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

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

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

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

Before

After

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

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

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

Belo SunExpert products are available in leading drugstores and supermarkets.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ultra Satin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And the winner is...

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

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

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

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

Image via Banila Co Philippines

Thrilla in Banila (Co.)

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

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

Image via beautydea.it

An XL-ent Makeover

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

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

Full story on Refinery29

Image via Almanac

Christian LoubouNUDE

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

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

Full story on In Style

Images via Instagram user @olivier_rousteing

L’Oreal’s Balmain Baby

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

Full story on PopSugar

Image via ColourPop Cosmetics

I Got It For My Momma!

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

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

Full story on Bustle

Flatlay To Play

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

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

Image via BeautyMNL

Fun and Fabulous at 50!

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

Header image via Sidewalk Hustle

This story is brought to you by Jergens.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What I love about it

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

Neutral feelings on...

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

What I don't like about it

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

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

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

Verdict and recommendations

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

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

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

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

Cheryl Chua, president and brand manager of Beautybox Corp.

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

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

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

Aencille Santos, PR professional and Crossfit athlete

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

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

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

Jackie Go, model and lifestyle blogger at GoJackieGo

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

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

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

Charm Salvino, civil engineer and antigravity fitness instructor 

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

At 9 months and 8 months after giving birth

Jacqe Yuengtian, co-founder of Happy Skin Cosmetics

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

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

Shayne Naidas, beauty blogger at Queen of All You See

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

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

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

Karla Ong, marketing and PR professional

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

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

Kaycee Enerva, beauty blogger at KikaysiKat and wrestler

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

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

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

Header image courtesy of Karla Ong

You know the weather is bad when you start sweating as soon as you turn off the shower! Sometimes, even sitting directly in front of the aircon doesn't seem to help much, but as busy women who need to get stuff done no matter what happens, we find ways to soldier on without losing our poise. For times when jumping into a pool or even just splashing water onto your face is not an option, we beauty girls can turn to our cosmetics collections to give us some respite from this inferno.  

Liz: The cool feeling of menthol and mint may only be temporary, but I don't see that as a reason not to have it as often as I can in this heat! I love showering with the Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol Shampoo (limited edition) and the Origins Shower Off Exfoliating Body Wash with Hawaiian Mineral Water (love the minty tingle!). For moisturizing, The Saem's Hydrating Soothing Gel feels like a splash of fresh water on my skin!

Crystal: I generally don't use deodorant but during the summer, I feel so sticky that I need to incorporate one into my routine. Dove is a good choice because it's quite mild on my skin and has a thin texture. I carry a facial mist in my bag to help cool off from the heat; I'm currently using this super affordable one I found from a Korean brand called Gahui. I also use light-smelling perfumes that don't react badly with my sweat. One of my summer faves is the popular Incanto Shine. It's a fruity floral scent that I bring around so that I smell good all day.

Stacie: I took interest in the perfume brand CLEAN because my favorite KPOP idols are currently their models in Korea. CLEAN perfumes are exactly as the name describes! They instantly make you smell like you just stepped out of the shower or your clothes just came out of the dryer! Longevity depends on your skin type: my body is quite dry because I do not moisturize often so these last about 2 to 3 hours on me.

Tellie: Summer is tough on my dry skin because a layer of sweat and oil forms on top, yet my skin remains dry and cracked underneath. To combat cracking foundation, I decant a watery toner like Naturie Hatomugi Skin Lotion into a spray bottle, spray and pat it for absorption; and afterwards seal with a translucent compact like Holika Holika x Gudetama Sweet Cotton Sebum Clear Pact.

Gett: To keep cool from the sweltering heat, I have the following on hand: a portable fan (handy especially during the commute); a little bottle of Zenutrients Strengthening Leave-on conditioner to keep my hair nice and smooth and not too fried-looking from the heat; good ol' Johnsons Baby Powder to absorb the excess sweat and to ensure I don't get bungang-araw; oil control sheets to blot my oil spill of a face; and a fresh scent like the L'eau par Kenzo which is light and smells like expensive water lol.

Marielle: I didn't actually change my routine at all this summer, save for switching to a lighter set of skincare products. I can't stand rich moisturizers right now, so I busted out the entire set of The Saem Iceland line to help me out! For the body, I just take twice as many showers.

Katsy: I switched to the Bare Body Wash in Peppermint because of the cooling feeling that adds to the luxury of taking a bath before and after a long, hot summer day. As for makeup, I have taken to just wearing Benefit Porefessional after applying my usual cocktail of day moisturizer + sunscreen. The heat just makes me want to go barefaced as much as possible! Then I blot on the go with the cute and handy Happy Skin Tickled Pink Blotting Sheets to keep shine at bay.

How about you ladies? How do you keep your poise in this heat?

by Kristel Yap, contributor

Who doesn’t love a little K-beauty looting? Whether skincare or cosmetics, there’s always something new and cute to try from the beauty behemoth that is South Korea. The availability of K-beauty brands overseas are still somewhat limited though, so for those of us who can’t wait for shipments to find their way to our local stores, we turn to “pasabuys” (informal group purchases through an online reseller) or ask friends vacationing in Korea to buy for us.

In this case, we get the goods made for Koreans. Here’s the catch: everything of consequence will be written in Hangeul, or Korean letters. Korea is still very protective of its own culture, and unlike other countries, prioritizes Hangeul and Korean literacy over learning the Roman alphabet and English. Therefore, to better communicate with their intended audience, the Korean Cosmetics Product Act (also known as the KPCA – not a typo) requires Korean labeling on all domestically-produced cosmetics. Even imported cosmetics will have a Korean translation stuck on at least the secondary packaging, i.e. boxes. 

