As much as I want to stick to my HG moisturizer, I'm a fresh graduate in search of my first job so it's sadly out of my budget. I don't want to go back to mediocre skin care though, so I've been on the lookout for something that works just as well with a more affordable price tag. If you're on the same boat as I am, check out these moisturizers that cost less than P600!

I love green tea and even use it to wash my face sometimes, so I was happy to learn that The Face Shop has a product that features this ingredient! The Face Shop Green Tea Emulsion (P495) is infused with organically grown Boeseong Green Tea extract, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Because it's an emulsion, it feels a lot lighter than a cream-based moisturizer, and is easily absorbed by my skin. It's supposed to be good for normal to oily skin, and even for sensitive skin because it doesn't contain irritants like alcohol or artificial coloring. It has a mild scent of green tea and herbal extracts that goes away soon after application, but I wouldn't mind if it lingered a bit longer as I find it very pleasant!

Liz is a big fan of Nivea, so I was very intrigued about trying Nivea Soft (P239). It's so cheap, and can be used for the body as well. It has a light, creamy formula that blends smoothly on the skin, and I like that it has jojoba oil and vitamin E to amp up its moisturizing effect.

The Human Nature Sunflower Oil (P149.75) is an old fave for moisturizing. I apply a small amount before going to bed, and wake up to a nice glow! Regular application has also worked to make some of my scars disappear completely so it's really a product that I swear by. I just need to exfoliate regularly though to avoid millia.

If you’re a fan of Japanese skin care, you better try Muji’s Moisturising Milk Moisture (P595). The minimalist packaging immediately caught my eye, and the formula made me want to take it home! It's formulated with grapefruit extract that leaves skin feeling refreshed and moisturized, without that sticky or oily feeling. This is good for sensitive and dry skin as it has no alcohol, parabens, or perfumes. It feels very light and easily absorbed by the skin, but if you're very oily, there's an even lighter version available.

To be honest, I didn't expect to like Olay Total Effects Day Cream (P389) because I thought it would have a thick and heavy formula. Not so! It looks like a thick cream when dispensed but it spreads well and gets absorbed pretty quick. It lightly evens out my skin tone and seems to minimize the appearance of my pores as well. I know I still have to apply a separate sunscreen but I appreciate that it has SPF15 for additional protection!

I have to mention the Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Gel (P245) again because after so many readers swore by it, I just had to try it myself. And I get why! Even with the light gel formula, it moisturizes very well and can work for those with combination to oily skin. You can even add a drop or two of your favorite beauty oil, which is a great way to use them if you're worried about feeling too greasy.

These budget picks are just supposed to tide me over until I can save up for another bottle of my HG, but the great performance and affordable price tags have gotten me thinking about keeping them in my routine permanently. What’s your favorite budget moisturizer? Do you alternate between cheap and HG-quality skin care? 

It's easy to get carried away when bringing our favorite things out of the house. There would always be that feeling that we never have enough, and we also tend to overthink what the day will bring (what if we suddenly need to contour for Crush?). But it's not wise to have a bulky, heavy bag. Whether you have a car or you commute, there isn't any sense in lugging around beauty products you don't really need for the day.

Here's why:

• Bringing products out of the house exposes them to the unpredictable elements. They might melt in the heat, dry up in the cold, get soaked, or break in an accident.
• You might just lose your precious products. Just don't bring out your best and most valuable beauties where they may be lost through theft or just good ol' misplacement. Small compacts and tubes are so easy to lose track of!
• Have some mercy on your shoulders!

Here are the things you must consider so you can make space for more important things!

Ask yourself: do you really REALLY need everything in your kit? We all have different requirements. While I personally wouldn't bring an eyebrow product regularly since I expect my brows to stay on most (if not all) of the day, I know other girls have oilier brows. They will need to retouch. If there are items in your kit that you don't pick up much, it's time to place them in your makeup drawer/table instead of in your mobile storage.

Pack your kit according to where you're going. On a normal work day, I would just bring powder, a perfume in a Travalo tube, and lipstick. If I expect the day to be particularly long, I would add a blush or contour, a powder brush and perhaps lotion if my hands are feeling dry. I have a different kit in my tennis bag, travel luggage, etc. 

Bring luxe/travel sizes instead of full-sized products. I collect smaller version of my faves whenever I get the chance! At least I won't feel so bad if I lose or forget them somewhere. Here's a guide on how to get these luxe sizes, FYI.

Decant your liquid and cream products into jars and bottles. Watsons sells excellent acrylic jars and plastic pump bottles. If you want a more refined size selection, Muji has bottles as well as tools for decanting with no fuss.

Customize your own magnetized palette. This is a cool space-saving idea. Basically, you just need to de-pot your products and fit them inside your chosen palette. I have a Wild Peach Palette filled with some random pretty neutrals. I also highly recommend INGLOT's Freedom System Palettes as you can place everything you can think of inside, from eyeshadow, eyebrow gel/powder, concealer, blush, even solid perfume! Artdeco also has a custom palette system, and I remember MAC also sells a palette that you can fill up without the wells.

So there you go, hope you found this advice useful! Let us know if you have other tricks up your sleeve. Are you a pack rat or a light packer?

PS We still have some stocks of the latest Project Vanity Kit! You better reserve yours before the official launch! ;) You get lots of great products + this beautiful dove grey pouch.

Koreans started the craze for glowing and dewy skin. They've demonstrated with resounding success that this finish - long unloved - gives a younger and more vibrant impression. Unfortunately, not everyone's skin is in that state of blissful perfection (yet or at the moment) so we're turning to makeup to achieve that radiant-looking base. Here are three to make it happen, even when your skin refuses to cooperate!

Tip #1: Forget traditional foundation - use a BB Cushion Compact

The cushion compact promises moisture on top of the usual BB cream benefits like coverage and sun protection. Easy to use and easy to carry around for a retouch, it's no wonder makeup brands are releasing their own versions left and right! Korean brands Laneige, IOPE, Etude House are some of the few that immediately come to mind. We've also listed some of our favorites for you to check out as well.

To achieve a dewy base, simply apply the product all over your face in a light tapping motion. Keep the rest of your makeup light and natural-looking to keep the focus on how “chokchok” (as the Koreans put it) or moist your skin looks.

Tip #2: If you need the coverage after all, mix face oil with your liquid foundation  

Ladies with oily skin 24/7 may skip to the next technique; this one's best left for those with dry skin. Not only will face oil restore much needed moisture to your skin, it also gives your complexion a pretty glow!

This trick is actually something we picked up from watching Beautiology 101. Blending a drop of face oil per three drops of liquid foundation can give you the much-coveted glow, and the added moisture will make your makeup easier to apply, too! Simply dispense the products onto the back of your hand and mix well prior to application. It may seem strange to be adding oil to your face, but beauty oils are beneficial to the skin and far from the kind we desperately try to blot out.

Tip #3: Highlight in strategic areas

Creating a dewy look with oily skin is a makeup challenge in our tropical weather, and therefore takes a bit more work to pull off. Start with a mattifying primer, then top that with your favorite matte liquid foundation and liquid illuminator. You can choose to mix the latter two products for quicker application.

