The first time I stumbled on a “secret” service offered by a beauty brand, I was at a popular department store browsing through the drugstore makeup on sale. The sales assistant was probably eager for me to finally make a purchase, so she offered to give me a free makeup session whenever I needed one - with zero prompting from me. She told me that a lot of clients usually request that, and that she and the other SAs willingly oblige if it’s not a busy day.

As I made a mental note to go back there instead of splurging at a parlor for my next event, I realized that money (or at least meeting the minimum purchase requirement) truly does open doors! Since then, I’ve learned to never hesitate to ask if beauty brands offer additional services aside from selling beauty items. That’s how I discovered that there was so much more than just free makeovers! From bacne (back acne) extractions to professional makeup workshops, here are three establishments that offer secret beauty services that you may not have been aware of!

Benefit

We all know about the legendary brow waxing service at their Brow Bar - we even featured their commitment to charity a while back through this service. But did you know that they offer brow tints, lip and chin waxing, and lash extensions, too? Select branches even offer body waxing for the underarm, bikini, arm, and leg areas. You can enjoy these treatments in the privacy of their Pretty Rooms (which totally live up to they name, btw!) located at the Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, and Trinoma branches. Prices range from P700 to P1,400 and are available strictly by appointment only. Bonus: they’ll be offering a new brow service come May!

Image via bdjbox.com

VMV Hypoallergenics

I’ll be completely honest: I really like VMV skin care products for how they are formulated and labelled. The price point might be a bit high but appreciate how knowledgeable and straightforward their marketing generally is. My fondness for the brand intensified after trying out their Skin-a-Jiffy Facial, a 30-minute facial treatment that includes a gentle massage, steaming, and a custom-mixed mask treatment made on the spot but I didn’t even know that their SM Megamall branch had a spa room!

They also offer Superskin Facials (1-hour facial similar to what I tried, plus light extraction), and more intense treatments like targeted Cosmeceutical Booster Facials and Skintensive Care treatments. These treatments address aging, stress, blemishes and even back acne using VMV products! I think the pricing is fairly competitive, considering that you get to use products from the respected brand, and even receive discounts after specific purchase requirements.

What really blew my mind was when I heard about their Skin Research Centre + Clinics in Makati. You can consult with their in-house dermatologists, get help for customizing your skincare routine, and possibly even participate in their skin research trials. Appointments can be booked online.

Make Up For Ever

MUFE recently launched their Make Up Service Menu that includes different makeovers and lessons. These can be booked for free, after meeting specific minimum purchase requirements. If you’ve ever purchased a beauty product that you weren’t sure how to use, the video tutorials in the app make it super easy and convenient to access. lf I had to buy skincare or makeup from a high-end brand, I’d definitely go for MUFE! The videos are useful and give added value to their actual products. As a brand that even professional makeup artists trust, I have been eyeing the Ultra HD Makeup Lesson so I can do my own makeup for special occasions — it’s pro-level makeup so it deserves pro-level tutorials!

Estée Lauder

Speaking of looking picture-perfect for events, Estée Lauder has just launched their Glam It Up makeup services at all their counters! As the brand founder liked to say, “The most beautiful face in the world? It’s yours,” and this new offering makes it so much easier to do just that. You can choose from their Face Defining service (3-5 minutes) if you want something quick but high-impact, or go for one of five Full Look options (40 minutes to an hour) which include Bare Faced Beauty, It’s A Date, Beauty At Work, Late Night Party, and Modern Classic. 

If you're looking to up your skin care game though, you should definitely take them up on their complimentary skincare consultation! A Beauty Adviser will personalize a regimen best suited for your needs, and even do a mini facial so you can try the products and see how they work with your skin.

Bobbi Brown

It's not enough to just own the products, you need to know how to use them properly to maximize their potential. With a brand focus on natural beauty, Bobbi Brown keeps things real with its How To makeup lessons. The approach is practical with modules like How To Look Less Tired, How To Make My Skin Look Better, and How To Get Ready In Five Minutes. Best of all, the makeup artist will give you a personalized Face Chart and How To Tip Card at the end of your lesson so you have references when you recreate the look on your own! You can find the full list of available lessons here. 