This MUFE UV Bright Cushion has a Korean label stuck on the box.

Some K-beauty brands, for export or branding reasons, will also place English information on their products but most others will not. If your K-beauty haul has been sitting unused because you aren’t quite sure what to make of those cryptic labels, here’s a quick guide to help you out!

Proof of Authenticity

The first thing to check on with your new loot is its authenticity. Unfortunately, with great fame comes the higher risk of getting copied, and everyone here knows we PV girls are averse to fake cosmetics. There is rarely any counterfeiting of Korean products within Korea but just in case your loot wasn’t sourced from an authorized boutique and you want to make sure, you can use mobile apps like Brandsafer and Hiddentag to help authenticate them. The apps use the camera on your phone to scan the holographic stickers on the packaging to verify its authenticity. There are some limitations as not all K-beauty brands offer this safeguard or are affiliated with an app but a little precaution is better than none!

Image via Brandsafer

Important Dates

When you’re sure that what you have is the real deal, it’s time to check if you can use it. Fortunately, cosmetics in Korea turnover pretty fast. In my one and a half years there, I’ve never purchased a product more than four months away from production!

Most products will have MFG / M, EXP / E or other variations stamped on at least the primary packaging such as bottles, compacts, and tubes. There’s no official standard but most commonly:

• Manufacturing dates are listed as 제조
• Expiry dates are 까지 or 사용 기한.

Koreans use the metric system and the preferred way to list dates are YYYY/MM/DD or YY/MM/DD. There will be very few instances of listing dates as DD/MM/YY (but never MM/DD/YY) so to be absolutely clear, some brands will indicate the Hangeul time markers 년 for year, 월 for month, and 일 for day.

This product shows that the expiry date 사용기한 is listed as YYYY 년 MM월

Ingredients Listing

If you know a little bit of Korean and have been unimpressed with the tips thus far, let me present you with a major stumbling block: ingredients. While one may guess some Konglish chemical names, there are plenty of original Korean chemical names which even locals may struggle with. Thankfully for us beauty geeks, there are apps such as Hwahae and All of Cosmetics that translate the whole list for you. Take note that the order in which the ingredients are listed may be different from the US FDA standard of arranging the everything from the highest to the lowest content. Korean ingredients generally still follow the descending order but when less than the component is 1% or less, it can be listed in any order (same as US FDA guidelines as it happens).

English translations of Hwahae by lostinpretty.com

Cruelty-Free Practices

In 2015, South Korea passed a bill to end animal testing by 2017. However, as pointed out by certain activist groups, there are many loopholes to this version of the bill and it is not to be considered a complete ban on animal testing. Still, such progress is much appreciated by both animal and cosmetic-lovers.

To check if a product is Leaping Bunny approved, head on over to CrueltyFreeInternational.org. Blogger Une Peach has also compiled her personal research (and a longer list) of cruelty-free beauty in Korea.

I hope this mini guide will help you feel less intimidated about trying K-beauty because there are so many great products coming from Asia’s busiest beauty capital! Got any more questions about K-beauty? Just share them in the comments below and we’ll try our best to address them!

Kristel Yap is a freelance makeup artist who trained at Make Up For Ever Academy in Seoul. She also studied the Korean language in South Korea for a year. She blogs at Beauty By Tellie.

Kiehl’s has long established its reputation as a skincare brand, with their Midnight Recovery Concentrate getting many raves from skincare enthusiasts and here on Project Vanity. No wonder it’s their #1 best-selling serum! At the relaunch of their Power Serums for Power Women though, I discovered that there are four Kiehl’s serums to ensure that all our different skin needs are addressed.

The Daily Reviving Concentrate (P2,895/30ml) is a great ally for us work warriors who battle it out in the city daily. Going around the metro exposes us to a lot of pollutants, not to mention the natural stress we go through at our jobs. This facial oil is formulated to keep our skin bright and ready all day, with no fear of being weighed down due to its lightweight texture. Key ingredients include Ginger Root, Sunflower, and Tamanu which provide antioxidant protection. The concentrate is also said to be “paraben free, mineral oil free, non-acnegenic, non-comedogenic, and comes from 100% natural origin.”

The blue bottle of the Midnight Recovery Concentrate (P2,895/30ml) is a reminder of how it helps your skin refresh while you rest. By applying before you sleep, Kiehl’s promises us better looking skin upon waking up. The combination of Lavender, Evening Primrose, and Squalane with other natural oils provides for a relaxing skin reboot nightly.

If you have dark spots and uneven skintone, the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solutions (P2,995/30ml) is the serum for you. The Activated C, White Birch, and Peony Extracts formula can even be used by sensitive skin. For anti-aging concerns, the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate (P3,675/50ml) is the product of choice. The 10.5% Vitamin C provides for a “powerful anti-wrinkle treatment.” 

Kiehl’s also unveiled their newly-renovated flagship store in Greenbelt 5, which looked amazing! As an architect, I love doing store tours and enjoyed how they styled the #KiehlsStoreOfTtheFuture!

Hello Mr. Bones!

