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 ca...

Review and swatch: Faith Hope Love Argan Glow lip and cheek balm in Hillarie

11:22 PM Joanna C. 0 Comments

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 love the carton packaging with its pretty floral pastel print. The balm itself comes in a basic plastic pot with a screw top, small and lightweight enough to fit in any kikay kit.

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.

I was excited to hear that a number of brands previously unavailable for local retail were going to be sold at the beauty department of SM S...

Review and swatches: Flormar Supermatte lipstick in 207, 210, 212

9:25 PM Joanna C. 0 Comments

I was excited to hear that a number of brands previously unavailable for local retail were going to be sold at the beauty department of SM Seaside City Cebu, such as Jordana and Essence. While looking through the displays, I saw this brand called Flormar that I had never heard of before. Attracted by the color selection of the matte lipsticks, I swatched a few but walked away without buying anything, but couldn't stop thinking about it. My friend Kaith ended up going on a lipstick run for both of us on a succeeding visit to Seaside.

A Google search told me that Flormar is a Turkish brand. I was intrigued, since I'd never tried Turkish cosmetics before. The first shade I picked up was 210, which doesn't have any other name on the label.  I wore 210 for several days straight and fell in love with the formula and color, so I ended up getting two more! I got 212 Vintage Pink and 207 Lovely Pink.




Flormar Supermatte lipsticks in 210, 212, and 207


210 is a beautiful burnt rose color; a muted red with berry and brown tones. On my NC25-30 skin this looks a little bit dark, but not too much that it stops being office appropriate. I normally don't look good with reddish browns, but I really like this one because the brown deepens the red just enough without getting too warm. I can imagine this would be a flattering color on many skin tones.

212 is called Vintage Pink but doesn't look pink to me at all, more of a lightened terracotta. On my lips, it looks a little more orange than the swatch. Another beautiful shade that is the most subtle of the three.

207 is called Lovely Pink and is in fact pink in the swatch, but pulls more coral on my lips. This is a wearable coral-pink that is not too neon and I think will brighten up fair to medium complexions.

All of these apply creamy, smooth and pigmented, with a lightweight, comfortable feel on the lips. The texture reminds me a lot of the matte Rimmel Kate Moss lipsticks in the red tubes, but these ones are more pigmented than the Rimmel line's lighter shades. One application of Flormar Supermatte gives full color payoff, with no slip since it is matte, and lasts about five hours on me. It does not feather but does fade in the center, although without that ugly ring. It has a slightly citrusy smell that I don't notice after application. The tapered bullet tip makes it particularly easy to apply on the corners of the mouth. I feel like the color selection is perfect for Filipinas because these will suit many skin tones, whether light or dark, and any undertone too.

Flormar Supermatte lipsticks are P399 each at Watsons in SM Seaside City. The last time I visited, many colors, including 210, had already sold out, so it must be getting popular! For similar shades of matte lipstick at a cheaper price, check out my review on Jordana Modern Matte lipsticks.
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