Did you know that stress can cause hair loss? YES. Can red light therapy help? Also YES. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “…clinical studies have revealed that hair growth is stimulated by 650-nm red light.”  I’ve personally tried red light therapy for the skin, but I have never tried it on my scalp! I’ve been seeing this all over my FYP on TikTok lately and was excited to see that this service is available at Marqed Salon located at Sapphire Residences, BGC. I was able to avail of their services via Parlon.ph, which as you guys know is the best place to score deals on beauty services. Let me walk you through the steps when you avail of this intriguing hair treatment!

K-Beauty has always fascinated me. Yet, as a morena diving into its colorful world, I hit a snag - the shades and tones often fell short of flattering my skin tone. I resigned myself to this reality, thinking K-Beauty just wasn't meant for me.

But then, 2023 brought a refreshing change - a surge in shade expansions! This shift sparked a renewed hope in me. Maybe it was time to revisit K-Beauty with fresh eyes. Eager to dip my toes back in, I've chosen to start with a product that's new to me (though not new to the market) - the barenbliss BNB Korean Bloomatte True Beauty Inside Cushion 24H Full Coverage SPF 45 PA+++ (P899).

Filipino beauty brands are releasing bigger and bigger collections now compared to before. It’s a good thing because it gives us consumers more formulas and colors to choose from, but it’s also a bad thing because it can be quite overwhelming! Sometimes, I have trouble going through dozens of products just within a single collection. Which one should I try first? What’s worth my time? I find that I have to be a little bit brutal when it comes to short listing what to actually use.

Anyway, if you feel both excited and a bit overwhelmed by the huge Careline x Spongebob collab, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve tried everything, and here are the three products you absolutely need to get (if it fits your needs, of course).

I had zero expectations when I was tasked to try Trizie Naked Collagen for 30 days. I knew that taking Collagen supplements have a plethora of benefits like improved skin texture, healthier nails and hair. BUT I had tried other collagen supplements before and I didn’t see any noticeable changes. Little did I know that I would be a convert within the first week!

Is it still January? Apparently, yes. And with each new week comes a new wave of beauty news we bottle up and store just for you! For this week, let’s get to know new releases from local brands Ever Bilena (gorgeous powder blushes) and Hello Glow (a tinted sunscreen). Kim K is back with a new makeup collection. Feeling luxe? Check out the latest lipsticks and perfume sticks from Dior. You just might find a new place to shop at Corso Como 88, which features designer treasures from around the globe.

I am one of the first few bloggers here in the Philippines. For almost two decades, I’ve watched the content creator industry evolve, especially the symbiotic relationship they have with brands. These days I find that role of content creators has become a topic of hot debate. Should brands view these creators primarily as salespeople, or is there more to this partnership? This is a nuanced conversation, one that needs a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between commercial interests and authentic content creation.

I’m in Tokyo by the time you’re reading this, and dying (figuratively) in the 10—0 c weather. My legs and lower back are also probably sore and painful by now from all the walking I have to do in the trade convention I’m visiting. I’m not complaining - you know what, I totally am! When did my body start to hurt so much for so little? It's a question I've been asking myself more often lately. It feels unfair to age and sense my body start to creak, and all of this when I’m only 35!

Now, let’s talk solutions, because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that being prepared is half the battle.

The Ever Bilena Powder Blush (P250 for 3 grams) represents a new stage for the brand, I think. I’ve tried their powder blushes before, and while they were good for the price, I can’t say they’ve far exceeded my expectations. This one is different. You know how some brands have become synonymous to certain products, like concealer, eyeshadow, foundation, and so on? I think that with this release, hot on the heels of Pillow Pop’s success, Ever Bilena is positioning itself as the definitive choice for blush.

Let’s go through the new Powder Blush!

I was having lunch with my two mentors yesterday and we were talking about lash lifts. One of them said that she never wants to try them because of the maintenance required, and the other said she actually got them once, then had them removed the next day. It was too weird not to be able to touch her eyes whenever she wanted! Personally, while a lot of brands have offered to give me a lash lift for free, I’ve never had them done. Like my friend, the labor and cost required to maintain them is beyond what I want to shoulder for myself.

That doesn’t make me better than anyone. It’s just not for me. I’d rather spend 6-10 minutes a week or a total of 24-40 minutes a month using eyelash curler and brushing on mascara

Two weeks into 2024, and I’m already lemming for some new makeup. New year, new (makeup) look! If you’re feeling me, this week’s BNR is right up your alley. Let’s roundup the most exciting releases so far in color cosmetics! I heard that our girl RiRi is adding a new hydrating concealer to her Fenty Beauty lineup. Drugstore makeup steps up with Essence Cosmetics’ Love, Luck, & Dragons collection. Natasha Denona curates beautiful colors for their 2024 Valentine additions. Last, but most definitely not the least, get ready to be dazzled with Colourpop’s latest collab with Twilight!

