Have you ever tried to recreate a stunning makeup look you saw on Instagram or TikTok, only to be met with a funhouse mirror version of what you expected? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Social media has made makeup look like a walk in the park, but what you see on your screen doesn’t always reflect reality. Let’s talk about why this happens and how you, as a makeup newbie, can find your way through the beauty maze.

If you’re like me and love achieving perfectly structured brows without breaking the bank, then you’ll want to hear about the Careline Best Brow Liner. Priced at just P195, it’s an impressive dupe for the luxurious Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Brow Pencil, which costs over P2,000. Let's dive into why this budget-friendly option deserves a spot in your beauty kit!

This week’s roundup brings us news of innovation locally and around the world. Let’s get to know the new releases from homegrown brands: Spotlight Cosmetics’ duo of primers and Issy Cosmetics’ delicious lip gloss-tint Gelée. Happy Skin’s OG Shut Up & Kiss Me moisturizing matte lippies have come back with old faves and new shades. Lancôme is releasing a handheld device called HAPTA, which enables those with limited mobility to apply makeup precisely.

Did you know that Beauty of Joseon is officially now available in the Philippines in SM Beauty and Watsons? We initially missed the memo, but let us make it up to you with this review! Now, Korean skincare is renowned for its innovation, but that doesn't mean we should forget about the timeless ingredients and routines of the past. Enter Beauty of Joseon, a brand that masterfully blends Hanbang, a traditional Korean medicine approach, with modern ingredients. I recently tried into their toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen, eager to see how these products harmonize tradition and innovation in my skincare routine. Let’s see how they performed!

To prime or not to prime? That is the question. It really depends on what your needs are like and what kind of products you have. Honestly, if you already have a good base that covers your bases (get it?) then you may skip primer. But if you’re looking for a boost because you think your base can do better, then using primer is your best bet! It can transform your foundation and concealer routine without needing to replace everything.

Today, Spotlight has introduced two primers that cater to different skin needs: the No Pores Blurring Primer and the Prism Glow Illuminating Primer. Here’s a quick rundown on both!

I’m a millennial, so I’m old enough to know that age is a funny thing. You don’t sense it creeping up on you, slowly, like the long shadows cast by the setting sun, until you’re hit by a half-forgotten childhood memory. When you’re younger, nothing is significant; when you’re older, everything that has passed is all significance. I’m in a contemplative mood because I’ve been testing out the Careline Fruity Lip Oil (P245 at Shopee) and its scent reminds me of hot summer days with a few coins in my pocket as a child, buying ice candy from the sari-sari store, and sucking on it gleefully with my cousins by the side of the road. We’re sticky and stained by the end of it, smelling like cheap sugar and happiness.

I'm a big fan of Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Serum and have been loving it again lately. It's definitely on the pricey side, but it really does deliver, which other PV writers have also confirmed. But here's something you might not know: Advanced Night Repair is actually a whole product line by Estée Lauder! Beyond the iconic ANR serum, there are other fantastic Advanced Night Repair skincare products, like the Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix and the new Advanced Night Repair Rescue Solution.

This week’s roundup of beauty news is serving up some fruity sweet delicious goodness! Known for their juicy lip tints and glosses, Korean brand Romand (Rom&nd) now has a physical store at SM Mall of Asia. Clinique expanded The Pop Lip & Cheek Oil line by adding a shade we all know and love. Let’s check out local beauty brand Careline’s new Fruity Lip Oil. We’ll also get nostalgic with a sweet and colorful collab between Sally Hansen and Ring Pop.

Five Beauty is the ultimate brand for those of us who want a fuss-free beauty routine. If you're tired of rifling through a pile of products just to get your eyes, lips, and cheeks looking right, their Hybrid Colour Stick (P699/ 20g) is made for you. This little wonder is designed to simplify everything – just swipe it on and you're good to go! It's perfect for those hectic mornings or for anyone who loves keeping their makeup bag minimal yet versatile. Five Beauty totally gets that we want practicality without sacrificing our style, and the Hybrid Colour Stick nails it perfectly.

Riding the wave of their brand launch, Five Beauty has introduced their first limited edition shade for the Hybrid Colour Stick. Just in time for summer, Wonder (currently on sale for P399) is a neutral apricot shade that delivers a healthy sun-kissed glow.

Ever Bilena has been a part of our makeup journey since day one, hasn't it? Many of us had our first brush with makeup through their classic Lip & Cheek Tint, which was a staple in our beginner kits as teenagers. I remember feeling so grown up owning a piece of makeup that’s just mine and not borrowed from my mom! Fast forward to today, Ever Bilena has given this beloved product a modern twist with the new Ever Bilena Water Tint (P195 / 3ml). Let’s talk about it!

