Violet Tendencies: Laneige Water Drop Tint in Orchid Violet Review

Capitalizing on the radiant orchid trend of this year, Laneige Water Drop Tint now comes in Orchid Violet. Orchid Violet would more accurately be called Orchid Pink. In the tube, it looks like a milky radiant orchid, purple with a hint of pink. But on my naturally pinkish lips, the sheer-to-medium coverage results in a soft pink with a hint of purple. Concealing my lips beforehand didn’t really make it more purple.

I usually apply 3 to 4 layers. Under fluorescent office lights, it resembles a soft medium mauve rose. In direct sunlight, the milky pastel and cool purple tones come out more. Layered underneath a sheer hot pink lip gloss (Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker in Light Pink), it becomes a bright orchid pink.

Initially, I wished that Laneige kicked it up a notch on the vibrancy and purpleness. But the more I wore it, the more I appreciated it not being outright purple. As it is, it clashes a little with my warm-toned skin, especially in the sun when the milky cool tones are more apparent. So ultimately, I really love Orchid Violet for a wearable hint of purple.  Update: You MUST keep this out of the sun and heat.  I picked it up again this summer after a few months of leaving it in my lipstick caddy, which gets a few hours of sun each day.  I noticed that the color had faded to a washed-out, pale, cool lilac.  It had lost any pinkness and brightness and just looked bleh, so I had to toss it. 

Here’s the most color-accurate photo. (My camera tends to make purples look more cool-toned than they are in real life; this photo accurately shows the pink tones.)

As for the Water Drop Tint formula, I’m still a big fan. Read my prior review of the formula here.