We may earn commission from the affiliate links on this page, but we only recommend products and services we love. We promise!
Gone are the days in the local beauty industry when there were only a few makeup brands to choose from that didn't offer a lot in terms of shade diversity and innovation. In recent years, though, there's thankfully been a big boom in the birth of new and exciting brands that continue to excite us with every drop.
However, with all the brands coming out and the Internet hyping up just about every release from them, it can be normal to experience decision fatigue. But don't worry, this is where we come in! Your trusted beauty source and responsible beauty budol enabler, we recently came out with our Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2024, where we roadtested over 600 products—our biggest haul yet!—to help you pick out the best of the best for your routine.
READ MORE: Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2024: The Winning Beauty And Wellness Products Of The Year
For today, we'll be taking a closer look at the winners of the makeup category—all the products that passed our undoubtedly high expectations and have rightfully earned their place in our makeup collection (and hopefully yours, too!).
Cosmopolitan Philippines Beauty Awards 2024: Makeup Winners
Winner for primer: GRWM Cosmetics Life-Proof Primer
ICYDK, the first step of a good makeup base is primer. If you're in need of a tacky primer—which is a good thing, btdubs!—add this one from GRWM Cosmetics to your cart, stat. Its sticky texture will help your skin tint or foundation stick to your skin better, making it last longer.
Why we love it: "I find myself reaching for this primer on days when I need my makeup to last (i.e. dates with my boyfriend *wink* or important work presentations)."
GRWM Cosmetics Life-Proof Primer, P499, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for illuminating primer: Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Radiance Primer
For a natural-looking sheen, look into adding a glowy primer to your routine. This one from Bobbi Brown is formulated with cordyceps, ginseng red algae, licorice root, sea buckthorn, and bamboo grass extract that can grant your skin a more radiant, plump look. You might not even need to use a highlighter after!
Why we love it: "I have oily AF skin, so I don't like using highlighter because my oils (thankfully...?) provide that for me. But when I want to have an intentional glow, I like using this primer because it provides the same effect—but prettier—underneath my makeup."
Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Radiance Primer, P3,550, Lazada
Winner for cushion foundation: Aivee Skin Lumi Cushion Foundation
An all-around base product, this cushion foundation also features a concealer and cream contour. As for the actual base product, it's able to camouflage any redness and pimples, thanks to its full coverage formula. It's also brightening and will give your skin a luminous look!
Why we love it: "This is the perfect product for the girls who don't like bringing a lot of things with them in their makeup bag. I love that it already has concealer and contour—two products I don't have to bring with me anymore."
Aivee Skin Lumi Cushion Foundation, P3,249, Shopee
Winner for liquid foundation: Vice Cosmetics Endlezz Dream Focus Weightless Foundation
For foundation, we're all about lightweight bases that still provide us with medium to full coverage. This one from Vice Cosmetics is infused with prebiotics that can boost your skin's natural radiance.
Why we love it: "I don't really like using foundation because it often feels like I'm wearing a mask, but that's not the case for this one. It's glowy, weightless, and has buildable coverage."
Vice Cosmetics Endlezz Dream Focus Weightless Foundation, P445, Shopee
Winner for skin tint: Colourette First Base Everyday Skin Tint
We're obsessed with this inclusive AF skin tint from Colourette—it comes in 20 shades that cover most Pinoy skin tones. Its coverage is also nothing to scoff at, boasting a light to medium coverage that can cover light pimple marks. As for its finish, it will make your skin look matte but not flat.
Why we love it: "I have a neutral olive undertone, so it can be hard to shop for base products, especially when brands only release shades for warm and cool undertones. I was so freakin' happy that I found my *exact* shade match here, plus super ganda pa ng lapat sa skin!"
Colourette First Base Everyday Skin Tint, P599, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for concealer: Colourette Second Base Everyday Concealer
Camouflage any redness or dark spots with this lightweight concealer from Colourette with buildable coverage. Its formula is also loaded with skin-good ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, and hyaluronic acid that will soothe and hydrate your complexion.
Why we love it: "This concealer is perfect for days when I still want to look put-together without using too many products."
Colourette Second Base Everyday Concealer, P399, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for setting powder: BYS Hybrid Hero Oil Control Setting Powder
Set your base with this hybrid powder from BYS that combines skincare and makeup. Aside from being able to set your foundation or skin tint in place and mattify your face, it also provides sun protection, thanks to its infusion of SPF 30.
Why we love it: "This powder gets the job done when it comes to blurring out my pores and mattifying my face. I love that it also comes with its own sponge. @local beauty brands: please bring back having those already included in the compact!!"
