Lipstick Diaries #5 & #6 : Secret Key Lip Tint in Chic Burgundy and Pale Pink

Since I started my lipstick diaries, I try to wear one lipstick per week but it has been difficult. On some days, I just don't feel like wearing the designated colour. On other days, it looks ill-fitting with my outfit for that day. Especially as a woman who wears a headscarf, the ill-balanced lip-hijab combination is really obvious. So on days that I didn't wear my lipstick diary colour, I would wear one of these two lip products I am reviewing.

My purchase of the Secret Key Sweet Glam Lip Tint was definitely an attempt to dupe Dior Addict Lip Glow, which I have a lot of reservations to purchase. I don't feel like I deserve a Dior anything, I save it for my first bonus of my first big-girl job (currently unemployed, tsk.) Moreover, it is a glorified chapstick, let's not kid ourselves. I am however still a fan of the "changes according to your body temperature!" concept in lip products, because across all brands, I always end up with a nice deep-pink-almost-berry lips. There is something magical about this colour for my complexion, I can't explain it!

The most natural thing to do is to compare the ingredients of the SK Lip Tint to Dior Lip Glow. I am no chemist, so I can't compare each ingredient, but I did pick up the presence of Lanolin in SK and not in Dior. Lanolin, known for its extremely moisturising properties, is not vegan although Sheikh Google does not raise any doubt over its halal status (since it is derived from a living sheep, instead of a dead one.)

Indeed, SK Lip Tints are exceptionally moisturising. I bought two colours: Chic Burgundy and Baby Pink. I bought Chic Burgundy first, fell in love with how comfortable it was and purchased Baby Pink.

The packaging is clearly inspired by Dior Lip Glow. I have never seen an actual tube of the Lip Glow (do I even dare approach the counter? Nope) but based on my Google search, Lip Glow appears to be skinnier. A clear difference is the bullet: SK has sharp-edged and pointy bullet, Dior's is round-edged and not pointy. On me, Chic Burgundy (middle) is a berry-plum rather than a burgundy, while Baby Pink (right) is clear.

Baby Pink on top, Chic Burgundy below.

Upon application, SK Lip Tint has a shiny, almost oily finish. However, it dries down quickly and stain my lips to the aforementioned deep pink colour. The difference is Chic Burgundy leaves a deeper stain than Baby Pink. It feels moisturising at least for the next 4 hours. SK advertised the Lip Tint to be long-lasting, which is true if all you do is drink water. Below, I took a picture after a 3-course-dinner I had and the stain remained only on my outer lips. 

Chic Burgundy after dinner

I really love these two lip tints and foresee myself using it often. It never clashes with what I wear and easy to apply.

L-R: Chic Burgundy, Pale Pink

I am rating both Chic Burgundy and Pale Pink a 5/5.

That being said, I am still very interested to get the Dior Lip Glow because... dupes are simply unsatisfying, reflecting auxiliary beauty's note on dupes. Now, I did condition my purchase on being employed + good enough to get a bonus, so there's quite a hurdle to get this glorified chapstick, fortunately (for my wallet!) 

Lipstick Diaries #4: Holika Holika Waterdrop Tint Stick in Pomegranate

Since my last post, the weeks have been pretty hectic. I have one more academic week to go through before I fly back home! I am beyond excited :D

Anyways, lipsticks. Earlier this year, I got on a Korean makeup shopping spree. It started with Hao's 2016 lip favourites where she mentioned Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips Talk Chiffon in BE109. It looked like a flattering warm beige-nude and it certainly looked pretty on her! I also read the full review of her Etude House lipsticks and decided that I wanted to try it out. Now, you don't just buy one lipstick when you shop from eBay, tsk. Along with this lipstick, I also got a bunch of other lip products and eyeshadows. Wait, what – eyeshadows? Yes, I am very into reading about eye makeup these days and hopefully, I can get my shit together to share with you some of my experimentation (by that I mean my blending mishaps and not green-mermaid eyeshadows. Not yet.)

Anyways, today's review is not about an Etude House lipstick (will be reviewed later, btw) but a tint by Holika Holika. It is their Waterdrop Tint Stick in 02 Pomegranate. I remembered a review on Youtube mentioning the peculiar texture of this lip tint and it has been on my mind ever since, so I just added it into my shopping cart.

Indeed, it is an interesting product. It was not the solid gel-like texture of the tint, rather how it felt when I applied it on that amped up the cool factor. It's like putting ice directly on your lips but it doesn't melt or make a watery mess. It's cold and it's hydrating. Extremely comfortable and perfect for days when my lips are chapped and dry but I don't want to wear just lip balm. Seriously, the cooling sensation is so cool!!!

Now, the colour. I don't own an orange lip product and have never been particularly attracted to the colour. I was also never into the Korean trend of gradient, younger-looking lips. I have weird mixed feelings about making my lips look like what's advertised as "just-eaten a fresh fruit look." I can't help but imagine that I've eaten an asam boi popsicle instead of the healthier alternative of fresh fruits. Don't get me wrong, I love popsicles as much as the next person, but I feel like I shouldn't because I ate them in secret as a kid. My mum did forbid us from buying it (sugar + questionable water quality + anything preserved chemically was not allowed!) but once in a while, I rebelled.

It really is an in-my-face colour. When I first applied the tint as I would with any lipstick – at least 2 layers – I was so surprised and horrified. It was blindingly bright. I rubbed some of the colour off but it had left a stain in spite of being on my lips for less than 2 minutes, at most. The next time I wore the tint, I dabbed it and focused more on my inner lips, but it was not a drastic noticeable gradient effect. I also applied lip balm on top of the lip tint for extra hydration when my lips are extra dry. In the picture above, L-R: full swipe and then removed (left a nice opaque tint); dabbed; dabbed + lip balm. I was also inspired to pair my orange lips with orange elements in my headscarf or shirt. 

Close up: dabbed, dabbed + lip balm.

The Waterdrop has a matte-finish after the stain has set on the lips. It feels slightly sticky but not for long. There is a scent, but it doesn't linger for long too. I assumed it smells like pomegranate, but I can't be sure because I forgot how pomegranate smelled like, actually! I would describe the scent as sugary citrus.

L-R: Maybelline Matte in Siren in Scarlet, Holika Holika Pomegranate, Burt's Bees Tinted Lipbalm in Hibiscus, Secret Key Sweet Glam Tint Glow in Chic Burgundy. Like I mentioned, I don't own any other orange lip products. It has similar finish to my other tinted lip balm/lip tint and obviously is an orange. Next to Siren in Scarlet, which is a neutral-leaning-cool red for me, it appears to be a neutral, albeit very bright kind of orange.

I do love this tint stick and would consider purchasing another Waterdrop if it comes in a clear colour (no-colour?). I am just not attracted to any of the other current colours they have. My rating for the tint stick is 4/5. If there exists a Waterdrop tint stick in clear no-colour, it would definitely be a 5/5.