Review and swatch: Faith Hope Love Argan Glow lip and cheek balm in Hillarie
I don't think cosmetics have to be imported nor expensive to be good, so I do buy local and natural when I find a line that I feel I can trust. So far I have bought from Echo Store at Streetscape and from Skin Potions, who has a reseller in Cebu, and I have enjoyed pretty much everything I've tried from there.
I was pleased when the seller of Faith Hope Love Soap contacted me and kindly offered to send me some natural, locally made products. This review will be on the Argan Glow ultra hydrating lip and cheek balm in the shade Hillarie. The seller says this product is vegan, organic, and cruelty-free. Ingredients include argan oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, and virgin coconut oil, all known for their hydrating and nourishing benefits. If you prefer using natural lip balm, this is a good one to try.
I was rather surprised at the feel of this product. It is much firmer to the touch than your regular potted lip balm. I was expecting something softer like Vaseline. Two light pats with a finger are enough to completely cover my lips.
Swatch: Argan Glow lip and cheek balm in Hillarie
Hillarie is a red that's on the warmer side. As you can see, you can layer the product for more intense color. Applied lightly, it is more of a soft matte finish, but you can also apply more thickly if you want a sheen.
It is very pigmented so I make a mess of this trying to wipe off the excess after application on my palm, which is what I normally do with colorless lip balm. I would recommend using a lip brush with this product, or you have to wipe off your finger with a tissue each time.
I enjoy using this more as a lip balm than a cheek balm. It applies fine on my cheeks but the color goes on a little too warm on my face, making me look almost sunburned. I did test it out on my face and the color goes on quite intensely at first, but settles down to a softer flush after a few minutes.
On my cheeks, it lasts around three hours. On the lips, it lasts about three to four hours. I think due to the firmer texture, it does not have a slippery or sticky feel, but is great for softening the lips. I enjoy using this on lighter or no makeup days. The stain it leaves on the lips is beautiful and looks very natural and youthful, which is always good! The balm contains no artificial colors, so it might get its color from the beetroot and pomegranate extracts in it. It does look like you just bit into a fruit that stained your mouth, which I find very pretty.
Considering how pigmented this is, I think this will last a long time despite the small size. This is sold for P260 each at 10 grams per pot, or P500 for two pots. It also comes in another shade called Pia.
You can buy Argan Glow lip and cheek balm from @faith.hope.lovesoapmain on Instagram.
