Maybelline vs Colourette vs Issy Philippines 2026

Price Range at a Glance

The price gap between these three brands is significant — but so is the quality difference at the top end. Here's what each brand charges across core makeup categories:

Foundation & Base Products

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation is the most purchased drugstore base in the Philippines — available at Watsons, SM Beauty, Robinsons, and Shopee in over a dozen shades. The formula runs light to full coverage depending on application and doesn't pill under setting powder. BB cream options start at ₱199, making it the lowest barrier to entry of the three brands. The main limitation: shades can oxidize darker on NC40+ Filipino skin tones after 2–3 hours, a well-documented issue in Philippine beauty communities.

Colourette's Colourtints work as skin tints rather than full-coverage foundations — sheer-to-medium with a dewy finish that holds up in humid Philippine weather better than most drugstore mattes. Their Chroma True Foundation expanded the range with deeper shades specifically developed for morena complexions, directly addressing what Maybelline's international formulas miss at the drugstore tier.

Issy's All Day Longwear Foundation runs ₱950–₱1,200 — a clear step up in price, and the formula shows it. Fuller coverage, better longevity through a full Philippine workday, and undertones calibrated specifically for Filipino complexions. For events, special occasions, or anyone who needs a base that holds without touch-ups in heat and humidity, Issy outperforms both on results per wear.

Lip Products

Maybelline's Superstay Matte Ink (₱299–₱349) remains the most-reordered lip product in the Philippine drugstore category — transfer-proof, long-wearing through eating and drinking, available in over 30 shades. Their Color Sensational and Creamy Matte lines add more affordable options at ₱149–₱249. If you need a lip color that stays through an 8-hour shift or a full event, this is the benchmark for the price.

Colourette's lip range leans toward wearable everyday Filipino looks: Airy Tints, glossy Colourtints, and multi-use cheek-and-lip products that double your spend per item. The multi-use format is the standout feature — one Colourtint replaces both blush and lip color, which cuts kit cost significantly for buyers building from scratch.

Issy's lip products solve a specific Philippine problem: lips drying out in air-conditioned offices and malls. Their Lip Balm and Liptints are formulated for comfort over long hours in cold indoor environments — a real consideration for Metro Manila workers. Fewer shades but noticeably better lipfeel after 4+ hours compared to standard drugstore matte formulas.

Eye Makeup

Maybelline owns the eye category by selection and price. The HyperSharp Liner (₱149–₱199), Volum' Express Mascara (₱249), and Sky High Mascara (₱299) are the three most-purchased eye products at Philippine drugstores. They're available at every Watsons and SM Beauty counter — no online wait, no stock issues. For everyday eye makeup at mass-market prices, no other brand at this tier comes close to Maybelline's selection depth.

Colourette focuses eye-category energy on brows: their Brow Mascara and Brow Pomade are specifically reviewed as good matches for Filipino hair texture and typical brow density. Their shadow selection is limited, but the brow products punch above their price point. For buyers whose main eye concern is brow shaping, Colourette is worth considering.

Issy's eye products are clean-formula focused — ophthalmologist-tested and free from common irritants. At ₱350–₱750, they're pitched at contact lens wearers and buyers who've experienced reactions to standard drugstore eye products. The formula investment is real, but the selection is narrow. These are specialist purchases, not everyday replacements for Maybelline's volume.

Shade Range for Filipino Skin Tones

Maybelline's formulas are calibrated for a global market — which means Filipino skin tones, particularly medium-deep and morena complexions, are often an afterthought. The Fit Me range has added shades over the years but still falls short for NC40–NC50 buyers, where oxidation and undertone mismatch are consistent complaints.

Colourette was built for Filipino skin from the beginning. Their shade development is community-led: they actively expand colorways based on real feedback from Filipino buyers, particularly darker-skintoned users underserved by international drugstore brands. This shows in their foundation and tint ranges — better undertone accuracy and fewer shade-range gaps at the morena end.

Issy carries the smallest product count of the three but the most deliberate shade development for Philippine skin. Every Issy product is formulated with Filipino undertones explicitly in scope. This pays off most noticeably in base products and lighter coverage items, where undertone matching directly affects how natural the finish reads on different Filipino complexions.

Where to Buy Each Brand

Maybelline is the most accessible: Watsons, SM Beauty, Robinsons, and mall-based drugstores carry their full line. Online availability via official Shopee and Lazada stores adds same-day or next-day options in Metro Manila.

Colourette is primarily direct-to-consumer through their official Shopee and Lazada stores and their own website. Select SM and Watsons branches carry some products but not the full range. Buy from their official store to avoid counterfeits — Colourette is frequently copied in the lower-tier online reseller market.

Issy is online-only: official Shopee store, Lazada, and their brand website. No wide physical retail presence. Factor in delivery time when buying for a specific event.

How to Build Your Makeup Kit Across All Three Brands

Frequently Asked Questions