It takes a village to mount a Watsons Alagang Pangkalusugan medical mission. There are volunteer doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel. Watsons also invites supplier partners to donate medicines and medical supplies and witness the work being done in the communities. Then there are the Watsons employee volunteers who use their days off to give back instead of resting and spending time with their families.

Wearing sunglasses during the summer isn't just about cutting down the sun's harsh glare; it's also a fun way to accessorize your outfit. I recently checked out Vision Express for their Spring/Summer 2024 Collection, and they have some really stylish options to fit anyone's taste. At their A Summer Solstice event at The Balmori Tent in Rockwell, Makati recently, I got a sneak peek at the new styles and even tried out their cool services like the Vision Bot and the Styling Studio.

Nature Republic have outdone themselves once again with their latest brand trip, the Sun Safe Soiree. Just last year the Sun Safe Club went up to Masungi Georeserve to put their sunscreen through its paces as they climbed to new heights. This year they found a new testing ground on the beaches of La Union and - spoiler alert - armed with the California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick we aced every test the summer sun could throw at us! I’m glad that my first ever brand trip was with Nature Republic because they sure know how to have a great time and I want to tell you guys all about it!

Last Saturday, Project Vanity hosted a sniff session with the community, and let me tell you, it was a scent-sational event. We sniffed, we chatted, and we learned a ton about fragrances. I wish you could have been there! During the event, I met this amazing lady who created her own perfume. It was seriously impressive. So, I told her, “You should totally sell this!” But she just shrugged and said, “I’m shy. I can’t.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but hearing that made me want to shake her (gently, of course) and say, “Girl, if you can whip up a fragrance that makes people stop and sniff like I did, you can sell it!” But I didn’t. Instead I will write this in the hopes that she will see it.

This week’s Beauty News Roundup is all about celebration! It’s always nice to recognize special occasions and achievements. First up, Happy Skin besties rejoice as the local beauty brand adds new shades to their Second Skin Multi-Tasking Serum Concealers. Thread lifting pioneer Aptos commemorates a success-filled year in the Philippines with a celebrity-studded event. Local makeup brand GRWM Cosmetics celebrated its third anniversary with a big sale and a giveaway. Let’s party it up!

Achieving that a smoother complexion can start with understanding and taking proper care of your pores. Pores are vital for skin health, but they are often misunderstood, which leads to common skincare mistakes. Let’s discuss some of these misconceptions and how we can improve our pore functions!

Planning a wedding involves meticulous attention to every detail, from selecting the date and venue to choosing the perfect outfits for one of the most unforgettable days of your life. You're likely already envisioning yourself in your dream dress, makeup inspirations at the ready with your Pinterest board as a visual guide. But here’s a special tip from us at Project Vanity: don’t overlook your bridal scent!

A bridal scent is more than just a fragrance—it’s the scent you choose to wear on your wedding day. Since smell is the sense most closely linked to memory, the right fragrance can vividly bring back the moment you walked down the aisle with just a single spritz.

When I first read "Searching For Maura" in the Washington Post last year, it really made me sit up. It’s not every day that such a prestigious publication dives into a Filipino historical story with an illustrated approach, and the choice of Ren Galeno—a Filipina artist from Davao—to create the art for it was deeply significant. The way Ren used her art to highlight the injustices faced by Filipinos at the 1904 World's Fair brought an emotional layer to the narrative that written words alone could not have conveyed.

Were you marked safe from the 5.5 and payday sales? Or were you able to score treats for the beautiful mothers in your life? Yes, Mother’s Day is this Sunday (fyi in case it flies by). Being a mother myself, I do appreciate the greetings and gifts I get on this yearly occasion, and relish giving gifts to honor important women in my life. If you’re still on the lookout for a mother’s day gift, I got you! You might like to check out the Mother’s Day promos on Sephora.ph. Or try new treats from Ever Bilena, Hello Glow, and NARS.

Skincare and makeup are among my two favorite things, and I've recently stumbled upon new treasures in both categories. The chic and exclusive event that unveiled Kanebo's latest offerings took place at Prologue D’fined inside Mitsukoshi BGC, which also houses the brand’s flagship store. They've been building anticipation with teasers on social media, so I was thrilled to finally witness firsthand how this esteemed brand has harnessed its research to craft their newest beauty innovations.