When I was younger I believed with all my heart that if things were not perfect, they were worthless. It started when I’d watch shampoo commercials with beautiful women bearing only shiny, straight hair. Comparing my curly, frizzy hair with it - often described as the enemy in those commercials - made me hate my hair with a passion. I was seven or nine. I almost poured boiling hot cooking oil on my head thinking that’s how hot oils worked. Luckily I didn’t but that’s only because the plastic container melted.

One of the most challenging things about this pandemic is being able to avail of regular healthcare services that require one’s physical presence at a clinic. When my mom was experiencing a toothache earlier this year, I was surprised to learn that her dentist could not even do fillings. It was straight to tooth extractions for emergency cases. Cleanings and regular check-ups were out of the question.

Do you miss the Project Vanity weekly beauty roundup? Well, you’re in luck because it’s back, and I’m so excited to share the latest beauty happenings with you all. It’s a happy Friday, indeed, because we’ll be talking about the newest face of Tom Ford, Estêe Lauder’s 75th anniversary, MAC’s Wander.Lust Collection, Chanel’s No. 5 Factory Collection, and the latest on Kylie Cosmetics!

While I’ve started using scented candles since 2019, it became a daily habit in 2021. I have discovered a candle enthusiast community consisting of chandlers (candle makers), suppliers, and fellow candle enthusiasts. After trying over 70 candles in a span of two and a half years, I have narrowed it down to my top 11! Here’s what’s worth the splurge.

Ladies and gentlemen, typhoon season has officially arrived and perhaps like me your lips are feeling the strain. Cooler weather is a good respite from the deep of the summer but you best believe that my lips dry up like prunes once things take a wetter turn. So, allow me to present four lip balms that I’ve always found reliable! Let me know of your favorites too!

Yes, it’s true - menstrual cups are now available in Mercury Drug! When I saw the news I was amazed that what seemed like a pipe dream before is now a reality for us MC users. If you’re a menstrual cup user or even just mildly curious about it, I’m sure you’ve found out how hard it is to get access to different brands here in the Philippines. We are still firmly conservative in many ways, but I’m happy to share that this is one front where the market is becoming more open!

Wondering if plant-powered haircare routine is for you? Throughout the month, people shared their actual experiences of using Herbal Essences. Read on to discover the multisensorial benefits of bringing plant power to the shower.

I recently accompanied my boyfriend to his office in BGC. Since we were already out, we decided to go to Uptown Mall for dinner. Before heading back home, we walked around and did a bit of window shopping. Looking around, I couldn’t help but remember the days when I would go to the mall just to shop for makeup.

Pantene celebrates pride month by highlighting the stories of two Salontastic women. Just like them, we want you to love and enjoy greater hair days everyday, and in every way. Flaunt your Pride with Pantene.

It’s no secret that Innisfree’s Green Tea skincare line is one of the brand’s most popular and enduring collections. Versatile and moisturizing Jeju Green Tea has been a fan favorite since its launch back in 2008, and the creme de la creme has always been the Green Tea Seed Serum for its potent balancing and hydrating properties.

Better skin in as early as 2 weeks

While there’s a lot of drinks and vitamins in the market that promise better skin, I was on the lookout for something that’s proven and tested to work on acne -- something to help me deal with cystic acne which I often get whenever I’m on my period.

Something you probably already know: Mae Layug is a famous local YouTuber who has over half a million followers. She films mostly beauty reviews, but also covers health, shopping hauls, and snippets from her personal life.

With a vast selection of skincare products available in the market, getting the highly-coveted glow up should be easy, right? Good skin, however, isn't just something you get by dealing with it from the outside. I should know–as someone who has battled acne, I've basically tried them all. While products and treatments helped cure existing skin issues, these had to go hand in hand with nourishing my skin from the inside. A vitamin I often overlooked, merely seeing it as one of the usual ingredients in my multivitamin capsule, is Vitamin E.

I first reviewed the iconic Clinique Moisture Surge eleven years ago here on Project Vanity. Eleven years, would you believe? It was the first true gel moisturizer I’ve tried in my life, and my mind was appropriately blown. I’ve only tried heavy cream moisturizers previously and gels weren’t as easily available before as they are now. Clinique was definitely one of the first brands that led the pack when it came to this particular innovation.

It’s been a while since I’ve been literally thrilled by a lipstick collection. You all know how I feel about brown lipstick these days, so to see a line that’s full of luscious jewel tones makes my heart do a little dance each time I pull out a shade to wear. And so, let me present to you the new MAC Love Me Liquid Lipcolour (P1,500 at Lazada), which really should be in your makeup armoire ASAP!

Since we are mostly still stuck at home, some of us have probably tried to DIY our beauty and grooming rituals that we usually do outside. And while it might even be fun to try to cut our own hair or do our own nails at home, there are some things that should be left to the experts. Here are five beauty procedures that you should never try at home.

Despite the name, COMMONLABS. is a Kbeauty brand that has a decidedly uncommon approach to skincare. When you visit their website, they describe their products as skin kinetics trainers that “stimulate healthy and balanced movement of the skin cells”. The approach is that of working from the core to ensure that skin is healthy on a fundamental level. And they focus on formulations that can battle pollutants and stress.

All movements, when successful, end up permeating our daily lives. The clamor for sustainability in beauty used to be just a niche affair, but over the years we’ve seen bigger brands commit - in their own ways - to practices that are better for the environment. This gives us consumers more options as things become more affordable and easily available. There’s still a long way to go, of course, but Watsons is going forward with its commitment to sustainability.

Shiseido has been busy lately, what with new releases that I think you’ll love for your skin. Today I’ll be reviewing the new Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation and the Clear Suncare Stick!

My skin hasn’t been in the best state in the past year, so I still like wearing a bit of liquid foundation underneath even when I have a mask on. In fact, I find that it also helps my makeup survive a little longer. But not all liquid foundations are created equal in this use case. Some, like the Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation (P3,000 /30ml in Lazada) may rule them all.