BYS Hybrid Hero Oil Control Setting Powder, P499, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for powder for oily skin: Issy Makeup Fixing Powder
If you're not a fan of oil-blotting sheets but want to keep your shine in check throughout the day, you'll love Issy's Makeup Fixing Powder. It's basically a blotting sheet but in a more compact powder form.
Why we love it: "Obsessed with this powder! It has no coverage, so don't expect that your blemishes will be covered (it's not THAT kind of powder, iykwim!). However, it's a good product to have in your purse when you want to blot your face and mattify it again."
Issy Makeup Fixing Powder, P549, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for eyebrow pen: Strokes Microblade Pen Perfector
Ready to take your brow game to the next level? Do yourself a favor and get yourself this brow detailing pen from Strokes. It has a 0.5mm tip that will allow you to create thin, hair-like strokes for a microbladed effect sans the needle!
Why we love it: "If you've only ever done your brows with the typical brow pencils, then you might want to practice first before really committing to this kind of brow product, but I'm never looking back! It just looks so natural on me."
Strokes Microblade Pen Perfector, P548, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for eyeshadow: Spotlight Cosmetics Scene Stealer 8-in-1 Eye Palette
This eyeshadow palette contains matte and shimmer shades that can easily take you from a day at the office to a night out with your barkada or date night with your S.O. It also *thankfully* comes with a large mirror that makes it easy to create looks on the go!
Why we love it: "This specific palette has a good combination of neutral colors that are subtle enough to be worn at work. The formula is also buttery which is great!"
Spotlight Cosmetics Scene Stealer 8-in-1 Eye Palette, P645, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for liquid blush: Sunnies Face Blush On
Raid any Cosmo editor's makeup kit, and you're bound to find a shade of the Sunnies Face Blush On. We're obsessed with its skincare-infused formula that's budge- and smudge-proof and comes in seven shades ranging from pinks to reds and mauves.
Why we love it: "LOL, they weren't lying—one dot is really all you need unless you're going for a hotdog-left-on-top-of-rice look. It also doesn't set immediately, which is nice because it gives me more time to really blend it."
Sunnies Face Blush On, P545, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for powder blush: Ever Bilena Powder Blush
Whether you're going for a subtle flush or want something that can really turn heads, you can always count on this powder blush from Ever Bilena. It's buildable, easy to blend, and comes in matte and shimmery finishes.
Why we love it: "I loooved the shimmery blush I tried out from EB. It's glowy enough that I didn't need to use highlighter anymore!"
Ever Bilena Powder Blush, P250, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for cream blush: Barenbliss Moist Mochi Paste Powder Blush
We're absolutely obsessed with blush and probably have blush blindness, but how can we resist this cream-to-powder blush from Barenbliss that's housed in the cutest packaging?! We also love the fact that it's multipurpose and can be used on the eyes and lips for a monochromatic look.
Why we love it: "I sincerely believe that this cream-to-powder blush was made for the girlies with oily skin who want to try out a cream blush formula without it disappearing off their faces after a few hours. It's me—I'm the girlies."
Barenbliss Moist Mochi Paste Powder Blush, P349, Shopee, Lazada, Watsons
Winner for contour stick: Vice Cosmetics One & Done Brontour Stick
If you find that contour is too gray for you while bronzer is too warm, we suggest picking up this brontour stick from Vice Cosmetics. A perfect combination of the two, it can provide you with both warmth and dimension. It also comes with a dense brush on the other side!
Why we love it: "While I love my usual cream bronzer and contour, it's nice to finally have a product that combines both. Love the warmth this gives my face!"
Vice Cosmetics One & Done Brontour Stick, P395, Shopee
Winner for multipurpose cream: BYS Hybrid Hero Hydration Boost Multi-Cream
A multipurpose product that can shave off precious minutes from your time spent getting ready in the morning, this multi-cream from BYS can be used as a blush, eyeshadow, and a lippie. Its formula is loaded with jojoba oil and avocado oil that provide hydration and a luminous glow to the skin.
Why we love it: "This is the perfect product if you like doing the clean girl makeup look like me. I like that it's sheer, too. It really gives me total control over how much pigment I want on my cheeks."
BYS Hybrid Hero Hydration Boost Multi-Cream, P499, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for liquid eyeliner: Careline Graph-Ink Liner Matte
A longtime favorite of local beauty girlies, this eyeliner from Careline gets top marks from us for its sharp tip, matte finish, and affordable price.
Why we love it: "I'm very hard to impress when it comes to eyeliner, but I really liked this one!! I don't like it when eyeliners have a shiny finish, so this one is an immediate yes for me."