For the finishing touch, use a powder highlighter on areas where light naturally hits. Think top of the cheekbones, the tip of the nose, and right on the brow bones. Using a wet sponge can help blend everything together but I find that my fingers can do the trick for faster application. Finally, use a setting spray to keep your makeup in place and keep the oil at bay! 

What do you think about the dewy skin trend? Know of other ways to recreate this look? Share them in the comments!

The nude makeup trend is in full swing and Maybelline has thrown their latest candidate into the ring. The new Rosy Matte by Colorsensational Lipstick (P299) has five pink shades in the nude/MLBB department. They are all pretty shades in a lovely rose bullet, with a smooth texture that's not as drying as your average matte! The finish is what we call velvet - there's just a teeeeny satin shine to it - but it is more than enough to satisfy your voracious appetite for everything matte this season.

However, if you have medium to deep-toned skin, your choices are severely limited in this collection. I'd say three out five shades are too pastel to suit those with a darker complexion. This line is perfect for those with fair to light medium skin! For me, most of the shades are too pale against my lips. The lilac undertone in some shades make me look kinda sallow.

There's also a problem with how patchy the colors go on the lips. They also don't last beyond two, two and a half hours as the texture is quite creamy and doesn't really set. I recommend exfoliating your lips first so the color won't cling to flakes. Make sure to use a lip liner beforehand to make these mattes go on extra even and  to make 'em stick for longer.

Color notes:

Natural Beige is a warm pinky beige , while Salmon Pink is the version of it that has a brighter touch of pink. Rosy Peach is the most opaque out of the five. It's a lovely classic rose that's sure to fit in school or at the office! I find  to be a beautiful color, but it is too pale on me, sadly. Soft Pink looks to be a slightly lighter, cooler version of Rosy Peach.

Click on the images to see a bigger view, if you wish.

Overall, the new Maybelline Rosy Matte by Colorsensational Lipstick are a fairly good and inexpensive buy if you're loving the shades. Just keep your lips exfoliated and prime with a lip liner to get the most out of these pretty tubes! My favorite is Rosy Peach as it is the most pigmented and flattering on my skin tone. ^_^ 

Will you be getting one of these? What shades are you eyeing?

Last Thursday, Beauty Box Corp launched a new variant of Kracie's Dear Beaute Himawari hair products at Toni and Guy, Discovery Primea in Makati. We loved their Rich and Repair shampoo and conditioner, so we were eager to see what the newest addition could do for our manes!

The new Volume & Repair Shampoo and Conditioner are perfect for those with limp and dry hair. Both are formulated with organic sunflower oil, sunflower sprout extract, sunflower seeds extract, and sunflower extract. Yup, the same sunflower goodness that's good for your skin works for your hair, too! They work by restoring hair's moisture deep within the core of each strand, so it becomes smooth and manageable on the outside. These hair products are also sulfate and silicone-free, so they gently cleanse the hair without the extra chemicals. 

The shampoo and the conditioner are both packaged in big pump bottles with a pretty sunflower design to celebrate the star ingredient. Each bottle (P695) contains 500ml worth of product, then you can opt to buy the 360ml refill pack (P495) afterwards. No need to get a new bottle when you run out! There is also a sachet combo available for roughly P50 only so you can try it out first before committing to a full size.

The shampoo looks like a clear, somewhat thick liquid

The conditioner resembles a thick cream 

Because the formulas both contain a good amount of sunflower oil, expect it to feel a rich upon application. I did think that it would contribute to my hair feeling heavy and greasy, but that wasn't the case at all!

We were treated to a shampoo and blow out at the event so we could immediately try the new products. My stylist washed my hair with the Volume & Repair Shampoo then applied the conditioner. After rinsing, he gave me a blow dry and lightly curled my tresses with a roller brush. I had such soft and luscious locks after!

The fragrance is also swoon-worthy. The shampoo and the conditioner share a sophisticated clean, slightly floral scent that you won't find in commercial hair products. (Editor's Note - it smells like Japan! Liz) Plus, the scent lasts all day.

My hair is color-treated so it's usually a bit dry and buhaghag. After using the shampoo and conditioner tandem though, my hair was so smooth that my "curls" practically disappeared just an hour after my treatment! Even Liz's curly hair became straight and silky, but with a healthy bounce and volume.

Of course, we made sure to chat a bit with Beauty Box Corp. owner and president Cheryl Tan Chua. She's the amazing lady who made it possible for us to have Cure, K-Palette, and Baby Foot in the Philippines! She's always on pulse when it comes to what's selling like hotcakes in Japan, so we always love hearing about her latest finds.

If your hair has been feeling dry and lifeless, you should definitely try Himawari Volume and Repair. They have small sachets available if you're not ready to commit to a big bottle, but I do think you'll find these two to be worthy of HG status! I know I did. ;)

Himawari is available in Beauty Bar stores nationwide.

If you’re a lipstick lover like me, I’m sure you have probably switched to darker lipsticks by now to match the season. The gloomy rainy weather has arrived, and with it came a shift from bold bright colors to deep dark hues. These shades can be pretty intimidating but not extremely hard to wear if you know how to. Let us share with you our favorite tips from makeup artists, plus the ones we swear by every time we whip out our darkest of dark shades!

OUR DARK BROWN PICK: Inglot HD Lip Tint Matte in No. 18 (P1,150)

Who hasn’t fallen in love with a deep dark brown lipstick for our version of fall/winter? This shade is super on-trend and can be spotted on plenty of our beauty icons and celebrity pegs. Inglot makes an amazing one in the Shade No. 18. If you’re new to the liquid lipstick game, better learn how to master application first. In case you’re not yet ready to commit, (because liquid lipstick is a commitment and an obsession), there are great budget picks available, too.

Nathan, a makeup artist in the Inglot store at Glorietta 5 shared with us his top tips to wear that dark brown:

1. "Erase" the color of your lips with a cream foundation, concealer, or powder. This will allow the shade to really pop out on a neutral base.
2. Apply the lipstick on the inner portion of the lower lip first then spread it out. This will help prevent applying too much product that leads to a messy lip line.
3. Tidy up the edges with your trusty concealer.

OUR DARK RED PICK: Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in Red Supreme (P399)

Then there is that red lip classic thing that we like to quote our current peg for moving on, Taylor (because Hiddleswift!). Finding the perfect red lippie is one thing, knowing how to rock a dark one is another.

To prep your lips, make sure to exfoliate to get rid of flakes. You can also choose to use a lip primer, which helps in the moisture department aside from smoothing out visible lip lines.

Longevity wise, we love a good matte like Avon Perfectly Matte in Red Supreme as it stays on longer than the other lipstick finishes. You can check out more under P500 matte picks here. We also recommend one of Sleek's latest shades, the Matte Me in Vino Tinto (P450) if you want that Hollywood circa 1920s lip. 

OUR DARK PURPLE PICK: MAC Pro Lipstick Matte in Smoked Purple (P1,100) layered with Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Dopey (~P400)

Of course we had to include a deep purple shade. We love most MAC lipsticks but Smoked Purple screams out to us. Use a matching lip liner to fully line and fill in the lips in order to get the most intense color payoff!

Layer with a similar hued lipstick like I did here with Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Dopey to change up the color and maybe lighten it a bit in case you’re not yet ready for full on deep dark purple.

