The not-so-big-surprise is that just about everything comes in cushion form nowadays. In addition to the standard cushion foundation, there’s now a tone-up cushion, cushion highlighter, corrector, blush, eyeliner, concealer, and even cushion fragrance. I’m just waiting for the invention of a cushion brow stamp to take the place of the powder one!

I had a lot of fun coming up with my own DIY cushion compact foundation, which was easy and allowed me to customize a shade to match my skin tone to a tee. This time, I decided to try my hand at making a cushion blush to help me resist buying one. It turned out to be ridiculously easy to make!

Materials:

• Empty and clean cushion compact case* with cushion and applicator sponge 
• Small bowl
• Mixing spoons
• Cream or mousse blush (or several, if you want try mixing your own shade)
• Facial oil
• CC cream
• Liquid highlighter/illuminator (optional)

* If you are using a cushion compact case meant specifically for cushion foundation, you may need to whip up a bigger batch of the blush mixture to saturate the cushion better. The quality and pigmentation of the blush cushion will all depend on the products you used to blend into it, and it’s best to use this up in a month to ensure freshness. Cushion compacts may be purchased for P235 at Althea.

You may also re-use an old cushion compact simply by washing the empty cushion with dishwashing fluid or baby shampoo, and then rinsing the compact as well.

Now here's how to make the liquid blush!

Step 1: Scoop some cream or mousse blush into a small bowl. Sky’s the limit as you can use a blend of two or more colors, if you’d prefer to create a custom shade. Make sure to use a new or completely cleaned spoon to scoop out product from their original containers to avoid cross-contamination and unintended color mixing.

You can actually also use lipsticks. The ingredients of lipsticks are technically the same as a cream or liquid blush, just with perhaps more or a stiffer kind of wax. If you can put it on your lips, you should be able to put it on your cheeks.

Step 2: Add a drop or two of facial oil to dissolve the pigment and mix well. It is imperative that you use the tiniest amount of oil possible, because this merely serves to help blend the pigment together. I’ve discovered that water-based serums tend to turn cream and mousse blushes lumpy, while using too much oil can cause the cushion blush formula to separate. Adjust the shade and intensity of pigmentation by adding more cream blush until you get the hue you want. Make sure that it’s correct because it will be difficult adjust the shade later on. It’s also best to make the blush color blend super pigmented at first as it will thin out and look a bit more sheer as you add more ingredients.

Step 3: Add CC cream and blend until you get the standard cushion makeup consistency. This is also the point where you can incorporate some liquid highlighter/illuminator for that extra dewy glow.

Step 4: Pour half of the formula at the bottom of your cushion compact case, replace the cushion, and then pour the other half over the cushion. Saturate the cushion by pressing the product in with your mixing spoon. Aaaand, you’re done!

So why use CC cream? I noticed that most of the K-beauty cushion blushes I’ve encountered have a milky, almost-pastel coloring to them. Since CC cream has a brightening/insta-white effect, it could help mimic that milkiness.

I’ve been using my DIY cushion blush everyday since making it! I love the level of buildable pigmentation that I’m getting, and it blends at the edges with just a few pats. The liquid highlighter also gives my cheeks a hydrated, dewy look.

Have you ever tried cushion blushes before? Will you be trying this DIY? What shade would you like your custom cushion blush to have?

It’s always difficult to force ourselves back into the daily grind after enjoying a long, relaxing weekend. Whether you were team Laboracay, La Union, or LaBahay, this weekend all roads lead to White Space in Pasong, Tamo, Makati for this year’s Row101 Summer Pop Up! Happening on May 6 to 7 (Saturday and Sunday) from 11am to 9pm, it’s a shopping bonanza that you will not want to miss. Here’s a sneak preview of what’s coming your way!

Earrings from Simone's Closet

Local celebrities and fashion influencers will be opening their envy-worthy closets

This year’s summer pop up will see a nice mix of fashion, food, and beauty brands offering the best deals. Models, style influencers, and celebrities will also be hosting their own booths to sell brand new and pre-loved clothes and cosmetics. Chie Filomeno, Janina Manipol, Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia, and Vern and Verniece Enciso will have booths set up so do drop by and check out their stuff!

Need proudly Filipino-made skincare for your busy life? In Her Element has you covered!

Our very own skincare brand In Her Element will be having our bazaar debut. You can test and shop the Nourish and Cleanse Balm, First Wash Cleansing Oil, Pure Squalane Facial Oil, and Spot Control Facial Oil. Come say hi and hang out with the PV team. Our founder and editor Liz Lanuzo will be there as well to share her recos! Need more convincing? Event goers will be getting first dibs on our two new surprise products! *wink*

It's going to be a K-beauty stop, too!

Our favorite Korean brands Etude House, Tony Moly, and Leaders will also be there to sell their wares. If you’ve always wanted to get your hands on Etude House’s Berry Delicious Collection, Tony Moly’s Panda’s Dream Collection, or the rave-worthy sheet masks from Leaders, Row101 is a convenient way to collect them all under one roof. 

Shoes from El Marikeno

Hard-to-find but amazing local fashion brands will be there for us to explore

The Row 101 Summer Pop Up Bazaar is also a great place to shop awesome local fashion finds. There’s no shortage of clothes, shoes, swimwear, and accessories from brands like El Marikeno, Shoegar, and Simone’s Closet. 

Joyce, Marj and Nikki

Say hi to your favorite beauty vloggers and bloggers

While you’re there, don’t miss out on the perfect chance to meet and greet your favorite beauty influencers! Joyce Sola, Marj Sia, Nikki Tiu, Say Tioco, Jessica Godinez, Kim Mendoza, and Genzel Habab will be shopping and selling at the event themselves, so check out their booths for makeup and skincare finds. 

Other brands participating in this year’s Row 101 include:

Browhaus, Happy Socks, Boulangerie 22, Bahn Mi, Serbesa MNL, Baba's Kitchen, Squeeze Me, Below 35 MNL, Lazeez Shawarma, Swinging Chairs, Sunflower Kitchen, Lemoon Philippines, Sefra Babe Wear, Marie Villamor, Sun Fish PH, Alijo Chua, Basi, Shop Katre, Shop Eunice Sason, B Manila, Vida Lim, Guppy Shorts, Simone's Closet, The Poppy PH, Leather and Feet, Shut Up Tees by Rekles, Heir Clothing, Owl PH, Kaine Cordova Primegroup, Teddy Sage, I Love Koi, Grigio Inc. El Marikeno, La Latina Swimwear, Ibiza Love Your Sole, Sola Jewelry, Estela Philippines, Coral Swimwear, Food Truck Cheese Steak and Food Truck Fire Station.

There will also be some surprise booths so be sure not to miss this summer event!

Here’s my loot from the media preview of Row 101. I can’t wait to go this weekend to catch the best deals! You can come in for free simply by sharing the official event poster below on your Facebook timeline with the caption "I am going to #row101summerpopup on May 6 and 7 at White Space, Pasong Tamo, Makati!”. Just show your post at the door to gain free entrance. Hope to see you there!

More than all the skin care in the world, sunscreen is the most important thing you can and should apply on your skin. Not only can it delay wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and other signs of aging, it also protects you from skin cancer! That’s a real health issue well outside the confines of everyday vanity.

There’s no debate that everyone needs to wear sunscreen everyday. The question now is, how do you choose the best sunscreen for your needs? Here are three basic factors you should check for!

UVB Protection

All sunscreens should have an SPF or sun protection factor declared on their labels. This is what protects us from UVB rays that cause redness and sunburn. What you should know is that you don’t actually need a lot of it to get yourself protected.

With just SPPF15, a sunscreen can already block 93% of UVB rays. SPF30 increases that protection to 97%, and SPF 45 to 50 blocks up to 98%. There’s very little difference in protection as you go for a higher rating. Up to this day, no sunscreen can promise 100% protection.

UVA Protection

UVA rays cause photoaging and suppression of the immune system. In the US, sunscreens are labeled “broad spectrum” when they offer UVA protection. Here and in other Asian countries though, we use a system called Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD). The higher the PPD rating, the longer it takes for the skin to tan, as compared to when the skin is unprotected.

Thus, products that have UVA protection are labeled as “PA+, ++, +++,” and so on, indicating the protection grade. PA+ means a PPD rating of 2 to 4, PA++ means a PPD rating of 4 to 8, PA+++ means a PPD rating of 8 to 16, and PA++++ means a PPD rating of 16 or higher. 

Water Resistance

The US FDA doesn’t allow sunscreens to be labeled as “waterproof” or “sweatproof.” Instead, sunscreens that can last for up to 40 minutes in water may be labelled as “water resistant” while those that can last effectively for up to 80 minutes in the water are labeled “very water resistant.” 

We’ve already covered a lot of facial sunscreens in the past but lest we forget, the rest of our body needs protection, too! So for this showdown, we decided to put four body sunscreens that we regularly use to the test. Meet our contenders!

Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture, P459 for 125ml at Watsons 

With broad spectrum SPF50 PA++, the Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture has you completely covered. It’s labeled as water-resistant, and I made it to 40 minutes in the water before feeling like I needed to reapply it already. It can be really sticky though even if the label says otherwise. It creates a white cast. There’s a strong sunscreen scent upon application but it seems to fade afterwards. This would be good to use for when you’re outdoors and expecting to sweat a lot, or for swimming. 

Belo SunExpert Body, P459.75 for 100ml at Watsons

At SPF60, Belo offers the highest SPF coverage among the products I tested plus a pretty high broad spectrum protection at PA+++. It’s also the only product here that’s labeled as hypoallergenic and paraben-free, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or conscious about product ingredients. It’s also water-resistant but I find that it does not last as long as Nivea does. It’s not really sticky and doesn’t have a white cast but it leaves a sheen on my skin. It still smells like sunscreen but the scent is less noticeable compared to Nivea.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel, P460 for 90ml at Watsons

Unlike all the other products I tested, this features a gel formulation that you can apply on both your body and face. It’s not water-resistant but I love that it absolutely feels like nothing once applied.

The downside, however, is that it doesn’t have any moisturizing properties that a cream lotion formulation usually provides. For my face, it’s okay because I have combination skin and I only need a bit of moisturizer on my cheeks. But I have dry skin on the rest of my body, so I’d need to apply lotion first before putting this on. If you have normal skin on your body though, this is a good pick for you as you can use it all over. No need to bring a separate sunscreen just for your face!

Silka Premium Whitening Lotion in Papaya with Milk and Honey, P174 for 200ml at Watsons

This moisturizes really well and has a skin brightening effect because of the addition of niacinamide, sweet almond milk protein, and papaya enzyme in the formulation. It does not claim to be water-resistant but I wouldn’t mind reapplying this every two hours because I love the scent. The price is very budget-friendly! It’s an economical option for everyday use, however, we recommend a different sunscreen if you’ll be outdoors long or when swimming.

