I started sewing when I got COVID during the pandemic, around September 2021. Stuck in isolation with nothing much to do, I figured—why not spend the next two weeks learning something I’d always wanted to try? At the time, I was also binging Next In Fashion on Prime, where contestants were constantly challenged to sew a gown in just five hours. I thought, well, how hard could it be? So, I ordered the cheapest sewing machine I could find on Shopee and started watching tutorials on YouTube.

This week, I’m happy to report that we have an all-local Beauty News Roundup for you. Get ready to be be impressed with new local releases at unbelievably affordable prices! If you like the Careline Whipped Cream Tint, we have awesome news: they now have 12 shades (originally 5 shades). Ever Organics has relaunched their fan fave Brightening Pore Serum, this time in a much-requested larger size. Enjoy premium hair care at a lower price point with Hello Glow Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner. Last but not least, Blackwater Women launches five whimsical scents for their Deo Body Spray. The best part: all of these new releases retail at less than P250 each! Keep reading to learn more!

One of our favorite homegrown brands, Happy Skin, has always been about skin-caring makeup and skincare packed with skin-loving ingredients. So it only made sense for them to take that same thoughtful approach to the scalp—because, after all, it's skin too! This was exactly the vision that CEO Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez shared during the launch of Happy Skin Hair. The brand’s newest venture into scalp-caring haircare is the result of over a year of meticulous research, testing, and careful formulation to ensure that every product truly cares for both scalp and strands.

If there’s one thing I never expected to rave about, it’s a fiber supplement. But let me tell you, the Trizie Mango Shots deserve all the love! My first encounter with this little miracle came thanks to the Beauty Creator Summit, where Trizie included a sachet in the loot bags. Having already been a fan of Trizie’s other supplements, I was curious to try it—though I’ll admit, I’d never ventured into fiber supplements before.

You know what’s on my mind today? The fact that it’s 2025, and somehow, we’re still debating whether women deserve proper sex education. Isn’t that wild? We can 3D-print houses and send billionaires to space, but when it comes to teaching girls about their own bodies, people still act like it’s the end of the world.

Growing up in the Philippines, I can’t say I’m surprised. There was no such thing as a proper talk about sex or reproduction. If you had questions, you either didn’t ask or risked getting side-eyed by every adult in the room. It was the ultimate DIY situation: figure it out on your own, hope for the best, and maybe pick up a few questionable “facts” from equally clueless friends. It's literally the blind leading the blind. If someone gets pregnant then it’s 100% the woman’s fault for not keeping her legs closed.

In this week’s edition of Beauty News Roundup, let’s take a look at what luxury beauty brands have been up to. Whether you just want to get caught up with the latest luxe trends or are looking to add a touch of couture to your everyday essentials, we’ve got the latest right here! Guerlain releases new shades of their sweet honey-infused tinted lip balm, KissKiss Bee Glow. Prada adds new nude shades to their Monochrome Soft Matte Lipstick lineup. Dua Lipa is the face of the new YSL powder blush, the Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Blurring Powder Blush. Robert Pattinson takes us through the streets of New York in the spirit of Dior Homme Parfum, as revisited by Francis Kurkdjian.

If you're like me, you've probably found yourself standing in front of your closet, realizing just how much stuff you’ve accumulated over the years. Some pieces still spark joy, sure, but others? Maybe not so much. Well, here's a fantastic way to give those items a second life—donate them to Zonta Club’s The Little Vintage Shop (TLVS)! I LOVE this store and I shop here heavily whenever I get the chance. I’ve always enjoyed collecting second hand clothes and they have such an amazing collection.

Anyway, not only will you free up precious closet space by donating (hello, shopping guilt-free after decluttering!), but you’ll also contribute to a meaningful cause. Here are all the reasons why this donation drive deserves your attention—and your pre-loved clothes.

I’m all about a good multiuse product—the kind that offers endless possibilities with just one tube. There are days when I simply don’t have the luxury of digging through my stash or hunting down the right brushes. It’s just me, my fingers, and a trusty multiuse stick taking on the world. That’s why I gravitate toward products that are flexible, fuss-free, and come in a creamy, easy-to-blend formula. Naturally, I was thrilled to try the newest shades of the Careline Multi Stick (P220 / 5g)! It promises a lightweight, pore-friendly formula that’s rich in pigment and color, all while being super portable and convenient. What’s not to love?

Is it just me, or has January gone on forever?? The days feel long, but somehow they still feel like they’re not long enough. It sure looks like the local beauty industry is putting that to good use, though. There have been a couple of new launches (Blk Glossdrip and GRWM Lip Maxx) and a relaunch of a beloved multitasker (Ever Bilena Pillow Pop Multi Pot). Honorable mention: our native UBE is getting love from Huda Beauty with its limited-edition Ube Collection!

