These are the five local lip glosses under 600 pesos to try right now

As a 90s kid, I was thrilled to find lip gloss returning as a beauty trend in 2019. After seeing too many dry and cracking lip looks in the years that matte lipstick reigned supreme, I’m ready for juicy, shiny pouts to be back in business. And local brands are picking up the trend, too. Here are five local lip glosses under P600 that explore the different ways you can wear a super shiny lip!

A clear gloss formula is the equivalent of a nude lip - classic and versatile enough to be worn with any look. The EB Advance Vinyl Lip Gloss (P125) is actually the first product that got me on this gloss train; I impulsively bought it (very out of character for me!) after swatching it at the store.

Though the formula looks orange, it applies completely clear. The formula feels like a nourishing oil, but is lightweight and not sticky. You can apply a thicker layer if you want va-va-voom shine but I find it becomes uncomfortable at that point. Wear it over bare lips or use it as a lipstick topper to create a plumper-looking pout.

I associate Kris Aquino with frosty pink lips so I expected the Kris Tinted Lip Gloss (P225) to be a real throwback to the 90s. The iridescent pink formula sure looks that way but this turned out to be the most subdued of the glosses.

It has a sheer pink hue that looks sweet, pretty, and very low-key. I think this is really nice for those who want to try gloss for a healthy-looking sheen but dread the just-ate-lechon look.

I wasn’t even planning to get the Careline Stain Gloss (P125) because I didn’t know how it was different from the EB formula, but I got it to find out. This one is a clear liquid with a slight tinge of blue in the tube, so I was really surprised when I started applying it and my lips turned bright fuschia pink!

Apparently this is one of those magic lipsticks that change color once it comes into contact with body heat, and the color is amazingly vibrant. It really does stain, too, so it’s a great option for those who want long-lasting color. I think the color may vary depending on who wears it, but I do wish there were more shade options as hot pink lips aren’t my style.

We all collectively swooned when blk released their Birthday Anniversary Sparkle Gloss in Confetti (P379) because who can refuse that pretty smattering of shimmer? It triggered a lot of comparisons to the Fenty Gloss Bomb, and while it’s not exactly a dupe, it does get pretty close.

This seems to have finer shimmer particles in a sheer pigment base, and looks almost metallic. It’s an instant party on your pout, and blk has added two more shades in cute mini tubes just in time for the holidays.

No local lip roundup is ever complete without Happy Skin, which seems to always have its color game on point. They may be best known for their lip crayons but their expertise in pigmentation make them my pick for full-coverage lip gloss.

The Cooling Lip Gloss in A Whole New World (P599) from their most recent Disney collab is a muted brown shade that allows you to create an even coat of color. You might even say that is a proper liquid lipstick with a shiny finish because of how pigmented it is! The new Glazed Donut shade is on my wish list after seeing how fresh it looks on Liz.

So, five local lip glosses with five different personalities. Having grown up with just Lip Glass and Juicy Tubes to choose from, I feel we’re so spoiled for choice now! The formulas are also so much more comfortable to wear compared to the thick, sticky, and goopy stuff that made us love and hate lip gloss at the same time. And at under P600 each, one can enjoy the shiny lip trend without spending too much.

Have you taken a break from matte lipsticks to play with gloss as well? Which formula are you rocking?

Photography by Nicole Quindara