Reminders about using sunscreen

It’s best to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes BEFORE sun exposure to give the product time to dry on your skin. Be generous with your application because a thin layer won’t build up enough product to shield you from the sun's rays - you’ll usually need about a shot glass worth of sunscreen to cover EACH limb in your body. Finally, regardless of whether you’re swimming or just outdoors, you need to reapply about every 2 to 3 hours to ensure that you get continuous protection. 

Care to share what your fave body sunscreen is? Why do you love it?

Sources: Time, Skincancer.org, Byrdie, Foxnews.com, TheKlog.co, Cancer.org.au

How hot is it going to be today? That's my #1 consideration when I wear makeup lately. The hotter it is, the lighter I need my base to be since it can get uncomfortable later on! I ascribe to the "less is more" philosophy during the summer, unless I really, really have to pile on the product for work. At the same time I need my makeup to keep it together for the day. Sounds impossible, right? Not really. If you find the correct products for your needs, you'll have more control with the way your makeup looks later on.

Happy Skin recently released a duo that should help with keeping our faces shine-free for longer. The brand introduced the Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude (P1,299 for 25 ml), a silicone-based primer that fills in pores and mattifies skin in one later. They also have the new Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent (P1,200 for 8 grams), a white, zero-coverage powder that creates a matte filter-like effect on the skin. 

Here's what I think of each!

A pea-sized amount is enough for the whole face. I like spout dispensers like this since I can control the amount of product that comes out.

The Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude looks and feels like your typical silicone primer. It's dimethicone-based, with added kaolin powder and mica to enhance the ultra smoothing finish. It has no coverage at all even though it has a slight tint off the tube, but as you can see in my before and after photo, one layer of it seems to have made my skin tone and texture more even. 

I like the mild, clean scent of this primer and how easy it is to blend all over the face. Do note that you have to wait for your moisturizer and/or sunscreen to dry completely before applying it. Otherwise, the primer won't sit on your skin well! You'll notice it will crease or roll off in a few hours. Also make sure to apply the rest of your base makeup after Matte About You has dried and set.

As promised on the label, this Happy Skin primer lessens the appearance of pores, flakes, and rough skin. It also helps to keep shine at bay for about three to four hours on my combination skin - I usually shine in two. Not bad at all! It really helps to hold my makeup down (you'll see later). I did notice though that it has a lifespan; it creases slightly on me after six to seven hours so I have to correct the fine creases as they appear.  

Nevertheless, I like the Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude and will continue to use it when it's extra hot outside. I have combination skin so I'm actually ok with just patting my nose with powder on a regular day. Sometimes though, a girl needs a hand! This is just the thing I need to keep my look fresh in this crazy summer. 

I find myself reaching for the Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent regularly because it just makes my skin look so gorgeous. It doesn't look like a blah white on skin; it sorta melts into my color, creating this amazing filter-like finish! This can be used as a setting powder after liquid/cream bases, but it also excels at absorbing oil midday. I love that it's not a flat matte. It has some light-reflecting juju going on so that it looks skin-like and not just totally matte.

It takes a bit of layering to set makeup with this as the powder is quite tightly pressed, but it only takes a layer to remove shine. It comes in a mirrored compact with a puff so you can retouch anytime. Plus points for the cute, mermaid-inspired packaging too! I do hope Happy Skin would sell refills in the future.

Applied the Matte About You primer here, added liquid foundation on top, then set everything with the Matte Of Your Dreams powder. How's that for smooooooth AF?

Seven hours later, here's what my makeup looks like! I did not retouch AT ALL. My base has faded a bit, though I'm way less shiny than I normally would be considering I use a liquid foundation. It still looks serviceable because of the primer + powder combo.

Overall, I highly recommend the Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent to just about anyone who wants a smoothing powder for retouching. It's well-milled and not gritty at all, so the results on skin are impressive. It's a bit pricey for 8 grams at that, but well worth it if you want a good retouch powder that won't look cakey or disturb what you already have on.

Let me know what y'all think, as always! Are you digging these new Happy Skin products?

How is it almost the end of April already? The summer heat feels as intense as ever, and we hope everyone’s been applying (reapplying!) sunscreen to stay protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Meanwhile, things are continuing to sizzle, beauty-wise!

In this week’s roundup, we serve up a bit of mystery from Kylie Cosmetics and their most exciting collaboration yet, and a budding romance with the newest palette from BECCA Cosmetics (we love the muse that inspired it, too). If you’re still going gaga for Disney inspired makeup, you’ll want to grab the exclusive designs on our favorite brow pens. And if you want to rock a summer glow without the sun damage, Too Faced’s new collection is just the thing to warm up your skin. So grab an ice cold drink and soak up some beauty!

COMING SOON @kyliecosmetics #KKW

A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Apr 18, 2017 at 10:20am PDT

Keeping Up with Kylie and Kim

Makeup maven Kylie Jenner has dropped a bomb on our Instagram feeds and we honestly couldn’t be more excited for it! After a successful Kylie Cosmetics collaboration with big sister Khloe, Kylie is taking it one step further and involving another member of the uber popular reality TV family - superstar sister Kim Kardashian West! Kylie took to Instagram to post a video featuring her and Kim side by side, with sleek hair, gorgeously golden skin, and that signature Kardashian nude lip. 

Image via Bustle

The KKW x KYLIE collaboration will include four crème liquid lipsticks adorably named Kimberly, Kim, KiKi, and Kimmie. You can get your hands on this girl power collab when it drops on April 25!

Full story on E! Online

Image via Hypebae

#Blessed By BECCA

When it comes to amazingly luxe packing and collaborations, BECCA Cosmetics is on a roll. After the release of their purple primer, the brand is coming out with another product that’s sure to steal our hearts (and the cash in our wallets!) BECCA has announced that they’re teaming up with comedienne, TV host, author and supermodel Chrissy Teigen to create the face palette of our dreams!

The limited edition BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette will feature the model’s favorite Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Rose Gold as well as three stunning new shades: the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Beach Nectar, Sunlit Bronzer in Malibu Soleil, and Luminous Blush in Hibiscus Bloom. The palette will retail for $46 and will be available on the BECCA website some time in May.

Full story on Grazia

Image 

Destined for Disney

Wouldn’t you think I’m a girl who has everything? Not until you have these! Cult favorite K-Palette has come out with a limited edition version of their Lasting 2Way Eyebrow Liner in a Disney Princess design! The long lasting eyebrow pen features a different Disney Princess on each tube: Belle for 01 Light Brown, Rapunzel for 02 Natural Brown, Ariel for 03 Mocha Brown, and Cinderella for 04 Grayish Brown.

This is only available in select SM Beauty counters in North EDSA, Megamall, Makati, Aura, and MOA plus Watsons branches in Market Market and Robinson’s Place Ermita, so you better hurry before these collectible pens run out! 

Images via Instagram user @jerrodblandino

Just Peachy!

Despite the gigantic release of the Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection, the brand is taking things up a notch by adding to the already well-loved collection with even more products! Brand founder Jerrod Blandino announced on his Instagram that he has created an expansion of the Sweet Peach line exclusively for Sephora. The line will have everything from shadows to blushes, lippies to foundations, and more, all infused with the signature peach essence and Italian sweet fig crème. These new products won’t be out til August but knowing Jerrod, he’ll be posting a lot more teasers on his Instagram leading up to the release. Start saving up, girls!

Full story on Allure

Images via milkmakeup.com

Glow Out of This World!

There’s nothing like a well-placed highlight to give your face that healthy glow. There’s also nothing like a highlighter that goes above and beyond shimmer - we’re talking an out of this world glow! MILK Makeup revolutionized the stick highlighter when they launched their Holographic Highlighter Stick in Supernova back in 2016, and everyone couldn’t wait to get their hands on the creamy and super blendable stick.

Now the brand is back with a brand new shade: the Holographic Highlighter Stick in Mars ($28). A beautiful golden pink highlighter shade, the Mars stick is a warmer version of the cult classic Supernova, which is more of a cool toned opal. Mars also has traces of pink shimmer and gold flecks but without the overly glittery or chunky shine. The Mars Holographic Highlighter Stick will be available on May 2 from MILK, Sephora, and Urban Outfitters websites.

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Bustle

Kiehl(‘s) Em With Kindness

Talk about gifting for a good cause! Kiehl’s has come up with a very special Mother’s Day treat that will not only be the perfect gift for your mom but for those in need as well. 100% of the sales of the Kiehl’s X Jeff Koons Midnight Recovery Collection will benefit the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC).

A beautifully designed tin houses products from the cult favorite line including the Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($46), Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil ($32), and the Midnight Recovery Eye ($37). You can shop the limited edition collection from May 2 to 31. The products are already available online and the special tin is expected to hit Kiehl’s stores very soon.

Full story Bustle

Editor's Note: Virginity, birth control, and sex are still opaque topics here in the Philippines. A discussion about these things with our parents mostly involves them telling us never to have intercourse or get pregnant until we're married. However, that is hardly a deterrent for women to make unwise choices. At Project Vanity, our ultimate goal is to empower women by providing them information about their own bodies so they feel more confident about navigating the world.

In The Sex Talk, we consult with doctors and experts about common questions we feel should be answered by women, for women.

As if navigating love and sex - technique, birth control (natural, artificial, and emergency), and cultural beliefs about virginity - wasn't difficult enough, there is the very serious matter of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs that you should know about. Talking about venereal diseases isn’t sexy, can be embarrassing, and often involve gross descriptions of things you never imagined could happen to your vaginal area. But let’s face it: knowing more about what they are, how they’re transferred, and the options for treating them help knock the-fear-of-the-unknown down a peg. So in the spirit of adulting, we’ll forego the awkwardness and get straight to the facts with help from OB-GYN Dr. Sandee Go of St. Luke’s Medical Center. Sometimes, love harms, so it’s important to be prepared and take extra precaution!

The Bad Five

When asked to name some of the most common STDs that plague Filipinos, Dr. Go mentioned chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The first three are bacterial infections, while the latter two are carried by viruses. Gonorrhea is often referred to in the vernacular as tulo because of the unusual penile or vaginal discharge that occurs but the same symptoms apply to those with chlamydia. Syphilis can be harder to diagnosed as its moniker, “the great imitator,” is a result of it having symptoms that are also commonly found in other diseases. However, it is most often associated with rashes and sores.

Chlamydia

Gonorrhea

STD or UTI?

