Origins
#CherryColaLips went viral on TikTok in fall 2023, describing a deep, glossy lip color resembling cherry-flavored cola: rich brown-red with high shine. The trend offered a sultry alternative to summer’s bright pinks and pastels.
Beauty creator @glowwithava (Ava Lee) popularized the term with a tutorial achieving 8M+ views (September 2023), stating “Cherry Cola lips are what Mob Wife fall looks like.”
Color Profile
Base: Deep burgundy, chocolate brown, oxblood red Undertones: Warm (not cool-toned berry or wine) Finish: Glossy, wet-looking (never matte) Inspiration: Cherry Coke soda, cola bottle candies
Technique
- Prep: Exfoliate lips, apply lip balm
- Line: Brown or burgundy lip liner (slightly overlined for fullness)
- Color: Layer lipstick or liquid lip (brown-red, burgundy)
- Gloss: Clear or matching gloss for wet effect
- Highlight: Dab highlighter on cupid’s bow (3D effect)
Alternative method:
- Mix red lipstick + brown lip liner on lips
- Top with clear gloss
Key Products
Lipsticks:
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Medium (brown-red)
- MAC Chili, Velvet Teddy (warm brown-red)
- Fenty Beauty Cherry Bomb, PMS (burgundy-brown)
- Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink (Voyager, brown-red)
Lip Liners:
- MAC Lip Pencil (Chestnut, Cork)
- NYX Slim Lip Pencil (Brown, Plum)
Glosses:
- Fenty Gloss Bomb (Fenty Glow, universal)
- NYX Butter Gloss (Tiramisu, brown-red)
- Tower 28 ShineOn (Chill, sheer brown)
Cultural Context
Cherry Cola Lips coincided with:
- Mob Wife Aesthetic (late 2023): Bold, sultry, maximalist
- Fall 2023 makeup: Darker, warmer tones (vs summer pastels)
- Office Siren (2023): Corporate chic, red lips resurgence
- Hailey Bieber’s shift: From nude glazed lips to deeper tones
Celebrity Adoption
- Hailey Bieber: Wore cherry cola lips (Instagram, October 2023)
- Kylie Jenner: Deep brown-red glossy lips (signature 2023 shift)
- Rihanna: Fenty Beauty Cherry Bomb campaign (2023)
- Zendaya: Deep burgundy lips at Challengers events
Seasonal Appeal
Fall/Winter 2023-2024: Peak popularity
- Warm, cozy tones match autumn fashion (rust, burgundy, chocolate)
- Deeper lips complement pumpkin spice, holiday season
- Contrast to summer’s bright pinks, corals
Comparisons
Cherry Cola vs other lip trends:
- Brown lips (1990s): Cherry Cola has red undertones, more vibrant
- Vampire lips (2022): Cherry Cola glossy vs matte
- Red lips (classic): Cherry Cola warmer, more brown-toned
- Nude lips (2020-2022): Cherry Cola opposite (bold vs minimal)
Makeup Pairings
Eyes:
- Soft, neutral (brown smokey eye, bronze)
- Minimal (let lips be focal point)
- Warm tones (copper, gold shimmer)
Skin:
- Dewy, glowing (glazed donut skin)
- Warm bronzer, peachy blush
- Avoid heavy contouring (lips are statement)
Criticisms
- Maintenance: Glossy lips require frequent touch-ups
- Unflattering for some: Deep lips can make teeth look yellow (whitening strips recommended)
- Trend fatigue: “Not another food-named lip trend”
Evolution
By late 2023-2024:
- Espresso Lips: Deeper, more brown (less red)
- Cherry Mocha: Cooler-toned version
- Cola Nails: Matching nail trend (deep brown-red chrome)
Related Trends
- Latte Makeup (2022): Warm brown tones (extends to lips)
- Mob Wife Aesthetic (2023): Bold, confident beauty
- Strawberry Girl (2022): Predecessor, lighter/pinker
- Glazed Donut Lips (2022): Opposite (nude, glossy, minimal color)
Sources
- @glowwithava TikTok - “Cherry Cola Lips Tutorial” (September 2023, 8M+ views)
- Allure - “Cherry Cola Lips Are Fall’s Most Wearable Trend” (October 2023)
- Byrdie - “How to Get Cherry Cola Lips in 3 Steps” (November 2023)