Foundation is an essential part of makeup routine as it provides a base for other makeup products to be applied. However, achieving a smooth and long-lasting foundation can be challenging, especially if the skin is not prepped correctly. The good news is that there are a few techniques that can help you prepare your skin before applying foundation, ensuring that your makeup looks flawless and lasts all day.

I remember the first time I tried Double Wear back in 2018 and was absolutely blown away by how well it performed. And guess what? The product is still killing it today! It's lightweight, transfer-resistant, and long-wearing, making it one of the most highly reviewed foundations out there.

That being said, here’s some news: photographer to the stars BJ Pascual has officially joined the Estee Lauder family as the new ambassador for their iconic Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation.

Ever wished your primer was fully matte, blurred out some pores, offered some coverage, AND provided sun protection? Well, you should check out the Happy Skin Rescue Me Tinted Matte Sun Gel Primer (P1,199 for 40ml) released just a few days ago! This isn’t your typical tinted sunscreen, so read on to see if it’s for you.

Shiseido is famous for their skincare, but did you know that they consistently create some of the best foundations in the world? Seriously. Whatever your skin type or skin need is, there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for you! They have powders, creams, liquids, and hybrids to address skin concerns. I’ve used the Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation (Old Formula) before and Liz loved the Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation she tested last year.

Lipglosses, lipsticks, and powders were my first makeup items from Avon. They have always impressed me with their vibrant colors and good staying power with an affordable price tag. The Avon Power Stay 24-Hour Liquid Foundation (P499) is my most recent discovery from the brand and here's what happened when I tried it out.

When Vice Cosmetics recently released their Endlezz G Collection, they didn’t have just undertones and skin tones in mind. They have also taken the step to including the spectrum of ages that enjoy makeup and the different lifestyles they lead. For me, the Endlezz G launch plays into the understanding that beauty is for all no matter what your reality, hobbies, and physique may be because beauty is whatever form and function you want it to be.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the news about the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases. Following this, we at Project Vanity hope you’re all staying safe, healthy, and informed. Now, if you are looking for a distraction, which we could all use every once in a while, then here’s the latest in beauty.

Blemishes are the bane of my existence. If you’ve been reading this website long enough, then you know it’s something I’ve struggled with since I started this blog! Most of the time it’s hormonal, sometimes it’s products, but whatever it is I’m left with these dark marks that take some time to fade.

Hence, I only mean business when it comes to my concealer choices. I do not take them lightly. That’s why I had to try the KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm (P2,450 at Sephora.ph) when I saw it on TikTok.

What was your foundation game like five or ten years ago? Or if you’ve been using makeup for longer than that, do you remember what the formulas were like when you first started? There was a time when it was all about matte, and the coverage options seemed to be either full or fuller and, dare I say, cakey. We’ve come a long way since then, and the formulas feel more... efficient. The wear is generally more comfortable, while the finish of some varieties look more skin-like than ever. Most of all, these innovations are premiering at a fast pace while becoming more affordable!

Now that wearing masks is a requirement when going out, I made it my mission to find the most “mask-proof” products I could find. While it’s rare to remove my mask once outside, there are some activities such as drinking water where I have to remove it temporarily. I want to still be able to enjoy my makeup sans the worry of having an uneven base from lifted foundation or a smeared lip that will leave my face covered with stains. So when I came across the Laneige Neo Cushion Matte with its transfer-proof promise, I knew I had to give it a try.

Project Vanity writer Firas Abboud declared in his story, “Makeup knows no gender, so every makeup product is technically universal.” I can’t agree more! I think everyone should not be judged when they wear cosmetics, no matter how they identify, or their age, or how their body is. Everyone is allowed to be more beautiful in all the ways that make them feel so! I think that’s why local brand blk Cosmetics, Anne Curtis and Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez’s brain child, hit a nerve when they launched the first Universal collection last year.

Yesterday Happy Skin released the Fresh Morning Dew Collection, which aims to deliver a fuss-free fresh face that’s comfortable to wear during the crazy hot summer. I find this collection tight and well-conceptualized; if you don’t like spending a lot of time on makeup, hate the makeup-y feeling on skin, and love to use flattering multi-use colors, then this line-up is made for you.

Let’s take a look!

Unless it’s an actual job requirement, no one needs to wear makeup every day. I think the world is changing to recognize beauty doesn’t need to equate perfection, and more people are finding the courage to be comfortable in their own skin. That said, it’s nice to be able to spend a few minutes for yourself to get ready for the day ahead and put your best face forward.

Do you still remember your first ever foundation? I do! I had read about a local brand called Ellana Minerals right here on PV, when Liz first started raving about them 10 years ago. That was the decade when mineral makeup was all the rage abroad, but Filipinos didn’t yet have the wonders of online shopping, and Ellana allowed us to enjoy the trend without having to spend a fortune on shipping fees! I treasured the tiny pot of loose mineral foundation and mini kabuki brush that I got from them, so much so that I still keep both in my vanity; the case is empty but the brush still works.

I’ve long been a fan of a lot of Anastasia Beverly Hills products, from their Dipbrow Pomade and Powders, to the iconic Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palettes and celestial highlighters. Pure Hollywood, a nude liquid lipstick, was one of my first ever lip purchases back in the day! The brand carries a lot of cosmetics that seem to always be in line with the zeitgeist while maintaining high quality at par with the top brands in the world.

It’s not very often that I get to present a really, really good drugstore foundation to you. So I am not going to mince words - the Revlon Life-Proof Matte Foundation Stick (P725) is now a mainstay on my makeup desk! I usually go for Dior, Tom Ford, Fenty, or MAC as you know but this Revlon stick can compete with the big leagues.

What I love most about it is how easy it is to apply. You just swipe as much as you need on your face, buff well with a dense foundation brush (ideally a flat top or kabuki), and you’re done!

I’m not new to the world of luxury foundations but I’ve never heard of a self-refreshing foundation before. So when Shiseido launched the Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation with SPF 35 PA++++, my interest was piqued! This foundation features ActiveForce Technology which is supposed to enable the foundation to “resist humidity, respond to heat, rebound from facial movement, absorb oil, and diffuse light for a just-applied look”. It sounds like a great match for my oily skin and the tropical climate, so I decided to test it out!

Is it just me or is 2019 passing by quickly? The Ber months are here, and holiday season is right around the corner! With everything going at full steam ahead, stress and lack of sleep can become your daily companions. We don’t need to worry though - Make Up For Ever has just launched their newest solution to helping us stay fresh faced: the Make Up For Ever Reboot Foundation (P2,700).

When it comes to face bases, I have a bias for lightweight foundations. I love how it evens out my skin tone without covering too many imperfections, thus allowing my skin to still look like skin. The light to medium coverage is also great for everyday wear as it fades more gracefully and is not as fussy as full coverage foundation can be. Weather-wise, lightweight formulas are just perfect for the fickle super-hot-then-suddenly-wet season we’re currently experiencing, as these lightweight foundations literally feel like nothing on the skin. 

I love full coverage foundation, but that’s not what I actually wear every single day. I’d go for it if I need to look flawless for an event or a shoot, but if I’m just stepping out for a casual day or some light meetings, I prefer to use a base that’s more comfortable and fresh-looking. That’s why I found the L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation (P650 or P553 if you use the code LOREALR15B in Lazada until August 31) interesting: it combines the famous Infallible long-wear technology with a skin-like, light-weight base.

Here’s a rundown of how the foundation performed for me!