Lipstick is usually seen as fun, maybe even frivolous. But every now and then, someone reminds us it can mean more. L’Oréal Philippines used National Lipstick Day not to sell product, but to spark conversation. And with one small, intimate event, they managed to show what it looks like when a brand actually walks the talk. Here’s what stood out.

1. One Lipstick, One Life Changed

Johanna Michael wasn’t there as an influencer or media guest. She was there as proof that beauty can be a turning point. A graduate of L’Oréal’s Beauty for a Better Life (BFBL) E-BA Program, Johanna shared how training in digital beauty and social commerce helped her build a career from the ground up. She went from someone unsure of what she could offer to someone who now earns through livestreams, affiliate links, and content creation.

This wasn’t just a feel-good segment. It showed what happens when empowerment is treated like a strategy, not a slogan. L’Oréal plans to expand the program to reach 10,000 Filipinas by 2030.

2. The Lipstick Try-On That Actually Mattered

There was a hands-on lipstick showcase with all the expected names: Maybelline, L’Oréal Paris, YSL Beauty, and Lancôme. But what made it feel different was how it wasn’t about finding the perfect look. It was about choosing how to show up. Inclusive shades, virtual try-on tools, and a room full of people hyping each other up.

It didn’t feel like a beauty demo. It felt like permission to take up space in whatever shade you liked best.