Keep your eye and cheek colors as neutral as possible to avoid competing with the bold dark hues but for nights out, try the trending monochromatic makeup look.

So are you ready to rock that dark lip? Which shade category is your favorite – brown, red, or purple?

Some of the best perks of my job is traveling and getting to be one of the first to know what's happening in the business of beauty. Today I am in Bangkok to find out the latest development from Head & Shoulders! Yes, one of my favorite shampoo brands is introducing something AND someone today. Check out my Instagram and Snapchat @lizlanuzo to see what's going on at the event right now.

I'm grateful they invited me to this trip as I love love Head & Shoulders. I've mentioned a few times on PV how H&S helped me fix my acne problem way back and how it keeps my dandruff at bay. It's also great for fine hair as it doesn't deflate volume! Until this day it's one of the hair products I buy every other month. I rotate it with other hair stuff but I always use H&S shampoo (the apple or menthol variant) to keep my scalp from getting flaky and my face from being pimply. Seriously, I sometimes even use it as facial wash on particularly bad skin days. It works. It's not glamorous, but it works.

So! I am currently billeted at Hilton Sukhumvit. Just want to quickly show you guys what my room looks like, and of course what's inside my Project Vanity kits!

My room is of a modest size. It has a bath tub (always a bonus) and Peter Roth bath products. There's a huge man desk but why would anyone want to use that when there's a fluffy bed right beside? This hotel is actually not as expensive as it looks, at least for the moment. I checked it out on Booking.com and since it's currently low season, a room is within my usual budget. I wish I extended! I didn't want to deal with the hassle of transferring to a new hotel and figuring out logistics as that's always my least favorite part of traveling. 

Anyway, here's the look I wore to dinner yesterday. It was rainy last night so I'm glad I brought a jacket.  

Mango Jacket, Xara dress, and Seychelles heels

And of course, I have to show you the products I brought with me on this trip! As always! I stored them all in my Project Vanity kits. Would you know they all fit? And the kits took so little space pa in my luggage and shoulder bag. 

The dove grey Project Vanity kit stored my retouching essentials. I just keep this with me in whatever bag I'm bringing out. Inside, I have the Lancome Blanc Expert Compact Foundation, Muji powder brush, NoTS Lip Balm, Laura Mercier Blush in Plum Paradise, Kanebo Lipstick in 05, the Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Bleue perfume in a Pod spritzer, and my contact lense case in case my eyes dry out. This kit light and tight, just the way I like!

My second kit is a lot bulkier though, since I will need to apply a full face of makeup for the press event. I brought so many products so I'm surprised they fit!

Inside are the following: Sleek Contouring & Blush Palette in Medium, Max Factor Velvet Volume Mascara, Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Liner in 3C, Benefit Air Patrol Eye Primer, Kanebo eyeshadow palette in Cool Monotone, Kylie Lip Kit in Posie K, Estee Lauder lipstick in Commando (perfect black red), Lancome UV Expert CC Cover, Precision Eyeliner by Browhaus, Eye of Horus Dual Brow Perfect and Brow Define, K-Palette 2Way Eyebrow Liquid (not in photo, but yes, brought too many eyebrow things!), Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eyeliner in M-80, Shu Uemura Curler, and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. For my tools, I have the Nippon Dome Brush, Morphe E14 for eyeshadow application, and the Bobbi Brown Angled Face Brush. I also have the Banila Co. cleansing balm in the clear jar.

Whew. Don't even read all of that! I just listed everything down in case you saw something interesting and wondered what it was exactly.

Finally, my skincare kit. I was only going to be off for a couple of nights so I didn't need that many. I just brought the Nivea Extra White Lotion with SPF36, Estee Lauder Nutritious moisturizer in a mini jar, Biore Aqua Rich SPF50 for my face, a piece of my Magic Soap, Solique Nail Polish (in case mine chips), medicine, and an extra contact lense case.

Pro tip: instead of bringing your whole skincare routine with you, just bring a sheet mask like the Leaders Coconut Bio Mask. Use one on the first night, then use the remaining essence inside the foil pouch as moisturizer every night afterwards. Just tape it and store it in the hotel/apartment fridge! This should be good for about 3-5 days depending how much of the essence you use. Then you can just throw it away, no need to bring containers and such. You'll have such great skin!

So that is that. Hope you enjoyed my room and kit tour! It was longer than I thought it would be, haha. Well, I finished just in time before the malls open. Hope I can grab a few things before the event starts later (it is 9:46 AM as I write).

See you around! How's your weekend like?

PS You better get the Girl Boss Glam Kit soon (P1,250 only for P3,600 worth of products) - it's running out fast, and we're just at pre-selling! 💁🏻 Projectvanity.com/store

In a world suffused by all manner of bath products, how can a new kid on the block get noticed? One has to be different and exciting; an experience, more than just something you wash your body with. That's what Bare, the newest body and hair care brand from Singapore, is trying to do. They just launched its products in the Philippines and guess what, Project Vanity got to host an exclusive preview with a special mix and match party with Beauty Bar for the PV community!

Bare's objective is simple: to give you soft, supple and deliciously fragrant skin that you can enjoy bare-naked. Bare offers a line of body lotions, washes, and shampoos with unique and invigorating scents. These are formulated using essential oils, which give them a luxurious aroma and amplify their skin-caring effect. These herby, fruity scents make you feel like you've been transported to a spa, we kid you not.

Body washes are a bath staple, but they become part of the pampering ritual when the scents are as memorable as the ones made by Bare. Available in Green Tea, Rosemary, Peppermint, Lemongrass and Ginger, and Bergamot and Geranium, they can help you wash the stress away. They're best used with Bare's star product though: their similarly fragrant Body Lotions! These luxe creams layer the fragrance on for a longer lasting effect, and they also have a unique formulation that gives them 24-hour moisture lock properties. Although they felt very light, I found that they kept my skin hydrated throughout the day. But that's not even the best part.

Bare's lotions are designed to be "mixed and matched", allowing the user to create his or her own special blend. Normally, you can do this by dispensing a small amount of your preferred lotion variants onto your hand, then simply applying them together. At the event though, each attendee got to mix up the lotions into their own unique scent blend in a beaker. I fell in love with Rosemary because the scent is unlike anything I've ever had in my bath products! You're sure to a find a favorite among the variants, but if you feel unsure about how to combine your scents, Peppermint works well with anything!

Bare also had an exclusive sale for the day of the event, so we took advantage of the discounts to try their shampoos. Each Bare shampoo is formulated to cater to different hair and scalp types, and have matching conditioners to boot.They recommend alternating between variants so hair reaps the most benefits, plus it gives you a chance to try the different scents, too.

Bare takes the bath and body experience to a whole new level with the amazing scents of their products, so if you're looking for a spa experience even on busy days, this is something you should definitely try! Shampoo, conditioner, and lotion are P550 each while the body wash is P475. They may also release a sampler set of their lotions, so watch out for that!

Liz flanked by Rachel Ong (Commercial Director) and Caryn Lee (Assistant Development Manager) 

Which would you like to try among Bare’s products? Take a whiff the next time you're at Beauty Bar, and let us know which scent is your favorite!

(Editor's Note: The best for me is Green Tea! It actually smells like real tea leaves, which I've never found in any bath, body, or fragrance product before. I may have, er, hauled. -Liz) 

Bare is available at Beauty Bar. You may find them on Facebook and Instagram.