These are just a few of the beauty secret services available in the metro, and I’m eager to find out if there are others being offered! Do you know of any other beauty secret services in Manila? Which ones are your faves, and do you have more tips to share? Comment below!

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?

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

Can you feel the heat? We sure can! And we’re not just talking about the crazy 41 degree weather we’ve been experiencing. This week’s beauty roundup features everything you would want to take with you on that dream vacay, plus some intriguing stories to fuel an intense discussion with your amigas! Word of warning: we had an extra tough time stopping ourselves from placing orders for all the product spots this week.

Image via Instagram user @katvondbeauty

Livin’ La Vida Lolita

One of the hottest trends right now is sporting your lipstick, eye shadow, and nail polish all in the same shade. Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez are just some of the celebs who have gone all matchy-matchy, so it’s no surprise that beauty brands are jumping on this bandwagon. Enter Kat Von D Beauty. The vegan and cruelty-free brand has decided to release one of their most iconic shades Lolita in two new forms - an eye shadow and a blush powder! The gorgeous chestnut-rosey-mauve shade will be available starting next month on Sephora, and will, unfortunately, be a limited edition release. No other details have been released but the blush/shadow was teased over at Kat Von D’s official Instagram account. Anyone else dying to add this to their makeup collection?

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Allure

It’s A Unicorn Universe (and we just live in it)

Drugstore game strong! Wet ‘n Wild has made magic real with the launch of their Limited Edition Unicorn Glow Summer Collection, and we want everything! Following the success of their Color Icon Rainbow Highlighter, the affordable vegan beauty brand has added two more whimsical powders for us to play with: Everlasting Glow (a champagne highlighter) and Bronze Over the Rainbow (a golden brown) both priced at just $5.99 each. The collection will also feature three new Color Icon Loose Pigments ($2.99) in Mythical Dreams (purple), Pegasus Flutter (pink), and Unicorn Wishes (teal). 

If you’ve been dying to get your hands on one of those Too Faced Unicorn lippies, Wet ‘n Wild has the perfect dupe! The Mega Last Iridescent Lip Color ($3.99) in Immortal Tears (shimmering white) and Unicorn Soul (sparkly blue) both have pearl pigments that will give your lips that “unicorn sparkle” effect. And to top it all off, the brand is also releasing a special highlighting brush to help you create a diffused, ethereal glow. The dome-shaped synthetic brush has a unicorn horn-inspired handle and will retail for just $4.99! Shop the entire limited edition collection for just $29.99 on Ulta starting May 21 and on the Wet 'n Wild site on May 22. Hopefully these babies will also be available at Wet ‘n Wild counters soon!

Full story on Allure

Image via brandingmag.com

Are You Down with Dove?

And we thought the Kendall Jenner Soda ad was controversial! Brands are always trying new and different ways to connect to their market, and while sometimes it works, there are also occasions when it’s just... confusing. Dove, known for their relatable and “real” campaigns, has once again divided the Internet with their latest launch: the limited edition “Real Body” bottles of their cult-classic Deeply Nourishing Body Wash. The bottles became a hot topic because they come in six new shapes inspired by common female body types. The silhouettes are supposed to celebrate women of all shapes and sizes but it came off as an ill-conceived gimmick to some. Twitter is awash with posts dishing the brand and calling the campaign out for being inappropriate and unnecessary. Watch Dove’s Body Wash ad here and let us know what you think. Did Dove’s latest campaign hit or miss the mark for you?

Full story on Elle UK

Images via Instagram user @nicolettemason and Notey

That’s GNAR(S)LY

Hold the phone and ready your wallets, ladies - NARS is about to drop something we didn’t think we needed... til now. Their famously pigmented cult classic blushes (which are available in powder and cream stick form) will now be available in a dreamy, liquid formula! The liquid blush actually first debuted at the 2017 Oscars Red Carpet on Emma Stone, causing quite a stir as everyone sought to discover the secret to her gorgeous flush. As it turns out, the actress was sporting the shade Orgasm in its liquid form, and we never imagined that the iconic shade could ever be improved on! The liquid blush line will have four shades: Torrid, Luster, Dolce Vita, and of course, Orgasm. Priced at $30 each, the blushes will launch on May 12 on the NARS site and will soon be out in NARS counters.

