3CE Mood Recipe Matte Lipstick review

I am so so behind on my lipstick reviews, so after doing a bunch in December, I figured I could keep the train rolling and continue to post about some lipsticks I tried in the past year that I would like to update you on. At the start of 2020 I tried out a full face of Korean/ Asian makeup and part of that were of course some lipsticks. I picked up 1 lipstick by 3CE: a brand I had been hearing great things about for years. So how did I get on with their Mood Recipe Matte lipstick in Mellow Flower?

Review: 3CE Mood Recipe 2 Matte Lipstick review in Mellow Flower

Out of all the products I ordered for my full face of Asian makeup, the 3CE lipstick was by far one of the most expensive items. I ordered all the products from YesStyle: a Hongkong based webshop that ships internationally and quite possibly the easiest way to access Asian makeup products if you live in a different continent. 3CE is a more high end Korean makeup brand and the original price point on this lipstick is €34. That is similar to a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick. However, YesStyle often does sales and I got this at around half price. I think I paid just over €15 for this lipstick.

What does this lipstick have to offer?

Asian makeup brands are not about the KAPOW color payoff that much Western makeup is known for. Many products are no more than a sheer was of color and that certainly goes for many lip products in the lines I saw on YesStyle. This 3CE lipstick looked very promising and it promises to be a creamy matte formula with a high color payoff. The information on YesStyle claims this lipstick contains ‘mood boosting’ properties, whatever that might mean. It is supposed to be buildable and only require one or two swipes to achieve complete opacity. While this is a matte formula this should not be drying or cakey on the lips.

What is the shade Mellow Flower like?

My one disappointment about this product was the shade that it ended up being when I got it home. I ordered this online so it was a bit of a gamble, I was fully aware. However, when I compare what this lipstick looks like to me in real life, I got a blush terracotta muted red shade. The swatches on the website showed this to be blush mauvy rosy shade. Oh well… I was a bit miffed but if the texture is nice and it looks good on, I will be quite happy with my purchase. Because this is not a kind of lipstick shade I see around a lot. It is quite non-descript and therefore I think this can be quite wearable and versatile.

What does this lipstick swatch like?

And would you believe me if I told you I am not mad at this lipstick at all, just based on the swatch? So yes, this wasn’t what I had expected shade wise, but texture wise and the shade that this turns into when I wear it are both super flattering. The texture is unlike many other lipsticks I tried. It’s matte, but non-drying (as promised). This has an almost pillowy like texture without it being plumping. The only formula I have tried that comes close to it are the MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks. I feel this also has that soft blurred edge effect, however I believe this lipstick to be even more versatile.

What does this lipstick look like on?

Can you see how pretty this is? Yes, on me it looks like a soft red shade but I can see myself wearing this in so many ways. Here I am wearing the lipstick full on with two swipes to achieve full opacity. However I could easily apply this with a finger for that very Asian soft barely there look. This lipstick seems to be made for that technique (watch Lisa Eldridge do her lipstick in some of her tutorials, she’s got some great tips on how to get more versatility out of your lipsticks) but I can also see myself wearing this this with just one swipe and really blotting it down. In short, this is just one lipstick, but I think with using different techniques you can turn this into three different looks very easily.

My final thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised by the 3CE Matte lipstick in Mellow Flower. While the shade was not exactly what I had expected when I ordered it, I ended up really liking it. This is the kind of shade that I can see myself wearing a lot. It is a great reddish tone for those people who like reds, but are afraid of a full on fire engine red. So if you like something wearable, yet versatile this may be worth looking into. It lasts a full day yet also feels creamy on the lips while having a matte texture. In short, it combines everything I love into one little lipstick.

Would I recommend the 3CE Mood Recipe lipstick in Mellow Flower?

Most certainly yes! I would get it on sale though, because I do think the €34 price point is a bit steep. Especially because the swatches online are a bit misleading you may not end up with the shade you had expected like I did. However, in terms of formula, wear time, and versatility this is a great lipstick that I think can please a lot of people.

What is a lip color that surprised you?