You read that right. Actress Lily Collins, known for her spectacular work in Emily in Paris, Rules Don’t Apply, and To The Bone, has been spotted using a local skincare brand, Handmade Heroes. So why shouldn’t you? Why shouldn’t you gather your armour and dash to Handmade Heroes’ website to cop your own all-natural, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and alcohol-free products right now? Why should you miss out on the good stuff?
Handmade Heroes is a homegrown Singaporean skincare brand with all the amazing things we just mentioned and is also Halal-certified. All products are handmade away from chemicals and laboratories, using the simplicity of the finest natural ingredients to give your body the love it deserves. So you can feel absolutely guilt-free as you take on each product. Nature really is the best medicine.
In fact, we (Baani and Nadya from the DANAMIC Editorial Team) tried Handmade Heroes’ bestsellers for you, and we’re here to spill the tea. We don’t gatekeep in this house! And to know which product Lily Collins loved enough to include in her Vogue Beauty Secrets video on YouTube, keep reading!
We tried the Coconut Sorbet and Matcha Latte Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrubs, Cocolicious Luscious Lip Mask With Bakuchiol, Hyaluronic Lip Dews, The Ultimate Dewy Skin Starter Kit (Snow Shroom Serum and Bakuchiol Oil), Oat Mighty Cuticle Oil, Super Duper Nourishing Body Scrub, and the Butt Kickin’ Deep Detoxing Coffee Scrub.
So, ladies and gents, let out the breath you’ve been holding, and let’s get into our no-holds-barred review!
Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrubs (S$10.90)
Baani: Say the name one more time, just because it’s so fun! Just from its name, these lip scrubs sound so rich and luxurious. We tried the Coconut Sorbet and Matcha Latte Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrubs, and my, oh my, did they deliver. They scrubbed but did not strip my lips of moisture, the way most lip scrubs end up doing.
It might be the fact that Handmade Heroes steers away from chemicals and alcohol, which typically makes lip scrubs unbearably drying. Horror stories about bleeding lips haunt us to this day.
Wet your lips, take a pea-sized amount of the scrub and gently massage it on your lips for one minute. Then wash it off, and voila! The genius behind this product is that the scrub exfoliates as you rub it into your lips, and it eventually breaks down into oil, nourishing your lips, leaving a smooth and rejuvenated finish. So make sure you scrub long enough! Top the lips up with a rich lip mask or lip therapy lip balm for that extra moisture.
Apart from buffing away dry and flaky lips, it also softens, smoothens & brightens your lips while improving pigmentation over time. You can also use this before your makeup routine to prime your lips to create a smooth canvas for your lipstick.
For all exfoliants, Handmade Heroes has an exfoliation factor which scales between ‘gentle’, ‘medium’, and ‘deep’. The Coconut Sorbet is ‘gentle’ on the scale, while the Matcha Latte is a ‘medium’. And I definitely felt the difference between the two.
As someone who struggles with perpetually parched lips, seeking solace in the embrace of a hydrating lip balm every 20 minutes, the Matcha Latte felt a little too intense for me. It was a little harsher than the Coconut Sorbet, which left my lips feeling nourished, while the Matcha Latte had me grappling for lip balm after lip balm for some reprieve. Make sure to choose what you think would work for you. But the fact that there was a visible difference between the two shows that these scrubs are tailored to your needs.
And the moment you’ve been waiting for, the Coconut Sorbet Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrub is the jewel that queen Lily Collins unveiled in the Vogue Beauty Secrets video! She said it smells terrific and used the product with a lip brush for a more even exfoliation. She followed that up with a lip balm, demonstrating the perfect use for the lip scrub, maximised to its fullest potential! And this, our dearest readers, earns the Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrub its well-deserved seal of approval.
Cocolicious Luscious Lip Mask With Bakuchiol (S$16.90)
Nadya: Everyone wants to keep their lips looking soft and youthful. Well, now you can easily do so with the iconic Cocolicious Luscious Lip Mask, which now comes with a juicy twist! Supercharged with Bakuchiol, the Cocolicious Luscious Lip Mask with Bakuchiol gives your lips a creamy and buttery feel.
Adding Bakuchiol helps reduce the visible fine lines and deep wrinkles around the lips. But that’s not all; it also plumps and moisturises — maintaining the appearance of youthful, soft lips. The results were almost instant, as my usual severely cracked and dry lips felt much smoother and moisturised after a few days.
The lip mask is rather easy to apply on the lips, although I wish it came with an applicator. As the packaging runs small, it is a bit challenging to scoop out the product. Pro tip: As the Bakuchiol tends to rest on top, give a good shake to mix it up! Scoop a small amount of the aromatic goodness (a small portion goes a long way!) to spread on your lips.
Hyaluronic Lip Dew (S$10.90)
Baani: This excites us beyond what words can say. Tinted lippies that hydrate and moisturise? Yes. Please.
This is a new and improved formulation of the now-discontinued cult favourite, Cocoa Friggin’ Fantastic Lip Tints. But these Hyaluronic Lip Dews feature nature’s best ingredients, like coconut oil, cocoa butter and vitamin E, with the addition of the star ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid, for that added boost of hydration. Anything with Hyaluronic Acid is a win for us.
