Like a lot of Pinays, I like to grow my hair long. I have curly hair and I love the layers that my stylist can create when my hair is at a good length. I also like to color and highlight my hair, which I think emphasizes my curls even more! All that processing is very damaging to my hair, though. It also doesn’t help that I like to wash my hair frequently to keep my hair clean, which can also add to the damage.

I first fell for Anne Curtis’ Wedding Lipsticks back in 2017 when it was first released. I promptly went out and bought a set because the whole concept was so timely for me; I also got married that same year. While I didn’t wear the lipsticks for my own bridal look, I recall enjoying Anne’s lipstick shades in Mon Amour and I Do on a daily basis.

I think of skincare as self-care. I like to pamper myself, and I make sure that the products I am using are doing the best they can for me. They must be well-researched, dermatologist-approved, and with great ingredients that will not irritate my skin! Enter the new Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Line – Cetaphil’s newly launched skincare line that promises to brighten skin with active ingredients that won’t irritate the skin.

Since I started writing for Project Vanity many years ago, I have learned to adopt a multi-step skincare regimen. There was even a point where I challenged myself to a 10-step Korean routine! And yes, I totally get the sensorial appeal of each luxurious step. But I will always have just as much appreciation for the straightforward but efficient skincare routine. Now after having tried five of Japanese brand BCL’s high-performance products, I have no doubt that they have the simplified skincare routine down pat.

Even before the pandemic hit, most of us were already using our gadgets consistently. From our smartphones to our laptop computers, not to mention the seemingly endless Netflix binge, our eyes are constantly in use. This brings on what we call digital strain, which then causes on further issues like dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain. Add to that the stress of working from home and some sleepless nights, it is no wonder we feel not just our beauty but our health taking a hit.

Do any of you take supplements with supposed skin benefits? Like maybe some oral collagen sachets and glutathione capsules? Have you ever wondered if they are really effective or did you just buy into the hype and hope for the best? Fret not, for today I collectively summarized the scientific researches I’ve read on the different skin, hair and nail supplements for you. You’ve read and heard about the brands’ marketing ads and claims on them but what does science really say?

Since lockdown started, I can proudly say that I was able to put in a lot more effort into skincare. When restrictions eased up, I was even able to gradually go back to wearing makeup. But a manicure - self-applied, of course - only happened exactly once in the last eight months. The housework scattered throughout the day and all the frequent hand-washing didn’t exactly leave me with a lot of downtime to painstakingly wait for each layer to set and dry. But Luxx Lash is giving my used and abused nails some hope.

I spend quite a lot on makeup. To exercise a sense of control, I limit myself to buying just two products every month (one per pay day). That’s why when my previous company succumbed to the pandemic, I instantly worried about the makeup I wouldn’t be able to buy. Talk about priorities, right?

Of course I still worried about the bills to pay and sending my younger brother to school, but on a personal level, I thought about makeup. We all have different ways to motivate ourselves. Mine are makeup and books!

It was the bold claim of a mask-proof glossy lip that intrigued me enough to want to try a Korean brand that has been getting consistent buzz within the local beauty community. Bet I got an eyebrow raise with that one. Rom&nd is the brainchild of Kbeauty guru, Saerom Min. (With the “Rom” taken from her name + a stylized version of “and”.) The brand features makeup with minimalist packaging that manages to represent color range well, peppered with some trendy collabs in between.

If you’ve been dealing with acne for most of your life like I am, you’re probably looking for new products for both acne and its ‘souvenirs’ – hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks.

I’ve been looking for a good acne treatment to add to my current regimen when I found out about Oxecure, a skincare brand that focuses on acne-control for the face and body. I was instantly intrigued by the brand’s promise to deliver results in six hours.

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is something I grew up with. I remember when I was in high school, my Titas in the US sends us the brand’s 3-step Skin Care routine with all the travel-sized GWPs (they have the cutest pouches!) and that yellow bottle was quite memorable. I liked how simple and effective it was but as with all cult classics, sometimes, they need a bit of an update for new users to take notice.

You might be thinking, “Oh great another lecture on common skincare mistakes.” Excessive cleansing, overexfoliating, not wearing sunscreen, blah, blah, blah - you might know all those already, but are you aware that taking care of your skin is more than just doing each skincare step properly? Here are some skincare mistakes you might want to correct.

I was able to interview Heart Evangelista-Escudero last 2016 when she launched her first ever makeup collaboration with Happy Skin. I came into that interview not expecting much - I have met and interviewed celebrities before, and while they were pleasant, they are usually very bland. They don’t like to say anything that might be even remotely misconstrued in a negative way. But Heart? Oh, she was fabulous! She was smart and eloquent and a joy to speak with. Read my interview here!

I heard about LOOK early this year and was psyched when I saw some of their initial plans. The launch I believe was originally scheduled in May but with the pandemic and all, they just officially opened last Friday, October 30. The massive beauty concept store is inside SM Aura. Since it’s in my neck of the woods I decided to visit it despite the fact that there’s a raging typhoon outside (well, I was doing groceries anyway).

SO! I was able to take a lot of photos. I also took a video (I posted it on IGTV) which you can watch if you want to see the exact store layout.