Full story via Refinery29

Image via PopSugar

Glisten and Glow, with Glossier

And it’s finally out! After a couple of weeks of teasing on Instagram, Glossier has finally released a product that a ton of us have been waiting to see - their very own sunscreen! Unlike basic sunscreens that are thick, greasy, and even pore-clogging, Glossier promises that their Invisible Shield SPF 35 ($34) is a lightweight, serum sunscreen that protects your skin while keeping it free from that dreaded white cast in pictures. Containing both UVA and UVB filters, this sunscreen effectively protects your skin from a full spectrum of harmful rays without feeling heavy or sticky. Infused with Vitamin E, Vitamin P, and broccoli and aloe leaf extracts, the Invisible Shield looks like it blends smoothly on the skin and gets absorbed quickly (no more waiting for your face to dry!) while delivering antioxidant properties and fighting free radicals to keep your skin healthy. The super sunscreen also contains fermented yeast and vegetal extracts, keeping pollutants away from your face! Shop the new Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35 here.

Full story on Teen Vogue

Image via SephoraPH Newsletter

Marc Your Calendars!

Never thought that an email could make us swoon but that we did when we opened the newsletter from Sephora Philippines. Marc Jacobs Beauty is officially coming to the Philippine site, and signing up qualifies you to receive an exclusive gift once they’ve launched. We don’t have any other details but we’re already populating our wish lists with the Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer ($44) and the O!Mega Bronzer Perfect Tan ($49). Suffice to say, our wallets and bank accounts are not safe. Better sign up at the Sephora PH site to get first dibs when the brand finally goes live!

SpectruMed president and CEO Cheryl Grazer with Cristalle Belo-Pitt (Image via SpectruMed)

Perfectly Prime

Let’s face it: when it comes to staying slim and fit, diet and exercise are things we sort of dread doing. The results show, but at what feels like the slowest possible speed, making it both frustrating and disheartening to continue on. To quicken the process and ensure that your skin stays toned even with the weight loss, SpectruMed offers the perfect solution in its latest technological upgrade. President and CEO Cheryl Glazer is committed to keeping their company up to date with the latest advancements in beauty science so that both doctors and patients get the best quality of service. 

Their newest machine, the Accent Prime, offers patients customized treatments for facial and body contouring, as well as skin tightening, skin rejuvenation, and cellulite reduction. With the extra-large applicator, treatment time has been drastically cut short to just 20 minutes for the entire session! Industry bigwigs like Cristalle Belo-Pitt of the Belo Medical Group and Dr. Aivee and Dr. Z Teo of the Aivee Institute have expressed their support for Accent Prime, so if you’ve been considering getting a treatment, this is the machine to ask for.

Can’t get enough of beauty news? Got any of your own to share, or want to discuss in detail? Leave a comment below and make sure to join the Project Vanity Community page on Facebook!

Header image via Bustle

I'm going to be frank with you, this is one of those "I love this, but..." product reviews. The product does what I need it to do perfectly, however, everything else is not working quite as well. So. The Sleek Makeup Brow Intensity (P695 in department stores) is a dual-ended tube with a brow highlighter and a "sculptor" on each end. The brow highlighter is a flat and angled twist-up pencil, while the sculptor is a gel mascara with a sort of paddle tip. There are three shades available: Light, Medium, and Dark, with slightly varied but practically the same highlighter shades across the board.

I'm going to do this review a bit differently -  I'm going to start with the things I don't like about this so I can get them out of the way. 

• I am not a fan of the highlighters. They are too soft. I've broken off their tips a few times already even though I was careful only to twist a small part up! They are also quite sheer and sparkly, plus the three shades all too similar to one another.  
• The "sculptor" end of the tube is problematic. I can't go in with the paddle tip because it drops patchy color on my brows; the actual mascara spoolie is at an awkward angle when I try to work the product into the brow hairs.

