Tell all + full swatches: The Pink Sugar x Project Vanity Collab

This is it. You know how some moments in your life, when they're happening, don't feel significant until much later on when you can look back and lead all good things back to it? I remember a call I received last year from someone named Laveen Rohit who emailed previously that he's launching a cosmetics brand called Pink Sugar. I was in an Uber going home after a meeting, and here was this guy gabbing enthusiastically about makeup. Not in a this-is-just-business tone - he was genuinely into cosmetics and obviously put in a lot of time and research into developing his own brand.

When we finally got to meet and Laveen showed me the products, I was amazed. There was a complete 24-color lipstick line up, a crazy pigmented concealer, eyeshadow palettes, and rich, smooth blushes in lush shades among other things in the extensive debut collection. "This guy is not kidding around," I thought. These products challenged what a local makeup brand can do within an average price range of just P400. 

I remember Laveen telling me during that first meeting that they would love to do a collab with Project Vanity in the future, and I remember feeling touched but not taking it that seriously. I mean, forget about modesty, I'm not famous. I don't have caravans of followers! But a year later and here we are. This collaboration is perhaps the biggest trust a brand has given me in my entire eight-year career in beauty and truly, I am still in a state of disbelief as I write this at 5 am today.

This is a huge milestone for me, and I will be forever grateful to Laveen and his brother Rohit for giving me the opportunity to finally have a hand in making makeup.

The development. The Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don't Lie Matte Lip Crayon (P399) didn't quite start out as a crayon. I thought of a dual-ended product but there were some limitations about the available components and costing, so crayon it is! Crayons are the easiest to apply since you can outline the lips with a lot of control. Of course it had to be moisturizing, as well! Laveen asked me to design four colors and I thought of doing an everyday shade, a trendy shade, the Project Vanity shade of pink (of course!), and a daring shade for evening events.

From Laveen's end, he came up with the concept of "These Lips Don't Lie". It's about the little white lies us girls like to tell, whether in sarcasm, exasperation, or humor. I loved it! The names of the colors reflect those LWLs - Woke Up Like This, Ready In Five, Love At First Swipe, and Nothing To Wear.

The box and tube. The lips on the box were illustrated by yours truly! I went for a matte pink tube in the Project Vanity shade, something you can easily spot in your dresser or from the bottom of your bag. I think it's fun and cheerful, a bright spot of color against the busy blur of everyday life.

The formula. Laveen and I decided on a matte finish, but we wanted it to be non-drying. There is Vitamin E and Shea Butter included in the formula for extra hydration! If your lips tend to dry and flake though I would recommend using a clear lip balm beforehand to give 'em an extra boost.

We were particular about pigmentation. These had to be opaque and hold their color integrity for about four hours of normal wear. The Pink Sugar x Project Vanity crayons are also completely scentless, since I know PV girls love their lipstick with little or no fragrance! 

The colors. Woke Up Like This is a muted pink “my lips but better” (MLBB) shade that is designed to look flattering on all skin tones. It’s a versatile color that can be worn to an important work presentation or to a first date! Love At First Swipe is a peachy cocoa, a fresh take on the brown lip trend. It’s dramatic yet wearable for everyday. Ready In Five is a brightening perky pink that’s bound to cheer you up even in the gloomiest of days; it's based on the Project Vanity pink logo!  Nothing To Wear, a sexy deep plum, is set to be a new staple at parties formal or high-octane. 

I've swatched them on myself (has a slight sheen since I was using bright lights but they are quite matte in person) as well on Marielle, who is very fair; Kim, a medium; and Angela who is morena. 

So there you go guys, the Pink Sugar x Project Vanity crayons! I hope you love them as much as I do! It would mean the world  if you can try them out, let me know what you think, and share your #FOTD on Instagram with the hashtags #PinkSugarxProjectVanity #TheseLipsDontLie and #ProjectVanityCom so I can check them out. <3 If you don't have the lip colors yet, you can also share a photo of  your favorite shade on Instagram and why you like it the most (please use hashtags for tracking). The three best posts will win a COMPLETE set of these lipsticks from me! This quick contest will run from September 1 to 7.

Thank you, thank you as always for supporting us! We've come quite a long way, and this will not be possible without your constant visits and constructive feedback. <3

photography by Sam Gonzales

Where to buy. The Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don't Lie Matte Lip Crayon are now available at Pink Sugar's 23 counters nationwide. Online, you can purchase them at Pinksugar.com.ph and BeautyMNL.com. 

Pink Sugar store locations:

Greater Metro Manila:
SM Makati Department Store, SM Manila Department Store, SM MOA Department Store, SM Aura Department Store, Landmark Trinoma Department Store, Landmark Makati Department Store, Watsons Festival Mall, Watsons SM Southmall 

Luzon:
SM Fairview Department Store, SM Bacoor Department Store, SM Marilao Department Store, SM Clark Department Store 

Visayas:
Watsons Ayala Center Cebu Watsons Seaside Cebu, SM Bacolod Department Store, SM Seaside Cebu Department Store 

Mindanao:
SM Lanang Premiere Department Store (Davao), KCC Department Store General Santos, KCC Department Store Zamboanga, KCC Department Store Marbel, G Mall Department Store Davao, G Mall Department Store Tagum, G Mall Department Store Toril