On copycats, and the clean beauty brand for laidback looks
WOULD you support a Filipino beauty brand if you found out that it shamelessly imitated a foreign or another local brand? We ask this question because this has been an issue not once, not twice, but many times. Imitation may be the biggest form of flattery but some beauty enthusiasts are not happy about the way some local brands have been imitating others, down to the copy on the packaging. Here is our take on this:
Big companies spend billions for research and development and that’s what beauty enthusiasts pay for. They pay for using products that have been rigorously tested for years. They get, for example, a lipstick that will stay on their lips in whatever finish was promised to them, be it matte, glossy or satin. There are no surprises, such as a red lipstick turning magenta a few minutes after application. The foundations cling to the skin well and most of them use patented proprietary technologies that really work to keep our bases covered, so to speak.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a foundation that costs close to $100, or a lipstick with a price tag that’s equal to a sack of rice in our country. So the majority will really go for the budget-friendly option. Those who are into makeup and skin care will not scoff at a lipstick that costs $20, but most Filipino women cannot afford that but they would like to wear lipstick. They would like to have a skin-care regimen.
This is where the less expensive products come in. They don’t only cost less, they also don’t need to be shipped from overseas. As long as the ingredients used in products are Fda-approved and won’t hurt the skin or any body part of the user, every person can make a decision to use any product they like. This is our opinion on this.
We draw the line at counterfeit products made to look like the originals, but anything else we believe is a personal choice. As we said earlier, nothing is 100 percent original. Everything was inspired by something.
Moving on, the year 2021 has been about discovering new and exciting beauty brands. We love the brands that we’ve counted on for years and we have no plans of junking what we have and what we always buy, but there are new players in the market that have a more casual vibe. This more laidback vibe is perfect for our current realities and situation.
One of these brands is Tower 28 Beauty, which is known for its clean formulas that can be used even by those with sensitive skin. Tower 28 founder Amy Liu has eczema-prone skin and before this, she worked for 15 years in the beauty industry.
“I was frustrated that my sensitive, problem skin meant I was limited to serious brands that felt clinical, like someone in a lab coat would sell to me. If you have sensitive skin, you’ve heard the terms: hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested. It’s a start but that doesn’t mean the product is good for you. At Tower 28, we know that what goes on your skin also goes in your bloodstream. We also know that beauty doesn’t have to be so serious, which is why our products are non-toxic, free of sensitizing irritants, full of calming, nourishing ingredients, plus a healthy dose of FUN,” said Liu in Tower 28 Beauty’s web site (www.tower28beauty.com).
The coolest beauty experts and enthusiasts on our Instagram feed are into Tower 28 Beauty, which was named after a lifeguard tower in Santa Monica, California. Their products are allergyand dermatologist-tested, formulated to be noncomedogenic, non-irritating, gluten- and fragrancefree. The brand also doesn’t test on animals and is Peta-certified.
Tower 28 Beauty is a sustainable brand that supports ocean conservation. The products don’t have mirrors, false bottoms, pans and paper inserts.
“We also work with a certified carbon neutral packaging printer and use Fsc-certified paper from sustainably managed forests with low-voc plantbased inks [instead of petroleum-based inks which have a much harsher impact on the environment],” according to Tower 28 Beauty site.
They are also transitioning all plastic packaging to PCR (post-consumer resin or recycled plastic) and recently switched to shipping boxes made from 98 percent+ recycled paper and recyclable padded mailers en route to the brand’s goal of achieving 100 percent carbon neutrality by yearend.
Tower 28 Beauty’s most popular product is definitely the Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer, which is a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Winner. Unlike a matte bronzer that’s used for contour, Bronzino can be a blush for darker skin tones, or applied to add depth. Some use it on their lids to add a glow. “The siliconefree formula is made with mineral pigment and skinloving ingredients like moisturizing mango butter + calming green tea extract to help soothe and condition the skin,” touts the Tower 28 Beauty site in describing Bronzino, a cream which comes in five shades all with a slight sheen.
Aside from being made for people with sensitive skin, Tower 28 Beauty is also for those who like to have fun with makeup. They are the people who can use one product for the eyelids, cheeks and lips and just blend the product with their fingers. The prices range from $12 to $28.