The holidays are on full blast, and while the festivities bring joy, they can also pile on the stress with endless gatherings, gift shopping, and preparations. In the midst of all this hustle, don’t forget to hit pause and carve out some time for yourself. A little pampering goes a long way to keep your energy up for the season!

Last week, our Beauty News Roundup featured delicious treats from the world of beauty. I’m happy to report that this week’s edition will be just as sweet! Let’s take a look at Colourette’s newest Eye Gotchu Collection. NARS makes a new addition to their Afterglow lippie lineup with the new Afterglow Lip Oil. Estée Lauder collaborates with Ladurée, home of the most famous French macarons! Last but not least, Sabrina Carpenter releases a new fragrance named Me Espresso. So have you got a sweet tooth? Let’s get our fill of sweet, sweet beauty news!

There’s an age-old question that many of us who love makeup still ask ourselves all year round: What shades suit me best? That’s where MAC’s APAC Senior Artistry Manager Anton Zimin comes to the rescue. As part of the recently held MAC Trends Makeup Masterclass, Anton introduced four must-try trends and dished out essential tips and tricks to keep in mind before you even lift up that makeup brush. Of course, every masterclass has to have the perfect models and muses to demo on and who better than PPOP royalty themselves, BINI.

Papaya is more than just a sweet, tropical fruit; it’s a powerhouse ingredient that has earned its place in the skincare world. Packed with vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants, papaya offers quite a few benefits for glowing, healthy skin. If you’re ready to level up your routine with this natural wonder, here are the benefits and best ways to incorporate papaya into your skincare regimen!

There’s something about the holidays that makes us crave a touch of magic. It might be the twinkle of lights, the warmth of reunions, or the joy of giving and receiving, but whatever it is this season calls for moments of wonder. This year, Dior brings that wonder to life with its Ball of Dreams pop-up at SM Aura, a luxurious haven of beauty and elegance that’s perfect for holiday gifting—for your loved ones or yourself.

Walking into the Dior pop-up feels like stepping into a fairytale. At the heart of the space is the breathtaking golden Dior tree, an homage to the Château de Versailles and Pietro Ruffo’s stunning designs.

It happens to the best of us. Maybe it’s hormones. Maybe life’s just being extra for no reason. Or maybe it’s that weird, floaty feeling of ennui that you can’t quite explain. Whatever the reason, slumps happen, and I’ve learned not to fight them too hard. But I also don’t like to stay there for long, so I’ve got a few things I turn to when I need to get myself out of a funk.

And so the last month of the year begins! It’s off to a promisingly delicious start as color authority Pantone officially releases the 2025 color of the year: Mocha Mousse. If you’re a fan of Dunkin (or at least how yummy the doughnuts smell), Native has some personal care products you’re going to love. In a surprising turn of events, Teviant has released some sweet treats in collaboration with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty! Last but not least, Issy Cosmetics has released a limited edition product lineup in honor of their fifth anniversary, and it’s perfect for the holidays. What are you waiting for? Keep reading as we round up this week’s yummy beauty news tidbits.

Happy Skin’s Generation Happy Skin line keeps leveling up with every relaunch! Each time, they manage to add something fresh and exciting, whether it’s new shades or entirely new products—just like they did last year. They’ve been listening closely to their consumers, which is clear from the thoughtful updates: improved leak-proof packaging, gorgeous new shades, and even a brand-new addition to the lineup. These updates were unveiled at the launch last November 21, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on their revamped bases and lip products.

The holiday season is finally here, and with it comes the joy of giving! Christmas is the perfect time to show your love and appreciation for family and friends through thoughtful presents. If you’re looking for gifts that spark joy and are equal parts practical and beautiful, Watsons has you covered with their Holiday Gift Sets. From health and wellness bundles to beauty must-haves, there’s something for everyone on your list—and at prices that won’t break the bank!

This has been the best year of my life so far. I’m not ashamed to flex that because, honestly, the last three years were terrible for me. I was lost for a while and didn’t know how to recover from the literal losses I experienced during the pandemic. I figuratively lost the plot; I didn’t know why I was doing what I was doing anymore. I felt powerless and left behind. But in 2024, I sorted myself out—and I can tell you the exact moment it happened.

