Product photography by Perkin Gotohio

Quick primer if you're not on TikTok all day: coquette is the hyper-feminine aesthetic that's been everywhere for the past couple of years: bows, lace, pearls, pastel pink, ballet flats, that soft, slightly precious styling that looks like you raided a very rich girl's closet in 1780. It borrows from Marie Antoinette and Lana Del Rey in equal measure, and the whole point is that it's a little too much. That's what makes it fun. I've been waiting for a local brand to actually commit to it, and Ever Bilena finally did with their massive Coquette Collection.

First, the packaging

It's cute. Flirty, girly, a little bit toy-like, and it took me straight back to Etude House's princess era in the early 2000s. If you were there, you know. This really takes me back! I remember when we were all excited about the brand coming in the Philippines, and the attendants calling the customers “Princess” each time.

What surprised me is that some of the pieces have actual fabric lace and ribbons on them. And even though everything looks like it belongs in a Sanrio store, the packaging is solid and clearly thought through. The compacts don't feel flimsy, and there's one applicator decision in here that I'd call the smartest thing in the whole collection. More on that below.

Everything is P345 to P395, which is very Ever Bilena of them.

Le Petit Palette (P395). There are two eyeshadow palettes available and yes these are small. Small enough that you could pass them over on a shelf, which would be a mistake, because Cacao is a winning eyeshadow palette. It's pigmented and it has the right mix of neutral shades: you can do a natural, barely-there eye or build it into something smoky. The shimmers are quite nice too, which isn't always the case at this price.

Lavender is a set of pastels. They're a vibe, and if lilac eyes are your thing, this is a fun way to try them. Not quite for me, but I can see who it's for.

Soirée Liquid Blush (P395). Soft, easy to blend, no rush to work it in before it sets. The four shades (Poet, Sucre, Cherub, and Whistledown) are wearable and translucent enough that they should sit well on most skin tones rather than going chalky or ashy. Nothing here is loud. That's the point.

Chiffon Blur Dip (P395). I never thought I’d say this about makeup but this one made me think of Yan Yan sticks, the snack, and I mean that as a compliment. It's quite clever. Here's my issue with mousse dips in general: they're messy, and I can never be bothered to hunt down the little silicone applicator that comes with them. The Chiffon Blur Dip has the applicator built into the packaging. I don't know why more brands don't do this!

The product itself is so pretty on the lips. The blurred effect is intense, properly matte-looking, but it stays moisturizing instead of drying you out. That combination is harder to get right than it sounds, actually.

Bisou Juicy Tint (P395). I always like a good juicy tint that leaves a light stain behind. The finish is a soft gloss rather than a wet, high-shine one, and it looks ultra fresh on the lips. There are six shades to pick from: Belle, Bonjour, Freesia, Muse, Amour, and Bebe. They're so pretty. I can't wait to swatch these properly for you, because I have a feeling more than one of them will end up in regular rotation.

Rococo Lipstick (P345). If you'd rather skip the tints and blurs and just wear a proper lipstick, this is the one for you. It has a classic satin finish and it's also the most affordable piece in the collection. The six shades are Cherie, Deco, Fleur, Chateau, Antonette, and Nouveau. My one complaint is the packaging, which is a bit bulkier than it needs to be for what is essentially a bullet lipstick.

Early verdict

I'll be honest, I went in expecting the packaging to be the whole story. Thought we’d get a pretty component and a forgettable product, we've all been there. That's not what happened. Cacao is the eyeshadow palette I keep going back to. The Chiffon Blur Dip is the smartest thing here, and if you only buy one item from the collection, make it that. The lace and the ribbons are lovely, sure, but what I actually care about is that the stuff inside holds up, and it does. For under P400 each, I'm not sure what else you'd want. Swatches coming soon, so hold off on the shade decisions until then.

Ever Bilena's Coquette Collection: A Quick Breakdown and My First Impressions

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