That being said, the formula of the gel color is fantastic. Amazing. Through the roof. Here's why!

• It is water-resistant, almost water-proof. I've played tennis wearing the Sleek brow gel and it barely moved even with wiping. It sets fast though, so you have to get it right the first few strokes or else you'd have to use a makeup remover to correct wacky lines.
• The shade Light is perfect for me as is! It's a soft, warm brown that surprisingly works with my hair and skin tone well. I find Medium already too dark to use by itself, but it's great for creating a dark contrast on the tail and bottom of my brows. This technique makes brows look 3D instead of flat. PS - I have Dark too which I wasn't able to swatch here, but it's really way too dark for me to use ns.
• The brush is not too usable, but I just apply the gel with a separate angled eyebrow brush. It's easy to even out and blend as long as it's damp.

Wearing Light to map out the brows, then stamped on Medium in a few strategic places to create dimension

The overall finish of the Sleek Makeup Brow Intensity is indeed sleek, neat, and professional-looking without appearing too heavy (when done correctly of course). I highly, highly recommend this to those with oily and/or sweaty brows, or those who just need something particularly long-wearing. If you have about the same hair as mine, get the shade in Light! 

I do wish that Sleek will come up with just the brow gel in a simple tube, a la Make Up For Ever. Honestly I don't want to pay for a mascara applicator and highlighter I won't use. Still, I'm likely to finish the tubes I have and will purchase when the time comes. The brow gel is that good.

Thoughts?

I moved out of our house two weeks after I graduated from college. It's not because I don't have a good relationship with my parents or want to live a wild, parent-free life for the first time ever (snort), it's just that our home is in Cavite. I already had a job waiting for me in Ortigas then and it was unthinkable for me to travel back and forth every day. It's more practical to stay in an apartment in Manila.

I think, that day, I broke my mother's heart a little. She was never the severe and over-protective parent, but of course she had separation anxiety. Perhaps everything was too soon, too fast. But I was young. Nothing is soon enough when you're 21.

I saw her much more often in the beginning, but I only got busier and busier every year. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't spend as much time with her as I should. I always think I'm too busy trying to make something of myself, too tired from all that effort. But that's not always true. There's always time for the people we love if we make the time; otherwise, it will always be missed opportunities to bond and connect.

Luckily, my mom is a Facebook addict (haha!) so she always sees what I'm up to. We also have a family chat so she keeps me updated with her new baking adventure! She is currently taking classes on baking. She posts soooo many pictures and I enjoy seeing all of them. Thank god for unlimited data!

This is why when I saw Smart's new video, I couldn't help but cry. 

I love you, Ma. Let's go out this weekend.

This story is brought to you by Smart.

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?

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)

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

For as long as I can remember, Spiral at Sofitel has been The Place To Be for special celebrations. Their multi-station hotel buffet was one of the first to wow the discerning diners of Manila with the sheer selection of gourmet treats, and their Cheese Room is legendary among local gourmets. Through the years, they’ve managed to keep palates excited through new and creative menu additions. For the merry months of May and June, parents take center stage as Sofitel honors the men and women we owe our lives to. So save the date and treat them to a spectacular feast!

From May 12 to 14, Spiral will be adding more health-conscious options to the buffet menu as an homage to moms. At the press event, inspiring celebrity athletes Gretchen Ho and Hidilyn Diaz shared about how their moms ensured that they always eat healthy for a fighting fit bod. 

Gretchen Ho with her mom Annie

Gretchen, who was joined at the presscon by her mom Annie, shared that the secret to maintaining her energy level and enviable physique is with a high-protein, low-carb diet. She recalls how her mom used to keep the junk food in the house under lock and key! These days, the tables have turned with Gretchen being more strict about her diet and constantly reminding her mother to make better meal choices.

Braised chicken with black mushrooms

Spring chicken tagine

With her dietary preferences and her love for spicy food in mind, the chefs of Spiral presented Gretchen and her mom with the Avocado Prawn with Wasabi Delight Mayonnaise, Thai Chicken Green Curry, Braised Chicken with Black Mushrooms and Fresh Ginseng, and the Spring Chicken Tagine.

