Five days ago, Rep. Arlene D. Brosas from Gabriela Women’s Party filed House Bill No. 7758. It’s an act that seeks to grant all women a maximum of two fully paid menstrual leaves a month. This proposed law is not new; the late Miriam Defensor Santiago actually also filed something like this in August 2004, with the law requiring a one day leave with 50% pay every month. Just last January of this year, Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Talino Santos filed for a law that grants women two paid menstrual leaves a month, with 50% renumeration per day.

The first two months of the year have been slow in terms of beauty releases but little did we know, it was just the calm before the storm! As we celebrate National Women’s Month this year, our local beauty brands seem to be keeping us on our toes with new launches left and right.

Here are all the beauty releases we have been blessed with this month alone!

Being booked and busy is part and parcel when you are turning your dreams into a reality and sometimes, self-care is something that gets pushed off the schedule. As a fellow hustler, I have been there, done that, and mastered the art of getting ready even while I am on the go! 

Luckily, SM Deals has a ton of Glow Up Deals for us as we celebrate  Women’s Month. So here are my top five beauty picks that you can add to your on-the-go makeup kit to keep you looking chic through all of your day-to-day happenings. Whether it is an after class org meeting or a business lunch, these products have got you covered! These products will sure help you achieve that Clean Girl Aesthetic vibe - beautiful yet very minimalist and effortless!

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.

As someone with sensitive skin, finding a body wash that doesn't irritate or dry out my skin has always been a bit of a challenge. So when I came across Naive Pure Foaming Body Wash (P595 for 550ml at Beautybox), I was intrigued. Made with 100% plant-derived cleansing ingredients and free from harsh chemicals, Naive Pure Body Wash sounded like a great option for me.

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Mitsukoshi BGC store to join in the celebration of Pili Ani's new flagship store. It was an afternoon filled with Pinoy Pride as I got to explore one of the pioneering brands of Filipino skincare in the global market. What made the event even more special was the appearance of the one and only Bretman Rock, who brought his signature style and personality to the celebration.

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.

Whether you're preparing for a special occasion or simply pampering yourself, achieving healthy, glowing skin is always a win. As for me, February was not just love month, but also my wedding month! So, I'm excited to share my skincare routine for getting bridal ready.

My routine consists of my tried-and-true products, as well as some new additions to achieve my skincare goals in time for the big day. I have sensitive and allergy-prone skin, so these products have passed my high standards of never causing irritation.

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.

Celebrity Andrea Brillantes has always wanted to be the CEO of her own cosmetics brand. She wanted her vision to be front and center and come up with products that are representative of her own beauty routine and ultra feminine vibe. And so Lucky Beauty was born. “Makeup is a wearable lucky charm,” Andrea says. For her, it helps her feel more confident and in control of her fate.

We've all been there: we wake up with a zit right before an important event. Whether it's a date, an outing, or a big presentation, a pimple can be a big downer. And with people still dealing with maskne, we're all trying to find quick solutions. I recently tried the complete Acnes line by Mentholatum and here's what I found.

I’ve been to Japan about 12 times now and I’m planning to visit again sometime soon. Let me tell you that it’s a massive understatement when I say I’m excited to be back post-pandemic. It’s my favorite place in the world! I love the food, the parks, the fashion and of course, the shopping. First place I’d go to is Shimokitazawa for the vintage stores and cool cafes.

Exfoliation is an essential step in any skincare routine. It involves removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, leaving it looking and feeling smoother and more radiant. But why is exfoliation important, and how can you choose the right exfoliator for your skin type? Let’s answer these questions and more!

I recently attended the grand launch of the new Hyper Real skincare line by MAC, and it was an afternoon filled with beauty and skin artistry! Held at Greenbelt 5, Fashion Walk, the launch was attended by press, influencers, beauty enthusiasts, and makeup artists alike.

The elegant and energetic Issa Litton hosted the event. She kicked off the celebration with a Skin Artistry demo led by top celebrity makeup artist MK Qua.

Beauty is a powerful tool that can help women feel confident, beautiful and worthy. That's why Project Vanity, Foundation Foundation, She Works and Wipe Every Tear are joining forces to help women who have survived sex trafficking. They are hosting a donation drive to collect gently used/ unused and unexpired beauty products. The goal is to give these women a chance to feel beautiful again and to help them in their journey of rebuilding their lives.

Filipino brand Chu Chu Beauty launched a super sparkly collection just in time for their birthday, and I’m here to share some swatches! Chu Chu in my opinion is the underrated younger sister of Issy & Co., with lots to offer to makeup beginners as well as those who just want to add a little bit of magic to a basic makeup routine.

Washing your face is an essential part of any skincare routine, as it helps to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin, leaving it clean and refreshed. But how often and what should we use to wash our face? Today, we'll explore the best practices for washing your face to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

As Asia’s No.1 health and beauty retailer, Watsons has celebrated an important milestone today as it opens its 1,000th store in Philippines, adding to a total of 8,000 Watsons stores across 15 markets in Asia and Eastern Europe. The new store opening coincides with Watsons’ 20th anniversary in the Philippines, one of its fastest-growing markets.

I’ve not come across a Filipino brand mascara that I love, until this one. I know, so dramatic, but I was really pleasantly surprised when I finally tried the Spotlight Second Skin Mascara with Castor Oil (P385 for 8g).

About me: I have really high standards when it comes to mascara. I usually go for Japanese or American mascaras because they deliver the curl, the volume, the length, the staying power. But they are a bit more expensive than I would like to spend for an everyday I’m-just-going-to-the-grocery mascara, with Maybelline at P499 and up depending where you buy it. Enter Spotlight.