Lip liners have had a glow-up recently, and I love how they’ve gone from being an afterthought to having an honored spot in every makeup routine. The Ever Bilena No Budge Lip Liner (P 195 / 0.25 g) caught my eye not just because it’s affordable, but for its promise of a rich, silky formula with serious staying power. After trying it, here’s the tea: it’s not just good - it’s great.

There’s something magical about January, isn’t there? The fresh, crisp feeling of a brand-new year is like opening a blank notebook—it’s full of possibility and promise. For me, the start of the year is also the perfect time to take stock of what I have, especially when it comes to my closet and beauty stash. After all, how can we move forward when we’re still holding on to things that don’t serve us anymore?

When it comes to multitasking beauty products, I’m always on the lookout for something that delivers on all fronts: ease of use, great color payoff, and long-lasting wear. The Spotlight Soft Glow Beauty Wand (P 695 / 4.9 g) promises exactly that, and after putting it to the test, I can confirm—it’s as good as it sounds! But of course, no product is perfect, so let’s dive into what makes it shine (and where it could use a little polish).

Hello, friends! As you read this, I’m likely staring at my suitcase, mentally packing and repacking for the fifteenth time. I’m off to Tokyo tomorrow, my favorite city in the world, and while I’ve traveled quite a bit over the years, packing always reminds me of my rookie days. Oh, the mistakes I made!

Travel is such a privilege, but let’s not sugarcoat it: it’s also stressful. To save you from some of the chaos, here are three things I’ve learned not to do when traveling. I hope my advice helps you have a smoother, more enjoyable trip!

How do you find 2025 so far? Are you feeling the urge to step up and do better this year, like me? This week’s roundup of beauty news shows that beauty brands just might be feeling the same! We bring you a BNR full of innovation, as Lisa Eldridge comes out with her first concealer product: the Pinpoint Concealer Pencil. Hourglass recently released its first foundation with sun protection, the Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF30. MAC Nudes Collection is finally out, with both new and fan-fave nude shades in different formats and formulas. Local beauty brand Colourette recently launched their new and improved Easy Mattes, with new shades to love.

Let’s talk about sunscreen reapplication. We know it's important. We know we should be doing it. But if you’re like me, the thought of ruining your makeup halfway through the day just to protect your skin from the sun makes you want to scream into your SPF bottle. That’s where the new Bioré Aqua Protect Mist comes in. Let’s discuss why this might be worth adding to your sun protection routine!

It’s impossible to look at the beauty looks from the 2025 Golden Globes and not see a love letter to Old Hollywood glamour. The unifying thread throughout the night was an undeniable nod to the timeless elegance of icons like Marilyn Monroe, Jackie O, and Audrey Hepburn. From voluminous hairdos to classic winged eyeliner and romantic waves, the red carpet felt like a nostalgic trip back to the 1960s—an era synonymous with traditional femininity and understated sophistication.

This is my favorite question to ask my friends these days: what are your personal goals for the year? I emphasize “personal” because most people mention something work-related. Yes we love to be more productive, have better work output, and make more money. But I think it’s important to think about what we want to achieve for ourselves alone. I’ve been giving my goals a lot of thought, and here are three things I really want to focus on!

We’re off to a fresh start in 2025! What better way to kick off the year than with a roundup of fresh beauty news? Let’s make things bright with new additions to Marc Jacobs’ Daisy family of fragrances: the Daisy Glow trio. Let’s take a look at the beautiful cherry-blossom inspired additions to the Guerlain makeup line. Ichigo lovers, rejoice at the new Strawberry Cupid collection from Flower Knows. Last but definitely not the least, Glosser releases a delicious Black Cherry collection!

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its much-anticipated return last October 15, and one thing I’ve always adored about it is the models’ effortlessly fresh-faced makeup. Their cheeks practically radiate with that vibrant, healthy glow we all want to bottle up and bring home. Naturally, I wanted to recreate that same look, so imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a tip from TikTok. It was none other than Rose-Marie Swift, the founder of RMS Beauty and a former makeup artist for Victoria's Secret, spilling the secret. The game-changing trick? she used red blush instead of pink! Specifically, the RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Beloved.

In the early days of Project Vanity, I would often write year-end reports celebrating all the things I accomplished over the past 12 months. It was always such a joy to look back on my highlights and share them with this wonderful community. Now that I’m a little older (and hopefully wiser!), my perspective has shifted. These days, I measure the success of my year not just by achievements but by the hard-won lessons that have shaped me along the way. The older I am, the more I realize how harder it is to learn new things because of a natural resistance to change. It’s like when you play an RPG and the XP points required to level up become higher and higher! And so, here are the three things I learned in 2024.