Watsons Philippines has found a clever way to help you declutter your home and make a difference for the planet. Enter the Recycle for Rewards program, an initiative that rewards you for dropping off your empty health, beauty, and personal care containers at select Watsons stores nationwide. Yes, that’s right, your used shampoo bottles, skincare containers, and vitamin jars could now earn you shopping points, vouchers, or even free goodies!

The last week of November has been busy, busy, busy. This week in the local beauty scene has been filled with celebrations and milestones! Let me catch you up on the latest beauty news. NARS opens its largest boutique yet at Greenbelt 5, marking the occasion with a Master Class by none other than Jelly Eugenio and Catriona Gray! Five Beauty marks its first birthday with a special live event by celebrity co-founder Gabbi Garcia. Albert Kurniawan’s Teviant continues its month-long celebration of its 6th anniversary with new releases and special bundles. Last but not least, the Careline Multistick now has fourteen (14!!!) shades to get to know and love.

The GRWM Ball on November 22, at the Okada Hotel Grand Ballroom was nothing short of magical and extravagant. From the moment guests received the whimsical scroll invitations, it was clear they were in for an unforgettable evening. With surprise guests of honor, jaw-dropping announcements, and a monumental product launch, the night was a celebration of beauty, empowerment, and community.

As a first-timer at the GRWM Ball, I was thrilled to experience this one-of-a-kind event and couldn’t wait to share all the dazzling moments that made it truly unforgettable.

If there’s one step in the skincare routine that often gets overlooked, it's toning. We’ve all been guilty of skipping this step at some point, especially when we're in a rush or trying to cut down on the number of products we use. But is toning really necessary? What exactly does it do, and why should we make room for it in our routine? Today, let’s discuss why toners deserve a bit more love in your skincare regimen!

I absolutely love makeup, but there are definitely days when I want to pare down my routine to just the essentials. That’s why I’m so thankful for the innovative makeup brands that have made multi-use color products so accessible and easy to use. These handy little tubes are perfect for creating quick, monochromatic looks, and they’re a lifesaver for on-the-go touch-ups or travel. Plus, they’re incredibly convenient to toss in your bag—no extra bulk, just pure functionality!

BEVi Asia Pacific has achieved a landmark moment by winning the Asian Export Awards 2024 in the Philippines Market Development of the Year - Personal Care Category. This award underscores the company’s significant role in advancing the Asian export economy and cementing its position as a powerhouse in the beauty and personal care industry across local and international markets.

At the core of this achievement is Kojiesan, BEVi Asia Pacific’s flagship product and the first kojic acid soap in the Philippines. When it debuted, Kojiesan revolutionized the market by introducing the potent skin-brightening benefits of kojic acid to a largely untapped audience. Backed by a robust distribution network, the product quickly captured the hearts of consumers, becoming a household name and establishing BEVi Asia Pacific as a trailblazer in personal care innovation.

If I could travel back in time and sit my younger self down for a heart-to-heart about beauty, there are a few things I’d whisper in her ear. Honestly, I cringe a little when I think about how long it took me to figure some of these lessons out, but as they say—better late than never! If I knew then what I know now, I wonder how much more confident I would have been, how much time I would have saved wishing for things I already had, and how much earlier I could have embraced true self-care.

Let’s be real: the term "anti-aging" needs to retire. Aging isn’t something we should fight—it’s something to embrace and celebrate. That said, taking care of your skin as you age shouldn’t be about chasing youth; it’s more about keeping it healthy, strong, and radiant as it transitions. Think of it as self-care, if you will. Here’s the scoop on well-aging, plus some products to help you along the way.

Two is better than one, as the saying goes. This edition of the Beauty News Roundup is a duo of unexpected duos! The first part are new local releases from Spotlight and Issy, and the second half is all about the latest celebrity beauty news of Olivia Rodrigo and Paris Hilton.

Easily one of my favorite lipstick formulas of the year is the EB Plus Sheer Tinted Lip Balm (P245 / 3.2g). I’ve traveled to several countries with this in my kit and most days, it’s the only lip product I’d slip into my pocket so I can retouch midway through my day. I don’t normally carry a bag, so that pocket space is precious! That’s how much I love it. Recently, EB released six new shades, so of course I had to swatch everything for you.