Activities that require creativity and coordination have never been part of my strong suit so I like to joke that the fact that I can do makeup is a miracle.

When I first started creating content, I really wanted to be more creative with the makeup looks I would share but I was so intimidated and scared to make a horrible look. I stayed in my safe zone of soft glam during my first two years as a content creator.

Hi, PV Community! How are you all doing? If you haven’t heard already, it’s the 14th Project Vanity Anniversary Event this coming August 27! Expect an afternoon filled with meaningful talks and conversations, beauty, refreshments and so much more! By the way, don’t forget to secure your early bird ticket (P2,995), which is available until August 15. Okay, time for the latest in beauty!

Watsons Philippines has recently garnered multiple awards from different award giving bodies for its sustainability program as it takes the lead in the health, wellness and beauty retail sector in spreading the word about the green lifestyle and encouraging its customers to live more sustainably by offering products that allow them to do so.

Shiseido will always have a special place in my heart. It’s because of the brand that I fell in love with beauty history and with traveling. In 2013, I flew out of the country for the first time to visit Shiseido’s headquarters and flagship store in Ginza, as well as their museum and factory in Kakegawa. It was an amazing experience - one for the books! I’ve been to Japan 11 more times since then. That’s how life-changing it was for me.

And just like that, it’s the month of August, PV Community! Have you noticed that people are starting to share Mariah Carey and Jose Mari Chan memes? The Christmas spirit never gets old. So, I won’t be surprised if you’re already creating your wish lists. Perhaps something on this week’s beauty roundup will make the cut!

This year, our theme is Brave & Beautiful for our 14th Anniversary Event, and you’re invited as always! It’s happening on August 27, Saturday, and Palm Grove at the Rockwell Club, Makati from 1-5PM.

We have amazing speakers in our line up to talk about their stories of reinvention, self-discovery, and determination.

Have you ever found your perfect foundation shade match only to find it changing color halfway through the day? After you’ve bought it full-sized? This has happened to me a couple of times already and here in the Philippines, beauty brands don’t really allow us to exchange them for a better shade. I’ve learned my lesson since so I’m extra careful with choosing my base products. Aside from swatching, sampling, and extensive research on reviews, it is also best to watch out for that dreaded color change brought about by oxidation.

It has been four years since and I have gone from having a little basket of makeup goodies that I could store in my cabinet to having a collection that demands its own space. It feels like this happened overnight and I realized that was because my makeup use and purchase habits became a form of coping during the pandemic.

With all of the health and safety guidelines in full swing - especially masks and working from home, I have been forced to reevaluate the way I see my collection and habits.

Happy National Lipstick Day, PV Community! What lipstick are you wearing today? If you haven’t got any on, well, then you must apply your favorite lipstick right now! We must join in on the celebration, right? As a matter of fact, I just swiped on my MAC Ruby Woo lipstick!

What does it take to be on top after 21 years in the beauty industry? Celebrity makeup artist - although she stubbornly says that she doesn’t even think of herself that way - Effie Go Iñigo has some answers. She does famous (and often controversial faces) like Toni Gonzaga, Derek Ramsay, and Sofia Andres to name a few. I sat down with her over coffee and she shared some stories about how she built her 21-year career, what she did to get over huge transitions in the industry, how she coped with the pandemic, plus her absolute favorite things.

I’ve ignored TikTok for so long because I’m old (34 is ancient over there) and frankly didn’t easily understand it. I thought it was only for people who enjoyed sharing their dance moves (of which I have approximately zero in both appreciation and execution) and making funny dubs of random sounds. But I had to figure out TikTok for work, so I went on a soul-searching journey to try and divine the true meaning of the top social app in the world.

Hi there, PV Community! How’s it going? Did you know that it’s National Lipstick Day this coming July 29? So, I think it’s only fair to ask you all a series of lipstick-related questions. What’s the first lipstick you purchased? You used up? You can’t live without? Just in case you’re wondering what my answers are: Ever Bilena Mauvey, MAC Velvet Teddy, and NARS Audacious!

Serums are usually counted beyond basic skincare and that’s because they have targeted benefits that add on to a routine. These concentrated boosters are often priced higher but Ever Bilena Plus recently released affordable serums for only P395 each. Let’s see how they fare on my skin!

Although beauty is a personal journey, we all know that SPF is non-negotiable. Admittedly though, it is one of the hardest beauty habits to get into. From childhood memories of heavy and extremely tacky formulas making beach and pool days less enjoyable to the price tags that are on a good SPF product - there is always something that holds you back from the path of sun protection.

Luckily, local beauty brands have been stepping up their game and giving the people what they want by creating sunscreen and sunblock options that are comfortable for both our skin and wallets.

Packing for a trip out of the country is, I daresay, an art. It’s getting that perfect balance between bringing everything you need, having easy access to everything without losing your things, and having enough space for your shopping! When I first started traveling abroad, I was all about packing light so much that I under pack and forget a lot of important things. I used to survive on just a 5-kilo luggage for a week-long trip - that’s unimaginable now. I always end up having to buy a big tote for my shopping and it’s such a hassle lugging it to and from the airport.

But now I have a fairly reliable formula that works for me, and might work for you too. Here’s my tried-and-tested way of packing for a trip abroad! This is handy if, like me, you over think and like to look pretty.

Hey there, PV Community! How’s the month of July so far? You know, I report to the office every single day now and I find myself falling in love with makeup for the first time all over again. I guess I just missed wearing makeup somewhere else than home. Do you feel the same way?

Someone on Instagram asked me last week about how I keep my legs looking smooth and even. That’s when I realized that I haven’t talked about this nifty technique yet despite “discovering” it some time back! It became viral on TikTok at one point, but I found out about it before I saw it on Tiktok via a “Eureka!” moment in the shower. It just makes complete sense.

Japan's No.1 sunscreen brand Anessa just got an upgrade in packaging and formula, so I'm here to check it out! They switched to a blue logo and outer packaging, which btw is partially made of bio-based plastic. This is produced from "renewable biomass sources that reduce carbon dioxide emissions"*. In working towards their goal of a SUNstainable world, they also removed coral-damaging ingredients such as Octinoxate and Microplastic beads from their formula.