It’s been a while since I’ve been literally thrilled by a lipstick collection. You all know how I feel about brown lipstick these days, so to see a line that’s full of luscious jewel tones makes my heart do a little dance each time I pull out a shade to wear. And so, let me present to you the new MAC Love Me Liquid Lipcolour (P1,500 at Lazada), which really should be in your makeup armoire ASAP!

Prior to the pandemic, I was admittedly not all that concerned about how long-wearing my lipsticks were. I didn’t mind repeatedly re-applying, and I even found the process fun. But with the need to constantly keep the mask on when outside, except for stopping to eat or drink, the search for a mask-proof lippie gets high on the priority list. So let’s turn to a line with an impressive reputation, the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipsticks (P299).

Project Vanity writer Firas Abboud declared in his story, “Makeup knows no gender, so every makeup product is technically universal.” I can’t agree more! I think everyone should not be judged when they wear cosmetics, no matter how they identify, or their age, or how their body is. Everyone is allowed to be more beautiful in all the ways that make them feel so! I think that’s why local brand blk Cosmetics, Anne Curtis and Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez’s brain child, hit a nerve when they launched the first Universal collection last year.

Happy Skin first came out with their Lip Mallow formula last February and reviews confirmed that it stays true to its “velvety air-whipped formula that wraps the lips in a weightless cloud of smooth color with a cushion-soft powder matte finish” promise. Just a couple of months after and we are getting six additional shades in the line. The bonus? These new ones are coffee-inspired and mostly nude tones that are perfect for every day.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink is a big favorite in the drugstore liquid lippie category, and earned the first runner-up spot during Project Vanity’s 2019 Beauty Awards! I don’t often use liquid lipsticks but I’ve been curious to know what the hype is about. The arrival of the new Superstay Matte Ink Pink Edition (P299 each) presented the perfect opportunity for me to finally try this cult favorite.

I’ve become a super fan of shiny, plump, and slightly overlined lips. They look fresh and youthful compared to the matte lip look, and the juicy finish just feels more apt for summer! It also used to be a challenge to find a glossy lip product that wasn’t sticky and provided opaque coverage, but that all changed with the new Ellana Satin Stain Shine Liquid Lip and Cheek (P699 from Ellana).

If you’re familiar with Korean airy velvet tints then the concept of the Revlon Cloud Blotted Lip Color (P475) is no stranger to you. This 19-color collection promises a weightless formula that feels like a cushy cloud on the lips, with a true blotted matte finish that looks smooth as you apply it. This isn’t even out yet in the Philippines (it’s coming next month!) so you’ll be the first to see how this product performs.

With velvet lipstick being such a popular option these days, it’s not surprising that Happy Skin has finally thrown their own hat in the ring. The new Happy Skin Lip Mallow (P549 at happyskincosmetics.com) is described as a “plush matte lip mousse…weightless, intensely pigmented, and gives you that cloud-like feel on the lips”. It features eight morena-friendly shades that have brown undertones. This also has SPF15.

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! 

Confession: During the height of the liquid lipsticks craze, I owned over 50 tubes of liquid lipsticks from more than 15 different brands. I was obsessed with the matte liquid lip, until tints and velvets later came into the picture. These days, I reserve wearing liquid lipsticks for special events. While they are generally more dependable and longer wearing, they also often have the most drying formulas.

The Colourette Velvetints were a hit for me when they first launched in 2018. There were three well-curated shades in a multipurpose formula that’s pigmented, comfortable, blendable, and affordable at P299 - I still have Birthday Cake on regular rotation! Colourette recently added nine more shades to the line with an improved formula and relaunched packaging so I was really excited to try these. Now at P349 each for 3.5ml of product (they used to be 3g), is it worth getting your hands on the new #VeryVelvet Velvetints? 

Velvet matte lipsticks were popularized by South Korea first, but that didn’t stop Western brands from coming up with their own version in the last year or so. The promise of comfortable, intense color that hugs the lips in a velvety embrace is a tempting apple just within reach. I’ve tried a few of them but I’ve never really gotten into the trend, as I always go back to bullet lipstick. Is this new one from Revlon different?

Whether you’re putting together your first makeup kit or a seasoned pro stocking up on work essentials, Maybelline is a reliable go-to drugstore brand for beauty fans. They recently launched three new products that claim to be long-wearing and more, so we tested them to see if they actually deliver.

Jeffree Star Cosmetics arrived in the Philippines late last year at the freyja concept store in Glorietta. If you don’t frequent Makati, though, the brand has opened a branch at SM Mall of Asia and another inside SM Beauty in Megamall!

I sometimes tend to forget that Avon is not a local brand. Witnessing the strong foothold that Avon has had on our market growing up, I’m convinced that at least 90% of Filipinas have tried an Avon product at least once in their life. While I’ve never been particularly drawn to their makeup, I have heard good things about the Mark. by Avon line. Supposedly the edgier and trendier sister to the True Color brand, Mark. offers playful, creative products at the affordable price point that Avon is known for.  

Liquid lipsticks never seem to go out of style. Both drugstore and high-end brands are constantly putting out their own version of this classic beauty staple, but many a makeup addict asks for just one thing: a budge-proof formula. When the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipsticks came into the scene, the beauty community was abuzz about how it was the most affordable long-wearing liquid lipstick ever. It flew off the shelves when it was locally launched last year, and recently released 14 new shades inspired by the vibrant hues of New York City. From pinks and deep reds, to oranges and dark purple - they got it all covered! Many have raved about this formula so I set out to test if it’s really worth all the fuss.

Celebrity makeup lines are a dime-a-dozen these days. And while the next actress/singer/influencer to announce a collab or launch their own brand might not be so surprising anymore, the intrigue is still there. What passes a star’s standard of quality? How do they curate a collection? How involved are they really in the development process? Only one way to find out!

I stalk Colourette’s releases like a hawk. It began with their Kolorete release in August 2018 (Buwan ng Wika for our less informed friends), and while I was not always a fan of their packaging and branding, I was in awe of how they just got the pulse of their consumers. I recently just accepted that red is my color and was (yet again) thrilled by Colourette’s timing. Three gorgeous reds, Cupid (a warm tone), Beau (a vamp), and Arrow (a berry) are available just in time for V-day! These Colourette Supramatte Liq’Lacquers are P349 each, or P899 for the set.

Vice Cosmetics is on a roll! After just releasing a powder makeup collection just a few weeks ago, this hot and local brand is ending the year with a bang by coming out with new lip kits to complete our holiday looks.

If you can recall, the brand originally launched their lip kits late last year with a tandem of a Phenomenal Matte Liquid Lipstick and matching lip liner. This time, they’ve created a Velvet Matte Lip Kit consisting of two all-new products: a Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick and a matching, retractable lip liner!

I have been a big fan of the Colourette Colourtints ever since I got my hands on them last July. Pigmented, long-lasting, and easy to blend, both Fresh and Matte formulas have found a special spot in my makeup kit. This is the reason I was really excited to attend their third anniversary party where they launched the latest addition to their best-selling tint family. Say hello to the newest Velvetints – a multipurpose velvet formula for your eyes, cheeks, and lips!