By Adele Chan

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT an advertorial. From time to time I discover a brand or product that I love and write whole-heartedly about it. This is a true and honest personal review of several products by Three.

I love Japanese beauty brands. Skincare, makeup, you name it… I firmly believe that Japanese R&D is more suited to Asian skin types than their Western counterparts. Also, the Japanese are a master of minimalism; check out brands like Muji and shu uemura (and previously even IPSA) — their packaging is so simple, but in a beautiful way. Believe it or not, the lack of cluttered design frees the mind to actually calm down and relax.

Which brings me to another Japanese beauty brand I came across on my Instagram feed called Three. I found out that this brand was founded just eight years ago and is under the Pola Orbis company that also bought over Australian brand, Jurlique (I love Jurlique! How could I not know this?!). What caught my eye about Three was its beautiful minimalist packaging (here we go again), and its use of natural ingredients and botanicals in its skincare formulations. So this past week, I got my hands on some of the best sellers. Here’s my list of the ones I’ve tried, and what to buy (and perhaps what not to).

THE BEST (AND WORSE) OF THREE

Balancing Cleansing Oil, $68 (200ml)

Let’s start with the cleansing oil. This is the brand’s cult product; the “hero” product, if you wanna call it that.  It is one of their best sellers, has won awards, and the selling point is that the formula contains 88% naturally-derived ingredients. I have to be honest and mention that I’m a shu uemura cleansing oil fan (this article says everything); so I’m biased when it comes to cleansing oils. I tried this Three version, and I think it’s nice (the light fragrance, the smooth, non-oily texture), but not better than the one I always use from shu uemura. The Three oil took some effort removing my waterproof eye makeup (mascara, in particular) — a problem I’ve never had with shu uemura’s cleansing oil.

Best of Three rating:

(I’m sitting on the fence with this one; still sticking with my shu uemura.)

Flawless Ethereal Fluid Foundation, $75, available in 10 shades

Since I just put down their cult product, I thought I’d jump into the one item that made me extremely excited. This liquid foundation is so damn good; the formula is quite fluid and spreads easily, but is not watery; it also blends into skin well and covers over pores making them “disappear”; and it settles into a semi-matte / powdery radiant finish. That’s right — the finish is both matte AND radiant. I’m so in love with this liquid foundation that I’ve been looking forward to using it every morning when I wake up. If there’s one product to buy from Three, it’s this one.

Best of Three rating:

(Full stars! Buy! Buy!)

Ultimate Protective Pristine Primer, $55, available in 2 types (Glow and Translucent)

While we’re on the topic of base makeup, if you’re going to get the liquid foundation, I suggest picking up a bottle of this primer as well. It also has an amazing texture; it goes on like a light gel, and results in a smooth base for makeup application. It pairs extremely well with the Fluid Foundation (as expected) in terms of texture and tone, and really helps base makeup stay on the entire day. You can even use this by itself on weekends as a sunscreen (it has SPF 32 / PA+++) and pore minimiser.

Best of Three rating:

Angelic Symbiosis Foundation, $80, available in 4 shades

This foundation is supposed to be really special; it comes out mousse-like, spreads over skin like a light, gel foundation, and settles into a powder finish. It’s an interesting product, but I felt that the result on skin was very normal; nothing spectacular. It’s still good though, just, not mind-blowing like the Fluid Foundation. It’s also more expensive and comes in limited colours compared to the Fluid Foundation. The only reason I see why this would be better, would be for travel, since it comes in a plastic bottle. But I still say, buy the Fluid Foundation instead.

Best of Three rating:

(Also sitting on the fence with this one)

Balancing Lotion and Balancing Emulsion, $95 and $110 respectively

Right after I tried the Cleansing Oil, I reached for these two skincare products. Look at the bottles. Aren’t they just so pretty? I’d rate them three out of three stars just for packaging alone. And I believe that skincare should be a holistic experience, and Three does it again with this lotion and moisturiser. The product textures are fresh and light, and feel extremely cool on the skin. Very refreshing; not sticky; absorbs well into skin; and feels comfortable. Another highly recommended purchase from the brand.

