Review: Liquid Lip Color (3CE)

I’m finally writing the review for these! To be honest, I’m not sure why it had taken me so long because I’ve been using these since I first got them (and formed an opinion quite quickly) but I guess that I’ve been putting it off while getting so stuck into my new colourpop lipsticks. Alas, I’ve finally decided to write this review now because I only have a week until I head off to Japan for three weeks and, after that, I’m expecting that I will have some Japanese products to review and more kbeauty products coming in the mail as well! Basically, it’s going to get busy on here, and I’m excited.

Moving on, this is my review on 3CE’s Liquid Lip Color. I picked up a few of these when I was in Korea split over two or three visits. I actually thought that I only had two of the colours but was surprised to find out that I bought four – this always happens to me. Either way, I was totally suckered in by the cute packaging and the super opaque colours. This was one of the first liquid lipsticks that I had used since this became a trend (I first used matte liquid lipsticks – on performances – when I was maybe thirteen) so I’ve since been comparing it to a few other formulas that I’ve tried.

Read on for the full review!

So these tubes are really cute. They’re a soft pink colour with a lip illustration on the front, the colour of which is corresponding to the product shade. It’s a good indicator when you’re looking for the colour that you’re after. I think I would prefer if the tube was transparent or had a transparent section, as it would make it easier to pick a matching colour for my make up look) but this is sufficient when you don’t have too many of them. The four shades that I picked are all quite different, but I would have trouble if they were similar.

The cap has a sticker seal when it’s new and is a twist open design. Overall, it’s quite sturdy and easy to carry around. Unlike the Colourpop, I have no trouble with the print scratching off or anything. The design is very modern and simple, but still has a very on-brand trendiness. 3CE is really great with their packaging and brand design, so this isn’t surprising at all.

These are the colours that I bought: Be Dashed, Lazy, Lowdown and Charmed. Lazy (a purple-burgundy shade) was the first that I bought and easily my favourite of the bunch.

So the cap screws open with a sort of… fluffy applicator? The applicator is hard, so don’t let that fluff deceive you, it’s not soft. The texture does help the application apply more blended and without streakiness. Similarly to a puff, I also use it to build up the colour on the inner lip. It’s pretty easy to use and can get your relatively defined lines without product build up on the outer edges.

However, this applicator gets clogged up with dried product once you start to use it and it can be a bit difficult or annoying to clean. This is definitely the downside to this product and I definitely prefer the more traditional doe foot applicator, even though this is easier and faster to use. It’s just messy, to be honest.

The product dispenses when you squeeze from the centre of the tube. I find that most of these formulas are quite thick and cream like, which gives a very opaque but heavy consistency. However, one of them (I think it was Be Dashed) was surprisingly a lot more liquid-like. The formula is lighter but can be streaky, so the colour needs to be build up a little bit more.

The finish is very matte and dry, so it’s preferable to use an exfoliator before hand. I tried to blend other colours and formulas on top of it but, since the lipstick dries really quickly, it is difficult to blend. The colours are really beautiful though. Scroll down for the swatches!

[ L-R: Charmed, Be Dashed, Lowdown and Lazy ]

Overall, these lipsticks definitely have their positives and negatives but I find myself reaching for these often. They last forever, honestly. A lot of people have praises for Colourpop, Pony Effect, NYX, Missha (all of which I have tried) and 3CE is the only brand that really stays on throughout the day for me. Eating, coffee… nothing removes it until I use a make up wipe. The colours are really pretty, vibrant and opaque – though, in retrospect, I think that this shows better when I wear it as opposed to my amateur swatches. I should really learn to be better at this.

The downside to this product though, is that it is the thickest and driest formula I have ever worn – seriously. It’s difficult to reapply on top because of how thick the formula is as swiping over too much (especially when it’s dry) can cause the previous layer to lift and turn streaky. To reapply this, you really do have to remove it and start from the beginning.

It is dry on the lips but the formula is initially creamy enough not to emphasise dry patches (if that makes sense). Rather than being a painfully dry wear, it just dries up any flakes on your lips enough so that they just… fall or peel off with little effort on your part. Ironically, my lips were softer after using this because all of the dried parts were eventually flaked off. It’s not a comfortable lipstick, but it’s definitely long lasting.

Here’s the verdict!

THE GOOD

• Cute (and effective) packaging
• Quick and easy to apply
• Vibrant, opaque and pretty colours
• Good colour selection
• Super long lasting
• Does not emphasise dry spots

THE BAD

• Thick formula
• Very drying
• Difficult to reapply
• Applicator gets really messy
• Formula is inconsistent over colour range

WOULD I REPURCHASE?

Yes! I know that the downsides to this product are quite bad, but I do love the colours and the longevity of it, so much that it is worthwhile to work around the downsides. I usually apply a lip balm before applying the lipstick and, when I need a reapplication sometime during the day, will just start over from scratch. I love the colours of these and the packaging, so I’m definitely looking to get more colours.

I would recommend this for people who want a super matte and long lasting finish, but don’t mind if the product is quite drying on the lips. If you want something more comfortable wearing and don’t mind a bit of transfer, Colourpop and Missha are also really great!

WHERE TO GET IT FROM

I got mine from the flagship stores in Seoul but you can get yours online with BB Cosmetic for USD$13.80 with free shipping, 10% credit back for SNS reviewers and a 8% discount using my code! They are a regular sponsor for Oh My Stellar is a trusted website that I always recommend and purchase from myself.

You can use my code for 8% off your purchase: QAL3F6ZA8YZ.

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