We love that new local cosmetics companies are pushing the envelope when it comes to beauty, but still, we have to pay homage to the legend that is Ever Bilena. With 33 years in the beauty industry under its belt, it has become the top makeup brand in the country that several generations of women know and love through the years. 

Most Pinays start their collections with some choice EB products in the mix.  They continue to come back for reliable favorites as well as on-trend innovations at affordable prices. Ever Bilena knows this, which is why it is continuously developing new products and expanding their reach with the hottest local celebrities as their brand ambassadors.

From left: Sam Concepcion, Andrea Brillantes, Angelina Montano, Janelle Olafson, Dianne Medina, Sunshine Cruz, Chanel Olive Thomas, Daiana Menezes, and Christian Bautista

If you haven’t visited Ever Bilena in a while though, then you are in for a surprise! The brand has carried over a thousand products in the last three decades, and their current selection remains extensive. To make it easier for customers to find what they need and highlight key differences in their products, Ever Bilena created sub-brands that cater to different beauty lovers:

Ever Bilena

The original iconic makeup range, EB features classic colors that withstand the test of time. Think Old Hollywood glamour! The bestselling Ever Bilena Matte Lipsticks (P165) boast of a wide spectrum of shades that go beyond your usual pinks and reds. If you read local magazines, you’ll probably spot ads featuring Sunshine Cruz wearing a statement shade, Vivid Violet, a deep plummy purple that’s not for the faint of heart.

The EB Liquid Concealer (P140) is also a consistent crowd favorite because it doubles as a corrector to help cover up dark circles. And if you’re one for some retro beauty, their 80-peso magic lipstick is surprisingly vibrant and long-lasting with a modern matte finish!

EB Advance

Taking trendy products and turning them into a pro-worthy line, the EB Advance Supreme Lipsticks (P200) are bolder and brighter than that of the original range yet manage to stay within a competitive price point. We’ve also often included picks from this line in our Budget Beauty features. We’ve used the EB Advance Blush Duo (P225) as blush, contour, and eyeshadow, while the EB Advance Lip and Cheek Stain (P155) is one of our top picks for that on-the-go flush. The EB Advance Uncover Eyeshadow Palette (P375) has also caught our eye because it contains 12 ultra-flattering earth tones and nudes that range from matte to metallic to sparkle.

Careline

For teenagers who want to play with youthful, age-appropriate colors, there’s Careline to get them started. Bright pops of color make the products a lot more fun to play with and less intimidating to newbies. Palette-lovers will love the travel-friendly size of the Careline Pocket Palettes (P90), which come in three set variants and contain a stunning array of 15 mini eyeshadows each! For those who have strict no-makeup policies in school though, the Careline Macaron Lip Balm (P85) and the Careline Emoji Balm (P80) are super adorable options for keeping young lips soft and moisturized.

EB Blackwater

Branching out into fragrances, the Blackwater line is designed for men and women alike. It includes a selection of body sprays and deodorant sprays, but they also make great hair styling products! Get sleek tresses from Blackwater Women Hair Shine (P110), which helps smooth strands and give your mane a healthy sheen. For men (and women) who want to fix their hair into place, try the Blackwater Hair Gel (P66) or the Blackwater Hair Wax (P96).

EB Naturals

Following the local wave of support for all-things natural and organic, Ever Bilena Naturals offers a selection of soaps and lotions. The Kojic + Papaya Skin Lightening Soap (P30) promises a more potent treatment for evening out the skin tone, while the Whitening Papaya Soap (P30) offers a gentler alternative. You can also keep hands soft and supple with the help of the purse-friendly EB Naturals Hand Cream (P90) and its lovely floral packaging design.

I was lucky enough to sit down with Ever Bilena brand ambassador Sunshine Cruz for a bit of beauty talk! She shares that she and her sisters have always been loyal EB users because the combination of world-class quality and affordable prices are just unbeatable. A self-confessed lipstick girl, she especially loves using the bold and bright-colored matte lippies because they make her naturally fair complexion look more vibrant.

Shine is wearing the Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Posh Plum

Gracious and warm, she looks more like a 20-year-old than a woman close to her 40s, but she reveals that her clear skin is more a result of good habits than a ton of products. She never sleeps with her makeup on, drinks a lot of water, catches up on sleep whenever she can, and makes sure to sweat it out with regular boxing sessions. When I asked her what beauty advice she would give her younger self, she quickly answered to not be swayed by trends and stick instead to what actually looks good on you.

My very first Ever Bilena product was an eyeshadow, which I still keep for sentimental reasons! Do you still remember your very first Ever Bilena product? What are your current favorites?

Do you love tea? Whether or not you do, the iconic Elizabeth Arden Green Tea line of fragrances is sure to seduce you with its clean green scent. Launched in 1999, it quickly became a cult favorite because of its fresh complexity, as if you walked into a bright spring morning in the country. Since then the brand has launched several variants that are as exciting to the nose as the original. My favorite is still the Honeysuckle, as it's a spicy verdant scent that never fails to keep my mood up!

Recently though I've gotten hold of the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Nectarine Blossom EDT Spray (P2,250/ 100ml) and it has knocked out the Honeysuckle right off its spot. It's got a fruity layer on top, featuring bursts of peach, apricot, fresh bergamot and exotic fruits. These mingle with green tea vapors, with a juicy, musky finish that leaves a warm effervescence on the skin. I love it! It's my current daily scent since it's so easy to wear and stays fresh all day even in humid weather.

And now, since we love you guys and to celebrate National Green Tea Month, we are giving away another lovely Elizabeth Arden scent: the Green Tea Cherry Blossom! This is a sparkly yet delicate floral that I think y'all would love. <3 It's easy to join!

Mechanics

1. In the comments below, tell us what you're looking for in your daily scent. What kind of notes do you like in your signature perfume? Is there a certain personality you go for in choosing the scent's story or packaging? How about staying power? 

2. Share this article link on your Facebook timeline and tag our Facebook Page - don't forget to set your post to public!

3. Share any of these Green Tea perfume photos on your Instagram with the caption "Just joined @projectvanitycom 's Elizabeth Arden giveaway!  There's an @elizabetharden_ph scent up for grabs over at Projectvanity.com! #NationalGreenTeaMonth #GoodTimesWithGreenTea #ProjectVanityCom"

And that's it. ^_^ Easy, as always. We'll pick the winner randomly by November 30! Good luck!

I was killing time in a mall when I spotted stalls selling fake makeup.  "Miss, authentic ba to?" I asked the lady in the first stall. "Hindi po Mam! Galing Korea ito," she smiled at me. I asked the same question in the second stall, "Authentic po lahat Mam!" as the guy showed me a non-existent Kylie palette. It was surprising to say the least as I wasn't in a low rent seedy mall - I was in Glorietta 1, and the bazaar area had not one but two fake makeup stands almost right across each other.

I think this is problematic because of the context. If a not-so-in-the-know prospective buyer saw the cheap, fake makeup from a street vendor, it should be fairly clear that the merchandise is not what it claims to be. But in a mall, there is a blanket of legitimacy that can fool even well-meaning customers who just want a good deal. I hope Glorietta looks into this for the welfare of their customers and retail partners! I saw even fake Etude House, L'Oreal, and Maybelline in the stalls.

Anyway, I bought a few things to test. I got the Kylie Lip Kit in Posie K since I have the original and thought it would be interesting to compare. It was P300 for the set, which sounds pretty attractive considering resellers sell the authentic one for at least P2,000 a pop. I was still scalped though - the next stall was selling the exact same thing for P150! Ugh. I should have canvassed first. People are even telling me they see the fake Kylies selling for as low as P60 in Divisoria.

Here's a quick video to show you how both look like side by side, with swatches!

Some salient points:

• The boxes only have a few minor differences only in terms of font and print quality. The components (the tubes and pencils) though are almost identical! I even had to place a sticker in my liquid lipstick so I don't mistakenly put the fake one on my lips. I didn't have to do the same for the pencil though because the authentic one has already been sharpened several times.
• The shade difference is remarkable. The lip liners come in different hues and saturation so they were easy to tell apart. The liquid lipsticks are not at all similar: the original is a mauvey pink while the fake Posie K is a peachy pink.
• The fake Kylie lip liner seem scentless, but the liquid lipstick has a cloying sharp sweet scent. Like sweet-smelling plastic.
• The scariest thing though is the formulation. See how the pencil applied with a red streak? It disappeared later on, after some pretty heavy swatching, but it bothered me so much that I decided not to put the fake products on the lips even though that was my original intention. The liquid lipstick is even scarier - it sticks like super glue! If you've ever had super glue accidentally stuck on your skin, the fake Kylie has pretty much the same feel and adhesive strength! It's waterproof and can only be taken off with loads of makeup remover.

