While reading up on K-beauty skin care, I discovered that foil sheet masks are actually a thing. I admit they look a little freaky, but they're supposedly the best solution to ensuring that skin stays moist and plump for longer after masking. Of course, I wanted one until I saw the price tag. The very first foil mask is in fact not from a Korean brand but from Estée Lauder; a set of four costs a whopping $95! Umm, nope. I had read that there’s actually a regular sheet mask underneath the foil. And so, with some food-safe metal from my kitchen, I decided to see what all the fuss is about. Here's how to DIY your very own foil mask!

You’ll need:

• Aluminum foil (food-safe, please)
• A used sheet mask (to use as a template)
• A new sheet mask
• Scissors

Step 1: Lay out the old sheet mask and roll out the foil. Cut enough foil to cover the full size of the sheet mask.

Step 2: Fold the foil in half lengthwise. Place it by the sheet mask to get an idea of where the eye, nose, and mouth holes are, and cut the holes out. Unfold and check if the holes are big enough to follow the template.

Step 3: Trim the foil along the sides using the old sheet mask as a guide. You should end up with the same round shape.

Step 4: Put on your new sheet mask as normal, then press the foil mask over it. Make sure to press around the contours of your face so you could get a comfortable, solid fit.

The results

I noticed that the sheet mask stayed moist significantly longer under the foil than when I wear it on its own. Usually, the essence dries up within an 40-60 minutes but I fell asleep while I had this on (oops) and woke up two hours later still feeling a damp sheet mask. The foil also prevented the mask essence from leaking out and getting all over my pillow case! It does trap the natural warmth of my face though so I recommend only using this when it’s not too warm (hello –ber months!) or while in an air-conditioned room.

Using sheet masks (even the regular ones) can be a costly habit, so I love getting the most out of my mask with this hack. If you’re careful with handling, the foil can even be reused so all that effort cutting it up to get a nice mask shape will not be wasted. Try not to crumple it too much as you gently press it to your face (in my experience, it adhered well enough as long as the mask underneath was wet). After use, give the foil a good rinse, carefully wipe it with a paper towel, and store it in a clean place until you next sheet mask sesh.

If you want the original luxe experience, you can get the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask (~P4,300 for a set of 4 masks). It’s soaked in their best-selling serum so your face will literally be steeping in pure luxury! You can also find Korean versions at Althea Korea with B&SOAP Premium Metal Aqua Mask and B&SOAP Premium Metal Snow Mask (P80 each), but they’re masks with a metallic coating instead of foil. Still, not a bad idea for ensuring that your skin soaks up every last drop of serum.

Discussion time!

• Does the prospect of extending your sheet mask’s longevity appeal to you, or would you rather just let the liquid evaporate normally?
• Will you try this weird hack? Why or why not?

compiled by Gett Baladad, contributor

As imperfect people, we’ve all experienced having something to be insecure about. Maybe it’s a cosmetic concern like a bad acne problem, or an internal struggle of not “being good enough”. It’s an awful feeling and sometimes it can send people into dark pits of depression. If you’re dealing with something like this right now, please, hang in there! We talked to ten amazing women who bravely shared their stories with us, and we hope this inspires all us to love ourselves just as we are.

Steph Puen and Andy Centeno

Steph Puen, Theology PhD student

I’ve struggled about my weight (I weighed as much as 180 lbs) and being good enough to meet others’ expectations, especially since I’m usually told that I’m too young to be doing what I’m doing now. I’m still overcoming my issues and I think that I will have to continue to deal with them years from now, or even throughout my entire life.

So I take it one day at a time, by reminding myself that I'm more than just those aspects of myself, and that I wouldn't be here today if I couldn't genuinely do good. I'm more than just a fat body, and it doesn't need to define who I am or what I can do. It also helps that I have a supportive family, friends, and a boyfriend who show me love and give me an extra boost whenever things get particularly bad.

Andy Centeno, English teacher and blogger

I was so insecure about how I looked before that I didn’t like it when people talked to me. My battle with severe acne left me with deep scars (literally and figuratively) that played a huge role in killing my self-esteem. I would hear so many comments about my looks, like "Maganda ka sana, kaya lang hindi mo inalagaan skin mo". So I would drown my skin in makeup in desperate hope of covering my flaws.

I struggled with this for years but I have since learned about acceptance and keeping a positive attitude. I kept researching about my skin condition and consulted professionals while searching for the right skin care and makeup for me. I documented this journey on my blog and it really helped me cope! I found out that a lot of other people share the same issues, and found inspiration in the online beauty world (Cassandra Bankson of diamondsandheels14 and Em of My Pale Skin) that helped me accept myself and love my physical flaws.