Before I started using Epiduo, my skin was struggling with persistent cystic acne. These were large, inflamed, and painful bumps that had to be covered with a thick layer of concealer every time I left the house. Nothing I tried to stop them worked! Thankfully, the oral medication prescribed by my dermatologist Dr. Erin Tababa-Santos (aka The Nerdy Derma) had already begun to lessen the severity of these outbreaks, reducing the inflammation dramatically.

I mention this because I want to be clear that while Epiduo has done a lot for my skin in just a week, the medication I am taking is the primary reason that no new acne is coming out. It’s not a miracle product. It’s really good though. Here’s what I observed over the course of a week!

Hello ladies! Today, I'm pleased to share something that's right around the corner. From February 1-4, a special event is unfolding - the Watsons Health Expo 2024 at SM Megatrade Halls. It's not just a shopping event, it's a gathering that celebrates our collective journey towards better health and beauty, all thanks to Watsons Club.

Watsons has been a go-to for many of us, myself included, for those little things that make us feel and look good. This expo, curated by Watsons Club, feels like a heartfelt thank-you to all of us who've made Watsons a part of our wellness routine.

Happy Skin is starting 2024 on a high note with an exciting new launch! For those of us with sparse lashes or brows that need extra attention (I can relate!), this is a game-changer. Meet the Happy Skin Holy Grail Lash and Brow Growth Serum (P1,299), a product which perfectly embodies the brand's philosophy of blending makeup with skincare. It not only nurtures your brows and lashes but also preps them for makeup application. This serum is a new addition to the already beloved Holy Grail collection, which has been focusing on brows and lashes since its debut in mid-2023. Lucky me, I had the chance to try this serum before its official release, and I'm excited to share my experience with you.

It’s common knowledge that vitamin supplements support good health overall, including the skin. There are specific vitamins we can take orally for better skin, but when it comes to products directly applied to our face, it can get tricky. We know that Vitamin C has been proven to even out skin tone, improve collagen production, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin A is a source for anti-aging retinoids that is so potent, even dermatologists recommend its use with caution. BUT it’s not ideal to mix and match willy-nilly with other skincare actives just like that. It typically takes trial and error to build a skin care routine incorporating both of these skin care heroes.

Let’s kick off 2024 with an all-luxe Beauty Roundup! How do you feel about luxury skin care and makeup brands? Personally, I used to think their products were overhyped and overpriced - until I got to try some of them. I realized that more than just functional products, they provide a full experience that makes me feel special. I began to understand that, to each their own. That’s the beauty of beauty! There’s no right or wrong product, but there is definitely something for everyone. How about you, what do you think? Which luxury brands do you prefer when it comes to skin care and makeup?

Yesterday, I finally consulted a dermatologist after years of trying to wing it on my own. I’m not proud of the fact that it took me so long to just book that session. But I’m so glad I did it, because Dr. Erin Tababa-Santos (aka The Nerdy Derma) is great! She was able to diagnose my skin and hair issues quickly, and have a great medication plan in place for me. I am so excited to see the results, especially for my acne problem! It’s going to take a month or two, but I’m really looking forward to not having to have to use concealer every time I leave the house.

Recently, I had the delightful opportunity to experience the latest Estee Lauder Nutritious Collection, a fresh release in the Philippines just a few months back. Before you ask, it's not a rehash of the 2015 Nutritious Collection, despite the name's familiarity! This revamped lineup is encased in sleek, minimalist packaging, adorned with a subtle and elegant pink gradient that captures the eye. The containers have a substantial, quality feel in the hand, yet they exude a playful, youthful charm when sitting on the vanity. I'm thrilled to take you through a tour of this exciting line!

The new year just rolled in and everyone's social media essays sound so inspiring. At the same time, perhaps you feel a twinge of envy - why does it seem like the people around you have it all figured out? The life that you thought you would have by now hasn’t yet materialized and no one told you it was going to be this way. Maybe you feel a little empty, a little lost. But you know you still have a lot of fight left in you and refuse to give up on yourself. If you want to reclaim your old purpose or find a new one, here are a few things you can do right now to get you started!

If you’ve always wished for more eyeliner options that’s specific to the way you love doing your eye makeup, then the new Careline Graph-Ink Collection is worth checking out. This is an extension of their best-selling Graph-Ink Liquid Liner which is well-known for its longevity, intensity, and affordability. If you’re already familiar with it then you know why it has such a loyal fanbase after all these years! Now there are five more types to choose from, all featuring Careline’s award-winning formula in some form.

Let’s go through it!