Just a few days before flying into Chiang Mai last week, I seriously regretted booking the ticket. I didn’t need to be there; my husband was scheduled to speak at a conference and I simply decided to join him on a whim a few months ago. When I travel these days it is usually because of work, typically buying jewelry or something beauty-related. There was no work to be done in Chiang Mai. On top of that the tickets were kinda expensive and we didn’t take a direct flight! The direct flight cost almost as much as going to Europe so that wasn’t an option. Finally, I didn’t know much about Chiang Mai and on the Internet it honestly didn’t look like my kind of place. So yes, I was even thinking of just not going even though I had paid for my flight already.

The busiest season is upon the beauty industry! New skin care and makeup products are being released to the holiday frenzy, both locally and abroad. There are even a few new home-grown beauty brands raring to join the competition. Are you curious yet? We have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get to it!

In case you were living under a rock (nothing wrong with that, rocks are nice), then you know that Ever Bilena is not your mama’s makeup brand anymore. They’ve been coming out with some exciting new formulas in beautiful shades that are designed to be well-loved in your daily makeup wardrobe, and I for one can’t wait for the next batch of releases! They don’t have as many shades as other local brands per collection but I appreciate how thoughtful each one is. Ever Bilena knows who their customer is and what they need - I respect that.

Makeup artistry is backbreaking work behind all that glitz and glamor. People think it’s easy but it’s really not, and so many makeup artists do it for love without necessarily thinking about their pricing too hard. And so, in the world of makeup, where passion meets business, how does one really put a price on something that’s both an art and a service? Let’s break down a formula tailored for our Filipino makeup artists!

Filipino beauty brand Issy has recently launched an impressive 58-piece base and powder product line, showcased through a photo and video exhibit. This collection offers a diverse range of formulas and shades tailored to complement the various Filipino skin tones. I had the privilege of attending a pre-launch event two weeks before the official release, allowing me to provide a comprehensive review of most products from this collection. So let’s get into it!

I used to be able to write articles here like I’m just breathing - well, with a little bit of wrangling to get the words just so - but now it’s tough to settle my mind and be able to just focus. Are you experiencing the same thing? I like to blame my addiction to social media and the instant gratification it shoots straight into my brain’s pleasure receptors, but maybe it’s also just age. Our problems, whimsies, and random puffs of thought smoke clutter up our minds the same way objects clutter up our house. It’s just the side effect of being alive.

Project Vanity has always been a beacon for its strong community centered on beauty. Celebrating their 15th anniversary, it was evident that time only strengthened the bonds that held this community together. The "Beauty Without a Time Limit" event on October 28th at the House of XO was a testament to that, putting pivotal beauty discussions at the forefront.

One of my favorite lip tint formulas just released six new shades, so I thought I’d swatch everything for you! The Barenbliss Peach Makes Perfect Lip Tint (P399 for 3ml) was released a couple of years ago if I’m not mistaken and has won awards in South Korea and Thailand. I love it because it makes my lips look - for lack of a better term - young! I know, I know, but you’ll get it once you scroll down to my swatches.

Watsons, the leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer kicks off the very first Watsons Fit Fest, brought by the Watsons Club on October 13 at The Podium, Ortigas.

Watsons is taking an active step in encouraging everyone to have an active and healthy lifestyle through the Watsons Fit Fest, which aims to Recharge, Reboost, and Renew your health and overall well-being, inside and out. This mindful approach will guide participants to rediscover their paths to holistic wellness.

The beauty scene in the Philippines has always been vibrant, with exciting launches and fresh faces adding a burst of energy every now and then. Among the digital influencers and content creators who have caught our eye, Rei Germar stands out. With her effortless charm, relatable content, and undeniable style, she has been on our radar for quite a while. Today, there's even more reason to celebrate Rei as she steps into a new light: the newest ambassador for Barenbliss Philippines.

