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Illustration of the pack shape, not the real packaging.
Velvet Lip Tint
3CE's soft-matte velvet tint: a silicone-based, mousse-like lip colour that sets to a blurred, powdery finish, in a 4g tube across a wide range of muted and bright shades.
Buyer verdictA great pick if you like a soft, blurred matte lip in on-trend muted shades, and it's one of the most giftable Korean lip products. It contains fragrance and can feel dry on flaky lips. Seoul is far cheaper than Amazon UK.
- Key ingredient
- Dimethicone and dimethicone crosspolymers, Polymethylsilsesquioxane and silica
- Texture
- Light, mousse-like tint that sets to a soft velvet matte
- Routine step
- makeup · AM
- Korean pack
- 4g
Overview
Key ingredients
- Dimethicone and dimethicone crosspolymers Silicone base behind the light, velvety texture
- Polymethylsilsesquioxane and silica Fine powders that give the soft-focus matte finish
- Polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate and pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate Emollients for comfort and spread
- Squalane and castor seed oil Small amounts of conditioning oils
- Iron oxides and dyes (shade-dependent) The colour
From the UK, it's 68% cheaper in Seoul.
What it is
3CE is the makeup brand that grew out of Seoul fashion label Stylenanda, now owned by L’Oréal. Its Velvet Lip Tint is one of its best-known products: a soft, mousse-like tint that sets to a blurred velvet finish. It comes in a 4g tube with a doe-foot applicator, in a wide range of shades. Olive Young sometimes adds a 1.5g mini lipstick as a gift.
The Korean ingredient list is silicone-based. The formula starts with dimethicone and two dimethicone crosspolymers, which create the light, whipped texture. Next come emollients such as polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate and pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, plus polymethylsilsesquioxane, a fine powder for the soft-matte finish. The colours vary by shade. Further down are fragrance, silica, squalane and a little castor seed oil.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
Good pick if
- You like a soft, blurred matte lip rather than gloss
- You want muted, wearable shades, or a “gradient” Korean lip
- You’re looking for a stylish, small gift from Seoul
Skip it if
- Scented lip products make your lips tingle
- Your lips are very dry and flaky most of the time
- You want a long-wear, no-transfer liquid lipstick
What the ingredients do
The silicones and crosspolymers are what make the tint feel weightless and look velvety. They fill in fine lines on the lips, so the colour looks smooth. Polymethylsilsesquioxane and silica scatter light for the soft-focus, matte effect.
The emollients keep it comfortable and stop it from cracking. Squalane and castor oil add a little conditioning, but this is makeup, not lip care.
How to use it
3CE’s direction is simply to spread a suitable amount evenly over the lips. For a full lip, apply from the centre outwards and tidy the edges. For a gradient look, dab colour onto the centre of the lips and blend outwards with your fingertip.
Blot once with a tissue after a minute to reduce transfer. You can also tap a little onto the cheeks as a soft blush.
How it compares
Peripera Ink Velvet is the budget-friendly velvet tint with more stain and staying power. fwee Blurry Pudding Pot gives a similar blurred look in a pot for lips and cheeks. rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint is the glossy alternative.
See our Korean lip tint guide for how to choose a finish and shade.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Yes, especially compared with the UK. Olive Young sells the same 4g tube, and Seoul’s price is far below Amazon UK’s. We haven’t matched a like-for-like Amazon US listing yet. On sale, one tube clears the ₩15,000 tax refund minimum by itself.
The tube is tiny, so it fits easily in hand luggage, and it makes an easy gift.
FAQ
Does it transfer?
A little, as most velvet tints do, especially in the first few minutes. Blot once after applying to reduce transfer.
Does it contain fragrance?
Yes. Fragrance is on the Korean ingredient list for the shades we checked. Skip it if scented lip products bother you.
Is it drying?
It's a soft matte rather than a liquid lipstick, so it's more comfortable than many mattes. On very dry or flaky lips, use a lip balm first and blot before applying.
How do I choose a shade?
3CE's range is large, and many shades are muted rose, brick and nude tones. Try the testers in store; Olive Young and 3CE's own stores in Seoul have them. Our lip tint guide covers how to pick.