Could it be that the discomfort is actually from a urinary tract infection, which you can get even if you’re not sexually active? Dr. Go says that there are overlapping symptoms, so it can be hard to tell from those alone. “For example, abnormal penile or vaginal discharge, burning sensation upon urination, and lesions are symptoms that both STDs and UTIs share,” she explains. The best and surest way to find out is to visit a gynecologist who can screen for both and determine the actual cause.

Syphilis

Getting Tested

There is no one way to test for all STDs at once; if you suspect that you may have something, the doctor may have to run several tests to check in what is causing your discomfort. There are also individual DIY home test kits available for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, and for chlamydia and gonorrhea here. For HPV screening, a cervical Pap Smear can be done to find out if there are pre-malignant cells even before it turns into cervical cancer. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested via urine or a sample of genital discharge, which is then cultivated in a lab for a few days until the bacteria’s DNA can be identified. As for herpes and syphilis, a blood test can be conducted to check for antibodies, similar to how antibodies are checked to detect HIV.

In all cases, your doctor still needs to conduct a physical exam and their own sets of tests, even if you already used a DIY kit. This gives them access to more accurate results and helps ensure that the diagnosis is correct. The more they know, the better the treatment plan they can prescribe.

Herpes

Preventive Measures

According to Dr. Go, the best preventive measure is still the most commonly available barrier method. “Condoms lessen the risk [of contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases], but not always,” she warns. “Correct usage is necessary to get the most protection.” Meaning, if the penis isn’t fully sheathed, if the condom breaks, or if it slips off, then infection is possible. HPV vaccines will prevent infection only of certain virus strains so its not quite enough on its own. And in the case of scabies and crabs (aka, pubic lice!), condoms won’t do any good and neither will Brazilian waxes. “A topical treatment is required, and full recovery is needed before engaging in sexual contact,” she says. 

Treatment Options

Even if you just engaged in a drunken one night stand, #MayForever when it comes to certain diseases. Viral diseases like HIV, HPV or herpes will permanently remain in your body once contracted and can progress to create complications. Medication for these disease mostly focus on symptom management and preventing their spread. Herpes, for example, deals more with treating active lesions or reducing their emergence.

Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are usually treatable by a round of antibiotics. It’s necessary for an asymptomatic partner to be treated as well as the patient because not having the symptoms isn’t the same as being disease-free. They can still be carriers of the disease and infect others just as much as a symptomatic person can. That’s why both partners need to get tested and treated.

Image via Khokar Dispensary

Other Things You Need to Know About STDs:

• Having multiple sex partners may increase your risk of getting an STD but being in a monogamous relationship doesn’t make you safe either. Your partner may have a pre-existing condition, or in case they cheat, pass on the infection from another sexual partner. If you’re sexually active, see your doctor yearly and get a Pap smear.
• Disclosure is a must. If you have an infection, it is absolutely necessary to inform all your sexual partners in the last 2 to 3 months that they may have the disease as well. This allows them to seek out treatment and also avoid passing on the infection to others.
• Testing once isn’t always enough. There are varying incubation periods from weeks to months so regular testing is recommended, especially when multiple partners are involved.
• STDs can be spread through anal and oral sex as well. Other surprising ways to get it? Scabies and crabs can also be transferred through towels and beddings, though the likelihood is small. Some diseases need living hosts to keep them going otherwise exposure to the elements (air, heat, etc.) will just kill them.
• Some STDs can be passed on from the mother to her unborn child. Left untreated, syphilis can be transmitted to a baby while a mother with active lesions during delivery can also pass on herpes. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, make sure to check with your doctor that your system is clear of diseases that can be transmitted in utero or during childbirth. 

If you have had unprotected sex or suspect that you or your partner may have an STD, seek medical assistance immediately. It may seem embarrassing at first but consider that doctors have seen all sorts of cases, some probably worse than you’re experiencing. You owe it to yourself and your partner to get treatment immediately because sex should be safe for it to be enjoyable. 

Sources: American Cancer Society, WebMD, CDC, WebMD, British Journal of Cardiology

Photo Sources: Advuro, Nutrition Review, About STDs, Reference.com, Infectious Diseases Hub, Herpes Land, CDC, Health Life Media, TES, Cleaveland Health

Admittedly, I’m a naturally clumsy person and pretty much everyone who knows me can share a story or two about how klutzy I can be. As a result, I’ve had more than my fair share of beauty boo-boos: from dropping a glass bottle of tester foundation at the malls, to accidentally pulling out all my eyelashes with a cheap curler! I had to fake my lashes by drawing them on with a pen liner for weeks until they grew back, and that’s definitely the worst mess I’ve been in so far.

I still make a lot of other smaller mistakes every day though, so if you have butterfingers like I do, here’s a quick guide to avoiding total beauty mayhem and how to deal when they do happen.

Your complete lack of drawing skills are painfully obvious in your mismatched eyeliner wings

Instead of trying to remedy the situation by drawing a little more on each side until you end up looking like a raccoon, remove the lines you’ve drawn and start afresh. Grab some adhesive tape and stick it to the back of your hand a few times to make it less sticky before carefully placing a piece at the corner of each eye. You can move it around until you feel satisfied with the placement; this will serve as your outline! 

Now you can just run your liquid or gel eyeliner along the edge of the tape, doing your best to make the length and thickness of each wing as uniform as possible. Continue lining the rest of your eye then gently peel off the tape when you’re done. If you still make a few mistakes or want to sharpen the definition, just apply a bit of concealer!

After perfectly blending your eyeshadow, your unsteady hands land some eyeliner or mascara on your masterpiece

Before you cry and ruin the rest, calm down and remember that this is salvageable without having to redo your whole look. Grab your trusty concealer and use a clean cotton bud to pick up a bit of product. Warm it up a bit at the back of your hand before gently patting concealer just right over the stray eyeliner or smudged mascara. Do not blend! This basically erases the error and allows you to rebuild your base eye makeup only on a specific portion of your eyelid so you don’t have to touch anything else. When set, you can just apply a bit more eyeshadow on that area. 

If your hands are shaky, try resting your elbow on a level surface whenever you apply eyeliner your aim steady. For mascara, you can place a business card or even a spoon right behind your lashes to keep the wand from landing on your skin.

You’re not trying to eat it but lipstick keeps getting on your teeth

When we apply lipstick, we usually cover all bases, even the innermost part of our lips. If you have a tendency to over-apply or happen to be wearing a particularly slippery lipstick formula though, you can get some of that on your teeth without even knowing. To prevent any unsightly vampire-like moments, apply your lipstick as normal then place a (clean!) finger in your mouth. When you pull it out, the excess lipstick should stick to your finger instead of getting on your teeth but it’s a good idea to still check your teeth from time totime. Repeat this process as needed if your teeth continue to get lipstick stains.

You applied foundation before putting your clothes on and now it’s on your shirt

If you pulled on a shirt after application or apply foundation down to your neck, getting makeup on your clothes is bound to happen. While you can just change into something else, you may risk transferring makeup onto more clothing and it’s a good idea to remove the stains as soon as possible.

Don’t rub it with water as it may cause the stain to spread and set! Instead use something that’s actually designed to breakdown these kinds of formula: makeup remover wipes! Simply dab or even rub it over the stain until the discoloration is removed. You can cut the sheet in two and save the other half for cleaning your face later on. You may also use micellar water on a cotton pad to get the same effect.

You reach for something in your vanity and accidentally topple your open liquid foundation over, spilling the product

It’s a normal instinct for us to want to save the spilled product, just as we would fix our broken palettes, especially if the product was expensive. Unfortunately, the spilled liquid has already been contaminated, no matter how clean the surface it spilled on may seem.

If you really really want to save the product regardless, don’t add the salvaged product back into the original bottle with its remaining contents. Place it instead into a separate clean container so you don’t end up contaminating the entire batch.

Warning: if the spill occurred as a result of breakage, don’t try to save the liquid anymore! Especially in the case of broken glass packaging, small shards may have mixed with the spilled product so this is no longer safe to use. Let it go (into the trash bin) and take care to be more conscientious next time!

Do you have any other hacks for clumsy girls like me? Share your best tips in the comments below!

The last time I did a "what's in my bag" story was, wow, three years ago. The contents may have changed slightly in 2017 but I can't help but notice that I'm featuring another blue bag! This time, it's a pretty Saint Laurent Y-Ligne Cabas that I've had for a while now. It's light and roomy enough, but I can't really overload it with items since the strap is slim. I love it though as the powder blue color surprisingly works with many of my outfits.

Aside from my wallet and phone, here's what I usually bring with me out to work meetings and events!

Let's start with the practical stuff first. I always bring this Midori notebook and Pilot Cavalier fountain pen (both from Tokyo) so I can jot down notes while I'm at a meeting. Pretty stationery make me happy but more than that, I care about the quality of paper, writing instrument, and ink I use. I also have this cute fabric business card holder I got from Naraya in Bangkok, while of the powerbanks I use is the Imation Link. It can also store photos and videos directly from my phone plus it has a built-in cord of its own. Handy right?

Finally, I like to keep everything clean with the two Watsons products I can't live without: the Mini Wet Wipes and Mini Hankies! The wipes are only P19 a pack, with a buy two take one promo pa. They're my favorite because they don't feel drying on my hands AND the liquid isn't sticky once it has dried! The tissues on the other hand are just P39 for 10 packs with 10 sheets each. That's pretty sulit, and if you've ever tried these, you'll know how thick they are.

Pro tip: if you need an emergency makeup remover for your face, you can use these Watsons wipes! Yes, I've had to use these to wipe my makeup a few times I've forgotten to bring a makeup remover for my after tennis shower. I didn't break out, and it did a good job. Not bad at all!

You guys might already know that I don't really bring that much cosmetics when I'm out of the house. I mean, what's the point of using great products on your face if you expect them to fall apart in three hours? Retouching key areas is a must though! I bring the Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don't Lie Matte Lip Crayon (this one's I Can't Even), the Happy Skin Tickled Pink Oil Blotting Sheets, and the Tony Moly Panda's Dream powder pact. I do care about how cute the products look so that retouch time is fun. ;P

That glass rollerball with the gold cap contains the Jo Malone Basil & Neroli Cologne. I bought about a dozen of these tubes a few months ago and have been filling them with my fave scents! It's a convenient way to bring perfumes in style, don't you think? Application is more discreet too versus spraying the scent all over.

And that is that. ^_^ I hope you enjoyed this peek! I'd love to know what you keep in your work bag too! 

We’re all beauty enthusiasts in various stages of our love affair with makeup here at Project Vanity. Some are just starting to dabble, some are already skincare and makeup junkies, and others have turned their passion to a vocation as professional makeup artists. Studying beauty in a formal setting, investing in a kit, and leveling up your techniques are no easy tasks but imagine doing all of that in a foreign country where the language is also totally different from your own!