We may not have flawless skin, but we sure can try! A true BFF-quality concealer should excel at the following: blendability, color, coverage and longevity. Concealers should be creamy enough to allow ease in blending but be heavy enough to hide imperfections. When it sets, it should stay put through sweat and oil. Here are the Project Vanity team's picks for faking perfect skin!

Liz: I've been a huge fan of the MAC Studio Finish Concealer for years and years, but lately I've been picking up the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer more often. Love the coverage!The liquid texture makes it much easier to blend and this does not cake or fade even when I play tennis in it. As always, MAC wins in the color match department. Another HG is the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. The wand applicator is so convenient, but it just runs out too fast compared to MAC.

Rae: I don't have a lot of experience with concealers because I found really good ones early on in my search. For undereye circles, I use NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. It doesn't crease too much and it doesn't look ashy. For pimples, I swear by Pink Sugar Our Lil' secret concealer. Once it sets, it's cemented on your face.

Katsy: My only concealer right now is MAC Studio Finish Concealer with SPF 35. I've had it for a long time and use it on dark circles, redness, and veins.

Marielle: I made the mistake of thinking I could learn my way around a dual concealer kit, the kind you have to mix depending on your skin concern. Until this day, I have no idea how to blend those together! Luckily, I got on the K-Palette buzz and fell in love with K-Palette Zero Kuma Concealer Type 2! It's got heavy coverage that's not cakey, making it ideal for dark circles, The consistency is also sufficient for when you want to bake your makeup. It doesn't just slide off.

Stacie: My dark circles are my biggest skin concern, and the best concealer I’ve tried for this is K-Palette’s Zero Kuma Concealer Type 3. This one has a salmon tint to it, which is perfect for under eye color correcting. It does look odd alone so you need to blend it with foundation to make the color more skintone-friendly. It also doesn’t settle into my fine lines!

Angela: When I have really dark under eye circles or puffy eyes from crying (lol), I follow the red lipstick trick! I then top it with e.l.f. Perfect Blend Concealer, and apply the same concealer around my nose to reduce redness and make my face look brighter. It's also a good highlighter! 

If you’re on the hunt for your HG concealer or you want to try concealers without being disappointed, check these picks out! Finding a concealer that works can take some doing, so save yourself the trouble (and the wasted money) by sticking to these tried and tested products.

Have you found your HG concealer yet? Share your discoveries in the comments!

My go-to makeup applicators are my fingers. Aside from instantly having 10 tools, they're the easiest to control and don't require a special cleaner to wash out. However, certain makeup products are impossible to apply with fingers (think powder foundations and gel liners!), and it's difficult to get a smooth and seamless finish without the proper tools. That's why it's still important to invest in a good makeup brush set.

Of course, if you're doing work on a client, makeup brushes are non-negotiable as they are the hygienic and professional option. Makeup artists stock up on a lot of different brushes, and often with multiples of the same kind of brush so they don't have to keep cleaning during a session. For normal people like us though, we just need a few brushes to get our face on everyday. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the large number of choices available, read on! We've narrowed the list down to just five brushes to start you off.

All-Over Face Brush

This is a fluffy, dense brush that allows you to apply foundation, blush, highlighter, and setting powder. It can also apply liquid foundation! It should be dense but not overly so that it can't blend out powders, and the bristles should be mid-length or about the length of your thumb's knuckle to its last bone at the base.

The face brush is a must-have for newbies, as it can serve multiple functions. Try the Morphe E1 Deluxe Powder Brush (P1,400 at BeautyMNL.com) or Zoeva Luxe Face Definer (P1,240 at Sephora.ph) if you can afford the splurge, but the e.l.f. Complexion Brush (P250 at department stores) works as pretty well, too.

Angled Cheek Brush

Your ideal angled cheek brush should do two things: it should sweep your blush beautifully from the apples of your cheeks upward, and it should perfectly contour your cheekbones from your ears downward. The width of your brush may depend on the width of your face but we recommend using one with smaller width of around an inch for better control.

The bristles should be fluffy but still dense enough to pick up and blend the product on your face. The Bobbi Brown Angled Face Brush is a new release and retails for P3,000. It is a combination of their Face Blender Brush and Blush Brush, designed for both coverage and precision. There are similar cheaper options from Suesh and Charm.

Base Eyeshadow Brush

Your base eyeshadow brush has one job, and that is to pack eyeshadow on your lids smoothly and evenly. This brush should be around the size of your fingernail, and made of very soft bristles because the eyes are extremely sensitive!

The typical round fluffy brush shape works well, but do you know what works better? A flatter, longer head that's almost like a concealer brush except with natural bristles. This can apply eyeshadow wet or dry and get it as solid as possible. The Suesh Large Eyeshadow Brush (P450 at Suesh.com) performs amazingly well at a reasonable price point.

Eyeshadow Blending Brush

If you've ever wondered how pros are able to blend their eyeshadows without muddling up the colors, the secret lies in technique and a good blending brush! It will instantly level up your eye makeup game, which is why eyeshadow brushes are still pricey even if they're smaller than face brushes.

The bristles are carefully formed to make your eyeshadow blend seamlessly, so it's important to re-shape them after washing and protect them when in storage. You can also use these as a precision highlighter or nose contour brush. The MAC 217 Blending Brush is probably the most famous in this brush category, and while it's a serious investment at more than P1,000, it's hard to beat its seamless finish.

Angled Eyebrow Brush

An angled eyebrow brush is a definite must-have particularly for those who prefer eyebrow powder or gels over pencils. The bristles are usually a bit on the stiff side, so that it holds it shape even as you run it through your brow hairs. Because it has a precise stroke, you can also use this for applying gel eyeliner. 

The Zoeva Brow Line (P436 at Sephora.ph) is perfect for the job, or you can get Charm Double-Ended Eyebrow Brush (P300~ at beautyandminerals.com) and Marionnaud No. 38 double-ended eyebrow brush (P90 at Watsons) which come with a spoolie, so you can easily soften those edges for a more natural look.

Natural or Synthetic Bristles?

Natural hair brushes are usually made from squirrel, goat or horse hair - yes, they are animal derivatives but there are also  cruelty-free natural makeup brushes available in the market. These are the best type of bristles for powder products as the bristles pick up juuust the right amount of product and blend them seamlessly.

Synthetic hair is a more accessible and often cheaper option. The bristles are mostly made from man-made plastics like nylon, which don't absorb as much moisture as natural bristles do. This makes synthetics more ideal for applying wet formulas like liquid foundation or cream eyeshadow. 

Buying brushes individually allows you to build your collection according to your needs, but you can also opt to simply get a brush set to save yourself the trouble. You can also spring for under P500 recommendations if your budget is tight.

What brushes do you have in your collection? Any HG recos for these basic brushes?

Whenever I feel like my skin needs some extra TLC, I just pop on a sheet mask, wait 20 minutes, and enjoy the instant boost I get from this magical item. All of us from the PV team are hooked because they are seriously that good in getting skin to look fantastic ASAP. So when Banila Co. challenged us to take their #OneDayOneMask Challenge, I said yes right away because I’m always down to explore which ones are worthy for my mask collection. They sent over five masks to try for five days.

