In a few weeks time, the agonizing year of 2021 will officially come to an end. We have all fought our own battles, accomplished some goals, wept over losses, are still in the process of healing from heartbreaks or staying afloat to survive everyday life. It is difficult to face the new year... but red lipsticks might help.
"We have all fought our own battles, accomplished some goals, wept over losses, are still in the process of healing from heartbreaks or staying afloat to survive everyday life."
If you have the courage to pick yourself up again, you might want to suit yourself with armor. They say that one's outfit is an armor to the world — it serves as a shield, a protection, and sometimes a coping mechanism. This being said, dressing up is a part of self-care. Consequently, it is also a way of boosting one's self-esteem. In this battlefield outfit, your lipstick is the finishing touch to your armor.
"They say that one's outfit is an armor to the world — it serves as a shield, a protection, and sometimes a coping mechanism."
In a world full of nude colors and shiny lip glosses, you can never go wrong with a classic red lipstick. Red is a color that conveys power, liberty, and fierceness. If you want to boost your confidence or an instant aura change, a little red lipstick is a perfect choice.
"In a world full of nude colors and shiny lip glosses, you can never go wrong with a classic red lipstick."
Here are some under-the-radar lippies from our home-grown local cosmetic shops that offer high-quality cruelty-free products. Here is another catch, these are available on Shopee and are totally affordable!
1. Squad Cosmetics' Victorious
This red bullet lipstick with pink undertones is one of the well-loved Soft Matte Lipsticks from Squad Cosmetics. The product claims to be highly pigmented "that evokes luxury with every application." With only a few strokes of this creamy lipstick, you can transform yourself into an empowered individual.
Primarily catering to the youth, Squad envisions empowering Gen Zs and aspires to be the go-to brand for teenagers. As their tagline says, "We got you!", Squad offers a wide range of affordable products, from eyeshadows to foundations. Their products have beautiful sets of color palettes that are perfect for Gen Zs who either want to have a no-makeup look or pull off a bold and fierce look.
Their Soft Matte Lipsticks collection is paraben-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free and is said to be vegan. This collection comes in 12 shades and can be purchased for only P99.00 each.
2. Kadayawan from Lip Pinas
If you are looking for a more orangey lip product, then Kadayawan is perfect for you! Boasting a deep orange shade, this terracotta-colored bullet lipstick from Lip Pinas's Kolor Collection claims to have a matte finish. It is also lightweight and hence does not dry out the lips.
If you want to try out a more playful lipstick color, this is totally a must-have.
With their tagline "Gawa ng Filipino, para sa Pilipinas," Lip Pinas is one of the most promising cosmetic shops in the country. They offer an array of shades perfect for morenas and mestizas. Kadayawan is paraben-free and cruelty-free. You can purchase this great find for only P99.00.
Aside from lip products, this local brand also offers powder blushes and liquid highlighters.
3. Colourette's Ellie
From Coluorette's Coulourtint collection, this muted red-brown lippie is perfect for your evening lakads. Ellie's color leans to a darker shade of red. So, if you want to emanate a boss vibe, you should wear this tint.
Aside from being budget-friendly, this tint claims to have a matte finish, is long-lasting, blendable, and ultra-pigmented. Another catch is that it is multi-purpose, so you can use it as eyeshadow and blush.
Colourette cosmetics is another local brand that offers cosmetic products for everyone “regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, occupation, ethnicity, etc.” With their tagline "Beauty in all ways," Colurette provides a long list of trusted products that features an array of wearable shades, especially for Filipinas' skin tones.
You can avail this cruelty-free product for only P179.00.
4. The Sunbeam Factory's Puff Tint in Silk
This bright red with pink undertones puff tint is a total game-changer if you want to exude a queen vibe á la I'll-run-the-world look. The Silk shade from Sunbeams Factory's Puff Tint line is a cruelty-free product that gives lips a velvety and matte finish.
Founded in June 2020, The Sunbeam Factory envisions being one of the country's leading local brands that "promotes healthy beauty standards and delivers beautiful, affordable and high-quality products to all."
This lipstick also claims to be vegan and paraben-free. If you are eyeing this product, you can buy this for only P300.00.
5. Features and Shades' Gabriela
Last from our list is a bullet lipstick from Features and Shades' Filipiñana collection. Bearing a bright red color, Gabriela is a perfect shade to wear if you like to show off your fierce side. This shade is an excellent choice as it exudes the ‘strong, independent, woman’ vibe.
FS Cosmetics is a brand that Filipinos have trusted since 2003. Their Filipiñana Collection features an elegant and nationalistic design. It also includes some of the most notable Filipina personalities and fictional characters, such as Gabriela Silang, Maria Clara, Darna, and Dyesebel. The collection claims to have a matte finish and is an all-day lipstick. The red lipsticks in this collection can be purchased for only P199 each. What a great deal!
If this list piqued your interest, there are still a lot of local brands that offer top-tier products for a reasonable price. You might want to check them out, #supportlocal while doing #selflove.
It is hard to face every day, especially during a pandemic, but a little color can make a difference. It cannot totally solve your troubles or help you move forward instantly. But it can accompany you in picking yourself up to begin again.
"It cannot totally solve your troubles or help you move forward instantly. But it can accompany you in picking yourself up to begin again."
Graphics by: Nicole Pacardo
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