The Greenbelt 5 store first opened in the Philippines in 2007 - yes, it’s been 10 years already! They’ve revamped their store to fit with the brand’s global image of a modern apothecary. The trademark accents of Kiehl’s (like Mr. Ones) are still present for longtime customers to feel immediately at home despite the change. Traditional materials such as vintage brass, warm wood, and brick are mixed with contemporary details of stainless steel fixtures, glass, and the NY charm of neon lighting and graffiti.

Upon entering the store, you’ll immediately spot the Customer Favorites wall, where they display all their ultimate bestsellers.

There is also a Men’s Favorites section for the fast male shopper.

If you aren’t sure what to get or have a question about the products, you can always ask the friendly Kiehl’s In-store Customer Service Representatives to help you out. I’m always on the lookout for lightweight and efficient sunscreens so they recommended the Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ (P2,995) and the Activated Sun Protector for Face (P2,215) for me.

They also pointed me to the direction of the Clearly Corrective White line when I discussed my uneven skintone.

And being the lippie lover that I am, I also checked out their new Butterstick Lip Treatments (P990)! These are currently available at their Greenbelt 5, Rockwell, MOA, and SM Makati stores. 

The Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 (P535) comes highly recommended as well so I plan to pick one up when I use up my current stick. 

There’s a lot more to Kiehl’s than their famous midnight blue bottle, and the best way to discover them is by dropping by their store. If you wanna get a better idea of what to expect before you visit, you can visit their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram. 

What’s your favorite Kiehl’s product? Which of the #KiehlsPowerSerums do you want to try?

Header image via Shayne Nadias/ queenofallyousee.com

Beauty bloggers are always at the forefront of the beauty scene - they witness product launches, get first dibs on the latest releases, and often get to try a lot of high-end products. Being spoiled for choice, you may think that they’ll never be found shopping at the drugstore aisle! These ladies however love a great beauty bargain just as much as the next girl. In fact, beauty blogger Jes Roque even went as far as doing her own wedding makeup using mostly drugstore products!

Curious to know what their fave save purchases are? We were, too, so we asked five beauty bloggers: If you had just P500 to spend, what would you buy from your favorite drugstore? 

Image from instagram.com/genzelaces

Gen-zel Habab of Gen-zel.com

I usually buy my basic essentials: a pack of wet wipes, makeup remover, facial masks (at Buy 2, Take 1!), cotton pads, and shampoo. I love being practical whenever I can since I live on my own. Everything should be within the budget. Also, as a beauty blogger, I already have makeup lined up for review so I skip buying those unless I really need something.

Image via instagram.com/askmewhats and askmewhats.com

Nikki Tiu of Askmewhats

If I had P500 to spend at the drugstore, I’d buy Hair Treats Hair Spa (P239). It’s inexpensive but it works. I use it not only as a hair treatment but as a daily conditioner. Cathy Doll Pet Ice Cream Sponge (P219 but on sale for P159) is an inexpensive Beauty Blender-like sponge that I use for myself and clients. May sukli pa ako!

Image via instagram.com/champagnedreams

Tara Cabullo of Chronicles of Vanity

I stock up on Collagen by Watsons Intensive Nourishing & Firming Facial Mask (P65). I'd use my money on that! I use it whenever I can, especially when I have a meeting the next day. It makes my skin is so much better - plump, soft and supple. Every now and then, I buy Cutex Nail Clippers because they're the best.

Image via queenofallyousee.com

Shayne Naidas of Queen of All You See

I have super dry, damaged, frizzy Hagrid-gate-keeper-of-Hogwarts level hair. Tresemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo (P230) and Split Repair Conditioner (P230) are some of the best products that tame it. Tresemme Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray (P495) makes ironing my hair easier. The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash (P460) as well as the Daily Moisturizing Lotion are also some of the most moisturizing body care I've used, plus they don't irritate my skin. These are my Holy Grail skincare and haircare products you can get at Watsons.

Meg Yap of Sunshine Girl

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (P420) is the best facial sunscreen for me. It's light, barely scented and doesn't leave a white cast. It's good for my oily skin too since it's water-based and not sticky. 

Quick Fx No-shine Mattifier (P89) keeps my face from getting oily for at least 4 hours. The texture is very similar to Benefit's Porefessional but with a less silicone-like feeling. It also doesn't clog my pores unlike the Porefessional, which breaks me out. 

Quick Fx Eyelift cream (P50) keeps my undereye area hydrated. It claims to help reduce fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. I use this at night and wake up with less puffiness and less dark circles. I don't see the effect on my fine lines yet since I haven't been using it for a long period of time. But for the price and if you're not using any eye cream, I highly recommend it. 

Essence Pure Nude Highlighter (P379) is the best 'subtle' highlight that I have used. It's a light champagne shade that suits light to medium skintones. It's so subtle that you can use it all over your face if you want that overall glow. I don't think you can ever overdo application with this. 

I love using the Marionnaud N32 blush brush (P170) for contouring and blush application. The bristles are so soft and not scratchy. The angled shape is perfect for application of bronzer or nude/brown blush on the hollows of your cheek. 

Do you share any of the picks here? What are your favorite drugstore products under P500?

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)

I hadn't intended to buy new makeup any time soon - I have too much! - but it all started when I wandered into the Urban Decay store in Suria KLCC Mall. I was in Kuala Lumpur recently and was stunned to see their international beauty choices; certainly, in some ways, better than what we have here in the Philippines. Now if only Urban Decay would skedaddle over here soon then the scales would be a little more even! We don't even have it at Sephora.ph, pff. Something about how L'Oreal the company has to be the one to bring it in. It's almost too easy to forget that Urban Decay was here in the PH maybe 10, 15 years ago.

