5 Must-Have Hong Kong Favorites

By Samantha, Asia/Hong Kong Contributor

Sam is a 16-year old junior with a passion for all things beauty, though she has a soft spot for lipstick and blush. She started off her collection with mostly Western brands but began to get more interested in Asian brands because they were so much more accessible.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Sam speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, a little German, and, of course, English. In her free time, she enjoys photography, craft projects, and spending time with family and friends. She’s studying for the SAT this year and looks forward to applying to universities in the U.S. next year.

5 Must-Have Favorites from Hong Kong

As a high school junior, I stay up late doing homework and wake up early for school. I typically go for a fresh and polished look and look for products that are quick and fail-proof when I’m stumbling around at 6am, as well as long-wearing to make it through long days. I have luckily been able to find these qualities in products by brands that are locally available to me.

I’m lucky to have pretty good skin so since I do not need coverage all over, I prefer to spot conceal.  Canmake UV Stretch and Protect Concealer (1,000 yen) has a thick, cream consistency and is housed in a long tube with a doe-foot applicator. Its consistency covers amazingly well without being drying or looking cakey, whether I’m using it to conceal redness, blemishes or under-eye circles. This is the most long lasting concealer I have ever used, holding up exceptionally well at parties, concerts and even when swimming. When I remove my make up at the end of the day, I can count on this still being on my skin.

Marker-styled liquid liners usually have a felt tip applicator, but the Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner ($13.50) actually has a brush that tapers off like felt tip applicators do. The thin brush tip makes creating really fine lines right by the lash line a breeze, but apply a little extra pressure and the brush flattens, creating a thicker line. The long, thin packaging gives you great control and makes winged liner quick and fuss-free.

Fairydrops Mascara ($18.00) has a very unique wand that resembles the wand of Rimmel Sexy Curves. I have to say, the first time using this was tricky and quite frankly, a little intimidating. The wand has three circular bumps that grabs my lashes, gives them a good coat of mascara, and deposits a lot of product near my lash line, making my lashes look fuller and my eyes more defined. The waterproof formula is creamy but dries quickly, so the occasional clump must be brushed out quickly, and does not smudge or flake on me.

You can spot Hope Girl from a mile away by its tell-tale leopard print packaging. The Milky Balm Lipstick in RD102 Watery Red (12,900 won) is a great, moisturizing sheer red that adds brightness and color to the face. It is a neutral red which should work well on a variety of skin tones and is extremely easy to wear, although it can also be built up for a stronger payoff. It does not stay on for very long, but as a sheer lip product, I don’t really expect it to. I can swipe this on without a mirror and use it to transition my look from day to night, making it a great lipstick for on the go.

Similar in concept to Benefit Benetint, I think that Lioele Blooming Pop Tint in Cherry ($13.60) multi-tasking lip and cheek stain is one of Lioele’s star products. The main thing that sets the Blooming Pop Tint apart from other lip and cheek stains I have used before is that it has a gel-like consistency, giving you more blending time before it sets. The stain just sinks into the skin, leaving a rosy flush that looks very natural and not streaky or patchy at all.