Project Vanity turned 16 last March 22, and it was like our own sweet 16 - a time for friends to come together and celebrate as we step into a new stage of life with the theme "Empower Her." It was a transformative afternoon for our community, with talks on personal style, eloquence, and personal finance, all in a room filled with energy and excitement about improving and achieving our ideal selves.

The phrase 'Kababae mong tao' is one that all Filipinas have encountered at some point, often used as a dig anchored in the towering stereotypes dictating what a woman is supposed to be. If you've ever felt hindered or stifled by the limited roles set for women, let me take you through the essence of the recently concluded She Talks Asia Summit, aptly themed Breaking Stereotypes. It was a day brimming with compelling discussions and narratives that left the crowd feeling changed and inspired. It's my hope that by sharing this, it sparks the same for you.

It feels like the wheel of trends spins faster with each passing year, doesn't it? The traditional arc of the trend cycle weaves through five distinct phases: introduction, rise, peak, decline, and finally, obsolescence. Along this journey, we've embraced everything from the audacity of blunt bangs and the allure of blue eyeshadow to the fresh charm of strawberry makeup looks and the daring edge of the wolf cut. Yet, amidst the whirlwind of changing styles, one constant remains: our ability to look back at our old photos and wince at what we once deemed the pinnacle of fashion. Indeed, the trend cycle seems to unfurl across five stages, but I propose we acknowledge a universal, unspoken sixth stage: regret.

Happy Leap Day! Here we are at the end of February, but let's not throw in the towel on those New Year's resolutions just yet. Saving more cash is a huge goal for many of us when the new year rolls around, especially now with prices going through the roof. It's more crucial than ever to stick to a budget. But, oh, the struggle when our favorite brands drop those irresistible new items or when our go-to influencers share their latest holy grails. It's tough not to have that "add to cart" moment and just hope for the best when the month wraps up. This leads me to one of my guilty pleasures – overspending on beauty products. Trying to figure out when to save and when it's okay to treat myself is tricky, so getting some solid advice can be a game-changer.

We decided to tap into the wisdom of The Project Vanity Community Facebook group to see how members have tackled beauty overspending. Maybe their tips can help you too!

Here at Project Vanity, we're absolute aficionados of everything beauty-related, but it's not often that we witness a beloved brand truly transform the market with a singular launch. So, believe me when I say our excitement was through the roof upon hearing this news. Benefit, globally celebrated as the #1 brand for brows and known for their iconic Precisely, My Brow Pencil flying off the shelves every seven seconds, has never been one to just bask in their success. In a bold move to shake up the beauty scene, they've introduced the groundbreaking Precisely, My Brow Detailer and the Precisely, My Brow Wax, proving once again that innovation is at the core of their ethos.

I recently found myself chatting about how rare it seems for beauty lovers to completely finish their products. It’s easy to doubt when you see influencers with their empties, especially with products that just hit the shelves. We all have our own pace, with some diving into full makeup daily, while others save their best bits for special moments. But honestly, seeing a product used up convinces me it’s truly loved.

This year, I made a conscious choice to save money by adopting an alternative approach to my Christmas gifts. As a skincare enthusiast and someone who is part of the Project Vanity Team, I've been fortunate enough to acquire a vast array of incredible products throughout the year. This abundance led to an extensive stockpile, or 'tambak', which inspired me to re-gift these items to myself for the holidays. My goal was to rekindle my love for the hidden treasures in my collection and to enjoy the experience of opening gifts, without the need to spend more of my hard-earned money.

With less than two weeks until Christmas, are you still pondering over your shopping list? Let me share my recent experience with The Body Shop's Holiday Collection, which might just be the solution to your gifting needs. This year, they've really stepped up their game with two special seasonal scents: the returning favorite, Pears & Share, and the new, delectable Cherries & Cheer. I was lucky enough to get my hands on these fragrances, along with two of their beautifully packaged gift sets. Each set is more than just a gift; it's a contribution to positive change, supporting communities globally through The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade partnerships. Join me as we unwrap these treasures and explore what makes them the perfect gifts for this holiday season!

As 2023 is about to close, it's clear that this year has shaped up to be a monumental one for Filipino beauty. Cosmetics have made a grand comeback, bigger and better, mirroring our collective resurgence post-pandemic. Still, it seems 2023 has reserved its most thrilling reveal for the finale. The Philippines' pioneering hybrid beauty brand is set to launch their much-anticipated multi-use beauty essential this December, perfectly timed for your Christmas wishlist. I'm excited to share with you the arrival of Five Beauty – a brand that promises to redefine our beauty routines!

