We’re off to a fresh start in 2025! What better way to kick off the year than with a roundup of fresh beauty news? Let’s make things bright with new additions to Marc Jacobs’ Daisy family of fragrances: the Daisy Glow trio. Let’s take a look at the beautiful cherry-blossom inspired additions to the Guerlain makeup line. Ichigo lovers, rejoice at the new Strawberry Cupid collection from Flower Knows. Last but definitely not the least, Glosser releases a delicious Black Cherry collection!

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its much-anticipated return last October 15, and one thing I’ve always adored about it is the models’ effortlessly fresh-faced makeup. Their cheeks practically radiate with that vibrant, healthy glow we all want to bottle up and bring home. Naturally, I wanted to recreate that same look, so imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a tip from TikTok. It was none other than Rose-Marie Swift, the founder of RMS Beauty and a former makeup artist for Victoria's Secret, spilling the secret. The game-changing trick? she used red blush instead of pink! Specifically, the RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Beloved.

In the early days of Project Vanity, I would often write year-end reports celebrating all the things I accomplished over the past 12 months. It was always such a joy to look back on my highlights and share them with this wonderful community. Now that I’m a little older (and hopefully wiser!), my perspective has shifted. These days, I measure the success of my year not just by achievements but by the hard-won lessons that have shaped me along the way. The older I am, the more I realize how harder it is to learn new things because of a natural resistance to change. It’s like when you play an RPG and the XP points required to level up become higher and higher! And so, here are the three things I learned in 2024.

The thing about Kanebo is that they’re obsessed about the science behind their formulations. They really spend time and money on figuring out what’s next in skincare, which is why they’ve survived for 88 years in a highly competitive beauty industry. They’re a Japanese brand so we know that they’re committed to making the best that they can with the resources that they have. It is my belief that Kanebo’s skincare products are truly worth watching out for if you have extremely high standards.

We’re about to head off to the last few days of 2024, but the beauty world is keeping busy! This week’s Beauty News Roundup is full of new local releases to shake up your holidays. Let’s take a look at the Ever Bilena No Budge Lip Liner, Spotlight Soft Glow Beauty Wand, and new Strokes eye and face palettes. Let’s see what K-beauty brand Laneige has in store for us this holiday season with limited-edition Lip Sleeping Masks and gifts!

I’ve been using the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask for years, and I think I’ve tried almost every flavor they’ve come up with. It’s such a staple in my routine that you’ll always find it in my online shopping cart, waiting for the next sale to restock. It has a permanent spot on my bedside table and is a must-have in my travel pouch. It just works so well for my dry lips! I’ve experimented with other brands, but I always end up going back to Laneige—there’s a reason it’s beloved , after all.

You can never have too many skin tints, especially when your social calendar is suddenly packed this holiday season, but you have zero patience for full foundation. Whether I’m running late and trying to beat the holiday traffic or getting ready for a ‘no makeup’ makeup day, I always find myself reaching for a reliable skin tint. Ellana Cosmetics has one that’s packed with SPF and skincare benefits! The Even Better Skin Care Tint SPF 30+ PA++++ (P299/18g) is 100% vegan, PETA-certified cruelty-free, and even safe for pregnant and breastfeeding moms.

Just now a thought occurred to me that has truly not passed my mind at all within the last year, and it is this: when was the last time I had A Real Break? Interesting! First let’s define what A Real Break is. ARB is a period of time that is fully dedicated to rest and relaxation, without any occurrence of work or work-related activities. That’s easy enough. But what qualifies as ARB for me, specifically? The thing is, because I am my own boss and I control most of my time, I’m able to take a break whenever I need or want to. But because my work involves social media - in fact it revolves around social media - my “free time” is related to making content in some form or other, or being plugged in to my industry’s comings and goings. That’s the tricky part.

The holidays are on full blast, and while the festivities bring joy, they can also pile on the stress with endless gatherings, gift shopping, and preparations. In the midst of all this hustle, don’t forget to hit pause and carve out some time for yourself. A little pampering goes a long way to keep your energy up for the season!

Last week, our Beauty News Roundup featured delicious treats from the world of beauty. I’m happy to report that this week’s edition will be just as sweet! Let’s take a look at Colourette’s newest Eye Gotchu Collection. NARS makes a new addition to their Afterglow lippie lineup with the new Afterglow Lip Oil. Estée Lauder collaborates with Ladurée, home of the most famous French macarons! Last but not least, Sabrina Carpenter releases a new fragrance named Me Espresso. So have you got a sweet tooth? Let’s get our fill of sweet, sweet beauty news!