We're always on the lookout for a waterproof lipstick we never need to retouch, right, but in this case it's a hard pass for me. The problem is that I don't know what's in the formula and I don't care to find out by testing it on my lips. It could be glue (says Glamour magazine) or gasoline (says Nylon, according to a duped consumer). I thought initially that the fake lippies would just really smell bad and be more uncomfortable than dirt cheap drugstore makeup. The swatches, however, discouraged me immediately (see vid if you haven't).

I hate to preach, but it's important to always put your health and safety first. These fake products look almost like the real thing, but the formula can not be trusted because you literally don't know what's in it. It's like...eating food that's been in your fridge for a while. You don't know if it's ok or moldy or full of maggots, but you still eat it anyway without looking into the bag. Being safe costs almost nothing, while being sorry is quite expensive later on. 

Do you have any experiences with fake makeup? How did it go for you?

There’s an expectation that makeup artists rely solely on high-end or professional makeup to stock their kits, and this is especially true for those who have risen to celebrity status. After all, they get paid the big bucks by famous people to help them look their best for red carpet events and other highly publicized outings. While it’s true that they do have a lot of expensive makeup in their kit though, that doesn’t mean that they don’t turn to the drugstore for some great yet affordable finds.

Having gone to makeup school myself, I’ve learned that professional makeup artists love finding great budget-friendly products just as much as the rest of us beauty fanatics. So we asked celebrity makeup artists Anthea Bueno, Owen Sarmiento, and Jigs Mayuga to reveal the drugstore products they always stock up on!

Makeup masters: Anthea Bueno, Owen Sarmiento, and Jigs Mayuga

K-Palette 24 Hour Real Lasting Eyeliner (P700 at Beauty Bar, Rustans Beauty and SM Beauty)

Jigs reveals, "I've gone through many different brands of liquid eyeliner through the years but this one really resists bleeding and smudging, even when tight lining and filling in the inner corners with black liner. I'm a huge fan!" We agree! This eyeliner really sticks on us for almost the whole day and is intense in a couple of layers.

Jigs' perfect cat eye look on Maxene Magalona / image via @jigsmayuga on Instagram

Carmex Moisturuzing Lip Balm (P140 at SM Beauty)

Carmex lip balms have been around forever that it's easy to ignore them whenever we go shopping. They're key to beautiful lips though, according to Owen! He enthuses, "This really provides long-lasting moisture for the lips! It hydrates and soothes dry skin on the lips. I like to apply this, blot the excess product off with tissue, line the lips, and then fill in with a lipstick. I also love mixing this with a matte lipstick for a stained lip effect that has a creamy feel and finish."

As lips as a focal point in any makeup look, Owen makes sure that he has his fave lip balm at all times. / image via Owen Sarmiento

Maybelline mascaras (available in drugstores)

Not surprisingly, all three artists agreed about the quality of these mascaras. Anthea shares, "They're a staple in my kit. I like that they have a wide variety of mascaras for different types of lashes, and a lot of them are water or budge proof."

The Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Black (P350) is Jigs's absolute fave though. "There's a reason why this mascara is a cult classic and that one tube is sold every two seconds," he explains. "It keeps lashes full and in place, is never clumpy, and is practically smudge-proof." This is HG material but not always available in the Philippines. Ask your relatives from the US to bring a few tubes over and we promise you won't regret stocking up!

Look how many Maybelline Rocket mascaras Owen stocks in his kit! We need to get this, stat!  / image via Owen Sarmiento

Loving those lashes on Kim Jones! We spot her name on the label of Owen's top mascara pick.  / image via @owensarmiento on Instagram

Owen adores the Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Washable Mascara (P399), and he makes sure to always bring several (a brilliant idea) whenever he has a shoot or makeup appointment. "I love this mascara! It does not smudge, and is very easy to remove. You can create volume even with just a single swipe." He also shares a great tip, "I actually put labels on the mascaras and assign one for the exclusive use of each of my clients! It has their name and date of first use so they're confident they won't get any infections from other users, or end up using a product that's already expired."

Now we know the secret to Iza Calzado and KC Concepcion's natural-looking brows. / image via @antheabueno on Instagram

Kate Retractable Brow Pencil (P520 at SM Beauty)

Anthea swears by this for creating #onfleekbrows. "It's awesome! It has just the right amount of pigment, so you never have to worry about over-drawing your brows." We've tried this before and we agree that it gives a lovely, soft look. Layer it to intensify the color or keep it simple, as you can see on Iza and KC.

Pro tip from Owen: Stock up two shades of concealer, the lightest and darkest, to customize the color for your skin tone.  /image via Owen Sarmiento

L’Oreal True Match Concealer (P400 at drugstores)

Have you been looking for a drugstore concealer that won't let you down? Owen swears by True Match! "I actually discovered this when I did a friend's makeup using what she had in her pouch. I've been in love with it since then!" he says. "The creamy texture gives a blendable light to medium coverage. It also has a natural finish that makes you look like you're not wearing any makeup, and doesn't streak even after hours of wear."

Bioderma Micellar Water (P1,290 for 250ml at SM Beauty and PCX)

Both Anthea and Jigs count this among their favorites. Anthea calls it "a toner and makeup remover in one" while Jigs recounts discovering it when he went to makeup school in London in 2007. He says, "It's perfect for spot correcting mistakes without disturbing the rest of your makeup." This is pricey, but still remains as one of the best micellar waters out there. 

Have you tried any of these makeup artist favorites? What other MUA-recos have you heard about? And if you're makeup artist yourself, we'd LOVE to know what's in your own kit staples!

One of my makeup-related pet peeves is seeing foundation caked on like a mask. When I watch Instagram and YouTube gurus layer on thick globs of product, I want to scream, gurl! You don't even need it even if your aesthetic is all about drag! It's even more irritating to see 16-year old girls put on so much foundation when their skin already looks fantastic, dosed with youth and natural radiance.

Am I just old-fashioned? Should I just get on with the times? I think it's an unfortunate beauty trend, but I'm sure it will pass. When I was younger everybody wore heels or went home. Bright colors and flashy fabrics were du jour but now it's all about minimalism and comfort - at least in fashion. I'm sure we'll reach a tipping point eventually and go back to normal, where we are supposed to look like ourselves and not clones of the next big Instagram star.

Anyway. Here are five tips to make sure that your liquid foundation looks like skin in person, and not like a mask!

Tip #1: Moisturize to brighten and smooth skin instantly. Moisturizer is key to achieving a fresh face. Aside from the long-term benefit of having hydrated skin, moisturizer also has a visible prettifying effect. Instead of using makeup to create the illusion of supple skin, just make sure your face is supple and cared for with a good moisturizer appropriate for your skin type.

Tip #2: Wear primer. Yes, doing the legwork before actually putting on foundation is important! Depending on the primer you use, you can make your skin look like it's glowing from within or as matte and soft as a baby's bottom. This step will lessen the amount of foundation you need, and will keep it from creasing and fading prematurely. 

Tip #3: Go for thin formulas, or thin down the thick foundations you have. Foundation is supposed to create the illusion of an even, smooth face. It's not meant to cover up your blemishes by itself! That's what concealers are for, to target small areas. Avoid thick foundations for daily wear and choose thin, watery formulas that will do the job. You can also thin down your thicker foundations by mixing in some moisturizer or primer before applying it to your face.

Tip #4: Powder selectively. If you have dry or combination skin, you don't need to powder every inch of your face. Focus only on the areas where you get oily so that it looks like your skin still shows underneath the makeup. Go for translucent powders that don't add much coverage!

Tip #5: Finish with a good glow. Matte blushes look great on cam, but not so much in person as it has a tendency to look flat. Choose a blush with a hint of shimmer to create the most natural-looking 3D flush. It also serves to highlight your cheekbones a bit! Of course you can use a separate highlighter on top if you wish, or in lieu of a blush.

Hope this helps! Got any tips on getting your liquid foundation favorites to look like real skin?

Photography by Samantha Gonzales

When I first discovered Pinterest and Instagram DIY hacks, I spent hours looking for ones that are beauty-related to work on as weekend projects. Most were easy to follow, and I found the activities to be therapeutic and even addicting!

