So you’ve finally found the cushion compact of your dreams. Congratulations! Whether you found The One via recos list, discovered it while browsing your favorite beauty haunts, or ventured to make your own, it’s satisfying to finally get the coverage and skin-improving qualities you’ve been looking for in a face base. But did you know that effort into finding and creating a flawless complexion can be undone by a dirty sponge?

Think about it: you’ve been using the same sponge daily to pat on a moist beauty product. Once you're done patting, you simply pop the sponge it back into the compact before it’s had a chance to dry. Think of all the bacteria living in that wet and dark environment. Gross, right? If you make sure to keep your brushes and other tools clean (and you definitely should!), it’s important to do the same for your CC puff. They are particularly tricky to clean though, owing to the water-resistant nature of most cushion formulas and the multi-layered design of the sponge itself, but we found a way to purge it of every last drop of product build-up. Here’s how!

What you will need:

• Dirty (but still usable) cushion makeup sponge
• Ziploc bag (I picked up a box of 30 for P88 in Daiso)
• Diluted dishwashing liquid (1:2 ratio of soap to water)

Step 1: Pour the soapy water into the ziploc bag and pop in your dirty sponge. Seal the bag.

Step 2: Lightly press the sponge to get it wet and to activate the soap. You can also slide the plastic back and forth between your thumb and fingers to give the sponge a good rub. We don’t recommend squeezing or crushing the sponge as it may get deformed or even destroyed in the process. The water will start to turn murky as the product loosens from the sponge.

Step 3: Remove the murky water and add in a clean batch of the soap solution to follow Step 2 again. You’ll want to repeat this process 2-3 more times until the water runs clear even after pressing it a few times. If the sponge has a stain, pour more diluted dishwashing liquid into the bag and focus on gently rubbing that area. 

Step 4: When it’s completely clean, rinse the sponge well under running water until no soap appears when you press it. Press the sponge lightly on a clean towel or thick tissue to get the excess liquid out. Again, be gentle and don’t wring it! Leave it to dry with the bottom side up, or tie the sponge handle (that piece of ribbon across) and hang the applicator somewhere. After cleaning its compartment, you can pop the sponge back in its case.

So, why do you need the ziploc bag anyway? Can’t you just clean it with your bare hands? I tried to this and ended up damaging my sponge. While I was squeezing and pressing away, my nails would accidentally nick the blue surface of the sponge and cause it to peel. Eek! So I decided to put it into a plastic bag to serve as a layer of protection. Doing so allowed the sponge to better soak in the solution and made it easier to get to the deep-seated gunk within. Plus, it was just so much neater than having murky, foundation-colored water splashing and dripping all over the sink. You can even opt to dry out the bag and reuse it for when you have to wash your sponge again.

Careful maintenance will give your sponge a longer lifespan, keep your cushion foundation from being contaminated, and keep you from getting unwanted breakouts! If your sponge starts to break down though, you can easily buy a replacement from most stores that sell cushion makeup.

Do you clean your cushion sponge? How do you do it?

No matter how much makeup I have, I am still no match for the charms of a beautiful eyeshadow palette. The Tartelette In Bloom Amazonian Clay Palette (~P2,400 or $50 from Amazon) was an impulse buy mainly because I saw Sam, our resident photographer at Project Vanity, post hers on Instagram. I hadn't even googled reviews beforehand, I just wanted it! Something about the gold palette and the cover with purple floral watercolors just got to me. I consider myself very good at avoiding temptation (well at least when it comes to makeup, paper and paint do not count) but I fell off the rails with this one.

ANYWAY. Even though it was a barely thought-out purchase, the Tartelette ended up being a good buy. I've been using it regularly these last few weeks because the colors are exactly what I need to either create a complete neutral look, or be the supporting cast in a more intense #EOTD. I love how neatly the colors are categorized so I can easily pick out what I need to get harmonious eye makeup.

The quality of this palette makes up for the price tag. It's a little powdery than I would prefer, resulting in fallout, but the pigmentation and smooth application of each color are extremely satisfying. They are so easy to blend! Some of the colors have a sort of creamy texture, such as Firecracker and Funny Girl. They go on almost like a cream eyeshadow and sticks like one, too. Very little goes a long way with these shadows so I don't need to layer to get a solid color on my lids. The powders also have this pleasant mild vanilla smell that I enjoy.

The first row has cool, taupey colors. The second has warm sunny shades while the last row has reddish clay hues. It's predominantly warm so the palette works well with my skin tone. My top faves are Flower Child (for the brow bone), Smarty Pants (crease), Rebel (lid and crease), Funny Girl (the perfect intense pop of shimmer on the tear ducts and center of the lids. It can even be used as a face highlighter!), and Firecracker (a winning bronze). I also love the dark shades as they work great as a liner when applied with a wet brush or as smoke-out colors. The shades stick on my lids well with or without primer, though of course I would still recommend using a primer to get max pigmentation and adherence.

Actually I adore everything in here, bar one: Charmer, a matte white. I personally have little use for a flat white shade since I'm medium toned; it looks off on my lids and brow bone. 

It bears mentioning that each pan has 1.5 grams of eyeshadow, which is A LOT. For reference a full pot of MAC eyeshadow has 1.3 grams and I have never finished one of those in my life.

Overall, I highly recommend the Tartelette In Bloom Amazonian Clay Palette if you need a basic neutral palette that is pigmented, easy to blend, and can play well with others. It can be that "bridge" palette that connects your difficult-to-use eyeshadows (bright colors, metallics, name it) and make them look more modern and well-blended.

To be honest,  I wouldn't say the colors are particularly unique as I probably already have them in my other palettes, but I like that I have everything I need in one place. If you're looking for unforgettable shades - well, the Tartelette can't provide. I'd say these are the equivalent of perfect fitting jeans or comfortable black pumps. It looks great but it's boring unless you pair it with more exciting things.

I had my friend buy this from the US but if you don't have anyone coming home soon, I'm sure online resellers would have this fairly popular palette.

Thoughts? Which eyeshadow palette are you trying very, very hard to look away from? I'm crushing on the Victoria Beckham x Estee Lauder palette but STOP ME PLS UGH!

Since moving to Manila from Cavite and commuting regularly to school, blackheads have become a top skincare issue for me. I keep my face clean but daily exposure to pollution, dirt, and sweat has resulted in the formation of too many pesky black dots on my nose! Unfortunately I can’t easily get rid of them with just facial wash and my student budget can’t afford a monthly trip to a facial center for extractions. So I found two cheap alternatives to try out at home!

Nose strips are a pretty popular solution for removing comedones, and you can easily buy some almost anywhere you go. I picked up Megan Purifying Nose Pore Strips from Mercury Drugstore, and the pack of four only cost P49! Pretty cheap, right? I’ve seen a lot of other pore strips around but I was particularly interested in trying these out because they’re supposedly formulated with witch hazel extract, a natural ingredient known to be effective at minimizing the appearance of pores.

To use, I cleansed my face and left my nose a bit damp from rinsing. I stuck on a nose pack (each is individually-wrapped) and left it on for 15 minutes as recommended on the packet. When it was dry, I carefully pulled the strip off – it can be a bit painful especially if it’s your first time, so you can lightly moisten the area to make removal easier. Seeing the strip and everything stuck to it was so satisfying! It managed to pull out every bit of gunk, except for one really stubborn and deep-seated blackhead I can’t seem to get rid of. Otherwise, I was pretty happy with the results!

After two weeks, I tried the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Blackhead Out Balm (P300 at Althea PH). It’s a white, solid balm that turns into an oily consistency as it melts in the warmth of your hand. Starting with a dry nose, I picked up a bit of the product with clean fingers and applied it to my nose. As I gently rubbed it in, I could see and feel some blackheads becoming more prominent and then coming out from my pores (gross but fun).

I rubbed it in for a few more minutes to allow the product to better penetrate my skin and in the hopes that the pressure would displace all the comedones. I felt a few blackheads and whiteheads come out but I could feel that there were still a few stuck in my skin. I followed the instructions to wash off the balm with a facial cleanser and hoped that doing so would displace the rest. Unfortunately, it did not. I was pretty disappointed but perhaps I need to try using this with the rest of the Jeju volcanic line to get the results I want.

The nose strips worked better for me as it got more of the gunk out but it almost made my skin feel pretty sensitive afterwards. There are also some claims saying that using nose pore strips could do more harm than good and actually make your pores permanently larger because of the stress your skin is subjected to. If you do opt to go for this peel-off option, use it sparingly (no more than once in a week) and make sure to apply a soothing moisturizer afterwards. Do not use this product if you have sensitive skin!

On the other hand, the balm was gentle on my skin and I feel that I may even be able to use this product every day. With continued use, I think that it may be able to rid me of all my issues once and for all. It’s slower progress but I like that it doesn’t harm my skin and that the tub of product will come out cheaper per use compared to the strips.

If you have any skin conditions, make sure to consult with your dermatologist first before purchasing and using these products. Before applying it to your face, check for potential allergic reactions first by applying a bit of product in a less conspicuous area then observe for a few hours.

Do you suffer from blackheads, too? How do you get rid of them? Would you opt to try the nose pack or the balm?

by Claire Reyes, contributor / Header image via askmewhats.com

We all have those days when we feel like we could be the new face of a #StressDrilon or #HaggardoVersoza meme. The struggle is real and it’s something most of us experience every day: we breathe in polluted air, fight through traffic, then brave a challenging day at work or at school.

Sure, you can use beauty hacks to cop a fresh look or pull up makeup tricks to look more rested but it’s unhealthy to ignore the root of the problem. As busy as your calendar may be, it’s important to unwind and make time for yourself! We all turn to different things to relieve stress though, so here are a few more ideas from ten busy women on how they cope and give themselves the chance to refresh.

Gretchen Gatan and Trisha Lopez

Gretchen Gatan, marketing manager at Glamourbox, makeup artist and blogger

One quick way for me to unwind after a long, tiring week at work is to apply my favorite mask from GLAMGLOW, which is the YouthMud Mask. Lately, I’ve also been trying their other masks like the FlashMud. I would sometimes alternate it with sheet masks from Kracie. I just put on a mask, pour myself a glass of red wine, and lie down a few minutes - instant mood lifter! I also try to get a diamond peel facial once a month, just to maintain a healthy and radiant-looking complexion (I’m obsessed about having clear and smooth skin). Lastly, I always indulge myself with massages - I get it once or twice a month to completely de-stress. I know it can be a little expensive but I consider these rituals as investments to make sure I have a sound mind, body, and soul.