If you’re curious to know what that would be like, we’ve got a story to share. Meet Kristel Yap, a.k.a. Tellie of the blog Beauty By Tellie, who has just graduated from a pro makeup artistry course in South Korea. SoKor as you know is the beauty capital of the world so we were dying to know how and what she learned there! We chatted with Tellie about making the big move, a first-hand look at K-beauty culture, and of course, the best beauty tips she’s learned from her stay.

The anatomy of the shift

Tellie likens her decision to study makeup abroad to a tidal wave. From believing that life was just about studying, finishing school, and settling into a boring job, she realized that her musings were those of a school-sheltered youth. Kristel explains, “What hit me like a tsunami in the open sea was how uncertain real life actually is. A job was totally not at all like [being in high school or college].”

In an attempt to inject some much-needed clarity to the situation, she opted to give herself a gap year after college to explore her options. While she admits that there were no ocean-deep personal revelations, it was still a precious period of time. “I deeply cherish that I had this luxury of pulling myself away from that slowly suffocating mindset of limiting my own options to what everyone else was doing. Everyone in my batch was getting jobs left and right—and in multinationals, to boot. It was so easy to feel inferior and compelled to prove myself in the same field, regardless of my actual interest in those jobs.”

After her self-imposed deadline arrived, she decided to eschew an extension in favor of landing a job. She reasons, “If my choice wasn’t clear to me by this time, then I would see the world and make it clear to myself.” Thus she found herself working a brief stint in PR and then trying her hand at the family business. And while it was a comfy job with great hours and benefits, she found herself wanting more, four years down the line.

“I started beauty blogging,” she says. “I figured the way to be happy in life is to take care of both basic and high needs. I loved makeup, so I started there. It was hard work and a lot of the internet stuff is so uninteresting to me but I slowly realized what life should have been like. Through my blog journey and the various beauty bloggers I’ve met, I learned that it is possible to do just what you want and nothing else. I’ve met freelancers and creatives who are, SHOCKER, not paupers and happy with their lives. Successful people were always going to be successful, and deadbeats like my ex were always going to find something to blame. So an important question came into my head: Kristel, what can you stomach to do every day, even when your stomach has nothing in it?”

So into SoKo

It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment fancy that convinced Kristel to study abroad. The notion of leaving the Philippines wasn’t even in her radar initially but after narrowing her local options down to two schools and finding out that their beauty education philosophies weren’t exactly her cup of tea, she decided to make the selection based on what beauty theory she liked and which school best catered to it. She recalls, “It was a very long decision, first deciding between focusing on Western or Asian beauty. Western beauty has a richer history and has been well-developed through the years but fashionable cities like Paris and LA no longer have the monopoly on the spotlight as trendsetters. I felt that they were starting to look to Asia for ideas, and myself being Asian, found myself highly attuned to this beauty theory.”

Of course, the decision wasn’t without its challenges. For one, the language barrier was going to be an obstacle. “All of my five considerations (Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul) would require me to learn a new language, though I refrained from letting that limit me,” she emphasizes. “If this is what I want in life, I want to pull no stops.”

After careful consideration, K-Beauty was the one that stood out. She cites their attention to detail and their face-enhancing techniques as the deciding factor. “Any country’s daily look is easy to admire, but it is in the specialized looks that you can tell more about a country’s beauty theory. Overall, I liked K-Wedding, K-Pop, and K-Beauty (Television/Media) across the board the most. Even dated K-Beauty is pretty to me!” When asked to explain what makes K-Beauty unique, she notes with admiration, “The colors are so soft, almost nothing, but the end result is such a fresh-faced prettiness that, to me, embodies what makeup should really do.” 

Tellie enrolled in a six-month professional course at the Makeup Forever Academy in Seoul, as well as a language school to help with her makeup classes and day-to-day communication. Her course covered two major segments: beauty (bridal, K-pop, etc.) and art (body painting and special effects). Though there are still times when Tellie ponders what it would’ve been like to get a Japanese education, she doesn’t regret her choice. “After learning more about K-Beauty theory, I cannot imagine being more at home with any other beauty philosophy.”

At the heart of the action

What are the perks to experiencing a beauty and fashion capital firsthand? Tellie says that just being there was already educational in itself. “I may not watch the latest K-Dramas nor follow any idols but living there, seeing what people actually wear on their faces daily, and what my teachers proclaim as pretty versus what they promote in pop culture have given me a fuller sense of K-Beauty Theory. Many have told me I could have easily done everything in the Philippines but I don’t think anyone or anything on the internet can give me this deep of an understanding of the whole picture.”

And of course, it doesn’t hurt to be the first in the world when it comes to sighting new K-beauty releases and trends. “Witnessing the first wave of promotions for whatever new product or trend keeps me ahead of the pack,” she says. “For example, Filipinas are still struggling with the red eye look but having already seen so many variations in Korea give me several ideas on how to pull it off. It feels nice to have some kind of insider info, I’m not going to lie. Of course, I’m also prone to take more risks because of being exposed to more new things but when have I never not liked that?”

Looking to the future

Now that Tellie has finished her studies, it’s full steam ahead with her intention to work in the Philippines as a freelance artist. To maintain her edge, she takes a practice-makes-perfect approach. She shares, “I’m aiming to practice three hours a day whenever I don’t have gigs, to maintain and elevate my skill level.”

For now, she can definitely see herself going down the beauty and bridal route. “When I started studying, I thought I’d be in it only for bridal beauty,” she explains. “I still love bridal but having had practical experience in fashion shows, photo shoots, and actually studying SFX has me conflicted now more than ever. I love the overall atmosphere of weddings: getting to know clients on the happiest day of their lives, spending time with families, and listening to cute love stories are fun to do for work. It doesn’t hurt that I love the wedding aesthetic as well.”

Seeing the products of her hard work on the runway has its own special appeal as well. “My fashion show internship opened my eyes to how fashion work really goes, and I love it as well. I hardly crack under time pressure, and the work goes by super-fast with interesting perks to boot – fashion work earns you an all-access backstage pass to the whole venue, not just a single fashion show. And in terms of couture and editorial practice, I prefer fashion shows to photo shoots as photo shoots can last a whole day!”

Non-negotiables

Tellie shares that her experience of professional makeup training in the home of K-Beauty has definitely changed her makeup game for the better. She pins the most important lessons into five beauty habits: 

#1 Skincare pre-makeup is a game changer. “Bawal ang tamad sa skincare,” she warns. “This is a Pinay’s worst trait and it’s also the most non-negotiable. We have so many reasons not to use skincare pre-makeup whether it’s the humid weather, uncomfortable feeling, or thinking that your skin is already fine. Skincare helps bind the makeup to the skin layer, and it’s in these small details that you can take your face from an okay to a wow!” 

Especially with the eyes of a trained MUA, it’s easy to pinpoint what gives a good FOTD that polished look. “I used to think dry skin flakes were not visible but making them truly invisible via skincare has made my foundation look so much more refined! I personally love to use the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion (an moisturizing toner with a runny texture) on oily skin, while I use the Lotion and/or Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Milk for dry to combination skin types.”

#2 Massage your skincare to lock all the good stuff in. “The secret Korean facial massage is to actually use your fingertips up to your intermediate phalanges (the area above your knuckles),” she divulges. “Use four fingers, from pointer to pinky, to rub your skincare on your face until your skin has fully absorbed the product and your hands feel somewhat dry already. Simply slathering it on top of your skin creates a ‘loose’ layer of skincare that might not be absorbed as well and cause you to miss out on the special skincare ingredients you are paying for.”

#3 If contouring is too tricky, try simple shading. “Contouring can be intimidating for a lot of people, and cheekbone blending often ends up looking muddy or bruise-like,” she observes. “If you want to slim your face the easy way, try applying a simple stripe of a soft-toned brown along the sides of your face and blend it inward. It is your next best alternative to contouring!” 

Shading is quicker, requires less skill, and helps “Tasty Bread” face (flat and wide face syndrome). She advises, “Just remember: the widest section of the stripe goes on the widest area of your front profile and the darkest gradation goes on the outermost part of your face.”

#4 Don’t forget your underline. The Koreans were on to something when they popularized the technique of shading the aegyo-sal or the fatty area of the undereye. Tellie says, “Pinays are rightfully scared of drawing baggy-looking lines under our eyes but neglecting them completely also makes one’s eyes looks too fierce and squinted. Some light shadow in this area can make your eyes look bigger and rounder.”

#5 Try straight eyeliner for a change. She’s seen her fair share of cat eye makeup in the Philippines but Tellie is prefers the Korean trend of a thin, subtle, and straight liner technique that makes chinita eyes look longer and bigger.

Have you ever considered pursuing a career that celebrated your love for makeup? What steps did you take to achieve it?

Images courtesy of Kristel Yap

When I first saw videos of Korean women peeling off semi-permanent eyebrow tint from their brows, I was revolted. I thought that it's the straight highway to a hell of patchy brows with pulled out hairs! Why not just stick to ol' fashioned eyebrow makeup? Why do we have to resort to these newfangled, dangerous-looking things?

But curiosity eventually got the better of me, so I picked up the Secret Key Tattoo Eyebrow Tint Pack (P240) at Althea recently. This is a gooey, thick liquid that tints brows for a few days when left on for 2-8 hours. So does it work? Yes, it does! I am so happy with this product. The tint lasts for about three days before completely fading and looks completely natural! The shade I have, 03 Choco Frapuccino, matches my hair to a T. The three other shades appear pretty natural too.

Honestly, you won't get solid kilay that looks professionally filled in, but the results are nice for an every day look; you can always add more definition if needed. The tint fades at the tail and inner corners of the brows first (two days in) but there's still some body left by the third day. I mean, can you imagine it? I DIDN'T PUT EYEBROW MAKEUP ON FOR THREE DAYS. Don't think that's happened in a long, long time!

Edit: The result below has a reddish tint, but this goes away after the first shower or after washing my face. I'd say the brow tint lasts for about three showers - of course, for this to happen, you must avoid rubbing the area with cleansers. You can wet it, just try not to touch it.

To use, just carefully brush the gooey liquid on your brows, following your natural shape. If you're not too confident about freehanding it, you can create an outline first with a brow pencil before going in with the tint. Then, leave it for a minimum of two hours, or overnight if you can manage it. Just try not to roll around while sleeping. When it's ready, you can peel the product off carefully to reveal the tinted finish. I like to pass over my brows with a wet cotton pad just to remove the excess product.