I especially loved makeovers that turn my vanity into a legit beauty space, so I wanted to try finding ways to make my old, beat-up, and not-so-nice palettes look attractive and enticing again. After all, doesn’t your makeup experience feel more fun and exciting when you’re using a product that is as beautiful as it is functional?  The more you handle a product, the more it’s prone to get dirty and worn down, and sometimes it can get scratches and other unsightly flaws because of poor storage. So, I gathered some palettes and got to work!

What you’ll need:

• Old or ugly palettes
• Contact sheets (about P200 for a full roll at the hardware store)
• Scissors or craft knife
• Washi tape
• Adhesives
• Stickers and other decals

Step 1: Choose the palettes you want to work on. If they’re scratched, stained, or covered in sticky residue, clean it up first as best you can to prepare the surface. Larger palettes are generally the easiest to work with because of the area. For smaller palettes, make sure your cutting tools are small and sharp to make it to easier to reach small corners.

Step 2: Gather your decorating tools. It’s best to lay out the design you want before committing to sticking anything onto the palette. For this project, I relied mainly on washi tapes and contact paper to give my palettes a fresh start.

Step 3: Measure your palette before cutting decorative papers so you can avoid wastage. Try to cut it as close as possible, following the shape of the object, and remembering to add “windows” whenever necessary. Stick on the adhesives carefully, making sure to gently smooth out any trapped air pockets.

I chose a simple marble covering for my old but well-loved Nordstrom palette because it reminds me of the Hourglass Surreal Light palette. For the Covergirl Cheekers blush, I went for a PV pink vibe using glittery washi tapes in two shades of pink.

4. If you feel extra creative, add embellishments! Beads and nail decals can be added on with a glue gun. You can even print your own stickers to customize!

Do you have palettes that you no longer feel excited about using because of how they do look? What are your fave beauty hacks for making them look nicer?

We all strive to find that perfect eyeliner: the one with the richest pigment, amazing staying power, and wallet-friendly price. Your quest ends now because we’ve got six liners that give pitch black eye definition in a single swipe! Whether you’re trying to line monolids, hooded lids or something K-beauty inspired, you’ll definitely want to add these to your makeup arsenal, stat.

Of course, if you have particularly oily lids, these liners will still smudge. We recommend priming your lids first to hold down the pigment and to keep the area blotted and dry at all times. ^_^

Banila Co. Triple Wonder Auto Gel Liner (P675 at Banila Co.)

Oily-lidded peeps, rejoice! This gel pencil liner has a strong waterproof formula that can withstand sweat and oil without the teensiest bit of smudging. It feels creamy as it glides easily across the eye, so it’s no wonder that it’s often out of stock. This also has a built-in sharpener and a sponge tip but you’ll have to work quick if you want to create a smokey-eye effect as it sets very quickly.

RiRe Luxe Gel Eyeliner (P210 at Althea PH)

Don’t you just hate it when your pencil liner breaks on you? Check out this pencil from RiRe, a K-beauty brand that’s popular for their Lip Manicures! The brand offers the unique promise of creating a tip that dispenses creamy color without being prone to breaking so you don’t end up wasting product. You won’t have to worry it drying up either, as the packaging is designed to prevent unused product from being too exposed to air.

Yadah Auto Gel Liner Good Bye Smudge in Real Black (P395 at Beauty Bar)

The Koreans certainly know their thing when it comes to eyeliner. We just love this matte gel eyeliner and how it glides into an opaque strip of color when applied. Do make sure to let this set for just a few seconds to prevent any smudging or creasing. You can easily sharpen the tip with the built-in sharpener, and switch up your look by getting the different colors available!

Sleek Eau La La Liner in Noir (P425 in department stores and Zalora)

We love how this glides on with no fuss and stays put for most of the day. It sets into a solid layer quickly so you do have to work fast! It smudges on our lids only minimally throughout the day.

Prestige Velvety Smoky Eye Pencil (P575 at Beauty Bar)

Are you digging the look of smoky smudgy eyes, but without the real mess? Prestige's under-appreciated black eyeliner has a rich, velvety finish that can be smudged to create an eye look worthy of a rockstar. It doesn't smear once it sets though, which makes it a low-maintenance liner for all-day wear.

What’s the baddest, blackest eyeliner you own? Or do you prefer your liners to be soft and buildable? Let us know in the comments below!

Work at Project Vanity means trying out a lot of different products. Sure, it can be a lot of fun and it’s always exciting to try something new, but it’s not without consequences. Sometimes the products don’t work for us and result in an angry pimple, and sometimes they’re just meh and don’t make a difference to our routine or improve our skin condition. But there are also times when we get major eureka moments and our lives are forever changed (for the better!) by a product that performed above and beyond our expectations. It's that moment when we go, "OH! So that's how it's supposed to work!"

The awesome thing about these beauty game-changers is that they can be found both in drugstores as well as high-end stores, so you’re sure to find a great product suited to your budget. We list the top 10 products that pretty much set the bar for performance. Even though we’re always experimenting with other brands and products, we just keep coming back to these ones!

Kojie-San Skin Lightening Soap (P72.50 for a pack of 3 at groceries and drugstores)

Even if you’re not keen on trying for a fairer skin tone, this soap bar blew our minds when it evened out our complexion and lightened dark spots, including scruffy knees and elbows! It’s made of kojic acid, which prevents melanin pigment production. The acid component also acts as a skin exfoliant and decreases inflammation. Plus, the price is so affordable that you can easily hoard this to keep a stockpile in your bathroom! Full review here

AprilSkin Magic Soap (P990 at AboutFace PH)

It may be hard to understand why we get so excited over (yet another) bar of soap but all the rave reviews online are completely legit. This Korean cult favorite can remove makeup, blackheads, and even millia! It does the most amazing job of making skin completely clean and clear, but you can definitely feel its potency as it can make your eyes sting if applied too near the area. Full review here

Cure Aquagel (P1500 at Beauty Bar)

For a gentler exfoliating experience, there is none better than this Japanese skincare must-have. We’ll never get tired of recommending this gommage exfoliator because it works so well and gives brighter, healthier-looking skin in just one use. This stuff is so good that a bottle gets sold every 12 seconds! Full review here

Batiste Dry Shampoo (P750 at Calyxta, much cheaper in Bonjour or Boots - around P300-ish - if you travel)

Dry shampoo was something we could live without until we finally tried this formula. It gives soft, fresh, and clean-feeling hair without needing to shower. Unlike other dry shampoos, this doesn’t leave a white residue on dark hair. It’s just soft, fresh, bouncy, and amazingly grease-free tresses even if it’s second-day hair! Great for prolonging that blow dry, or simply avoiding over-washing your mane.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (P1,400 at Shu Uemura)

If you have stubborn, droopy lashes that make mascara impossible or useless, this tool will tame them to a perfect curl! It works so well that the curl even lasts (for as much as four hours!) without the use of mascara. The shape fits well around the eye, too, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally pinching yourself or pulling out lashes. The price may be steep but investing in an excellent eyelash curler is actually worth it in the long run. Full review here

K-Palette Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow Liquid (P895 at Beauty Bar)

Achieve your #kilaygoals with the help of another long-time PV favorite! It’s the best product to use for creating natural-looking arches, and the dual tips of pen and powder are just so handy for giving your brows a lush appearance without needing several other products. The formula is also long-lasting, so no worries about losing your brows from water, sweat, or sebum. Full review here

Pantene 3-Minute Miracle Conditioner (P59 at groceries and drugstores)

We initially found it difficult to believe the TV ad but one wash later, we became instant converts! Most of the PV staff swear by this conditioner. It conditions the hair without weighing it down or making it feel greasy, plus it’s so easy to wash off. You can also choose from three variants to suit your hair’s particular concerns: Total Damage Care, Hair Fall Control, and Color and Perm. Full review here

Leaders Insolution Sheet Masks (P78+ at Leaders)

Where else can you get drastically better skin in just 20 minutes and under P80? They have so many different mask varieties to suit just about every skin condition, and we PV girls just love hoarding these whenever we can. Depending on what you get, the mask can moisturize your skin, brighten your complexion, or even treat acne! Full review here

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (P1,250 at MAC)

Don’t have perfect skin? No problem! This little tube will hide all your secrets, and last practically forever since a small amount goes a long way. It provides complete coverage without caking or creasing, and stays on until you take it off. Full review here

Shiseido Ibuki Multi Solution Gel (P1,998 at Shiseido)

Whether your skin looks dull, is having a breakout, or just needs an extra oomph, this can give you a fix in just two hours! It also minimizes the appearance of dryness and visible pores. It’s definitely worth a lot of money for just a single product but considering that it’s a multi-purpose treatment to be used only once or twice a week (half a pea size per use), it actually lasts quite a while. Full review here

Have you tried any of these amazing finds? Which ones would you like to try? What’s on your personal list of beauty life-changers?