Normally, you’re only supposed to use a sheet mask twice or thrice a week but the current trend in Korea is to use one every single day. Pretty expensive habit, I know! But given how glowing Korean skin is dominating the beauty scene, I have reason to believe that they’re doing something right. These masks couldn’t have come at a better time since I was breaking out, no thanks to my monthly visitor. If there was ever a time to test a beauty product that promises a quick fix, this was it.

Before getting down to mask, I clean and tone my skin with the Burt’s Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions line. Then I slap on a few drops of the Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion to prep my skin to absorb the sheet mask essence better. Finally, I sit back, relax, and plop the sheet mask straight onto my face.

Day 1: The Blacks Essential Mask in Black Rice (P145)

The Black Essentials collection is formulated with a purifying charcoal ingredient that promises to filter out skin impurities while keeping the skin hydrated. I specifically chose this for my first day mask as I wanted to detoxify my skin to prep it for the next four masking sessions. This specific Black Rice variant claims to firm and nourish distressed skin, and it soothed the redness of my pimples!

Before

After

Day 2: Tea Party in Black Tea (P120)

My second day mask promised to leave my skin with a bright, luminous glow by enriching it with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant ingredients. This is pleasantly cooling and the essence feels thick and rich on my face. It took a while to dry completely to the point that I had to pat off the excess because I need to be off to somewhere already. I love the brightening effect but do set aside the time (one to two hours) if you’re using this before heading out.

Before

After

Day 3: Mr. Skin Doctor Ampoule Mask Sheet in Pore Care (P168)

The Mr. Skin Doctor Ampoule Mask Sheets come with a small sachet of ampoule that you apply prior to putting on the mask. Pretty nifty as you get two products for the price of one, and the tiny pack of ampoule is actually good for two to three uses if you want to maximize your money’s worth even further. Sadly, this mask wasn’t love for me because I feel like it did nothing to minimize my pores. But then again, I know it’d take something more heavy duty if I want to shrink them permanently. And this mask does have a slight brightening effect to it.

Before

After

Day 4: V-V Elastic Bio Cellulose Mask Sheet (P240)

Now this one was interesting because it was my first time to use a bio cellulose mask. I enjoyed how nicely it clung to my face and how generously packed it was with essence! I didn’t notice it right away, but looking at these photos, I do think that the V-V Elastic Bio Cellulose Mask did firm, tighten, and lifted my cheeks a tiny bit. My jaw looks more defined in the after photo, yes? This mask was also the fastest to absorb, so I’m thinking it’d be lovely for skincare-and-go kind of days.

Before

After

Day 5: It Radiant Lace Hydrogel in Illuminating (P240)

Saving what I feel would be best for last, the It Radiant Lace Hydrogel Mask in Illuminating contains apricot flower and arbutin which helps brighten and whiten the skin. Did it work? I certainly think so! It’s my favorite from the bunch, and I love how plumped my skin felt all day. The lace pattern is a cute bonus, too. Kinda gimmicky but it makes my mask snaps less scary, haha.

Before

After

The Results

The daily effects are subtle but comparing Day 1 to Day 5, but my skin definitely feels more moisturized and looks more glowy than when I started. My pimple and acne marks have healed and faded considerably, and I haven’t gotten new ones despite my acne-prone skin type. I like how well these masks fit my skin as I tend to have trouble with other masks being too big. They stick really well so I’m free to move around while I mask. I also have quite a bit of leftover essence to use up! 

Have you ever tried to mask on a daily basis? I’m back to my thrice per week routine, but this was undeniably a fun pampering experience! If you’re a sheet mask addict, do take advantage of Banila Co.’s buy 3, get 1 free promo! It’s only available 'til July 3 so you better hurry.

Banila Co. is available in Glorietta 4, Landmark Trinoma, and Robinsons Manila.

Do you feel "sexy"? Sexy by definition is “generally attractive or interesting” but I feel that it relates more to what you think about yourself than how others see you. I believe that sexy is a state of mind: when you are both comfortable and confident in your skin, you become the best version of yourself. That means being in good shape because you are healthy.

Last week, we had the great pleasure of meeting the actress Ms. Bing Loyzaga at her launch as the latest Marie France success story. In the showbiz industry where looks are highly valued, hers is a household name with a bankable celebrity status. However, we haven’t seen much of Bing in recent years, and this is where her slimming story begins.

A few years ago, Bing was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Her metabolism slowed down and led to a drastic weight gain that had her hiding from society. She shared with us how she would dress in black all the time, sometimes with a hood to cover her identity, and only posted selfies that showed parts of her face. Then one day, she had a major wake-up call.

“I never thought my weight would be such a hindrance to my work. I tried to lose weight on my own, but unfortunately they weren’t satisfied,” she revealed.

She lost a role because the show runners thought she was too big. It was a blow, but she couldn’t just go under the knife again. At her age and with her condition, a liposuction procedure would put her at risk of many health complications. She had also promised her daughters, Alyssa and Gabby, to never do it again after they witnessed its ugly side effects when she had her arms and legs done in her late 30s.

Thankfully, Bing found a new partner in Marie France. She enthused, “I feel new! I’ve found a new sense of confidence. At the age of 45, I’m not a spring chicken anymore! But I’ve lost so much weight without going under the knife, without starving myself, and without exercising like crazy, so I know I’m really doing myself a favor by going to Marie France.”

In just six months after she first started her treatments, Bing has lost over 30lbs and regained the confidence to face the public eye. She still has a few more pounds to go before achieving her target weight, but she's enthusiastically and safely undergoing the process with Marie France’s team of doctors, nutritionists, and therapists.

More than achieving a more shapely figure, Bing acknowledged how Marie France helped her shift into a healthier lifestyle. Contrary to popular notions, Marie France isn't about getting an instant makeover. They offers complete packages that give you access to a highly-trained team who will educate and support you in your fitness goals. And of course, the center has the best and latest machines to help you maximize your efforts.

The newest addition is the Thermo Magnetic Pulse (TMP) treatment, a sophisticated procedure and one of Bing’s favorites. The promise of the 4D technology is fat reduction, body contouring, skin tightening, and cellulite smoothening. This is delivered through a powerful combination of multi-polar radio frequency and pulsed magnetic fields. To get a better idea of what all that jargon means, I gamely signed up for a trial session.

Each session lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on a specific area. I chose my “abs” as it carries most of my weight gain. My measurements pre-treatment were 76, 80, 86. A gel was applied over my stomach to facilitate movement of the wand as well as to ease the temperature. The machine slowly heated up to over 40 degrees as my therapist massaged it over my non-existent abs. I didn’t feel any pain during the procedure, and only had to request my therapist to lower the temperature slightly a couple of times.

Mind you, my pain tolerance is quite high so your experience may be different. Minimal discomfort can be expected because there is still heat and a slight suction can be felt on the treated area but it’s nothing that I would not willingly go through again. Especially after getting my measurements post-treatment: 75, 78, 82. Yes, that’s 4cm lost in the lower tummy portion in just 30 minutes!

Results will vary from person to person, but all the other attendees I spoke to shared that they saw improvements right after. Bing shared her own experience, saying, “You really feel tight. You feel nanawawala yung flabs so you’re more confident!”