Anyway, I grabbed the Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation (RM 155 or ~P1,800) while I was visiting. The sales lady also offered 30 ringgit off (tourist discount) if my purchase reached up to RM 200 so I got two other things to avail of the discount. I'm glad I did, because I'm really loving everything so far!

I haven't read up on the All Nighter Liquid Foundation and so don't have any prejudices against it. The reviews, I found out later, were lukewarm. But I'd beg to disagree. I think this foundation is amazing for my combination skin and I don't regret the cash I blew on it! Here's why:

• The coverage is H-E-A-V-Y. It's so heavy, I don't even need to wear concealer any more! It can cover up serious hyperpigmentation as well as my (albeit light) dark circles. It has a matte finish that registers well on camera; there is no white flash.
• The staying power is a winner! I've worn this for up to 10 hours with minimal fading, even though I've been outside. It is not entirely waterproof as claimed on the label; it fades around the nose when I play tennis, but I give it credit for not disappearing after two hours of sweating it out in a boiler slash indoor tennis court. On a normal, active day, I can stake my life on it. And no I don't need primer!
• I oil up much less with this compared to other liquid foundations. I observe that I shine around 4-4.5 hours after application, which is a huge deal (I normally oil up in 2 hours). I have combination oily skin.
• I got a great shade match with 4.0 - I am NC35 for your reference. It starts off quite yellow and a bit light at first, but darkens to match my skin tone once it dries. People have reported that it oxidizes so best to get a shade match in person, if possible.
• A little goes a long way. A pump and a half is more than enough to cover my whole face plus blemishes.
• Love the packaging! The bottle is edgy and unique; it looks expensive.

This isn't even a fresh application of the foundation! I was out for FOUR hours BEFORE this photo was taken and only retouched my t-zone lightly. I LOVE how the All Nighter stays on!

There are, however, a few caveats you might like to know:

• This is not a foundation for every day wear. The coverage is not a joke, and it's very hard to sheer it down! I do like using it on select areas though, more like concealer, so there's a good trick. I won't recommend it for casual days as it really announces its foundation-ness to the world.
• It sets quickly, so I won't recommend using brushes or your fingers with this. You have to use a wet sponge (I go for my Beauty Blender) to ensure that it's evened out all over the skin. Work fast and get it right while it's still damp.
• Since it's super long-wearing and water-resistant, you have to remove it with an oil cleanser or at least two passes of micellar water. Make sure everything is off before you proceed to your facial wash.

Overall, while I can't say that the Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation is for everyone, it will serve those who are extra oily and sweaty well. The coverage is also a marvel of technology so get this if hyperpigmentation is your mortal enemy! It's perfect for me since I go to events which require a good amount of makeup plus I play tennis too, so there are lots of situations when I need something like this. But if you're more of a casual makeup-wearer, well, this might not be your cup of tea! There's also the fact that it's not available in the PH but then again there are always resellers and shipping boxes.

What do you think? Is it a must-have or a pass?

Summer in the Philippines require a particular set of makeup skills. On a normal day out I'd recommend you wear the lightest amount of makeup you can get away with. However, sometimes, you might need to have a full face on for work or for an event. If that's the case, heres an anti-hulas makeup look you can try! I've used reliable products as well as a few handy techniques to keep my face looking fresh and my makeup down to only minimal fading.

I made a video below, but since I know you guys don't like watching videos here, I also added some GIFs. ^_^ Enjoy!

Primer

Long-wear liquid foundation

Step 1: Apply a mattifying primer. Primers absorb oil and sweat while holding the rest of your base makeup down. I blended the Happy Skin Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude (P1,299) all over my face to get a great canvas going.

Step 2: With your favorite tool, even out a long-wearing liquid foundation on your skin. This stays on better than any other formulation! I used the Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Oily/Combination skin (P825) to get flawless-looking skin that doesn't crease or crack all day (with proper retouching of course). The shade I used in this tutorial is light on me (310 Warm Golden FYI) but it oxidizes a bit and doesn't look *as* off later on.

Under eye concealer

Setting powder

Step 3: Apply a brightening concealer to zap eye bags. I went with the Missha Under Eye Brightener (P190 from Althea) since this doesn't crease on me! I just dabbed it on my under eyes then blended it with the same foundation brush I used earlier.

Step 4: Cover up blemishes if needed. I'm just being OC, but I added the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (~P1,500) on top of my blemishes and blended it out with my fingers.

Step 5: Set everything with a mattifying powder. Loose powder is more commonly used, but pressed powder works just as well! The Happy Skin Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent (P1,200) is a thin, colorless powder that doesn't look flat. It makes skin look super smooth, too!

Water-resistant brows

Layered brown eyes

Step 6: Draw on soft yet water-resistant brows. If you're particularly oily or sweaty around your arches, you might want to use a brow gel since it's the most long-wearing formula of all. Currently I'm loving the Sleek Makeup Brow Intensity (P695) since it's budge-proof and smear-proof! I just use a separate angled brow brush to get a good shape, following the natural form and hair growth of my brows.

Step 7:  Use an eye crayon as an eyeshadow base. A colored shadow stick like the Nudestix Sheer Eye Color in Bronze (P1,139 at Sephora) works better than primer because it reinforces your eyeshadow color and wears just as well as eyeliner. I just applied it haphazardly near my lashes then blended it upwards with a clean brush.

