Review: Velvet Lip Tint (3CE)

I bought this product with my own money from the official store. However, this post also contains affiliate links to BeautyTap as an alternative shopping recommendation. These go towards supporting Oh My Stellar and future content.

Since their launch in Korea, these were selling like mad – I went into Stylenanda with the intention of buying at least one of each colour (for my friend and then a few for myself) but there were a couple of shades – including one that I wanted – that was completely sold out; not just in one store but in all stores. So it’s safe to say that this Velvet Lip Tint is an extremely popular new release and I’m really glad that I managed to grab these two colours. I’ve always been a fan of 3CE lip and eye colours because I feel like they’re a bit different to other Korean brands – they have a preference for bolder and more pigmented formulas. They’re not quite as dramatic as Western products but they’re still an in-between taking into consideration the Asian beauty trends.

The product that I have here is their Velvet Lip Tint that was released recently. It comes in a range of 10 shades – ranging from nudes to reds. They’re all extremely wearable shades and so I don’t think that there was any colour that I didn’t like when I swatched them. In the end, it just came down to picking colours that I didn’t have too many of and that I knew I would get the most wear out of.

I feel like these are a bit similar to the Airy Ink Velvets from Peripera but actually feel even more hydrating. According to the Stylenanda website: “Velvet lip tint incorporates an oil-packed formula specially made to deliver a vivid and velvety matte texture. When this tint is applied, the lips are first encased with a layer of oil upon with pigments gently melt, resulting in a dewy sensation with a matte finish.”

Well, let’s check out the two colours that I got because I think these are a great every day lip product, especially for anyone who likes softer and more wearable products.

For this, I decided to go with Near and Dear, a pink MLBB colour that I’ve been really into lately (and I don’t usually go for these shades) and Save Me, which is a bright, fruity colour that is more typical of what I would gravitate towards. I purposefully picked two very different shades, as I found that a few of the colours were rather similar.

The colours are very pigmented and vibrant. However, on the lips (and when swatched) they actually look very soft even when you do a full lip. They’re a really great compromise between the Korean tint trend and the liquid lipstick trend. The formula is extremely soft and weightless, basically feeling like nothing on your lips. It is also really easy to do a gradient lip, but also a little buildable.

The packaging is colour-coded to the shade, which is really good for me since it makes it easy for me to pick what I want to use. Overall, I like the matte feel of the finish (which reflects the formula) and the simplicity of it looks good – it doesn’t look high end, but it also doesn’t look cheap. The quality is pretty good and I have no complaints.

The applicator is a rather standard doe-foot and I wish that they would have used the Tattoo Lip Tint applicator instead (because I loved that). That being said, it’s a narrow sort of shape and it’s quite easy to use and get into the corner of your lips. It’s nice, but it isn’t something very exciting. I figure that the hero of this product is purely in the formula.

According to the description, this formula actually had oils in it, which makes it really hydrating. I actually didn’t find this out until later, but I think this explains why I find it more gentle for every day wear than Peripera (even though I prefer the bolder formulas they have). I don’t think that they’re as bold as the swatches that they have online, but the colours are still quite accurate – especially for Save Me. Near and Dear seems a little more pink on the photo, but is a little more nude on my skin.

Below are the swatches! These were create with around two swipes of the product (as I needed more than open to cover a larger surface area that my lips). This is about as opaque as you can get the product, as wearing it too thickly can make the formula slip. It doesn’t fully dry on the lips and wears more like a light mousse.

Overall, I like the flexibility of these products! I tend to reach for them in the morning when I want to get ready quickly because I don’t need to worry too much about blending out a gradient lip (you can do it just by pressing your lips together since the product is so soft) and because it is easy to touch up during the day. The colours are really flattering and I think that their range is wide enough that most people will find something they like.

The product does transfer, but it doesn’t leave you with dry patches or weird residue. It actually wears off quite naturally. Although it is called a tint, I don’t think that it really stains my lips or something. It is more of a lipstick, I think.

Personally, I don’t think that I will collect all of these (like the Peripera inks) but it is something good to have on hand for quick mornings. It’s a good product and the soft, satin finish is really great – it’s just that I prefer stronger and more opaque colours (and that’s just my make up preferences). Still, I think that I’ll be picking up another shade of this – maybe Taupe – so that I can have a good range for every occasion.

This product is good for someone who likes softer make up styles or who has dry lips. I would actually recommend only picking up a few shades that you think you will get a long of wear out and is suitable for casual wear. This isn’t really a product that I would only save for special evenings.

I know that my thoughts are a little bit here and there, but I hope that this made sense. Here’s my verdict!

SO WHAT IS IT?

A soft, velvet-like lipstick

THE GOOD

• Colour-coded tube
• Slender doefoot applicator
• Good colour range
• Very hydrating
• Soft and easy to blend out
• Wearable and quick applicator
• Wears well through the day
• Easy to touch up

THE BAD

• Transfers off lips (doesn’t fully dry)
• Colour is softer than official swatches
• Average packaging

RATINGS

• PACKAGING | 3/5
• PRICE POINT | 3/5
• PIGMENTATION | 4/5
• LONG WEARING | 2/5
• HYDRATION | 5/5
• FINISH | 4/5

OVERALL RATING? 7/10

WOULD I RECOMMEND?

I think that this is a nice product so I would recommend checking it out (especially if you want something light, or want something hydrating). However, I don’t think that it’s something we all need to rush out and buy. The tints are a bit pricey in comparison, so a good alternative to this will be the Peripera Airy Ink Velvets. Feel free to check them out too!

WHERE TO GET IT FROM

I got this from the flagship store in Myeongdong, but I can see that the full range is selling on BeautyTap for USD$17.30 if you’re keen to get your hands on it too!

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