[Kao BRCC Survey] Lip Makeup Enters the Layering Era: Proposing a New "Sheer Color" x "Sheer Texture" Layered Lip Makeup
A survey by Kao BRCC revealed high interest in lip makeup among women in their 20s and a trend toward combining multiple items. Kao proposes a new layered makeup using "sheer colors" and "sheer textures."
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 12:17 (45 min after Collected)
The Beauty Research & Creation Center of Kao Corporation (hereinafter Kao BRCC) is engaged in predicting beauty trends and disseminating beauty information through various surveys and analyses of the latest domestic and international makeup and fashion.
According to the Kao Benchmark Survey*¹, the part of makeup that women in their 20s "care about the most" is their lips, indicating a high level of interest in lip makeup. Furthermore, based on a 20-year analysis of the Kao BRCC Color and Makeup Preference Survey*², lip makeup with a natural, 3D gradient combining lip gloss and lip liner has become popular in recent years, especially among the younger generation. In addition, lip gloss is gaining attention as an item that can control texture.
Based on this trend analysis, Kao BRCC proposes a shift from 3D lip makeup expressed with "shadows" and "gradients" to a new layered lip makeup where lip gloss with a "sheer texture" is layered over tint or stick lipstick with a "sheer color."
*¹ Kao Benchmark Survey
Survey period: November 2025 / Survey method: Web survey / Target: Women in their 20s, n=448, multiple answers allowed
*² Kao BRCC Color and Makeup Preference Survey
Survey period: Annually since 2005 / Survey method: Venue survey from 2005 to 2019, Web survey from 2020 onward / Target: Ages 18-59
* The number of respondents varies by year. This release cites data from the younger demographic (ages 18-24) from 2021 (n=280), 2023 (n=160), and 2025 (n=318).
◆ 20-somethings care most about lip makeup!
In the 2025 Kao Benchmark Survey*¹, when women in their 20s were asked about "the part of makeup they care about most," lips were mentioned most frequently at 37.3%, followed by eyeshadow at 31.5%, eyeliner at 26.3%, mascara at 21.7%, and highlighter at 20.1%. The background to this is thought to be the increased attention to the mouth area due to changes in mask-wearing habits following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, lips are a part that easily influences the overall impression of a look, making it an area where attention to detail is easily concentrated. We will introduce what items the younger generation, who drive makeup trends, are choosing and how they are using them for lip makeup, which was chosen as the No. 1 focus in this survey.
◆ Evolving Lip Makeup: The Latest Trends in Lip Liners and Glosses
Looking at the "lip makeup items used within the past year" in the Kao BRCC Color and Makeup Preference Survey (2021-2025), we can see a shift in the choices available for lip makeup.
While stick lipsticks and tints remain high-usage items, the usage rate of stick lipstick has declined from 93.2% in 2021 to 72.0% in 2025. Amidst this, the usage rates of lip gloss (43.9% in 2021 to 62.6% in 2025) and lip liner (10.0% in 2021 to 25.5% in 2025) have grown significantly. These changes suggest a transition from lip makeup finished with a single item to makeup finished by combining multiple items. The range of finishes and effects of lip glosses and lip liners has changed in recent years due to advancements in formulations and functions.
* Lip gloss: Moving towards items that provide texture expression with a comfortable feel, thanks to moisturizing effects, plumping effects, and thinner films.
* Lip liner: Moving beyond mere outline correction to items that express a 3D effect, such as shadows and gradients.
Currently, as makeup that draws out a 3D effect by combining multiple items like lip liner and stick lipstick spreads, the presence of lip gloss, which allows you to enjoy texture alongside lip liner, is expected to increase even further in the future.
◆ Proposing a New Layered Lip Makeup Enjoyed with "Sheer Color" x "Sheer Texture"
The recommendation is a layered lip makeup where you subtly create shadows with a lip liner and then layer the following two items.
1. Apply a base color with a "sheer color" tint or stick lipstick.
2. Layer a highly transparent "sheer texture" gloss on top of it.
By subtly adding shadow with a lip liner and layering "sheer color" and "sheer texture," you can achieve a finish with natural depth without looking heavy. This is a lip makeup style that will attract attention in the future.
