Swatches + a review of Happy Skin's new coffee-themed Lip Mallow collection
Happy Skin first came out with their Lip Mallow formula last February and reviews confirmed that it stays true to its “velvety air-whipped formula that wraps the lips in a weightless cloud of smooth color with a cushion-soft powder matte finish” promise. Just a couple of months after and we are getting six additional shades in the line. The bonus? These new ones are coffee-inspired and mostly nude tones that are perfect for every day.
I haven’t gotten around to trying the previous release so I was pretty excited to test out this time around. The six shades are Café au Lait (nude brown), Chai Latte (mauve brown), Cinnamon (blush brown), Fresh Brew (milky brown), Iced Coffee (pink brown), and Pumpkin Spice (burnt brown). These are gorgeous in real life and they swatch so pretty! The monochromatic packaging feels chic and effortless and you can somehow immediately see which shade is which though it still wouldn’t be a 100% representation.
Swatches from L-R: Café au lait, Chai Latte, Cinnamon, Fresh Brew, Iced Coffee, Pumpkin Spice
Priced at P549 each, the Happy Skin Lip Mallow Mousse Coffee Edition also comes in a set. You get all six shades in the set for P3,199 which saves you just around a hundred pesos, but you do get the cutest free tumbler. “But first, coffee lipstick” is definitely my jam.
Performance wise, I like how they feel on my normally dry lips. Happy Skin prides itself for skin-caring ingredients and for the Lip Mallows, the Marshmallow Extract, Cranberry Seed Oil, and the extra moisture provided by the boost of Coffee Arabica Seed Oil seems to be working. They are light and almost weightless that I forget I have product on. Transfer is minimal but it will not last through an oily meal. It leaves a nice enough stain, but best be careful of the dreaded lip line once the middle portion fades. Untouched, a single application lasts around 2-3 hours on me because I usually have to eat something after that period of time.
Happy Skin also offers these shades in mini-sets (P1,098/ pair with free Leather Sleeve) and I like how they bundled them up as these six shades can be paired up into quite similar shades that you may not want to have both in your collection in case you’re only looking to get two. Fresh Brew and Iced Coffee both have that pinkish nude appeal while Café au Lait and Pumpkin Spice both have warm orangey leanings. Cinnamon and Chai Latte contribute the berry, mauve-ish tones to the party. If I must get only two, it would have to be Cinnamon and Fresh Brew though my husband’s choice veers toward Café au Lait and Pumpkin Spice. If budget permits and you can get all six, it would be fun to play around with the subtle nuances of each shade!
Have you tried the Happy Skin Lip Mallow Mousse? Which one’s your favorite?
The Barenbliss Peach Makes Perfect Tint is one of my go-to daily lip products, as it doesn’t dry my lips and leaves such a nice stain as it starts to fade. The shades available as also quite pretty and fresh, plus it has a glossy finish which I find makes my lips look fuller. Can’t go wrong with that! It’s pretty affordable too at P399 (and they go on sale often) which makes it an easy pick for casual days.
So, I was excited to properly test the Bloom Matte Transferproof Tint (P399) this time since they have some all-new colors!