Photography by Samantha Gonzales

Finding a foundation that perfectly matches your skin, makes it look fantastic, and stays with you all day without feeling like a mask is THE dream. It's not easy but there's nothing quite like the feeling of finding your forever facemate, no? I've found a few great ones over the years which helped me cope with crappy skin, long shoots, and crazy busy events. Still, I'm always happy to add more to my HG list!

I actually tried the Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Liquid Foundation (P3,750) around four years ago. The shade that was sent to me was too light, unfortunately, so I never really wore it out. I remember loving the nude skin finish and coverage but I had too many foundations to justify a purchase! Fast forward to today. During Luxasia's International Press Shopping Day I got hold of the reformulated version and luckily, I was able to pick the perfect shade. I've been using the Lingerie De Peau since then and it's fast become a favorite!

Here's a quick rundown!

• The coverage seems deceptively light but the Guerlain Lingerie De Peau sneakily covers up pimples, redness, and uneven areas with just one layer. It gives this natural, skin-like finish with a subtle glow! (You'll see what I mean in my get ready with me video below)
• Staying power is impressive. It sets solid (not creamy or wet unlike some liquid foundations) and fades minimally on my combination skin for up to 10 hours. You might get lesser wear time if you're oily, however, so do use a primer.
• I've found a great shade match in 03N. It's a warm medium yellow that's a good (if albeit a weeee bit lighter) approximation of MAC's NC35.
• This has SPF20. It's not a lot but it's enough. 
•  It smells so good! It has this dreamy orchid scent that I love. I normally prefer scentless foundations but Guerlain's bases are the exceptions.
• The packaging is classy and expensive, from the molded hefty cap to the glass bottle.

I love how translucent my skin looks like here!

I honestly can't think of anything I don't like about this liquid foundation! Well, it's up there at P3,750 for 30ml, but I feel that the finish and wear time speaks for itself. There are of course many more affordable alternatives out there. However, if you're looking for a luxe foundation that looks fantastic and stays on reliably, you won't be disappointed with the Lingerie De Peau. I love this stuff!

I also picked up the Guerlain Multi-Perfecting Concealer (~P2,000 for 12ml) at the event. This has a light-as-a feather texture but don't underestimate it's brightening coverage! It has a hydrating effect, too, so my bags look less beat up and dry when I have this on. I have the shade 02 Light Cool. It's perfect for my under eyes since it has a bit of a pinky tint.

I'd say the coverage is medium at best, but it is more than enough for what I need. I usually use my ring finger to pat in on! It has the ideal consistency for covering up bags as it sort of "melts" onto the skin seamlessly. The texture also doesn't crease on me when properly set with powder.

Overall, I am really loving the Multi-Perfecting Concealer for my under eyes! I recommend it to anybody looking for a "realistic" way to cover that area. It's got the right texture and coverage for the job. ^_^ 

Here's a video of me using both the Guerlain Lingerie De Peau and Multi-Perfecting Concealer while getting ready for an event. Let me know what you think!

Product photography by Samantha Gonzales

Confession: I apply makeup for my hair. My hair is thinning at a rate I'm not comfortable with, and there's pretty much nothing I can do about it since it's genetic. Everybody in my immediate family has the same problem so I don't have a lot of options except to manage it with products or go for an expensive hair transplant.

Still, I'm not letting it go just like that. I mean, I'm not in this business for nothing! I was browsing Althea a couple of months back when I saw the Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow (P600). It's a powder that's designed specifically to tidy the hairline since Koreans (god bless their hearts) don't like the look of messy baby hair. Never mind the name as I was curious enough to add it to my cart! 

Now I've tried using eyeshadows and eyebrow powders to shade my hairline before. They work great but it takes time to blend them properly and to get juuuuust the right amount of pigmentation. Otherwise they get patchy, which then looks weird to the naked eye. What I love the most about the Mamonde Hair Shadow is that I just stamp the powder on and I'm done! That's it. The pigmentation is perfect and the sponge applicator is flawless for the job.

The finish is natural, as if I don't have any on unless you know what you're looking for. Don't believe it? Here are pics!

I use the shade 06 Baby Face Hair

Staying power is not too bad at about 4-5 hours since I don't get oily on my hairline and I remove sweat as it comes. When it does start to fade, it just softens; it's not messy-looking. It's compact enough and comes with a mirror so that it can be applied on the go!

Overall, I highly recommend the Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow to pretty much anyone who needs some invisible help for their hairline. ;) It helps me feel more confident about my hair problem, even though it's such a small thing! Ah, the power of makeup at work.

Have you tried applying makeup to improve the appearance of your hair? What do you use?

Photography by Samantha Gonzales

This story is brought to you by Sephora.

It’s that time of the year when good girls go crazy over THE sale they can’t refuse. I heard that Sephora.ph is gearing up for their biggest Black Friday event yet and I am not missing it for the world! It’s dropping on November 25 at exactly midnight, the witching hour. As a special treat to you guys, I’ll be sharing an exclusive discount code at 11:59 TONIGHT on Instagram (both @lizlanuzo and @projectvanity) - stay tuned then!

In the meantime, here are ten items that’s already in my Sephora Wishlist. I’ve been wanting these for a while so I saved them already just in case I get a good deal come Black Friday. To save your finds on your own wishlist, just click the heart icon on every product photo or the “Add To Wishlist” tab on the product page anytime. You can then add the items to your bag once the BF sale opens so you don’t waste any time!

Got it? Alright! Here’s what’s in my ultimate Sephora wishlist!

Zoeva Plaisir Box (P4,200). I’m a huge eyeshadow fiend and this box is just giving me life. It contains three of Zoeva’s new chocolate-themed palettes, Blanc Fusion (collection of cool taupes, yellows and browns), Caramel Malange (warm oranges, reds and browns), and Cocoa Blend (glistening jewel tones and chocolate hues). If you’re loving the selection, the Plaisir box is the perfect way to gift and store these three palettes in a gorgeous box.

Too Faced The Chocolate Shop Palette (P3,429). This set contains eyeshadows and blushes as well deluxe samples of some of TFS’s best-sellers! I’ve never had a Too Faced palette before (yes I know I’m missing out) so this would be a good start for me.

Too Faced Merry Kissmas Set (P1,502). A girl can’t have too many lip products…right? I’ve been curious about Too Faced’s Melted lip color line and this set seems like a great way to try several shades for less.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Mineral Blush in Champagne Pop-Hyacinth (P2,273). Jaclyn Hill’s Becca collab has gotten consistently good reviews so I’d love to try at least one item from the collection. Hyacinth looks gorgeous and perfectly paired with Champagne Pop!

Guerlain Meteorites Light Revealing Pearls of Powder (P3,000). Love this stuff! My old one has expired already so I’d love to have one in my collection again. The Meteorites are pricey but worth it if you love glowing skin that doesn’t rely on shiny shimmers.

Sephora Collection Double-Ended Eye Brushes (P1,466). This is essentially six brushes in one set!  This’d be perfect for traveling as it saves so much space.

Sigma Beauty Blushing Babe Brush Set (P3,082). Contouring is art, and a master must have the right tools. Haha, seriously though this set looks like a great addition to my kit as I love to contour. It contains the F05 Small Contour Brush, F25 Tapered Face Brush, and the F40 Large Angled Contour Brush

Foreo Luna Mini (P6,030). I know how a good cleansing tool can help get rid of blackheads, flaky skin, and a dull complexion. I’ve heard so many good things about the Foreo. This electronic brush has rubber bristles that pulsate to dislodge the gunk off our faces.

Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Facial Oil (P3,595). Was so surprised when I saw this at Sephora PH! I’ve seen Herbivore in must-have lists from all over the world, and finally, it’s easily accessible to us! This luxe yet minimalist skincare line focuses on natural ingredients to cleanse, heal, and nourish. The Lapis Facial Oil looks so fabulous and I love that it’s actually for oily skin.

SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set (P3,317). Omg, SK-II is one of my skincare goals. This set has the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (75ml), Facial Treatment Clear Lotion (30ml) and Facial Treatment Mask (1 sheet). I think it’s a great deal, and a great set to explore SK-II! Seriously considering this as I’ve read so many raves about this brand’s essence.

