The Filipino makeup landscape is taking an exciting turn for the better. The harsh reality is that very few local brands sell good, pigmented cosmetics. I’m all for supporting local, especially when it comes to fashion, but I personally think that the local beauty industry needs more local heavyweights that could rival international brands. We pay a premium (thanks to absurd shipping costs) because we have very limited local options. So, admittedly, when I found out a local makeup brand was being launched I was initially skeptical.
Pink Sugar Cosmetics launched last October and since their colorful launch, they’ve been proving me wrong. For starters, the brand is owned by two men. I reiterate, two straight men. Laveen and Rohit Mirpuri, Indian-Filipino entrepreneurs, decided to launch their own cosmetics brand after being plunged into the beauty world by chance. “Growing up and living with a lot of women, people kept asking me to buy cosmetics. So even if you don’t use makeup, you’re still buying,” Laveen fondly shares. He was also a go-to beauty adviser of sorts saying that he voiced out opinions on his family’s makeup looks “all the time.” He adds, “I would be the young cousin to bring along for shopping. My cousins always get unwanted advice.”
Living in Brazil for a few years only further ignited an entrepreneurial spark to put up a brand with his brother Rohit. “Living in brazil, the beauty trends are way ahead over there,” he muses. A year later, Pink Sugar Cosmetics was born with its multitude of products, colorful packaging and catchy names.
The process zoned in on the Filipina with the Philippine climate given careful consideration. “What is the Filipina skin? It’s ever evolving. People have a notion that it’s just yellow skin. We cater to the Filipino market by having a variety of shades to cater to different skin tones. The difference is in the formulation; it suits our climate,” Laveen boasts.
With a product line as wonderfully diverse as this, it’s only right to tackle some favorites. Let’s start with the base. The BB Cream is an easy favorite because the coverage is light and looks natural. Pro-tip: mix shades if you can’t find your perfect tone. Another favorite is the selection of blushes. All 8 shades of the Sweet Cheeks HD Cheek Color (P499) are pretty pigmented and my absolute favorite is Miss Independent, a shimmery pink that gives a perfect flush. Sin City is a highlighter that I also use for a dewy glow.
The brand offers two Eye Candy Eyeshadow Palettes (P699) and both are equally gorgeous. One is a nude/smokey palette that every girl should own while the other, which I like more, offers shades of cool blues for a more playful look.
For both cheeks and lips, there’s a selection of Sugar Tint Lip & Cheek Tint (P349). The tints are highly pigmented and range from a bright orange to a deep purple. Of course, actual lipsticks are also available and there are 24 of them. 14 shades are in the HD Collection (P299) and 10 are in the Creamy Mattes (P349). I am personally obsessed with the deep matte ones. Rumor (a blush pink), Royals (a deep purple) and Bang Bang (a brownish red) are my favorites.
Also try out their eye liner duos, HD powder and concealer. There are so many more colors and permutations to try and I’m just enjoying doing so. I’m really happy Pink Sugar entered the scene. Way to go, local. Way to go.
Pink Sugar Cosmetics is available in Watsons in the ff SM branches: Aura, Makati, Manila, Fairview, Marilao, Clark, Lanang Premier Davao, Mall of Asia and Watsons Ayala Center Cebu.
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