We strongly advocate the use of low pH cleansers for the facial skin here at Project Vanity. It's not just a matter of preference; low pH cleansers actually function to preserve the acidic mantle that keeps our skin healthy. Unfortunately, there are products marketed for facial cleansing that have high pH levels. They may come in the form of bars, foams, creams or even gels but for this discussion, we'll refer to this kind of cleansers as "soaps". If you use soap to cleanse your face, you may want to stop for a moment and read on why it’s doing you more harm than good.

I don’t know about you, but I have been so eager to move into the new year! 2019 was a tiring and difficult year that culminated in a breakup of a long relationship, and I felt like the start of a new decade would help to bring about a refreshing change. But as anyone who has ever made a New Year resolution knows, changing one’s self is often a slow and gradual process. It’s a little easier when you start with a few small and simple changes, so why not give yourself a makeover?

Aging is a natural and inevitable process that we all experience. In fact, we experience it every day, in every part of our bodies! As the largest organ and an external one at that, our skin is where the signs of aging become most obvious. With decreasing elasticity and our body's repair processes slowing down, skin becomes thinner and more fragile as we age. Applying products won't stop the wrinkles, age spots, or sagging, but they can definitely slow down the process and help protect your skin against external damage. The key is to make sure that the anti-aging products you use actually have ingredients that work! 

From 3D sheet masks to shampoos and hair serums, we’ve raved a lot about the products by  Japanese brand Kracie. Now, they have something new to add to our skincare routines with a set of cleansing waters! The Creer Micellar Cleansing Water (P545 for 330ml in stores) joins the Cleansing Water and Clean Water Oil In as the latest in Kracie’s cleansing solutions. These micellar waters come in two variants, Clear and Moist, and are said to be made from Japanese hot spring water.

Thanks to more salons offering them at budget-friendly prices, getting beauty treatments is something that more people can enjoy. Here on PV, we’ve tried and raved about lash extensions, lash perms, lash lifts, and even semi-permanent tattoo makeup. These services are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason: you can literally “wake up like this” and already look made up, so you save time on getting ready!

From a brand that we used to only see in Thailand, Snailwhite has become a staple in many a Filipino’s beauty routine. Launched in the Philippines just last year, their Whipp Soap has fast become a bestseller. We don’t recommend it as it has a pH level of 10 (way too high for cleansing!), but fellow PV girl Gett found their Snail Secretion Filtrate Moisture to be a great moisturizer option for oily skin, so I was very curious to try the Icy Mask and CC Sunscreen SPF50/PA+++ that the brand sent over.

If you’ve been a regular reader of Project Vanity, you’ve probably seen that we now have a podcast! I’ve been very excited since Liz and Den first announced it to the team as it’s something that I’ve long wanted for us to do. The topics have been very interesting but my favorite one so far is Episode 4, which discusses skin whitening. 

Here in PV, we always talk about how sunscreen is an important part of our daily beauty routines. It’s the best and most cost-efficient way of preventing photodamage to our skin. Sunscreen isn’t just necessary for keeping wrinkles and freckles away; it’s necessary protection against the dangers of skin cancer. However, recent news has raised several controversial issues about sunscreen use, prompting many into a panic about this skincare product. Is there actual cause for concern, or is it just more fake news? It’s time for a sunscreen fact check!

Have you ever heard of the old Hollywood trick of using soap on eyebrows? It may sound crazy but many professional makeup artists (both local and international) swear by this beauty hack for fixing brows into place! In fact, it has made such a huge comeback into the beauty scene that there are now several local brands that offer brow soaps in little tins that can fit into your makeup kit. But if it’s literally just soap, we can probably recreate the same effect using regular soap from the grocery, right? So, I decided to try it and find out!

If you’ve ever had pimples, chances are that you’ve also experienced getting cystic acne. These pimples occur deep in the skin, making them extremely painful and also very difficult to get rid of. Worst of all, they often last for weeks and can’t be treated with your normal routine. Don’t feel desperate though; we’re here to help!

Apart from coconut oil, one of the OGs in the Philippine skincare scene is sunflower seed oil. Human Nature’s Sunflower Beauty Oil catapulted the ingredient to fame, and it’s become a cult favorite, and for good reason: it has a lot of beauty benefits! Let’s take a closer look at what this miracle oil can actually do.

Catriona Gray may be best known for wowing the world with her lava walk but the current Miss Universe also presented a rather liberal opinion during her Q&A. She voiced her support for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, which is currently being considered for legalization here in the Philippines.

The right skincare routine will vary depending on your skin type, but one thing is sure: whether you have oily, dry, or normal skin, you still need to moisturize! If you have oily skin, it may seem unnecessary or too much, but using the right moisturizer can actually help minimize your skin’s oil production. Finding “The One” can take some effort but it’s not impossible, as long as you know the basic guidelines on how to shop for moisturizer!

Did you survive flu season? Apart from getting the flu shoot, many people normally add vitamin supplements to keep from getting sick. Vitamin C is particularly popular because it helps boost your immune system. It is an antioxidant that fights free radicals and promotes healing and collagen production, so it’s actually also a really effective skincare active!

There are so many products swimming in a sea of beauty aisles that it’s easy to get confused, or worse, make a mistake about their usage. Experiencing a bad reaction after combining multiple things in your routine is not unusual but it can be avoided. This is why it’s important to know how to use certain products together by understanding the effects of each one so you can identify what you really need.

We’ve talked about the proper way to layer skincare products before, and the general rule is to apply them on your skin from water-based solutions to oil-based solutions. This can also translate to using thinner skincare products first to thicker ones, or lightest to heaviest. With actives though, things get a little more tricky.

While tints may currently be the more popular option, I'm a big fan of lip and cheek balms. They're multipurpose (which saves money as well as kikay kit space) but also generally easier to use than liquid tints. Locally, we've got great new options from two well-loved, homegrown brands!

Acne is a common problem that affects many, and while it may not be a life-threatening disease, it's a condition that can affect quality of life. Last year, I had to deal with the worst acne of my life and it honestly affected my self-esteem. Fortunately, I found a solution in the use of retinoids, and recently discovered that the combination of AHA and BHA works so well on my skin.

We've all had days when we just can’t do a full makeup look. Maybe we're in a rush, too busy, or just prefer to squeeze in a few extra minutes of sleep instead - and that's totally okay. It's still nice to look more polished though, so one super quick and easy way to do it is with polbo and lip tint! 

Our hands are probably among the most hard-working parts of our body. We use them for most activities, and if you’re anxious about germs like I am, you probably wash your hands a lot of times within the day. While it's a good practice for preventing the spread of disease, this can result to dry and flaky hands. This may also cause your cuticles to become prone to hangnails, which are both unsightly and painful! Just as how we go to great lengths to care for the skin on our faces, we need to show some TLC to our hands.

Our skin is an amazing part of our body. It’s the largest organ because it covers us from head to toe. The skin on the face is delicate and is usually more sensitive than other parts. Fortunately, skin has a layer of protection that's called the skin barrier. This is basically the topmost layer of the skin that protects from bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. A healthy skin barrier on our faces keeps it hydrated and acne-free so if you're experiencing skin trouble, it's possible that your skin's barrier is not at its best state.