K-Beauty has always fascinated me. Yet, as a morena diving into its colorful world, I hit a snag - the shades and tones often fell short of flattering my skin tone. I resigned myself to this reality, thinking K-Beauty just wasn't meant for me.

But then, 2023 brought a refreshing change - a surge in shade expansions! This shift sparked a renewed hope in me. Maybe it was time to revisit K-Beauty with fresh eyes. Eager to dip my toes back in, I've chosen to start with a product that's new to me (though not new to the market) - the barenbliss BNB Korean Bloomatte True Beauty Inside Cushion 24H Full Coverage SPF 45 PA+++ (P899).

Filipino beauty brand Issy has recently launched an impressive 58-piece base and powder product line, showcased through a photo and video exhibit. This collection offers a diverse range of formulas and shades tailored to complement the various Filipino skin tones. I had the privilege of attending a pre-launch event two weeks before the official release, allowing me to provide a comprehensive review of most products from this collection. So let’s get into it!

Issy & Co. has rebranded as simply Issy and dropped a crazy impressive launch while at it. They've unveiled a staggering 54 new products, staying true to their "bigger is better" mantra. The collection boasts powder blushes, bronzers, contours, and highlighters. Additionally, it features a diverse range of pressed eyeshadows, complemented by an eyeshadow and concealer base.

Get ready, beauty enthusiasts - the local beauty scene is absolutely electrifying this week! We're seeing a dazzling display of new shades that are transforming our favorite formulas, while some of our most adored makeup staples are making a triumphant and much-anticipated return. But that's not all - a host of fresh, innovative releases have emerged, completely captivating the Philippine beauty community. So, buckle up! This is a week of beauty you won't want to miss!

This week's Beauty Roundup is a testament to the vibrant and constantly evolving landscape of the Filipino beauty scene. As we explore a variety of new launches, each designed to celebrate and enhance our unique expressions of beauty, we delve into products that touch all aspects - from the eyes and lips to face and hair.

As an avid concert-goer, I understand the challenge of creating a durable and stylish makeup look that lasts through the sweat, energy, and emotion of the event. Drawing from my personal experiences and lessons learned, here's my guide to crafting your concert makeup, complete with my tried-and-true product recommendations.

Summer is just around the corner and I'm thrilled to add sunkissed glowy makeup looks to my routine! Fortunately, GRWM Cosmetics has launched their 25-piece Summer Collection, featuring products and colours that are perfect for fun in the sun.

The brand has introduced new formulas to their already impressive catalogue, such as the Browlift, Lip Booze, Shady Sunstick, and Glow Tint, which have been developed with formulas and shades that can withstand the heat of Filipino summers.

The first two months of the year have been slow in terms of beauty releases but little did we know, it was just the calm before the storm! As we celebrate National Women’s Month this year, our local beauty brands seem to be keeping us on our toes with new launches left and right.

Here are all the beauty releases we have been blessed with this month alone!

Being booked and busy is part and parcel when you are turning your dreams into a reality and sometimes, self-care is something that gets pushed off the schedule. As a fellow hustler, I have been there, done that, and mastered the art of getting ready even while I am on the go! 

Luckily, SM Deals has a ton of Glow Up Deals for us as we celebrate  Women’s Month. So here are my top five beauty picks that you can add to your on-the-go makeup kit to keep you looking chic through all of your day-to-day happenings. Whether it is an after class org meeting or a business lunch, these products have got you covered! These products will sure help you achieve that Clean Girl Aesthetic vibe - beautiful yet very minimalist and effortless!

My hair has always been one of the physical attributes I pay most attention to but only last year did I really learn how to care for it properly. I have also become more confident in exploring different styles and colors so my hair has been through a lot - to say the least.

I am fresh from my fifth dye job of the year so I decided to put the Saborino Shampoo Moist (P995 / 440ml) and the Saborino Treatment (Conditioner) Moist (P995 / 440ml) to the test!

With Christmas right around the corner, Parlon is here to level up your gift giving skills because now, you can easily give your beauty besties and loved ones the gift of self-care with a Parlon Gifting!

I like to joke with my fellow beauty enthusiasts that I am somewhat of a mist connoisseur because it is one of the few beauty products I always find myself deep diving into. I am always ready with a checklist of required features that are non-negotiable. With that being said, I am used to reviewing face mists but I have recently been stumped by the latest one to hit the local market - the Ready Set Glow Badass Face & Body Mist (P249)!

That was why I was so excited to try these Kracie products. This is my first time to try Japanese hair care! For a bit of context, I have wavy hair and have been doing the Curly Girl Method on and off for a year as I now have the freedom (thanks, mom!) to explore my newfound interest in dyeing my hair to match all those tumblr girl pictures I had saved in my phone from circa 2010.

Have you heard the saying “Your eyebrows are sisters and not twins”? Well, grooming my brows was one of the makeup steps I had a really tough time learning. From being heavy-handed to not knowing how to properly shape my brows, it was a rough process to try to get them to look like cousins - let alone siblings.

Seven years into my makeup journey, I would like to think I have gotten better at it, especially now that we have so many products and styles to try and choose from!

This year has seen such a rapid development in the quality and diversity of local makeup product options and with just a little under two months left to 2022, Filipino brands do not seem to have any plans of slowing down.

Issy & Co. has definitely shown that they will be finishing this year strong with their latest launch that revealed a total of 48 products for all of us to enjoy!

When Vice Cosmetics recently released their Endlezz G Collection, they didn’t have just undertones and skin tones in mind. They have also taken the step to including the spectrum of ages that enjoy makeup and the different lifestyles they lead. For me, the Endlezz G launch plays into the understanding that beauty is for all no matter what your reality, hobbies, and physique may be because beauty is whatever form and function you want it to be.

I used to think blush did not add anything to my makeup looks. Now that I have learned that there are actually different types of blush and a variety of ways to use it, I wish I could take back all the years I spent being blush-less!

As with many things in life, makeup is a socially learned concept that depends on where you are and is affected by current trends. When I started my makeup journey in 2017, the round blush placement was what was in and I just could not nail it which made me decide that blush just was not for me.

As a city girl with island girl roots, the sunkissed look is my version of the “no makeup” makeup look and bronzers are a necessity to achieving it. Yet, there seems to be very few local options to choose from as the majority of brands tend to push out contour products instead.

Lucky for me and my fellow bronzer-biased babes, Issy & Co. ended their trilogy of launches with their final release called Ode to the Sand. It comes in the form of fou bronzers and I’m excited to get into it!

Activities that require creativity and coordination have never been part of my strong suit so I like to joke that the fact that I can do makeup is a miracle.

When I first started creating content, I really wanted to be more creative with the makeup looks I would share but I was so intimidated and scared to make a horrible look. I stayed in my safe zone of soft glam during my first two years as a content creator.

It has been four years since and I have gone from having a little basket of makeup goodies that I could store in my cabinet to having a collection that demands its own space. It feels like this happened overnight and I realized that was because my makeup use and purchase habits became a form of coping during the pandemic.

With all of the health and safety guidelines in full swing - especially masks and working from home, I have been forced to reevaluate the way I see my collection and habits.