It's pretty easy to peel and no brow hairs were harmed in the process. ^_^ I also didn't get any negative reaction on my skin after using it for about three times now.

This color chart seems to be pretty accurate, at least based on the Choco Frappuccino I have. It's a warm brown that suits brunettes.

Overall, I highly recommend the Secret Key Tattoo Eyebrow Tint Pack if you:

• Want to save time doing your eyebrow makeup in the morning
• Want a long-wearing color that will defy oily skin, sweat, and even swimming
• Want eyebrows that looks natural and soft, like they're thick and polished that way

Cons? Man, I can't think of any. This is the best P240 I spent in a while, and I will definitely get this again when I run out! Let me know what you think, as always. ^_^ Will you try this out? 

First things first: what on earth is a "beauty water?" Any water-based liquid skincare could be called a beauty water, but in the case of the best-selling Son & Park Beauty Water (P1,269 at Althea), you get a makeup remover, toner, and on-the-go skin refresher in a sleek bottle. It received raves in the beautysphere when it was released last year by two of South Korea's hottest celebrity makeup artists Son Dae Sik and Park Tae Yoon. Its lust-inducing minimalist packaging and multi-purpose promise got it on many a beauty fiend's good side. But of course, as we love to ask here at Project Vanity - does it work?

A look at the US FDA-compliant ingredients (please see in the bottom) list shows that it's predominantly made of water, roseflower water, orange peel extract, and witch hazel water mixed with many, many other plant-based extracts and oils. Of course we've got alcohol, emulsifiers, and preservatives in the formula but nothing that I personally find alarming for my skin. This combination allows it to be more than just micellar water; it has skincare ingredients that are known to help fight dullness and uneven areas of skin quickly.

Because of the clever mix of ingredients, the Son & Park Beauty Water may be used in the following ways:

• As a makeup remover. It is passable as a makeup remover for non-waterproof makeup, but it is less potent compared to drugstore micellar waters in the market. I'd still go for Garnier or Bifesta for this purpose, BUT I do appreciate that I can use the Beauty Water this way if I'm not wearing a lot of makeup.
• As an after-cleanse toner. You can use it as a prep product before the rest of your skincare routine. It dries quickly with no sticky or filmy residue, and it helps balance the skin's pH (useful if you're slathering on a high pH facial wash). Fanserviced-B reports that its pH level is a good 5.
• As a prep product before makeup. The Beauty Water may also be used before applying your makeup. It's a great way to clear off whatever oil or sweat you (or your client) may have accumulated before the routine while brightening skin at the same time.
• As a mid-day skin refresher. Transfer some of the Beauty Water in an atomizer bottle and spray it on whenever you want to cool down your skin at work. If you don't wear makeup, you can also wipe it on your face to clean up grime if you feel like your skin needs it.

Here's the Son & Park Beauty Water as a makeup remover in action:

As you can see, it took about five swipes to remove makeup that's just water-resistant. It's ideal for light makeup only; if you're wearing heavy foundation or eye makeup, you'll take at least three soaked cotton pads before they come off. It's a waste of money, IMHO, when other makeup removers can perform much better.

However, I do highly recommend the Beauty Water as a toner, makeup prep, and face mist. It excels at these functions as it's almost like a skincare essence, but it in a more versatile form! I like to think of it as skincare instead of a makeup remover as it's pretty impressive at brightening skin. It's more sulit that way as you get a whopping 340 ml of product in a bottle. Most similarly-priced essences would be at 100-150 ml at most.

You can get the Son & Park Beauty Water at Althea. ^_^ Yes, I've been reviewing a lot of Korean products from Althea lately because I ordered a few - okay a lot - of things from the store a couple of months ago. God I love that place.

Do you need a Beauty Water in your life? Why or why not?

Re-shuffled ingredients list from Soko Glam that complies with US regulations (South Korea has different regulations when it comes to listing ingredients):

US FDA-compliant ingredient list: Water, Rose Damascena Flower Water, Orange Peel Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Alcohol Denat., Xylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel, Grapefruit Peel oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Water, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Water, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine), Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit/Seed Oil, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Rose Flower Oil, Propylene Glycol, Thuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Malic Acid, Sucrose, Urea, Tartaric Acid, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben. (from Soko Glam)

When the brown lipstick trend came about, I fell hard. Forget about the glam of red and the allure of pink – brown, to me, was the shade that felt most natural. As of the moment, half of my lipstick collection is composed of earth-toned hues of pinks, reds, and nudes that can take me from day to night. If you also happen to like brown lippies, you might enjoy these eight picks that won’t cost you a pretty penny! 

Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil in Shade 05 (P349 at Etude House)

The Etude House Play 101 pencil in Shade 05 is a light brown nude that leans on the peachy side. It’s a creamy pencil that dries down matte, and a multitasker that can be used as a subtle blush, eye shading pencil, or as a lip liner (this one’s a trooper).

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Nude Nuance (P299 at the beauty section)

Last year, Maybelline released a line of brown nudes perfect for every Filipina skin tone under their line of Creamy Matte lipsticks. Included in the six-piece launch is Nude Nuance, a medium burgundy brown that’s both fierce and wearable.   

FS Cosmetics Luscious Lipstick in Brick (P299 at Watsons)

This classic matte lippie by Features and Shade impressed the PV team for being a true matte that’s long wearing and non-drying. Brick is a rosy brown that adds a nice pop of color to any look. It makes my skin look brighter!

Pink Sugar HD Lipstick in Butter (P299 at Watsons)

The Pink Sugar HD Lipsticks are probably my favorite from the drugstore for its creamy, opaque, non-drying formula with a satin finish. The shade Butter is a peach medium brown MLBB shade that could work with all kinds of looks.

Palladio Dreamy Matte Lip Color in Lady Rose (P450 at Beauty Bar)

The Palladio Dreamy Mattes are creamy, moisturizing lipsticks that settle down to a soft matte finish after a few hours of wear. Lady Rose is a light brown based pink that would soften your FOTD for a fresh-faced look. This is the kind of color your can meet the parents with!

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Rouge Magique in Beige Reveur (P400 at Watsons)

The rich color payoff and creaminess of the L’Oreal Paris Color Riche lipsticks make them a fan favorite from the drugstore. Beige Reveur is a mauve-y brown nude that can take you from day to night, no matter the occasion.

Left: Love At First Swipe, Right: I Can't Even

Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don’t Lie Crayons in Love at First Swipe and I Can’t Even (P399 each at SM Beauty) 

So we might be a little biased here but the Pink Sugar x Project Vanity crayons definitely deserve a spot (or two) on your list of brown picks! The shade Love at First Swipe is a sophisticated rose cocoa brown that would elevate your daily look. I Can’t Even is a nice mix of rose and ginger that’s somehow brightening and subdued at the same time.

And that’s it for our list of browns we love from the drugstore! Care to share your top picks for this lovely shade?

If Project Vanity had a motto, it would definitely be “Never ever skip sunscreen”. There are just so many benefits for doing so and with many affordable choices for both the face and body,  there is simply no excuse for neglecting your skin. Full-body sun protection doesn’t even just stop there - if you truly want to be covered from head to toe, you’ll need help from something like the two new Belo SunExpert products: the Hair and Scalp Shield (P349.75) and the After Sun Gel (P259.75)!

After the release of the non-aerosol Belo SunExpert Transparent Mist (P449.75), the Hair and Scalp Shield was a curious addition to the collection primarily because the packaging looks almost identical. It has a pop of green on the label though, and even without looking you’d be able to identify which is which because of the scent. The Transparent Mist has a strong sunscreen-alcohol smell while the Hair and Scalp Shield has a sweet, fruity scent similar to the After Sun Gel.

The Hair and Scalp Shield can be applied on both damp or dry hair but take care to apply it correctly. You need to hold it at least 9 inches away from your hair when spraying because the oily formula might just collect on a single concentrated oily spot when applied too close. A spritz or two is enough to give hair a natural-looking luster and mild frizz control. Just lightly comb through the hair to evenly distribute the product all over. If you’re prone to getting greasy roots though, you may want to limit application to just the hair tips and away from the scalp.    

Sun damage is a year-long reality, not just something that becomes a problem in summer or at the beach. Being outdoors for a prolonged period of time without sun protection or its reapplication can cause dry, tingly skin even if you don’t turn red or look tan. It’s handy to have the After Sun Gel to soothe the irritation effectively and help it begin to repair the damage. It’s formulated with niacinamide, a popular ingredient in serums and moisturizers because it has anti-inflammatory effects, restores hydration, and evens out skintone. Once applied, the gel behaves as a fast-absorbing lightweight lotion that leaves a little bit of sheen. There is menthol in there but the cooling effects is subtle and lasts less than 5 minutes. 

Before

After

The two Belo SunExpert products perfectly complement the previous roster of face and body sunscreens. With these new additions, the brand ensures that every inch of you gets the sun protection it needs, as well as aftercare for repairing the sun damage. Strictly speaking, they aren’t absolute must-haves like sunblock or sunscreen are but they are useful and convenient to have.

If you're not yet sure, you can sample these Belo products (and more!) over at Sample Room. Find the Belo SunExpert Hair and Scalp Shield here and the Belo SunExpert After Sun Gel here. Both can be yours at only 75 and 50 points respectively.

Have you tried Belo SunExpert before? What are your fave products? Would you add these two to your routine?

Belo SunExpert products are available in leading drugstores and supermarkets.  

Here at Project Vanity, we’re always on the lookout for products that tickle the Internet’s fancy. Whether it’s a buzzed about cult favorite, a hot trendy product, or a crazy novelty item that might just work – we’re always curious to find out which ones are actually worth the hype. Liquid lipsticks have been around a while and practically every single brand has their own take on the formula. We’ve tested out five local liquid lipstick brands before but now it’s time to see which of these seven international cult favorites is the best of the best!  

For reference, I normally apply makeup before 7 in the morning, and take it off at around 9pm when I get home. In those 14 hours, I’d have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and lots of snacking and drinking in between. I avoided eating anything oilier than usual during the test days, and applied balm and exfoliated my lips the night before to keep them as soft, smooth and supple as possible. These photos are the result of zero retouching and minimal wiping after meals. Here’s my verdict for each!

Jouer Liquid Lip Crème in Melon (about P800 to P1200 for the full size from online resellers)

The Jouer formula is touted by many as a thin, lightweight, comfortable liquid lipstick. I find that to be all true, which is impressive for a liquid lipstick that actually dries down matte. These lip crèmes smell like butter cake frosting, and are quick to set upon application. Compared to most liquid lipsticks, Jouer has minimal transfer, is the least bit drying, and easy to retouch. If there’s anything negative to say, it’s that the lip creme emphasizes lines and crumbles a bit throughout the day. I would say all eight shades that I have (purchased as a mini set) have medium pigmentation and would need to be layered twice to get full opacity.

