E!Here's the thing about lip tints: They don't work.
They look pretty in their perfect packaging, vibrant in hue and ready to bring some much-needed color to your face—but once you swipe some on, that so-called tint leaves a milli-shade of coloring on your lips. If it does offer any pigmentation, it lasts about half an hour...or until your next sip of that spicy marg.
What's the point?
Enter: peel-off lip tint, the Korean-based, beauty trend going viral on SnapChat, Reddit and Instagram feeds everywhere—and my current makeup obsession.
At first, I was just intrigued by the concept. Peel-off makeup that'll leave noticeable product on your face? The cool factor is on par with such novelties as invisible ink and mood rings. But after a few tries, I can decidedly say that now I'm a lip-tint fan…of the peel-off variety, that is.
Ready to try it yourself? There are some things you'll need to know first.
It Takes Practice: To be a fly on the wall the day the E! Style team tried a bevy of peel-off lip tints...it was a goopy mess. Apply a generous amount to your lips but don't go overboard—trust: It doesn't taste great, plus we have no idea what's in the ingredients (which are in Korean). Keep in mind application doesn't have to be perfect, as any lines of demarcation naturally blur once you peel off the top layer.
What You See Is Not What You Get: On application, the product will look thick, vibrant and glossy, but once peeled off, it will look matte and be several shades lighter.
The Wait Time: It takes seven to 10 minutes before you can peel off the product. Try not to talk or smile during the process, unless you want lip tint goop on your teeth. (Pro tip: Keep your lips slightly open to avoid disturbing the product.) You'll know when the product has dried once it feels slightly hard but also slightly tacky on your lips.
Removal Can Be Tricky: When ready, if you smack your lips together, the top and bottom layers will slightly stick together, allowing you to peel off the surface layer from one side of your mouth to the other. If it's removed before it's ready, however, your peel-off will break into smaller pieces, making it harder to pull off from your lips.
Not All Lip Tints Are Created Equal: I tried all the options from Oops My Lip Tint Pack Set, and though Pure Pink was easy to apply and resulted in a pretty color I'll be wearing all summer long, darker hues like the Sexy Red or Vivid Scarlet almost seemed like it had a different consistency, had an uneven residual color and was difficult to peel off.
The Final Verdict: Sure, this may seem like a hassle to use, but if you're a beauty buff, it's a fun experience, especially if you're getting ready with a group of friends (again, that novelty factor). Once you master the application process, it's a breeze. I even save time by applying it before I head out the door and peeling it off in the car. If you're looking for a tint that lasts (about three to four hours) and feels feather-light (in contrast to dry, matte lip stains), your go-to lip tint has been found.