Innisfree, a beloved natural beauty brand from South Korea, has been a favorite among Filipino kbeauty lovers since they first opened in Manila in 2018. Now, in 2023, they're doing something really exciting – they're undergoing a huge makeover. Their aim is to bring effective skincare that harnesses the power of nature, something they've always been passionate about. What's really cool is that they're introducing this whole new concept – the New Isle. Think of it as adding a magical, new island to the Philippines' already impressive list of 7,103 islands. The New Isle is a kind of mystical place that captures the essence of where Innisfree gets its nature-inspired ingredients. It's like this perfect blend of beauty and the natural world, and it feels like something straight out of a fairy tale.

Project Vanity has always been a beacon for its strong community centered on beauty. Celebrating their 15th anniversary, it was evident that time only strengthened the bonds that held this community together. The "Beauty Without a Time Limit" event on October 28th at the House of XO was a testament to that, putting pivotal beauty discussions at the forefront.

Classics resonate with us because of their timeless appeal and consistent performance, earning an esteemed place in our routines. The Body Shop stands out as one such iconic brand. Championing cruelty-free beauty since 1976, it has nurtured Filipino skin for over 25 years. Many of us, navigating the turbulent times of puberty, turned to their tea tree products as a sanctuary against acne. I, too, vouched for The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (P550/10ml) to target and soothe my acne blemishes. Excitingly, The Body Shop's renowned Tea Tree line has now been reimagined and revamped, making it even more interesting than before!

Hold onto your glam hats, darlings! Rustan’s The Beauty Source threw THE beauty bash of the year last September 7. This year's shindig was all about "Seeing Beauty in a New Light", and did they ever deliver! With the newly done-up Beauty Hall at Rustan’s Makati as the evening's star, it was an affair that practically had fairy dust in the air.

Considering this was only their second in-person do since the world went back to, well, normal, Rustan’s pulled out all the stops. Imagine this: a hall adorned with over 130 lush beauty brands,

I found myself thinking about a significant question as I settled in for a celebratory birthday manicure, fully prepared to treat myself to an elaborate gel manicure. As someone constantly using my hands, I routinely choose a gel manicure to ensure longevity. However, as my hands went under the UV lamp, a worrying thought crossed my mind, sparked by a flurry of social media posts and a recent study making rounds.

Could my cherished manicure sessions be raising my risk of cancer?

Planning a wedding can be incredibly demanding, particularly when you are orchestrating it on your own. If, like me, your coordinator isn't stepping in until a month before the grand occasion, it's understandable to feel both stressed and fatigued. This is precisely why a bridal shower serves as the perfect interlude; a moment to unwind and rejoice in the celebration of you, the bride-to-be. Whether you find yourself as the bride, the maid of honor, or a devoted family member tasked with arranging the bridal shower, allow me to share the strategy I employed to craft the bridal shower of my dreams.

The U.K.'s premier body mist has arrived in the Philippines! With a launch reminiscent of both Elle Woods and Barbie, SO…? Fragrance unveils a range of over ten captivating scents, from rich and bold to sweet and classic, tailored for daily wear and all preferences. More than just offering a taste of the U.K., SO…? Fragrance invites users to embark on global adventures with So…? Escapes, a collection of body mists inspired by the allure of sun, sand, and sea breezes from around the world.

Olaplex, the acclaimed hair care brand, has successfully made its official debut in the Philippines, delighting fans with its Complete Hair Repair System. This comprehensive hair solution, known for its vegan, cruelty-free formulas and unique numbering system, promises to repair, strengthen, and nourish hair from the inside out.

We infuse the world with beauty through our actions, and BYS Cosmetics is taking that beauty to new heights with their latest sustainable makeup line, Be Free by BYS. The launch of Be Free was a fantastic celebration, set against the backdrop of art and lush gardens at Palacio De Memoria. It was a night filled with mouthwatering food, delightful drinks, and lots of fun. We enjoyed a mesmerizing makeup demonstration and even had a fashion auction for a cause.

Anessa, one of our favorite sunscreen brands, launched its first summer event after the pandemic called Golden Island. The event, held at The Island in BGC, featured themed areas such as Luxe Beach, Tropical Gardens, and the Hamptons, each representing a different adventure. Anessa showcased its ability to withstand the hot Philippine summer through temperature pods in each area.

The Anessa Squad, composed of experts in beauty, lifestyle, and sports, discussed the importance of sun protection in their respective fields and why Anessa is the ultimate age-defying sun care.

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Mitsukoshi BGC store to join in the celebration of Pili Ani's new flagship store. It was an afternoon filled with Pinoy Pride as I got to explore one of the pioneering brands of Filipino skincare in the global market. What made the event even more special was the appearance of the one and only Bretman Rock, who brought his signature style and personality to the celebration.