Seven Under P400 Local Products To Buy Instead Of Fake Makeup
We’ve always taken a strong stance against fake makeup here at Project Vanity. To prove a point, we decided to get a counterfeit Kylie Lip Kit to see how it compared to an authentic product. Our editor Liz originally planned to swatch it on her lips (after applying a ton of primer for protection) but the weird reaction she got just from the hand swatch made us say NOPE. Nope. And another nope! See what we mean:
The skin supposedly absorbs much of what’s applied to it, and considering the chance of actually swallowing the product if applied to the lips, we decided to play it safe. We recommend that you do the same because, short of paying for a very expensive testing procedure (we asked and got quoted P250,00 per product), there is really no way to know what quality and sanitation standards were applied (if at all) in the process of making these products.
What if you are really on a tight budget, though? We get that a lot of beauty lovers want to experience what it’s like to own a popular product, but the truth is, the experience of using a fake is probably nowhere near similar to using the real deal. The good news is that there are great dupes available that approximate the performance and experience of using more high-end products, and many are from affordable local brands! Before you get lured into shelling out even just a small amount for a product that could be fake, check out these affordable alternatives!
Instead of buying fake Ben Nye powder, try the Nichido Final Powder (P150 at department stores). Just like the famous product, the Nichido Final Powder is available in a variety of shades so you should be able to find one that suits your skin tone. It’s so affordable, it may actually be cheaper than purchasing a fake!
Instead of buying fake Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palettes (there is no Naked4 and beyond as yet), get the Ever Bilena Uncover Eyeshadow Palette (P375 at department stores). The shades of this palette are quite obviously inspired by the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (my personal favorite among all the Naked Palettes), and the pigmentation is actually pretty good for something so cheap.
Instead of buying fake Kylie liquid lipsticks, get the Pink Sugar Lip and Cheek Tints (P349 at SM Beauty). We’ve heard that the fake Kylies can sell for as low as P80 apiece in Divisoria but as our experiment proved, the ingredients used are sub-standard and can have a weird effect. On the other end of the spectrum, we’re big fans of the Pink Sugar Lip and Cheek Tints because of the great shade colors, awesome texture, and ability to stay put all day!
The Kylie-ish Pink Sugar Sugar Tints
Instead of buying MAC powder foundation, get the FS Cosmetics Two-way Cake (P525, P350 for the refill only at SM Beauty). This product is already a cult-favorite because of its medium to heavy coverage, awesome staying power, and wallet-friendly price tag. Of course, it’s also easy to find the right shade match as the large selection of shades are made to suit all Filipina skin tones, whether mestiza or morena.
We're proud of the lovely shades of the Pink Sugar x Project Vanity lip crayon line (P399) <3
Instead of buying fake MAC lipsticks, get lipsticks from Pink Sugar, FS cosmetics, Nichido and Ever Bilena. There are many local brands that even make great lipsticks for as low as P75! You can expect them to glide on the lips quite easily and deliver good pigmentation that is comparable to more expensive brands.
Instead of buying fake NARS blushes, get Ellana Mineral Blushes (P299 at Ellana Cosmetics). They’re made from mineral makeup, and have the same fine pigments and shimmers as NARS blushes in our humble opinion. The powders are blendable, buildable, and able to last for at least 4-5 hours.
Instead of buying fake Benefit Brow Zings, get the Celeteque Eyebrow Defining Kit (~P300) which has a similar wax and powder combo. The textures of both products are the same, plus Celeteque has some beautiful shades too! We love the Deep Brown duo for Filipina brunettes.
These brands may not look or feel as glamorous as high-end products, but you can be assured that they follow standard regulations to ensure quality and consistency. Even if you just have a little cash to spare, save it up, and either treat yourself to the real thing or these quality, affordable dupes instead! Please don’t spend your hard-earned money on questionable makeup that puts your skin and health at risk. Buy trusted local products instead, and get exactly what you're paying for.
