Shopee and Lazada are two of the most popular e-commerce platforms here in the Philippines, offering a staggering range of products from beauty and fashion to gadgets and home essentials. While these platforms provide convenience and access to some pretty good deals, they also have their fair share of risks—especially when it comes to scams. If you’re not careful, you could end up with fakes, missing orders, theft, or, worse, falling victim to a phishing scam.

Don’t worry, though! With a little vigilance and some know-how, you can protect yourself from getting scammed while still enjoying the benefits of online shopping. Here’s a thorough guide!

When I think about beauty standards, I can’t help but notice how they’re constantly evolving. No matter how hard we try to keep up, it feels like the finish line is always being moved further away. It’s a lot like wealth. Remember when “stealth wealth” and the “old money” aesthetic took over our social feeds? Suddenly, everyone was dressing in muted beiges, ditching flashy logos, and embracing a more subtle, “natural” look. But here’s the kicker: as soon as everyone started following that trend, the concept of old money became just another aesthetic, a vibe. It wasn’t about true markers of wealth anymore.

As we step into the last quarter of the year, beauty brands have been stepping it up, too! This week, we present a roundup of innovative new local drops. Spotlight Cosmetics recently launched their Satin Butter Lips, pigmented lipstick/balm hybrids that are light as butter. Homegrown GRWM Cosmetics launches Volume 1 of their epic Eye Collection. Five Beauty has new pink shades for their Hybrid Colour Sticks, with an upgraded formula to boot. Ever reliable Avon worked with scientists and dermatologists for their new anti-aging product ANEW Skin Renewal Power Cream.

There are perfumes that smell good, and then there are perfumes that transport you to another time and place. Ormonde Jayne’s Arabesque Eau De Parfum falls into the latter category. Inspired by the rich, complex beauty of the Middle East, Arabesque is an olfactory journey that weaves together flowers, fruits, and woods in a way that feels both enchanting and serene.

If you’ve just about had it with glossy balms and crave something a little different for your lips, I think you should take a close look at the new Spotlight Satin Butter Lips (P395 for 3 grams). It’s a balm at heart, which means you still get that much-needed moisture, but it surprises you with a satiny matte finish that’s almost full coverage. Interesting, right? It’s the best of both worlds: the hydration of a balm with the polish of a lipstick!

In recent years, "clean beauty" has become one of the hottest buzzwords in the beauty industry. You see it everywhere — on product packaging, in influencer reviews, and even in our favorite stores. It sounds great, right? Who wouldn’t want their beauty products to be free of toxic chemicals, ethically sourced, and better for the environment? But here’s the catch: not all "clean" beauty is as clean as it claims to be.

It’s that time of the year again when Lazada and Shopee host their big 9.9 sales, and honestly, it’s hard not to get tempted by the flashy discounts and all those “Add to Cart” buttons! But here’s the thing – sales like these are not just about overindulging in random purchases. It’s actually the perfect opportunity to snag those products you’ve been eyeing for a while and treat yourself a little, all without breaking the bank. Let's dive into a few gems that are worth checking out during this sale – whether you're looking to restock a favorite or try something new.

I only recently got to know Farmacy Beauty when I hosted an event with them for the Project Vanity Community, and I have to say, I was impressed. I loved learning about their commitment to cultivating conscious beauty through cruelty-free, clean skincare. But what really stood out to me was their mission to give back—especially their partnership with Feeding America, which has provided 7.5 million meals so far. How’s that for a mindful beauty brand?

But of course, you're probably here to find out if their products are actually worth trying. I’ve had the chance to test out some of their best-sellers for the past few weeks, and I’m excited to share my thoughts! Here’s my honest review of how they performed.

And so the first week of September has literally blown in. Well, it seems the beauty world has also been working up a frenzy of new releases. No wonder, as the holidays are nearing! This week’s Beauty News Roundup introduces new drops from Happy Skin (Seamless Perfecting Liquid Foundation), Issy (Mousse Lip Tint), and Anastasia Beverly Hills (Volumizing Tinted Brow Gel). Last but definitely not the least, the new face of Dior J’adore fragrances is none other than Rihanna! We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started.

Growing up in the Philippines, the parade of advertisements showcasing "ideal" beauty standards is relentless. These ads often glorify flawless, fair skin, particularly when it comes to armpits and inner thighs, or "singit" as we commonly refer to them. This insidious imagery can lead to deep-seated feelings of inadequacy and shame among many women, pushing the narrative that anything less than perfect is unacceptable. I would know, as I’ve spent years covering up, avoiding sleeveless tops and swimsuits without shorts.

But a turning point came with a visit to a dermatologist. After years of discomfort and self-consciousness, I was diagnosed with acanthosis nigricans.