Trisha Lopez, Information Security AVP and entrepreneur

Being a working and hands-on mother to my 3-year-old daughter can get stressful but I try my best to find time for myself and for the things I love to do. I usually have my "me-time" at night when my daughter is already in bed. To de-stress, I like taking a hot shower and I use bath and body products that I personally make! My favorites are my all-natural goat milk soap with lavender and peppermint essential oil then my home-made body oil (it's a blend of golden jojoba, sweet almond oil, lavender, vetiver and frankincense essential oils) to keep my skin moisturized. The essential oil blend I use for my soap and body oil are great for relaxing and for getting a good night's sleep. For my face, I use a mild non-scented moisturizing cream with a drop of geranium therapeutic grade essential oil because geranium is great for your skin and it also promotes emotional wellness. I love putting pure essential oils in the all-natural products I use and personally make because it helps refresh, relax, and rejuvenate my body and mind.

Kate Reyes and Pam Abuan

Kate Reyes, marketing executive at Clinique

My day usually starts really early. I set my alarm at around 4:00 am and make sure to leave the house by 5:30 am to avoid the morning rush. When I get to work, I waste no time and take advantage of working while the office is still nice and quiet. Days at work are more often than not full of meetings, fast-paced, and can get stressful.

Since everyday feels rushed, I de-stress and slow things down on weekends. I make sure to wake up early to enjoy the morning sun and eat my breakfast! Eating cereal with my favorite fruit in milk starts my day just right and I feel like it shows in my skin, too, when I have a proper diet cause it looks more supple and rosy! I also de-stress by dolling up on weekends and pair my clothes with the right skincare and makeup to complete the look. When I get ready to go out, I include watery lotions and treatment oil into my regimen like Clinique's Even Better Essence Lotion and Turnaround Oil so my skin looks dewy and luminous. I use Clinique Even Better Foundation and the Water Veil Powder because it sets like a clear veil of light water on your face, creates an illusion of looking like you had the best beauty rest! To look more youthful, I apply just the right amount of blush with Clinique Cheek Pop in Rosy and create a tinted lip with Clinique Lip Pop Matte in Peony Pop and Lip Pop in Punch Pop. The combination is too pretty!

On weekdays, I also take mid-week breaks by hitting the gym and sweating the bad stuff out. Boxing allows me to release stress and brush off setbacks and frustrations. Exercise releases endorphins, too! And because it also tones and strengthens my body, I feel ten times better! At home, I make time to read the Bible and pray because that is the most peaceful and restful time for me.

On days I can splurge a little, I do some retail therapy and get my hair and nails done! It's good to treat yourself once in a while and reward yourself for working hard.

Pam Abuan, full-time mom, makeup artist and cake artist

To keep my face youthful and glowing, in the morning I wash my face with placenta soap and I keep it moisturized with Embryolisse Lait-Creme (edition gold). I seldom use makeup when I leave the house but I never forget to put on Mary Kay's Time-wise Matte-wear foundation and Lucas Papaw Lip Ointment. It's also important to have a positive and happy disposition, plus keep yourself updated with the latest trend in fashion, makeup and technology. 

Kriska Ramos and Chrizie Leynes

Kriska Ramos, marketing manager at Benefit Cosmetics

My de-stressing beauty ritual includes visiting the Benefit Brow Bar to get my brows and upper lip waxed. The process takes about 15-20 minutes and it gives me time to relax after a long day at work. The best part of the service is when they apply a moisturizing eye mask plus a soothing cold compress that just refreshes the look and feel of my whole face.

Chrizie Leynes, lawyer and entrepreneur

I find painting my nails a great de-stressing beauty ritual! It feels great knowing that I have a couple of minutes that forces me to give up everything that I'm doing. I find it really relaxing just sitting on our sofa while the nail polish dries. To top it off, I simultaneously use my favorite face mask and just close my eyes, pondering on the meaning of my life.

Donna Gonzales Lim, fashion/event stylist and store owner

I rarely get to make trips to the salon or the spa but this does not mean I skimp on de-stressing and my beauty rituals. I often get massages at home with my kids running around me but it gets the job done. I also make sure to allot at least half an hour to put on makeup in the mornings. It does not matter if I am just off to my kids’ school or a shoot; I make an effort to still look my best to conquer the day! It always gives me a boost knowing that I look presentable.

Liee Lozano and Diana Agbi

Liee Lozano, artist

I have always had problematic skin and it doesn’t help that everything I like doing just happen to involve long nights and lots of pollution. My skin has considerably calmed down over the past years but sometimes I get stressed and I get breakouts. Art takes a long time to create and I haven’t really gotten past my habit of staying up late so unfortunately it shows up on my face. The only difference is that, unlike in my younger years, I now make it a point to de-stress. I used to be iffy about calling this a beauty ritual, but what the heck.

I start with Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam, which I like because it makes my face clean but not tight and dry. I do this twice because when I’m stressed I feel like everything is on my face and one wash just won’t cut it. After that I dry my face, neck, and hands, and apply Etude House Berry AHA Bright Peel Mild Gel. Etude House recommends that you do this about twice a week which is fine, but on a stressful week, I do this every day. I then follow that up with a face-sweeping of Bioderma Sensibio H2O. I understand this is just another cleanser but I don’t really like toners as they dry my face out too much. I like sheet masks a lot, so both good and bad days require a sheet mask of some sort. I’m quite partial to Etude House because my skin likes their products but I also use The Face Shop sheet masks from time to time. Which sheet mask I use depends on what I need but my favorites would be lemon, green tea, and honey.

While the mask is on, I try to pay attention to my hands. It’s nothing fancy and it’s usually either sunflower oil, virgin coconut oil, or grape seed oil. Sometimes I bring it down to my legs and feet. I need to take care of my hands because without my hands, I can’t create anything.

Last but not the least, I find that a lot of my stressed and burned out feelings come from not being hydrated enough. I try to finish at least 2 liters of water a day.

Diana Agbi, team lead and professional makeup artist

Being a single mom, balancing a full-time job, freelance work, and trading is exhausting. Although I find it difficult to find time for myself, staying prepped is a must. Some makeup hacks save me precious time on my beauty rituals. At night I load up on oil-absorbing masks like the Queen Helene mud mask and wake up oil-free. I wash my long, rebonded hair only every three days to keep it thick and healthy. Every time I wash my hair, I shampoo three times to make sure it's clean then I deep-condition using super thick concealers. I don't regularly use hot tools to avoid split ends. For makeup, I pre-mix foundation, face primer and concealer in a jar so I can use them all in one go. I love Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, Hard Candy primer and Dermablend concealer. I usually go neutral for my eye looks by using the same brown eyeshadow and brown gel liner for my brows and eyes. I stick to old-school tricks like using matte lipstick as blush (I like the ones from Wet n Wild). I prefer matte pink-coral tones, as that shade is universally flattering. I finish the look with a good thickening and lengthening mascara.

Nikki Tiu, HR consultant, makeup artist, brand consultant and blogger

I don’t have much time to de-stress. The only thing I really do to unwind is to use face masks!

When my favorite mask sheet brand Leaders Insolution came out with an eye mask called Hydrogel Eye Therapy Patch, I picked it up right away! With all the late night work and random "toddler waking up moments", I knew I had to do something about my undereye circles and puffiness. Whenever my hormones start to act up and my skin turns from dry to combination, I use a Leaders AC-Dressing mask before I go to bed and wake up with less redness!  An added point is that, my skin looks hydrated and healthier.

How about you, what do you do to de-stress? How often do you get your “me” time? 

“Ma’am, ito po bago, Naked 5. Authentic po. Three hundred lang.”

My vanity had a space reserved for a Naked palette when this happened and my mother knew it. She excitedly pulled me aside and asked if I wanted one. I smiled at the vendor as I steered my mom away from the stall. “Fake ‘yun, Ma. Hanggang Naked 3 pa lang ang meron.” As her expression turned into a look of horror, I realized that many others who aren’t all that familiar with makeup can easily fall prey to the growing number of “Class AA” sellers that show up both online and in every tiangge.

I frequent so many online stores and bazaars that this line no longer surprises me. Be it the eighth Naked palette or the non-existent Anastasia Beverly Hills Paddle brush, these sketchy merchants now also claim to have “newer” items compared to what’s actually being offered by the brand. And it’s scary because if you’re new to the makeup world or unaware of what a brand’s offerings actually are, you can be taken advantage of and end up with a bunch of questionable products.

The core issue

Makeup can be quite expensive, especially if you’re springing for international cult favorites. As advertisements and social media drive up the hype for these products, people get curious to try the trend themselves. Only a few can actually afford to spend on every new shiny thing they spot their favorite celebs wearing though, so if you’re on a tight budget and eager to get yourself that product, it’s understandable to be tempted by an exact replica that’s priced only 5% of the original.

Counterfeiting is an illegal activity so we do strongly advise against patronizing these products and sellers. Though you’re not likely to get into legal trouble for buying these goods, you endanger your own health and shortchange the economy by not supporting legal businesses. If you’re buying online and unsure if the product you want is legit, here are a few things that you should watch out for.

Check the seller

I love the ease that online shopping gives: I can shop at any time, compare prices, check for reviews, and don’t have to deal with the traffic going to the mall, long lines at the cashier, or pushy sales personnel. On the flipside, shady sellers can easily concoct comments of “satisfied” buyers and it’s pretty hard to tell if they’re lying behind their computer screens. They can steal photos of the real products of other websites, and spin stories about how a relative has just come home from abroad or how someone they know works near where the products are manufactured and bought the overruns.

No one is doing a quality check on these goods and since they can take shortcuts on the production, they can be cheaply produced using subpar or even toxic ingredients that can harm the end users. A legit seller wouldn’t chance ruining their reputation by sending potentially dangerous products to their customers. One bad experience, shared on social media, can undo their hard work. Stick to buying from sellers with verified positive feedback or online stores with established reputations.

