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.