Here's what to expect at the Flair Pop Up this weekend in Powerplant

Happy Holidaze, PV fam! Have you started ticking names off your gift-giving list? If you’re racking your brain trying to find gifts for different ages and diverse tastes, a bazaar might be your best bet! In fact, you may want to check out the Flair Pop Up happening this Saturday and Sunday (November 23 to 24, 2019) at The Fifth Rockwell in Powerplant Mall, Makati.

I attended the media preview event and got a good feel for what the pop up has to offer. There’s a good range of pretty much everything you can think of — makeup, skincare, apparel, accessories, homeware, food, drink, and other giftables. I like that there’s a mix of local and internationally-sourced products, too, so there are more shopping options than what you can usually find in malls.

Obviously, for beauty junkies makeup and skincare might be the drawing point! I was pretty surprised to encounter local independent brands I’ve never heard of before like Bloom & Topiary (who manufacture locally) and MiMi (who formulate abroad and import here). Both brands are available primarily through online channels so this preview made me curious to see what else is out there.

I only got these products the other day so I haven’t fully tested them yet. Just sharing some of my first impressions!

Halo Collection Matte Lipstick in #6 by MiMi Beauty (P199)

#6 is a pinkish My Lips But Better (MLBB) shade that dries matte. If you’re hydrated enough it should be fine but it’s consistent with other matte lip cremes that it can be really uncomfortable if you have dry lips. MiMi Beauty usually imports from other Asian countries but this collection is their own formulation manufactured in China. I’d use this as a creme blush tbh!

Halo Collection Brow Pomade in Medium Brown by MiMi Beauty

I was surprised to find this really easy to blend and work with without slipping off. This actually makes me want to turn back to brow pomades! BRB cranking my Anastasia Dipbrow open again. Although application takes longer, it has a very natural effect and covers the (inevitable) redness from my fading microblading. I also like to use it for tightlining since it has some give before it dries.

Lady Audrey Rice Loose Powder in 001 Peach Parfait by MiMi Beauty

New powders always scare me but this one is thin and light enough that it doesn’t disturb foundation texture. I can’t attest too much on the staying power since I oil up in about 2 hours but I also use a lot of oily products these days. It’s not a texture-perfecting powder either but if you’re looking for a mattifying powder that’s not too heavy and will let your glow shine through, this might be it for you.

Bloom & Topiary Revitalizing Body Oil with SPF15

Okay, I’m not too sure how an oil offers sun protection (although I’ve seen a lot of tanning oils with the same claim), but the mix of oils — avocado fruit, rosehip seed, rose, jasmine, and neroli — seems promising. They don’t list filler oils in the ingredients list so I will assume this is true. It claims to tighten and tone skin and prevent blemishes, but the claims (if true) will be seen after continued use, no? Anyway, it doesn’t feel sticky or too heavy, and the makers (who are locals!) said it’s actually a multipurpose oil. I tried it on my face to dilute a foundation and it worked well enough to thin the product without causing irritation. (Editor’s note: Oils don’t have sun protective properties so make sure to use sunscreen.)

Pili Beauty Moisturizing Lipstick Satin in Toasted Latte (P795)
This was a lovely and surprising find! I admit I didn’t think much of it because I wasn’t a fan of the blue lipstick tube (lol?) but the formula is so light and hydrating. The shade is the same lovely MLBB pink although I expected it to be more warm nude for a “Toasted Latte” name. The component is pretty enough that I don’t mind applying like a balm, and has a heft that feels nice. This makes me curious about their other products and the matte version of the lipstick.

Perhaps what is most interesting about Flair is the curation of brands that they carry, from indie local brands to designer goods like Mark Bumgarner who will be showcasing their ready-to-wear collection. There’s a wide range of price points as well, so gift shoppers can stick to their budgets.

Check the rest of the lineup at @flair_popup on Instagram.