Learn the lingo

While there are shops that clearly state their products as fakes, some deliberately mislead people with buzz words. Some of the most popular terms include:

• US-authentic
• Singapore-authentic
• Hong Kong-authentic
• Factory overrun
• Class A
• Triple-A Grade Replica
• Factory wholesale

A brand would NOT issue country-specific versions of their products so cross that off your list. And if the manufacturers are making so many “overruns” that claim to simply be mislabeled or slightly damaged, the makeup brand would probably stop working with that company for making so many mistakes! And there’s certainly no way they’d allow for these rejects to be sold on the market in competition with the original product. Both the brand and its manufacturer would lose money in the long run.

Some products are sold with no other description besides “100% authentic” and there’s simply no way for the seller to actually prove this, short of having the brand itself vet the items. Other sellers offer special “promos” such as a set of two Kylie lip kits, an Anastasia brow pomade, and a MAC foundation for only P500. If their products are truly the real thing, why would they be selling them for just a teeny tiny fraction of how much it actually costs?

Pre-ordering is another common practice that I see in online makeup stores and it can also be another marketing ploy for unsuspecting buyers. This is even more tricky as buyers have no guarantee that their orders will actually arrive, or that the products that they do receive are the real deal.

Protect yourself by researching on the product you want as thoroughly as possible, and avoiding items that make questionable claims. Don’t get swayed by the extremely cheap prices of these promos. As for pre-ordering, it’s better (and safer) to simply gather your friends' orders and compile them as a single order so you can save on shipping! There are services like Shipping Cart and Johnny Air that can provide you a US address where the retailer can ship the products, then have the service ship to the PH.

Listen to your gut

I’ve sold a lot of my makeup on OLX, Instagram and even Shopee, so I have encountered numerous buyers sending me messages like, “Is this authentic?” and “Where was this item purchased?” Although they can sound a bit rude (especially ones that are curt and don’t bother with a “Hello” or “Thank you”), messaging the seller for additional info is good practice for anybody who’s buying online. Ask about anything that can help you ensure the authenticity of the item but be nice about it. Reading on FDA advisories on cosmetics may also be of help as they update on new counterfeit items that are flocking the market. When in doubt, follow this rule: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Many beauty gurus can often tell the fakes apart from the real ones and share their tips about spotting the differences but it gets harder and harder as the copycats improve on their counterfeiting skills. Additionally, some sellers actually do price their products close to the real ones, which makes it easier for the buyer to believe they are authentic. If that's the case, we recommend just buying from the store of the official distributor instead to be 100% sure you're getting the real thing. What's a few hundred bucks for your peace of mind?

Should you still end up receiving a counterfeit item after all the precautions you took, contact the seller immediately. They may not have been aware that their items were fakes, and should offer to at least refund your money. As for the fake product itself, skip giving these a try! Better to be safe than to have to pay for the possible consequences afterwards.

Do you buy cosmetics from online stores? How do you avoid buying fakes? 

PS Just to clarify, the header image contains only authentic cosmetics. These products are the most commonly counterfeited ones though.

When I saw the Rilakkuma x A'Pieu limited edition collection drop at Althea last September, I knew I had to grab a few things before they go out of stock. The price wasn't too bad, plus I've been meaning to try the popular Korean brand A'Pieu anyway! But wait, what on earth is Rilakkuma? He is a famous fictional Japanese character created in 2003. His name means "relaxed bear", and he is usually shown lazing around in bed, slouched on a pillow, or eating snacks with his friends Korilakkuma, a white bear, and Kiiroitori, a yellow canary. He's a pretty chill bear who knows how to have fun!

The collection available on Althea only has the first (facial wash, cushion foundation, and cushion blush) and second (lip tint and eyeshadow palette) editions; the third edition, which adds mascara, nail polish set, and puff set to complete the lineup is not yet out in the store. I have one of each except for the third edition. Here's a quick review and swatches of the products I have!

The A'Pieu Air Fit Cushion XP Set Rilakumma Edition (P720) comes in a cute yellow and white compact with a custom printed applicator. The coverage is light to medium, with a lovely glowy finish that evens out the skin in just a few neat pats. It's very easy to blend and adheres on skin smoothly! It comes in two standard shades, No.21 and No.23. 

I got the shade No.23. As is the case with all other cushion compacts in that shade, it's too light on me. I'd say it's ideal for NC30! The swatch on my wrist looks ok but on my face it is obviously not my color. Unlike the other ones though this has a slight greyish cast when applied; fortunately, when set with foundation in a slightly darker shade, it seems to disappear. It also oxidizes a bit so it's not ~white~ on me after a few minutes.

Staying power is decent as long as I blot regularly and retouch whenever needed. Most Korean cushions have this tendency to liquefy on the face later on in the day, for some reason, so it's important to keep them in place. You should be fine though if you will be in indoors all day and have dry to normal skin.

This is currently out of stock at Althea, btw. They might restock soon, as they did the lip tint (more on that later).

The Air Fit Cushion Blusher Rilakkuma Edition (P520) comes in a smaller compact and five lovely shades. The blushes look gorgeous, but I was more curious about the contour color! I got the shade BR01. It's so close to my skin tone that it can be my foundation shade already. Hay Koreans! It's actually about the same consistency and finish as the base, so what I do is I sort of mix them together to take down the lightness of the No.23 shade. I apply the BR01 on the outer part of my face, then fill in with the foundation. It works. I do wish the Koreans would come out with shades for darker skin tones someday.

The A'Pieu For Your Shadow in Good After Brown (P490) is a nice warm neutral palette. It has three mattes for contouring the eyes, and one gold shimmer shadow for that pop of shine on the center or inner corners. Pigmentation is good (just use a base to maximize it) and it goes on the lids smoothly. It's not exactly groundbreaking but it's a pleasant compact palette that should work for light to medium skin tones. If you're morena though, you would want darker shades for better contrast. 

The Rilakkuma x A'Pieu Water Light Tint (P390) was actually a follow up order. It was out of stock when I got a box early in September, but after 2-3 weeks, it was available again! I grabbed it for my next order. It's out of stock yet again but it might just be back briefly, so it helps to keep checking the product page every once in a while. ;)

The shade I got is called Deep In Love Rose. It's a shiny red that looks pretty as a full coverage color or as a tint! The Water Tints are a clever mix of oil and water to create a light, hydrating texture that won't dry out the lips. They have a light soapy scent but it's not too unpleasant and it goes away quickly - just an FYI, in case you're sensitive about that. Staying power is average at three hours but it leaves a light stain even after eating or drinking.

Here's a look I did with all the products. ^_^ The base surprisingly works for me as long as I layer it with the contour, and the eyeshadow palette makes a lovely neutral eye. 

It's shallow but I feel kilig whenever I use the products. They're just too cute!

Last but not least, I got one skincare product in the Rilakkuma line. The Gonyak Cleansing Foam (P190) is so affordable that it wouldn't hurt me too much if it didn't work out. Luckily, it is nice - it wouldn't rock your socks off, but it is a basic cleanser that foams pleasantly, has a mild soapy scent only, and won't dry out your skin. It is a clear, dense gel and comes in a large 130ml tube. Not bad at all for just P190! There are two other variants, the Mud Cleansing Foam and Milk Cleansing Foam.

Well, that was long! I hope you enjoyed the review, swatches, and the look. <3 Let me know what you think of the collection! They're running out fast so I recommend getting them soon!

Product photography by Samantha Gonzales

Korean beauty is all about keeping it natural: dewy, healthy skin, straight brows, and just-bitten cherry lips. If you’re interested in copping a look worthy of a K-beauty guru, we’ve showed you how to glow without doing the 10-step regimen and draw your brows the Korean way. We even have a tutorial for three ways of creating a gradient lip but if you’re not a fan of lipsticks, here’s another way to do it!

After applying concealer all over your lips, use a lip tint and softly blend it outwards for a youthful “I just had candy” look. It’s really cute and you won’t have to worry about having to get the edges perfect or sporting that weird lipstick ring from having the color fade unevenly. And because these formulas leave a pretty stain, they’re able to last longer on the inner portion of your lips than traditional lipsticks. The Koreans have their formulas down pat so check out these tints, which can deliver both a fun gradient and traditional opaque lip at pocket-friendly prices!

Based on the packaging alone, Chateau Labiotte Wine Lip Tint (P450 at Mei Satsuki) you’ll want to own a “bottle” or two of these for your collection! The formula is long lasting and non-drying, and you can choose from six shades that include darker colors like burgundy and wine. You can also opt to get a mini version if you want to try it out first but we can almost guarantee you’ll fall in love with this. The stain is so much prettier than what you can get from a glass of wine, plus you can indulge in this without getting boozy!

PeriPeraPeri’s Ink (P200 at AltheaPH) is famous for having stains that are practically impossible to remove. These come in five shades and three different finishes: original, moist, and velvet. You can apply a single layer for a light stain or put on a second one for a more solid color.

I’ve repurchased the Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint (P348 at Etude House boutiques) twice and tried three shades out of the five available. The milky shades look so unique! They stay on for a decent 2-3 hours and leave a natural stain behind. Pigmentation differs from shade to shade though, but the lighter shades show up well even on my pigmented lips!

AritaumStyle Pop Water Tint (P210 at Mei Satsuki) is famous for being a Benefit Benetint dupe. There are only two shades available: Cherry Rose and Red Mango. Compared to the other tints, this leaves a slight sheen finish that makes my lips look moist and plump.

If there’s one tint that I can’t stop raving about, it would be the Tony Moly LipTone Get It Tint (P478 at Tony Moly boutiques). This gel formula is so intensely pigmented that a single swipe is enough to give full opaque coverage! If you want to blend this out into a gradient, work fast using a cotton bud as the color sets pretty quickly and refuses to budge once dries. When it finally does fade, it still leaves a stain behind but it won’t dry out your lips.

For a REALLY good deal, wait for The Face Shop My Lips Eat Cherry (P225 at The Face Shop boutiques) to go on a 2+1 sale, which happens often! These water tints are easy to apply and give your lips a natural flush of color, except for the Bloody Red shade which gives a vampy deep red-violet tint that would look perfect for a fall-inspired look. In my experience, these aren’t as long-lasting as the other tints but you can hoard all three shades when it goes on sale and enjoy switching your lip color throughout the day.