So there you go guys! Hope you enjoyed reading through my list! How about you, what’s in your Sephora Black Friday wish list? Better get ready as you’ll need to stay alert and perky as the sale drops on November 25, Friday, 12 midnight. Mask up and get some sleep beforehand!

A couple of months ago, Liz posted this exclusive preview of the new Kanebo makeup line. My interest was immediately piqued, and her swatches plus FOTD made me look forward to the brand’s much-awaited launch. Fast forward to last month when Kanebo Philippines finally launched the entire Kanebo line and I was beyond thrilled to be covering it for Project Vanity!

Kanebo Cosmetics was founded in 1936, giving it a solid 80-year head start in the beauty industry and becoming one of the top cosmetics companies in Japan. The brand places puts research and development first to produce only the best quality products. You can just imagine all that years of expertise poured into their skincare and makeup.

Compared to Lunasol, Impress, and Kate Tokyo brands, the Kanebo brand is focused on “Chrono Beauty” – a concept that “expresses a woman’s inner allure by providing it with the optimal care at the optimal times”. What this means is that Kanebo’s products are made to address our skin’s constantly changing needs.

For skincare, Kanebo started with “a single day” – the Global Botanical Collection. These are products that provide the foundation for a basic skincare routine with a special focus on moisturization, so that skin will be healthy and glowing.

As with any good skin care routine, it starts with cleansers to wash off the day’s dust and grime. Both the Kanebo Softening Cream Cleansing (P1,800 /120ml) and the Kanebo Refreshing Creamy Wash (P1,500 /120ml) effectively strip off dirt while keeping the skin moist and soft. For heavy makeup users, the Kanebo Mellow Rich Oil Cleansing (P1,800 /180ml) is a good oil-based cleanser for double cleansing. 

As the name suggests, Kanebo The First Serum (P3,600 /60ml) begins the regimen after cleansing and should be applied before any moisturizers. The Kanebo Moisture Flow Lotion (P3,000 /180ml) and the Kanebo Moisture Flow Rich Lotion (P3,000 /180ml) address oily and dry skin types respectively, as with the Kanebo Bouncing Emulsion (P3,600 /100ml) and the Kanebo Bouncing Rich Emulsion (P3,600 /100ml).

Applying a moisturizer is a must for keeping your skin in perfect condition 24/7 so Kanebo developed two creams specifically tailored for morning and night use. Extensive studies by Kanebo led to the development of the Baby-Soft Oil Formulation used in these creams. The formula is inspired by the vernix, which is the white, creamy film we see covering babies’ skin when they are born. The idea is to recreate that texture by covering skin with moisture, thus protecting it from dryness, irritation, and aging.  

The Kanebo Fresh Day Cream SPF 15 (P3,600 /40ml) has a Morning Garden fragrance to energize at the start of the day, while the Kanebo Night Lipid Wear (P4,800 /40ml) has a Night Velvet Bouquet fragrance to help you relax before your beauty sleep. The Aroma Teatopia fragrance, which was specially developed by Kanebo from tea flowers, makes the creams a real treat to the senses. This attention to detail to even the choice of scents makes applying skincare an especially pleasant experience to look forward to everyday!

From this core set, Kanebo will introduce more “tuning products” that will cater to specialized needs beginning 2017 but we’re already impressed by what they have to offer. Everything smelled amazing, and we loved how the day and night creams had distinctive scents that suit the desired mood. The packaging design by renowned designer Gwenael Nicolas of Curiocity, Inc. was also stunning to look at. The simple yet elegant lines were inspired by the flow of water, and we can definitely imagine how these would make luxurious additions to any vanity.

Of course, we got to check out and swatch their makeup offerings! Kanebo makeup focuses on “inner allure” and timeless beauty. Each product provides a comfortable Texture, a glowing Finish, and the 5R Color technology. 5R Color hinges on the color red and makes sure that every shade of Kanebo makeup creates a healthy and beautiful appearance once applied.

To showcase the products, Kanebo did a makeup demo on Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina. She is an elegant morena beauty, and her look fits so well with Kanebo! She has that natural allure that is similar to Kanebo’s image model, Arizona Muse.

The Kanebo Full Radiance Foundation SPF 25 (P3,300 /30ml) comes in eight shades and has a lovely texture that blends beautifully into the skin with the help of the Kanebo Frame Adjust Sponge (P540). I couldn’t resist getting a close-up look at Maxine after the demo, and though her skin was noticeably improved, she didn’t look like she had makeup on!

If you’re a fan of dewy, glowing skin, you can use the Kanebo Glow Primer SPF 10 (P2,400 /30ml) before the foundation. This creates a healthy-looking base, which you can set with the Kanebo Control Finish Powder (P2,400 /18g). This is a translucent powder that softens your look even further while keeping your makeup in place!

There are three variants of Kanebo Selection Colors Eyeshadow (P3,300) and each palette contains a suite of five shades. The palette is composed of a Lighting Color, a Shadowing Color, a Styling Color, a Framing Color, and a Refining Color. It makes applying eye makeup a little easier, but you can certainly mix it up and create different eye looks.

Finish your eye look with the Kanebo Dual Eyeliner Pencil (P900, refill) and the Kanebo Dual Eyeliner Liquid (P900, refill). Both are placed into a tool called the Kanebo Dual Eyeliner Holder (sold separately from the refills at P600). I can definitely see the multiple looks you can create with the softer pencil against the bolder liquid. You can also choose from two shades, Neutral Black and Neutral Brown.

For the eyebrows, fill them in with the Kanebo Pencil Eyebrow (P1,200 – the Kanebo Pencil Eyebrow Holder is sold separately at P1,200). This pencil gives a natural-looking definition to the brows, which Liz has been raving about! This is also available in two colors: Neutral Gray and Neutral Brown.

Brighten up your cheeks with the Kanebo Variant Brosse (P1,500), which you can get in either Coral Petal or Pink Petal. Each of these palettes has two colors inside: the Key Color which provides the healthy flush, and the Glowing Color which provides the glow. Think of it as an awesome blush and highlighter in one!

To round up the collection, we have the Kanebo Moisture Rouge (P2,100). Available in six shades, these lipsticks have one of the best formulas I have ever tried! They are extremely moisturizing and they just make your lips look soft and healthy. I have perpetually dry lips but whenever I wear this, my lips feel plump and soft.

The shades are all natural-looking as well, so whichever shade you reach for is sure to complement your skin. It also stays put for a while and seemingly hugs your lips before fading into a lovely stain. I cannot rave enough about these lippies and am already planning on collecting all six shades!

Are you a fan of Japanese beauty? Which of these Kanebo products are you most excited about?

Kanebo is available at Rustans Makati, Shangri-La Mall, and Ayala Cebu.

If you're looking for a warm eyeshadow palette, you might want to check out the new Zoeva Caramel Melange Palette (P1,464 at Sephora.ph) which just dropped on the site the other week. This has ten shades of caramel-inspired goodness that should especially flatter brown Filipina eyes. Each shade (save for two which are blending shades) are creamy and pigmented in one swatch! The packaging with the gold pattern reminds me of sticky caramel wrapped in luxe foil - my favorite thing.

These shadows are vibrant and solid on the lids even without primer, and are oh so easy to blend. It's my first time to try a palette from Zoeva. Honestly I didn't have a lot of expectations going in, but I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed with the formula even though their brushes are what they're mainly famous for.

And so we come to the colors! Everything looks gorgeous and are easy to work with. Wax Paper and Universal Delight are not as smooth nor as pigmented as the rest, but I believe it's because they're for blending - Wax Paper for the brow bone, and Universal Delight for the crease. I wouldn't want to drop a pure solid white on my brow bone, y'now what I mean?

The rest of the shades apply very well, but I find that many of them look way too similar when worn. The swatches certainly show the difference, but I was disappointed that Aftertaste, Alchemy, 182C and Start Soft (all matte shades except 182C) look too much alike when applied on the lids. They're great colors - don't get me wrong - but I was hoping for more variety. When used together they just kind of fall into each other. They would be great as individual lid colors though!

Liquid Center, Finish Sensual, and Edible Gem stood out to me. These are workhorse colors that should play well with others.

Here's the look! Love how pigmented the colors are. <3

And that is that! By the way, have you checked out the Sephora.ph Black Friday Sale? It's only until midnight TODAY! You can get 20% when you use our code BFPV upon check out too. We don't make any money from the affiliate link, but it'd be nice to let Sephora know we sent you over. Thanks!