Best of Three rating:

(Half a star from a perfect score because of the price $$$)

Ultimate Diaphanous Loose Powder, $75, available in 2 shades (Colourless and Glow)

This loose powder is made from 80% naturally-derived ingredients and is super fine, and super soft. But it’s not as fine or soft as the one from clé de peau beauté (also note that the CDP one costs $180!). The Three powder puff is also quite soft and smooth, though nothing beats the CDP one (it’s true!). But if you only have $75 to spend on a loose powder (which is plenty!), then this one by Three is not bad.

Best of Three rating:

Captivating Performance Fluid Eyeliner, $48, available in 5 shades (shown here: black)

I had such high hopes for this one product. I was really rooting for it to be good; but it’s terrible. It’s a pen that you twist at the base to release the ink into the brush (like the Majolica Majorca one, which was also terrible). I have two issues with this liquid eyeliner: the ink released comes out in a goopy blob, which makes it horrible to use. I had to wipe off the excess with a tissue, and kept trying until I had the right amount and consistency on the brush. And the formula washes away the second it comes into contact with water — I tried it on the back of my hand and splashed some water on it; it was off my skin in a second. That’s not going to last in Singapore’s climate at all!

Best of Three rating:

(It gets half a star because the matte grey packaging is very nice)

Mesmerizing Performance Eyeliner Pencil, $45, available in 9 shades (shown here: black)

An eye lining pencil made with botanical oils? Why not. This includes jojoba oil, shea butter, argan oil and evening primrose oil. And it claims to have a waterproof formula; and you know what… it is actually quite waterproof! It didn’t budge off the back of my hand until I used a makeup remover on it; and on the eye, it lasted through the day, lightening slightly, but did not run. This eyeliner makes up for the liquid one above. Definitely buy this one.

Best of Three rating:

(The black I used had some shimmer in it. This would be perfect if it was a solid, intense matte black.)

Lip Conscious Protector, $39

This product is closest to a lip balm; but it has a “harder” formula, which I actually like. It goes on like a film onto lips, and absorbs in, with a very slightly shiny finish. I found that I needed to touch up much fewer times than when I use a regular lip balm (probably because of the harder formula), and since it includes SPF 35 / PA+++, this can really be used on its own as a lip protector (what its name suggests). The stick looks like a pink coral, but is actually colourless, and it really does provide a nice smooth base for lip colour application after.

Best of Three rating:

Velvet Lust Lipstick, $48, available in 19 shades (shown here: 19 KB The Dreaming)

I don’t like strong lip colours and this one is almost perfect for me — it is the colour of healthy lips. The product glides onto lips smoothly, and results in a soft, velvety finish. After one blot with a tissue, the colour settles into an even softer, more natural pink. I love it! Everything about this product and shade I tried is natural, and that’s exactly what I like in a lipstick. I’ll probably be checking out the other shades in the range.

Best of Three rating:

OTHER NOTES:

— Three DOES NOT have a black mascara. They have one blue and two purple mascaras. I don’t understand this.

— There are trial kits for skincare available, and they come in smaller, cute bottles! 

— The counter girls need to clean the testers. In fact, this is an issue across allllll beauty brands. I’m very particular about hygiene; at least PERCEIVED hygiene; so wipe those nozzles dry when there’s nothing else to do!

— I tried a sample of the Aiming Cream (you can ask for sachets at the boutique!), and used it as a night cream because of its super rich texture. I woke up with a small breakout and that never happens to me! It’s really very rich!!! You’ve been warned.

Visit threecosmetics.com/en to see the full product range.
Follow them online at facebook.com/THREESingapore and @THREE_Singapore on Instagram.
Sadly, the products aren’t sold online (yet), so to buy, Three is available at TANGS at Tang Plaza L4.