From left: AritaumStyle Pop Water Tint in Cherry Rose, The Face Shop My Lips Eat Cherry in Bloody Red, Tony Moly Liptone Get It Tint in All Night Red, Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint in PK001 and RD301

Have you tried doing the gradient lip? What’s your favorite Korean lip tint to use? 

It'll be a decade or so before I finish up all the beauty products here at the Project Vanity HQ, but there are a few special snowflakes that I simple can not run out of. They work so well that I can't imagine my life without them! You're probably tired of me just talking about them all the time but hey, a girl has to do what she can to spread the word.

Perhaps the only tragedy is that I use these things up so quickly. That's why I like to keep at least one more in storage just in case I run out and don't have time to shop - I mean, that actually happened. My K-Palette eyebrow pen died after I finished one (!) eyebrow so I ended up using a different shade of it in the other. I think it wasn't that obvious. Er. Anyway here's the list!

K-Palette Lasting 2Way Eyebrow Liquid (P895). I've been using this for almost five years. Other eyebrow loves come and go, but this is constant because it's the best product for making even the most haggard of brows look decent, nay - perfect. I have one or two of these lying around at all times!

Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (P540 for the big one/P260 for the small one at Althea). This is probably the most recent addition to the list. I tried it just a month or so ago and already I knew i had to get the jumbo size. I like using generous amounts of this powder to set my makeup, since it really extends the wear time! It has such a smooth matte finish too.

Leaders Anti-Trouble Mask (P78). I "discovered" this early this year and it's helped me so much in dealing with breakouts. I had about 15 of these at some point, but yes, it's time to haul again! I use this once a week or once every two weeks depending on the other masks I have on rotation.

Estee Lauder Clear Difference Serum (~P4,000). Gosh, it's been what, two years? This is one of the most effective anti-spot treatments I've had the pleasure of trying. It can erase nasty blemishes in a month or two, depending on how bad they are. 

Biore Aqua Rich Sunscreen (P420). This is probably the only sunscreen I can wear comfortably on my face. The cool, ultra light gel texture looks great under makeup and basically doesn't feel like anything once it dries. And it's SPF50 PA++++!

Shiseido Ibuki Purifying Cleanser (P1,750). Have been using this for three years. I like rotating it with different facial washes but I always go back to its comforting foam, lovely scent, and mild yet effective cleansing power.

Here's a tip: Shiseido usually goes on sale near the end of the year, around 30% to 40% off, so I stock up then! I only use up about two of these per year (well in conjunction with other random cleansers) but still, it's really sulit. I forgot to take a photo but the Ibuki Softener is also something I always keep in my stash.

Pantene 3 MInute Miracle Conditioner (~P150). This is the conditioner that made my change my mind about conditioner! I use it about once or twice a week and it revives my dry hair without making it lose its volume. It smells soooo good too!

Kojie San Soap (P68). You know, I never thought I'd be that kind of girl who uses Kojie San. But I honestly, truly love this soap un-ironically. It evens out my skin tone like nobody's business and is a great exfoliator without the hassle of rubbing things all over. It runs out so fast lang but still! I like getting the value sets since it's a bit cheaper that way!

Hope you enjoyed my list. ^_^ I would love to know what you stock up on as well! Which beauty things do you absolutely hate running out of?

It’s October! Time to bust out those spooky decorations, prepare your teeth for candy mayhem, and watch dozens of YouTube videos to figure out your Halloween costume. Truth be told though, the treats we’re really looking forward to are these enchanting new releases!

The Cargo has landed

Cargo Cosmetics is now in the Philippines! A cult fave from the 90s, Cargo was famous for pioneering HD cosmetics for the cast of Desperate Housewives. They also have a line called Swimmables - highly water resistant makeup that they swear you can swim in. In the photo above, our editor Liz is wearing the blush in Bali and she says it stayed on her face ever after over an hour of tennis!

Cargo is exclusively available at Beauty Bar stores.

Image via Allure

A video posted by By @EyeBlogBeauty (@themakeupnewss) on May 30, 2016 at 5:55pm PDT

I put a spell on you

MAC products have a reputation of having the most intense pigmentation you can find in color products, and they’ve found a stunning new way to take their famous loose pigments to new heights. The new Spellbinder Shadows ($22) are launching on their online stores on October 20, and they’ve got some pretty serious sorcery going on: the eight jewel-toned metallic shadows are actually loose pigments but they won’t be spilling all over anyone’s vanity because they’re magnetically charged! While they’re in the jar they adhere to the magnet at its base but they stick amazingly well to the lids when applied.

The pigments are arranged in neat little rows and have a cushiony, gel-powder feeling when touched. They apply just like a rich cream shadow that doesn’t crease, and promise little to no fallout on the face. Now that’s practical magic!

Full story on Popsugar

Image via Instagram/@wetnwildbeauty

Wet, wild and magical

Remember when the Internet lost its mind for the rainbow highlighter from Bitter Lace Beauty and quickly sold out on Etsy? The handmade highlighter was $22 and there was such a huge demand that resellers would sell it Ebay for $1,000! Well, we weren’t about to plunk down that kind of money for a highlighter (except maybe if it was from Becca) so we made our own DIY version instead. However, if you want that unicorn glow without having to break up some of your eyeshadows, drugstore brand Wet ‘n Wild has got you covered. The brand has just released their version of the highlighter and it’s only $4.99!

The Color Icon Rainbow Highlighter sold out quickly on the Wet ‘n Wild website but there’s going to be a restock soon. It has already been hailed as one of the most pigmented drugstore highlighters to date so a light touch is all you need to get that colorful, pearly glow! We hope it will be available in the Philippines too!

Full story on Elle

Image via Allure

NYX and match your eye makeup

When NYX Cosmetics first teased the release of their Lipstick Vaults this holiday season, we gathered our girlfriends to discuss who was getting which shades in our proposed group buy. Guess we’ll have to talk about the NYX <3’s LA Eye Shadow Vault next! It contains 12 eyeshadow singles inspired by the city of Los Angeles, making it a great pick for anyone who prefers to travel light instead of bringing along a bulky palette.

Image via Allure

The vault retails for just $25, making it a complete steal! From mattes to shimmers and nudes to brights, there’s a color and finish for everyone, for any occasion. No word yet on the exact release date but that gives us just enough time to stop palpitating and making room on our makeup tables for this beauty!

Full story on Allure

Image via Temptalia

As red as fall

Although we may not have an actual leaves-turn-change-colors Fall season, it’s fun to adapt our makeup looks to reflect trending shades. The new NARS x Sarah Moon Holiday 2016 Collection includes four Moon Matte Lipsticks ($28), two Duo Eyeshadow palettes ($35), two blushes ($30), two kohl liners ($29), two pairs of falsies ($20) and three shades of nail varnish ($20). All that red would certainly make for some stunning autumn looks!

Image via Temptalia

The collaboration with photographer Sarah Moon will get you selfie ready for every ber-month event you could imagine. Expect this berry-hued collection to drop at NARS counters sometime in mid-October to November.

Full story on Temptalia

Image via Bustle

Takashi Murakami on our wish list? It’s a Shu thing!

Yet another amazing collaboration is coming our way this holiday season! Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami is teaming up with Shu Uemura for the cutest and most colorful collection ever! The 25-piece Takashi Murakami x Shu Uemura Collection will include some of the brand’s staples like the Clarifying Cleansing Oil ($77), the Cosmic Blossom Eye and Cheek Palette ($65), the Cosmic Black Premium Curler ($20), and five shades of Rouge Unlimited lipstick ($30).

Image via Bustle

The cheery designs are inspired by hope, love, peace, poetry and magic, and will definitely stand out amidst the fall colors we’ve all been seeing lately. The collection launches this month so keep checking those Shu counters!

Full story on Bustle

Images via Instagram/@urbandecaycosmetics and Temptalia

Nailing that 90s vibe

Urban Decay is bringing back grunge with their latest nail polish collection! The UDXX Vintage Collection will feature 12 nail polishes reminiscent of the golden age of mood rings, slip dresses and crimped hair. These classic shades have actually been discontinued by Urban Decay for years but with the resurgence of the 90s era in full force (see chokers and combat boots) they just had to bring these polishes back. There’s a 2016 twist though: the formula is chip-resistant and has a high gloss shine! Priced at $10 each, you can now get your hands on these bottles of #oldschool goodness on the Urban Decay website.

Full story on Glamour

I’m meltingggg (and it’s a good thing)

We’ve talked a lot how positively obsessed the entire PV team is with sheet masks and a new one has been added to our bucket list. Though choosing one with a good quality essence is important, the sheet itself plays an important role in helping skin absorb the product better, so we’ve even tried making our own foil mask to keep the essence from dripping and evaporating too fast!

Japan has found a new way to ensure that every last drop of that watery goodness is absorbed by the skin with a sheet mask that’s designed to melt into your skin, literally. PDC Liftarna Premium Essence Mask is made of what is basically a solidified version of the essence – you simply stick it onto your face and that’s that. No having to peel it off after! The jelly-like material is ideal for tropical countries that have high temperatures and crazy humidity (ahem) because it needs to be slightly warm to trigger the melting process. As it dissolves, it delivers a slow but deeper moisturizing effect on the skin so your face feels gloriously soft, smooth and supple after. We’d love to add this to our mask hoard but we spotted the product selling on Rakuten for ¥ 7,209 – that’s roughly P3,340 per sheet. Ouch!

Full story on Be

And so there you have it. ^_^ Have a great weekend, guys!

compiled by Claire Reyes, contributor

We might change up the products we use often but we stay loyal to makeup tools that work for us. Our application is only as good as our tools can perform, after all. They don’t even have to be the most expensive ones in our kits. It all boils down to personal preference but one thing’s for sure - our picks have been key to stepping up our makeup game!

Liz: The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is a staple for me; I have two! One for my makeup table and another for my kikay kit. It's really cheap in Japan but since I don't need back ups of the actual curler, I just buy Shiseido replacement pads. They're  about a hundred bucks for a pack of two there so I hoard.

I have many favorite brushes but I want to talk about the Soffia Opulence All Over Face Brush. This is the priciest single brush I have but it's ridiculously soft, buffs foundation and loose powder well, and has kept its shape after almost three years of use. The gold color of the ferrule has faded and the handle looks beat up, but the hair is as soft and well-shaped as the day I got it.  

