Vice Cosmetics recently launched blushes under the Vice Aura Collection (P 150 / 3g) a few weeks ago, containing 8 blushes, 3 highlighters and 2 contour powders. The biggest thing about this collection is the price (P 150 ONLY!) I love the idea of Vice Ganda democratizing beauty. He’s probably the first local brand to try his hardest in giving a great balance of quality for price. I know Ever Bilena has always been affordable, but I’ve always felt that quality-wise they could be doing so much better. The P 175 EB blush solos do not hold a candle to the P 150 Vice blushes in terms of texture and longevity.

Now, the Vice blushes aren’t perfect. I find most of the cheek blush shades a bit dry and chalky, but definitely to a much lesser extent than the EB blushes. The dryness causes them initially apply in patches, but are still very easily blended out.

BLUSHES

What I love about the blush collection is the color choice. It’s definitely more than your safe medium pinks and corals. You have plums, reds and oranges in varying tones and depths. And if you’ve ever wanted to try a brownish, purple, or really red blush, but never really had the courage to commit, WHAT’S THE HARM IN DROPPING P150 TO TRY THEM ONCE IN YOUR LIFE?!

The Reds: Shalah (red orange), Manyika (cool, bright red)

My favorite by far and out of the entire blush collection is Manyika. I use it mostly for a sun-kissed or drunk blush look.

The Pinks: Sweet Lang (pale pink,) Winner (medium pink,) Byucon (brownish pink)

I would recommend Sweet Lang for fair skin, Winner for medium skin, and Byucon for deeper skin. You can make a statement with any blush you want, but I feel the safe and easy everyday choice for each skin tone is those three.

The Browns: Title (pale pink, warmer than Sweet Lang,) Talyada (dried rose,) Applauded (terra cotta)

I find the browns a bit more adventurous. Applauded and Talyada are pretty unique color formulations, and shades that I pick up when I feel like I want to be inspired to do something new to my face. If you are getting anything from the Aura Collection blushes, I suggest picking up a crazy color you wouldn’t try otherwise! I’d splurge a bit more for a ‘safe’ blush that I want to use everyday.

Highlighters

The 3 highlighters are a different story. Shining (gold,) Shimmering (pink,) and Splendid (white gold) are BUTTERY AF. Daig pa yung Queensland ng lola ko! They are just soft and smooth, and apply intensely. They even feel a little bit wet (but no.) And the way they bounce light on first application looks almost liquid – which is definitely a plus in this new highlighter-addicted world. The shimmer consists of fine metallic particles which do not register cheap nor chunky AT ALL. I also love how all 3 undertones of gold, pink and white-gold are enough for your basic Pinay skin tones.

Contours

I wasn’t too excited about the contour powders Porsyur and Confeerm because they didn’t look greyish to me. But being more yellow browns than red browns, I think these are still usable contour powders. More than the blushes, however, they are a little patchy and are a pain to perfect, especially on the nose line.

These blushes surprisingly last a decent 4 hours on my dry skin! I think the price point is super attractive, and the product looks much more expensive than its P150 tag lets on. I think a highlighter or a trio of blush, contour and highlighter would make great gifts for Christmas!

Vice Cosmetics is available at vicecosmetics.com. You may also check their store locator to find the nearest physical location closest to you.