FOUR LEVELS of SM Mega Fashion Hall were brimming with fans on Aug. 18 as Happy Skin launched its new line of cosmetics in collaboration with actress Kathryn Bernardo.
The young actress, known best for her romantic pairing in movies and TV with fellow actor Daniel Padilla, worked with Happy Skin on a collection of lipsticks, cheek tints, rouge, mascara, an eyebrow pen, and pressed powder. The line was pre-sold on the brand’s website in anticipation of the launch, where fans greedily snapped up items in the hopes of winning a meet-and-greet with Ms. Bernardo that Saturday.
The collection — mostly safe nudes and dainty pinks — also have some skincare properties, as is the brand’s ethos: some items come infused with sunflower oil, green tea extract, and hops flower extract, all claiming to nourish the skin, or promote healthy brows and lashes.
According to Happy Skin co-founder Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Ms. Bernardo’s family liked using Happy Skin, and Ms. Bernardo was happy with the brand since she has sensitive skin which would react to harsh foundations and eyeshadows. “She chose every item in the collection, because she didn’t want to include anything that she wouldn’t use,” said Ms. Mananquil- Trillo.
The six-piece Generation Happy Skin collection features simpler packaging and more straightforward product names than the regular Happy Skin Cosmetics. According to a press release, Ms. Bernardo was “highly involved when it came to deciding on the collection’s pastel color palette, and personally wanted the shade names — like Freedom, Courage, and Love — to inspire others to stay true to who they are.”
“Personally, I like being simple. I like doing my makeup, but I don’t like changing my face,” Ms. Bernardo was quoted as saying in the release. “That’s why I want my fans to learn how to also feel and look beautiful without looking too made up.”
“Everyone we collaborate with, it’s important to me that the people we work with [are] not just a pretty face,” Ms. Mananquil-Trillo told BusinessWorld.
The brand has also had collaborations with celebrities Heart Evangelista, Kris Aquino, Liz Uy, and Colleen Garcia.
“It introduces Happy Skin to the people they speak to; the kind of women they speak to,” she said. “They all represent different things that the women they speak to resonate with.”
Ms. Bernardo “always stood out because she has remained authentic even in an era when so many tried to be out of the box just to be different,” said Ms. Mananquil- Trillo. “She has stood out because she has remained constant in her simplicity.”
Ms. Bernardo, onstage said, talking about the several makeup trends and looks she has tried throughout the years. “Mas bagay sa akin iyong nakikita ko pa rin kung sino talaga ako (The look that suits me is the one where I can still see who I really am).”
THE PRODUCTS
Ms. Bernardo, who is described in the press release as a “proud morena” (brown-skinned)was said to have wanted Generation Happy Skin to flatter a wide range of skin tones. “Problem ko before was to find the perfect makeup for me, because I’m morena,” she was quoted as saying. “I’m very proud that with this collaboration with Happy Skin is perfect for different skin tones, including morena girls.”
All the products in the line are priced below P500.
The products are:
• the Stay Fresh Weightless Pressed Powder (P499) in Light Beige, Medium Beige, and Natural Beige (Ms. Bernardo wears Medium Beige);
• My Lips But Better Ultra Matte Lippie (P399) which comes in five shades (the actress’ favorite shade is the peachy Spunk);
• Kiss & Bloom Water Lip & Cheek Tint in four shades (P299)
• Instant Glow Longwear Powder Blush (P399) which comes in two shades;
• Extra Drama Volumizing Mascara (P499); and,
• Perfect Brows Long-Lasting Liquid Pen (P399) which comes in a universal brown and has a sweat-proof formula. — Joseph L. Garcia

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