Japanese cosmetics brand washo has released "Mala Tang Kiss" (麻辣湯kiss), a new long-lasting lip line rolling out from April 24, 2026. Offered in 8 shades, the product was developed with a specific focus on maintaining wear through the demands of eating mala tang — the spicy, oil-rich Chinese noodle soup dish that has grown popular in Japan.
Development Background
In China, the notion that "eating mala tang makes your lip color disappear" is a widely shared experience among women who enjoy the dish. As mala tang has gained a following in Japan, more consumers have been encountering the same problem. Mala Tang Kiss was created by a developer who was herself a mala tang fan and had long struggled to find a lip product with adequate staying power. After trying various options without finding the right formula, she set out to make one herself — with the challenging brief of creating a lip that could "beat mala tang."
Product Features
Mala Tang Kiss is formulated to maintain wear* even through hot, oily meals. The lineup includes 8 shades: 4 in a gloss finish that preserves a plump, dewy look*, and 4 in a lightweight matte finish. Across both types, the key feature is that both color and texture are retained — not just the pigment. The result is a look that stays well-defined even through eating and drinking.
*According to the brand
Proprietary Film-Forming Technology
The formula's staying power comes from the brand's proprietary film-forming technology, which creates what the brand describes as a "color-retention film." With the gloss type, applying the product and waiting approximately 90 seconds allows a dewy film to form. Even if the finish is disrupted during a meal, the gloss gradually recovers over time for a result close to the just-applied look. The matte type features an ultra-thin mesh structure that adheres closely to the lips, resisting moisture, oil, and friction while also blurring the appearance of fine vertical lines and maintaining a soft, velvety texture*.
*According to the brand
Easy to Apply and Remove
Despite the high staying power*, the formula is designed to come off without difficulty. It remains on the surface of the lips rather than staining the skin, allowing it to be removed with regular cleansing without leaving behind residual color. Moisturizing ingredients — including shea butter*, olive fruit oil*, and ceramide NP* — are also incorporated to help prevent dryness and roughness during wear.
*¹According to the brand *²Moisturizing ingredient
8-Shade Lineup
The color selection draws on the same addictive quality as mala tang itself — once you try it, you keep coming back. The 8 shades span a range suited to different personal color types and texture preferences. All 8 shades include a subtle "hidden shimmer," creating a luminous effect from every angle.
Limited Novelties Included with Purchase
Each product comes with limited novelties celebrating the mala tang theme, designed to be kept in a pouch or attached to a bag.
- Compact mirror mascot (1 of 8 designs, selected at random): Designs inspired by popular mala tang ingredients
- Mala Drop Sticker (1 of 2 designs, selected at random): A raised, three-dimensional sticker with a distinctive puffy finish
Product Details
- Content: 2.6 g
- Price: ¥1,600 (excluding tax) / ¥1,760 (including tax)
- Set contents: Color lip × 1, charm chain × 1, compact PVC mirror mascot × 1, Mala Drop Sticker × 1
- Launch date: Rolling out from April 24, 2026 (Friday)
- Available at: Variety stores and discount stores nationwide, as well as Qoo10 and TikTok Shop
