I'm absolutely thrilled to dive into the offerings from FIRST Skincare, a gem of a local brand that caught the eye of Project Vanity's ever-curious gaze. Embracing the ethos of clean and sustainable beauty, FIRST Skincare stands out as a beacon of innovation in the Filipino beauty scene—an initiative that's nothing short of inspiring.

With a keen focus on catering to both men and women, FIRST Skincare harnesses the power of the PSE (Pumpkin Seed Extract) Antioxidant System, a marvel of Swiss technology.

Do you have a brow mascara in your daily makeup routine? I do! I find it so useful in making my brow hairs look thicker and more tamed, as opposed to leaving them alone looking limp. It really polishes up my entire look, since eyebrows make such a big impact on how my face is framed. So I always make the time to use a browcara to elevate my look.

The new barenbliss BNB Set N Slick Lasting Browcara (P399) is an exciting addition to my makeup wardrobe, priced at an accessible P399.

While I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to my foundation, usually reaching for those trusty bottles, I've got to hand it to cushion foundations for their sheer convenience. There's something so handy about them, especially on those days when the idea of juggling brushes and blending for what feels like ages just doesn't fit into the schedule. Cushions swoop in like a beauty superhero, simplifying the makeup routine without skimping on the flawless finish.

And now, we have a new one from a Filipino brand: the Spotlight Serum Cushion Foundation (P895 for 12 grams). This has SPF50 PA++++, which of course is not going to replace your sunscreen but offers a good boost of sun protection. More importantly, this one is super lightweight and features light to medium coverage.

Last week, I was at an event and met a high school student who is really popular in TikTok. She was delightful, smart, focused, and I had a great conversation with her! I gave some advice (I hope that didn’t annoy her, I can’t help it, it’s the elder millennial in me) which I hope can be useful to her as a content creator. I honestly find young people so impressive. They’re knowledgeable and generally sensible, that is, as much as you can be at that age. But I honestly don’t want to be young again.

I mean sure, it would be nice not having to feel anxious about the 11 lines forming on my forehead, but I truly don’t want to have to learn everything I know now again. There's something so freeing about moving past the insecurities that plagued my younger years.

This week, we have got an assortment of unexpected beauty news. Cult-favorite Glossier Cloud Paint is now available as bronzers! We get to see Dyson’s new Supersonic hair dryer for professionals. Blackwater releases an unexpected Bubble Up Effortless Hair Removal Spray. Hello Glow enters the hair care game with their very own Hairsaver Dry Shampoo. Last but not least, Avon opens its first ever Avon Retail Corner. Let’s get started on this week’s Beauty News Roundup!

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending an enchanting event that felt like stepping into a scene straight out of a chic Parisian dream, yet it was perched atop the urban oasis of Seda Hotel's rooftop. Dior, a name synonymous with luxury and elegance, unveiled their latest gem in the realm of fragrance: the Mini Miss solid perfume. The event unfolded in an afternoon bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, transforming the venue into a beautiful scene worthy of Dior's timeless sophistication.

So the worst case scenario just happened: you had lash extensions, but after a week or so your natural eyelashes start falling off one by one, leaving you with a balding lash line. Or, it was just a normal day and you were curling your lashes when your curler accidentally snaps off the hair. What to do? Fortunately, restoring the health and vitality of your eyelashes doesn't require a miracle—just a well-rounded approach that nurtures them from root to tip. To encourage eyelash growth after damage, consider a multifaceted approach focusing on nutrition, gentle care, and appropriate products. Here’s what you can do!

Ever Bilena has another affordable dupe that I think you guys might be interested in. The new EB Matte Colorlock Lippie (P295) is quite similar to the NARS Powermatte Lipstick, one of my favorite matte lipstick formulas out there. Like the Powermatte, EB’s Matte Colorlock goes on creamy and sets into a more solid, thin layer of color that’s fairly long-wearing. It has 12 shades available and at least a couple of them are near dead ringers for some of NARS’s shades. Let’s get into it!

I recently found myself chatting about how rare it seems for beauty lovers to completely finish their products. It’s easy to doubt when you see influencers with their empties, especially with products that just hit the shelves. We all have our own pace, with some diving into full makeup daily, while others save their best bits for special moments. But honestly, seeing a product used up convinces me it’s truly loved.

Today, I find myself in a bit of a conundrum that I suspect some of you might relate to. It's about our darling Taylor Swift, a name that needs no introduction and a personality that's become a staple in not just the music industry but seemingly every nook and cranny of social media. As much as I adore Taylor and her music—her ability to articulate emotions and experiences is god level—lately, I've been feeling a tad overwhelmed by the omnipresence of Swiftie news.

