I am absolutely weak for minis (see Exhibits 1, 2, and 3). Since I like lugging my beauty essentials around, collecting travel-sized skincare and makeup has always been my happy pill. Recently, I swooned over the new shades of blk Cosmetics #blktravels when I spotted them on Instagram. Paris, Los Angeles, New York, and London are bold additions to their initial collection of MLBBs and more classic hues.

Ever since trying the TIA’M My Signature Red Serum for the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation story, I’ve been in awe of how much brighter my complexion became in just a week! While the product is marketed as a vitamin C serum, I think that the high niacinamide content was part of what made it so effective. Niacinamide is an ingredient becoming more popular among skincare enthusiasts, and for good reason. It offers a multitude of benefits like anti-aging and oil control, so if you’re looking to add an active to your routine, this rising superstar may be one to consider!

After all the initial rush of collecting lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes, and foundations tides over, makeup lovers soon find themselves in need of the right tools to apply them. Just like most beginners, I started by buying brush sets which had most if not everything I need to do a full face of makeup. At first, it seemed enough to have a brush each for foundation, eyeshadow, and blush. However as I learned more about makeup application and better understood which of my features I actually wanted to emphasize, I realized that rather than splurging on a collection of 20+++ brushes, it’s actually more sulit to invest on premium quality individual brushes!

Around this time last year I was giving a talk at a Belle De Jour event. I can’t remember what the topic was exactly, but it’s somewhere along the lines of mistakes I made that brought me where I am today. (Note to self: I must share that here too!) There was a Q&A portion after the talk. Somebody asked: how does a person know what their dream is?

At 25, I’m still considered “young” by many standards. However, over the past year I’ve begun to notice the beginnings of “signs of aging,” no doubt exacerbated by my sleepless nights and hectic schedule (#millennialhustlelife). Considering my mother is famous for having been asked to show ID in bars all the way into her thirties, looking older than my actual age is admittedly an insecurity of mine, one made worse due to the fact that tons of people do actually assume my age as (much) older. True story: In a recent Facebook Live I did for work, when I asked viewers to guess my age, their average estimate was 33!

Hey there PV reader! How’s your weekend so far? We hope it’s fabulous but if it isn’t, well, have we got the goods! We’re talking about a popular drugstore beauty brand going cruelty-free and something that will make you blush like the Queen of All Media! Plus, we’re talking about Bretman Rock’s latest (and pride-filled) collab and unlimited free shipping on your fave beauty site!

I was about 7 when I noticed that my body’s skin was a bit different from others. The skin on my upper arms and my legs look like they perpetually have goosebumps - they have raised bumps that feel coarse. The hair follicles appear redder than my actual skin color, too, so it sometimes looks like I have pimples over the rest of my body. They don’t itch or feel like anything really; they’re just there to make me feel conscious about wearing sleeveless tops and exposing my legs. I’ve since learned that there’s a name for my condition, and that it’s actually pretty common!

We at PV are big fans of Happy Skin’s nail polishes! Made with nourishing ingredients like hydrolyzed keratin and almond oil, the chip-resistant gel formula delivers long wear without the need for UV lamps. They always hit the right spot when it comes to color selection, as well! Time and again, we were wowed from the initial release, to the collabs with Sanrio, Havaianas, and KC Concepcion.

There was a time when I was all about micellar water cleansing, but after a few years of that I just got tired of using two separate makeup removers for my face. Before, I’d swipe on micellar water or wipe to remove foundation and eyebrows, then use a biphase (oil + micellar water) remover for my waterproof eye makeup. I liked this routine since my skin felt cleaner afterwards as opposed to using oil. I also liked that I didn’t turn my face into old makeup soup - you know what I mean! It’s when your mascara is on your lips and your lipstick is on your eyes na because you used an oil cleanser and massaged it all over.

It’s so easy to take health for granted. I’ve never been hospitalized my life so far, so I tend to be careless about taking good care of myself. However, I do try to be self-aware and pay attention to any changes in my body.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and though the month has already passed, getting checked is something that women should do regularly. Self-examination only takes up a little bit of time, but can make a huge difference in helping to detect breast cancer. Recently I went to the Avon Pink Minute event in the Quezon Memorial Circle where they gathered breast cancer survivors and other members of their community to raise breast cancer awareness.

Charcoal in skincare? It’s actually more common than you think! Activated charcoal is a fine black powder processed at very high temperatures, making it more porous than regular charcoal. Because of this feature, activated charcoal has many different uses, including as an oral treatment for poison because it binds with different toxins.

When used in skincare, it is believed that the sponge-like structure of activated charcoal makes it effective at absorbing dirt and oil. As an oily skinned gal, I often see activated charcoal as a featured ingredient in products prescribed for my skin type, but it can also be used in small amounts by those with dry and sensitive skin.

And just like that, it’s November! This week’s beauty roundup has got everything from Too Faced’s new collection to the return of a beloved K-Beauty brand to the Philippines. Plus, we’ve also got the scoop on the latest celebrity makeup line and 3CE’s newest makeup brush collection. Enjoy chilling this long weekend with these exciting beauty updates!

Living your best life and being your best self can be interpreted in a number of ways. If your definition includes striving for constant self-improvement on the health and wellness front, you’re in good company. General Nutrition Centers, aka GNC Philippines, is also on the move to becoming bigger, better, and stronger to match their stores in Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Over the years, preservatives have gotten such a bad rap, particularly for cosmetics. The damaging effects of parabens and formaldehyde, among others, have effectively vilified a whole ingredient component which is actually a vital element for most consumer products! Since most cosmetic products contain water (as well as other liquids and aerosols), they are highly susceptible to pathogens like bacteria and mold. If you don’t want to find funky stuff growing in your favorite moisturizer, broad-spectrum preservatives are non-negotiable.

I have been a big fan of the Colourette Colourtints ever since I got my hands on them last July. Pigmented, long-lasting, and easy to blend, both Fresh and Matte formulas have found a special spot in my makeup kit. This is the reason I was really excited to attend their third anniversary party where they launched the latest addition to their best-selling tint family. Say hello to the newest Velvetints – a multipurpose velvet formula for your eyes, cheeks, and lips!

Project Vanity has always been about discovering the best beauty products in the country. More than that, however, it’s a community where we can find find smart, amazing women to share our ideas with. When I started it out by myself ten years ago there was no indication that it would be more than just a random beauty blog at the time, but here we are. We’ve grown up together and done things that we didn’t think was possible.

Once a beauty trend reaches Instagram and becomes a popular hashtag, it’s difficult to resist trying it out for ourselves! That’s certainly how I felt when I started seeing all those #jaderoller posts all over my feed, so I got curious and bought one to try. Do they actually have skincare benefits or are they just overpriced facial massage tools? Read on to find out if it’s worth the splurge!

Who’s got the holiday fever?! This week’s beauty roundup does! Get ready for all the T on the newest launches, sales, and... scandals? Kylie Cosmetics is getting sued for copying (oh no, this again?) while ColourPop has revealed a delicious new collection with Karrueche. Plus, we’ve got something from The Body Shop that’ll help you get started on your Christmas shopping, FENTY’s holiday sparkle for your wish list, and the opening of a powerhouse K-beauty brand on our shores!