Den: There are two brushes I can't live without: a cheapo Marionnaud No. 38 dual-ended brush for fixing my brows, and a SOFFIA Opulence Perfect Skin Angled Foundation Brush. I'm currently sticking to powder products for my brows so the angled end of the Marionnaud makes application quick and easy. Then I just use the spoolie end to brush it out for a more natural effect! The SOFFIA brush does a lovely job of blending out my face base because I cannot stand streaky foundation application. The densely-packed bristles feel very lush and soft, so I can buff and buff and buff without irritating my skin.

Crystal: I hate to admit it but my skin has not been at its best lately. So I've been ignoring my sponges and using this unbranded paddle brush that's a dupe for Artis. The bristles are so densely packed that it gives the full coverage finish that I need right now.

Gett: I've always had a high regard for Japanese eye makeup products. I used to use a Koji Eyelash Curler that I was pretty happy with but last year, I was able to get my hands on a Shiseido Eyelash Curler (the ¥800 one). Not to be dramatic or anything but it really changed how I see eyelash curlers! It gives my lashes the perfect curl and somehow coaxes it to stay in place. The shape fits my hooded eyes well, too. It's effortless to use because you don't need to pinch hard to get a good curl.

Katsy: My favorite makeup tools are brought about by efficiency and sentimentality. The Body Shop Foundation Brush is my first "legit" brush purchase. While it works well as a foundation brush, I got it to apply TBS Lip and Cheek Stain. The dual-ended brow brush is part of a travel Laura Mercier set and it does the job perfectly. The MAC stippling brush is a great all-rounder while the Zoeva Concealer Buffer brush changed the way I applied concealer forever. The Shu Uemura S-curler and Shiseido Eyelash curlers - best lash curlers IMHO.

Charlie: I wanted the MAC 266 the first time I saw it online because I'm a sucker for small angled brushes. My heart stopped when I saw the price tag though (it's around $20 in Bloomingdale's) but this brush performs so well that I couldn't regret the purchase. I use it mostly for my gel liners to get thin, sharp lines across my lids but it also works well for the brows.

Claire: I always end up applying my makeup on the go so my best friend has been the rubicell sponge, aka the dense sponge that comes with cushion compacts. It blends pretty much all of my face makeup to perfection! It works well with liquid, cream, and even powder. I just use an elastic band to keep it folded while in transit. The only downside is that I need to wash it often since I use it with different products. They’re also really easy to replace—most Korean makeup brands stock them at affordable prices!

Marielle: My fave "toy" at the moment is the MAC 217 brush. I thought long and hard before taking the plunge, asked for the opinions of several beauty gurus, and read a bunch of reviews. But it was when I finally saw it in action that I became absolutely sure that I wanted it. The eyeshadow blending is amazing, giving my gradient shadow game a major boost!

Tellie: It's not something I use every day but my favorite makeup tool is this Sephora 5-piece travel brush set. I customized the choices for my "stay-at-home" tools so the ones I end up getting are bulky, long, and of different sizes. I like that this kit folds up really thinly, so I can save more space for the five billion pieces of makeup I can't ever seem to pare down.

Stacie: I don't know what these brushes are called but they're slightly larger than a brush blush, denser than a powder brush but aren’t dense enough to use as a buffing brush. Elf calls it a complexion brush but really, these are multi-purpose brushes I use for powder, blush, contour, and highlight!

Kim: The original Beauty Blender is hands down still my favorite makeup tool to date. I've tested it out against several blending sponge dupes and nothing performed as well as the real OG. Sure, it's pricey at around P1,000 but you'll never have to deal with cake face ever again! I can never achieve the same airbrushed finish with any other tool and that's something worth investing on IMO.

Bonus tip: If you see a Sephora Favorites box you like that includes the Beauty Blender, go get it!

So there you have it, folks: our weapons of mass beautification (lol what). What are your favorite makeup tools? Did you find some of your picks on our list?

by Claire Reyes, contributor

Beauty oils are probably the most misunderstood and underrated of skin care products. You probably either swear by them and count them on your list of HGs or feel skeptical whenever the topic gets brought up. Yes, it DOES sound strange to deliberately apply oil when we’re constantly dabbing at our T-zone with oil control film. But the truth is, it’s not really as strange as you might think, and you may even not realize that quite a few oil-based products are already part of your current routine.

Know that you can fight oil with oil

First off, it’s important to remember that the oil our skin produces is vastly different from the oil used in skin care products. Beauty oils are great for moisturizing without the heavy feeling that comes with cream products. At the same time, oils are more nourishing and concentrated compared to gels. In fact oils like rose hip and tea tree are great for actually treating issues that usually accompany oily skin like acne, inflammation, and blemishes.

On the other hand, cleansing oils allow you to thoroughly cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture – and causing skin to oil up even more in an effort to compensate. By incorporating oils into your skin care, you can actually discourage oil production over time!

It doesn’t necessarily have to feel like an oil slick on your face

Assuming you use it properly, of course. The fear of looking like a greasy cooking pan most probably stems from our experience with baby oil. Since most baby oils are made of mineral oil, it pretty much just sits on the surface of your skin, which gives that icky oily feel. Good quality beauty oil should be absorbed by skin soon after you apply it, and you’ll know it’s working because of how soft your skin would feel after. 

The right oil matters

Have you ever tried using an oil-based product from your kitchen, and gotten a bad reaction that made you swear off oil forever? That’s because non-cosmetic grade oil is different, even if it’s extracted from the same ingredients. For example, food-grade castor oil is not as pure and has larger particles than the cosmetic-grade version, so it’s unlikely to produce the desired effect simply because your skin can’t absorb it. The tricky part is that not all oils in the market carry these tags. Instead, look for the terms “cold pressed” and/or “cold processed” on the label. Oil extraction using heat is faster and cheaper but it usually yields a thicker consistency. Cold pressing or cold processing on the other hand takes longer and is therefore more expensive, but yields a purer product with a more comfortable consistency.

Top beauty oils to try: Bio-Oil, Etude House Any Oil 21, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, Human Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Organic Rosehip Oil from Healthy Options

Apply it the right way

Simply slathering the oil on in copious amounts is definitely going to make you look and feel like a greaseball! The best way to get the most out of your beauty oil is actually by massaging it on. Just add a drop or two on your palm, warm it up by rubbing your palms together, then gently massage it onto your skin. Doing this will keep you from feeling greasy since the massage encourages your skin to absorb the product faster, plus you get a nice relaxing treat at the same time. If you still feel a little too oily afterwards or end up applying too much, you can lightly blot off the excess with paper towels.

Have we convinced you? Give oil a chance before shutting it down for good! And if you’ve tried using beauty oils, we'd love to know know what your experience has been like. Have you turned into an oil convert or have you banned it from your routine forever?

Sources: Annemarie, Into the Gloss, Debrief

When I first read about Victoria Beckham's collaboration with Estée Lauder, I didn't dare hope that it would come to the Philippines. I hear it actually wasn't supposed to but the girls of Estée Laude PH found a way! This ultra exclusive line is dropping only in SM Aura, as of today, and there are only a couple hundred pieces available. If you're a fan of Victoria Beckham and Estée Lauder - or just beautiful, good makeup - then this is a collection you shouldn't miss!

The Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder collab is all about sweaty-sexy skin, fiercely lined eyes, and nude lips. It's meant to be worn smudgy with the confidence to be imperfect. Just like Victoria Beckham, it's sexy, cool with a bit of rawness and edge. I will list down a description of all the products available in the bottom. In the meantime, here's my review + swatches of the two products I have with me!

Let's begin with the obvious star of the show. The Highlighter in Modern Mercury is part of an older, limited edition collection some years back. However, Victoria loved it so much that she just had to include it in her maiden project with Estée Lauder! It's a gorgeous, finely milled highlighter with a peachy, bronze tint. Actually, if you're fair, you can get away with using it as a bronzer! If you're medium to dark-toned, it works pretty well as a sheer peachy blush or as a lid wash.

The pigmentation of this powder is intense. One swipe is literally all you need to get it to flash some pretty light. It has an odd texture, though, in a totally good way. It feels like powder when you touch it but adheres like a cream. I did a little bit of research on Modern Mercury and it was apparently originally called a "Powder Gelee"! It's supposed to be a triblend product which combines powder, liquid, and gel. Cool no? 

As I said, it sticks like a cream product. The pigments and shimmer doesn't fade or smear so when you apply it on your skin, it pretty much sets there. It makes for great eyeshadow, actually, and wears very well as a blush or bronzer.

Do note that Modern Mercury's color is not quite your typical highlighter. It gives color to the face due to its peach-bronze hue, so if you are fair to medium-toned and are looking to highlight the traditional way, then this might be too tinted to be used as such. It's a beautiful product though, and I do love that it can be used several ways to enhance the skin! It's worth the purchase if you love to collect shiny, pretty, limited edition things. 

The Lipstick in Brazilian Nude is a spicy brown nude with a glossy finish. It's the color that immediately comes to mind when you think about Victoria Beckham! I mean, just do a quick google search of this iconic Spice Girl and you'll see that it's her signature lip shade. Brazilian Nude features a hydrating formula - no need for a lip balm - and medium coverage at first swipe. Layer to get more opacity, or wear a liner underneath.

The bullet is a sleek ribbed black, with gold trim. I'd say it's one of the classiest tubes in my collection to date. <3

In the look above, I wore Modern Mercury on my cheekbones and Brazilian Nude on my lips. Of course, I couldn't resist wearing a smoky eye the way Ms. Beckham intended! I love how chic everything turned out. Now if you're digging the collection, you must rush to SM Aura ASAP. I hear stocks are running out fast! ;) As promised, here are some more deets below. Enjoy shopping!

THE COLLECTION

Morning Aura Illuminating Creme. Beautiful skin is the starting point of the entire collection. Morning Aura Illuminating Creme is part moisturizer, part brightening primer. Containing micro-pearls to instantly illuminate and brighten. It gives skin a fresh morning glow.

Highlighter in Modern Mercury. This previous limited edition Estée Lauder highlighter is back. A favorite of Victoria’s, it can be used to highlight and contour the face. Worn on cheekbones, this high shine highlighter creates that sexy sweaty skin look.

Bronzer in Java Sun. This matte bronzer is the perfect natural shade. It can be used all over for a sun-kissed look, or worn beneath the cheekbones to contour and define.

