It's like having the Happy Skin Glam Squad in your own makeup room
The best makeup artists are famous for a reason. In a world where celebrities need to look perfect in front of the camera or at an important event, they can't trust just anybody with a brush set and a train case. They need someone who can bring out the best of their features by choosing the right colors and applying them with a careful, practiced hand. The formula of the makeup they use matters, too - it has to be photogenic, long-wearing, and appropriate for their skin type.
This is why it's not a surprise that some celebrity makeup artists can charge a sizable fee for their talent and years of experience. Until we can afford them, we can totally get on with a special collection designed by the top MUAs in the country - Juan Sarte, Denise Go-Ochoa, Mickey See, and Jigs Mayuga - in collaboration with Happy Skin Cosmetics! The Glam Squad aims to bring us mere mortals pro-level products that will surely be staples in our kit.
The Glam Squad is an expansive line. It features the new Happy Skin Arch Definer & Brow Mascara (P949 each), the Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color (P1,399), and the Happy Skin Glam Squad Custom Brush Set (P2,999). Each makeup artist also created their own Happy Skin Glam Squad Liquid Matte Lipstick (P699 each) and Happy Skin Glam Squad Eyeshadow Duo (P899 each) to bring to life their own signature looks.
I chose Jigs Mayuga's Liquid Matte Lipstick and Eyeshadow Duo because I am a huge fan of his work. Rose Brown, his lipstick shade, immediately stood out to me as it's a beautiful color! The Eyeshadow Duo though is such a winner. It has a matte brown and black (similar to MAC Espresso and Carbon actually) which can be used for all sorts of things - use them on your brows to get a sculpted look, contour your nose with the brown, line your eyes with the black, and oh of course, use both to give your lids dramatic depth. IMHO, if you can only have two eyeshadow colors, these two would have to be it.
Aside from the shade, formula of the products are excellent as well. The liquid lipstick is soooooo smooth and adheres to the lips in one layer. Most liquid lipsticks require a lip liner to get them to look neat and solid; Happy Skin's new matte liquids are fantastic as is. Pigmentation is intense! It's possibly the least fussy liquid lipstick I've ever had the pleasure of wearing. It doesn't feel thick and flaky too, PLUS it makes lips look so smooth for matte. It's non-drying on me but I'd still recommend letting a lip balm sink in before application.
However, it doesn't stay on as well as the other fussier liquid lippies I've tried. It sets, but it's thin, so the product gets dissolved by food easily compared to its counterparts. No worries though - just apply a lip liner (Happy Skin has new ones too) underneath to extend the wear time if you're particular about that.
The Eyeshadow Duo are also ridic pigmented and smooth. In my FOTD here, I didn't even have to line my eyes to get it that black at the roots! The brown shade can be diffused with a blending brush if you need it to look softer, but you can also create an intense smoky eye with it if you need to.
I don't need another contour kit in my life, but I purchased the Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color because I love their first contour kit. I've been using that stuff for two years now! It's my HG contour palette and the only one I trust in shoots and events. I know some people felt it was too sheer, but I prefer my contour to be layered versus sheered out. It's the most natural way to get chiseled features.
Eyes: Jigs Mayuga Eyeshadow Duo / Lips: Jigs Mayuga Rose Brown Liquid Matte Lipstick / Cheeks: Contour & Color Palette
So is the new Contour & Color kit my new HG? Hmm, it's smooth and pigmented, but I still prefer the first one. The contour shade in the Glam Squad palette is grayer on me than I'd like, and the shade itself is too light for my medium skin tone. It's not sheer - it's really just this nutty greyish brown that don't register as well on my skin. I can layer it definitely but parang the color isn't as perfect for me compared to the first.
The coral blush is pretty but I don't wear much coral-hued lipsticks lately so I don't use it very often. It's a bright coral that would look great in the summer.
Don't get me wrong - this isn't a bad palette, it's just not quite right for my current skin shade and preferences. Perhaps my expectations were too high as well. I think a lot of people would love how natural and flattering this looks! I might change my mind about it when the season changes. In the meantime, the Happy Skin Sculptacular is still kween for me!
Well, whew, that was long. I hope you enjoyed my review and please, let me know what you think about the Glam Squad! Whose selection are you liking the most?
Exclusively available at zalora.com.ph: Starting August 22, shop for your favorite makeup master’s eyeshadow duo and liquid matte lipstick, and get the Glam Squad Double-Zip Pouch for free.
Happy Skin stores are located at 2/F Glorietta 3, 2/F Greenbelt 5, 2/F Power Plant Mall, 2/F Mega Fashion Hall, and 1/L Trinoma.
Happy Skin is also available at Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La; Beauty Bar; Plains & Prints; The SM Store Makati, Mall of Asia, Megamall, North Edsa, and Cubao; Watsons Mall of Asia; Landmark Makati and Trinoma; and Metro Gaisano Department Store, Alabang Town Center and UP Town Center.