Colourpop Ultra Matte in Beeper and Ultra Satin in Alyssa (about P300 to P500 each from online resellers)

Believe your makeup-loving friends when they tell you that Colourpop lippies are drying to the point of peeling. While they look Instagram-worthy upon application, any further smiling will show that they settle into and emphasize lines, no thanks to the thick and heavy formula. I’m usually able to easily remove my liquid lipsticks but the Ultra Mattes and Ultra Satins are best removed with a cleansing oil or balm to protect your lips from further peeling. 

Ultra Satin

The Ultra Satin would stay wet and tacky while the Ultra Mattes dry down to a flat matte. The satins are just a tinge more comfortable than the mattes but the slight comfort upgrade doesn’t save my lips from feeling ultra dry after. Also, I’ve used these lipsticks no more than ten times but the peeled-off sticker on the cheap packaging seems to tell another story. For all my nitpicking though, they are still pretty hard to beat in terms of color payoff and longevity at their price range.

Lonely Planet Liquid Lipstick in Concrete Jungle (about P700 to P900 from Etsy)

I’m glad I took a chance on this indie Etsy brand after getting curious about the hype. This Lonely Planet liquid lipstick is a thin, lightweight, non-drying, and comfortable formula that hugs the lips like second skin. The formula feels a lot like a less-flat Jouer actually but it would never last through a meal. That said, the smooth formulation makes for an easy retouch and it takes a while to set so if you’re still learning the ropes of liquid lipstick application, the forgiving formula will do great for practice.

However, it doesn't stay very well on the lips. At four hours, it's close to falling apart. You may need to wear a lip liner as a base!

Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Havana Nights (P850 from Glamourbox)

The Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick works the most like actual liquefied lipsticks. They feel and wear similarly to your average bullet and are just a tad longer lasting. While I like how creamy, opaque, and comfortable the mousse formula is, the transfer is absolutely the worst I’ve come across and it’s not the type of lipstick you’d want to wear on a date or a windy day. The formula bunches and flakes off throughout the day but just patting it with your finger is enough to save your lip look as the flexible formula never completely dries down. 

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina (P1,250 for the full size at Rustan’s)

Naming the lipstick “stay all day” was a tough claim – but one that they’ve almost managed to pull off. The moussey, opaque formula is a little thicker than I’d like yet they it hugs the lips nicely without looking gloppy. The Stila liquid lipstick can take a while to set; it stays tacky and constantly transfers throughout the day.

On the plus side, it doesn’t crumble off as it wears and simply fades from the center out, which is preferable IMO. It can also be retouched without starting over. I only have the mini (purchased as part of a trio kit) and while I adore the sleek gold packaging, the doe foot applicator picks up way too much product.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II (about P1000 to P1300 from online resellers)

Everlasting what? Kat Von D’s liquid lipstick used to be my go-to events lipstick because of how budge-proof it was but I’ve had worse luck with it these days for some reason. Whether the formula changed, or I simply don’t eat as much during events, I can’t seem to stretch the mileage of KVD to more than six hours of wear for everyday. That said, I still love the thin, fluid, opaque-in-one-layer formula of the Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. Even with the shorter wear time, I find that they fade nicely and don’t sink into any lines.

And the winner is...

It was a tough call, as all of these lipsticks have their pros and cons. In the end I'm going to name the Jouer Liquid Lip Crème as the one to beat! It's comfortable, not as drying compared to the others, and its wear time is pretty great. It had issues that could easily be addressed - I can layer it to achieve full opacity and it will still be thin and lightweight. The fading and slight crumbling could be easily saved by blotting with a tissue and reapplying when needed.

After shooting all these lippies, I’m off to mask my lips for a week! Whew! Did you have similar experiences with any of these lipsticks? What’s your current favorite liquid lip formula?

Happy month of May, PV girls! This week’s beauty news is all about the fancy new arrivals from high-end makeup brands and the exciting promos available in local stores. We’re so excited for the Fashion Meets Beauty collabs, a super-waterproof eyeshadow we can probably swim with, and the ongoing contest that allows you to win a set of limited edition brushes weekly! Pretty cool, right? Read on!

Kipling, the brand famous for colorful and playful fabric bags, is celebrating their 30th anniversary with an all new store and collection! Visit them at their recently opened boutique in 2F, Uptown Mall in BGC. They've also just come out with the Dream Garden Collection, a lovely set of bags in dreamy pastel pinks and lavenders. If you buy any bag from the collection, you get a free Pink Party Monkey Keychain (limited edition, only for Kipling's 30th birthday) to match with with your new bag baby! Get it only until May 30.

Image via Banila Co Philippines

Thrilla in Banila (Co.)

K-beauty brands are known for giving out samples and gifts with purchase but Banila Co.‘s special treat is beyond generous. They’ve just released the new The Banila Co. x Taeyeon Happy Collection (P2,850), and with each purchase, shoppers will also receive The Best Collection Kit for FREE! We are not making this up!

In addition to the Happy Cushion in BP15, Happy Lip in Relent Pink, and Happy Color Eyeshadow Palette (3 shadow pigments and a blush) that comes in Taeyeon’s Happy Collection, you’ll also be taking home four premium sample sizes of Banila Co's best-selling products: Clean It Zero, White Wedding Sleeping Essence, Prime Primer Classic, and It Radiant CC Cream! Such a good deal, right? And if you’re still looking for a gift for your mom on Mother’s Day, the Banila Co. online store is offering FREE SHIPPING until May 13. Happy shopping, girls!

Image via beautydea.it

An XL-ent Makeover

It takes a lot of guts for a brand to reformulate, repackage, and basically revamp a cult classic. Toying with a crowd favorite can get a brand a lot of backlash or possibly lose them loyal customers, but some risks are worth taking. Make Up For Ever has decided to do just that with their 2007 Aqua Cream and revamp it into the new AQUA XL COLOR PAINT Extra Long Lasting Waterproof Shadow ($25).

The new formula is now easier to mix and apply, thanks to a silicone blend that adds to the comfort as well. The brand new tube packaging not only makes the shadow more hygienic but also keeps the product from drying out (which was the old problem of the cream pot). There are 20 shades all-in-all, and each one boasts of the waterproof formula that MUFE has become known for. We personally love the Matte Turquoise (the perfect festival look), Lustrous Khaki (every neutral lovers dream shade), and the Iridescent Pink Beige (perfect all over lid shade). You can already shop the new Aqua XL Color Paints on the MUFE site.

Full story on Refinery29

Image via Almanac

Christian LoubouNUDE

Despite the summer season being all about the bright, vibrant colors, one luxury brand is is more interested in showing some skin, or at least, looking like it. Christian Louboutin has released their Metalinudes Collection, which consists of the most amazing metallic nude nail varnishes and liquid lipsticks!

The Metalnudes Polish ($50) comes in three shades: Golddissima (orange bronze with gold hues), Preciosa (rose gold), and Bronzissima (deep bronze). With the exception of Bronzissima which will be replaced by Irisa, the same shades will also be used for the Metalnudes Liquid Lipsticks ($85), allowing you to rock the matching nail-and-lippie trend. You can shop the luxurious collection over on the Louboutin site. 

Full story on In Style

Images via Instagram user @olivier_rousteing

L’Oreal’s Balmain Baby

Pinch us cause we must be dreaming! Haute couture fashion house Balmain, a brand that works with some of the top celebrities in Hollywood, has officially teamed up with L’Oreal Paris to bring its first ever lipstick collaboration! The capsule collection is still in the works but what we do know is that there will be 12 shades in 3 different finishes.  The images above were shared by Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing and are the only ones available so far. The collection is expected for release in the US this September, so it’s a timely pasalubong from balikbayans when they come home in December!

Full story on PopSugar

Image via ColourPop Cosmetics

I Got It For My Momma!

Have you picked a Mother’s Day present yet? While these kits may not quite make it in time for next week’s celebration, it’s a gift that any makeup-loving mom would definitely want to receive. ColourPop Cosmetics has got the perfect (and personalized) treat for gorgeous moms everywhere. 

The brand has created four Mother’s Day Kits ($25), containing products perfect for every mom out there. There’s One in a Melon (Crème Gel Liner in Brew-Haha, Pressed Powder Face Duo in Double Play, and two Blotted Lips in Sucker and Drip); The Coolest Person Ever (3 Super Shock Shadows in Birthday Girl, Coconut and Desert, Lippie Stix in Bootie and Super Shock Highlighter in Flexitarian); I Got It From My Mama (Foursome shadows in Love Line, Super Shock Highlighter in Lunch Money and Ultra Matte Lip in Sunday); and lastly there’s Hot Mama (Pressed Powder Shadow Palette in Heavy Hitter, Ultra Glossy Lip in My Jam and the Super Shock Highlighter in Wisp). Aside from the amazing value for these sets, you also get to personalize your gift by selecting a card for your mom. Shop the Mother’s Day Kits here.

Full story on Bustle

Flatlay To Play

Still using your fingers to apply makeup? You can level up your technique with a set of limited edition brushes from Flormar Cosmetics! All you need to do is to post a flatlay of your favorite Flormar products and caption it with why you should be chosen to win. The best part is that they are picking a winner every week, so you have 5 chances to take a set of these plush babies home. Don’t forget to hashtag #FlormarPlushBrush #FlormarCosmetics #FlormarPh!

Winners will be announced on May 8, 15, 22, and 29

Image via BeautyMNL

Fun and Fabulous at 50!

Why should Manila girls have all the fun? If you’re in a provincial area, you may experience a hard time sourcing products. Online stores are the best way to go and as it turns out, one of our faves has a special promo! BeautyMNL is giving all of their customers are seriously awesome deal with their limited time only P50 shipping fee! No matter where you are in the Philippines, the promo is nationwide and there’s no minimum purchase required. Time to shop and finally check out those items in your car! Visit the BeautyMNL site or download the app.

Header image via Sidewalk Hustle

This story is brought to you by Jergens.

Do you do right by your skin but find that it's still so, so dry? Did your fave body lotion use to work until suddenly, it stopped doing anything? Healing and avoiding dry skin is more than just vanity. It's uncomfortable when our skin is flaky and tight (or sometimes even itchy) that it affects our quality of life. So how do you keep your skin from deteriorating to an abnormal dry state? Well, here are a few things in your routine and environment that might be causing the dryness!

Using products with too much alcohol. Alcohol as an ingredient is not always inherently bad for your skin, but using it regularly and in high concentrations can lead to dryness and irritation. Make sure to choose formulas with emollients (like aloe vera, shea butter, oils, etc.) that will help offset the effects of alcohol! 