There’s an age-old question that many of us who love makeup still ask ourselves all year round: What shades suit me best? That’s where MAC’s APAC Senior Artistry Manager Anton Zimin comes to the rescue. As part of the recently held MAC Trends Makeup Masterclass, Anton introduced four must-try trends and dished out essential tips and tricks to keep in mind before you even lift up that makeup brush. Of course, every masterclass has to have the perfect models and muses to demo on and who better than PPOP royalty themselves, BINI.

Papaya is more than just a sweet, tropical fruit; it’s a powerhouse ingredient that has earned its place in the skincare world. Packed with vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants, papaya offers quite a few benefits for glowing, healthy skin. If you’re ready to level up your routine with this natural wonder, here are the benefits and best ways to incorporate papaya into your skincare regimen!

There’s something about the holidays that makes us crave a touch of magic. It might be the twinkle of lights, the warmth of reunions, or the joy of giving and receiving, but whatever it is this season calls for moments of wonder. This year, Dior brings that wonder to life with its Ball of Dreams pop-up at SM Aura, a luxurious haven of beauty and elegance that’s perfect for holiday gifting—for your loved ones or yourself.

Walking into the Dior pop-up feels like stepping into a fairytale. At the heart of the space is the breathtaking golden Dior tree, an homage to the Château de Versailles and Pietro Ruffo’s stunning designs.

It happens to the best of us. Maybe it’s hormones. Maybe life’s just being extra for no reason. Or maybe it’s that weird, floaty feeling of ennui that you can’t quite explain. Whatever the reason, slumps happen, and I’ve learned not to fight them too hard. But I also don’t like to stay there for long, so I’ve got a few things I turn to when I need to get myself out of a funk.

And so the last month of the year begins! It’s off to a promisingly delicious start as color authority Pantone officially releases the 2025 color of the year: Mocha Mousse. If you’re a fan of Dunkin (or at least how yummy the doughnuts smell), Native has some personal care products you’re going to love. In a surprising turn of events, Teviant has released some sweet treats in collaboration with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty! Last but not least, Issy Cosmetics has released a limited edition product lineup in honor of their fifth anniversary, and it’s perfect for the holidays. What are you waiting for? Keep reading as we round up this week’s yummy beauty news tidbits.

Happy Skin’s Generation Happy Skin line keeps leveling up with every relaunch! Each time, they manage to add something fresh and exciting, whether it’s new shades or entirely new products—just like they did last year. They’ve been listening closely to their consumers, which is clear from the thoughtful updates: improved leak-proof packaging, gorgeous new shades, and even a brand-new addition to the lineup. These updates were unveiled at the launch last November 21, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on their revamped bases and lip products.

The holiday season is finally here, and with it comes the joy of giving! Christmas is the perfect time to show your love and appreciation for family and friends through thoughtful presents. If you’re looking for gifts that spark joy and are equal parts practical and beautiful, Watsons has you covered with their Holiday Gift Sets. From health and wellness bundles to beauty must-haves, there’s something for everyone on your list—and at prices that won’t break the bank!

This has been the best year of my life so far. I’m not ashamed to flex that because, honestly, the last three years were terrible for me. I was lost for a while and didn’t know how to recover from the literal losses I experienced during the pandemic. I figuratively lost the plot; I didn’t know why I was doing what I was doing anymore. I felt powerless and left behind. But in 2024, I sorted myself out—and I can tell you the exact moment it happened.

The last week of November has been busy, busy, busy. This week in the local beauty scene has been filled with celebrations and milestones! Let me catch you up on the latest beauty news. NARS opens its largest boutique yet at Greenbelt 5, marking the occasion with a Master Class by none other than Jelly Eugenio and Catriona Gray! Five Beauty marks its first birthday with a special live event by celebrity co-founder Gabbi Garcia. Albert Kurniawan’s Teviant continues its month-long celebration of its 6th anniversary with new releases and special bundles. Last but not least, the Careline Multistick now has fourteen (14!!!) shades to get to know and love.

The GRWM Ball on November 22, at the Okada Hotel Grand Ballroom was nothing short of magical and extravagant. From the moment guests received the whimsical scroll invitations, it was clear they were in for an unforgettable evening. With surprise guests of honor, jaw-dropping announcements, and a monumental product launch, the night was a celebration of beauty, empowerment, and community.

As a first-timer at the GRWM Ball, I was thrilled to experience this one-of-a-kind event and couldn’t wait to share all the dazzling moments that made it truly unforgettable.