Next level gloss: The new generation of Filipino lip treatments promises to work harder than ever
Gone are the days when the only purpose of lip products is to either apply color on the lips or to treat them. These days, we expect more than just a singular purpose from our lippies - and a lot of beauty’s recent releases have been answering. These lip hybrids deliver a punch of color while also providing other benefits like a glossy finish, a hydrating boost, or both, or more. Here are five local lip products to try!
Colourette Colourbalm in Tropic (P299 / 10g)
Get it for: Gloss + Vitamin E Boost + Morena-Friendly Shades
This tinted lip balm offers a glossy finish and enough Vitamin E to make it suitable for daily wear. The Tropic shade is described as a gumamela red that looks amazing on Filipino skin tones as per the local beauty brand's advocacy.
Unlike the others on this list that have an applicator wand, the Colourbalm has a built-in angled applicator tip which makes for a more sanitary application. Admittedly this has a bit of a learning curve since I tend to squeeze out more product than I need. Once you get the hang of it though, it really makes for a travel-friendly and fuss-free product. Just watch out for unintentional squeezing which can happen in a packed bag.
Detail Cosmetics Glass Stain in Bitten (P199 / 4g)
Get it for: Gloss + Tint + Serum Blend Treatment of Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E
The product's name is an apt description of this lip product, which the brand describes as "a lip gloss and lip tint hybrid". A serum blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, and Vitamin E is also added for moisture. Color-wise, the Bitten shade is a muted deep berry that is also made for Filipino skin. Their bestseller though is Naked, described as an “almond beige” and currently sold out at their Shopee store. They’ve also come out with new shades this 2022 – Sunburnt and Summer Fling.
The Glass Stain uses a thin applicator wand for applying directly on the lips. They recommend pressing the lips to "lock in color and activate shine" but you can add more depending how shiny and saturated you want your lip color to be. This is quite pigmented as it is marketed as a stain and Bitten takes some getting used to. I have to exfoliate my lips prior to application for a well-blended tint.
Happy Skin Second Skin Tinted Lip Treatment Oil in Reset (P499 / 7ml)
Get it for: Gloss + Moisture (Kahai Oil, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid) + Stain
Launched mid-2021 as part of the Second Skin line, this lip product is "a cross between a glossy tint and a nourishing lip oil". Kahai Oil, Squalane, and Hyaluronic Acid nourishes the lips while still providing a vivid color and long-lasting stain. The shade Reset is a lovely rosy mauve.
The applicator of the Tinted Lip Treatment Oil is pretty wide and picks up a lot of product. I had a hard time using it at first and had to scrape the applicator on the sides of the container lip, before spreading directly on my lips. Then I found out that their recommended application is to apply a small amount in the center of the lips before diffusing the color.
When I tried the recommended method, I realized that the best way for me is applying really small dots all over the lips and using a finger to spread the color. I also have all four shades and while Reset is the most pigmented, it is also the hardest to work with as it tends to overapply.
Issy & Co. Hydragloss in Punch (P299 / 4.5ml)
Get it for: Sheer Application + Light Moisture + Fun, Wide Range of Shades
Lip oil and lip gloss go really well together, thus creating a lot of hybrid lip products including this one. Its key ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Juice, and Coco Nucifera Oil, and promotes that it "visibly improves the condition of the lips with more frequent use".
The shade Punch is a delicious berry pop released just last month amongst the holiday shades of the Hydragloss range which brings the shade total to 12. This creates a sheer wash of color and no matter how much product I apply with the thin applicator, my lips don't get as opaque as when I use the other lip products. Added moisture is okay considering how light it applies but I find that I need to reapply more or I’d have to use a lip balm underneath prior to first application.
Strokes Silk Kiss in Very Berry (P348 / 2.8ml, currently Php247)
Get it for: Tint + Hydration with Revidrate™️ + Cooling Effect
Similar to the others on the list, this is a lip oil and lip tint hybrid. What sets this apart is the ingredient Revidrate™️ that "recreates the skin’s own natural moisture for all-day inside and out lip hydration to improve overall lip texture" and the cooling menthol formula.
The brand recommends using the applicator wand to apply as many coats of the Silk Kiss as needed. This can be used on its own for a subtle glossy stain, but can also be used on top of lipstick. I experienced some slight patchiness when using this product but the Very Berry shade is a lovely dark red berry color to use. While it provides a good boost of moisture on the lips, the menthol in the formula irritates my lips so do watch out for that if you’re sensitive to the ingredient.
Top to bottom: Colourette Colourbalm in Tropic, Detail Cosmetics Glass Stain in Bitten, Happy Skin Second Skin Tinted Lip Treatment Oil in Reset, Issy & Co. Hydragloss in Punch, Strokes Silk Kiss in Very Berry
Have you tried any of these Filipino lip treatment/gloss/stain hybrids? Do you have a favorite?
