I try a lot of lipsticks, and while I've got everything I need in the red, plum, nude, matte, and creamy departments, I'm lacking in one. I'm not a fan of the use of the marketing term "clean beauty," as there's yet to be a consistent definition across brands for it. However, I'm a big fan of beauty brands that go beyond the semantics, brands that are thoughtful about the ingredients they use and, most importantly, have a transparent and sustainable supply chain.
That's where my lipstick collection is lacking. I've been in the market for one that does all of the above but also has an incredible formula, sleek packaging, and wearable shades.
I'm not gonna lie. It has been pretty difficult, but thanks to Highr, the sustainable lipstick–sized hole in my life has been filled. The L.A.-made brand is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and 66-74% organic. But sure, we've seen that before. What most impressed me is that the brand goes way beyond what's in the product to prove its eco-credentials. Plus, the lipsticks are pretty great, too. Keep scrolling for my thoughts on the collection.
Highr Lipstick in Mercy
Highr has saved and offset 13.1 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and tracks all of its operational carbon, including employee travel and shipments. Plus, the brand uses 100% solar energy to develop its lipsticks. I'm sold.
It's the gift that keeps on giving, as the packaging is pretty stunning. Opting for metal instead of plastic, the result is pink and metallic, and there's a mirror in the lipstick tube, too. Genius.
Now onto the formula. The lipsticks are creamy, soft, and filled with organic castor oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter, so they feel like the most nourishing balms but with incredible, long-lasting pigment.
The addition of skincare faves hyaluronic acid, organic rosehip oil, and grapeseed oil, miraculously kept my lips in great condition even after I removed the lipstick.
There are five shades in the collection, and most have a satin finish and smell quite wonderful. Mercy is known as the rosebud pink, and I never wear pink lipstick. They don't suit me, the undertones are usually horrific, and they don't work with my skin tone. But here I am thriving in pink. It's such a flattering shade, and I've added it to my makeup bag.
Chiltern is the candy red. It's bright, bold, and set to be a modern classic. Truest is the cool rose and is another shade that I'd never go for, but the demi-matte finish and flushed colour are ideal for brightening up my complexion.
Chateau is the nude beige and is totally the everyday uniform lipstick. It's a bit too light for me on its own, but I wore it with a brown lip liner to get a dark nude lip. Finally, Bravado—the scarlet red—is the kind of red that makes it look like you've taken hours to do your makeup. I paired one swipe of it with no foundation, a little mascara, and brows and got so many compliments. A new staple for me.
Highr Lipstick in Bravado
Highr Lipstick in Truest
What initially captured my attention about Highr were the incredible and much-needed environmental efforts its committing to behind the scenes. So having products that are pigmented, are moisturising, and look fantastic alongside that is such a winning combination.
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