Has everybody recovered from the extended 2.2 sales? Now that that’s over, local beauty brands have moved on with exciting new product releases! Let’s look at new skin care and makeup product releases from Ever Bilena, Spotlight Cosmetics, blk, and Happy Skin. Plus, a new find for your glow-up from Myra. Yes, it’s time for another beauty roundup, local brands only edition!

I turned 36 today, and I’m feeling great. My life is quiet and comfortable, surrounded by people who love me, and my health has never been better. I wish someone had told me at 20 how I was essentially an Olympic gymnast in the mental gymnastics of standing in my own way. Now, with a little more gray hair and a lot more perspective, I've learned the art of stepping aside and letting myself pass. It's been about ditching the mental clutter for mental clarity, realizing that the biggest roadblocks were often my own making. This shift has been liberating, like finally deciding to clean your makeup brushes after months (we've all been there) - surprisingly satisfying and long overdue.

Today, I thought of sharing with you 26 of the most important beauty (and life) lessons I’ve learned so far. I know that many of these are easier said than done - we have to go through some things to truly understand them - but I hope these can be a guide for you when the time comes.

When I first decided to sew my own clothes in 2021, it was partly because I had too much time on my hands thanks to COVID-19 and partly because I was delusionally inspired by TV shows like "Drag Race" and "The Cut." I mean, if they can whip up a runway-worthy outfit in 7-10 hours, why couldn't I, right? What started as a way to kill time soon morphed into a rewarding (and occasionally frustrating) hobby. From sewing gowns for weddings to crafting the perfect brunch ensemble, the journey has been nothing short of an epic saga - complete with plot twists and character development. Here's what I've learned along the way.

"Shiseido's mission, 'Beauty Innovations For A Better World,' perfectly aligns with their commitment to using innovative beauty solutions to inspire joy among cancer survivors. This mission was brought to life at the "Lavender Ring: Makeup & Photos with Smiles" event, hosted last January at Shangri-la The Fort.

The Lavender Ring project, initiated by Shiseido in 2017, symbolizes the brand's dedication to supporting cancer survivors through the power of beauty. The choice of lavender represents the fight against all types of cancer, while the ring signifies unity and communal support for those affected.

Let’s do a throwback to pre-pandemic makeup holy grail (HG) finds. Remember how every beauty fan had to have at least one MAC bullet lipstick, and a fave from Benefit’s brow lineup? Where were you when RiRi made headlines with her gorgeously gilded Killawatt highlighter? And did you feel like a professional makeup artist when you discovered your perfect Make Up For Ever (MUFE) foundation shade match? These OG beauty HG’s are recently getting either lineup expansions or reformulations. It’s time to take another look at new editions of our favorite makeup staples. Let’s go on another Beauty News Roundup!

Are you gearing up for your next trip but feeling overwhelmed by the thought of packing your beauty arsenal? Fear not, as I'm here to guide you through the dos and don'ts of packing beauty products for air travel in 2024. We're talking about keeping your skincare game strong and your makeup on point, even thousands of feet up in the air!

Vital Perfection is Shiseido's No.1 pro-aging line with Anne Hathaway announced as the global ambassador last year. Paired with the inspiring tagline "Potential Has No Age," one can expect the brand to further its campaign with continuous development towards better skin via a holistic approach – beauty beyond the surface. This proves true as Shiseido launches locally the revitalized Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream with a renewed focus on the lifting part.

What I love about barenbliss is that, in my experience, they rarely miss. They intuitively know what us makeup girlies want from our makeup products, from pricing, to packaging, to shade selection, to formulations! Once again they came up with something that I’m proud to add to my daily makeup routine: the new barenbliss BNB Dream Chaser Quad Eyeshadows (P539). I wore these to a couple of videos recently and a few people were asking me about the eyeshadows! So, let’s dive into what makes them so interesting.

I love beauty products, but I will also be the first to admit that what they can do is limited. Skincare, makeup, and beauty treatments like botox and fillers can only do so much especially when it comes to preserving youth. Sure, we can tell each other that’s not the goal, but isn’t it ultimately? We know we will get old but we’d rather it doesn’t happen soon. We’re constantly sold products to prevent this and I admit, I fell into that trap for years too. I gained 20 pounds and developed uncontrolled hypertension and pre-diabetes. It took me so long to realize my mistake, that I can’t DIY this.

Valentine’s day 2024 is in two weeks. Are we feeling excited, anxious, or meh about it? However you may feel about this Hallmark holiday, new makeup releases for it are coming in hot! I’ve featured a few early releases in my previous BNR’s, but there are so much more new makeup collections that I felt they deserved their own Valentine writeup. Let’s check out a puffy heart-filled collection from Colourpop, a Hollywood glam lineup from Charlotte Tilbury, a jewel-toned, fave-filled curation from Pat McGrath, and an interstellar love affair with Kiko Milano.