, avocado oil, panthenol, shea butter, ceramide NP, coconut oil, sodium hyaluronate, acai berry extract, damask rose flower extract

02. Three Finishes, Three Different Moods

What elevates this beyond an ordinary tinted lip balm is the freedom to choose a finish. Built on the same smoothie-like base, it comes in three finish families—Glowy, Blur, and Melting—so even the same color can create a totally different mood.

Glowy
A glossy, glass-like finish with healthy shine. It catches light beautifully on the lips for a fuller look. Best for days when you want maximum moisture and that "what are you wearing on your lips?" effect.

Blur
A softly diffused velvet-matte finish. It blurs lip lines like a soft-focus filter while still feeling comfortable. Ideal for polished office makeup or neat semi-matte daily looks.

Melting
Sitting between Glowy and Blur, this one gives a naturally melted sheen. It delivers moisture without overdoing the gloss, creating that "naturally pretty lips" mood. Especially appealing for MLBB lovers.

"I hated when my hair stuck to gloss, but this formula feels different. It's hydrating without crossing into sticky."
— Olive Young customer review

Editor's Tip: Tap the Glowy finish onto the inner lips first, then soften the lip line with a Blur shade. You get an ombré lip that stays dewy in the center and softly matte around the edges. Because the textures come from the same line, they layer exceptionally well.

03. The Editor's Shade Picks by Personal Color

The full 17-shade lineup is inspired by fruit and dessert names, and each shade even carries a slightly different fruity scent. Here are the shades worth checking first depending on your personal color tone.

Recommended for Warm Tones

Guava Crush (GN01 · GLOWY)
A warm coral pink reminiscent of ripe guava. A perfect daily shade that naturally revives the complexion of spring warm tones. The glossy finish adds lively brightness to the lips.

Mango Peach Blend (GW01 · GLOWY)
A peach nude that feels like a blend of mango and peach. On autumn warm tones, it becomes the kind of "my lips but better" shade that looks effortlessly flattering. Great with casual daily looks.

Oat Cinnamon (BW02 · BLUR)
A warm cinnamon-brown nude. The Blur finish leaves a soft, powdery effect that works especially well for office makeup or minimal moods. Highly recommended for deep autumn tones.

Recommended for Cool Tones

Pink Pomelo (BN01 · BLUR)
A cool pink inspired by vibrant pink pomelo. It brightens and clarifies summer cool complexions beautifully. The Blur texture gives it a soft semi-matte finish.

Acai Blueberry (BC03 · BLUR)
A cool berry tone that feels like a blend of acai and blueberry. On winter cool tones, it instantly sharpens and refines the overall mood. It adds depth to the lips without feeling too heavy.

Fresh Berry (GN02 · GLOWY)
A rosy pink with the crisp freshness of berries. Combined with the shine of the Glowy finish, it creates luminous lips with a transparent glow. Especially pretty on cool tones in spring and summer.

Recommended for Neutral Tones

Pistachio Nut (GW03 · GLOWY)
A neutral beige nude reminiscent of pistachio. This is an easy, versatile shade that works across personal color types and makes the perfect last touch for no-makeup makeup.

Plum Mocha (GC03 · GLOWY)
A deep neutral rose brown blended with plum and mocha tones. A true mood maker for autumn and winter, or for evenings when you want to elevate the overall look.

Chocolate Hazelnut (GN04 · GLOWY)
A unique chocolate brown with a green undertone. A hidden gem for anyone looking for something a little different. The signature Glowy shine adds extra depth for a chic finish.

Editor's Tip: When testing in store, swatch it on the inside of your lower lip rather than on the back of your hand. Because lips naturally carry more color, you'll get a much more realistic sense of how the shade will actually wear.

04. How to Make It Look Even Better

One-Swipe Daily Look: Just glide it on once like a lip balm and you're done. The smoothie texture spreads naturally across the lips, leaving soft color and juicy shine at the same time. After your morning skincare, this alone can finish the look.

Layering Trick: Apply a Glowy shade all over the lips first, then tap a Blur shade along the outer edge. You get a dewy center with a softly diffused rim, like an easy ombré effect. Because both come from the same line, the textures blend seamlessly without clashing.

Multi-Use Blush: Pat a small amount of a Glowy shade onto the cheeks and it also works as a cream blush. Pink and coral shades like Guava Crush, Pink Pomelo, and Fresh Berry work especially well. Matching your lip and cheek color instantly makes the overall makeup look feel more complete.

Evening Touch-Up: The mini 5g version is also great to keep in your pouch for quick reapplication throughout the day. Because it starts from a balm base, every touch-up feels more comfortable instead of heavier, which is where it stands apart from standard tints.

05. Why This Lip Balm Is Getting So Much Attention Right Now

fwee is already known for products like Cushion Glass and Blurry Pudding Pot. The Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm is the brand's first major attempt to fully apply that texture know-how to the lip category, and it launched globally at the same time through an exclusive Ulta Beauty line in the U.S. Add in the buzz generated by the Nayeon campaign, and it's easy to see why this is one of the most talked-about new lip launches of the season.

Editor's Verdict

If you want one lip balm that can handle care, color, and finish all at once, this is it.

For anyone who dislikes the stickiness of gloss, feels uncomfortable with the dryness of a tint, and finds plain lip balm too colorless, fwee Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm neatly resolves all three frustrations in a single formula. With 17 shades and three finish options, it easily earns a top spot on the list of lip products worth adding to your pouch this year.