Identity is a strange thing. It’s never static, ever evolving, and most of the time there are few physical manifestations that a person is not the same as you found them last. I’d like to think that I changed considerably since 2020. There is a rewiring of my internal circuitry, new parts added, old parts broken down and taken out. I try to keep an inventory but I am a complex machine and it’s impossible to know everything about myself.

By the time I had saved up enough to make the purchase, the era of Foreo had already begun. The more hygienic and softer silicone material is gentler on the skin than the defunct sonic brush brand’s nylon bristles. And what’s more, the brush head doesn’t require regular replacement. It turns out that the delay was a blessing. As of today, I am already a proud owner of two Foreo cleansing devices! I have just tested their latest entry-level release, the Foreo Luna Play Smart 2 (P5,280 via Sephora.ph, Lazada, and Foreo), so let’s see how it compares.

Hello, PV Community! How are you doing? We hope you’re doing well and staying safe. You know it - it’s time for another beauty roundup! This week in beauty, we have the following to talk about - Disney princesses, fig and olive, corsets, and a new Filipino beauty brand!

One of the first makeup I ever bought with my own money is a liquid eyeliner from Ever Bilena. I was in college and wanted to learn how to finally apply eyeliner, but I only had a student budget! I remember bending in front of the mirror just putting it on, messing it up, and redoing it again and again until I got it right. BB Liz wasted so much product, but in the end I became more confident in going out with self-applied eyeliner for the first time. Eyeliner was my thing in college - I’d go to classes with full eye makeup ad thick cat eyes. That was my emo phase, haha, and it will always be a part of me.

We all have that Ever Bilena story. I bet most of us learned how to apply makeup with this brand!

You know the popular saying, spend money on experiences and not things? Dior’s Flagship Boutique in the Philippines challenges that adage. Their new space in Greenbelt 5 spanning 165 square meters is all about giving you the full experience of being part of the Dior universe. I’ve been to a few beauty stores but I am stunned by how much detail and love the Dior team put in creating this store.

Ah, the excitement of new makeup and skincare just never gets old. When you think everything’s on the market already, brands surprise us with something to discover and fall in love with. Hmm, perhaps one (or more) of the recent releases below is the next product that will capture your beauty heart.

When menstrual cups started showing up more and more in the Philippines, I rejoiced. I liked the idea of a more eco-friendly alternative to the pads I’ve used since puberty. Unfortunately, I didn't have the best experience in finding the right fit and ended up a little traumatized. So no judgment here if you really wanted to give The Cup a try, but it just wasn't for you. The next best thing is an alternative to the alternative: fully biodegradable pads!

I’ve been keeping this secret for over a year and finally, I can shout it out to the world! Heroine Make, the world-famous mascara brand from Japan, is back in the Philippines! They make one of my HG mascaras, Long & Curl, so I’m glad that I don’t have to wait for my next Japan or Hong Kong trip to get my hands on it again.

Gone are the days when the only purpose of lip products is to either apply color on the lips or to treat them. These days, we expect more than just a singular purpose from our lip product and a lot of beauty’s recent releases have been answering. These lip hybrids deliver a punch of color while also providing other benefits like a glossy finish, a hydrating boost, or both, or more. Here are 5 local lip products to try:

Kiehl’s fans rejoiced in 2020 when the brand finally launched their LazMall Store to provide greater online access to Kiehl's products from the comfort of our homes. They featured curated sets from celebrities then but I also shared my personal favorites as I have quite a few from the brand.

The year, Kiehl's topped in Lazada for the Super Brand Opening and their Super Brand Day in 2021. For this year's Super Brand Day on May 25, Kiehl’s has lined up pretty exciting things for us!

Hi, PV Community! How are you all doing? I know it’s been a tumultuous month so far, so I hope beauty can offer a sense of normalcy and an escape. With that, here are the latest in beauty.

Pwera usog, but it feels like we’re moving into the more “normal” part of the new normal. Meaning, full makeup is finally making a comeback in all its gorgeous glory! And to celebrate this, Estee Lauder hosted a virtual class led by their Director of Global Artistry, Jocelyn Biga

We’re in the thick of the Philippine summer - hot, sticky, and unbelievably sweaty - so I’m fairly certain that you’re looking for something to help you look fresher for longer in this heat. I may have a solution! I tried this a few months back and now I’m here with a full review.

The MAC Studio Fix Mattifine 12HR Shine-Control Primer (P2,300 for 3ml in Lazada) is designed to mattify skin and provide a blurring finish to reduce the appearance of pores.

Having scars may deal a blow to our self-confidence, but think of it as our skin getting stronger after every challenge. After all, the formation of scars is a natural part of our skin’s healing process! They can result from accidents, injury, burns, surgery, acne and illness.

Depending on the severity, age, and location of the scar, there are several options to fade them away. If the wound is not too serious and it’s still fresh, the best way to keep it from scarring as much as it would when left alone is to be proactive while the wound is newly healed.

I've always kept myself updated on new Happy Skin releases, be it skincare or makeup. Two of their recent ones really piqued my interest: a sunscreen primer and a tinted moisturizer. I know I need both but realistically speaking, how will they fare in my daily routine? These can be used separately or together, so let's see.

How’s it going, PV Community? How’s the month of April treating you? Well, there’s a week left before the month ends, so make it count. Do something you’ve never done before - order something new for a change, try a new recipe, or listen to new music. Speaking of new, time for another round of the latest in beauty.

I need to preface this post by saying that I am currently recovering from a bad sunburn on my back. I don’t even remember the last time I was sunburned in any way! I think I would have still been a kid the last time something like this happened. But I have to take the blame on this one. Sunscreen is meant to be re-applied every three hours, more often if you’re getting some serious sun exposure. I was having so much fun that the veteran beauty editor in me forgot all about it! So yes, DO NOT forget.

In the last two years I’ve developed extra sensitive scalp and facial skin. Now I can’t just use hair products unless I really want to risk rashes on my scalp and pimples on my face! But when Aveda sent me a set of samples to try out last December, I thought I’d give it a chance since the products are supposed to be for “strengthening” hair. I have fine hair and hair fall so I was curious to see if it would help.

Well, let’s just say that I loved the sample size so much that I bought the 1 liter bottle!

It’s graduation season! I have fond memories for this time of the year. My Lola used to bring me to Baclaran a few weeks before graduation to look for a new dress to wear to the ceremony. She was so proud of me - I was always an honor student - so she wanted me to have something nice when I walked up the stage to get my diploma. I think this went on from elementary to high school!

It’s been a while since then, but I’d like to share some graduation dress recos from my favorite plate to shop for clothes online - Zalora!

For 2022, Watsons held its first DO GOOD For Earth, Sa Watsons Ako webinar with “Smart Waste Management Towards A Sustainable Future,” where two resource persons shared valuable insights on how waste management and recycling affects global warming and climate change.