As the K-pop girl group KATSEYE continues to captivate fans not just with their music but their distinct style, it’s no surprise that beauty enthusiasts have turned their attention to the group’s trendsetting members. Manon’s effortlessly chic straight eyebrow trend has already taken over TikTok, and now the spotlight has shifted to the group’s leader, Sophia Laforteza, whose lips have become something of a mystery and obsession. Fans have been scrambling to decode her coveted lip combo—and recently, Sophia herself teased that no one has quite gotten it right yet. Naturally, we had to investigate.
The mystery behind Sophia’s signature lips
Sophia Laforteza took to Weverse live earlier this week for an intimate two-hour chat with EYEKONS, the group’s passionate fanbase. During the session, a fan dared to ask about her lip balm, expecting to finally unveil the secret behind her perfectly hydrated, naturally glossy lips. But Sophia’s response was refreshingly cryptic: “Not what you think it is. I’ve been seen y’all talk about my lips [but] nobody’s got it right. Just saying.”
This candid admission only fueled the curiosity around her lip routine. Sophia’s lips, naturally plush and radiant, have amassed a fan following of their own—so the notion that her beauty combo remains a secret was almost too much to bear. The burning question now: what exactly is the magic behind those lips?
Digging through the beauty archives
Unable to resist the challenge, we sifted through Sophia’s past appearances, live streams, and interviews to piece together clues about her lip products. If you search online for Sophia’s lip balm, the top suggestion is almost always Lucas’ Papaw Ointment, the cult-favorite multipurpose balm packaged in a bright red tube.
Indeed, Sophia has been spotted using this balm on several occasions. Notably, during the Philippines live performance in September 2024, she was seen applying the balm between sets—a moment captured and widely shared by fans. The balm’s soothing and moisturizing properties make it a beloved staple for many celebrities who want a simple but effective lip hydrator. However, Sophia’s recent comments hint that while Lucas’ Papaw Ointment might have been a temporary favorite or travel essential, it’s not her ultimate lip weapon. This revelation leaves fans wondering what other products she’s been loyal to.
Trial and error: The journey to the perfect pout
Earlier in 2024, during a Weverse live in August, Sophia openly applied lip balm on camera. The product in question was Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine in the shade Vanilla Beige—a balm that has gained popularity for its smooth texture and subtle sheen. Sophia’s playful commentary during the stream revealed her struggles with the product’s firmness, joking about how hard it was to get any product out.
This interaction suggests she may have been experimenting with the balm, possibly nearing the end of the tube. While it shows her willingness to try different products, it’s unclear if this balm secured a permanent spot in her routine.
Going further back to her debut days with KATSEYE’s precursor, Dream Academy, Sophia shared an Olive Young haul from Seoul, a quintessential ritual for many K-pop idols and beauty lovers visiting South Korea. Among her favorites was the Amuse Dew Velvet lip tint, a product she claimed to be “obsessed” with and wore “all the time.” Unfortunately for fans hoping to replicate her look exactly, this particular tint has been discontinued. However, the brand still offers variations like the Dew Tint and Dew Balm, which maintain the same glowing, lightweight finish that made the original so beloved. It’s possible that Sophia has transitioned to these newer versions or something very similar, maintaining the glossy, natural lip effect she’s known for.
Why Sophia’s lip combo matters
Sophia’s lip combo has become emblematic of a growing trend among Gen Z and K-pop beauty communities: embracing understated, natural glam. Her lips are never overly glossy or matte, but rather maintain a soft, hydrated, and slightly luminous look that complements her youthful yet polished aesthetic.
The mystery and exclusivity around her routine only amplify the allure. In an era where beauty influencers and celebrities are quick to reveal every product, Sophia’s choice to keep her lips’ secret under wraps adds an element of mystique and aspiration. It also reflects a deeper message that beauty is personal and ever-evolving—just like Sophia’s style.
What to try if you want Sophia’s lip look
If you want to channel Sophia Laforteza’s signature lip vibe, here are some products inspired by what we know:
Lucas’ Papaw Ointment: A cult classic lip balm that delivers intense hydration with a simple formula. Ideal for soothing chapped lips and creating a supple base.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Vanilla Beige: Offers a subtle shine and a moisturizing feel, perfect for natural-looking lips with a hint of color.
Amuse Dew Tint or Dew Balm: If you want the glowing tint Sophia once loved, these products deliver a sheer, luminous finish with lasting hydration.
While none of these may be the exact holy grail Sophia uses, they embody the qualities that make her lips so coveted: hydration, subtle glow, and effortless natural beauty.
The allure of the untold secret
In the end, Sophia Laforteza’s elusive lip combo reminds us that beauty is as much about the mystery as the routine. Her unwillingness to reveal her exact products is a reminder that sometimes, the magic lies in the journey of discovery and personal experimentation.
As KATSEYE’s leader continues to shape beauty trends with her bold statements and understated glam, fans will undoubtedly keep trying to decode her looks—but maybe the best advice is to find your own signature glow, inspired by but not confined to the idols we admire.
