With all the happenings about fake news, discri–incrimination, and lack of reporting all sides of a story, we know that truth and facts are a rare commodity these days. And we hope that at least with your beauty news, you don’t have to worry about it’s lack. We work hard at responsible media, even when we’re talking about the latest lipstick because we know our role and words have power. So we hope that in these, ehem, exciting times, these three local beauty updates provide you the power of choice, the love for our country, and the pride to be Filipina. Because we believe that one of the most beautiful things is the truth–spoken with a perfectly painted pout.
1. Happy Skin x Sanrio Characters
The brand’s latest and biggest collection and collaboration to date got both its fans and die-hard Sanrio fans giddy with its launch. Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Little Twin Stars made over Happy Skin’s well-loved products, from moisturizing matte lippies, to liquid matte lippies, to its latest release, the Express Gel Polish.
We recommend: Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Liquid Matte Lippie in Kitty Cat (P699) for true Hello Kitty lovers, it’s the exact red of her famous bow, the Gel Polish set of 5 (P1,299) which includes all the shades from this collection, from a vampy deep violet to a kawaii light blue, the Air Touch Duo in Little Twin Stars because they’re cute. Just kidding–the two mini sponges are perfect for blending your under eye concealer and a cream or liquid blush. And did we mention they’re cute! There’s also the Get Cheeky With Me All-Day Hydrating Blush in Hello Kitty (P899) which is a shimmery peach blush that resembles a cult-favorite blush for a friendlier price. Many beauty editors and writers were most excited about the Make A Clean Sweep Micellar Makeup Wipes (P249). We predict this will be our BFF during the upcoming holiday season.
What we love: The shades in this collection look like familiar shades to Happy Skin fans, but it does makes gift giving easy even for the non-beauty girl. If you’re out to shop for your Christmas gifts, you’ll be hard-pressed to give your friends and relatives a shade that doesn’t work for them and it isn’t rocket science to choose a good color. Shop online at happyskincosmetics.com
2. BLK Cosmetics
Anne Curtis’ makeup brand was an exciting reveal to all Filipinas and true to her own philosophy, BLK Cosmetics only offers essentials: powder, eyebrow pencil, liquid eyeliner, cheek palette, and three varieties of lipstick. It’s just enough for an everyday face, and it can also be enough for a special occasion, Anne Curtis-style. We love that in the recent years of Anne’s status as a beauty inspiration, she’s championed less-is-more especially on camera, unafraid to go makeup-free during hair daily noon time show. We also often see her going foundation-free or opting the absolute opposite of the Internet’s 1,000,000-steps-to-an-everyday-face makeup tutorials. But she is also the first to try a new makeup trend or to sport a bold look. Her style, which translated perfectly to the line is uncomplicated, but also unconventional.
We recommend: Sun-Kissed Contour, Highlight, and Blush Palette (P499) which does leave you looking like a beach babe, especially thanks to its highlighter. The gold highlighter is glistening rather than glittery, a rare shade and finish at this price point. With just the right dose of tinted moisturizer underneath and a few sweeps of this palette, you’ll feel like you are selfie-ready ala Anne. Just add some freckles! All-Day Intense Matte Lipsticks (P299) can survive an oily lunch and will only need minimal retouching after while the Velvet Lip Cream (P299) really hugs your lips comfortably.
What we love: BLK Cosmetics speaks to the real girl, who doesn’t always have all the time in the world to fix herself up or maybe even the moolah. While it is partly-owned by a celebrity whose day job is to get gussied up, the concept is from a driven woman, for other driven women. We also love the friendly price points plus sturdy packaging–it won’t unexpectedly open inside your bag while you’re busy going about your day. And of course, that it’s cruelty free! Shop at Watsons, select SM Beauty counters, Zalora, and blkcosmetics.com.ph
3. Vice Cosmetics
It seems that Anne wasn’t the only celeb busy cooking up a makeup line. Actor and host Vice Ganda launched his own brand Vice Cosmetics online last September 28. Qualified shoppers were treated to tickets to his upcoming concert-slash-brand-launch and on the first day of its online launch, the brand’s site crashed perhaps because of the sudden traffic! Vice Ganda’s cheeky humor and Filipino pop culture icon emanates from the lipstick shade names: Ganderz, Aura, Kering Keri, Pak Ganern, Ka Vogue, and Whoops Kiri are just a few of the fun names. Vice Cosmetics currently offers Phenomenal Matte Lip Kits (P295) which are much like the famous Kylie Lip Kits consisting of a lip liner and matte liquid lipstick but at a fraction of the price, and Good Vibes Matte Lipsticks (Php195).
What we love: #GandaForAll seems to mean that beauty is not just accessible to all, but also inclusive. Perhaps we might be looking at our own homegrown brand of beauty that embraces all shapes, sizes, shades, and sexualities. Shop at vicecosmetics.com.ph, BeautyMNL, Lazada, Watsons, The SM Stores, Farmer’s Plaza, and TriNoma.
