Laka is one of the most interesting Korean beauty brands that I have come across in a while in terms of its messaging. It promotes the concept of gender-neutral beauty, featuring both male and female models using their lip, check, and eye products in their advertising. This message is reinforced by their packing and product names, staying away from anything too feminine or hyper masculine (the latter which is often seen in promoting makeup or skincare for men).
One of its products that I have been testing recently the Soul Vegan Lip Balms. A vegan lip balm that looked incredibly glossy and beautiful on all the models? How could I have resisted?
The Product Claims
Claim 1: “Moisturizing and nourishing…to set you free from dry and chapped lips.”
Claim 2: “safe and mild for even sensitive lips.”
Claim 3: “Non-greasy, lightweight texture.”
Quantity: 3.9 grams
The Experience & The Results
I was so excited that I bought all three colors: Rosy, Mauve, and Berry. There is also a clear one available, but I decided not to purchase it.
When first applied, the lip balm sits on top of the lips, but after a little, while it melts in and it feels like nothing is there.
The first thing I noticed is that the colors are not the same as the product photos. In fact, they look fairly similar to each other on camera, but there are subtle differences in person. In my opinion, Berry looks the most like the photography shown on Laka’s website, and Mauve looks the least similar. And while all of them have a sheen to them, they are not glossy. To replicate that effect, you’d have to add a gloss on top of the balm which is an easy fix.
Rosy 
Mauve 
Berry
Secondly, because they’re simply tinted lip balms, they are not long lasting, so you will have to reapply throughout the day.
The Conclusion
Initially, the lasting power and the color payoff weren’t what I was expecting, so I was a bit disappointed. However, over time I came to enjoy the subtle softness of the balms and the natural and sweet looking glow they added to my lips, something that I think is great for summer. The deciding factor for me as to whether I would recommend these are products was the price: these babies are only 13,000 KRW in Korea (13 USD in America). A vegan lip balm at such an affordable price point is hard to pass up. So picking one up to try won’t hurt the bank, and you may end up liking them as well! But I would just suggest picking one that you think would match your lip color the best instead of springing for all three like I did.
Cost & Where to Buy
Disclaimer: I have not tried nor am affiliated with any of the following links. They are merely suggestions of where they can be purchased, so please proceed at your own discretion when purchasing. Furthermore, sites labeled “Internationally” or “Worldwide” may not offer shipping to all countries.
Ingredients
#CLEAR OCTYLDODECANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, PHYTOSTERYL/ISOSTEARYL/CETYL/STEARYL/BEHENYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, POLYETHYLENE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 ISOSTEARATE/DIMER DILINOLEATE COPOLYMER, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, CERESIN, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SORBITAN OLIVATE, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) FRUIT EXTRACT, BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA LEAF EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) OIL, CITRUS NOBILIS (MANDARIN ORANGE) PEEL OIL, LITSEA CUBEBA FRUIT OIL, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, WATER, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL,1,2-HEXANEDIOL, GLYCERIN, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, LIMONENE, CITRAL #MAUVE HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, OCTYLDODECANOL, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, PHYTOSTERYL/ISOSTEARYL/CETYL/STEARYL/BEHENYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, POLYETHYLENE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 ISOSTEARATE/DIMER DILINOLEATE COPOLYMER, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, CERESIN, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SORBITAN OLIVATE, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM (BLUEBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, MORUS ALBA ROOT EXTRACT, FRAGARIA VESCA (STRAWBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) OIL, CITRUS NOBILIS (MANDARIN ORANGE) PEEL OIL, LITSEA CUBEBA FRUIT OIL, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, NYMPHAEA CAERULEA FLOWER WATER, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, POLYGLYCERYL-6 POLYRICINOLEATE, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL,1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, IRON OXIDES(CI 77491), RED 7 LAKE, ULTRAMARINES(CI 77007), IRON OXIDES(CI 77499), RED 6(CI 15850), LIMONENE, CITRAL #ROSY HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, OCTYLDODECANOL, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 ISOSTEARATE/DIMER DILINOLEATE COPOLYMER, PHYTOSTERYL/ISOSTEARYL/CETYL/STEARYL/BEHENYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, POLYETHYLENE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, CERESIN, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SORBITAN OLIVATE, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) FRUIT EXTRACT, ROSA CANINA FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) OIL, CITRUS NOBILIS (MANDARIN ORANGE) PEEL OIL, LITSEA CUBEBA FRUIT OIL, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, WATER, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL,1,2-HEXANEDIOL,CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, IRON OXIDES(CI 77491),RED 7 LAKE, RED 6(CI 15850),IRON OXIDES(CI 77499), LIMONENE, CITRAL #BERRY HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, OCTYLDODECANOL, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, POLYETHYLENE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 ISOSTEARATE/DIMER DILINOLEATE COPOLYMER, PHYTOSTERYL/ISOSTEARYL/CETYL/STEARYL/BEHENYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, CERESIN, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SORBITAN OLIVATE, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, VACCINIUM MACROCARPON (CRANBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM (BLUEBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, MORUS ALBA ROOT EXTRACT, FRAGARIA VESCA (STRAWBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) OIL, CITRUS NOBILIS (MANDARIN ORANGE) PEEL OIL, LITSEA CUBEBA FRUIT OIL, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, WATER, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL,1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, IRON OXIDES(CI 77491), RED 7 LAKE, IRON OXIDES(CI 77499),RED 6(CI 15850), LIMONENE, CITRAL
Beauty Bap 