Freshly arrived! Trying vegan lipsticks by local newcomer Issy & Co.
Issy & Co. is a new local makeup brand that you’ve probably seen around on Instagram or from their celebrity endorser Alex Gonzaga. Apart from the star power though, I was particularly drawn to their minimalist packaging and thoughtful approach to beauty. Not only are they cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, their formulas are also vegan!
The brand currently offers a selection of lip products in different formulas: Multiuse Crayon, Cream Tint, Liquid Lipstick, Lipstick Pen, and Cushion Lippy. They have something for everyone. Each variant also has six shades to choose from, and I got to try each of the formulas in a different shade.
Multi-use Crayon in Cashmere Pink (P399 for 3.5ml)
I love multi-use products so this one particularly excited me! I personally prefer chubbier crayons but since this one has a small tip, I swatched it on the back of my hand and dabbed the product to my cheeks instead. Pigmentation is quite faint but buildable, though it is not long-wearing.
I was already wearing eyeshadow on my eyes but I tried layering it on by lightly tapping the product to my lid. Since this is a light shade, it didn’t do anything to my existing shadow but it gives a soft sheer wash when worn on the lids. I am not a fan of using this shade for the lips because I find the pigmentation lacking. Again, it’s not a long-wearing lip color but it left a nice stain after 4 to 5 hours.
Lipstick Pen in Ballet Slipper (P299 for 1.5ml)
Of the lip products I tried, this is the shade that appealed to me the most. Ballet Slipper is a nice nude pink shade that looks flattering on my skin tone! It’s a bit strange because the formula has a creamy matte consistency when swatched on my hand but I experienced a bit of tugging when applying it to my lips. I suggest applying a lip balm first to minimize tugging.
Color payoff is really good and it dries down to a matte finish. I find the shape of the tip to be a little tiny and wish that they had made it into a pointed tip for a more precise application. It was comfortable to wear and lasted for a good 4 to 5 hours but you might go through this lipstick quickly, considering the small amount of product.
Cushion Lippy in Ooh La La (P399 for 4.9ml)
If you are into the sheer and blurred lip effect often seen in K-beauty, this lippy is made for you! It has a click-pen applicator with a cushion sponge tip. Getting the product out is not an issue as it just flows through the cushion tip very easily.
The color coverage is a bit sheer so you’ll need to do a couple of layers to create a soft matte cream effect. The instructions say to dab it on instead of swiping but I found application to be a bit messy. The lippy is very hydrating and lasted for 5 hours before leaving a pretty stain behind.
Cream Tints in Sangria (P329 for 7ml)
This is a lip and cheek tint that promises to brighten your features. The shade Sangria is very pigmented and a breeze to apply: one glide will give you full pigmentation and it is not patchy at all. I love the versatility of this formula: you can apply it lightly to create a gradient effect, or normally to create full-on color.
Contrary to its name, this has a watery gel consistency rather than a creamy one but I don’t mind. It leaves a beautiful stain that lasts for a good 6 to 7 hours, and it smells like candy! This is my favorite of the Issy & Co. lipsticks I tried because of the great pigmentation and lovely color. I think it’s perfect for everyday wear if you like pigmented tints.
Liquid Lipstick in Haute Red (P349 for 5.5ml)
This liquid lipstick feels lightweight with a creamy mousse consistency. The color payoff is amazing, and the shade dries and sets very quickly to a matte finish so precise application is needed. I found the doe-foot applicator a bit tiny so it can take a while to completely fill in your lips. And because it has an intense matte formula, it’s best to apply a lip balm first so your lips don’t dry out.
That said, I was impressed that the formula is really smudge-proof and transfer-proof. In fact, I found it very hard to remove so I needed to use an oil-based cleansing balm to take it off. Haute Red is the perfect festive lippie to wear this holiday, plus you won’t have to worry about losing your lipstick even when you indulge in oily foods.
I give it to Issy & Co. for creating lipsticks that cater to every kind of lippie preference. They’ve done a good job in terms of the color payoff and wearability, though some formulas can still be improved to be more long-wearing. That said, the brand only officially launched earlier this November, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do next! You cop these lippies at BeautyMNL and at their official Shopee store.
Have you tried this brand yet? Which of their lipsticks appeal to you most?