There’s an expectation that makeup artists rely solely on high-end or professional makeup to stock their kits, and this is especially true for those who have risen to celebrity status. After all, they get paid the big bucks by famous people to help them look their best for red carpet events and other highly publicized outings. While it’s true that they do have a lot of expensive makeup in their kit though, that doesn’t mean that they don’t turn to the drugstore for some great yet affordable finds.

Having gone to makeup school myself, I’ve learned that professional makeup artists love finding great budget-friendly products just as much as the rest of us beauty fanatics. So we asked celebrity makeup artists Anthea Bueno, Owen Sarmiento, and Jigs Mayuga to reveal the drugstore products they always stock up on!

Makeup masters: Anthea Bueno, Owen Sarmiento, and Jigs Mayuga

K-Palette 24 Hour Real Lasting Eyeliner (P700 at Beauty Bar, Rustans Beauty and SM Beauty)

Jigs reveals, "I've gone through many different brands of liquid eyeliner through the years but this one really resists bleeding and smudging, even when tight lining and filling in the inner corners with black liner. I'm a huge fan!" We agree! This eyeliner really sticks on us for almost the whole day and is intense in a couple of layers.

Jigs' perfect cat eye look on Maxene Magalona / image via @jigsmayuga on Instagram

Carmex Moisturuzing Lip Balm (P140 at SM Beauty)

Carmex lip balms have been around forever that it's easy to ignore them whenever we go shopping. They're key to beautiful lips though, according to Owen! He enthuses, "This really provides long-lasting moisture for the lips! It hydrates and soothes dry skin on the lips. I like to apply this, blot the excess product off with tissue, line the lips, and then fill in with a lipstick. I also love mixing this with a matte lipstick for a stained lip effect that has a creamy feel and finish."

As lips as a focal point in any makeup look, Owen makes sure that he has his fave lip balm at all times. / image via Owen Sarmiento

Maybelline mascaras (available in drugstores)

Not surprisingly, all three artists agreed about the quality of these mascaras. Anthea shares, "They're a staple in my kit. I like that they have a wide variety of mascaras for different types of lashes, and a lot of them are water or budge proof."

The Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Black (P350) is Jigs's absolute fave though. "There's a reason why this mascara is a cult classic and that one tube is sold every two seconds," he explains. "It keeps lashes full and in place, is never clumpy, and is practically smudge-proof." This is HG material but not always available in the Philippines. Ask your relatives from the US to bring a few tubes over and we promise you won't regret stocking up!

Look how many Maybelline Rocket mascaras Owen stocks in his kit! We need to get this, stat!  / image via Owen Sarmiento

Loving those lashes on Kim Jones! We spot her name on the label of Owen's top mascara pick.  / image via @owensarmiento on Instagram

Owen adores the Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Washable Mascara (P399), and he makes sure to always bring several (a brilliant idea) whenever he has a shoot or makeup appointment. "I love this mascara! It does not smudge, and is very easy to remove. You can create volume even with just a single swipe." He also shares a great tip, "I actually put labels on the mascaras and assign one for the exclusive use of each of my clients! It has their name and date of first use so they're confident they won't get any infections from other users, or end up using a product that's already expired."

Now we know the secret to Iza Calzado and KC Concepcion's natural-looking brows. / image via @antheabueno on Instagram

Kate Retractable Brow Pencil (P520 at SM Beauty)

Anthea swears by this for creating #onfleekbrows. "It's awesome! It has just the right amount of pigment, so you never have to worry about over-drawing your brows." We've tried this before and we agree that it gives a lovely, soft look. Layer it to intensify the color or keep it simple, as you can see on Iza and KC.

Pro tip from Owen: Stock up two shades of concealer, the lightest and darkest, to customize the color for your skin tone.  /image via Owen Sarmiento

L’Oreal True Match Concealer (P400 at drugstores)

Have you been looking for a drugstore concealer that won't let you down? Owen swears by True Match! "I actually discovered this when I did a friend's makeup using what she had in her pouch. I've been in love with it since then!" he says. "The creamy texture gives a blendable light to medium coverage. It also has a natural finish that makes you look like you're not wearing any makeup, and doesn't streak even after hours of wear."

Bioderma Micellar Water (P1,290 for 250ml at SM Beauty and PCX)

Both Anthea and Jigs count this among their favorites. Anthea calls it "a toner and makeup remover in one" while Jigs recounts discovering it when he went to makeup school in London in 2007. He says, "It's perfect for spot correcting mistakes without disturbing the rest of your makeup." This is pricey, but still remains as one of the best micellar waters out there. 

Have you tried any of these makeup artist favorites? What other MUA-recos have you heard about? And if you're makeup artist yourself, we'd LOVE to know what's in your own kit staples!

Last week, I bought the new Ever Bilena Uncover Eyeshadow Palette (P375) in SM Makati. I've been wanting one since I saw the promo images online - it looked gorgeous and the price was not bad at all! I couldn't pass up the chance of owning yet another neutral eyeshadow palette. Mostly though I was curious to see how well this 12-color palette would perform considering it's only P375.

Let's discuss the packaging first. The component looks like Urban Decay's Naked palettes (2 and 3) except it comes in a nude tan shade. It has some heft; it feels solid when held. It's bigger than I thought it was going to be! There are 12 eyeshadows inside at about a gram each. It also contains a double ended brush with a sponge and flat synthetic tip - well, I'm going to throw it away but I do appreciate having that slot for a real eyeshadow brush.

The colors are lovely, with a mix of matte, satin, and sparkly metallic finishes. I don't have the Naked 3 but the Uncover palette is obviously based on Urban Decay's rose gold nudes! I've observed though that some colors are too similar to one another (more on that later). Most of them are pigmented if a bit patchy, but a good eyeshadow base should reveal their vibrancy and hold down the color all day. Expect fallout since the shadows are powdery.

Here are my swatches and color notes!

• #1 is a rich matte white that can be built up to an opaque layer. I just find it too white for my brow bone; I wish EB made a warmer-toned beige so it would match my skin tone (or at least get close enough to avoid the drag look).
• #2 and #3 are very similar sparkly warm pinks. I forgot to swatch #2, sorry, but it's just slightly lighter than #3. I like sparkly eyeshadow so I don't have any beef with this option! If you don't like shiny shadows though, you might not like it.
• #4 would have been a pretty rosy mauve transition color, but it's patchy and hard to work with. That's not to say it's impossible to work with, just that you'll need to layer it quite a bit to get it to show up and work the way it's supposed to.
• #5 and #6 are sparkly bronze shades which are, again, quite similar to one another. I'd say #6 is more bronzy in person but I would be confused if you switched 'em up.
• #7 is a gorgeous burgundy wine. This would make for a fab crease color or smoky lid wash!
• #8 and #9 are close rosy bronzes, though they are definitely more visually easy to tell apart. #8 is more of a rosy bronze while #9 is more of a cocoa bronze. If you love single eyeshadow looks, these would look gorgeous on the lids, concentrated near the lashes and diffused at the crease.
• #10 is a pretty dusky silver while #11 is a soft purple. They are totally made for each other, as you can see in my FOTD below!
• Finally, #12 is a blackish purple with sparkly bits. The sparkles result in major fall out though, and they don't stick on the skin. It's still good for smoking out the eyeshadow though, since it was surprisingly easy to blend and diffuse.

In this look, I used 10 on my lids, 11 on my crease, 4 as transition shade, 12 on my outer V, and 1 on the browbone. Not bad right? It was a bit difficult to work with the Uncover palette due to its limitations but I legit love the look I came up with! It looks sophisticated and rendered quite well in person and on camera.

While the Ever Bilena Uncover Eyeshadow Palette is not perfect, it's still not a bad buy at P375 compared to other options in the same price range. I mean, it's no MAC or Urban Decay and the repeating colors are frustrating but if all you have is P400 to spare on an eyeshadow palette then, hey, this would be a good entry-level addition to your kit. 

I don't regret the purchase and I look forward to using the warmer colors next time! Try this if you want a basic palette with everyday shades you can play with. ^_^ Just remember to prime your lids - here's my current fave eyeshadow primer, and it's only P249.

Thoughts?

Cleansing is the most basic and important part of any skincare routine. Even if you’re not into wearing makeup, it’s just the hygienic thing to do, especially if you don’t enjoy having painful breakouts or infections. Now, you can easily find good facial washes under P500 but if it feels like they’re not cleaning your face well enough, it might be time to pick up a tool to step up your facial cleansing routine!

