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.

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.

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?

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!

I’ve tried, believe me I’ve tried, but it’s near impossible for me to walk out without some form of eyebrow product on. It just feels like I’m not dressed, you know? I need to dig deep and examine my feelings about this maybe in another article, but it is what it is! For days when I’m in a rush I always go for a brow mascara since a few swipes can get my brows sorted quickly; of course, it needs to be long-wearing since I do a lot of tennis and gym days.

The “very demure, very cutesy, very mindful” viral video swept the Internet a week ago and now it has become a battlecry or a diss, depending on who you ask. Words are powerful; how we tell stories about ourselves ultimately contribute directly to our actions. It has something to do with the way we weave meaning and contextualize our situation, I think. And that’s why it’s important to think about what our character design is.

Retinol is often regarded as a skincare powerhouse, and it’s easy to see why. If you’ve been considering adding this potent ingredient to your routine, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the essentials of using retinol for the first time, helping you navigate its benefits and potential pitfalls. Plus, we’ll take a closer look at a new product on the market: the Hello Glow 3-in-1 Well-Aging Retinol Serum, which might be a great addition to your skincare routine.

Lately, I’ve been feeling a little lost when it comes to my relationship with beauty. When I started beauty blogging 16 years ago, everything was new and exciting - I was nowhere near being an expert when it came to teaching others about beauty products and techniques, but it was fun to discover things on my own and eventually, together with you. I loved learning how to apply eyeliner, discovering things at the drugstore, and eventually being able to buy and get gifted luxury products. Now, I have access to everything. But these days I find it difficult to be interested and engaged. I haven’t really sat down to think about why.

If there's one thing we love, it's celebrating milestones that highlight dedication, passion, and exceptional service in the beauty industry. Recently, Skin 101, a beloved skincare clinic in the Philippines, marked its 20th anniversary with a fabulous event called "LUMINOUS" at Uma Nota. And let me tell you, it was an evening filled with nostalgia, gratitude, and a glimpse into the future of skincare.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 16 years as a beauty editor, it’s that achieving conventional beauty is far from effortless. Unless, of course, you’ve hit the genetic jackpot with naturally flawless skin, strong nails, perfect teeth, luscious hair, and balanced facial features. Some people are just born that way. But for the rest of us, navigating the beauty industrial complex with all its rewards and pitfalls requires effort and dedication. Maintaining a conventionally beautiful appearance can be costly in both time and money. But what if you don’t have money? My dear, perhaps you have time.

I didn’t think there was a good Filipino brand eyelash curler until I’ve tried the Ever Bilena Eyelash Lift Curler in one of my TikTok videos. It looked so weird - it was the first time I’ve seen a lash curler with a comb attachment - that I just had to try it. I’m glad I did, because for me it’s still the best local eyelash curler out there. And at P165, it’s such a steal! Naturally I had to check out the rest of Ever Bilena’s curlers and it turns out, they’ve got quite a few. Let’s see how they compare to each other!

White eyeliner is an underrated makeup tool that most people tend to ignore. Hey, I get it; white is not easy to understand as a non-color. Makeup artists know how essential it is in creating form as it manipulates light and shadow, but I believe that anyone can use it even with an elementary understanding of makeup. Spotlight recently launched their Extra Drama Creamy Gel Eyeliner in White (P495 in Shopee), and I think it makes white eyeliner a lot more accessible. It’s super pigmented and smudge-proof, plus it goes on smoothly with no skips. Here are seven ways to use it!

The Hello Glow Niacinamide Brightening Facial Scrub (P245 / 100g) was released just a couple of weeks ago and I think it’s worth a look. This is a well-rounded addition to any skincare routine, and I feel like it packs a punch beyond the P245 price tag. Let’s run through it!

If you love lipstick as much as I do, and if you love Ever Bilena’s latest releases, then you should not under any circumstance miss this sale. Ever Bilena and its sister brands Careline and Spotlight all have lip products at a crazy 50% off until July 31. This is their campaign to celebrate Lipstick Month. And so, I thought of putting together my list of my favorite EB lip products plus their swatches to help you narrow down you search for the perfect lippie.

I know some people who are seriously nerdy about fragrances, and honestly I feel a little intimidated when I hear them talk about their niche collection. My taste is more basic, if I’m honest, but I love what I love. I adore feminine, radiant fragrances that make me feel like I’m walking through some medieval princess’s lush and carefully tended gardens, I adore scents that make me think of a fine spring day when the birds are busy, the sun is warm, and everything is possible. One such perfume is this confection from Dior.