Shampoo bars have been in the market for years. Lush released their first shampoo bar in 1988 and has produced a wide range of varieties to cater to different hair needs since then. Local brands like Zenutrients, Human Heart Nature, and SMEs like Beach Born, Ecobar, and Rinse & Repeat have their own versions too. But more than the availability in the market, the human drive towards becoming more environmentally conscious has brought these hair cleansing soaps on to a different level. Now, shampoo bars are no longer confined to a small niche as more and more people are ditching traditional shampoo bottles and sachets for it.

Do you ever see products and think, wait, this looks a lot like this other one that came before it? It’s becoming more and more common as supply chains become global. The good news for us here in the Philippines is that our local brands are truly world-class and highly competitive, with brands like Hello Glow (under Ever Bilena) investing heavily in their product development. I love that they have their ears on the ground and commit to making products that can go toe-to-toe with other global brands.

Have you started your holiday shopping already? If not, then you might want to consider looking at previous beauty roundup articles for ideas. After all, it’s nice to give someone a product that’s fresh on the market. Now, if you need more ideas, then here are more beauty releases to choose from!

Just as we care for the skin on our face and body, our lips shouldn’t be taken for granted even if they are covered with masks. In fact, I’ve noticed that mask-wearing sometimes parches and dries out my lips and throat. Hence, even without statement lips, I’ve appreciated lip balms more as this helps to hydrate. I’m always on the lookout for lip balms that actually do its job of moisturizing the lips rather than just coat it with a waxy coating which doesn’t do much.

Even just three years ago, my wardrobe was dictated by the events I needed to go to. I would buy dresses and pieces specifically for an activity and usually I would be under duress because I don’t have that much time to shop. Most of the time, I’d end up with clothes that don’t fit really well or are overpriced off-the-rack because I was in a rush and needed something ASAP. My wardrobe was a mess. Things didn’t really match because there wasn’t any planning whatsoever!

A fascinating truth: Even before you become fully aware of it, cleansing is the earliest form of skincare you take on. It’s a ritual most people even take for granted. But why aim for just getting it over with, when you can pay attention to flaunting that fresh, oil-free glow by choosing the ideal cleanser to deliver those results?

You know the holidays are just around the corner when there’s a sudden influx of beauty releases. After all, beauty is a gift that keeps on giving. Speaking of giving, it’s that time again - it’s time for me to give you what’s new in the beauty industry, both local and international.

Blemishes are the bane of my existence. If you’ve been reading this website long enough, then you know it’s something I’ve struggled with since I started this blog! Most of the time it’s hormonal, sometimes it’s products, but whatever it is I’m left with these dark marks that take some time to fade.

Hence, I only mean business when it comes to my concealer choices. I do not take them lightly. That’s why I had to try the KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm (P2,450 at Sephora.ph) when I saw it on TikTok.

What was your foundation game like five or ten years ago? Or if you’ve been using makeup for longer than that, do you remember what the formulas were like when you first started? There was a time when it was all about matte, and the coverage options seemed to be either full or fuller and, dare I say, cakey. We’ve come a long way since then, and the formulas feel more... efficient. The wear is generally more comfortable, while the finish of some varieties look more skin-like than ever. Most of all, these innovations are premiering at a fast pace while becoming more affordable!

It’s that time of the week again. Yes, another round of beauty news. Before we proceed, I just have to ask this - don’t you love it when a product you’ve been wanting for so long is finally released in the Philippines? Okay, that’s clearly a rhetorical question.

We’ve all been there. We have had our fair share of hits and misses in our skincare journey. We have tried tons of skincare products to keep us healthy-looking and glowing. But have you wondered why, despite the number of products you use, you're still not achieving that promised glow? It’s probably the high time that you check the ingredients and see if these have the essential beauty vitamins for the skin to achieve that real, healthy glow.

Do you still wear full coverage lipstick? I do, but rarely. Most days it’s a tinted lip balm for me or a lipstick, smudged onto the lips, then set with a balm after. I reserve a full color only on days when I’m going out to dressy thing but otherwise it feels overdone. Do you agree? Or is it just me? The pandemic has really changed so many things!

Considering a greater impact to the society and the environment, Watsons Philippines has announced partnerships with P&G, L’Oreal Philippines, and Unilever for its Sustainable Choices initiative.

These partnerships go beyond products as these, according to Viki Encarnacion, PR and Sustainability Director of Watsons Philippines, “reflect the shared responsibility between our suppliers, our customers, and Watsons, in building a more sustainable world.”

Here’s the thing: A minimalist skincare routine can be just as effective as an elaborate one in achieving those glass skin goals. The key is to layer on the right combination of products together to target those daily skincare concerns. And the Japanese are experts at this practice, proving time and time again that even their drugstore brands deliver.

Don’t you just love it that there is always something new to discover in the world of beauty? Whether locally or internationally, beauty news will always be interesting and exciting for me. I hope you feel the same way. Enough chit-chat, it’s time for beauty news!

I’ve been suffering from dandruff since my early 20s. I’ve written here a few times about how I always rotate anti-dandruff shampoo in my hair care routine because without it, my scalp would turn into a flaky, itchy mess! It gets even worse when I’m stressed out. Sometimes, when I can’t stop scratching, my scalp would get small wounds already. Gross but it is the unglamorous truth to my super sensitive scalp.

During my teen years in the early aughts, most of the scented beauty products like skincare and body care were typically floral-scented. You could say that it was the bouquet heyday. Fruity fragrances were often marketed towards kids and pre-teens, while gourmand scents had a not so low-key boudoir association. (Remember Jessica Simpson’s Dessert Beauty? Because I sure do!)

If I say that I’m excited for this week’s beauty roundup, would you still believe me given that I say it every week? Well, it’s true! You know how beauty excites me, and I’m sure it excites you too. There’s quite a lot to talk about this week, so let’s go!

I remember visiting the LOOK store last year a few days after it opened. It was during the thick of the pandemic, but I was so proud to see a concept store like it exist here in the Philippines. It’s about time! It really placed Manila in the map as a world-class beauty shopping destination at par with other countries like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Like I always say, it makes me happy that we have so many local beauty options and this week is just further proof of that. For this beauty roundup, we’re talking local releases that cover makeup, hair, and skin, and new sunscreens from Anessa!