Established in 2009, Korean makeup brand 3CE (3 CONCEPT EYES) enjoys huge popularity in Asia and beyond. As an offshoot of parent company Nanda Co. (home to fashion brand Stylenanda), which was founded in 2004 by then-21-year-old businesswoman Kim So-hee, 3CE quickly won millennials over with its innovative formulas, girly colors and exquisite packaging. Rendered in an alluring palette of pink, orange and beige, 3CE makeup speaks directly to the young, sophisticated girl-about-town who’s interested in creating a total look. Colorful and bold, its products are a perfect complement to the Stylenanda aesthetic, which favors sassy, fashion-forward streetwear with a romantic edge. 3CE’s iconic status is cemented by L'Oréal’s 2018 acquisition of Nanda Co. – a sure vote of confidence. As the company continues to grow, Stylenanda and 3CE are both poised for worldwide exposure, with the Korean makeup look spearheading the way.
Long-lasting and hyper-pigmented, 3CE lipsticks and 3CE lip tints are the crown jewels of the brand, alongside glosses and tinted balms. Perennial bestseller Velvet Lip Tint is famed for its color-rich, oil-based formula, which produces a soft matte finish while keeping lips plump and moisturized. Packaged in a matte, tonal tube, fitted with a doe-foot applicator, and available in ten shades ranging from soft corals to intense reds, it exemplifies the girly aesthetic for which the brand is known (read our editor's review of the Velvet Lip Tint here). Equally celebrated is Soft Lip Lacquer, a pure matte lip tint with a weightless, powdery finish, available in 13 shades that run the gamut from perky to vampy.
The 3CE matte lipstick Matte Lip Color features a creamy, highly buildable formula that glides on easily for a non-drying finish. It comes in several iterations, most popular of which is the Mood Recipe Line, with a standout shade being 3CE 116 (Inked Heart), a light orangey brown that flatters a diversity of skin tones. All matte lip tints and lipsticks are perfect for creating K-Beauty’s popular gradient lip look; alternatively, they can also produce classic full, bold lips. For a more glossy finish, look towards Tattoo Lip Tint, which comes in a creamy, high-shine formula enriched by 11 botanical oils; Plumping Lips, a balm-gloss-hybrid that produces a moist, opaque finish; and Heart Pot Lip, a pigmented lip balm packaged in a heart-shaped case. Like all their makeup items, 3CE lip products remain true to the company’s hyper-feminine aesthetics, from romantic shades to baby-pink lip tint tubes and candy-colored, heart-shaped containers.
Besides lip products, eye shadow palettes are some of 3CE’s most recognizable and coveted makeup items. The bestselling Multi Eye Color Palette, comprising nine highly pigmented shades in matte and shimmery formulations, comes in a few versions. The best loved is the Mood Recipe line, which offers three earth-toned color combinations: Plot Twist, Smoother and Overtake. 3CE’s Overtake, which comprises rosy browns, pearly champagnes and coppery golds, transitions well from daytime casual to evening glam, and is known for its compatibility with a variety of complexions. The brand also offers other types of eye makeup, including One Color Shadow, a pot of eye shadow in a single shade; Triple Shadow, a pot of eye shadow in triple shades; and Eye Switch Pot, a tiny but high-impact pot of eye glitter. With colors spanning the spectrum from the intense to the neutral, 3CE ensures that there’s something for everyone when it comes to creating the ideal K-Beauty look.
The 3CE makeup look will not be complete without its iconic blushes, which marry alluring, user-friendly packaging with highly wearable shades. The Face Blush – available as part of its Mood Recipe and Mood for Blossom collections – is a long-time bestseller. Adding a natural flush to cheeks with a simple brush, it comes in colors ranging from mellow beige to vivid pinks and corals. Another notable product is the Cream Blusher, which produces a similarly rosy glow but comes in a rich, creamy, highly blendable formulation. Conveniently packaged in a squeeze tube and enriched with amethyst, pearl powders and berry extracts for a radiant finish, it can be counted upon to provide vibrant pops of color. For those looking to streamline their makeup routine, the uniquely packaged, highly convenient Cushion Blush will come in handy. Formulated in a soft, watery texture and available in shades both subtle and vivid, it works equally well for highlighting and contouring purposes. If you’re looking for a multi-functional product, why not try Take A Layer Multi Pot? This tint designed for lips, cheeks and eyes is well suited for both quick touch-ups and for creating monochrome makeup looks. It comes packaged in a pocket-sized mirrored compact and in a creamy formulation enriched with shea butter, which is well known for its moisturizing properties. Special mention must go to the shade Diotima, an understated beige with a drop of apricot that has been making continuous waves.
In line with the brand’s pursuit of a total, doll-like look, 3CE has introduced several unique collections encompassing complementary makeup items, from lip tints and eye shadow palettes to blushes and nail polish, amongst others. Most prominent of all are the Mood Recipe and Mood for Blossom collections. Mood Recipe, initially launched in autumn, is defined by warm, earthy tones such as beige, rose and browns, while Mood for Blossom emphasizes pink hues inspired by the sakura season. Both highlight the brand’s continuing quest in providing exciting twists on classic formulas, as perennial favorites such as the 3CE matte lipstick and the 3CE Velvet Lip Tint undergo fresh reinvention. Equally enthusiastically received are two collaborations between 3CE and Maison Kitsuné, the cult French fashion label, which have produced a range of coveted items ranging from lip crayons and eye shadow palettes to makeup bags and canvas totes.
Offering romantically packaged, quality cosmetics that are fully affordable, 3CE has become the go-to brand for confident, sassy, cosmopolitan young women. From color-rich lip products and hyper-pigmented eye shadows to playfully packaged blushes, their product range never ceases to excite and surprise. For a dose of girly-girl magic, pick up your very own 3CE product today from YesStyle! Whether you’re going for a Velvet Lip Tint in sweetest coral, the famous 3CE Lip Lacquer or simply a subtle beige blush, they’re sure to brighten your mood as well as your face.
