Earlier this year, I bought Happy Skin Cosmetics Lip Kit, and I honestly thought that was the first and last time I will ever encounter a good quality matte liquid lipstick from a Filipino brand because after I used it, I haven’t found another brand that could compete with Western brands like ColourPop or Kylie. Until I saw on Instagram that the cosmetics brand I used to buy in high school recently launched their own line of matte liquid lipsticks as well. So I immediately look for it when I went to the department store, and it was really a surprise! Are they as good as the Western brands? Is it worth buying them? Keep reading my Careline Matte Liquid Lipstick review to learn more.
What is it?
When I was in high school, Careline was my go-to brand. They’re a Philippine-based cosmetics brand which is really good and affordable enough for someone who budgets her allowance to buy makeup while buying materials for school projects. It’s been years since I last bought a product from them, so when I saw these matte liquid lipsticks in SM Department Store, it obvious it’s been that long. They already left their cute image and rebranded into a much more trendier and bolder look with a slogan “Better than Basic”
The Careline Matte Liquid Lipstick is their first product developed under the new image, they’re paraben-free and has 12 different shades from nude to bold shades like violet. Other than that, I don’t know much about this new product since I cannot access Careline’s website and their Facebook page doesn’t give much information.
PERFORMANCE
APPLICATION: It’s up to you if you would like to line your lips with a lip pencil to prevent it from featering, but I’m lazy so I don’t often do this. So I just swipe the matte liquid lipstick on my lower lip, then line my upper lip’s cupid bow with the pointy part of the applicator and then smudge my lips together. I add another layer if needed because the formula of Careline Matte Liquid Lipstick does not dry fast.
PACKAGING: It has a simple packaging the resembles ColourPop. Overall, there’s nothing special about the design but it has a sturdy tube with a doe foot applicator.
SCENT: It does not have any scent.
RESULTS: Unlike most matte liquid lipsticks like the cult fave ColourPop Ultra Matte Lips, Careline Matte Liquid Lipstick doesn’t make your lips dry and crack, but it’s not a mousse or velvet lip creams. It feels a little sticky when you wait for it to dry but it does not-transfer, it’s long lasting and opaque matte finish. It really stayed on my lips for five hours, the only reason it faded was that I ate lunch. It’s indeed better than I expected!
I only bought two shades which are Normcore and Gotta Go which are swatched below (I know! Another nude and mauve shades). And for comparison, I tested it with my Kylie Liquid Lipstick in Candy K shade. Another thing I notice, I can’t speak for the whole collection, but the shades Normcore and Gotta Go oxidize in two minutes. Meaning, they get at least one shade darker when applied to your lips. But I don’t mind it, I still like the shade.
On the left photo: After the shades dried, I tried to smudge them with my finger and a tissue but the only thing that smudges is the Careline Gotto Go. But in its defense, I applied the upper part thickly so it dried slower.
On the right photo: I also tested it on water and soap. All shades smudge but they’re still intact.
Verdict
PROS: Long lasting, does not transfer, non-drying, highly pigmented, no parabens, has 12 shades with nudes and mauves (this is really rare when it comes to Asian brands) and lastly, it’s very affordable!
CONS: They oxidize in 2 minutes, meaning they get one shade darker. But it depends on your preference if that’s a con or not for you. Personally, I don’t mind.
Will I buy it again? Considering the price and quality, absolutely YES!
Where to buy?
You can buy Careline Matte Liquid Lipsticks in SM Department Store and Watson branches for only Php120! And you better hurry, in some Watson branches they have a Buy 1, Take 1 promo. For my readers who live abroad, I’m sorry, but this is only available in the Philippines as far as I know.