Eye Ink in Black Myrrh. For intense, sooty black eyes. This pressed gel-cream formula is an innovation in eyeshadow and can be used dry or wet for an intense, editorial finish. The dense pigment delivers a deep, rich, almost black shade with a touch of pearl for a sexy look.

Eye Metals Eyeshadow. High-shine eyeshadows deliver a precious metal finish to the eye with densely pigmented color that is strong and sexy. Wear alone or layered over Eye Ink for a high octane finish.
Available in: Bitter Clove – a strong, blonde gold / Charred Emerald - an intense, metallic blackened green

Eye Palette. Shades of rich sapphire, gold-hued nude, metallic honey, sophisticated sage, concrete grey and shimmery copper. These six powder eyeshadow shades can be applied wet or dry. Innovative dual purpose pearlized pigments have a translucency that allow these eyeshadows to reflect light and pull light into the formula for a more vibrant look.

Eye Foils. These breakthrough new liquid eye foils deliver intense vinyl-like shine – even after they’ve dried. Sparkling pearl pigments add flecks of blonde gold or silver in this liquid metal-effect formula.
Available in: Burnt Anise – a strong, rich, charcoal shine / Blonde Gold – a strong, blonde gold shine

Eye Kajal Duo in Black Saffron/Vanille. This double-ended pencil delivers an exceptionally soft and creamy texture. A potent black pencil (Black Saffron) and eye-opening nude (Vanille) create a sexy, smudged, edgy look. For day, line the inner lid with Vanille. For night, edge eyes in black with Black Saffron.

LIPS

Lipsticks. Two shades, two very different looks. Create a perfect nude polished lip with Brazilian Nude. For a bold statement, Chilean Sunset is a matte, orange-based red taken directly from Victoria Beckham’s signature sunset palette.

Lip Pencil in Victoria. Victoria’s signature nude-matte pencil. This formula imparts incredibly creamy color with the staying power of a traditional lip pencil. Meant to be worn every day to create a naturally full pout. Can be worn alone as a liner or all over the lip.

Lip Gloss in Moroccan Heat. This warm, nude lip gloss offers high shine for a polished look. Infused with Estée Lauder’s signature fig scent, this lip gloss can be worn alone or over lipstick to give a plump and polished pout.

For more information, visit @victoriabeckham and @esteelauder on Instagram and Twitter. #VBxEsteeLauder

Available exclusively at Estee Lauder SM Aura starting 8 October 2016. 

When I was a makeup noob and had just discovered the wonders of beauty blogs, I saw that many foundation reviews and mentions had the initials NC and NW followed by a number. I didn’t understand what they were so I did a quick online search, and that was how I first learned about the MAC foundation shade coding system!

If you’ve ever tried to shop for foundation, you’d know how hard it can be to find a product that matches perfectly with your skin tone. Shade names like Caramel and Golden Beige aren’t helpful either as they often look different from brand to brand, or even with different products of the same brand. The MAC foundation system makes finding your exact match a lot easier because it’s developed to match varying degrees of skin tones as well as differences in undertone. Basically, if there’s one makeup brand that you’re absolutely certain to get a match of your skin, it would be MAC! To find out more about why their system works so well (and to help me find my MAC shade), I talked to MAC events artist Ryan Wong and MAC product specialist and makeup artist Beny Reginaldo about the products that set their brand apart from the rest.

What is the difference between NC and NW? Which one is right for me?

“At MAC Philippines, foundations and concealers are mostly categorized into NC and NW. NC stands for Neutral-Cool and has yellow undertone, while NW is Neutral-Warm which has pink undertone,” Ryan explains. “An easy way to determine if you are yellow or pink toned is to see whether your skin has a rosy or golden tone. If your skin is naturally rosy, then your skin has a pink undertone. Likewise, if your skin has a naturally golden tone, then your skin has yellow undertone.”

If you’re still not sure which group you fall under, a MAC specialist will help you out. Beny tells me that part of a MAC artist’s training includes being able to quickly figure out what a person’s skin tone is, just from one look! Even though I was experiencing some redness and looked flushed from my commute, he immediately pinpointed me as having an NC shade.

Which shades are the most common or popular among Filipinos?

Locally, the most popularly worn MAC shades are NC30 to NC40. Beny explains that most Asians have NC undertones because of our warm coloring, and that in countries like Thailand, the people are so yellow-toned that MAC had to create a purely C line for them! There are about 20 shades (including NW options) available in the PH to suit most Pinoy skin tones, but the actual number of all available MAC foundation shades is past 30. Aside from the C shades, there are pure N and pure W shades, too. That’s why beauty gurus and lovers alike usually reference MAC shades when describing foundations and skin tones.

Editor's note: These are swatched on NC35 skin. I use NC35 comfortably, NC30 is too light on me when blended. - Liz

What formulations are available? Which one is right for me?

You know what’s harder than finding your shade match? Choosing the right formula to get! MAC has so many liquid, powder, and gel foundations that I felt a bit intimidated. I counted about 11 different formulas in the store! Ryan explains that MAC has so many product options because they’re dedicated to making sure that foundation looks like real skin. So here’s a tip to keep you from getting confused: just match the formula to your skin type! If you have combination to oily skin, the non-hassle option would be to get a powder formulation while those with dry skin might want to get a liquid formulation.

MAC doesn’t limit the options there though. If you’re oily-skinned but prefer a liquid foundation, you can go for Studio Fix Fluid (P1,900) and just set it with a finishing powder like Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (P1,800). If you have dry skin and want to keep things matte, Studio Fix Sculpt Foundation (P2,150) is a gel-type formula that dries to a powder finish. To cop the Korean dewy skin trend, get the new Studio Waterweight Foundation (P2,200), which is designed to work for any skin type. For heavy coverage, try the Pro Longwear Foundation (P2,150) or Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation (P2,200).

How does a foundation-matching happen in a MAC store?

It all starts with the MAC makeup artist getting to know your skin. They usually ask about your skin type, how much coverage you want or feel comfortable wearing, the kind of formulation you want to try, and the type of finish you prefer. Based on your answers, the artist can recommend the product that they think will suit you best but you can also request to try any product that strikes your fancy.

When you’ve decided on a product to try, the artist will get three shades of your preferred formulation: one that looks closest to your skin tone, a shade that’s a step darker, and a shade that’s a step lighter. In my case, Beny figured that my skin looked closest to NC37, so he got NC35 and NC40 (there was no NC39 for the particular foundation I chose) to compare.

All three shades are swatched on your jaw line to see how they blend with the color of your (bare) face and that of your neck. This is very important because the two can actually have different skin tones! If your neck is much darker than your face, the artist will find a shade that lies between the two so that it blends more seamlessly. It’s never a good idea to base your foundation matching on swatches made on your hand or arm! Unless you’re lucky enough to have a completely even skin tone all over your body, chances are they’ll end up looking quite different when applied to your face.

After giving the swatches a minute or two to settle on my skin, Beny’s first pick proved to be my exact match. To be absolutely sure that it was right for me and so I could see how it would look when worn, he applied NC37 all over my face with a stippling brush.

Should my concealer be the same as my foundation shade?

It depends on what you’re trying to conceal. Ryan says that because concealers are used to cancel discolorations like dark circles and pimple marks, you have to use a concealer shade that will make the area blend better with the rest of your skin.

Beny used the Studio Finish Concealer Duo (P1100~) to cover up the remaining imperfections. He neutralized the bluish tones of my under eye area with an NW30 cream concealer that was lighter and pinker than my skin to give it a brightening effect. For my acne, he applied a slightly lighter NC35 concealer because the marks looked dark. 

After my MAC shade matching session with artist Beny Reginaldo

It was really fun finding out my MAC foundation shade, and the experience is just worlds away from going to a department store stall and having to figure out what shade would suit me amid poorly-managed testers and unflattering store lights. The MAC store had well-lit mirrors, clean brushes, and a knowledgeable professional to help me out! You can also find out what your MAC shade is simply by going to any of their stores and requesting for a free consultation. If you want to get actual makeup lessons though, they offer paid classes wherein the fee is consumable with MAC products. Sounds like a great deal!

Have you found your MAC foundation shade? Which formulation is your favorite? Share your own MAC-matching experience in the comments!

Visit the MAC website and Facebook page for more information.

You know how bad ideas usually start with a shrug and a YOLO? I bet that many a beauty faux pas begin this way, especially when it comes to trying a new look for your hair. No judgment here! These last few years have seen me going on a hair processing binge myself. I’ve colored my hair, had it rebonded, and then colored it again at least two more times. While I avoided bleaching, I did try to get as light a color as possible and it has left my already frizz-prone hair feeling dry and over-processed. While the only true answer to getting rid of damaged hair is to snip strands off, there are ways to prevent further damage and strengthen the remainder of your tresses.

Local natural beauty brand Human Nature is turning “hairspiration” into “kindspiration” with the launch of their new Professional Saloncare Shampoo and Conditioner. Launched in partnership with Azta Urban Salon, the hair care set is all-natural, sulfate-free, silicone-free, and also ideal for maintaining color-treated hair.

If you haven’t been giving much thought to the ingredients in your shampoo or conditioner, you’d be surprised to learn that many common ingredients contribute to hair damage. One such example is sulfate, which is great for stripping away excess oil and giving you that squeaky-clean feeling. The bad news? It also tends to lift pigments, so your dye job fades faster and may look uneven. Another culprit is silicone, which smoothes out hair strands by wrapping itself over the hair’s cuticle (outermost layer). However, it also prevents proper nutrient absorption, so you don’t actually get all the hair care benefits from your products.

To keep hair feeling silky without any harmful effects, Human Nature's Saloncare line has been formulated with avocado oil, sunflower oil, and sugar beet extract for a natural dose of moisture and smoothness. When the Saloncare shampoo was applied to my hair, the first thing I noticed was the coconut scent. It’s pleasant and made me think of vacations at the beach, and I was surprised that the scent lasted well into the next day!

As with most sulfate-free formulas, the shampoo doesn’t enthusiastically lather up like most commercial shampoos do. I know I don’t actually need big suds to get my hair clean but it admittedly takes some getting used to! I like how the shampoo my scalp and hair without causing dryness. The conditioner is rich and feels a little bit waxy, but it won’t leave a slick feeling down your back or residue on your hair. After a week’s use, I noticed my hair feeling less rough and dry, and looking more shiny. My over-processed hair ends still feel dry and “crispy” but it's lush and bouncy from the midpoint up to the roots!

