New from Canmake: Cream Cheek Tint and Matte Lip Tint
I am not as well versed in J-beauty as I’d like to be. Unlike the rest of the PV team, my experience with Japanese cosmetics can be condensed to a few award winning skincare, cult-favorite mascaras, and the ever famous Shu Uemura lash curler. I’m currently on a streak of more natural makeup looks so Canmake Philippines’ newly-released matte lip tint and cream blush were welcome additions to my current rotation!
The Cream Cheek Tints (P590 for 0.64oz, available in 5 colors) is an updated version of their Cosme winning cream blush. Stacie raved about the look and longevity of the original Cream Cheek so I was looking forward to try what I assumed was an even better reformulation. Off the bat, I was kind of dismayed by the tiny amount of product you get for the price. The flimsy plastic packaging opens up to reveal a thin 4cm-diameter pan of blush and a soft, small sponge housed in the bottom compartment. I didn’t have high hopes for the sponge at first but it turned out to be the better applicator compared to a brush or my fingers.
I tried the shade in 04 Plum Cherry. Picking up a sufficient amount of product, I apply the blush in tapping motions and build until I get my desired intensity. Pigmentation is on the sheer side so I have to layer the product about three to four times for it to show on my light-medium skin. Unlike the OG, the new Cream Cheek Tint doesn’t set to a powder-finish but retains a dewy sheen for a soft, glow-from-within complexion. While I do enjoy the healthy radiance, this sadly lasts only 3 to 4 hours tops on my oily skin even under the best conditions (with priming and setting, no commute, staying in air-conditioned rooms).
Aside from the longevity concern, the oils in this new formula presented a few more issues. The blush feels slippery when swatched so it does have a tendency to look blotchy when applied with your fingers. Because of the balmy texture, you also have to be careful with application as this can mess up your base work! The accompanying sponge is now a shade of plum and nude so I know for a fact that it has been lifting off my foundation. If you have marks and pigmentation around your cheek area that you usually conceal, the Cream Cheek Tint might not be the best idea for you.
As for the Matte Lip Tints (P590 for 0.6oz, available in 3 colors), the plastic tube comes with a flat doe foot applicator that’s firm enough to handle precision. I tried the shade in 02 Red. The amount of product you apply allows you to achieve either a sweet gradient lip tint look or a full-on matte liquid lipstick appearance. When applied lightly, the tint completely disappears from my lips even before lunch time, while a heavier application leaves a nice although faint stain after meals.
The formula is neither moisturizing nor drying but it does have a tendency to catch on to drier areas. Upon application, the tint sets and dries down in a matter of minutes but is never fully without a tiny hint of tackiness. This isn’t completely transfer-proof either despite the flat matte look. I was also wondering why it took a while to bring the tints here as they were launched in Spring 2018. I feel like the matte lip trend has long seen its peak and TBH, this new formula isn’t really adding much to the already crowded table.
Makeup look using the Cream Cheek Tint in 04 Plum Cherry and the Lip Tint Matte in 02 Red
My experience with these new releases from Canmake were frankly… underwhelming. For P590 each, I feel like these are overpriced both for the quantity and quality that you get. They’re pretty and you can make them work, sure, but there’s a lot of cheaper products that can do a better job. The cheap, plastic packaging also leaves much to be desired.
I know Canmake products have won a lot of Cosme awards so I hope to give them another go! Have you tried Canmake? Which of their products would you recommend?
Canmake is available at Landmark Makati and Trinoma, PCX, and the SM Beauty Department in SM MOA, SM North Edsa, and SM Makati.
