From Issy's customizable palettes to Sunnies Face's good-for-your-skin sunscreen, these local beauty releases from 2023 certainly made an impression on us
This generation of beauty enthusiasts has a lot to be thankful for. One will never have to know the struggle of not having any options from the drugstore. Homegrown beauty brands—from Allure-winner Sunnies Face to new-to-market Lucky Beauty—have made it their mission to make Filipino beauty at par with global brands.
Gone are the days when we had two shades for complexion products and we avoided sunscreen because of pesky white cast. We’ve removed “skin-lightening” from our vocabulary, too. We no longer have to shell out a significant amount to purchase good-for-you beauty products—to the point that we’re overwhelmed with the range of products available.
The landscape of local beauty surely evolved in 2023, showcasing customizable palettes, must-have sets, a range of skin-like base products and more. Ahead, we revisit the most memorable local beauty releases from the year that was.
Lucky Beauty
Young actress and newly-minted entrepreneur Andrea Brillantes dazzled everyone with Lucky Beauty, launched in March 2023. “For me, makeup is a wearable lucky charm,” she reveals. Their essential products are idiot-proof, made for on-the-go beauty lovers.
What to get? Lucky Beauty’s long-lasting, easy-to-apply Blush & Lip Cream (highly recommend getting the shade Crush once restocked!), the hydrating, do-it-all Serum Concealer and the enchanting Pressed Highlighter.
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 Lucky Beauty Serum Concealer (P349, Shopee) |
 Lucky Beauty Pressed Highlighter (P499, Shopee) |
See the full collection review here.
Issy
This year, Issy (formerly Issy & Co.) committed to a rebrand, releasing new packaging of all their bestsellers and new collections. During the first quarter of the year, they launched a 21-piece reimagined lipstick bullet collection available in three finishes. In August, they launched customizable eye and face palettes dubbed as “lego for makeup lovers” to put back the fun in makeup. They finished the year strong with a skin-enhancing base collection, highlighting must-have products like the Active Foundation and True Flex Skin Balm.
Issy Pressed Shadow Single (P149, Shopee) |
Issy Powder Blush Insert (P249, Shopee) |
Issy Active Foundation (P699, Shopee) |
See the full collection review here.
Sunnies Face
It was a big year for Allure-winner Sunnies Face, now available globally via direct-to-consumer sunniesface.com. From the all-year-round essential, the good-for-your-skin Sunsafe to a full slate of holiday releases including the sooo good The Setting Spray (believe the 12-hour staying power claim and thank me later), we've included these in our arsenal.
Sunnies Face Sunsafe (P595, Shopee) |
Sunnies Face Skin So Good The Powder (P595, Shopee) |
Sunnies Face Skin So Good The Setting Spray (P695, Shopee) |
Clocheflame
Clocheflame ended the year with a bang with DND Sun, a hydrating, non-sticky and lightweight sunscreen years in the making. (It might actually just replace Sunnies Face's Sunsafe as my go-to sunscreen from 2023.) For the holidays, they also launched their first-ever collection with Insta-fave jewelry bar Solasta. Plus, something we've enjoyed for bedtime rituals: the Vacation Scented Soy Candle.
Clocheflame DND Sun (P599, Shopee) |
Clocheflame x Solasta Limited Edition Holiday Gift Set (P999, Shopee) |
Clocheflame Vacation Scented Soy Candle (P699, Shopee) |
Colourette
In May of 2023, Colourette released their first-ever complexion product, First Base, available in 12 comprehensive, morena-friendly shades. CEO Nina Ellaine Dizon tells Wonder, “As a brand that really talks about inclusivity and diversity, I really feel like I owed it to our customers and our community that, when we came out with a complexion product, it’s something that we’re proud of in terms of the shade roster.”
They released the all-new Colourflick Graphic Eyeliner and Colourbounce later on in the year, catering to beauty lovers of all kinds.
Colourette First Base Everyday Skin Tint SPF30 (P599, Shopee) |
Colourette Colourflick Graphic Eyeliner (P349, Shopee) |
Colourette Colourbounce (P349, Shopee) |
See the full collection review here.
Strokes Beauty Lab
Heart Evangelista was introduced as the face of Strokes Beauty Lab's Complexion Veil Collection, which includes instant favorites for a plakado AF base like the Soft Veil Filter Foundation and Soft Veil Concealer. They also reintroduced the bestselling Face Sculpt Collection, now in six defining shades, which gives that perfectly contoured look.
Strokes Beauty Lab Soft Veil Filter Foundation (P548, Shopee) |
Strokes Beauty Lab Soft Veil Concealer (P398, Shopee) |
Strokes Beauty Lab Face Sculpt (P398, Shopee) |
GRWM Cosmetics
TikTok-adored brand GRWM Cosmetics by YouTuber-turned-entrepreneur Mae Layug showcased a revolutionary collection that lets you define beauty on your own terms in 2023. The 126-piece roster includes the likes of the Radiant Skin Luminous Foundation available in 31 shades, build-your-own palettes called Quad Goals, plus the Life-Proof Fixing Spray in matte and radiant finishes. Perfect for goal-getters, these standout products are definitely worth your while.
GRWM Cosmetics Radiant Skin Luminous Foundation (P599, Shopee) |
GRWM Cosmetics Quad Goals (P299, Shopee) |
GRWM Life-Proof Fixing Spray (P399 to P849, Shopee) |
See the full collection review here.
Teviant
Teviant, by celebrity makeup artist Albert Kurniawan, made 2023 their year. After a hiatus during the pandemic, they launched a lazy girl-approved multiuse product, the Deity Dust Trio Face Palette, which includes a highly pigmented contour powder, powder blush and shimmer highlighter with a cream-to-powder finish. To end the year strong, they released The Ultimate Skin Master Collection highlighting The Ultimate Skin Master Luminous Radiant Primer, Foundation and Concealer, plus an essential The Artisan Brush Collection.
Teviant Ultimate Skin Master Foundation (P995, Shopee) |
Teviant Deity Dust Trio Face Palette (P695, Shopee) |
Teviant Ultimate Skin Master Brush Collection (P350 to P690, Shopee) |
Vice Cosmetics
In 2023, Vice Cosmetics highlighted easy-to-apply products for beginners like the multi-purpose Dew It All Liquid Blush and the budge-proof On The Daily Snap Stix. In December, they released the perfect lip duo Holiday Sets, which includes a lip liner and lip balm. If you're just starting your beauty journey, this brand's range of products is good to explore.
Vice Cosmetics Dew It All Liquid Blush (P245, Shopee) |
Vice Cosmetics On The Daily Snap Stix (P245, Shopee) |
Vice Cosmetics Too Perfect Holiday Set (P295, Shopee) |
Chu Chü Beauty
We're avid fans of Chu Chü Beauty's K-beauty-inspired makeup for everyone, from their long-lasting Heart Blush Duo, to the skin-like Yummy Yum Skin Dewy Cushion and easy-to-use Pout Pencil. These made-to-play yet wearable products definitely need a place in your vanity!
Chu Chu Beauty Yummy Yum Skin Dewy Cushion (P599, Shopee) |
Chu Chu Beauty Heart Blush Duo (P299, Shopee) |
Chu Chu Beauty Pout Pencil (P199, Shopee) |
What were your favorite local beauty releases from 2023? Leave them in the comments below!
Art Macky Arquilla