Step 8: Set the eye crayon with eyeshadow powder. I applied Substiture For Love from the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette (P1,106) on my lids up to the crease. Now that's a super easy way to get gradient + long-wearing eyes! This technique works for all eye shapes.

Waterproof eyeliner

Contour, blush, and highlight

Step 9: Line the eyes with a film-type liquid eyeliner. Film-type liners set solid and do not budge. In this FOTD, I used the Tony Moly Coating Liner in Pearl Brown. Black looks great too, but go for brown if you want a soft, Korean-inspired look!

Step 10: Comb waterproof mascara onto your lashes, starting at the base then teasing to the top to achieve length. The Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara (P795) is forever my fave, since it's waterproof and never smudges on me.

Step 12: Use a multi-purpose palette to contour, blush, and highlight in one go. I like the formula of the Catrice Sculpting Powder in Almond Architect (~P400) since it's easy to work with and stay for about 4-5 hours on my combination skin. I like how natural it looks, but the shading does the job of narrowing and defining my face.

Steps 13 and 14: For the most long-wearing lips, apply a lip liner first then top it with matte lipstick. You may also use liquid lipstick with the liner, but traditional bullets are more comfortable to wear, IMHO. I used the Happy Skin Beauty and the Beast Lip Liner in Rose (P499) to fill in my lips then added Pink Sugar's Creamy Matte lippie in Breakfast in Bed (P299 and a new shade!) to get the BEST MLBB for me. Do you agree?

And that's how my anti-hulas look usually goes! I can rely on this makeup to look fresh for 7-8 hours with only one blot around my t-zone, a retouch of the contour/blush/highlight (optional, sometimes I just blush), and a lip retouch. It can stay up to 10 hours. ^_^ Let me know how your own anti-hulas routine goes!

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

Cheryl Chua, president and brand manager of Beautybox Corp.

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

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

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

Aencille Santos, PR professional and Crossfit athlete

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

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

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

Jackie Go, model and lifestyle blogger at GoJackieGo

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

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

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

Charm Salvino, civil engineer and antigravity fitness instructor 

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

At 9 months and 8 months after giving birth

Jacqe Yuengtian, co-founder of Happy Skin Cosmetics

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

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

Shayne Naidas, beauty blogger at Queen of All You See

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

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

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

Karla Ong, marketing and PR professional

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

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

Kaycee Enerva, beauty blogger at KikaysiKat and wrestler

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

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

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

Header image courtesy of Karla Ong

You know the weather is bad when you start sweating as soon as you turn off the shower! Sometimes, even sitting directly in front of the aircon doesn't seem to help much, but as busy women who need to get stuff done no matter what happens, we find ways to soldier on without losing our poise. For times when jumping into a pool or even just splashing water onto your face is not an option, we beauty girls can turn to our cosmetics collections to give us some respite from this inferno.  

Liz: The cool feeling of menthol and mint may only be temporary, but I don't see that as a reason not to have it as often as I can in this heat! I love showering with the Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol Shampoo (limited edition) and the Origins Shower Off Exfoliating Body Wash with Hawaiian Mineral Water (love the minty tingle!). For moisturizing, The Saem's Hydrating Soothing Gel feels like a splash of fresh water on my skin!

Crystal: I generally don't use deodorant but during the summer, I feel so sticky that I need to incorporate one into my routine. Dove is a good choice because it's quite mild on my skin and has a thin texture. I carry a facial mist in my bag to help cool off from the heat; I'm currently using this super affordable one I found from a Korean brand called Gahui. I also use light-smelling perfumes that don't react badly with my sweat. One of my summer faves is the popular Incanto Shine. It's a fruity floral scent that I bring around so that I smell good all day.

Stacie: I took interest in the perfume brand CLEAN because my favorite KPOP idols are currently their models in Korea. CLEAN perfumes are exactly as the name describes! They instantly make you smell like you just stepped out of the shower or your clothes just came out of the dryer! Longevity depends on your skin type: my body is quite dry because I do not moisturize often so these last about 2 to 3 hours on me.

Tellie: Summer is tough on my dry skin because a layer of sweat and oil forms on top, yet my skin remains dry and cracked underneath. To combat cracking foundation, I decant a watery toner like Naturie Hatomugi Skin Lotion into a spray bottle, spray and pat it for absorption; and afterwards seal with a translucent compact like Holika Holika x Gudetama Sweet Cotton Sebum Clear Pact.

Gett: To keep cool from the sweltering heat, I have the following on hand: a portable fan (handy especially during the commute); a little bottle of Zenutrients Strengthening Leave-on conditioner to keep my hair nice and smooth and not too fried-looking from the heat; good ol' Johnsons Baby Powder to absorb the excess sweat and to ensure I don't get bungang-araw; oil control sheets to blot my oil spill of a face; and a fresh scent like the L'eau par Kenzo which is light and smells like expensive water lol.

Marielle: I didn't actually change my routine at all this summer, save for switching to a lighter set of skincare products. I can't stand rich moisturizers right now, so I busted out the entire set of The Saem Iceland line to help me out! For the body, I just take twice as many showers.

Katsy: I switched to the Bare Body Wash in Peppermint because of the cooling feeling that adds to the luxury of taking a bath before and after a long, hot summer day. As for makeup, I have taken to just wearing Benefit Porefessional after applying my usual cocktail of day moisturizer + sunscreen. The heat just makes me want to go barefaced as much as possible! Then I blot on the go with the cute and handy Happy Skin Tickled Pink Blotting Sheets to keep shine at bay.