[Note: The provided Japanese text ends abruptly at "「透けカラー」や「透ける質感」は唇の状態が仕上". The translation reflects this cutoff.]
"Sheer colors" and "sheer textures" are highly dependent on the condition of the lips for the final fin
According to the Kao Benchmark Survey*¹, the part of makeup that women in their 20s "care about the most" is their lips, indicating a high level of interest in lip makeup. Furthermore, based on a 20-year analysis of the Kao BRCC Color and Makeup Preference Survey*², lip makeup with a natural, 3D gradient combining lip gloss and lip liner has become popular in recent years, especially among the younger generation. In addition, lip gloss is gaining attention as an item that can control texture.
Based on this trend analysis, Kao BRCC proposes a shift from 3D lip makeup expressed with "shadows" and "gradients" to a new layered lip makeup where lip gloss with a "sheer texture" is layered over tint or stick lipstick with a "sheer color."
*¹ Kao Benchmark Survey
Survey period: November 2025 / Survey method: Web survey / Target: Women in their 20s, n=448, multiple answers allowed
*² Kao BRCC Color and Makeup Preference Survey
Survey period: Annually since 2005 / Survey method: Venue survey from 2005 to 2019, Web survey from 2020 onward / Target: Ages 18-59
* The number of respondents varies by year. This release cites data from the younger demographic (ages 18-24) from 2021 (n=280), 2023 (n=160), and 2025 (n=318).
◆ 20-somethings care most about lip makeup!
In the 2025 Kao Benchmark Survey*¹, when women in their 20s were asked about "the part of makeup they care about most," lips were mentioned most frequently at 37.3%, followed by eyeshadow at 31.5%, eyeliner at 26.3%, mascara at 21.7%, and highlighter at 20.1%. The background to this is thought to be the increased attention to the mouth area due to changes in mask-wearing habits following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, lips are a part that easily influences the overall impression of a look, making it an area where attention to detail is easily concentrated. We will introduce what items the younger generation, who drive makeup trends, are choosing and how they are using them for lip makeup, which was chosen as the No. 1 focus in this survey.
◆ Evolving Lip Makeup: The Latest Trends in Lip Liners and Glosses
Looking at the "lip makeup items used within the past year" in the Kao BRCC Color and Makeup Preference Survey (2021-2025), we can see a shift in the choices available for lip makeup.
While stick lipsticks and tints remain high-usage items, the usage rate of stick lipstick has declined from 93.2% in 2021 to 72.0% in 2025. Amidst this, the usage rates of lip gloss (43.9% in 2021 to 62.6% in 2025) and lip liner (10.0% in 2021 to 25.5% in 2025) have grown significantly. These changes suggest a transition from lip makeup finished with a single item to makeup finished by combining multiple items. The range of finishes and effects of lip glosses and lip liners has changed in recent years due to advancements in formulations and functions.
* Lip gloss: Moving towards items that provide texture expression with a comfortable feel, thanks to moisturizing effects, plumping effects, and thinner films.
* Lip liner: Moving beyond mere outline correction to items that express a 3D effect, such as shadows and gradients.
Currently, as makeup that draws out a 3D effect by combining multiple items like lip liner and stick lipstick spreads, the presence of lip gloss, which allows you to enjoy texture alongside lip liner, is expected to increase even further in the future.
◆ Proposing a New Layered Lip Makeup Enjoyed with "Sheer Color" x "Sheer Texture"
The recommendation is a layered lip makeup where you subtly create shadows with a lip liner and then layer the following two items.
1. Apply a base color with a "sheer color" tint or stick lipstick.
2. Layer a highly transparent "sheer texture" gloss on top of it.
By subtly adding shadow with a lip liner and layering "sheer color" and "sheer texture," you can achieve a finish with natural depth without looking heavy. This is a lip makeup style that will attract attention in the future.
[Note: The provided Japanese text ends abruptly at "「透けカラー」や「透ける質感」は唇の状態が仕上". The translation reflects this cutoff.]
"Sheer colors" and "sheer textures" are highly dependent on the condition of the lips for the final fin