First of all, this is adorbs. It’s the perfect size to conceal in your pocket or your make-up pouch, re-emerging when it’s time for a touch-up. It’s also as moisturising as promised. It feels light and comes with a rather seedy texture, which feels strange at first but might be the secret to the hydration we’re promised.
We got to try the shades ‘Cottage Core’ and ‘Mood’. The ‘Cottage Core’ is an orangish pink, while the ‘Mood’ is a bold Venetian red.
The shade ‘Cottage Core’ brings an air of mystery, piquing you with wonder as to what shade it really is. While it appears to be a light pink, it does have an orange undertone. So, when applied against brown skin, it appeared as if there was no tint at all. Such is the curse of colour theory. We would have to, unfortunately, declare that the shade ‘Cottage Core’ is not brown-girl-friendly. Any other lighter skin tones, though? This would look stunning on you.
The other shade we tried, ‘Mood’, a Venetian red shade (similar to maroon), could most probably be the shade for all the brown girlies out there! This shade runs a little darker than the rest, so it’s definitely more visible to admire and adds a pop of natural colour to your lips.
Although the Lip Dews does feel hydrating and moisturising, reapplication will be needed for it to last a whole day, so make sure to apply a generous amount and have it on you at all times!
You can also choose between two more shades – ‘Classic’ for a classic red look, or ‘Spirited’, which is a colourless but lovely recipe for hydration. Handmade Heroes was sure to include only the most universally flattering shades for their large variety of customers. Heroes, indeed!
The Ultimate Dewy Skin Starter Kit (S$34.90)
Nadya: Achieve dewy, glowing skin anytime and anywhere? That is made possible with The Ultimate Dewy Skin Starter Kit. This kit is perfect for those infected with the travel bug! The kit consists of the Snow Shroom HA Serum and the Bakuchiol Oil and is specially designed to keep your skin nourished, hydrated, and radiant wherever you are.
The Ultimate Bakuchiol Booster Oil, which I initially thought was just some sort of facial incense, is actually retinol without harsh side effects. It is perfect for combating signs of ageing and achieving a rejuvenated complexion. Although I was thrown off by its unique scent, it did wonders for my skin. As someone who struggles with acne scars, this was a game changer as my scars miraculously evened out and faded over time. It has since secured a permanent spot in my skincare routine.
Just a few drops of the oil is more than enough to generously cover your face! It’ll last for a very long time, so you don’t have to worry about getting a replacement so soon. Pro tip: Apply a small amount to your hands rather than your face first, as the oil easily trickles.
The Snow Shroom HA Serum, a Hyaluronic Acid, on the other hand, keeps your skin moisturised and plump. You must be wondering if the name Shroom suggests that it contains mushrooms. And to clarify, yes! The serum features hyaluronic acid from Snow Mushrooms (hence the name Snow Shroom), which draws moisture into the skin, enhances skin strength and elasticity, and more!
The serum also provides deep hydration to the skin. Seriously. It’s true. I can literally feel the moisture getting sucked into my skin. And hence, my usually dry skin has never felt so hydrated and soft (what a slay)! But don’t be too aggressive when applying the serum, though! Gently massage or pat it onto your face for a mini massage to start or end your day. Trust me, you’ll need it.
I honestly love this kit with all my heart because it has two serums but numerous benefits in just one small box! As a dry-skin girlie and someone who often travels, this kit is life-changing and lifesaving. It’s a 10/10 for me. So, to all my dry-skin girlies out there, this is a sign to grab one for yourself.
Oat Mighty Cuticle Oil (S$10.90)
Baani: Let’s face it – we’re all either ‘Team Oats’ or ‘Team No Oats’ when it comes to this breakfast dish, no matter how healthy and nourishing our parents call it to guilt us into shoving that spoon into our mouths. But when it’s not in your bowl, oats truly are a mighty skincare and body-care gem.
Handmade Heroes bestows upon us their Oat Mighty Cuticle Oil with 8% Colloidal Oats that penetrate deep into the skin to reduce visible signs of ageing and keep hands soft and supple. Using oats as an ingredient in a cuticle repair oil is a power move for its skin soothing and deeply nourishing benefits.
For those of us lost in the enigma of a cuticle oil’s purpose, our cuticles are silent workers, working to ensure your nails are strong and capable of taking on the cruelties the world has to throw at you. But exposure to excessive cold, sun, chlorine, or salty or soapy water compromises its ability to protect. So cuticle oil works to increase the circulation around your nails, stimulating nail growth while ensuring that the nail grows to be strong and resistant to trauma.
When I tried it, I realised it wouldn’t get absorbed as quickly as you’d imagine, leaving your fingers oily, which could get in your way, so save this for the end of the night when all you’re going to do is Netflix and chill. When my nails were begging for repair, I used the cuticle oil for some much-needed rescue. It takes a lot of discipline to see a difference, as you’re supposed to use it twice a day. Even with a bit of that discipline, I failed to feel a noticeable difference within a week. But cuticle oils are slow workers. Give them time, and your nails will blossom.