Inspired by her story and my own experience with TMP, I left the event reviewing Bing’s meal plan which she had shared with us. I feel more empowered to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle because it also means a healthier me! 

I'm taking baby steps by cutting down on my rice intake. What’s your baby step towards a better, fitter you? And if you’re already leading a healthy lifestyle, do share your tips with us in the comments below!

Call Marie France at 894-2639 or visit mariefrance.com.ph to know more about the new treatments available.

This story is brought to you by Marie France.

Remember when Kylie Jenner first showed off a noticeably more pronounced pout? The Internet went wild with different ways to recreate the look, some with crazy inventions and others with questionable home remedies that caused injury. We get it: pillowy lips can look very flattering and oh-so-kissable, but we're not about to blow big bucks on fillers or trying any potentially harmful hacks. 

We're a bunch of makeup-loving gals, so we're turning to our favorite medium to cop this look. Because these days, it’s not just your face that you can contour – your lips can have a different look, too! Bigger lips, poutier lips, or plumper lips overall - they're pretty easy (and safe) to do with just a few products.

Bigger Lips

Apply a concealer that matches your skin tone to "erase" the edges of your lips. Using a lip pencil, fill in your lips going a bit past your natural lip line but not too far that it's so obvious! Finish with a lipstick on top. Nude or MLBB shades are recommended for this lip contouring technique for a more natural look.

Poutier Lips

Using a lip liner that is two shades darker than your lipstick, emphasize your cupid's bow as well as the corners of your lips. Apply a lighter lipstick all over and blend well. Place a touch of gloss right on the center of your lower lip to make it look fuller, then dust a bit of bronzer right underneath to create a "shadow" effect.

Plumper Lips

This technique was inspired by Marilyn Monroe, who was famous for her red lips. You'll need two shades of lip liner: a darker shade to outline your lips, and a nude one to fill it in. Use a bright-colored lippie to lightly blend the lip liners together, but keep a light hand as you don't want to to completely erase or cover up the illusion of depth that they create. Top with a gloss on the middle of your lips to complete the look.

Do you like emphasizing your lips? What do you think of this trend?

"Take your time." This is good advice. It's safe advice. It's what you should take if you don't know what to do with your life or found someone to give your heart to, yet. There are things you can't rush and events you can't force. There are lessons that you can't learn the first few tries. Taking your time meandering through life is totally okay because it just means that your experiences have yet to catalyze into that one moment when you just know - when the path is so clear it hurts your eyes to look at it.

However, if you're already sure about where your heart really lies then you should not waste time pursuing it. "Take your time" in this case is the absolute worst advice you can follow! You should burn with the desire to achieve that dream, or be with that person. Don't play mind games or second-guess yourself at this point. If you've already been struck with lightning, then it's too late to be frightened of being on fire.

Plan. Be relentless. Do what it takes to get to where you want. Don't look at the life-that-might-be wistfully, wishing for it to just happen to you. Make it happen to you. Create a timeline and set a deadline.

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If you've been reading Project Vanity for a while, you'd know that one of my biggest pet peeves are people who condescend on others who like to wear makeup. This morning I saw this Facebook status that made the bees in my bonnet have a drunken riot. I normally don't like responding to incendiary FB material like this, but I had five minutes and something to say.

I don't intend to shame the person who posted it, I have simply had it with the this kind of thinking! That women are somehow less because they are vain is a load of bullshit. I hope you don't let others make you feel insecure because of their own ignorance. Just do your thing and have a great life!

So what's on your mind this Monday?

by Crystal Rodis-Concepcion, contributor

I only got into makeup in third year college but by the time I graduated, I had enough makeup to fill up a large caboodle case! I became an avid reader of beauty blogs, and many of the bloggers I followed had enrolled in pro makeup classes. I had no plans on becoming a makeup artist, but it was so enticing seeing all those before and after transformations that I messaged them to ask if it was worth it. I got a resounding “Yes!”, and so I started looking around for a school.

Now, enrolling in a makeup course is not cheap. Aside from the tuition fee, the makeup and the tools can also cost an arm and a leg. It’s a good thing that some schools can provide these materials for class use, so if you haven't built up your personal collection, do some research first and find a school that will lend you materials.

Admittedly, there are other ways to hone makeup skills, such as following YouTube tutorials and attending personal makeup workshops. These, however, will not replace the intensive experience of a pro makeup course. In beauty school, even the most basic things such as matching the right foundation shade and creating a flawless base needed to be perfected. We were taught to pay attention to even the most minute details. "Pwede na yan" was not allowed in class because in a real world situation with paying clients, only the best work is acceptable.

Everyday was a new makeup challenge. We learned how to do makeup for different occasions as well as different people, including men and mature women. All of these were done under our teachers’ watchful eyes as they nitpicked every little detail. There was also a lot of pressure because we had to work under time limit, and none of us wanted to do a poor job when everyone else was creating fantastic looks. At the end of the course, we had a photo shoot with a professional photographer and a model. The bright camera lights are very unforgiving, so we also got to see and learn the difference between doing regular makeup and creating looks that looked flawless on camera. It was an intense, nerve-wracking but also very fulfilling experience!

My makeup game certainly improved! At the left, I didn't know how to properly fix my brows, blend my eyeshadow, or apply contour.

After I finished my course, I decided to put my new skills into good use and started doing paid gigs. It's really enjoyable to get paid to do something you love, even just on the side. These days I'm no longer able to do makeup gigs regularly because I've been busy with work, but that doesn't mean what I learned has become useless! Here's why you should consider investing in professional-level makeup courses.

Your everyday makeup will level up. Not to brag but I regularly get compliments that range from “Your eyebrows are nice” all the way up to “Did you airbrush your face?” Knowing that you look good will do wonders for the self-esteem, and you can use that confidence boost to pursue your goals and follow your dreams!

You can always count on yourself to be your own makeup artist. Having pro-level techniques is a practical life skill, especially when your job involves looking good. I am a musical performer and regularly put on heavy makeup. The last time I had a TV interview, someone asked me, “You went to the salon, noh?” One of my colleagues quickly replied, “No, she did that herself!” 

If I had to sum up how many times I would have gone to the salon to have my makeup done, the money I would have shelled out was enough to pay my tuition fee for makeup school many times over! The only time I hired a makeup artist again was for my wedding (because I found it too stressful), but you can make like Donnarence and do your own bridal look!

You can save money in the long run. Aside from the obvious savings from not having to hire a makeup artist, knowing which products to use and how to maximize their benefits also help you to rake in savings. Have you ever bought a foundation that was the wrong shade, or wasted product because you didn't know how to apply it properly? Makeup lessons will save you from these heartaches, and from wasting money.

Finishing a pro makeup course was a good investment for me, but I encourage you to do an honest assessment of how it will impact your own unique situation. If you find that you have a lot to benefit from attending makeup school, go for it! Who knows, it might even open new career and life opportunities for you!

Editor's Note: The author is a licensed pharmacist.

In an ideal world, we would all get eight hours of sleep, regular exercise, a healthy diet, zero stress, and have healthy skin habits. But reality is often the complete opposite. We stay up late and eat junk because we're busy trying to get better grades, excel at our jobs, or take care of our families. Problem is, our bodies get stressed so we get with acne, splotchiness, wrinkles, and even excessive oiliness. Skin care products can only do so much when an unhealthy lifestyle is causing these skin problems, so it's a good idea to take vitamins to help our bodies (and complexions) cope with the stress.