Airconditioners set to very low temperatures. Life without aircon is equivalent to suffering in this intense summer heat. You might be tempted to turn the temperature lower than usual. However, this might also contribute to dryness as cooler temps = an increase in the dehumidifying effects of airconditioners. If you must keep your aircon to less than 20 degrees, perhaps you might consider installing a humidifier in your house or office to offset the dry air!

Too much sun exposure. Think of your skin as fruit; when left too long out in the sun, it becomes dry and dull. Limit your time out in the sun as much as possible and always, always wear sunscreen! The sun is the skin enemy #1 so make sure you're always protected or simply indoors when it is highest in the sky.

You're using the wrong lotion for your skin. Boy do we love lightweight body lotions! But often, these water-based lotions don't provide enough moisture for your skin's needs. Choose one that's cream-based instead to compensate for dryness. 

Allergies. Allergies affect different people different ways. If your skin is reacting to something, one common way it shows its displeasure is by drying out. You might want to try soothing salves and ointments in this case!

Chlorine and saltwater. Don't let your love for beauty get in the way of having fun, alright? But that doesn't mean you can be irresponsible. If you plan to soak in the pool or at the beach, apply conditioner in your hair beforehand to minimize the damage. 

Using harsh whitening or lightening products. No judgment if you prefer to have lighter skin. You have to know though that it comes at a cost; the bleaching chemicals and acids in whitening/lightening products may thin down the top layer of your skin, causing it to be super dry. 

Showering with hot water. You may want to rethink faking an onsen in your bathroom! Hot water can destroy the skin's moisture barrier, so consider taking a shower in lukewarm water instead.

High fragrance content in your skincare. We want our skincare to smell good right? However, too much fragrance in your skincare can actually irritate more than our noses - it can also cause harm to our skin. Do choose skincare that are fragrance-free, naturally scented (i.e. with essential oils or distillates), or at the least, mildly scented.

Harsh surfactants in your cleansers. It's not just cleansing our skin too much that contributes to dryness. It's also the quality of the surfactants - the ingredients that help break down dirt and oil on skin - used in the formula that you have to watch out for! SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) are two ingredients to avoid as much as possible. Again, while these are not inherently bad for your skin, it's still wise to keep away from them if you can.

If you're looking for an affordable daily cleanser that is SLS and SLES-free and is formulated for sensitive skin, you should try out the new Jergens Anti-Bacterial Soap and Jergens Mild Soap (P36/135 grams). These are basic, mildy-scented soaps, but they lather up wonderfully and cleanse skin without drying. I mean seriously, you have to marvel at how thick and soft the lather is (you'll see it in the video)! I've been using these as a hand soap for the last two months and I would stock up! As a compulsive hand-washer, I don't like how most soaps make my hands feel like paper. This doesn't happen with Jergens.

I hope you found my list useful. ^_^ Let me know if I missed anything! Have you tried Jergens soaps before?

The Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation is a cult classic famous for its staying power and smooth, matte finish - all for an affordable drugstore price. I think you'd be pleased to know that the brand just came out with a new formulation specifically for combination-oily skin! The Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin (P825) promises all-day flawless matte finish for up to 24 hours of wear. Now I don't know why anyone would want to keep on makeup for 24 hours straight, but it's good to know that a girl's got options.

Here's what I think of this foundation after testing it out for a few weeks.

What I love about it

• The coverage is medium to heavy, with a soft matte finish. It covers up blemishes and lines with just one layer. I've tried applying this with a beauty blender, a buffing brush, and my fingers - it's super easy to work with on all fronts.
• It has a creamy, easy to blend texture that sets dry pretty quickly; it's not like other liquid foundations that stay wet even after powdering.
• It feels light on my skin. I don't get that mask-like feeling as I usually do from heavy coverage LFs.
• The longest I've worn this on my combi-oily face is 10 hours on a hot day. It faded a bit by the seven-hour mark (notably around my t-zone), but largely stayed in place by the time I took it off in the evening.
• A little goes a long way. A couple of pumps is enough to cover up my whole face.
• Speaking of the pump - love it! It dispenses the correct amount of product in one go.

Neutral feelings on...

• The scent. The foundation has a light powdery scent. I'm ok with it.

What I don't like about it

• Except for 180 Sand Beige (the lightest), all the other shades I have here have a slight pinkish undertone. The irony isn't lost on me as Sand Beige is the yellowest of them all! The pinkish undertone is not *super* obvious, but it exists.
• I am in between shades right now since I just came from the beach and a week after that, I was in Kuala Lumpur. I don't have an exact shade match currently, so I mix 310 and 340. I also found that 240 and 360 also look great together as 240 is more yellow.

In this look, I'm using a mix of 310 Warm Golden and 340 Early Tan

Here I'm using only 310 Warm Golden. It's light on me but is serviceable when viewed in person as it darkens a notch later on

Verdict and recommendations

I would highly recommend the Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin to those who want a long-wearing matte foundation with a flawless finish. It's comfortable to wear and makes skin look amazing in real life + in photos. The shades can be a bit tricky, but if you find one that works for you I feel that it's worth the spend.

What do you think? Have you tried the Revlon Colorstay foundation before?

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (7.3%) Inactive Ingredients: Aqua/Water (Water), Cyclomethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, SD Alcohol 40B, PEG/PPG 18/18 Dimethicone, Nylon 12, Tribehenin, Isododecane, Polyisobutene, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG 10/1 Dimethicone, Bisabolol, Serica (Silk Powder), Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract (Mallow), Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract (Lily), Lactobacillus/Eridictyon Californicum Ferment Extract, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Alumina, Polydimethylsiloxane/Polymethysilesquioxane Copolymer, Ethylene Brassylate, Methicone, Trisiloxane, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, May Contain (+/-): Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499)

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy for our health to take a back seat in spite of us knowing better. Health is wealth, and these are three words that I’m still constantly trying to live by. While I’m in the process of slowly changing my lifestyle for the better, there’s thankfully no shortage of #fitspirations to look up to. Be inspired by these eight wonderful career women’s fitness journey and find out why and how they’re making it work! 

Cheryl Chua, president and brand manager of Beautybox Corp.

I don't remember gaining much weight except postpartum. I've been exercising for more than a decade and I usually attend group exercises for cardio and gym time is part of my daily routine, but I've never reached this level of fitness until lately.

Two years ago, my fitness goals changed when I got myself a personal trainer.  He keeps me in line, pushing and encouraging me to do things beyond my limit - awesome stuff I never thought I could accomplish. I got hooked. I wish I could say the training days were painless and the improvements were overnight. Sorry to disappoint you, because it was honestly a slow and steady progress, people only started seeing changes in my body about after a year. I hit the gym five days a week for an hour of my usual choices of group exercises, three days of which I do an additional 30 minutes of personal training. 

I am a constant whiner on the gym floor - my trainer can attest to that. Amazing thing is, I just keep going back looking for more torture.  Seriously, I continue to get personal training because I see the obvious developments in my body. It isn't only in terms of muscle toning, but with my endurance and stamina as well. I am lucky, because I got addicted to something that is good for my body.  It is my outlet to relieving stress and I am lucky to have gym junkie friends who are as crazy as I am in getting to fitdom.

Aencille Santos, PR professional and Crossfit athlete

From being confident about my body when I was younger, my physique suddenly changed when I worked for a publication for health and wellness. Part of my job was to meet media and partners over food and wine almost once or twice a week. I started gaining weight drastically, and crash diets made it worse instead of helping. It came to a point that during the company's annual physical examination, my cholesterol rate was shockingly at the borderline.

It was a wake-up call that no matter how much you starve yourself, you won't be healthy unless you start sweating. Add to the fact that I got my heart broken, I got into Crossfit because I wanted to keep my mind off the negativity. People see only the brutal barbells that clang and bang on the rubber floors each night on social media, but what they don't see is CrossFit made me stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally. The daily pain you go through to complete every single workout is shared with a solid community that supports you in multiple ways.

I never imagined myself lifting weights or event competing in CrossFit competitions but now, I couldn't see myself giving up fitness in the years to come. After more than one year of CF, it's not merely a part of my day - it's now my lifestyle.

Jackie Go, model and lifestyle blogger at GoJackieGo

I'd have to say my fitness journey is a slow, constant process and is fueled by me wanting to be healthier and better. I started back in 2015 the year when I realized for my age (I was 30 then), I've been sickly and living an unhealthy lifestyle and it's time for me to change that. My motivation was my family; I wanted to be healthy so that I can better take care of my kids.

Eventually when I seriously started working out regularly, everything else followed - I ate healthier, tried to get enough sleep and hydrate better. I guess when you've put in so much effort, time, and energy to training, you want to compensate it by making sure that you put in the same effort to achieve that overall wellness because you can't just diet and you can't just train. It has to go hand in hand.

I can say I am my fittest today in my 31 years of existence. I realized there is no shortcut to it. Training well (doesn't have to be hard even) coupled with eating right and having the right nutrients as well as sleep can most likely guarantee one success in being healthy and fit. I still have a long way but I'm currently enjoying the process of getting better, healthier, and stronger. As what one of my coaches used to say "trust the process" and never compare your progress with anyone else's.

Charm Salvino, civil engineer and antigravity fitness instructor 

I’ve always tried to live healthy lifestyle because I aim to live long and free of illnesses and diseases. I believe that understanding how health affects one’s life keeps my consistency in staying fit and pushes me into choosing healthier options. My fitness journey has evolved from just wanting to look good to being aware of what I feed my body and wanting to be physically strong. Taking fitness as a holistic journey is the best way to look at it as it keeps me consistent in being physically active.

At 9 months and 8 months after giving birth

Jacqe Yuengtian, co-founder of Happy Skin Cosmetics

During my pregnancy, I didn’t know that it was okay for me to workout. I’ve always been conscious of staying fit and boxed regularly before that but I gained almost 50lbs while I was pregnant. You really don’t lose all that weight after you give birth but I was determined to get back into shape so that I would also have the strength to take care of Raf.

Breastfeeding helped a lot but I was also at the Pilates studio at 7am everyday for 3 months! It really gave me back my strength and gave me a lot of energy to start my day. Pilates is now part of my weekly routine to keep me energized and to keep me strong - taking care of a toddler means you need to have loads of that! I would highly recommend Pilates to moms because it’s not high impact (so no chance of injuries!) but it's really effective in making you leaner and stronger.

Shayne Naidas, beauty blogger at Queen of All You See

I used to be severely clinically depressed and spent most of my time stuck at home because of my social anxiety. I tried to work out then to get better, but it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with a painful spine condition that I took exercise seriously to lose weight and make my body stronger and healthier.

