This is my first time trying a 3CE lip product. I have light skin with cool undertones that can work with both light and deep shades. I often wear fabric masks and drink a lot of water and coffee, so I needed a lip product that wouldn't transfer onto masks or cups.
In the Olive Young store with yellow lighting, the swatch on my hand looked like a brown shade that might be for deeper undertones. I saw Minsco on YouTube recommending Coral Moon for light tones, but I couldn't resist the Lay Down shade and ended up buying it. Both Coral Moon and Lay Down were almost sold out in-store and Lay Down was out of stock online, so I could tell they were really popular. When I tried it at home, it was different from what I expected, but overall I'm very satisfied, so I'm giving it 5 stars.
The attached photo shows the color fully blended out on plain white notebook paper.
It doesn't transfer!
Once it's fully set, it doesn't transfer onto cotton masks, and even when I deliberately press my lips against a white mug while drinking hot water, it only leaves a faint mark that you can barely see up close. With normal drinking, it doesn't transfer at all.
The color!
It's a shade that naturally blends with the color of my inner lip, gums, and tongue. I can see why people call it an MLBB (My Lips But Better) lip color.
With just one thin layer, it looks like a natural, lively lip balm - perfect for office looks. It lets my natural lip color show through. When I swatched it on my palm and let it stain, it left a calm, medium-chroma, medium to high-value pink color that almost looks like a spring-like light pink. (Definitely not the neon pink stain of cheap water tints)
When I applied it thickly in one go with three swipes of the applicator and blended it out, the color intensified to a muted, medium-chroma brown-pink with a hint of plum.
I was torn between Coral Moon and Lay Down, but I chose Lay Down because I didn't want a lip stain that was too red. I'm really happy with it. If you're also light-toned and looking for a daily lip color that's not too bright red and more subdued, you'll be satisfied with this.
Dryness level!
It's extremely comfortable. Maybe because it's spring and less dry now, but even after it completely dried, my lips didn't feel tight. (I have combination-dehydrated, acne-prone skin) It doesn't feel like a cheap water tint either. When applied thickly, it feels like a moisture barrier, similar to pressing your skin after applying a hydrating cream. Once it's fully dry, it just feels like bare lips.
Staying power!
The stain remains after eating, but it can be wiped off with a tissue. It does transfer a bit if it comes into contact with oily foods. Compared to other high-chroma shades in the Blur Water Tint line, the stain and color payoff aren't as vivid, so you won't have perfectly crisp lips, but it's great for those who prefer a softer lip look.
After applying a thick layer and letting it stain, I noticed that only the inner line of my lower lip became darker over time. You might want to be careful not to apply too much product there. Even if you apply it carelessly, the darkening isn't too noticeable unless you look closely in a mirror.
Scent:
I saw many reviews complaining about the scent, but I found it okay compared to my Maybelline lip products, which all had strong tropical fruit or vanilla cream scents. You can smell it if you put the applicator right up to your nose, but you can't smell it once it's on your lips.
I might have found the scent milder because I don't use the applicator directly from the tube. I prefer to apply it with my fingers. Due to the formula and for hygiene reasons, I recommend applying it separately. Applying a thin layer is better both for transfer resistance and minimizing the scent.
Comparison with other lip products:
I've been using Maybelline SuperStay Lip Ink and Lip Crayon for mask-proof lips, but this 3CE product feels much lighter and thinner, with a softer, more translucent color. The Maybelline products were too high-chroma for me and caused acne around my mouth with frequent use. I was looking for a different mask-proof lip product, and 3CE is much better in terms of color and dryness. I'll update later about whether it causes acne.
(+ Update: No acne! I'm so happy! I immediately switched from Maybelline to this Blur Water Tint!)
When applied very thinly, it's similar to A'pieu Juicy Pang Tint in Mustard Meroo. A'pieu's is deeper and cooler with a bluish tinge, while this product is slightly brighter, less saturated, and has a slight skin-like warmth to it. While A'pieu might look a bit severe, 3CE has a lighter stain and is warmer, making it better for daily use.
I thought it might look like a warm-toned lip that would match yellow-toned deep eye makeup, but it actually appears as a calm pink without any orange or coral undertones. The muted brown tinge makes it not at all a vibrant spring color. It's more like a color that would go well with a Burberry coat and slacks - like a watered-down purple sweet potato shade. It's a calm and neat muted pink without being too muted.
When applied heavily, it would likely complement pink, burgundy, or light shading eye makeup. It would also work well with clean eye makeup featuring just eyeliner on beige-toned eyeshadow, giving a polished look. Since your natural lip color shows through, applying it very thinly could subtly match with lighter eye makeup colors without standing out.
However, those expecting a strong autumn deep tone might be disappointed by the light staining and sheer color payoff that allows the natural lip color to show through. It also leans a bit cool. Overall, I'd describe it as a muted, medium-value, low to medium-chroma neutral-toned brown-pink.
+ When I applied just one dab of product on my face, which was a shade lighter due to tone-up sunscreen, I could achieve a slightly nude yet spring flower petal-like light color. Even with eye makeup, it gives a much more innocent look than bare lips, so I think it would suit anyone regardless of skin tone, especially those with thin double eyelids and light eye makeup. I'm really satisfied with how different it looks compared to when I applied two dabs on my natural skin tone, which gave a very muted effect.
I don't apply it directly with the applicator. Instead, I put some on my palm and apply it with my pinky finger or a small brush. This allows for a very thin application, so even those with light undertones can achieve a look where their natural lip color shows through without looking harsh.
Whether for touch-ups or initial application, your lips should be clean, dry, and free of any moisture or oil. I usually only use one skincare product and a thin layer of tone-up sunscreen without any other base makeup, so this worked well for me. However, if you cover your lips with base makeup products, it might pill.
After eating, I wipe my lips well with a tissue, brush my teeth, and make sure to completely dry my lips before applying. It works fine when applied this way. You should apply it quickly in one go and let it dry undisturbed.
The formula is indeed unique and new. I think once everyone gets used to it, it could become a favorite daily lip product for the mask-wearing era, whether applied lightly or heavily.
+ As someone with cool undertones who wants to look a bit whiter and cooler, I tried applying a thin base of my usual Maybelline Lip Crayon in Keep It Fun (a white-tinted pink) before applying Lay Down. This resulted in a pretty color that wasn't too flashy or dull for light pink makeup. I was nervous because I heard it pills when applied over foundation, but since Keep It Fun is already a long-lasting, non-transferring lip product, it worked out fine! Of course, it doesn't transfer to masks either. The combination of two mask-proof lip products is great!
