The powerful combo of primer and powder used to be something I'd save for special occasions—those times when your makeup needs to stay flawless even hours after you’ve arrived. But lately, I've realized that this pairing isn't just for events; it’s also a must for long workdays. Not only does it keep your makeup looking fresh for as long as possible, but it also helps you avoid that haggard look when you’re powering through a busy day.

I’ve been reaching for mascaras more than eyeliners lately because they give my eyes a softer, more natural definition, perfect for a no-makeup makeup look. We’ve already compared budget-friendly mascaras below P250 for oily lids, but today’s showdown features three big names in the mascara game: Benefit, EB Pro, and Heroine Make. I’ll be putting them to the test based on ease of use, curl-holding power, and longevity, which are my top three non-negotiables for my stubbornly straight lashes.

The brown lip trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so I picked up some of the latest releases from late 2024 for this throwdown. I focused on lip tints with a soft matte finish since they tend to wear longer and give off that effortless vibe throughout the day. I’ll be scoring them based on formula (claims vs. actual performance), visual finish, longevity, and how well they reapply. Let’s check them out!

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.

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.

I’ve been using the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask for years, and I think I’ve tried almost every flavor they’ve come up with. It’s such a staple in my routine that you’ll always find it in my online shopping cart, waiting for the next sale to restock. It has a permanent spot on my bedside table and is a must-have in my travel pouch. It just works so well for my dry lips! I’ve experimented with other brands, but I always end up going back to Laneige—there’s a reason it’s beloved , after all.

Happy Skin’s Generation Happy Skin line keeps leveling up with every relaunch! Each time, they manage to add something fresh and exciting, whether it’s new shades or entirely new products—just like they did last year. They’ve been listening closely to their consumers, which is clear from the thoughtful updates: improved leak-proof packaging, gorgeous new shades, and even a brand-new addition to the lineup. These updates were unveiled at the launch last November 21, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on their revamped bases and lip products.

I absolutely love makeup, but there are definitely days when I want to pare down my routine to just the essentials. That’s why I’m so thankful for the innovative makeup brands that have made multi-use color products so accessible and easy to use. These handy little tubes are perfect for creating quick, monochromatic looks, and they’re a lifesaver for on-the-go touch-ups or travel. Plus, they’re incredibly convenient to toss in your bag—no extra bulk, just pure functionality!

Innovation is one of the reasons why Kanebo remains a big name in the beauty industry. They release skincare or makeup products at least once or twice a year, with a lot of research that goes into its development. The dual-phase lotion Skin Harmonizer released earlier this year is one such product. Then amidst the October rains at Ito Kish Design Food, Project Vanity helped launch Kanebo’s newest skincare product and I am excited to share my thoughts about it.

Project Vanity proudly hosted the first-ever Beauty Creator Summit in the Philippines last Saturday, November 9 at the KMC Solutions, One Ayala in Makati. This special event has been in the works for months and it finally came into fruition. Four of the top beauty creators in the Filipino beauty space joined PV founder and EIC, Liz Lanuzo, on stage to share their experiences and help inspire the next generation of beauty content creators and enthusiasts: Belle Rodolfo, Kai Javier, Teree Daisuke, and Marj Maroket. They did not gatekeep so until we get to the next summit wink wink, here are some tips and tricks from their talks!

There’s a fresh face in the beauty scene, and no, it’s not the usual makeup or skincare launch—it’s something even more playful and versatile: accessories! Meet Tillo, the new brand created by Paolo Salapantan, Aerol Dy, and Teree Daisuke. If Teree has been lighting up your social media feed lately, it’s likely with his cheerful, colorful clips and headbands from Tillo’s lineup, which promises “high-quality beauty tools, accessories, and jewelry for Filipinos.”

Even with the rise of new blush formulas, powder blushes remain a staple in any makeup brand's essentials list. Mastering the art of applying powder blush with a fluffy brush is often one of the first skills a makeup beginner learns. Plus, the versatility of powder blushes allows for different placements that can complement various face shapes. While it’s not my first time testing and comparing powder blushes, it has been a few years, so I’m excited to dive back into the world of powder blush. Today, I’ll be exploring different brands, evaluating their pigmentation, beginner-friendliness, and longevity—all while keeping an eye on the price per gram. Let’s get started!

Mattifying products don’t usually catch my eye since I generally have dry skin, but I do reach for them on long workdays when I'm constantly moving in and out of the sun. That’s why I’m intrigued by Benefit’s latest release, dubbed the "new CEO of Shine Control." I can’t wait to see how this mattifying power duo handles my oily T-zone!

Glossy tints promise the best of both worlds: the lasting power of a lip stain combined with the hydration of a balm—definitely appealing if, like me, your lips tend to dry out easily. While some brands clearly label their products as glossy tints, others get creative with names like dewy, glaze, or splash. For this Beauty Throwdown, I’ve rounded up six of the most buzzed-about glossy tints to compare how they stack up in terms of stain, price, hydration, and, of course, glossiness. Let’s find out which one emerges as the winner!

It's been a while since I last reviewed Cathy Doll products for Project Vanity, so I’m excited to dive into their latest releases from the recent "What A Doll Day!" event. The Thai beauty brand offers a range of products, including base makeup, lip essentials, and even a brow mascara, making it easy to mix and match to create your perfect makeup kit.

Korean skincare brands are a lot more accessible now here in the Philippines compared to when it first started gaining popularity. Aside from online sources, getting our hands on some can be as simple as dropping by Watsons. There's easily a Korean brand for every skincare concern and preference; if you want vegan and cruelty-free skincare, KAINE might just be the brand for you.

The blk Creamy All Over Paint has been one of my favorite products from the brand since it first came out. It is a multi-use product that is meant to add color to the cheeks, lips, and lids – perfect for saving both time and money! An evolution from the blk Creamy Cheek Paint that was part of their first K-beauty Collection, the Creamy All Over Paint launched in the second K-beauty Collection with the shades, Daffodil (nude) and Peony (pink).

Daffodil still exists to this day as a nude pink shade and is one of their boutique bestsellers alongside Palm Springs, a terracotta pink. That launch was way back in 2019 and now, five years later, the product has sold over half a million units and comes in 15 shades with four new ones. Let’s check out the new shades!

When you think of OG lip tints, Benefit's Benetint instantly comes to mind. This iconic "rose-tinted lip & cheek stain" is adored by fans all over the world for its natural look. Shades like Floratint, Playtint, and Lovetint have also become bestsellers in their own right. So, when it comes to tints, we know we can always count on Benefit. Now, they’ve introduced their latest must-haves: Splashtint and Plushtint!

This is already the third time that Marj Maroket has collaborated with Happy Skin and they definitely did not disappoint! First, they came out with a full brush set that Liz positively reviewed here. Then they released a petite version that’s perfect for traveling and on the go. And now, we’ve come full circle as they introduced their eyeshadow brush set and eyeshadow palette. You may have gotten some info about this release on the Beauty News Roundup, but I'll go over all that you need to know about the collection and why I'm loving it!

Happy Skin's lip product collections often see their shade ranges expand or make a triumphant return due to popular demand. A perfect example of this is the Lip Mallow Plush Matte Lip Mousse and the Lip Mallow Plush Matte Lip Tint, both of which are among the brand's best-sellers. These products belong to the beloved Lip Mallow collection, which has impressively sold over 600,000 units! This achievement not only highlights their quality and appeal but also underscores Happy Skin's commitment to listening to their customers and continually evolving to meet their requests.