Hidilyn Diaz

Olympian silver-medalist, Hidilyn started her love affair with weightlifting at just 11 years old. She prepared for the Rio Olympics by lifting twice her weight and cutting out sweets entirely up until the end of the event. The weightlifter’s diet is rich in protein, and fish is Hidilyn’s favorite. So for her, the Spiral chefs prepared a variety of fresh makis, a colorful salad (containing edible flowers, asparagus, quinoa, pomegranate, calamansi, and vinaigrette), Chicken Ginseng Soup for added energy, and Lapu-Lapu steamed in Brown Bean sauce.    

Makis of every type

For dessert, the athletes can treat themselves to sweet but light creations like Mix Berry Panacotta and White Chocolate Green Tea Entrements. And for sugar-free options, there is the Banana Hazelnut Torte and Chocolate-and-Coffee Pot de Creme.

Chot Reyes

As a toast to dads, Sofitel will also be celebrating The Champ of the House from June 16 to 18. Similar to the Mother’s Day menu, Spiral’s Father’s Day offerings are equal parts scrumptious and nutritious. At the press event, TV5 CEO Coach Chot Reyes of Gilas was presented the filling, high-protein pair of Beef Chops Prime Ribs (Churrasco) and Scallops Herbs Piperade.

Aside from the delectable dishes especially curated for the occasion, moms and dads get the chance to win prizes from Sofitel’s brand partners like Zara, Estee Lauder, Savile Row, High Sierra, and American Tourister, to name a few. Vietura and Le Spa will also offer special promotions and packages for some much-deserved pampering for parents.

For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 2 832 6988 or email H6308-FB12@sofitel.com

Buffet rates for May 13, Saturday: lunch at P3,450 nett for adults and at P1,720 nett per child; dinner is set at P3,550 nett for adults and P1,781nett per child.  

Buffet rates for May 14, Sunday: brunch is P4,655 nett for adults and P1,965 nett per child while dinner is set at P3,350 nett for adults and P1,781 nett per child. You can also enjoy live musical entertainment as featured performers serenade moms on their special day.  

Hi, my name is Katsy, and I'm a K-drama addict. I’m partial to the ones that star my favorites like Song Hye Kyo and IU but mostly I get drawn in by the storyline. I also can’t deny that part of what appeals to me is how the lead cast look; even the men would have gorgeous skin! I’ve just finished watching Uncontrollably Fond with Bae Suzy, Doctors with Park Shin Hye, and The Legend of the Blue Sea with Jun Ji Hyun. These actresses are some of the prettiest stars of their generation, and their product endorsements are almost sure to cause the product to sell out immediately! Heck, I actually bought Park Shin Hye’s latest lipstick endorsement when I was in Korea recently just because she posted about it on her Instagram.

While I know that I’ll never actually look anything like them, I like buying these products because of the kind of look that they’re able to create. Most K-drama leads keep their makeup very natural or barely there and at first glance, they even look the same. A closer inspection will show the subtle differences in eyeliner styles, eyeshadow shades, and lipstick application but the effect is usually the same: clear, bright skin, minimal eye makeup, and just-kissed lips. It’s pretty and wearable for everyday plus it’s quite easy to follow. If you want to cop that no-makeup K-drama beauty look, here are a few beauty rules to follow!

Facial masks from Watsons and Leaders, Banila Co Prime Primer Classic Matte (P1,090), Etude House Sun-Prise Must Daily SPF50+/PA+++ (P478 via Althea Korea), M-Chloi Hypoa Moisturizer (via BeautyLab Whitening by Suaviss)

Rule # 1: Start by applying your skincare and never skip the moisturizer! Go with a gel or cream moisturizer, or put on a sheet mask for that instant glow. Top your skincare layers with a good sunscreen then seal everything with a primer to prep your skin for makeup. Alternatively, you can use a multi-purpose primer that also works as sunscreen to speed up the process.

