In the competitive landscape of beauty products, where each brand jostles for a spot in our skincare routines and makeup arsenals, I couldn’t help but wonder: how do Filipino beauty brands stack up against the international behemoths?

Ever since I discovered the world of beauty, there's been one constant theme: the evolving dance of innovation and responsibility. Today, I am thrilled to share about a beloved K-beauty brand, Barenbliss, and their latest sustainable move.

You might know Barenbliss for their TikTok viral lip tints, powders, and game-changing cushion formula. Their signature product, the Peach Makes Perfect Lip Tint and Cherry Makes Perfect Lip Tint, has been staples in my own daily lip wardrobe.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for about seven years now, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride, that’s for sure. The highs are high indeed but the lows can really flatten a person, too! I get lots of great advice from my husband and my friends, of course, but I needed someone who can guide me and put me on an even clearer course. That’s when I met Myrza Sison.

The Filipino beauty industry has grown by leaps and bounds, especially during the pandemic. It’s ironic because while a lot of established brands struggled during this period, this also gave smaller brands opportunities to build a loyal following. Now, there’s nothing I love more than discovering and celebrating Filipino beauty brands that deliver passion, innovation, and truly cater to the diverse skincare and makeup needs of Filipinas. Today, I’m ecstatic to share with you four new local brands that have captured my attention. Let’s dive in, shall we?

An interesting question came up while I and Project Vanity writers were grabbing some lunch. Abiele asked, “Why do Filipino brands keep reformulating their products, or discontinuing them after only a short run?” I haven’t really thought about it, but now that Abiele mentioned it, oo nga no! Abiele shared that she feels frustrated because she loves the old formulations, and sometimes the new ones aren’t quite cutting it. And then of course she wants to repurchase but gets disappointed upon learning that there are no more being sold.

A vast ocean of bright, pink promotional material led me to the cinema this weekend to experience the much-anticipated Barbie movie. But, let's cut to the chase: I walked away from the theater with a somewhat mixed bag of feelings.

First off, a piece of advice for the enthusiastic marketers out there: hold back a bit on the promotional content! Because there were so many clips online, I felt like I had already consumed a sizeable chunk of the film through the myriad of trailers and teasers. It took some of the mystery out of the experience, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was just watching the extended cut of an already familiar story.

I am what people call a wearer of many hats - editor, influencer, entrepreneur - though I must admit, some hats fit better than others. There's one hat, however, that I put on every day that isn't always met with the same recognition: the hat of a woman bravely navigating the minefield of societal beauty standards. Like a cat chasing its tail, I've often found myself eyeing my reflection, wondering if I would ever catch up to the tantalizing and somewhat elusive ideals of beauty. Enter stage left: face positivity, our new hero challenging these exact ideals.

The day I learned how to read price tags as a child was when I asked my mother to buy me a particular Barbie that I liked in Rustans. I can’t remember what the doll looked like anymore; but I do remember it was somewhere around P256 pesos. It was a lot of money to me as a child, but Mama always indulged my love for dolls.

Ah, designer bags – those eye-catching fashion statements that effortlessly elevate our style and empty our wallets. As the debate rages on about the worthiness of these luxury accessories, it's time to delve into the juicy topic: are designer bags truly worth the exorbitant price tags? Are they solid investments or just fancy sacks of disappointment? And hey, with super fakes lurking around every corner, should we even bother splurging on a luxury bag?

There's no denying that a beauty brand's best-sellers speak volumes about their expertise and popularity. Don't you agree? I'm always intrigued by what flies off the shelves because it's a clear indicator of what people have tried, tested, and loved. When it comes to Barenbliss, the K-Beauty sensation that took TikTok by storm, their success at Watsons, the largest beauty retailer in the Philippines, is a testament to their appeal. Today let's dive into the top five best-selling products from Barenbliss at Watsons, based on their total sales so far!

Picture this, scrolling through your Instagram feed, you are bombarded with images of celebrities and influencers who seem to have discovered the elixir of youth. Their flawless, youthful skin defies reality, almost. The term "aging gracefully" pops into your mind as you admire these individuals who appear unravaged by time.

Yet, over the years, I've come to realize that this perception of aging gracefully is, more often than not, a glorified mirage. Yes, it's a hard pill to swallow, but that's the truth.

Barenbliss first caught the attention of Filipinos through a series of viral TikTok videos. The transformations were so dramatic, the results so immediate, that it seemed too good to be true. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first - could any product really smooth skin in just three seconds, or was this just the magic of video editing? That skepticism lasted until I tried Barenbliss for myself.

Ah, summer! That golden season of sunshine, beach trips, and... melting makeup. It's all fun and games until you catch your reflection and find that your carefully crafted face has slid halfway down your chin. Not exactly the look you were aiming for, right? Don't sweat it (literally and figuratively), because we've got the ultimate guide on how to transform your makeup routine into a melt-proof masterpiece. So, grab a cold drink and settle in, as we take a dive into the world of summer-proof makeup.

The beauty industry has always been a hotbed of innovation, with new products, techniques, and trends emerging constantly. In recent years, however, the integration of AI and technology has transformed the industry in unprecedented ways. As we move into 2023, we can see that the fusion of beauty and tech is shaping the future of personal care. Here, we'll dive into some of the most exciting ways AI and technology are revolutionizing the beauty industry, with real-life examples of brands and apps leading the charge.

L'Oreal has made a major move in the luxury skincare market by signing to acquire Australian brand Aesop for $2.53 billion. This is L'Oreal's biggest brand acquisition yet, and it comes at a time when the company is moving towards more upmarket labels where consumers are less affected by economic downturns. The purchase provides some financial relief to Brazilian company Natura, which owns Avon and The Body Shop, and has been struggling with shrinking margins and heavy debt.

I love that there is an entire month - March - that’s been set aside to celebrate women’s achievements and shed light on women’s struggles around the world. But sometimes this can be a bit, well, navel gaze-y at least and exploitative at most. A lot of brands take this opportunity to sell more product and women are often cheered on just because they are women. Nothing wrong with either. It’s tough being a woman. But it sidelines the entire point of Women’s Month.

Have you always wanted to learn how to make your own perfume? It’s seriously easier than you think. Last week I got to attend a seminar conducted by Eunice Inc.’s RJ Lopena Jr. where he shared his formula and process of making perfume. I was astounded by how simple it is - for some reason I’ve always thought it’s more complicated and fussy to mix everything together! It’s certainly not, and I want to try to do it myself soon.

With Christmas right around the corner, Parlon is here to level up your gift giving skills because now, you can easily give your beauty besties and loved ones the gift of self-care with a Parlon Gifting!

I’ve been following Bobbi Brown’s career for over a decade now. I admire her because she truly revolutionized the beauty industry, which is a distinction few can claim despite all the countless brands and launches in the market right now. She made nude and natural-looking lipsticks in the 90s when everyone else had neon or deep shades. However, it was her belief that makeup should make us look exactly like ourselves - just prettier and more powerful - that defines her career as a makeup artist and entrepreneur.

As a beauty enthusiast, I must have seen thousands of Tiktoks or YouTube videos talking about numerous dupes for popular, often more expensive products. We grew up in a society wherein most of the time expensive means better but with the current advancements in the beauty industry this has started to change as more and more products turn out to perform comparably well or even at par with popular brands.

Here are a few much-loved beauty products and their corresponding dupes – tried and tested by yours truly.