Want to try too? The Saloncare line is available at the Human Nature website, all Azta Urban Salon branches in Metro Manila, Human Nature dealers, and select grocery stores. The shampoo and conditioner each retail for P249.75 (200ml) and P499.75 (495ml).

Setting makeup with loose powder is a non-negotiable step for an oily girl like me, but what other people may not know is that it’s something even non-oily types should be doing, too! After perfecting your base makeup, you really don’t want all your hard work to transfer, get shiny, or fade away in this humidity. A good setting powder can save you from all those mishaps, and you don’t even need to spend a whole lot of money for one that really works. We rounded up some of our under P600 favorites for you to try, or you might want to consider switching if your current HG is making your wallet cry!

3W Clinic Professional Natural Makeup Powder (P250 from Mei Satsuki). Formerly known as DoDoPalgantong Theatrical Powder, this very popular setting powder from Korea comes in huge tubs of 30g and 50g each. It was popular among theater actors since it keeps their makeup from melting due to the hot lights on stage! It comes in three shades: Translucent Pearl (for that glowy look), Light Beige (for light skintones), and Medium Beige (for medium skintones). Use this if you’re heavy-handed and tend to apply too much: it still won’t cake! The light floral scent is quite nice, too.

Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (P260 from Althea PH). It’s constantly sold out and it’s not hard to see why. The white powder has a very fine texture that becomes “invisible” when applied on the skin. It has a pore blurring effect and helps control sebum production, plus the mild, minty scent also makes it feel more refreshing.

Catrice Nude Illusion Loose Powder (P599 at SM Beauty). Don’t let the white, flour-like appearance fool you. This product is the secret for creating “a soft focus effect for a flawless, and long-lasting matt effect”. It instantly makes your skin look smoother and keeps you shine-free for hours.

Nichido Final Powder (P150 at department stores). You can’t get a better or cheaper bargain than this drugstore find! It’s often been called a dupe for Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, because it keeps skin matte but doesn’t cling to dry patches.

Etude House Zero Sebum Drying Powder (P398 at Etude House boutiques). The cocktail of citrus oils and other extracts in this powder formula work to make the skin look and stay matte. The lemony scent is lovely, and you only need a small amount to stay shine-free.

Ellana Sheer Velvet Primer Powder (P399 for a refill at ellana.com.ph). This is a dual purpose powder that can be used as both a primer or a finishing powder. The finish is HD-worthy, much like a local dupe for another much more expensive powder, Make Up For Ever HD Powder. However you choose to use it, you can be sure that this white powder will do a good job of blurring your pores and lines as well because of its smoothening abilities. Take care not to accidentally breathe in the powder while applying though, because the powder is extremely refined and can cause irritations if you inhale it. Very little goes a long way!

Do you use finishing powders? What are your favorites?

I was poor, ugly, and anti-social during most of my teenage years. All that seething insecurity though was also combined with an odd sense of confidence that, come to think of it, I shouldn't have grown up with considering my background. This self-assurance came from the belief that I was smart and that I can do things. My parents did well in encouraging me to read, explore, and become more - they may not have been able to give me the newest clothes or gadgets, but I never ran out of "new" secondhand books. 

Sometimes I wonder what I'll tell myself if I can time travel to when I was sixteen. Will I lay out my plans and emphatically plead with myself to follow them to the letter? Will I even make sense? Or is it going to be pointless because it is, after all, the bad times which contributed to who I am today? Never mind that I don't have a time machine - I still want to write down a few lessons I wish I hadn't spent so much time learning. 

On beauty

1. Wear sunscreen all over the face AND body, everyday. Sunscreen was one of those things I was stubborn about until I turned 23. I thought it was useless and just a marketing ploy, but it is truly the single best anti-aging product. The sun can do a lot of damage on our skin over time, and sunscreen so far is the best protection we can have short of never leaving the house.
2. Your acne is caused by more than just your hormones and poor choice of skincare - your toothpaste and hair products also did a lot of damage! I only realized this when I started using Head & Shoulders shampoo religiously in my mid-20s; it stopped much of my acne. Anything that touches the face can cause a reaction, even innocuous non-skincare products.
3. Don't fuck with your hair. I begged my mom to have my hair straightened since I was old enough to "understand" that straight hair = beauty. When she finally relented, I was so happy! My classmates gave me so many compliments! But now, at 28, I am paying for it. My hair is falling like crazy and my hairline is receding. I wish I listened to my mother.
4. Be fit by getting into a sport. You hate sports now, but you'll love tennis later. It will make you feel strong and capable; it will teach you that repetition is key to success. Doesn't hurt that your legs will be perfect and your upper body strength will finally make an appearance! There is a certain kind of beauty in that, a beauty you can be proud of too.
5. It's okay to hate how you look like and wish you could be prettier, thinner, the way others are so effortlessly - sometimes. Don't feel guilty for being weak and human. Don't hate yourself for what you aren't. Don't also fall for the "you are beautiful just the way you are" balm because that's bullshit and there IS a standard of beauty that exists - there are ugly people, okay-looking people, and beautiful people. It's a thing; get on with the program! The key is to understand that what you look like ultimately is only a part of who you are as a person. It's up to you how important it has to be. It doesn't have to be so important that you inflict yourself so much misery.

On your career

These days, I often find myself wishing I took up a business course instead of political science. But I had absolutely no idea I would be running my own company at 28 years old! It was not what I had in mind. I thought I'd be a lawyer, plus I wasted so much time pursuing and then giving up a lot of things. 

1. Smile and ask questions. There is a wide chasm between what you love doing and the people who would pay you to do it. The way to bridge it is by finding people you can do favors for, and people you need favors from. Talk to people, develop ideas with them, and see how you can work together to build something. In a room where you don't know anybody, you might meet great contacts - and friends - when you start smiling and asking questions.
2. Don't waste time being shy and waiting for others to give you what you want. There is no "right" timing for anything. There's only the time you spend learning and making something happen! There are so many things to accomplish if you only took the initiative instead of waiting for handouts.
3. Failing at something is the best way to learn about it. Working hard and mastering a skill is one thing, but failing at it means you've put what you've learned into practice and that it wasn't enough. It doesn't mean you are bad at it at all, it just means that your abstract knowledge of the thing doesn't yet match its practical application. Try until you know that it can't be done; after that, begin again and do something else. But try first.
4. Fear is the mind killer, so don't panic. Fear is real. But it's not a solid object, like an impenetrable wall of stone. It's more like water. There is the very real possibility of drowning in it but at the same time, it is not impossible to float and swim through it. Don't let fear make you small, mean, and cynical. Don't let it stop you from trying out new things and exploring opportunities. Let it go through you, like a wave. When it's gone, you will remain, and you can get back to work.

Artwork by author

I have been a huge fan of Happy Skin since Day 1. I love their Don’t Get Mad Get Even Liquid Foundation for a quick complexion fix, plus they have a wide range of different formulations so you can find your own perfect Happy Skin base. And of course, as a lipstick lover, their Shut Up and Kiss Me Lippies are staples in my stash!

A trip to a Happy Skin counter is a must whenever a makeup newbie friend asks for help with her kit or when balikbayans ask for recommendations on where to shop. That's why I was thrilled to know that for Happy Skin’s third anniversary, they decided to open their newest and biggest store yet in Trinoma Mall! Just imagine how much more fun it would be to do your beauty shopping in 71 sqm of beautifully-designed makeup heaven!

I visited the store on the same day it opened and got to meet Happy Skin’s gorgeous founders, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo and Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez. They are really lovely to talk to and they know their products by heart! Rissa showed me around and Jacqe personally recommended a few products she thought would suit me best.

When you enter, you are greeted by everything you’ve come to love with Happy Skin. Every nook and niche designed by Heima is Instagram-worthy! Their products are grouped by Face, Eyes, Lips, and Limited Edition to guide you through their growing collection. Rissa explained that they also wanted to make their products more accessible by providing educational makeup tidbits throughout the shop in the form of framed instructional info sheets and a huge TV where Happy Skin videos play on loop.

You can also swatch to your heart’s content at the central makeup island, which is every beauty girl’s dream! Their ongoing GWPs are also displayed so that you can better plan your purchases. I’m personally eyeing the Glam Squad pouch GWP, which is dual-sided and extremely handy!

They also have their Happy Skin Hall of Fame area where their best-sellers and beauty awardees are showcased. It’s also easy to stay updated with their What’s New section!

My favorite spot is also where you can get the ultimate Happy Skin beauty experience. The new store has three makeup counters where you can get a makeover and try out their products! I took a seat and enjoyed having MUA Saab Chua work some Happy Skin magic on me.

First, she removed my makeup using the Make a Clean Sweep Revitalizing Makeup Cleanser (P699). This prepped my face for their newest base – the Face the World Air Serum Foundation (P1,299). They only have this in one shade, and I didn’t believe that it was a one shade fits all kind of foundation until I tried it myself. It fit my skin perfectly and really did feel as light as air! We still used the ZZ Spot Concealer (P899) for my under eyes though because my extra baggage just had to have concealer. While it did cover my dark circles, I think that it works best for spot concealing.

For my brows, she used the Light Brown shade of the Glam Squad Arch Definer & Brow Mascara (P949) to groom them into place. The shade suited my current hair color, and the pencil and mascara combo made it easy to define my arches. I love that it’s a 2-in-1 product and would recommend it even for newbies!

My cheeks were then contoured using the Glam Squad Contour & Color (P1,399). And yes, I got cheekbones! The shade gave me a subtle contour while the blush brightened up my usually pale complexion. The Glisten Up Highlighter Cheek Stick (P799) from the Prints Made Pretty collection also added to my Happy Skin glow.

I also got to try the Glam Squad Eyeshadow Duo by Mickey See (P899), which I chose because of the mix of matte and shimmer. That, and because I’m a Liza Soberano fan!