How about you ladies? How do you keep your poise in this heat?

by Kristel Yap, contributor

Who doesn’t love a little K-beauty looting? Whether skincare or cosmetics, there’s always something new and cute to try from the beauty behemoth that is South Korea. The availability of K-beauty brands overseas are still somewhat limited though, so for those of us who can’t wait for shipments to find their way to our local stores, we turn to “pasabuys” (informal group purchases through an online reseller) or ask friends vacationing in Korea to buy for us.

In this case, we get the goods made for Koreans. Here’s the catch: everything of consequence will be written in Hangeul, or Korean letters. Korea is still very protective of its own culture, and unlike other countries, prioritizes Hangeul and Korean literacy over learning the Roman alphabet and English. Therefore, to better communicate with their intended audience, the Korean Cosmetics Product Act (also known as the KPCA – not a typo) requires Korean labeling on all domestically-produced cosmetics. Even imported cosmetics will have a Korean translation stuck on at least the secondary packaging, i.e. boxes. 

This MUFE UV Bright Cushion has a Korean label stuck on the box.

Some K-beauty brands, for export or branding reasons, will also place English information on their products but most others will not. If your K-beauty haul has been sitting unused because you aren’t quite sure what to make of those cryptic labels, here’s a quick guide to help you out!

Proof of Authenticity

The first thing to check on with your new loot is its authenticity. Unfortunately, with great fame comes the higher risk of getting copied, and everyone here knows we PV girls are averse to fake cosmetics. There is rarely any counterfeiting of Korean products within Korea but just in case your loot wasn’t sourced from an authorized boutique and you want to make sure, you can use mobile apps like Brandsafer and Hiddentag to help authenticate them. The apps use the camera on your phone to scan the holographic stickers on the packaging to verify its authenticity. There are some limitations as not all K-beauty brands offer this safeguard or are affiliated with an app but a little precaution is better than none!

Image via Brandsafer

Important Dates

When you’re sure that what you have is the real deal, it’s time to check if you can use it. Fortunately, cosmetics in Korea turnover pretty fast. In my one and a half years there, I’ve never purchased a product more than four months away from production!

Most products will have MFG / M, EXP / E or other variations stamped on at least the primary packaging such as bottles, compacts, and tubes. There’s no official standard but most commonly:

• Manufacturing dates are listed as 제조
• Expiry dates are 까지 or 사용 기한.

Koreans use the metric system and the preferred way to list dates are YYYY/MM/DD or YY/MM/DD. There will be very few instances of listing dates as DD/MM/YY (but never MM/DD/YY) so to be absolutely clear, some brands will indicate the Hangeul time markers 년 for year, 월 for month, and 일 for day.

This product shows that the expiry date 사용기한 is listed as YYYY 년 MM월

Ingredients Listing

If you know a little bit of Korean and have been unimpressed with the tips thus far, let me present you with a major stumbling block: ingredients. While one may guess some Konglish chemical names, there are plenty of original Korean chemical names which even locals may struggle with. Thankfully for us beauty geeks, there are apps such as Hwahae and All of Cosmetics that translate the whole list for you. Take note that the order in which the ingredients are listed may be different from the US FDA standard of arranging the everything from the highest to the lowest content. Korean ingredients generally still follow the descending order but when less than the component is 1% or less, it can be listed in any order (same as US FDA guidelines as it happens).

English translations of Hwahae by lostinpretty.com

Cruelty-Free Practices

In 2015, South Korea passed a bill to end animal testing by 2017. However, as pointed out by certain activist groups, there are many loopholes to this version of the bill and it is not to be considered a complete ban on animal testing. Still, such progress is much appreciated by both animal and cosmetic-lovers.

To check if a product is Leaping Bunny approved, head on over to CrueltyFreeInternational.org. Blogger Une Peach has also compiled her personal research (and a longer list) of cruelty-free beauty in Korea.

I hope this mini guide will help you feel less intimidated about trying K-beauty because there are so many great products coming from Asia’s busiest beauty capital! Got any more questions about K-beauty? Just share them in the comments below and we’ll try our best to address them!

Kristel Yap is a freelance makeup artist who trained at Make Up For Ever Academy in Seoul. She also studied the Korean language in South Korea for a year. She blogs at Beauty By Tellie.

I am more demanding of my concealers than any other makeup product. I may be more chill with lipstick or eyeliner but if you're a concealer, you better work or ELSE! Blemishes have bothered me for most of my life so they're something I am especially conscious of. This is why I have no time for sub-standard ones that can't cover them up or stay on all day.

Thought I'd share with y'all what my current concealers on rotation are. I have three for blemishes and three for my under eyes. Here's why they deserve their spot in my kit!

My fave blemish concealers

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil (~P850). I just got this from Kuala Lumpur last week, in the Urban Decay store in Suria KLCC Mall! I was immediately impressed by how pigmented it is and how easy it is to blend. It also sticks to my skin for about 10 hours so no need to retouch. I didn't buy the sharpener anymore though since I have a few makeup sharpeners already that might fit.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (~P1,100). This is my HG concealer for years now. I had an affair with the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer for a time, but I ended up repurchasing the Pro Longwear again and again! This is more sulit because it's 10ml; one tube takes me like 10-12 months to finish. It's much more economical compared to NARS. More than that though, it has heavy coverage with water-resistant wear. I've worn this for 12-14 hours and it barely fades! I got a perfect shade match in NC35, too.

