Last April 5, 2018, Anne Curtis’s blk cosmetics launched their Korean-inspired collection, “blK-Beauty.” The line is an array of lipsticks and lip tints inspired by the beauty looks of some today’s most popular K-Pop stars. For Curtis, the collection is somewhat of a passion project, which has combined two of her favorite things in the world—makeup and K-pop. This was the first special edition collection of the local cosmetics line, which was launched back in 2017 by the Filipino-Australian actress and model.
Even before this collection was released, the local brand was already seeing commercial success—and for a country that has embraced international makeup companies like Mac and Bobbi Brown,this is almost unprecedented. Suddenly, more and more Filipinos are buying locally-made and branded cosmetics products—which puts to light the possibility that this might be a watershed moment for the local makeup industry.
At least, this is what makeup aficionado Marie Yu thinks. For her, Anne Curtis’s venture into cosmetics is both a genuine and lucrative move. She noted that Anne Curtis is known for both her beauty and love for makeup, so her releasing a makeup line is somewhat expected and maybe even inevitable. Consequently, for an actress as well known and beloved as Curtis, Yu thinks her cosmetics venture will strengthen people’s trust on local brands.
On the other hand, up and coming makeup artist Caleb Macion emphasized that local companies still have a long way to go when it comes to reaching the Filipinos’ wallets. “[Local brands] should accept that the Philippines needs more products that combat concerns specific to Filipinos,” he shared. For example, he noted that because of the country’s tropical climate, Filipinos often face sweat and oil build up—which then takes a toll on their makeup. Macion thinks that if local brands offer products that are long-lasting within this kind of climate and environment, they may see more commercial success than international companies.
According to Statista, their forecast for this year’s revenue of the cosmetics industry in the Philippines is $304.3 million (P150 million), and local brands like blk cosmetics are part of that whopping number. As a whole, the global cosmetics market is growing bigger, and it looks like the Philippines might be able to catch up.