I was listening to a book just now, and one of the characters said, “Poetry begins where language ends.” That really struck a chord with me because, in many ways, fragrance is like poetry. Just as poetry uses imagery to convey feelings that words alone can't capture, perfume expresses a part of ourselves that goes beyond what we wear or how we style our hair. It’s the invisible aura that lingers, the trace of emotion and memory that others catch a whiff of when we're near. A good fragrance, like a well-crafted poem, stays with you long after the initial encounter.

Dermtropics is the local skincare brand you absolutely need on your radar, harnessing the nourishing power of wet-milled virgin coconut oil to care for Filipinos from farm to skin. Although they just launched last year, Dermtropics has already impressed us with a full range of body and hair care products. Recently, we had the pleasure of being invited to celebrate their latest addition: the Raw Coconut + Shea Butter Nourishing Lip Shield (P599/9g)!

Recently I congratulated a friend who is running an exciting startup. She just got recognized by a prestigious society magazine as a female leader and placed in a startup pitch competition in Singapore. There are a few things I enjoy more than seeing women I admire win. I know exactly how much work it takes to get recognized, and seeing someone deserving finally getting their flowers, well, it’s a win for all of us strivers. After I congratulated her, my friend said something that’s been stuck to my head since then.

She said, “Recognition is good, but I need money.” To which I replied something along the lines of, well, recognition usually leads to money. But is that really true?

Have you seen the “very demure, very mindful, very cutesy” trend making the rounds? Honestly, this millennial tita is not so sure whether the message was a sarcastic reaction to how women should show up at the workplace. Personally, however you present yourself is up to you! And if you do like cutesy, you’re gonna love this week’s beauty news roundup. We’re set to meet Maybelline’s fluffiest release this year: the new Superstay Teddy Tints. MAC Cosmetics is set to launch their GlowPlay Collection soon, with a special appearance from BINI! Mean Girls is celebrating its 20th (!!!) anniversary with an irresistible makeup collaboration with Makeup Revolution. Last but not least, Hulu partners with Rare Beauty to release a limited edition Mabel Mora (Only Murders in the Building) set.

I’ve sworn left and right about how awesome the Careline Aye Aye Lashes! Mascara (P 325/6.5 g) is, so I was interested to see how the brand’s other mascaras perform. Aye Aye Lashes! is so good because it basically thickens and lengthens my lashes while keeping them curled and smudge-free all day. And, even though it’s highly water-resistant, it’s not quite as hard to remove as other similar products. A little bit of cleansing oil is enough to break it apart without too much rubbing. This is why it’s my go-to daily mascara!

Now, Careline sent over their Lash Boost Mascara (P195) and Skinny Mascara (P185) to test. I had high hopes for these two so I really put them on the grind. Let’s see how they perform!

Life, am I right? It has this funny way of piling things on when you least expect it. Between work, family, friends, and the constant ping of notifications from social media, it’s no wonder we feel like we’re barely keeping our heads above water sometimes. I’ve been there—staring at my to-do list with a sinking feeling in my chest, wondering how I’m going to get it all done without losing my sanity.

If you’re nodding along right now, trust me, you’re not alone. When life feels like it’s spiraling out of control, the best thing you can do is take a pause. But how do we actually do that in a way that’s effective and not just another thing to stress about? Let’s talk about why pausing is essential and how to make it a natural part of your daily rhythm.

Aloe vera has been a trusted skincare raw material for centuries, renowned for its soothing and hydrating properties. Here in the Philippines, it’s long been a staple in natural remedies, used by our ancestors to treat everything from sunburns to skin irritations. Fast forward to today, and aloe vera is still celebrated in modern skincare, bringing its natural benefits into the products we love.

Blush is having a moment right now with the rise of Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, and so the Spotlight Soft Flush Powder Blush (P495 /4.2 g) couldn’t have arrived at a better time. This collection features six matte blushes that promise to be lightweight, blendable, and long-wearing. They come in a pretty rose gold compact - quite similar NARS blush packaging actually, but without the messy rubber texture. Let’s see how these perform!

Every time I remember how much the local beauty industry has grown and blossomed, I can’t help but feel pride and joy. We’ve come to a point that major local beauty brands can fill a whole beauty news roundup, so let’s do just that! Let’s get to know Hello Glow’s new 3-in-1 Anti-Aging Retinol Serum, Spotlight Cosmetics’ Soft Flush Powder Blush, and Colourette’s Second Base concealer. We’ll also dive into the new and upgraded version of Blk Cosmetics’ Skin Tint Sun Shield!

On the heels of last year’s big transformation and new look upgrade, Innisfree is spoiling us with new releases, this time a whole new format for one of their bestselling serums! We’ve previously reviewed the Innisfree Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum (P2800/50ml) here on Project Vanity and we loved the instant brightening effect this had on the skin.