Most of these cleansing aids can be used together with your facial wash of choice, or with just a bit of water if you just want to focus on exfoliation. And don’t you worry: everything is just P100 or less. We have a separate feature on sonic brush cleansing devices if you’re interested in that, but these cheap options are definitely worth your consideration.

Konjac Sponge

Don’t let its unassuming appearance fool you. This humble little sponge has been touted as Japan’s best-kept secret to perfect skin! It is made from fibers of the konjac potato (konnyaku) plant’s root, making it a truly all-natural cleansing tool. At first, I didn’t get why beauty superpowers like YouTube’s Kathleen Lights loved it - it just looked like a hard, odd lump to me. Then I soaked it in water, and the magic happened. It expanded into something that reminded me of a loofah, but is much gentler and has a weird but pleasant jelly-like texture. It exfoliates without irritating my sensitive skin and, when used with a bit of facial wash, creates a nice foamy texture.

I got mine for less than P100 pesos at Landmark Makati, and I think the same brand is available at BeautyMNL at a similar price point. There are also fancier ones available at Sephora.ph, which are infused with various minerals and/or clays. I really like its cleansing power but it has a very short shelf life as manufacturers recommend replacing this monthly.

Silicone Cleansing Pad

I spotted this for P88 at my favorite Daiso branch and thought it looked a wee bit like a Foreo! Of course, I had to do the “rotating and vibrating” myself but it works wonders when paired with a foamy facial wash. I definitely feel like my pores get a deeper clean, compared to using just my fingers.

 It’s effective, easy to use, and lasts a really long time. The konjac sponge is a gentler choice but silicone pads are sturdier and easier to clean and sanitize. I also use this with my fave blackhead balm, and it works great as a brush cleaner for smaller brushes. The one I got even has a suction cup behind it for no-brainer storage!

Pore Cleansing Brush

Of the tools listed here, this probably comes the closest to approximating the Clarisonic experience because it also relies on soft, dense brush bristles to give a deeper clean. Most Korean skin care brands have released their own version of this, in either synthetic or natural bristles. Mine is another cute, cheap find from Daiso (also P88), with synthetic bristles that admittedly could be much denser. If you’re thinking of getting one of these, make sure to check that the bristles are soft and not sharp!

To use, pour out your face wash onto your palm and use the wet brush to work it into a foamy lather. Apply the lather to your face and gently buff it in using circular strokes. Treat this like a toothbrush and replace regularly.

Microfiber Towel

We’ve been fascinated with The Makeup Eraser since including it in our list of makeup remover types but couldn’t bring ourselves to shell out the money. After a bit of research, we learned that it’s essentially a microfiber towel so we hunted for possible dupes! I found some good-sized microfiber towels at the SM Store (Home Department) for sale at three for P100 and quickly snapped them up.

When soaked in warm water, the towel is actually able to remove makeup even without the addition of facial wash (but I double cleanse after to be sure). I use it as a supplement to my cleansing regimen as I find that it does clean and exfoliate well. My only issue is that I have to wash and dry it like any other towel, so I need at least two in circulation.

If you’re looking to step up your cleansing game, one of these tools just might help get you there! Have you tried any of these handy helpers? What tools do you use to help remove gunk from your pores?

Whether you utilize a go-to “face uniform”, try out a new look every day or prefer to go bare, it’s important to make proper cleansing part of your daily routine. Thankfully, we are currently in the midst of a beauty surge in the Philippines with some of the world’s best brands coming in and giving us plenty of options to choose from. One such brand that has recently made its way in the country is Simple Skincare!

A skin care fave of Gwyneth Paltrow and Lisa Eldridge, this UK brand looks as unassuming as its moniker and made me even more curious to know what made Simple different from other brands. They brought in pretty straightforward products – a couple of cleansing options and an award-winning moisturizer. These basic beauty needs are made from sustainably-sourced, skin-loving ingredients. They assure us that our skin has nothing to fear in their products. They are color-free, fragrance-free, fuss-free, and best of all, they work for sensitive skin!

Simple tells us how being kind to your skin is the way to go, and we learned how to use each of their products with the help of renowned celebrity makeup artist Cristine Duque at their launch event.

How do you take off your makeup at the end of the day? If you wear light makeup daily like me, a quick swipe of micellar water might sometimes be enough. Simple’s Micellar Cleansing Water (P499/200ml, P799/400ml) is a cult-favorite in the UK, having been part of Glamour UK’s Top 15 cleansers as well as Allure’s Best of Beauty 2015.

If you’re wearing heavier makeup like a full-coverage base, Tin advises doing a double cleanse. She applies the micellar water on the lips first to avoid smearing the color all over the skin, then uses a separate pad for the rest of the face. Her quick pro tip: fold the cotton pad into quarters for precision removal!

She uses a cotton pad cut in half and soaked in the remover as makeshift under eye pads to loosen up makeup (especially helpful if you’ve been baking), and lightly pats another wet pad over the eyes. It’s important to just lightly pat the area and let the remover do the work of dissolving and removing makeup, so you don’t end up tugging on the skin and giving yourself premature wrinkles.

If you have waterproof eye makeup though, use the Simple Dual Effect Eye Makeup Remover (P499/125ml). This dissolves the makeup faster and doesn’t sting or irritate your eyes. Plus, it contains ingredients that help to nourish your lashes, too!

When you’ve finished using the makeup remover, it’s time to lather up with the Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash (P299/150ml). While it effectively removes dirt, oil, and any residue left behind by your first cleansing pass, this cleanser is actually 100% soap-free! Even though it helps to clean skin, soap can also be a cause for irritation as it has a drying effect on the skin and can upset healthy pH levels.

If you’re in a rush or just too tired to go through the motions, reach for the Simple Micellar Cleansing Facial Wipes (P299/25 wipes). Unlike regular wipes, these are soaked in the same gentle micellar water solution. Conveniently packed and portable, these are especially handy while traveling as you won’t have to worry about spills or TSA guidelines.

To finish off the Simple Skincare routine, there’s UK’s #1 moisturizer – the Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer (P499/125ml). Made with triple purified water plus a blend of glycerin, multivitamins, and borage seed oil, they say it can make your face moisturized for up to 12 hours! It’s just the thing to have now that the weather is cooler and less humid, as the change can make the skin feel drier than usual. Here’s a tip from Tin for getting the best results from your moisturizer application: Use a 5-peso coin size amount of moisturizer for your face and massage for 10 minutes to allow the formula to absorb fully.

Did our quick rundown make you thirsty for the Simple things? You can now check out Simple Skincare at Watsons and select supermarkets! Follow them on Instagram and on Facebook.

I love my morena skin but - just between the two of us - sometimes I wish I were a little bit fairer.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that the pressure of living in a whitening-obsessed country has gotten to me,  it's just that I wish I can get away with more nude lipsticks. I really like how they look but I've been burned before with shades that looked great on other people but not so much on me. Nudes are often too light on my skin, and make me look sickly pale when I put them on.

I’ve since learned that the trick is to pick shades that have a warm brown undertone mixed in with warm peaches and pinks. It's about matching the color of your lips so that you get a hint of color without looking pale and ashy. Here are a few that we've found to be quite flattering on NC35-40 skin!

Celeteque Matte Lipstick in Nude (P499 at department stores and Watsons)

Celeteque, despite the French-sounding name, is actually a proudly Filipino brand. They've recently come out with a cosmetics line and even added new shades to their Matte Lipstick collection! We love how Nude is a warm brown-based peach that adds just a touch of brightness to morena skin.

Maybelline Creamy Matte in Clay Crush (P299 at the beauty section)

Who says great lipsticks can’t be affordable and found at the drugstore? Clay Crush, a warm peach brown lippie, has actually built a reputation for being Maybelline’s best-selling nude lipstick. It has a demi-matte finish that looks great for everyday use. It’s almost always sold out at counters though, so make sure to pick one up if you spot it!

L’Oreal Matte Parisian Browns Lipstick in Chocolat Rogue (P400 at the beauty section)

L’Oreal recently released an entire line of brown lippies and you’re bound to find your nude lip match in the collection. Chocolat Rogue is our favorite though as it has a warm chocolatey hue to it. The formula is not ultra matte, but I don’t mind as it suits my dry lips better.