The packaging is also very user-friendly. Just a little twisty action, and out oozes the oil. So simple!
Super Duper Nourishing Body Scrub (S$25.90)
Nadya: I have never been a fan of body scrubs simply because I have never seen any visible results. But the Super Duper Nourishing Body Scrub has certainly changed my mind. Why? Because it has not 1, but 6 whole benefits! I’m dead serious.
The scrub gently exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal glowing, healthy skin. The whipped shea butter and sweet almond oil smooth and soften the skin. Don’t worry about having dry and dehydrated skin, as the scrub helps to absorb moisture more deeply and hydrate skin longer. Last but not least, it unclogs skin pores & helps free ingrown hair (it’s almost too good to be true). And the best part is that it is suitable for sensitive skin due to its gentle exfoliation so that no one will be left out!
I was rather sceptical even after trying it a few times, as I couldn’t see any visible changes. But it definitely came through after some time. My extremely dry skin has never felt so soft, smooth and hydrated! Using this body scrub has also never made me smell better and cleaner. Treat yourself to an ultimate shower after a long day by simply lathering yourself with the Super Duper Nourishing Body Scrub.
As it contains crushed rose petals, it has a strong flowery and fragrant scent, so you no longer have to spray an overbearing amount of perfume and smell naturally rosy-fresh. So, while the results are not immediate, trust the process!
Not only does it have numerous benefits and a sweet scent, but it is also easy to apply! Don’t be a fool like me who tried it on dry skin because the pain is real. Simply apply on wet skin and spread in gentle and circular motions. Let sit for just a few minutes to allow it to seep in while you contemplate certain life choices. And last but not least, you only need to use it 2-3 times a week, so it’s not a repetitive daily process. This is great, especially when things are just not going your way.
I can confidently say that this body scrub has successfully changed my perspective on body scrubs because my body has never felt so soft and smelt so good!
Butt Kickin’ Deep Detoxing Coffee Scrub (S$25.90)
Baani: Buckle up for this one because exfoliation and deep cleaning have found a product that lives up to its standards. This tough cookie was Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Awards 2016 Winner For ‘Best Cellulite Buster’!
The Butt Kickin’ Deep Detoxing Coffee Scrub is made with organic Arabica coffee, fine sugar, whipped shea butter and a hint of orange (sounds like a yummy treat to me, but it’s not!). While it has the elements of a scrub with coffee and sugar, it also contains shea butter to moisturise.
This intense scrub is to be used only on problem areas that need some tough love. According to the packaging and website, Handmade Heroes suggests that this be used on the stomach, hips, thighs and butt area, and really anywhere that could use some really good scrubbing. Take a generous amount and get to it! Let it sit for a few minutes for all the goodness to soak right in, and then rinse it off with warm water.
My, oh my. I could only watch as my jaw dropped to the ground when I tell you how unbelievably soft it left my skin.
But that’s not all. I gave myself the full self-care treatment by topping up with some yummy-smelling body milk, and I felt so clean and relaxed. My skin felt so soft and smooth. But here’s where I became a fan – my skin continued to feel soft even days later. After one use, most body scrubs leave your skin feeling ridiculously smooth, but the next morning, it’s as if you didn’t just scrub your whole body clean. But this? Nothing like that. Life-changing.
It stimulates circulation while improving the appearance of your skin and its elasticity. Considering the size of the packaging (230g of product!) and that it’s advised to be used only two to three times a week, this will last you so long. Safe to say, we loved this product.
Ending Thoughts
Handmade Heroes redefines what it means to be ‘too good to be true’ because their products are halal, all-natural, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and alcohol-free! The perfect brand does exist!
These are just a few of the products that Handmade Heroes offers. From dry shampoo and hand sanitisers to clay face masks and nursing balms, they’ve got so much more to explore. The more we scroll through their website, the greater the temptation to unleash our credit card and do some damage (damage that our bodies will surely thank us for). If only they had moisturisers, lip oils and lip balms, our life would be complete! (Hint hint: Handmade Heroes!)
Lily Collins, you’ve got impeccable taste. Handmade Heroes, your products may have fantastical, natural ingredients, but the magic you’ve put into each product is an ingredient no one can replicate.
We did not hold back in this review, and neither should you! Head on over to Handmade Heroes’ official website right now for some serious shopping.
Handmade Heroes
Price:
| Product | Price |
| Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrubs | S$10.90 |
| Cocolicious Luscious Lip Mask With Bakuchiol | S$16.90 |
| Hyaluronic Lip Dews | S$10.90 |
| The Ultimate Dewy Skin Starter Kit | S$34.90 |
| Oat Mighty Cuticle Oil | S$10.90 |
| Super Duper Nourishing Body Scrub | S$25.90 |
| Butt Kickin’ Deep Detoxing Coffee Scrub | S$25.90 |
To shop at Handmade Heroes, check out their official website. Stay tuned to their witchery on their Instagram and Facebook pages!
Photos by Sharleen Nadya and Baani Kaur of the DANAMIC Team.