I enrolled at the gym, got a physical therapist, and changed my diet. I had to overcome my anxiety, and at the same time adapt to a new lifestyle since my spine condition limited what I could do daily. It was hard and risky (one wrong move can keep me bedridden for days or hospitalized), and my progress took years. But I really wanted to improve myself so I kept on going. I went to the gym three times a week to do light exercises - less cardio, more weight lifting and core exercises like planking - for 1.5 hour per day, and as much as possible keep a gluten-free diet. 

I've lost around 30 pounds since then and I'm now within my ideal body weight. Exercising and eating healthy changed my life in more ways than one. The endorphins I get from exercising help me with depression. Losing weight and strengthening my muscles help aid my back pains. And most of all, I gained confidence in myself which helped me overcome my anxieties and issues. I even gained the confidence to express myself more through blogging and now have the opportunity to share my story here. I hope this story can help or inspire someone!

Karla Ong, marketing and PR professional

I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore fitness enthusiast in the sense that I have a strict workout schedule and follow a rigid diet program. But I do believe in balancing daily life and a hefty appetite by consistently keeping active.

I mainly do Reformer Pilates at Onelife Studio and try to balance the toning, strengthening, and holistic approach of Pilates with high intensity cardio from a few programs I've recently gotten into like boxing, HIIT, and Nike Training Club (app) or swimming at home. I don't place any restrictions on myself but I don't take the time I give for fitness for granted, and that effort alone makes me feel good already.

Kaycee Enerva, beauty blogger at KikaysiKat and wrestler

After I gave birth to my son, I gained weight which made me feel insecure. I tried almost everything from slimming pills that promise instant results to the craziest diet plans. They worked, but the weight came back and even doubled. Then I realized that being fit is not a one-time goal. It's not even a lifestyle change. It's a lifestyle. 

Find an exercise program you can do not just for a month, for a year. Find something you enjoy doing because you'll be doing that for a looooong time. I found mine in weightlifting and it worked for me. It took three years to achieve my current body and I'm not stopping. 

Did you make a New Year's resolution to get into shape this year? What habits have you been working on to take better care of your health? 

Header image courtesy of Karla Ong

When the brown lipstick trend came about, I fell hard. Forget about the glam of red and the allure of pink – brown, to me, was the shade that felt most natural. As of the moment, half of my lipstick collection is composed of earth-toned hues of pinks, reds, and nudes that can take me from day to night. If you also happen to like brown lippies, you might enjoy these eight picks that won’t cost you a pretty penny! 

Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil in Shade 05 (P349 at Etude House)

The Etude House Play 101 pencil in Shade 05 is a light brown nude that leans on the peachy side. It’s a creamy pencil that dries down matte, and a multitasker that can be used as a subtle blush, eye shading pencil, or as a lip liner (this one’s a trooper).

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Nude Nuance (P299 at the beauty section)

Last year, Maybelline released a line of brown nudes perfect for every Filipina skin tone under their line of Creamy Matte lipsticks. Included in the six-piece launch is Nude Nuance, a medium burgundy brown that’s both fierce and wearable.   

FS Cosmetics Luscious Lipstick in Brick (P299 at Watsons)

This classic matte lippie by Features and Shade impressed the PV team for being a true matte that’s long wearing and non-drying. Brick is a rosy brown that adds a nice pop of color to any look. It makes my skin look brighter!

Pink Sugar HD Lipstick in Butter (P299 at Watsons)

The Pink Sugar HD Lipsticks are probably my favorite from the drugstore for its creamy, opaque, non-drying formula with a satin finish. The shade Butter is a peach medium brown MLBB shade that could work with all kinds of looks.

Palladio Dreamy Matte Lip Color in Lady Rose (P450 at Beauty Bar)

The Palladio Dreamy Mattes are creamy, moisturizing lipsticks that settle down to a soft matte finish after a few hours of wear. Lady Rose is a light brown based pink that would soften your FOTD for a fresh-faced look. This is the kind of color your can meet the parents with!

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Rouge Magique in Beige Reveur (P400 at Watsons)

The rich color payoff and creaminess of the L’Oreal Paris Color Riche lipsticks make them a fan favorite from the drugstore. Beige Reveur is a mauve-y brown nude that can take you from day to night, no matter the occasion.

Left: Love At First Swipe, Right: I Can't Even

Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don’t Lie Crayons in Love at First Swipe and I Can’t Even (P399 each at SM Beauty) 

So we might be a little biased here but the Pink Sugar x Project Vanity crayons definitely deserve a spot (or two) on your list of brown picks! The shade Love at First Swipe is a sophisticated rose cocoa brown that would elevate your daily look. I Can’t Even is a nice mix of rose and ginger that’s somehow brightening and subdued at the same time.

And that’s it for our list of browns we love from the drugstore! Care to share your top picks for this lovely shade?

Is it just me or does each summer seem stickier than the last? Even though the temptation to hide in a cool, dark room all day may be overwhelmingly strong at times, we still have to soldier on and face the world because #Adulting. Next best thing? Stocking up on cooling products to get you through the most infernal of days! From minty washes to chilly salves, we’ve got 12 sanity-saving solutions to help your survive the heat.

Oryspa Rice Bran Shampoo AM Blend (P520 for 500ml from Oryspa)

The kulob feeling is real, especially if you have thick hair in this humidity. When a refreshing shower is what it takes to bring about some sweet relief, a cooling shampoo can make a huge difference on an icky scalp. Oryspa has a low-foam, paraben-free formula that will appeal to those who want to preserve their strands’ health while being able to cleanse their scalp regularly. The scent reminds me of sweet citrus and tea, and the pleasant effect lasts the duration of the shower. Certainly enough time for a cooler head to prevail.

Priva by pH Care Skin Firming and Cooling Intimate Wash (P139 for 150ml at the beauty section)

pH Care was one of the first to introduce Pinays to the sensationally presko feminine wash known as Cool Wind. Following that, they came up with Priva, a premium line of intimate washes that have skincare benefits in addition to the minty-cool qualities. The skin-firming claim is attributed to collagen and elasticity-enhancing Kwao Krua in the formula. Personally, I think the cooling sensation is not all that different from Cool Wind in terms of intensity and lasting power but it's comforting to know that the special ingredients could give the privates a little pampering.

Cathy Doll Milky Splash Essence with Heot Gae Na Mu (P649 at the beauty section)

While this doesn’t have that minty cool sensation, the Milky Splash Essence offers its own way of freshening up the face. The gel-cream texture looks fairly average at first but the formula turns waxy and then wet as you massage it onto the skin. The essence seems to separate into a smooth balm/wax layer that locks in moisture, forming milky white water droplets that are then smoothed on and absorbed by the skin. It’s both novel and fascinating, plus the Heot Gae Na Mu plant extract supposedly helps brighten skin.

Cathy Doll Milky Splash Essence with Heot Gae Na Mu

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask (P1,400 at Laneige)

It’s rave-worthy for a reason! With its light, pudding-like texture, you get a deeply moisturizing treatment without the discomfort of a thick face cream. Skin feels plump and bouncy when you wake up the next morning, and it’ll be difficult to stop touching your face marveling at the difference (I know I did!) This is also a great alternative to sheet masks as you get to control the size of each portion, so while it may seem like a huge splurge, a jar does end up lasting a long time.

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm in Sweet Mint (about P200-250 each from online sellers or find bundles in S&R)

There was a time when it looked like all the Hollywood celebs were swiping their pouts with these little egg-shaped lip balms, and beauty addicts couldn’t get enough. The minty variant offers up a fairly intense cooling effect on the lips minus any stinging. Sweet Mint is my second EOS balm, and my main observation is how these flavorless balms are delectably scented without going the way of artificial candy fragrance. Just keep them out of direct sunlight and heat as they are known to melt easily.

From left: V&M Body Sorbet, Cathy Doll Essence, and Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Human Nature Cooling Leg & Body Cream (P395 at Human Nature)

This isn’t your lola’s liniment! If you want to feel a full-blast of cold that lasts a long time, Human Nature’s eucalyptus-peppermint blend is all about intensity, in scent and in feeling. After applying it on my sore areas, it felt like the shockingly cold sensation could go on and on and on! The cream base itself has the texture of a light lotion and absorbs into skin immediately.

V&M Bare It All Cream Minty Body Sorbet (P285 for 100g at BeautyMNL)

The name seems fitting, especially after you’ve seen the “melted ube ice cream” appearance of the product inside. It features a minty berry scent, and the purple coloring disappears as it is massaged on the body. Do make sure that the product is fully absorbed by the skin before putting on light-colored clothes though, as it does tend to stain.

Belo SunExpert After Sun Gel (P259.75 at the beauty section)

You don’t have to get to a level of intense sunburn to start feeling the discomfort of sun damage. Even just a short stint outdoors at noon can already make skin feel tingly and irritable. This runny, hypoallergenic gel-lotion is soaked up by the skin instantaneously and has a mild cooling sensation for relief.

V&M Underarmour Aloe Tea + Licorice Mint Deodorant (P555 in BeautyMNL)

It’s not exactly a spray-and-go formula as you have to shake the bottle well before usage to disperse the ingredients that settle at the bottom. The sweet green tea scent has the lightest hint of woodsy notes - it’s both refreshing and sophisticated that you may consider using this as a fragrance spray instead. Take note that it doesn’t have antiperspirant properties so you may still feel some wetness but the potassium alum helps fend off odor-causing bacteria for longer. 

Flawless Skin Protect Mist (P450 at Flawless Face & Body Clinics)

The portable aerosol easily fits even into your everyday tote, so there’s no excuse to skip sunscreen! Just make sure to apply at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure. The formula has a strong sunblock lotion scent but that’s not a bad trade off for the convenience it affords.

Belo SunExpert Hair and Scalp Shield (P349.75 at the beauty section)

Groom those locks while protecting them from the sun. Belo’s Hair and Scalp Shield acts like a spray-on hair oil to address frizziness and dryness while protecting your head and hair from UV damage. This is a must if you stay outdoors without the protection of a hat but remember to use sparingly as hair might look greasy from excessive amounts.

Snake Brand Prickly Heat Cooling Powder (P70 at the beauty section)

The threat of bungang araw is real, and the best way to prevent and combat it is through frequent baths and a dusting of medicated powder. I have dealt with bouts of prickly heat rash in the past couple of summers, and Snake Brand has been instrumental in healing the area faster and preventing any more rashes from developing. Chalk it up to the camphor, menthol, and tea tree oil that this powder contains.

Have you experienced the minty coolness of any of these products? What do you use to stay chill in this insane heat? Let us know in the comments below!