Careline Graph-Ink Liner Matte, P220, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for setting spray: Dazzle Me Get A Grip! Makeup Setting Spray Matte Fix
Ensure your beat's longevity by locking it in place with a setting spray. This one from Dazzle Me boasts the ability to set your makeup for up to 24 hours while still hydrating your complexion, thanks to its formula loaded with skin-loving ingredients.
Why we love it: "Your makeup legit is not going anywhere once you spray this on your face. My makeup lasted me all day—even after my sweaty AF workout session."
Dazzle Me Get A Grip! Makeup Setting Spray Matte Fix, P185, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for bullet lipstick: MAC Cosmetics MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick
If you find MAC Cosmetics' famed matte bullet lipstick to be drying for your pout, then you're gonna *love* its newest iteration. Dry, chapped lips will be a thing of the past, thanks to its blend of coconut oil, organic shea butter, and organic cocoa butter. It also comes in over 40 shades, so you're definitely gonna find something you like!
Why we love it: "MAC has always been my go-to when it comes to lippies, and I love this new line they have! It didn't emphasize the lines on my lips and the pigmentation is great (as always)."
MAC Cosmetics MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick, P1,350, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for liquid lipstick: Kiko Milano Unlimited Double Touch Liquid Lipstick
Ngl, it's been *years* since we last picked up a liquid lipstick because we're all about glossy finishes now, but this dual-ended lippie from Kiko Milano made us want to right back to our liquid lip habit. It features a base coat with film-like polymers that ensure a comfortable finish and even coat, and a glossy topcoat that will seal the base hue and give your puckers a radiant finish.
Why we love it: "It's on the higher end side in terms of affordability given current options in the market, however, I like how big the shade range is and how budge-proof it is."
Kiko Milano Unlimited Double Touch Liquid Lipstick, P1,050, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for lip tint: Issy Gelée Lip Tint
Traditional lip tints often leave the same red stain, but this one from Issy boasts of leaving a true-to-color, flattering stain. And while it's marketed as a lip tint, it's pigmented enough to cover even two-toned lips!
Why we love it: "I already have a lot of lip tints in my collection, but this Issy one is worth adding to it. I would honesty buy all the shades if I had enough money, LOL!"
Issy Gelée Lip Tint, P349, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for lip oil: Strokes Silk Kiss
If you're looking for a lip oil that will soothe and hydrate your lips while also giving a soft wash color, go ahead and add the Strokes Silk Kiss to your cart rn. It also has menthol in its ingredients, leaving the lips with a cooling, plumping effect post-application.
Why we love it: "This is my new fave lip oil among the local options available. I love that there's a wider range of shades."
Strokes Silk Kiss, P398, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for plumping gloss: Barenbliss Plum Makes Plumping Lip Gloss
Level up your lip game by adding a plumping gloss on top of your favorite lippie. This one from Barenbliss gets top marks from us for its non-sticky formulation, flattering shades, and plumping effect sans the tingling sensation.
Why we love it: "This is my current favorite lip topper. I use the clear glittery one after applying my go-to red lip stain, and the result looks so, so pretty. It legit looks like a Korean model's lips, LOL."
Barenbliss Plum Makes Plumping Lip Gloss, P449, Shopee, Lazada, Watsons
Winner for lip treatment: Sunnies Face Lip Glaze
ICYDK, your lips also need TLC—a lot of it, since the skin there is v thin! Give it the care it deserves by using this luxurious lip treatment from Sunnies Face. It contains peptides and shea butter that deliver maximum hydration and shine.
Why we love it: "I already liked the OG clear version, so imagine my happiness when Sunnies Face announced they were releasing tinted (!!!) ones with the same hydrating formula. Loved it then, love it now. 10/10."
Sunnies Face Lip Glaze, P495, Shopee and Lazada
Winner for lip scrub: Dr. Pawpaw Lip Scrub and Lip Balm Duo
This travel-friendly compact pot contains both a lip scrub and balm, so you can exfoliate and soothe your lips even while you're on the go.
Why we love it: "I never really had a problem with my lips, but I noticed that my current medication was making it chapped. The lip scrub, in particular, helped a lot with getting rid of the dead skin—very satisfying to look at!"
Dr. Pawpaw Lip Scrub and Lip Balm Duo, P895, Shopee, Lazada, Watsons
Links are updated regularly and as much as possible but note that products can run out of stock, discounts can expire, and listed prices can change without prior notice.
For more discounts and deals, check out Cosmopolitan Philippines' exclusive vouchers.
***
PRODUCED BY: Cheska Santiago and Ida Aldana
ART DIRECTION BY: Pauline Moyano
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Karlo Cadang
SET & PRODUCT STYLING BY: Paul Jatayna
