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7 Pakistani beauty products that are surprisingly awesome

7 Pakistani beauty products that are surprisingly awesome

Who would've thought that the brow tint from Luscious could give Anastasia Beverly Hills a run for her money?
Updated 26 Jul, 2016

You know what I'm tired of? Not being able to get the branded beauty products I want.

With Facebook pages bringing foreign branded beauty products to Pakistan and even many official websites helping out with such needs, you'd think it would be easy for me to get my hands on those Anastasia Beverly highlighters, right?

Well, it still bugs me because a) the products takes forever to get here and b) I end up paying almost double due to taxes, shipping and dealer profits. I love these pages but sometimes, that just gets to me.

Also read: I tried 5 on-trend Korean beauty products (including snail gel) so you won't have to

One fine day, I was getting rid of a serious case of buyer's remorse by shopping more (I may have a problem) when I realized I was not staring at imported branded goodies, I was staring at this range of lipsticks from a local brand.

And I said to myself... well first I said "I need this!" and bought like five... but after that I said to myself "There are more out there."

We have some very good Pakistani brands and each have their own range of products to offer, some which are cult faves. We have the pricey ones and the dirt cheap ones (which make you feel really good about your spending) but they can easily compete with imported labels we order from abroad.

1) Masarrat Misbah Silk Foundation

Price: Rs. 1,450

Oh, this beauty product is a must have for makeup artists in Pakistan. Masarrat Misbah, a renowned figure in the fashion industry, launched her cosmetics line last year and before even branching out, this foundation was in demand.

The shade range caters to South Asian skin tones and that's a win!
The shade range caters to South Asian skin tones and that's a win!

And I know why now. It's better than the L'oreal True Match and the Maybelline Fit Me foundations and is actually a great dupe for the much coveted Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.

The shade range caters to all Asian skin tones and pays attention to South Asian skin dilemmas, like humidity. It's almost always out of stock because we love it that much! Might as well be Pakistan's Kylie Lipkit!

Considering how oily my face is (you could fry an egg on it), this stayed on my face all day, gave a natural finish and did not leave me looking like an oil field. That, people, is a win.

2) Luscious Brow Luxe Tinted Brow Gel

Price: Rs. 895

Only recently did I find out the difference made by unruly eyebrows. And how easily they can make or break a face (And I mean break! like, they can look like dents, if not done right).

Lightweight and easy to use
Lightweight and easy to use

I also realized and not only did I never pay attention to them before, an added step of brows in my daily routine should not take long. This brow tint caters to that and can easily give Anastasia Beverly a run for her money.

3) Atiqa Odho Blushes

Price: Rs. 450

Ah, the first celebrity cosmetics line in Pakistan, how could we forget you? Well, the color range of their pretty blushes is huge from the brightest pink to a highlighter gold.

That highlighter is a keeper
That highlighter is a keeper

And they pack a lot of pigmentation in those little containers, so not only does a little go a long way but but it lasts a long time as well. I used to love Sleek's blushes, but these are tough competition for those.

With each shade named after a bird, you'll be feeling fly!

4) Sweet Touch Twin Cake Face Powder

Price: Rs. 665

Didn't expect this did you? Neither did I, for the longest time. Until my friend raved about this, I was very 'meh' towards Sweet Touch, there was nothing in their range that stood out to me as such.

This is the underdog in face powders!
This is the underdog in face powders!

However, their face products are good. And this powder is what you need in this humid country. It keeps you looking fresh and matte. It's better than most translucent powders that drugstore brands abroad like Nyx offer.

I can easily throw this in my bag and it's perfect for touch-ups; the powder blends in and matches your skin tone so you don't look like a cakey, powdery mess.

5) Clazona 24 hr matte lip gloss (Liquid Lipstick)

Price: Rs. 150

Okay, say goodbye to every single liquid lipstick on your wishlist that isn't this because this Sialkot based company's little jewel will easily become a holy grail product in your makeup bag. I don't know why they say gloss when they are a liquid lipstick but heck, when something is this good, you don't complain!

Instant holy grail!
Instant holy grail!

Remember that product I bought five of? Yeah, this is the one. And guess what? Even after buying five I still didn't pay half of what I would for an average matte liquid lipstick. They aren't uncomfortable, last throughout the day and aren't transferable! Clazona's formula makes me like them more than ColourPop.

I don't know of any online place that sells these but they are available in all super stores etc.

6) Medora of London Lipsticks

Price: Rs. 105

I was very biased when it came to these lippies. Like "Ew they probably turn your lips black" because I don't know, Medora. But after a lot of peer pressure, I decided to at least check them out. And I was overwhelmed.

Just a few pics from like millions!
Just a few pics from like millions!

They have enough lipsticks to rival the best of lipsticks, in fact, this Swat based company has dupes for almost all popular lipsticks out there. I have a weakness for berry shades and to find five of those alone had me giddy. The formula is decent too!

Read also: The boys weigh in: Yay or nay to a ruby pout?

Frankly, Medora is like Pakistan's Wet n Wild; that drugstore brand that has dupes for all the reigning lip shades from the big names in the game.

7) Organic Secrets Sea Whisper Shampoo

Price: Rs. 800

I love the Big Shampoo from Lush so when I discovered this I just had to give it a try. Its a great dupe for it and a great shampoo overall! While it does not have the aromas that Lush carries, it does exactly the same; cleanses your hair and gives you amazing volume.