The delicate interplay between science and nature often leads to transformative beauty solutions, blending the wonders of the natural world with cutting-edge research. This union was beautifully showcased at the recent Dior Prestige Beauty Class, where attendees were introduced to Dior's latest marvel in the realm of skincare: the Dior Prestige Le Nectar Premier. This groundbreaking serum is Dior’s answer to the challenge of early aging, designed meticulously to combat the initial markers of time on our skin.

October has rolled around once again, bringing with it a wash of pink and powerful messages. 🎀 This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every corner of the globe witnesses lots of initiatives aiming to spread knowledge, foster support, and advocate for early detection. Among these efforts, Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) consistently stands out. They've not only been champions on the global front but have also been diligently ensuring their campaigns resonate profoundly within the Philippines as well.

I like to think of myself as a fragrance chameleon. I can’t say I have a specific signature scent, because I gravitate more towards the feelings that a fragrance brings out in me. I have favorites, yes, but the scent that I choose for the day ultimately depends on what I want to feel. Fresh? Lighthearted? Romantic? Powerful? I think of perfume as part of the story I want to tell about myself at any given time.

Recently, Narsciso Rodriguez Philippines sent over their latest perfume creation called All of Me (P5,850 / 50ml and P7,400 / 90ml). I’m not going to mince my words: it was love at first spray.

With a sudden drop in online activity and an enigmatic single-page placeholder on their website, many are left wondering: What is happening with BeautyMNL? BeautyMNL is a popular online shopping platform in the Philippines that primarily focused on beauty products, skincare, makeup, and wellness items. The site has been known to feature a wide range of local and international brands, making it a go-to for many Filipinos in search of beauty and wellness products.

Before we proceed, full disclosure: my company is also a merchant at BeautyMNL and we are still unpaid,

Not all serums are created equal. Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid are standard serum ingredients. Combine these three with another powerful active, Kojic Acid, and you have the new Kojie.san Skin Lightening Super Serum!

In the heart of the Philippines emerges a beacon of innovation and resilience: Parlon. Dubbed as the country's fastest-growing salon and wellness tech platform, Parlon has not only managed to onboard a staggering 500 brands, spanning over a thousand branches nationwide, but has also successfully navigated the challenging waters of startup fundraising. Their recent triumph? A whopping $400,000 secured in a pre-seed funding round, with investments coming from notable names such as WIP Global Ventures, A2D Ventures, and an esteemed group of angel investors.

Ever since I discovered Laneige, I've been a fan of their skincare and base products. The ambassador then was still Song Hye Kyo (The Glory); now it’s Kim You Jung (20th Century Girl) and Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria).  It’s just one of those brands that work so well on my skin, and in fact I have yet to try a product from them that I didn’t enjoy. New releases are always a treat to check out! The new Laneige Perfect Renew 3X skincare line especially feels attuned to my current needs now that I am in my late thirties.

Did you know that there’s a new Filipino brand, and it’s all about hypoallergenic brushes? Meet Beauty Architect, which just launched last July. Their brushes are vegan, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic as they use only synthetic bristles. They have tools available as singles or in sets, as in the case of the Beauty Builder Tool Kit (P1,880) which I am reviewing today.

It’s been fifteen years since I started this little blog in my bedroom. I was still in college then and have basically been living online for most of my adult life. Over that time, I’ve felt a lot of pressure to be this and that - to get married, to have kids, to be perfectly beautiful and young forever, to be rich and successful, and to make zero mistakes, among other things. It’s freakin’ exhausting. Do you feel the same? Do you want to just let go of all of these unrealistic expectations women are seemingly forced to live by?

Classics resonate with us because of their timeless appeal and consistent performance, earning an esteemed place in our routines. The Body Shop stands out as one such iconic brand. Championing cruelty-free beauty since 1976, it has nurtured Filipino skin for over 25 years. Many of us, navigating the turbulent times of puberty, turned to their tea tree products as a sanctuary against acne. I, too, vouched for The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (P550/10ml) to target and soothe my acne blemishes. Excitingly, The Body Shop's renowned Tea Tree line has now been reimagined and revamped, making it even more interesting than before!