Vitamin supplements are primarily designed to help us reach the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals that we'd normally get from our diets but because they help keep your body healthy, your skin gets better too! But before your start popping pills, first find out which ones to take and the beauty benefits they offer!

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a highly potent antioxidant, which blocks some of the damage caused by free radicals. That makes it an excellent ally in preventing early aging due to sun exposure, and fighting hyperpigmentation, and inflammation. It also promotes healing of damaged skin and stimulates collagen production, so both your skin and hair are more resilient against damage and breakage. Our bodies don't naturally produce this vitamin, so if you're not able to regularly include fruits and vegetables into your diet, it may be a good idea to take it in pill form daily.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Adults: 75 to 90mg per day

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is probably the beauty vitamin most people are familiar with. It's also an antioxidant like vitamin C, and the two are best taken together to maximize their benefits. Vitamin E helps repair cell damage caused by cigarette smoking, exposure to air pollution, and unprotected sun exposure. If you'd rather get this through food, snack on sunflower seeds and almonds for your daily dose.

RDA for Adults: 15mg per day

The Vitamin B Complex is made up of Vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B7 (biotin), and B9 (folic acid). They all play important roles in keeping skin healthy. Thiamine is an antioxidant that eats up free radicals, while Niacin helps the body flush out toxins and also prevents acne. Biotin and folic acid aid in the production of fatty acids which help skin maintain its moisture. Overall, vitamin B complex enhances the skin’s health and vitality.

RDA for adults: 1.1mg to 1.4mg per day for B1, 1.1 to 1.6 mg per day for B2, 400 to 600mcg per day for B9

We want to pay special attention to Biotin because it is actually known as the “ultimate beauty vitamin.” Vitamin B7 (sometimes also known as Vitamin H) supports the health of the hair and skin. It is said to relieve very dry and itchy skin and dandruff, and used to treat hair loss and brittle nails. If you experience those issues, you might have a Biotin deficiency. You can get this from eating egg yolks, or simply take supplements.

Adequate intake (AI) for Adults: 30mcg per day

Multivitamins are the easiest way to take all the vitamins above (and more) in just one nifty pill. Most also contain Vitamin A, which is said to reduce inflammation and excess oil production. If you choose to take a multivitamin, make sure to read the fine print and check how much of each type you'll actually be getting. Taking a multivitamin in addition to another supplement might also give you more than what you need, so make sure to follow the prescribed RDAs in the label to avoid over-dosing.

Omega-3 or Fish oil is not a vitamin, but still a really good supplement for overall health and skin rejuvenation. It is an essential fatty acid that is found in fish, some plants, and nut oils. Omega-3 fatty acids have been reported to decrease the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, which is great news to those who want to avoid sun damage and the early aging that it causes. This is also the good kind of fat that keeps skin smooth, supple, and young-looking!

The World Health Organization recommends healthy adults to take a daily EPA and DHA intake of 0.3 to 0.5 grams from fish oil. 

You can buy these supplements from pharmacies like Mercury Drugstore, Watsons, and even Healthy Options. But before you do, we strongly recommend checking with your doctor first, particularly if you have any medical conditions or take any medications. Yes, vitamins are generally good for you, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing!

Do you take vitamin supplements? Have they helped you achieve better skin? Do share your experiences in the comments!

Sources:

ThatGraceGirl.com, FDA.gov, NewsInHealth.nih.gov, NLM.nih.gov, WomensHealthMag.com, NCBI.NLM.nih.gov, Healthline.com, NLM.nih.gov (2), LPI.OregonState.edu, Paula’s Choice, Paula’s Choice (2), StyleCaster.com, UMM.edu, Centrum.com.ph, Draxe.com, ODS.od.nih.gov, Mayoclinic.org, DailyMail.co.uk,Reader’s Digest, Style Craze, ConsumerLab

Is your contour game on the nose? Literally? Because it’s one thing to avoid the common booboos of contouring, and it’s another thing to start experimenting with something that’s in the middle of your face.

Okay, we didn’t mean to make it sound scary. It’s primarily a matter of knowing what you’re working with and getting the hang of “casting shadows” with the use of your makeup. If you’re game to give it a go, we’ll help you figure out what you need to do to achieve a shapelier nose with with a bit of magic and blending.

What my nose looks like without any contouring

Flat Noses

As Pinays, we tend to be sensitive when it comes to having a pango (flat, broad) nose. That’s why contouring the nose is so appealing to us! To  give it a raised, slimmer appearance, draw two parallel lines with contouring makeup on either side of the top of the nose, from just below the brows all the way down to the tip. Sheer out the edges of the lines, and you are done! You can also create greater contrast by applying a highlighter right on the bridge of the nose.

Two dark lines and a hint of highlighter later, my nose looks more pronounced

Crooked Noses

The two parallel lines schtick is the most common when it comes to nose contouring, but there’s more to it than that. Different nose shapes require different techniques. If your nose isn't quite straight, then just adding lines may make the misalignment more obvious. Trick the eye into straightening it out by applying your contour product along the crooked side, and highlighter on the opposite side. This can be a little tricky as you need precision with your straight-line application to compensate for the bend, so make sure you're working under good lighting conditions.

Notice the slightly darker shading on the right? It's right where my nose normally casts a shadow, but the added definition makes the rest of my face seem more symmetrical

Round Noses

Round or bulbous noses are also commonplace among Pinays. We have our Asian heritage to thank for softer, rounder features, but the curves can make your face look wider. To make angles and edges appear, use your contour to create parallel lines from your brows going down the length of your eyes. Then make a softer version of the symbols “<< >>” on either side of the tip of your nose. Highlight the bridge of the nose to make it pop out.

On the other hand, a nose that’s narrow at the top but too wide at the bottom (in a distinct triangle shape), can follow the same method but use the highlighter instead of contour for the parallel lines.

Personally, I perceive my nose as the round type, so this technique is what I usually follow especially since I have nose envy for the slim tips I see on Kate Beckinsale and Sarah Michelle Gellar! I could still darken the contour on the tip of the nose to narrow further, but I do appreciate how subtle these methods can look with the right application skills. So if you don't get it right the first time, just keep practicing.

Ready to try these tricks on yourself? Contour powders are usually perfect for beginners, but you may want to consider a cream formula if you want a more natural finish. And though the focus may seem to be more on contouring, using highlighters are just as important. It’s a yin-yang relationship between shadow and light, so if you don't have one yet, check out these budget-friendly picks!

Have you figured out which nose type you have? How do you usually contour your nose?

Some products look nice while others seem like they're made for you. Do you ever get the feeling? I try so many things that I like well enough to use a few more times until the next big favorite comes along, until I eventually forget about them. Others I fall in love with at first sight, and I can tell they're especially flattering on me based on how often people ask what I'm wearing. These I use again and again!

In the last few months, there are two products I've been wearing that always get me compliments. It's the Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Bare (P1,500) and the Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Pink Peony (~P2,000)! I believe that Bare is a new Art Stick shade released for spring 2016 (got it last February), while Pink Peony has been around for a while (acquired in May). Both colors look a tad cool but register so amazingly well on my medium yellow skin tone.

