I’m not new to the world of luxury foundations but I’ve never heard of a self-refreshing foundation before. So when Shiseido launched the Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation with SPF 35 PA++++, my interest was piqued! This foundation features ActiveForce Technology which is supposed to enable the foundation to “resist humidity, respond to heat, rebound from facial movement, absorb oil, and diffuse light for a just-applied look”. It sounds like a great match for my oily skin and the tropical climate, so I decided to test it out!

This idea of bravery is the central point of the Project Vanity x Revlon Beauty and Bravery event that we recently held in Makati. Project Vanity community members gathered with us at Xception for an afternoon of milk tea, coffee, and sharing brave moments. It was a one-of-a-kind event as it was very intimate and really allowed us to talk and listen to each other. Plus, it turned into a bonding session as we became real-life friends with people we’ve only interacted with at the PVC Facebook group!

Who’s ready for another beauty roundup?! This week is packed full of exciting news, both global and local! First up, we’ve got the scoop on Aesop making its way to the Philippines, plus a rare Michelle Phan upload and launch. We’ve also got a detailed look into Victoria Beckham Beauty (think smoky and chic) and the new drops from FENTY! Also, if you still struggle to get your wings even, stick-on eyeliners might be your new bff. Happy reading!

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!

I grew up watching a lot K-beauty YouTubers. Everything I know about makeup and skincare, I learned from them (and Project Vanity, of course!). One of my top beauty idols is Hye-Min Park or Pony Syndrome, who is hands down the most famous makeup artist of the K-beauty world! She works with the biggest K-pop idols like 2NE1 and Wonder Girls, and has even released a few books. And then three years ago, she launched Pony Effect, her very own makeup line. 

Tolerated, but not accepted. While this year’s #PrideMarch was more successful than ever, the Philippines as a country has a long way to go before truly becoming a safe space for the LGBTQI community. Just recently, there was news about a trans woman who experienced discrimination in a Quezon City mall. Gretchen Custodio Diez just wanted to use the female restroom, but was humiliated and arrested. 

Have you ever been to a beauty convention? If you’re the type of beauty lover who loves staying ahead of trends and getting in-depth knowledge of the industry, this is the place to be! I’ve only attended a couple of local cons so far, but I found my current go-to sunscreen stick (it’s not available locally) at the one we attended a few months ago. There are free demos and talks, and hair, makeup, and nail competitions. You might even find an exclusive sale or convention-only prices.

When we say that Project Vanity is the source for your daily dose of beauty, we mean it! In this year alone, we have published over 200 stories so far, and we still have so much more to share. It’s honestly not easy work but we love what we do because of commenters like Monalisa Bio, who regularly shared her thoughts and insights after reading each story. Thank you for the support and for making Project Vanity part of your daily habit, Monalisa! You are our Commenter of the Month. Please email me at den[at]projectvanity[dot]com to claim your prize.

Filipinas have definitely become a lot more interested in eyeshadow in recent years because of YouTube and Instagram. Before, we felt that eyeshadow wasn’t worth the kerfuffle so long as we had mascara, eyeliner, and kilay on, but now it’s become a fun way to dress up any look! There are hundreds of palettes in the market though, so allow me to share a recent Revlon find that’s under 900 pesos: the Looks Book Eyeshadow Palettes (P875 at Revlon counters).

“Blooming ka” is a usual compliment that describes a general improvement in one’s appearance. Sometimes it’s as obvious as a whole new FOTD, while other times it’s a positive change to the overall aura that’s hard to explain. Then again, maybe it’s just a new skincare routine that’s been formulated for glass skin levels of radiance!

If there’s one word to describe this week’s beauty roundup it’s NEW! We’ve got the latest foundation from Kat Von D Beauty (plus the gorgeous face fronting the campaign), NARS’ newest baby to mark 25 years in the industry, and L’Oreal’s newest Oscar winning face. We also have the official release date of Victoria Beckham Beauty, and deets on Lancôme’s quest to further empower women! 

Is it just me or is 2019 passing by quickly? The Ber months are here, and holiday season is right around the corner! With everything going at full steam ahead, stress and lack of sleep can become your daily companions. We don’t need to worry though - Make Up For Ever has just launched their newest solution to helping us stay fresh faced: the Make Up For Ever Reboot Foundation (P2,700).

K-beauty isn’t just about a quest for glass skin. While many brands develop products according to specific age brackets, some labels were made in response to more particular needs such as atopic skin disorder relief or solutions for oily/acne-prone skin types. Commleaf answers the call for a back-to-nature approach to skincare, focusing on natural ingredients and hypoallergenic products. Even the brand’s name origin story speaks of its humble philosophy: “comma” indicates a pause, while “leaf” represents nature.

I was in Hong Kong last November for a beauty convention when I spotted a simple booth tucked in amongst hundreds of others in the massive venue. I almost missed it, but a glimpse of luxe brushes caught my eye. When I entered I found out that my hunch was right: the brushes were indeed luxurious and made by Uyeda Bisyodo, an artisanal brush brand founded in Japan in 1945.

When I first started buying my own makeup, I bought some of my very first lipsticks from Maybelline. I have been a fan of their Creamy Matte line for years now, and still reach for Maybelline faves like Clay Crush, Nude Nuance, and Touch of Spice despite owning over a hundred lipsticks! And it’s not hard to understand why.

As a beauty enthusiast, I naturally gravitate towards skincare discussions—whether in websites and online platforms (shout out to The Project Vanity Community on Facebook!), at beauty events, or with friends and family. I do appreciate all of these venues, because I learn a lot about skincare from them. The conversation has changed a lot through the years, with many participants becoming *woke* about how to properly care for their skin. At times, I even feel like I’m preaching to the choir!

This week’s beauty roundup has me feeling like it’s my birthday, or that Christmas came early! Funko Pop collectors will have something new to add to their wish list, while the newest lipsticks from MAC are perfect for those who moisturizing but lightweight lip color. Of course, you don’t want to miss out on Sephora’s crazy Beauty Pass Sale and a peek at gorgeous new KKW Beauty collection that we’re lowkey eyeing.

Not that I need much help in figuring out my next beauty purchase, but I enjoy browsing through store bestsellers to see what everyone else is loving. That’s how I stumbled on V&M Naturals CPC+G Oil while looking for an oil for both the face and body on BeautyMNL. It had over 500 5-star reviews and I couldn’t help but feel intrigued, especially since it was just P350 for a 30ml bottle.

When it comes to face bases, I have a bias for lightweight foundations. I love how it evens out my skin tone without covering too many imperfections, thus allowing my skin to still look like skin. The light to medium coverage is also great for everyday wear as it fades more gracefully and is not as fussy as full coverage foundation can be. Weather-wise, lightweight formulas are just perfect for the fickle super-hot-then-suddenly-wet season we’re currently experiencing, as these lightweight foundations literally feel like nothing on the skin. 

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.