BECCA Ultimate Coverage Concealing Cream (P1,608 from Sephora.ph). I actually didn't like this at first, but I eventually figured out how to keep it from being such a creasy hot mess. The solution is simple: it has to be buffed down to a thin, thin layer with a dense brush (an oval brush is perfect) or a wet Beauty Blender. That way, it sticks to the skin all day without moving! This has heavy coverage - it can cover an angry red pimple or fresh hyperpigmentation - plus I found my perfect match in Honeycomb.

Eye bags be gone

I am a little less exacting of under eye concealers since I don't really get super dark eyebags (I sleep at like, 9 PM) but they still can't slack off. I prefer them to have a brightening undertone and use them sparingly. A thin layer can keep them from caking!

Guerlain Multi-Perfecting Concealer (P2,000). This has a pink salmon undertone that I find effective in making my eyes look less tired. Very little goes a long way with this one, and it sticks all day without creasing.  

In this look, I use the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer on my blemishes and the Missha Under Eye Brightener

Happy Skin Bye Bye Blues Concealer (P899). While I find this a bit on the sheerer side for blemishes, it's perfect for eye bags. It has a peachy undertone that helps to brighten the area naturally. It's also easy to work with.

Missha Under Eye Brightener (P190 from Althea). It's cheap but it works! The coverage is pretty good (medium to heavy) and the staying power is impressive (about 8-10 hours). I think I got the Natural Beige shade; it's too light for my skin tone but it's perf on my eye bags.

And that is that. ^_^ Care to share what your HG concealers are?

In this edition of the splurge vs save makeup showdown, I went through my stash to check for dupes and had them battle it out in a half-face FOTD. I haven’t done this before as I didn’t want to admit that I have products that are too similar but you know what, it has helped me realized which ones are actually worth repurchasing! Here are the dupes I discovered in my stash!

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in Natural (~P2,900) vs Pink Sugar BB Cream in Beige (P499)

I don’t wear foundation on a daily basis so I have a somewhat limited collection. My sister lent me her Pink Sugar BB Cream in Beige for this dupe because she loves it and recommended it to me as a lightweight but with coverage kind of base. That sounded exactly like my Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in Natural, which makes my skin look like skin but better. With a subtle dewy effect and some form of SPF, the Bobbi Brown is on top of my foundation favorites.

The Pink Sugar BB has a slightly thicker texture than the Bobbi Brown. It didn’t feel heavy on though, and gave me enough coverage to make my skin look smoother and more flawless. I would still go for Bobbi Brown because I personally prefer a sheerer finish overall and it blends like a dream on my skin. If you prefer more coverage though, Pink Sugar is your bet and a lot more affordable option.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (P1,850) vs Nichido Final Powder in Ivory Glow (P150)

I have professed my love for the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder time and again. This is actually my second pot! It just sets my base so well and blends seamlessly with my skin. It is also finely-milled and does not make my under  eye concealer crease. I can last 8 to 10 hours of not needing to blot my face (assuming I do proper skincare prep) if I use the LM. 

The Nichido Final Powder is a nice surprise. It isn’t as fine in texture as the Laura Mercier but it is incredibly good, quality powder for a fraction of LM’s price. I can’t get over how affordable it is especially since it also sets my base quite well; it gives me a glowing matte finish! I do have to blot after 6 hours with the Nichido, which is pretty decent. I would still repurchase the Laura Mercier because I’m loyal to my love like that but I would definitely keep a pot of the Nichido on hand for everyday wear. I’ll reserve the Laura Mercier for special occasions considering its price. 

MAC Pro Longwear Brow Set in Brown Ebony (P1,000) vs Jordana Fabubrow in Dark Brown (P399)

The MAC Pro Longwear Brow Set in Brown Ebony successfully passed the makeup you can literally swim in test, and I use it practically every day. It has a thicker texture and a slightly darker shade than Jordana’s. It gives me an instantly polished look because it also fills my brows well enough to wear on its own. 

The Jordana Fabubrow in Dark Brown provides a thinner, more natural finish than the MAC, and I like how it keeps my brow hairs in place. For this round, I’m actually inclined to go with the Jordana Fabubrow because I’m having a major no-makeup, makeup look phase. If I want a quick work meeting face, I’ll probably reach for the MAC Pro Longwear Brow Set.

Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Epatant (~P1,950) vs Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Hammered (~P250)

The Chanel Illusion D’Ombre and the Colourpop Super Shock Shadow both share a soft and cushiony texture that feels creamy to the touch. The Chanel Illusion D’Ombre has finer, more consistent shimmer though compared to the visible flecks in the Colourpop. Both are adequately pigmented and I find that I can build both up to intensify. 

Using a 6-hour marker test, both still looked good on with no substantial creasing. I will give this round to the Colourpop Super Shock Shadow because of the vast selection of shades and the price. I can already purchase several shades of the Colourpop and create an entire eye look for the price of one Chanel!

NARS Blush in Goulue (P1,650) vs Avon Skin Goodness Minerals Blush in Blushing Mauve (P250)

NARS has one of the best blush formulas in the beauty industry, which is why I tend to hoard their palettes. NARS Goulue (lower, rightmost pan in the palette) is described as a “warm berry with gold shimmer” and I like using it for my “serious moments” look. It blends really well on the skin, looks like a healthy flush of color, and a little goes a long way. 