Pink Sugar Our Lil Secret Concealer (P349), Essence Camouflage Cream Concealer (P149), W.Lab W-Snow CC Cushion (P1,050 on sale via Althea Korea), Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control (P1,320 via Althea Korea)

Rule #2: The base is everything. Spot conceal your blemishes! If using liquid concealers, dab it on the area and leave it to set before blending out and going onto the next layer. Follow up with a cushion foundation that offers coverage and glow. More and more brands have been offering this makeup format but if you have an existing HG foundation or can’t find your shade match, you can try the DIY route!

Happy Skin Glam Squad Arch Definer & Brow Mascara (P949), K-Palette Lasting 2Way Eyebrow Pencil (P795), Measurable Difference Brow Amplifying Tint & Lift (~P520)

Rule #3: Keep your eyebrows neat and natural. You don’t need to straighten your eyebrows in the Korean style (it doesn't suit everyone!) but at least keep them well-groomed. Run through the hairs with a spoolie to remove foundation before applying your brow products. For a more youthful look, choose a shade that is slightly lighter than your hair color. If you've dyed your tresses blonde, you can opt for soft brown shade in the same tone.

The lighter the eyebrow makeup is, the closer it is to K-drama brows. Subtlety is a must!

Witch's Pouch Selfie Awesome Gel Liner in Pearl Black (P270 via Althea Korea), Avon Super Extend Extreme Eyeliner (P299), Tony Moly Backgel Eye Liner in Khaki Black (P290)

Rule #4: Eyeliner must be invisible while elongating the eyes. Using a brown eyeliner is the Korean way to go for a natural daytime look. In K-dramas, only the kontrabida ever wears black eyeliner, while the heroine sports a barely-there line. It's best to do tightlining or root stamping to achieve this look, or you can follow our Korean eyeliner tutorial if you want a more defined eye.

Happy Skin Glam Squad Eyeshadow Duo by Mickey See (P899), Lunasol Feathery Smoky Eyes in Smoky Monotone 02, Urban Decay Naked 2, Etude House Bling Bling Eyestick in Starry Sky Star and Sunset Star (P228 each)

Rule #4: Eyeshadows tend to be neutral in K-dramaland, so using a well-coordinated palette should make matching colors easier. Use the darker shades on the lids with a pat of pearly eyeshadow in the middle for more dimension. A lighter matte shadow is used to emphasize the aegyo-sal (fatty eye bags) underneath. You can also try cream or liquid eyeshadows for more natural and youthful effect versus the dry matte look of powders.

Bobbi Brown Nourishing Lip Color in Island Pink (P1,400), Kanebo Moisture Rouge in 05 Core Red (P2,100), Skin Genie Lip and Cheek Stain Alive in Tulip Red (P80 via BeautyMNL.com), In Her Element Nourish & Cleanse Balm (P595), 7Hara My 1st Tint in Maple Red (P350 via Althea Korea), Laneige Two-Tone Lip Bar in No.5 Daring Darling (~P1,200)

Rule #5: While the gradient lip is far from fading into obscurity, the prevailing K-drama beauty trend is luminous flushed lips. Shades of red and pink are favored by fair-skinned Koreans, but shades of coral might work better with darker skin tones. Make sure to start with a hydrating lip balm to plump your pout and minimize the look of lip lines. Leave the mattes behind and opt for creamy lip products. Instead of swiping it on, dab all over the lips to achieve that natural-looking flush.

The Face Shop CC Intense Cover Cushion in Natural Beige (P895), Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Rosegold (P1,250), Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil in M-60 (P1,250), 7Hara My First Tint in Maple Red, Witch’s Pouch Selfie Perfect Concealer (P220 via Althea Korea), MAC Matte Eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown, W.Lab White Holic Quick Whitening Cream (P640)

You don't need to use actual K-beauty products for this look, though they're most likely to be better formulated for achieving that bright and dewy beauty look. Keep your products and your hands light, always! For a full look to try on, you can follow our Korean-style makeup tutorial, which is pretty much wearable anywhere you go!

Do you watch K-dramas? Which one are your favorites, and which actresses are your K-beauty inspirations?