Great for va va volume!
Great for va va volume!

It's a cleansing shampoo so not for regular use, but perfect for those days when you need that extra oomph. I have flat hair so this has become an instant fave!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some more goodies to stock up on.


The writer can be reached on Twitter

Comments

somethingfishy Jul 26, 2016 03:18pm
It is a huge market and we must support quality local brands.
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SAEED MASOOD Jul 26, 2016 03:55pm
Makes me really happy to see these very good Pakistani products. If these companies will continue with their good standards then sky is the limit, the market for these products is enormous...
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Angry Jul 26, 2016 03:56pm
Loved this. Want to see more reviews of local products. With photos
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Rouge Jul 26, 2016 04:01pm
Agreed. Pakistani brands are taking it to next level thanks to Mussarat Misbah because prior to Mm launch luscious, clazona, and even atiqa odho products weren't that good. I have noticed a huge difference in their quality within one years. So yeah market is getting competitive. I hope it remains that way because our local brands tend to degrade their quality as soon as they get popular.
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Sarah Jul 26, 2016 04:13pm
Why would you hate Medora?
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Shabana Jul 26, 2016 04:21pm
Where are original products available? Markets are full of fake products.
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Zubaida Jul 26, 2016 04:28pm
Among them I tried clazona gloss and medora lipsticks . Clazona glosses are awesome..you can't remove gloss from your lips until 8 to 10 hours.. quality and durability is awesome
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Qamar Valliani Jul 26, 2016 04:52pm
These products will sale a lot in other South Asian countries also.
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Farooq khan Jul 26, 2016 05:40pm
Loved your content and writing style, will demand my family for using these local brands
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Shabana Jul 26, 2016 06:02pm
@Zubaida from where you purchased?
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Brainy Bhaijan Jul 26, 2016 06:32pm
Good. I hope they export these products because they could have a huge demand outside Pakistan too.
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Zala Jul 26, 2016 06:44pm
I wonder which country these makeup products are made in. Because I would definitely not use makeup made in China.
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Aadat Jul 26, 2016 07:35pm
I have always used medora lipsticks and found them to be good. Some of the shades are really good, not found in any other brands. Pakistani swat Revlon is also good.
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Sarkar Jul 26, 2016 08:49pm
Where can I get samples?
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Pakistani Jul 26, 2016 10:30pm
I remember when I was in middle east a few years back a lot many of the local girls told me about a whitening cream faiza which they said is from Pakistan and they were using it regularly, surprisingly I never knew about it.
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Maliha Jul 26, 2016 10:45pm
I only use clazona among these products and seriously its awesome n way too reasonable :)
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Reader123 Jul 26, 2016 10:49pm
It's a great piece but I would have appreciated if you had given links to all the brands mentioned here.
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Thoroughthinker Jul 26, 2016 10:57pm
How do they manage lipsticks without forbidden grease that does not melt at body temperature?
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Zubaida Jul 27, 2016 02:13am
@Shabana from my city dear Musarrat Misbah and odho cosmetics are available on selective shops and online while clazona is available everywhere
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crypto33 Jul 27, 2016 02:22am
Why so much focus on products to make you look beautiful? Those with inner beauty (charm) don't require these products. This means the society is full of women who rely more on products than on exploring their inner beauty. Good diet and a clean heart (w/o jealousy) will be far better than lipsticks and mascaras.
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Kashif Jul 27, 2016 02:34am
Having worked for Medora for a decade and now working in Australia, I can say Medora products are the best value for your money among local brands. I am not sure if the celebrity brand are actually made in Pakistan.
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Iqbal Ali Jul 27, 2016 07:22am
Are these really make in Pakistan and not Made in China? The bueauty industry typically sources their products from China and relabels them for their customers.
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Nusser Jul 27, 2016 07:23am
Thank you for sharing so many new local Pakistan made products . I will try some of them. I suggest explore products from a local company called Harvest Tree. Their soaps, lotions and oils are extremely good. If anyone knows the benefit of essential oils - then Harvest Tree in Pakistan is for them .
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Sanjha Jul 27, 2016 07:45am
Good job
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manzer Jul 27, 2016 08:53am
What happened to Tibbet Snow?
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Pakistan Jul 27, 2016 09:24am
There's nothing natural beauty
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Ali Jul 27, 2016 10:10am
its nice to see pakistani products..
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Aisha Jul 27, 2016 02:05pm
Does these clazona lipsticks have matte finish? If yes then omg I'll go today and buy all shades xD
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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi Jul 27, 2016 03:22pm
Being a Pakistani (male) I am more proud than pleased to read that Pakistani beauty products are competitive with foreign brands so far as their result is concerned.
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Ushna Siddiqui Jul 27, 2016 03:52pm
It would've been complete only if they added Christine too in the list. Such good products mayyynnnn. And I recently found out that most of the small to mid ranged make-up schools use Christine products for teaching. Must check out their lip pencils, lipsticks and kajals.
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Kamila Nuha Jul 29, 2016 01:22am
One of these days I will get serious about make-up, and learn how to apply concealer and foundation without my face ending up looking like a flat plate! Till then a bright lippy and mascara will have to suffice.
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