Front page material: The Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me in Valentine Kiss by Kris Aquino

Last Sunday, the latest lipstick shade from Happy Skin Cosmetics was featured on the front page of The Philippine Star. Have you heard of something like that before, a lipstick being mentioned right above the headline of a national daily? It's such a huge coup for Happy Skin - a local brand, no less!

But what's the fuss about? Kris Aquino, perhaps the most influential lifestyle personality in the Philippines and a cultural icon in her own right, recently collaborated with Happy Skin to create her first ever lipstick shade: The Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me in Valentine Kiss (P549). She was quite involved in the process, swatching different shades of pink and being very specific about the color she wants to have for her limited edition shade.

I was actually surprised that Kris hasn't done something like this earlier considering how much of a beauty fan she is. Apparently, she really loved the formula of Shut Up & Kiss Me and asked the co-founders, Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, to help her make her perfect pink.

So that's how Valentine Kiss came to be. I've already reviewed the formula of Shut Up & Kiss Me, so this post will really be more about the shade and swatch comparisons. Read on! 

Valentine Kiss is a creamy, almost milky pink with a slight lilac undertone. It's a beautiful color with a fair amount of warmth in it, close to the famous MAC Pink Noveau. It's slightly warmer and pinker though; Pink Noveau is quite cool, with less red in it.

Valentine Kiss has a satin finish and is completely opaque in about two layers. No matter how pigmented your lips are, this shade has literally got you covered.

Here's a comparison with a few other similar pinks in the my collection:

Valentine Kiss looks very similar to Pink Noveau in this swatch. You'll notice the difference when they're worn, as Valentine Kiss is the pink Pink Noveau could have been for us with Asian skin. It's more wearable but has the same pop of fun pink as the MAC classic.

Overall, Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me in Valentine Kiss is a great lipstick if you like this type of lilac, creamy pink. It can be tricky with skin that's in the darker range of the spectrum (ideal is light to at most, medium dark skin) but it should suit most of us morenas. ^_^ Remember, this is only limited edition with few quantities, so you better get it ASAP!

Here's the list of Happy Skin branches. You can also order at shop.beautybar.com.ph.