Little Luxuries: A review + swatches of blk’s giftable holiday collection (it's all minis!)

It’s that time of the year again when beauty brands make a special effort to relieve us of our money via tempting holiday releases. Blk Cosmetics certainly rose to the occasion with new products, lippie shades, and—for the first time ever—MINIS! Let’s take a look at their complete lineup for the holidays, themed Little Luxuries.

Mini Soft Matte Mousses (4 new shades)

Fans of the velvet lip, rejoice! Blk released four new shades of their Soft Matte Mousse and placed them in a ready-to-gift millennial pink box elegantly topped off with a black ribbon handle. Perfect for gifting or sharing with friends! The Mini Soft Matte Mousse can be purchased individually for P299 each, or as a Merry Mousse Box set for P1,149.

Okay, so I admit to being partial to mini lip products. With the number of lippies in my collection, I rarely get tempted by new releases anymore. But when I see a mini lippie in a shade and finish I don’t have yet, well—that’s a different story! The fact that I can probably finish a (mini) lipstick before it expires on me makes it even more appealing than the urge to try a new shade. So I think it was a smart move by blk to release minis of their soft matte mousses in a range of shades that would appeal to all.

Garnet is a berry red that’s perfectly festive for the holidays. My face lights up with Moonstone, a light peachy nude shade ideal for daily wear. The appropriately named Red Coral is a gorgeous brick hue that I think will flatter a lot of skin tones. A feminine mauve-y pink, I found Rose Quartz to be my favorite of the bunch.

These all have the same quality as the brand’s previous soft matte mousses. I like the even, buildable color that I get consistently with all the shades. The velvet matte finish is also a dream, and wears comfortably on my typically dry lips. Although it doesn’t stay put through meals, it does leave a nice, even stain. The strong, fruity scent can be overwhelming at first, but does fade away very quickly. What stood out for me was the on-point color selection—these flattering shades are must-haves for any lipstick wardrobe.

All-Day Intense Matte Lipsticks (full size in 2 new shades)

Blk stays true to its roots with new shades of its All-Day Intense Matte Lipsticks (P299 each). I’m a fan of their acrylic packaging, and for this collection it comes in a cute light pink transparent color! I got to try Crystal Rose, a true red that really gets me into the holiday spirit. It also comes in Pink Sapphire, described as a nude terracotta.

Mini Creamy All-Over Paint (3 new shades)

My favorite multi-use product from blk just got three new shades! The Mini Creamy All-Over Paint in Sunstone (P299) is a gorgeous terracotta pink shade. I was also surprised to find that I prefer this miniature size to the original. Sure, the pigmented, effortlessly blendable formula didn’t change, but the smaller wand applicator is much easier to use than the paddle-foot one from the full-sized original. Keep reading to see my FOTD featuring this versatile product on my eyes, lips, and cheeks!

Mega Lift Mini Mascara (new release)

I didn’t expect much from this unassuming tube, until I opened it and saw the hourglass-shaped applicator. The Mega Lift Mini Mascara’s (P299) promise of waterproof, clump-free, volumized lashes made it sound too good to be true! Until I tried it. I did get decent length and volume with one layer but the best part is that my lashes stayed curled until I removed my makeup! I did get all-day wear from it, but it smudged a little on the outer corners near my lower lash line by the end of the day. 

Mini Sparkle Gloss (2 new shades)

We were #shookt when blk released a lip gloss for their birthday. I’m happy to report that they’ve added two new shades, in mini versions at P259 each. Diamond is a pretty peachy pink gloss that delivers shine without glitter or stickiness.

Shimmer Jelly Multi-Pot (new release)

Out of everything in the holiday collection, this was the one I was most excited about. I’ve wanted to do a glossy lid for the longest time, but so far everything I’ve tried just succumbed to my eyelid crease. Swatching the Shimmer Jelly Multi-Pot in Pearl (P349 for 4.2ml) on the back of my hand gave me hope—the micro glitters in the formula seemed to dance like beautiful pink and silver Christmas lights amid a sheer wash of champagne! It did feature “both the richness of a cream and the weightlessness of a gel” as promised. 

It’s incredibly pigmented so a small amount goes a long way, and I see this little pot lasting me for a long time, even when used as eyeshadow, cheek highlighter, and body highlighter. It’s such a sparkly, versatile addition to my makeup kit! My one caveat: it’s very easy to get more than you intend when you pick up the product with your finger. Don’t apply directly onto eyes or skin if that happens; deposit it on the back of your hand and use a clean finger for a more controlled application.

Swatches, and a #blkLittleLuxuries look, as promised!

Arm swatches are very helpful, but how does a full face of blk’s Holiday Collection 2019 look? I used the Mini Creamy All-Over Paint in Sunstone for a light wash of color on my lips, cheeks, and eyes. The Shimmer Jelly Multi-Pot in Pearl worked well as both a cheek highlight, and an eyeshadow topper that didn’t crease on me! The Mega Lift Mini Mascara added volume, length, and curl to my lashes in a single coat. Since the collection didn’t include a brow product (I really wish it did), I used their Brow Stick in Taupe from the blk Universal Collection. I also added the Mini Sparkle Gloss in Diamond as a lip topper for added shine.

I’m pretty happy with the result, as I usually go for a toned-down monochromatic look. It’s an easy, effortlessly chic look that works for both work and play. Mind you, I was able to apply and blend all of the above with just my fingers, which I feel stays true to the brand’s slogan of “Uncomplicated Beauty.” Using a wet blender sponge definitely made it easier to blend, though. I chose to apply sheer layers, but applying with a heavier hand can definitely amp up the look for more glam, perfect for holiday celebrations. 

I’m really impressed with how blk Cosmetics went about their Holiday Collection. Everything was well thought out, from color selection, good formula, and new product choices. Every product in the lineup also delivered for me and what I look for in makeup.

Price-wise, however, I don’t think the minis are ideally priced. With a difference of only P50, it seems like the full size will definitely deliver more bang for my buck. I usually compare the price per ml to get a clear picture, but I can’t find that information anywhere for the minis. I also love supporting local brands, but all of the products from this line were made in Taiwan. This isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but I would have loved it more if the brand made use of local labor and materials.

I still think these would make excellent gifts! I have my eye on the sets, particularly the Holiday Beauty Baubles (P599) which include my two favorite products from the line: the Shimmer Jelly Multi-Pot and Mini All-Over Cream Paint. The two are encapsulated in a transparent acrylic ball, complete with sparkly champagne pink confetti, gift tag, and black ribbon for festive décor! What about you, what do you have your eye on? 

Check out the complete Little Luxuries Holiday Collection over at the blk website. Order directly from them online, at blk Cosmetics stores and boutiques nationwide, Lazada, Shopee, BeautyMNL, Zalora, and The Kult.