Trends come and go and when we remember the trends we used to follow in the past, we would cringe and recall how ridiculous they were. As much as we dermatologists would like to just cringe at skincare trends and laugh them off, we would rather you know why they need to be stopped because of the real danger they pose to the skin.

As a makeup artist, I’ve been exposed to several makeup application methodologies from the simple 10-minute glow look up to the complex prosthetics and artistic makeup I do during dance competitions. I’ve also done character makeup for theater and TV. When it comes to my personal style though, I like things done simply nowadays since going out feels like suiting up for battle. I still want to look presentable and put together, but I want less of a production number when half of my face is covered most of the time.

We all have go-to lip colors for certain occasions. I don’t know if it’s just me but I always have a shade in mind for a particular purpose and I’m glad to report that these shades have worked well for me every single time. Whether for work or when I’m attending events as a diplomat’s wife, my lip color was and will always be picked for a particular reason. They say fashion is a great way to send a message and I agree but that philosophy extends to my makeup, too. So not only am I intentional with the clothing I wear, I also choose shades that support my message - whatever it is for that day.

When I was a kid, I remember that my mom would lend me her gold jewelry every time there was a school event. If there’s a recognition day, graduation, communion, prom, foundation day, whatever it is, I would be wearing something extra special even though I just have a school uniform on. She would always caution me before leaving, “Wag mo iwawala yan!” (“Don’t lose it!”) as if I needed a reminder. But then I really didn’t understand what gold was worth before anyway. If I knew, I suppose I would have been more nervous about wearing my mom’s things!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! What are you getting your significant other? If you haven’t bought them anything yet, or are considering buying them makeup, fret not. We already gave some tips on how to buy makeup for your beloved. This time around, we took out the guess work and listed actual makeup products that will make great gifts. We even included links to all actual products so you can buy them immediately (You’re welcome!). Here are our top picks for makeup items to give to your significant other according to your budget:

I always watched my mom do her makeup as I was growing up. I love how she would always take her time in applying lipstick. When she was ready for blush, she would smile in front of the mirror, exposing her dimple, which I find so beautiful. This is why the new NARS Claudette Collection is so personal to me. It is inspired by Claudette, who is the mother and muse of François Nars.

Okay I’m going to sound smarmy, so I hope you can be patient when I say that age doesn’t matter that much to me. At least not right now. I suspect that my feelings will change the older I get and the more my face sags or hair falls. But right now, as I sink into the comfortable cushion that is my early 30s, I feel alright about it. Turning 30 is a whole to do but the few years after are just not that dramatic.

I turned 33 the other day so I thought I’d share three things I learned in the past year. Hopefully, you will find these helpful in some way.

My life has been a constant quest of streamlining everything. I’m the first person to sign up for anything that can help get things done in a more efficient manner. Even my daily makeup routine is not exempted from this. I love putting on makeup and experimenting with it but on some days, those 24 hours just seem to be going way too fast. So when I got the opportunity to eliminate one step from my routine by getting my eye brows tattooed, I was all for it.

Rejuvenating sets are by no means a new invention. Even before I began paying more attention to skincare, I remember seeing them in bazaars and tiangges during the early aughts. They’ve gained quite a reputation for making quick work of skin brightening, but they’ve also gotten a bad name for being too harsh to the point of burning the skin. However, not all rejuv sets are created equal. Some place emphasis on giving users a safer, more pleasant experience. And guess what? I’ve gotten to try this new gen version first hand!

The Guerlain Shalimar was my first true grown-up perfume. It’s what started my love for deep, oriental fragrances in chic perfume bottles that I’d rather look at than drain. I reviewed it 10 years ago, in 2011, and while I never finished it I kept it close to me despite all the massive changes that encompassed my life in the last ten years.

In 2011, I’ve just been working on Project Vanity for three years. It’s not big yet and far from being a sustainable business back then, but it was growing steadily and getting some notice from people.

Do you know what your skin type is? It’s a key piece of information that will have you choose the right products for you. It will help you avoid common mistakes I’ve seen in my practice, when some of my patients admit to buying/using popularized and hyped-up products that messed up their skin. These can cause or trigger breakouts, infections, contact dermatitis or flares of skin diseases. Remember: what can work for someone may not work for you! Even we have the same skin type, our skin reacts to certain ingredients differently.

Now when you have correctly figured out your skin type, it’ll be easier to pick which products you can use. The easiest way to determine what your skin type is after washing your face and observing your skin within the day. Here then are the 5 different skin types.

If you’re an avid deal-browser on Shopee, odds are you’ve seen Sace Lady around. This Chinese makeup brand is often on sale, and the prices are sure to pique the beauty bargain hunter’s interest. So to kick things up a notch, I created a complete one-brand FOTD that cost less than P800 after sale discounts and vouchers were applied. And now I’m here to answer the age-old question: Sulit ba?

If someone you love is passionate about makeup then it’s only natural that you want to support it. A beauty item or two is sure to make them happy since it’s something they would enjoy using! But where do you start if you know ZILCH about makeup? Here’s a guide to help you get the perfect gift!

I was cleaning my brushes the other day and while doing so, I thought about how much I hate the process. One, I’m 6’2” so my back always hurts whenever I bend over the sink to rinse my makeup brushes. Two, cleaning brushes takes so much time. Three, you have to leave them overnight in order for them to dry. I can go on and on, really. Waking up the next morning, however, I am instantly in a good mood when I see that all my brushes are clean.

Skincare has been at the forefront of my beauty life last year and I alternate between a full blown routine to days where I just want it quick and easy. But the thing with products for quick and easy, they kind of have to really do it all. Now Happy Skin recently released their new #GoodForYouSkincare line and it feels like this can be that minimalist skincare routine I’ve been looking for.

Learn how Vitamin C serum benefits the skin by helping to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation to result in a more even skintone and brighter skin.

Gosh, this really takes me back. I actually first reviewed the NARS Laguna Bronzer nine years ago. I remember using it for a few years and moving on to something else, but a few months ago NARS sent me one and well, now you’ll have to pry it from my fists. This is such a fantastic product that even the P2,250 price tag shouldn’t deter you if you have the budget for it. Let me tell you why!

Now that we’re on masks all the time, eye makeup has never been more relevant. These days I don’t step out of the house without at least some eyebrows and mascara on. Forget the base - these two products are all I need to look presentable! Anyway my favorite mascara find last year is the Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara (P379 on Lazada). THIS IS SO GOOD. It’s the best AND most affordable drugstore mascara I’ve found to date. I’m already on my second tube!

I’m the type of person who has to wash her hair every single day. As a yoga teacher who practices and teaches yoga practically every morning, I need to be able to cleanse my hair of all the workout gunk! Also, the new normal has me washing my hair twice a day on days when I have to do essential runs.

This is why I need shampoo that cleanses my hair really well without drying it out. It has to be nourishing enough not to strip my hair of its natural oils as well as not be too heavy to leave me with sticky, greasy, limp hair. I’m also a conditioner user, which is why I need a conditioner that brings life to my hair without weighing my hair down or causing breakouts on my back and hairline.

Although it feels like it was just yesterday when I reviewed Details Cosmetics’ Powder Pout Collection, I am not complaining one bit! After all, who doesn’t like new makeup? Now, while new makeup brings excitement, it also presents the temptation of spending. In order to avoid unnecessary spending, we look to reviews, which is where I come in!