Sleek Matte Me in Birthday Suit (P450 at SM Beauty)

Matte addicts, pay attention! This liquid lippie is a true matte with amazing pigmentation. It’s a bit drying but we advise applying lip balm as a primer first. As for the shade, it's this beautiful mauve nude color that looks so feminine. We recommend this for medium-toned morenas as it may look a bit too light for the deeply tanned. Girls of all skin tones hoard this though so it’s often out of stock; keep an eye out and see if you get lucky!

Revlon Ultra HD Matte LipColor in Seduction (P575 at the beauty section)

While we were initially drawn to the pretty packaging, these are also excellent creamy lipsticks. Seduction isn’t exactly a brown; it has a warm beige tone with a hint of pink. It's more of a velvet matte than a true matte, but we like that it doesn’t dry the lips or get hard and flaky.

Everyday Love Nude Lips in 04 (P199 at Everyday Love on Instagram)

This is another lovely peachy nude with a brown base. This dries into a long-wearing layer - seriously, it's hard to get off once it sets - but make sure to prime your lips with balm first as it can be drying. Check out the other nude shades from Everyday Love, they're quite lovely!

Pink Sugar Lip and Cheek Tint in Honey Bunny (P345 at select SM Beauty Stores and Watsons)

If you want a matte formulation that isn't too drying, the Pink Sugar Lip and Cheek Tint Honey Bunny is made for you. It's a great pinky camel shade, and is possibly the nude-est out of all the options here! It would look perfect with extravagant eye makeup. The staying power and resistance to transfer are amazing for such an affordable lippie.

Pink Sugar HD Lipstick in Butter (P299 at select SM Beauty Stores and Watsons)

This is a new shade in Pink Sugar's extensive lipstick collection. The buttery brown color applies smoothly and has a satin finish. 

Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Lip Liner in Skinny Dipping, (P499 at Happy Skin Cosmetics)

We instantly fell in love when we first saw the swatches of Heart's collection. We especially liked Skinny Dipping as it's such a fresh nude! It gives our lips a pretty but subtle hint of color, and the formula itself is incredibly pigmented and long-wearing. It’s not as cheap as drugstore lip liners but considering how little we put on with each use (and how infrequently we need to apply), it actually offers great value.

Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Blush Basin (P799 at Beauty Bar) 

The brand is well-loved for its fantastic balms so expect their first ever lipsticks to perform just as well! Blush Basin is a pinky nude shade that looks perfectly my-lips-but-better on me, and it feels super moisturizing on my lips, too. It's the perf combination of balm and lipstick.

Are you a proud morena? Which of these lippies are you eyeing? We also want to know what your go-to nude lippies are!

Last Saturday, I didn't put any makeup on after showering off the grime from tennis practice. We planned to go home and rest but then decided to buy ingredients for gyudon, just because. Honestly I was a little worried about going to a place like Rustan's with a butt naked face (not even *gasp* eyebrows!) but what are the odds of seeing somebody I know? Pretty high actually, but the world wouldn't necessarily have to end if I did. I took my chances.

As soon as I sat down on a bench to wait, the lady beside me asked, "Are you Liz? I follow you on Instagram!" I was happy to meet her but damn, I wish I bothered to apply some eyebrows! I very rarely go out with a bare mug (my excuse? It's kinda my job) and the one time I do, somebody recognized me. It's a little bit embarrassing - like a shoe designer wearing flip flops - but it's mostly funny-ironic. The moral lesson for me is that I shouldn't be lazy and I should always have my game face on!

This little drama is also why skincare is so important. It can even be argued that it's the most important thing in a beauty routine. Having good skin should be our #1 goal, so that we can literally face random encounters with skin we can be proud of.

Anyway, today I want to quickly talk about two new Origins products: the Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion (with the limited edition print!) and the GinZing Energy-Boosting Treatment Lotion Mist. These fit neatly into my skincare routine, the lotion right after facial wash and the mist before or after makeup. 

Let's start with the Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief (~P1,500). This is actually not my first nor even my second bottle; it's my third, and before this one I never used it. I don't know, it must be the boring green packaging that made me unexcited to try it out. When I got the bottle in the limited edition print though, I went for it and loved it! This is a softener/toner/emulsion that's supposed to soothe sensitive skin and is the #1 bestselling product of Origins.

The consistency of the the Mega-Mushroom lotion is runny but has a gel-like feel to it. I apply it with my hands after my cleanser and before my moisturizer

I can see why. In just a couple of uses, the texture of my skin felt smoother. After a few weeks, I noticed that my skin looked healthier and brighter. I like that it hydrates without the thickness of a normal moisturizer although of course you'd need a one to complete the routine, more so if you're dry. 

Aside from the effect, I love the citrus green scent. If I had to give an award to Origins, it would be the Best-Smelling Skincare! Try this if you're looking for a softener/toner/emulsion that improves the texture of your skin. I can't promise you that you'll get the same results I did (some people reported that they broke out) but my skin is hiyang and happy with it. I hope it works for you as well!

Next up is the GinZing Energy-Boosting Treatment Lotion Mist (P1,000). This is also a Treatment Lotion, apparently, but in a mist bottle. It has a more watery consistency compared to the other Origins TLs I've tried which I suppose allows it to be sprayed. Anyway. This goes out of the nozzle as a fine mist and does well to make makeup look more "lived in" instead of mannequin-like; it adds a nice glow and smells like fancy tangy oranges to boot.

This mist is a nice quick way to revive your skin when you've been traveling or working hard at the office. Its active ingredient is caffeine, which is supposed to tighten the skin and have antioxidant properties. I like it a lot. Can't say it's a must have if you've been doing your skincare right, but it's a good addition to your routine when you want to apply skincare almost instantly, under or on top of makeup.

And that is that. Would love to know what you think, as always!

Finding a foundation that perfectly matches your skin, makes it look fantastic, and stays with you all day without feeling like a mask is THE dream. It's not easy but there's nothing quite like the feeling of finding your forever facemate, no? I've found a few great ones over the years which helped me cope with crappy skin, long shoots, and crazy busy events. Still, I'm always happy to add more to my HG list!

I actually tried the Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Liquid Foundation (P3,750) around four years ago. The shade that was sent to me was too light, unfortunately, so I never really wore it out. I remember loving the nude skin finish and coverage but I had too many foundations to justify a purchase! Fast forward to today. During Luxasia's International Press Shopping Day I got hold of the reformulated version and luckily, I was able to pick the perfect shade. I've been using the Lingerie De Peau since then and it's fast become a favorite!

Here's a quick rundown!

• The coverage seems deceptively light but the Guerlain Lingerie De Peau sneakily covers up pimples, redness, and uneven areas with just one layer. It gives this natural, skin-like finish with a subtle glow! (You'll see what I mean in my get ready with me video below)
• Staying power is impressive. It sets solid (not creamy or wet unlike some liquid foundations) and fades minimally on my combination skin for up to 10 hours. You might get lesser wear time if you're oily, however, so do use a primer.
• I've found a great shade match in 03N. It's a warm medium yellow that's a good (if albeit a weeee bit lighter) approximation of MAC's NC35.
• This has SPF20. It's not a lot but it's enough. 
•  It smells so good! It has this dreamy orchid scent that I love. I normally prefer scentless foundations but Guerlain's bases are the exceptions.
• The packaging is classy and expensive, from the molded hefty cap to the glass bottle.

I love how translucent my skin looks like here!

I honestly can't think of anything I don't like about this liquid foundation! Well, it's up there at P3,750 for 30ml, but I feel that the finish and wear time speaks for itself. There are of course many more affordable alternatives out there. However, if you're looking for a luxe foundation that looks fantastic and stays on reliably, you won't be disappointed with the Lingerie De Peau. I love this stuff!

I also picked up the Guerlain Multi-Perfecting Concealer (~P2,000 for 12ml) at the event. This has a light-as-a feather texture but don't underestimate it's brightening coverage! It has a hydrating effect, too, so my bags look less beat up and dry when I have this on. I have the shade 02 Light Cool. It's perfect for my under eyes since it has a bit of a pinky tint.

I'd say the coverage is medium at best, but it is more than enough for what I need. I usually use my ring finger to pat in on! It has the ideal consistency for covering up bags as it sort of "melts" onto the skin seamlessly. The texture also doesn't crease on me when properly set with powder.

Overall, I am really loving the Multi-Perfecting Concealer for my under eyes! I recommend it to anybody looking for a "realistic" way to cover that area. It's got the right texture and coverage for the job. ^_^ 

Here's a video of me using both the Guerlain Lingerie De Peau and Multi-Perfecting Concealer while getting ready for an event. Let me know what you think!

Product photography by Samantha Gonzales