Here’s the part where I got swatch-happy: when Saab applied the Mickey See lippie to complete my makeover, I fell in love. I loved the Glam Squad liquid matte lipsticks (P699) so much that I couldn’t pass up the chance to the other colors on. Yet even after swatching three lipsticks, my lips didn’t feel dry at all! Jacqe revealed that these lippies were selling fast – even the new store no longer had stocks for Mickey See’s shade. So I made sure to take home a tube of Denise Go-Ochoa’s peachy shade, and it has been my go-to everyday lip ever since.

Before and after my Happy Skin makeover. I'm wearing the Mickey See lipstick!

The drool-worthy interiors and fun makeover were already enough for me to rave about but then I discovered that there is a very special area in the Trinoma store. Hidden away at the back is a cozy, well-illuminated room where Happy Skin plans to host their makeup workshops! Plus, it will also be available for private functions like bridal showers.

It was an amazing afternoon of beauty chit chat, shopping, and makeovers at Happy Skin Trinoma. I’m sure you’ll have the same delightful experience when you come over! I can’t wait to see what Rissa, Jacqe, and the rest of the Happy Skin team come up with next (so excited to find out what their holiday collection will be). Congratulations on your third anniversary, Happy Skin!

Have you visited the Happy Skin Trinoma store yet? What would be your favorite spot here?

By now, most of us probably understand that the Koreans take beauty very seriously. K-beauty is not just a fad; it’s a whole new beauty genre that’s here to stay. I must admit that dedication of K-beauty brands to developing newer and better products is pretty amazing and charged with a lot of creativity – who else would have thought that snail slime or horse fat would be good for our skin? They’ve turned our beauty routines into a very real adventure, complete with a taste for the strange and exotic.

To fuel your thirst for esoteric beauty, we’ve listed five more “non-traditional” ingredients that you should definitely check out and consider adding to your regimen!

Galactomyces

Though it sounds like something that came from outer space, galactomyces are gathered from the yeast used in the sake-making process. It became popular for being the miracle ingredient in Japanese brand SK-II’s coveted skin care products. K-beauty brands like Missha and CosRx soon followed suit and released their own versions of galactomyces skincare, though at comparatively cheaper price points. Also sometimes known as GFF, this ingredient induces the production of hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid in the skin so it looks moist, plump and youthful.

Try: Tony Moly Intense Care Galactomyces Lite Essence (P1,828) at Tony Moly boutiques

Banana

While mangoes are considered our national fruit, bananas are actually our daily staples. Just think of how it’s in our turon, nilaga, halo-halo, and even our ketsup! The Koreans had a different idea for putting them to good use though and decided to slap it on their skin because of its natural antioxidants and exfoliant properties. Tony Moly even has a dedicated banana-inspired line that may look fun and whimsical but deliver serious skin care!

Try: Tony Moly Magic Food Banana Hand Milk (P378) and Tony Moly Magic Food Banana Sleeping Pack (P528) at Tony Moly boutiques

Wine

Scientific research says that a glass of red wine every day can be good for you, and apparently it can also be good for your face. The reservatrol found in red wine is apparently pretty awesome for combating free radicals that cause wrinkles and skin discolorations, so K-beauty has been incorporating this boozy ingredient in their skin care.

Try: Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener (P560) at Althea PH

Sea Cucumber

If you ever see what a sea cucumber actually looks like, you’ll probably be repelled by its gross appearance. It’s amazing how something so ugly can be beautifying though! This ingredient supposedly prevents wrinkles and brightens the complexion, so it’s been used as a star ingredient for essences and sheet masks.

Try: Holika Holika Prime Youth Black Sea Cucumber Skin Treatment Essence

A demo of the Osaemeein Carbonated Bubble Mask

Carbon Dioxide

No, we don’t mean simply exhaling our breath onto our skin. Carbonated bubble masks started to trend when videos of YouTube beauty gurus became online hits. The mask also contains clay and combined with the bubbling action of the carbonated water, it exfoliates and gives a deep pore cleansing without causing the skin to dry out. As it sits exposed to the air, the applied mask foams up on its own and produces a tingly, fizzy sensation just like soda!

Try: Elizavecca Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask (P550) and ONSAEMEEIN Carbonated Scoria Bubble Mask Pack (P360) at Althea PH

Have you tried Korean skin care with these strange ingredients? What’s the weirdest K-beauty ingredient you’ve seen so far?

When we published a story about under P500 contour kits a few months back, quite a few readers wrote in to say that the post inspired them to finally try contouring. Because we’re beauty enablers (and in case you still haven’t decided on what to get), we’re adding five more budget-friendly picks for you to choose from!

Dare we say it? You’ll get even more bang for your buck with these options as each one is part of a palette. So depending on which products you want to add to your kit, you can get a contour powder AND a highlighter, a blush, or even tinted brow wax. And yes, everything is still under P500 and easily found at most beauty sections. 

Ever Bilena Advanced Blush Duo in Baked Fig (P220 at department stores)

Many makeup lovers on a tight budget usually start with this local brand, and though price isn’t even half of our budget limit, this palette performs quite beautifully! The powders have a smooth texture and good pigmentation. The brown shade has slightly cool tones while the blush has an earthy-berry color that would look especially fab on morenas. Both are completely matte and last for about four hours. We also love the HUGE mirror included in the compact!

Pink Sugar Honey I’m Good Eyebrow Kit(P399 at SM Beauty)

Okay, hold on. Why is there an eyebrow kit on this list? Well, the three taupe-y matte powders included are spot on for nose contouring, and allow you to create even more dimension with the different gradations. Just use a crease eyeshadow brush or any small brush that blends well, and follow the steps for creating a more defined and symmetrical nose shape with our tutorial. And if you’re obsessed with keeping your #browsonfleek, you can contour your way to perfect arches, too.

If you want to use the powders to contour the cheekbones, just combine two powders (either lower left and lower right, or upper right and lower right) with a normal-sized angled brush to pick up what you need.

Essence Shape Your Face Contouring Palette in 10 Ready, Set, Peach! (P429 at SM Beauty)

We’ve often raided Essence counters for their cheap-but-awesome lip and eyeliners but we just recently discovered that they make pretty good contour powders as well. You get everything you need to polish your cheeks with this palette: a matte nutty brown contour powder that’s easy to blend, a beige-toned matte highlighter that you can use to blend and brighten your contour job, and a shimmery peach blush to liven up your complexion. And if you’re still learning how to use all this stuff, the back of the palette includes a little face guide and a step-by-step tutorial on how to apply all the products. Nifty!

Catrice Prime and Fine Professional Contouring Palette in Warm Harmony (P499 at SM Beauty)

It may look tiny but this mini contouring kit proudly carries a 4.8 star rating at Ulta! It’s a beauty junkie fave because the contour powder isn’t too warm or muddy-looking, thanks to a grayish undertone. If you’re worried about having obvious contour streaks on your face, this powder gives you better control over your application and can be layered as needed. Also, the accompanying highlighter is a champagne shade with fine gold shimmer that looks pretty on warm Pinay skin tones. It's not quite as impressive as the contour powder but it does a good job as a subtle highlight.

Maybelline Face Studio V-Face Duo Powder in Medium Dark (P499 at department stores)

This compact is our favorite from the new V-Face line. It's the best "palette" for even the laziest contour-ers since it's actually a face powder - meaning, you can retouch your oily areas AND contour at the same time with the slightly darker shade. You can contour with it normally (it has a subtle, soft effect but isn't super dark on skin) and then bring it around to touch up your cheekbones during the day. It has a brush and a mirror included, though I would recommend replacing the so-so brush with a sponge. Nifty!

Is contouring part of your daily look? Which of these products would you want to try? Got other cheap, drugstore faves that you’d want to add to our list?

Relevant question: are highlighters just glorified eyeshadows? The answer is, yes, they can be used as eyeshadows but they are so much more. A good highlighter can brighten your face instantly but the best ones look like there's this pretty light coming from your skin! They must adhere almost invisibly and should show up only in certain angles. That, for me, is the best way to find out if a highlighter is worth the money.

I've found amazing ones this year. My favorite is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal since it's like having powdered light in a compact, but I am also loving the Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Afternoon Glow and the Victoria Beckham x Estee Lauder Highlighter in Modern Mercury for their warmth and sophisticated color. They are, however, quite expensive. They're nice to have but I know that P2,000-P3,000 is quite a bit of commitment if you're not into glowy things in the first place.

Before, I haven't really found anything that matches the fine shimmer these highlighters have but I've recently dug into my stash and "discovered" the Sleek Highlighting Palette in Solstice (P875). I can see why there are so many raves about this online!

This particular palette is popular among beauty gurus and true enough, it's always out of stock locally. What makes it special? Well, the most remarkable thing is that it's in a metallic rose gold palette. Most Sleek products are in black compacts, but this one immediately stands out. It also has four pans inside - a cream and three powders, two of which seem baked at least basing on the texture.

Each highlighter in the palette is ultra smooth and adheres to the skin flat. There are no spackles or loose powder to be found! Like the expensive highlighters I mentioned above, they also flash in certain angles to reveal their true brightness. 

Ecliptic is a sort of pinky champagne. Hemisphere is a cool lilac while Subsolar is a white gold with a slight greenish tint. Equinox, my favorite and the most wearable, is a cool champagne. I love the colors by themselves but they are not as warm as I would like. They're fun though! Hemisphere is an interesting choice and does look intriguing on the skin especially in dim lighting (as in a club or romantic restaurant).

Here's a comparison swatch of Equinox with Becca's Opal. Observe how both highlighters adhere to skin almost the same way, and have that same ultra-fine texture. They're not the same color at all though, as Opal is warmer and has less of that white shimmer.

In this look, I wore Equinox on my cheekbones and nose bridge. It's pretty but the champagne tint doesn't really show up on my skin. When blended, the white shimmer shows up more than the base color on my medium yellow skin.

There are a couple of caveats. The colors in the Sleek Solstice palette are too cool for morena skin tones and they don't stick for very long. They fade and smear in a couple of hours so, yes, if you're oily everywhere, this might not be the best idea. It's okay on combination skin though as we are less oily on the cheekbone area anyway.

Nevertheless, the Sleek Highlighting Palette in Solstice is a good buy if you want to try a highlighter that approaches what high-end brands could do. It's not quite there but it makes an admirable effort considering it's only P875 for four colors. Not bad at all! It's a nice starter palette before committing to the pricier brands. ^_^ What do you think, does this palette look like something you'd try? If you've tried it, how was it?