Welcome to our Tried & True series, where we highlight the holy grails and OGs, the top-shelf regulars and under-the-radar picks, as well as the new, fresh-off-the-lab products and viral sensations worth the hype—all from reputable brands 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. In this edition, we take a closer look at Enigma Beauty, the makeup brand born from the vision and experience of top Filipino beauty creator Raiza Contawi.
In a YouTube video where she discusses the brand, Contawi shared that “Enigma was born out of a deep love for makeup,” explaining that the name refers to something mysterious or puzzling. For her, makeup works the same way. It’s a process of figuring things out: how to apply a product, which shades work for your skin, and what feels most like you. “You’re really discovering yourself and a craft that is makeup. We created Enigma to be that beauty space. It’s not just a product or a brand. We really want to encourage self-expression.”
As Enigma Beauty’s creative director, Contawi drew on her years of product reviews and interacting with the beauty community to shape a brand that delivers performance along with skin-friendly innovation. Banking on years of product testing, reviews, and community engagement, she set out to build a line that reflects not only strong performance but also a deep understanding of what makeup lovers actually want and use.
“I don’t want you to feel intimidated,” she said in the same YouTube video. “It’s okay to really explore, and if you feel like you’re a different person whenever you wear makeup, that is completely fine. That’s the art of it.”
Enigma launched in April 2025 with its first product, the Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Foundation. It was a bold choice for a debut, as foundation is often one of the most difficult categories to get right—it requires a balance between coverage, comfort, longevity, and shade consideration. But by starting with a foundation that aims to feel like second skin and wear all day, she set the tone for a beauty line that’s both reliable and expressive, inviting users to explore makeup not just as part of a routine, but as a creative experience.
CULT CLASSIC
Skintroduction Powder Foundation
Not every powder foundation may earn a spot in your beauty regimen, but the Skintroduction Powder Foundation shows why it deserves to be in your daily rotation. This powder foundation delivers a smooth, matte finish that evens out tone and blurs the look of pores without sinking into fine lines. Coverage is buildable, letting you go from a light, everyday look to a more polished one without masking your natural complexion. The texture feels soft on the skin and maintains a second-skin quality that’s comfortable for all-day wear.
It holds up well through heat, humidity, and long hours. Layered over a liquid foundation, it extends wear and controls shine; worn alone, it creates a clean, matte look that still feels lightweight. Applied with a brush or the included puff, it builds seamlessly where more coverage is needed without disrupting other areas.
Skintroduction Powder Foundation
P599, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
Skintroduction Powder Foundation Refill
P399, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
UNDERRATED HOLY GRAIL
Brow Blade Eyebrow Pencil
Precision, control, and a natural finish—the Brow Blade proves that consistency can be the ultimate holy grail. Its slim precision tip allows you to sketch fine, hair‑like strokes that mimic natural brows, which is especially useful for those days when a soft, defined look is all you want. Unlike pencils that drag or skip, this one glides with a controlled smoothness that gives just enough resistance to remain precise without being dry. The balance between control and glide is also what sets it apart: it’s forgiving for beginners yet refined enough for detailed shaping.
The formulation itself leans neither too creamy nor too crumbly, which makes it reliable throughout the day. It stays put under humidity and light activity—with minimal fading or transfer—yet removes easily at the end of the day.
Brow Blade Eyebrow Pencil
P349, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
Brow Blade Eyebrow Pencil Refill
P199, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spati
POPULAR PICK
Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Concealer
When it comes to concealers, the challenge is familiar: you want something that hides dark circles and blemishes without being heavy, cakey, or too stiff to work with. The Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Concealer gives just the right amount of coverage while still feeling comfortable on the skin. It works well with the brand’s foundation and powder, making it easy to blend and build where you need it most.
The formula itself is smooth and easy to work with, as it lets you layer without worrying about cracking. Infused with skin-friendly ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, and centella asiatica, it feels light under the eyes while still brightening dark circles and evening out redness. Plus, the applicator is precise, which makes it simple to target small blemishes or blend under the eye without tugging at delicate skin.
Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Concealer
P499, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
EDITOR FAVORITE
Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Foundation
For days that start early and end late, this Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Foundation keeps skin even, natural-looking, and surprisingly comfortable. This foundation is an answer to the everyday needs of Filipino beauty lovers, especially those seeking dependable coverage in humid weather.
From first application to blend, the formula feels smooth and surprisingly weightless for a medium‑to‑full coverage base. It self-setting formulation settles into the skin with a natural finish that blurs the look of pores and evens tone without the thickness.
The foundation is infused with a blend of skin-supporting ingredients such as centella asiatica extract that supports skin healing, while skullcap root extract offers antibacterial and antifungal benefits that suit everyday wear. Japanese knotweed extract helps address uneven tone and the look of hyperpigmentation, complemented by satsuma orange extract for a gentle brightening and antioxidant boost.
It also lives up to its long‑wear promise, as many users have experienced that it holds up through long days and heat with minimal fading or drastic oxidation. Some have even noted that the foundation stayed put even after spending most of the day outdoors, which shows that it’s a solid pick if your routine takes you from work to errands without time for touch‑ups.
Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Foundation
P699, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
Shop Enigma Beauty at The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio, located on the 3/F of Opus Mall, Bridgetowne Destination Estate, Quezon City. An editorial-led retail concept—and the first-of-its-kind in the local scene—the gallery spotlights indie innovators, cult icons, and niche trailblazers shaping F-beauty today.