Bare is possibly the best nude I've tried so far. Yes, even better than Bobbi's Almost Bare! The latter is peachier while the former is more on the mauve side. I'd say it's the exact color of my lips - just way better. I love the Art Stick formula (reviewed here) since it really sticks on my lips and provides a satisfying opacity. It's non-drying and stays on for about 4-5 hours if I don't eat. Drinking's fine.

The downside is that this crayon can only be sharpened with, well, its same-brand sharpener so take care not to lose it. I think the sharpener comes with each purchase so no need to spend extra. One sharpened tip should be good for several applications since a little of this product goes a long way! Much like lip liner, just creamier and jumbo-er.

Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Pink Peony is not a bronzer at all, though it certainly illuminates the skin. It has fine shimmer that mimics the way our skin flushes naturally. Pink Peony at first looked too cool for my coloring but it works surprisingly well. It's just the right mid-pink to brighten up my skin tone! It's a great match for the Art Stick in Bare.

I adore how this stays on for a good five to six hours with no retouching. I can get oily or sweaty, but it'd still be glowing gently away. Each pan has eight grams of product which is quite generous for blush. 

If you're looking for new flattering, reliable staples to add to your Forever List, then you might want to check out these two at your fave Bobbi Brown counter. Nothing makes pretty pinks quite like Bobbi, I swear. ;)

Bobbi Brown is exclusively available at: Rustan's Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza, Essences in Power Plant Mall, SM Megamall, SM Aura, SM Mall of Asia, Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu, SM North EDSA, SM Aura, Rustan's Alabang Town Center

As much as we love how it looks, the combination of heat and humidity makes it tough to maintain a dewy base when we're outdoors or stuck in a non-airconditioned area. Wearing a light matte base may be more practical in such situations. Powder foundations are our best option as they keep shine at bay but still appear fresh even when they mix with our natural face oils.

Are you ready to stay matte and get the coverage you need with these pocket-friendly picks? Read up on some of our faves!

Maybelline Dream Satin Skin Ultra Breathable Satin Two Way Cake (P399 at department stores). This foundation has invisible weightless coverage and a good wear time, considering the price. It can be used wet or dry, depending on how much heavier you want the coverage to be. That nude matte case though - so lovely!

Image via dollupmari.com

Maybelline White Superfresh (P299 at department stores)

Here's another one from Maybelline! Wouldn't it be awesome if your powder could absorb 5x more sweat and oil than regular talc? That's what White Superfresh promises to do, and seeing it in action is seriously impressive. It's a definite must-have for oily skinned gals, though you should avoid this if you experience dry flakes. Even the refill is so cheap at just P199!

L’Oreal Mat Magique All-in-One Powder SPF35 PA++++ (P499 at department stores)

We still can't believe that this foundation is less than 500 bucks. Okay, it didn't actually last for 12 hours on Liz but the smooth matte base that it creates looks and feels really nice. It also works well with other products, so if you want to extend the wear of your liquid foundation, apply this on top just like a finishing powder. Bonus: It often goes on sale!

Ellana Mineral Loose Foundation (P499 at ellana.com.ph)

This homegrown brand is a PV staple, and you'll totally understand why when you try it! From perfect matching Pinay undertones to providing full coverage, Ellana’s got it to a T. Sounds too good to be true, eh? But it is! If you find loose foundations too messy though, you can opt for the pressed version which is slightly more expensive at P699.

Image via rucysvanityph.com

Rucy’s Vanity Two Way Cake SPF35 PA++ (P250 at rucysvanityph.com)

Our Kbeauty-loving hearts were drawn to this Korean cosmetics brand because of their affordable prices. Their powder foundation is finely milled, offers light to medium coverage, and even includes SPF! Try this if you have generally good skin and just need to even out your skin color.

In2It Oil Control and Oil Free 2-way Powder Foundation (P700 for the compact, P499 for the refill)

Okay, so I’m cheating with this one since I considered the refill price rather than the compact price, but hear me out! The refill is actually usable on its own as it comes in a durable compact case. Applying this with a wet sponge will give you amazing coverage and oil control, while a brush application will give you a light, natural-looking matte finish. 

Are you a powder foundation type of gal? What are your favorites?

When I was younger I thought I'd never want to go under a procedure to be thinner or prettier. I thought I can just work out and eat well, and somehow, that would be enough. That's largely true, actually. I play tennis three to four times a week, plus I have a fairly low carb and sugar intake. I am pretty happy with my body now. For my personal health and job requirement, I am interested in keeping myself as fit and tight as I can given my resources and schedule.

My complicated relationship with my arms

However, my arms have always been a source of anxiety even when I was still a teenager. They have always been abundantly fleshy and disproportionately large compared to the rest of my body! I can't wear sleeveless tops because I end up looking larger than I really am. It's just so unfair. I feel an internal rage building up whenever I shop and see all these pretty sleeveless clothes mocking me.

There is hope

So when Marie France asked me to try their latest slimming treatment, I said yes immediately. The  Thermo Magnetic Pulse or TMP is US FDA-approved technology that delivers fat reduction, skin tightening, body contouring, and cellulite smoothening in just one treatment. It's designed to reach into the deep layers of the skin, targeting fat deposits and thermally breaking down fat cells which then exit the body via natural processes. It also tightens the skin as it triggers the regeneration of new collagen and elastin. 

Sounds expensive? Think again. It's P8,700 per 30 minutes in one body area (that's for both arms already). They guarantee a minimum of 2cm off the area after just one treatment, and you can avail of it again the week after. You can keep on going for it until you're happy with the shape of your body part.

So did the TMP work?

Omg, YES. You know I always try beauty procedures with a cynical attitude. Maybe something would change, but the results would fade away after a week or so. But the TMP is the real deal. It works by heating up fat and then breaking it down with strong vibrations coming from the machine. The fat will then exit through your liver so you might feel you need to go potty more often the first few days.

My arms measured 34cm before the treatment; after, it was 32 cm. The wand was hot on my skin but not unbearably so. I chose to have my inner arms done as they've become rather saggy over the years. They also have these tiny sort of fatty masses like cellulite! Ugh. The machine melted all of that away and I got slimmer arms immediately. For real. The "After" picture below was taken a week and a half after! This is to show that the fat actually stays away.

My arm waa quite red after the treatment but it was manageable 

Do note that you will feel some soreness after the treatment. Your body part has been pummeled after all! But this went away after two days. My skin was so red afterwards and I thought it might bruise, but none of that happened. I was back in the tennis court after two days of resting.

Will I do it again?

Someone saw me after the treatment wearing a tight t-shirt, and she said, "Liz, your arms look so toned!" I was like, "Did you see my post about Marie France on IG?" Thinking she's just trying to make me bola. She said, "No! I haven't been on Instagram." I believe her. She doesn't go online much, I've noticed.

So yes, I will definitely go back to get another session of TMP soon! It's worth the discomfort and soreness, as I can observe immediate results that don't magically disappear. In the meantime I will continue working out and eating right, of course. It's just that it's nice to get a little electronic help too!

Thoughts? Would you go through a procedure like TMP Legacy?

Call Marie France at 894-2639 or visit mariefrance.com.ph to know more about the new treatments available.

This story is brought to you by Marie France.