I get it. When you see a blush with a nearly 600-peso price tag or an eyeshadow duo that costs more than your lunch for a week, it’s easy to feel like brands are pulling one over on us. It’s even easier to feel that way when certain products seem to get panned right out of the gate. Case in point: the Happy Skin Jelly Blush at P599. The feedback was harsh—many felt it didn’t live up to its cost. But here's the thing: I tried it myself, and I genuinely loved it! It’s the most staining, long-wearing lip and cheek color I’ve ever used. For me, it was worth every centavo.

So why do some people feel like products like these are rip-offs, while others (like me) feel they’re totally worth it? Let’s dig into this, because it’s a topic that has a lot more layers than it seems.

When it comes to tinted lip balms that deliver on both comfort and hydration, the Spotlight Dewy Lip Balm (P395 / 3.5 g) is worth checking out. Many lip balms promise color or moisture, but few manage to strike that perfect balance between the two. This balm, however, does just that, making it the ideal choice for days when you’re craving a wash of color but don’t want to compromise on hydration or comfort.

It’s a scene we’re all too familiar with: you bump into an old friend, maybe it’s been a while since you’ve seen each other, and you gush, “Wow, pumayat ka!” ("You lost weight!"). It’s often said with such enthusiasm, and usually, it comes with a compliment about how good they look. There’s no malice, no intention to harm. But is it really as simple as that? Or are there layers we need to peel back, like the many feelings we have about our own bodies?

I spent last night at the Solaire Theater, catching Six the Musical, and it's still on my mind. If you haven’t heard of it yet (where have you been?), it’s the story of Henry VIII’s wives, but told with a twist: pop concert meets history class, complete with a dash of glitter and a lot of attitude.

Now, I’ll be honest. I went in thinking, “Okay, how exactly are they going to make 16th-century royal drama into something worth my Sunday night?” It’s actually my husband who’s more of a fan of the musical than I am! But about 10 minutes in, I realized they knew exactly what they were doing.

I’ve got some major news, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with you. After months of planning, brainstorming, and talking to the most inspiring beauty creators in the country, we’re officially hosting the first-ever Beauty Creator Summit in the Philippines!

Yes, you read that right! This is a groundbreaking event, and it’s happening on November 9, 1-6 PM at KMC Solutions, One Ayala. We’re bringing together the brightest, most empowering voices in the beauty content creation world for an afternoon packed with learning, inspiration, and community building. Whether you're an aspiring creator or someone who's already established, this is the perfect space to grow, share, and elevate your game.

We all love the idea of having a signature scent—a fragrance that is so you that people immediately think of you when they catch a whiff. But what if one perfume just isn’t cutting it? What if you could create a unique, custom scent that nobody else has? That’s where fragrance layering comes in. This art of mixing and matching scents can help you create a fragrance that is completely your own.

In this story, we’ll dive into how to master the art of fragrance layering, the best types of scents to combine, and tips for getting the perfect blend every time.

In my retelling of my personal history both to myself and to the world, I have always been a confident kid. My mother nurtured all my interests - from singing, to drawing and painting, designing, pretty clothes, reading, makeup, guitar - whatever it was that caught my eye, my mother would indulge me. We weren’t rich, mind you, but she always found a way. She made learning easy, and because of that singular priceless gift, learning has always been a source of joy for me. Unlike most children, I suppose, I did it not because I had to but because I loved to.

Hi. I saw your video where you talked about people saying you look older than your age. I am in the same situation. People think I’m between 35 to 40 when in fact I am only in my late 20’s. What did you do to overcome the judgement or to somehow boost your confidence? Because I am having anxiety about it and I no longer want to eat with my co workers because I feel like they are staring at me and judging me. - A

First of all, thank you for sharing your story with me. I know how difficult it is to feel like people are constantly judging your appearance, and it can be isolating. I’ve been there too. Here’s my story, and I hope my experience helps you feel seen.

I’ve been in the beauty industry for almost 17 years now, and it’s incredible to witness how much it has evolved in just the last decade. When I think of the First Wave of modern Filipino beauty brands, it takes me back to the era when trailblazers like Happy Skin, Colourette, Ellana, and Sunnies redefined what local beauty could be. They didn’t just give us products; they gave us a new sense of pride in wearing makeup that reflected our skin tones, preferences, and local culture. They showed us that Filipino brands could stand tall next to international players.

When it comes to skincare, there’s only one place that comes to mind for the best selection of beauty finds: Watsons. The most loved health and beauty retailer in the Philippines offers a wide range of products catered to all types of skin, from holy grail items to skincare favorites recommended by dermatologists and enthusiasts alike.

Let’s be honest: saying “no” is hard. For a lot of us—especially women—it feels like we’re breaking some unspoken rule about being “nice.” We’ve been taught to be agreeable, accommodating, and to go with the flow, even if that flow is dragging us into something we really don’t want to do. And because of this, we find ourselves in awkward situations where we say yes, even when everything in our body is screaming nope.

But here’s the thing: saying yes when we really mean no is worse than just being upfront. It leads to resentment, frustration, and feeling like a walking doormat. Sound familiar?

When it comes to skincare, retinol is often regarded as the gold standard for well-aging, but one of the most common questions is: When should I start using it? You might think retinol is only for more mature skin, but the reality is that the earlier you start incorporating it into your routine, the better the long-term benefits can be.

In this post, we'll explore when and why you should start using retinol, and how products like Hyaloo's Power Lift Refining Toner and Power Lift Serum can make this potent ingredient a gentle, accessible addition to your skincare routine—no matter your age.

If you ask me, Ever Bilena makes the longest-wearing powder blush formula out of all the Filipino beauty brands, and the new EB Pro Blush Palette (P 325 / 12 g) doesn’t disappoint in that regard. I’ve been a fan of their blushes for a while, and this palette is a great addition to their line—especially if you're a blush lover looking for a bang for your buck. For just P325, you get four shades in each palette at 3 grams each (that’s a FULL SIZED blush we’re talking about), and that's an amazing value for the quality you're getting.

I could barely sit down and write this article because I’m too excited for tomorrow. What’s going on, you ask? I’m going to study metal smithing! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years now. Ever since I started my jewelry brand Nobela during the depths of the pandemic (November 2020 to be exact), I’ve been steadily working towards being able to make something truly special with my own hands. Yes I can do a little bit of jewelry making and I’ve done a lot of jewelry design, but metal smithing has always seemed to be out of reach for me. Until tomorrow, that is.

I have a terribly sensitive scalp so it’s not easy for me to review hair products nor come to love them in the long term. But I can say with confidence that this Japanese shampoo - one formulated both for postpartum moms and their babies - is a staple in my everyday routine at this point. I’ve been using it since March (around six months now) and it is the best shampoo I’ve tried in a while.

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.

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.