Denise Go Ochoa, Juan Sarte, Mickey See, Jigs Mayuga, are makeup artists.   Not just makeup artists but Manila’s living legends in the beauty industry.  They are literally the dream team to call when its’ your wedding day, or a have a photoshoot in the making, or when you are a Celebrity in need of glam time.

Happy Skin just made that connection 3 degrees smaller by introducing the Glam Squad Collection.

Encased in gold, these eyeshadows are pigmented and colors are very neutral, in earthy tones.  Two shadows, one light and one darker, it makes applying as simple as child’s play.  It has a very light shimmer texture but it glides on very smoothly.  The darker shades are enough to give your eyes depth and dimension.  From a day look to a smoky eye for the evening, it’s all you need for a simple glamour change.

The lipsticks are very matte, glides well and lasts a long time.  It has that nude retro 90’s look, nude pinky brown perfect for everyday and bridal looks.  Jigs Mayuga has a deep plum color while that of Juan Sarte’s is a bit on the dark pink nudey beige color.

I didn’t get the Lipstick shades of  Mickey See and Denise Go Ochoa because I was running late and I promised to return and try to purchase at a later time.  I’ve tried Juan Sarte’s lipstick and it did stay for a good 6 hours without retouching.  However since I ate Chinese food that day, the oil removed a little of the lipstick and I retouched it but before reapplying, there was a bit of a stain left so the staying power is really good.  Is this  Viagra Glam?

I would compare this to the Smashbox eyebrow pencil.  It twists on one end with a very sword like shape and its very thin to give you precise hair like strokes on your eyebrows.  Grooming them into place is simple with a turn on the other end of the pencil for a tinted brow gel.  It’s pretty good, I would compare this to  its Japanese and US brand counterparts and it does the job of giving you perfectly arched eyebrows.

This lip liner is not part of the Glam Squad collection.  I just had to buy it because I wanted to get the free gift with purchase kikay kit bag.  Also in gold.

Final Thoughts:

The collection is  a very precise  collection, just like a well curated art gallery.  All in earthy tones, it is  a very neutral palette that can take you from day to night in a simple tap of a brush.  Pigmentation and coloration is good, not chalky, it spreads smoothly and blends well.  However, there is some pigment fallout but not that significant.   You may start with the eye makeup first, then clean up any fallout and  apply your base or foundation,  concealer and the rest of your makeup after.

The brow pencil applicator needs improvement though, as it is very fragile.  I just twisted it once to reveal the color and 1/4 of its refill broke off.  It is not  a decision breaker but it needs refinement in the twist type design.

The eye shadow palette inside is housed in a sponge like  foam that  protects it from fall.   The metal pans is anchored by a smidgen of glue that is not enough to hold it in place.  I mentioned this to the sales associate and I had mine replaced as one of the metal pans fell off.

Lipstick shades are all on trend with the matte lipstick bandwagon craze but  very well suited to the Asian skin tone.  You can transform  these colors  from sophisticated to glam and chic depending on the shade you get.  It’s matte enough to last half a day with one touch up only.

Get your glam squad collection fast, stocks  are running quickly,  get  all  four of them and have  the Glam Squad at your fingertips.

Glam Squad eyeshadow duo is priced at P899.00, Glam Squad Arch Definer and Brow Mascara is P949.00, Glam Squad Matte lipstick is P699.00 and the Shut up and Kiss Me  Moisturising Matte Lip Liner is P499.00  Available at www.happyskincosmetics.com, Beauty Bar outlets and select SM Beauty Counters.

This is from the collection of Heart Evangelista and it is plum pinky brown beige shade which I think is perfect for everyday.  Line your entire lip with this and apply a clear gloss on top in place of your lipstick.

My thoughts:

I love this collection and like a beautiful art gallery, it is a well curated set, very precise, collection is small enough to give you what you essentially need to make you look like a celebrity.  You can never go wrong with earthy neutral colors since it is universally flattering.

Packaging however can be improved, the eye palette discs have a tendency to fall off the compact.  It is only held with a tiny smidgen of glue.  The eye pencil mechanism is very sensitive, I had to exchange mine because the eyebrow refill broke in half and I only twisted it once.

Will this be a kit staple?  Yes, I can’t wait for the other collaborations with other makeup