In this series we call Tried & True, we shortlist the holy grails and the OGs, the top-shelf regulars, under-the-radar picks, as well as the new and fresh-off-the-lab and the viral sensations worth the hype from reputable brands that we’ve road-tested ourselves.
Behind the name, we explore what makes a brand worth discovering, whether it’s how it has redefined beauty, its founder’s inspiring story, or how its range of offerings gave consumers what they truly want and need. This edition features an innovative makeup brand from Germany, ARTDECO.
It was in 1985 when the ARTDECO Cosmetic Group was founded, offering high-quality yet reasonably priced cosmetics for beauty enthusiasts. Even back then, its makeup launches were innovative and forward-thinking: out came refillable makeup products, a unique assortment of cosmetics that encouraged creativity, and thoroughly thought-of shades and formulations that could create beauty looks that celebrate individuality.
For its bold ideas and steps towards a beauty brand that empowers, ARTDECO Cosmetic Group CEO and founder, Helmut Baurecht, was once referred to as the “Prince of the Niche.” An investor in key art pieces himself, Baurecht perceives beauty as an art form and espouses these through ARTDECO’s iconic must-haves. He shares the brand’s philosophy: “Our biggest success begins where the collections of international premium brands stop. Refillable and freely combinable eyeshadows, blushers, and special products that cover market niches and allow consumers to fulfill any of their individual wishes.”
Hailing from German roots, ARTDECO fares well in the Philippines as “it offers a wide range of high-quality products that perform very well in the Philippines’ climate,” shares ARTDECO senior brand manager, Gemma Da Costa. “The product assortment addresses the primary concerns of Filipino consumers like waterproof eye products, face products with SPF, and long-lasting and non-drying lip products.”
“ARTDECO has also started creating new products exclusively for the Asia-Pacific region that suit Asian skin tones,” Da Costa adds. It’s a true testament to the brand’s efforts to stay at the market’s pulse, keeping an eye out for the consumers’ various and ever-changing needs. “As the brand promotes individuality and creativity, especially through the customizable products, ARTDECO would appeal to consumers who would like to personalize the makeup they use.” Read through our picks and see for yourself!
EDITOR FAVORITE
ARTDECO Color Booster Lip Balm
True to its name, this lip balm “boosts” or enhances one’s natural lip color through its color-adapting pigments that adjust to the natural pH of the lips. Dermatologically approved and infused with apricot and peach oils, it nourishes the lips and prevents them from drying or cracking—perfect for our humid weather! It’s a staple in our beauty kits: best used underneath our favorite lippies for extra hydration; and likewise good to use on its own on off-days, like an errand run or when going to the gym, for its translucent, glossy finish.
ARTDECO Color Booster Lip Balm
P745, Rustan’s
HERO PRODUCT
ARTDECO Double Finish
A compact that’s always in our bags, this hybrid product works like a foundation and powder at once. It’s the secret to a flawless and long-lasting look, without looking cakey or overdone. We love how its finish feels soft, velvety, and powdery, keeping our makeup fresh. The formula is friendly to all skin types, even for combination skin. This comes in a refillable mirror compact, too.
ARTDECO Double Finish
P1,250, Rustan’s
UNDER-THE-RADAR ESSENTIAL
ARTDECO Camouflage Cream
It’s the cosmetic product we never knew we needed—until we tried it. It’s buildable and good for light to medium to full coverage. While this Camouflage Cream can go as far as covering up tattoos, we love how it can even out dark spots and mask pesky pigmentation. Plus, its formulated to withstand heat and humidity and is super long-wearing.
ARTDECO Camouflage Cream
P445, Rustan’s
THE GAMECHANGER
ARTDECO Refillable Lipsticks
It’s handy, chic, and future-forward. We love this innovative idea of refillable lipsticks to switch lip colors to carry with us for the day, depending on our mood. Plus, it’s hard not to be obsessed with its magnetic closure and sleek design!
ARTDECO Couture Lipstick Refill
P695, Rustan’s
ARTDECO Couture Lipstick Case
P595, Rustan’s
UNDERRATED HOLY GRAIL
ARTDECO No Color Setting Powder
The best thing about this is that it can work on any skin tone, regardless of complexion. Its powder formula can diffuse light to make skin look fresh, oil-free, and clear the entire day. Fully transparent and lightweight, it can be generously applied to the face as the final touch before leaving the house. It’s the holy grail we’ve all been keeping in our purses—and one you never knew you needed!
ARTDECO No Color Setting Powder
P1,850, Rustan’s
POPULAR PICK
ARTDECO Beauty Box
Consider this the signature product of ARTDECO and the top pick by many: the refillable palettes. The magnum-sized version is most recommended, as it can house a medley of essentials: eyeshadows in pearly, glitter, and matte finishes; a camouflage cream concealer; and a pigmented blush. The beauty box is conveniently built with an integrated mirror and its refillable magnetic mechanism allows us to carry a custom palette each time.
ARTDECO Beauty Box
P975, Rustan’s
HARDWORKING MUST-TRY
ARTDECO All-in-one Cream
We love a hardworking cream: color-correcting, nourishing, and priming, and it comes with sun protection, too. In an era of multi-use makeup, this one’s worth a try for its lightweight fluid formula that leaves a soft, silky feeling on the skin, blurring pores, and smoothening one’s overall skin texture with a glowy finish.
ARTDECO All-in-one Cream
1,950, Rustan’s
SECRET OBSESSION
ARTDECO Luxury Radiance Powder
Filipinos are powder-obsessed, and this best-seller is a testament to that. The Luxury Radiance Powder gives a translucent finish via its five-color combination that leaves the skin looking fresh, bright, and luxurious. There’s pink and purple to refresh the complexion, green to counter redness, white for added radiance, and gold for a glowy finish. Its finely textured powder is fragrance-free, melts onto the skin, and is easy to apply. It’s honestly one we’d love to pull out for quick retouches while on the go, as it comes in chic, elegant compact packaging, too.
ARTDECO Luxury Radiance Powder
P3,075, Rustan’s
CULT CLASSIC
ARTDECO All-in-one Mascara
This cult-fave delivers as promised: long lashes with volume and a flirty curl. The wand fuses two brushes, one that separates and fans out the lashes, and another to color and volume for a fuller look. Its formula is made to prevent smudging or flaking and is long-lasting, too. You’ll be happy to know it’s also infused with carnauba wax for a nourishing shine and glycerin for added moisture.
ARTDECO All-in-one Mascara
P925, Rustan’s
NEW ICON
ARTDECO Perfect Matte Serum Foundation
This one is worth watching out for. An Asia-Pacific-exclusive makeup, this skincare hybrid foundation is coming to our shores in May (don’t miss it!). It’s oil-free, has extra-fine powder particles, and comes in a lightweight liquid formula that’s long-wearing and suitable for all skin types. It absorbs excess oils, finishes a lightweight matte, and is infused with skin-loving ingredients: hyaluronic acid for extra moisture, bisabolol to soothe irritating skin, and ginger root extract for anti-bacterial protection.