The Avon Skin Goodness Minerals Blush in Blushing Mauve looks lighter in the swatches (right swatch) but applies very similar to the NARS Goulue. It is also well-pigmented and looks like a warmer version of Goulue once applied on my cheeks. I’d go for the Avon if I’m being practical but for a more natural and seamless blend, NARS still wins.

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight-01 (P1,750) vs Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette in Equinox (P875)

I love highlighters because of the glowy effect they give on my normally pale-looking skin. The Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight-01 gives the most subtle highlight and just sinks into the skin. 

The Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette in the shade Equinox provides a slightly chunkier, more in your face kind of highlight. If you want showstopper highlighting drama, go for the Sleek Equinox. It also comes in a palette with three other highlighters so it’s a pretty sweet deal.  

Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Rose Matter (~P1,800 depending on local resellers) vs Pink Sugar Sugar Tint in Slay (P349)

Jeffree Star’s Velour Liquid Lipstick in Rose Matter is one of my top liquid lipstick formulas plus shade of choice. Upon swatching it side by side with the Pink Sugar Sugar Tint in Slay, I found the colors very similar although with different undertones. Rose Matter is a vibrant color that I reach for when I want to instantly brighten up my face. Slay is more subdued but looks equally lovely. Both liquid lipsticks are scented but I’m okay with scent on my lipsticks.

I’d go with the Pink Sugar Sugar Tint in Slay for this round because it is more accessible, it is a local brand, and it is a lip and cheek tint so you can also easily blend it as a blush. You’ll definitely get more bang for your buck because of this dual-purpose feature!

This is my FOTD wearing all the products mentioned above. Can you guess which is the Splurge side vs which is the Save side? The eyeshadow is a major hint. 

If you guessed it correctly, the splurge products are on the left side of my face (your right when facing the screen). I am amazed at how close they all look like once I put them on, save for the eyebrows and the eyeshadows! It definitely made me realize which products I’d really want to keep in my collection and repurchase once I run out.

Do you have dupes of your favorite high-end products? Are they worth the splurge or do the save options work just as well for you?

Unless you stay in an air-conditioned room 24/7, you’ve probably had to deal with the intense summer heat. I often feel like every single thing I do results in me breaking into a sweat, and it makes me feel extra conscious about being around other people.

Apart from making sure I apply a reliable deodorant, I turn to scents to keep me smelling good and also to lift my mood when the heat threatens to make me grumpy. While I’ve put together quite a perfume collection, I select my summer fragrances very carefully to focus on fresher and lighter ones that are less likely to change when I start sweating buckets. Here are five of the go-to summer scents fragrances I’m relying on this summer:

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Nectarine Blossom Eau de Toilette (P2,250 for 100mL at Rustan’s)

If you loved the original Green Tea, you’ll enjoy its latest flanker. Nectarine Blossom is a floral fruity fragrance as fresh and light as the 1999 crowd favorite. It opens with green tea before settling into a sweet nectarine and peach breeze. This has some similarities to Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom, at a much friendlier price tag.

• Top notes: peach, bergamot, exotic fruits, green tea
• Middle notes: green tea, nectarine, nectarine blossom
• Base notes: musk

Estée Lauder Pleasures Aqua Eau de Parfum

Aqua was released last year as the latest flanker to Estée Lauder’s Pleasures line. This floral aquatic fragrance features lilac, jasmine, and peony - the signature Pleasures notes but with some added touches of watery and green notes to transport us to the beach, no car trips or plane tickets required. If you find that the original Estée Lauder Pleasures is too much of a heavy floral, then you may enjoy this watery, fresher take on it.

• Top notes: honeysuckle, freesia, green leaves, watery notes
• Middle notes: jasmine, peony, lilac
• Base notes: musk, woodsy notes, ambroxan 

Clean Air Eau de Parfum (P3,960 for 60mL at Rustan’s)

If you just want to smell like fresh air, then look no further. Clean Air, a woody aromatic unisex scent, is the scent for you. The mountain air note is what makes it unusual. Combined with aldehydes, powdery notes, and green notes, it is a concoction that leaves you smelling fresh, clean, and light, with a sheer floral bouquet. This can be worn alone or can be layered with other scents, too.

• Top notes: bergamot blossom, mountain air
• Middle notes: green accord, freesia, peony
• Base notes: musk, cashmere wood, white amber, powdery notes, aldehydes 

Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne (P3,940 for 30mL or P6,980 for 100mL at Jo Malone)

Like other Jo Malone colognes, this scent is both for men and women. Lime Basil & Mandarin is one of the stronger-smelling ones on our list but still smells very fresh because of the blend of green and citrus. As the name suggests, the lime, basil, and mandarin orange notes are very prominent in this scent, giving it a zesty, energetic vibe.

• Top notes: lime, mandarin orange, bergamot
• Middle notes: basil, lilac, iris, thyme
• Base notes: patchouli, vetiver

Michael Kors Glam Jasmine Eau de Parfum (P4,150 for 50mL or P5,350 for 100mL at Rustan’s)

If you are a fan of jasmine, then you must try this one. This white floral fragrance only has a few notes consisting of jasmine, cassis, and sandalwood. The cassis gives it a citrus-y kick before getting to the jasmine heart, while the sandalwood gives it a creamy dry down. If you want to smell fresh but still feel glamorous and feminine, then is one to keep in your purse.

Have you been wearing a summer fragrance? What are your current faves?