In search of the perfect red lipstick, I’ve tried many brands and many shades over the years. Often they have been just a bit too pink or too orange. When I heard about this new comer on the organic cosmetics market, I was eager to give it a try!

When HAVU Cosmetics, a small Finnish company started by just 19-year old student of chemistry and biotechnology Lumi Maunuvaara, opened their online store on the 7th of August 2018 offering lipstick in three shades, everything was sold out within hours. Ever since the product was introduced at the Habitare-fair in Helsinki last autumn, it’s launch was internationally anticipated. Still, on their instagram account the team behind Havu said that the reception of their online store took them by surprise and they promised to manufacture more products as soon as possible.

I was just fast enough to sneak one lipstick in RED into my shopping basket and check out before the virtual shelves were screaming emptiness. A few days later I heard the postman struggling to push the cardboard box through the mailbox. Inside, I found a beautifully packaged lipstick. It’s two-tone wooden case made of Finnish birch was chunkier than I expected, creating a sense of natural elegance.

The lipstick was a joy to apply, even for a lazy make-up “artist” like myself. The consistency of the product is quite solid, allowing for a very thin first layer. Upon application of a second or third layer, the colour intensifies but does not smudge. The result is very natural and matte. I was a bit worried, that the shade would be a bit too orange for my taste, but I actually warmed to the warm red pretty quickly. I also found that the colour brightens up even more if I applied just a touch of transparent lip balm (Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour cream) on top.

All ingredients are listed on the website for each shade: NUDE, RED and DARK and all of them with the exception of jojoba oil and some colouring agents, are edible. The first batch still includes a plastic collet, which will be replaced by natural components shortly. Good for the skin – good for nature.

As the HAVU team puts it: “If young start ups with limited resources can go for natural and safe products as well as transparency in production, why couldn’t the big cosmetics industry giants do the same?” – Indeed!

The packaging is just so beautiful, isn’t it? I can’t wait to try the NUDE shade as well, once it becomes available again. The small team behind HAVU is also talking about expanding their product line, so stay tuned.  I love a brand with a story, humble beginnings, strong values and actually high quality products!

Lipstick: HAVU

Pullover: Acne Studios (Second hand. One of the reasons I’m looking forward to the autumn)

Pendant: Dodo Jewelry