Lara Antonio and Pei Pica

Lara Antonio, Spectrum Collabs co-founder and MVNDO magazine editor-in-chief

Weight is something I’ve always struggled with. Back in college, my self-loathing was almost crippling: I’d force myself to eat in front of people when they thought I didn’t eat enough and then force myself to puke it out.

Getting to a point where I’m actually comfortable with myself was really hard. Last year, I took a break from it all and focused on doing things that made me happy. Things then somehow fell into place. I wouldn’t say I’m 100% over my insecurities though. I still have days when self-loathing gets the better of me because of the feeling of being too fat. I may have gained weight but I’m also less anxious about it because I’ve changed my priorities. The goal used to be “I have to be skinny” but I’ve realized that a better aim would be “I want to be fit”. Exercise shouldn’t be a punishment for what you ate but a celebration of what your body can do. I think I look healthier now. It’s really just a change of mindset.

Pei Pica, events and PR coordinator

I was super shy in high school and only had a few close friends. I always felt that other people were more intelligent, more beautiful, and more successful than me. I always felt like I was never good enough, so I was afraid to come out of my shell. My fear of making mistakes made me miss out on a lot of things that I could have learned from. But my mom told me that if I don’t get over my insecurities, I wouldn’t go far in life.

Out of my desire to qualify for my dream school, I ran for student council treasurer and won. From there, my confidence skyrocketed. It was all a matter of taking the big leap. I became more sociable and pursued things I used to be too afraid to do – runway modeling, painting, mountain climbing – and I’ve still got a lot on my bucket list! Never let fear get the better of you because you’ll lose a lot of great opportunities and experiences.

Ohne Lopez and Raiza Contawi

Ohne Lopez, Teach for the Philippines alumni ambassador

I struggled a lot with my self-worth when I was a teenager. I knew I was capable but I felt miserable thinking that I would never be as smart, as talented, or as pretty and popular as my other classmates. I thought that I was overshadowed.

My father said that I didn’t have to compete with others; I just had to defeat my weaknesses and carry them with my strength. I realized that my scratches became wounds and my stumbles became nosedives because I kept comparing myself to others. Self-worth isn't supposed to be a competition with the people around you; it's about coming to terms with who you are. I've learned to embrace myself by doing things that give me purpose and fulfilment. I’d love to tell my younger self, "No one is overshadowing you but yourself! So don't compare, just keribels!"

Raiza Contawi, professional makeup artist and YouTuber

In college, I felt insecure around working people. Being the chatty one in my circle of friends, it was strange that I would avoid conversing with people way older than me and preferred listening to them instead.

It helped that I knew what I was insecure about. This self-awareness helped me address my fears, and became a guide for finding solutions. I’ve found that there’s nothing better than being true to yourself and playing to your strengths. I’ve learned to see people, especially the good ones, as inspirations instead of sources of insecurity. This experience helped me gain good friends who teach me a lot of things and often ask me about my insights (mainly about beauty) as well. Since then, whenever insecurity strikes me, all I do is focus on the strengths and draw that positive energy to working hard to achieve a better version of myself.

Chuchie Ledesma and Janna Estrada

Chuchie Ledesma, Maybelline New York official makeup artist

I was often insecure about my face and body; I'd ask the universe why I wasn't born with a pretty face and a svelte body. As cliché as it sounds, at 29 I've finally reached a stage in my life where I genuinely love myself, up to the teeniest wrinkle. It wasn't an easy feat; it took me my whole life but the only way I was able to fully conquer my insecurities was to stop comparing myself to others.

I'd probably tell my younger self that, too: you are unique and it is a huge insult to your God-given skills, talents, and awesome self every time you belittle yourself. Stop longing for the things, experiences, and kind of beauty that are meant for others and you will be unstoppable.

Janna Estrada, demand planner

Growing up, I didn’t seem to fit in the mass media’s “standard of beauty”, so I never considered myself pretty. I was a sporty, morena, and tomboy – a stark contrast to my girly, mestiza older sister. I really thought of myself as the ugly sister before since I was never complimented like my sister.

While that made me insecure for quite some time, I stopped caring and learned to accept myself for who I was. I’m not sure when or how it happened but I became more comfortable in my own skin and began to like myself more. I felt happier and more relaxed because I tuned out the “standards” and focused on my strengths. I started going to the gym and working on my fitness, and it made me realize how strong I can be. You can’t stifle yourself by adhering to someone else’s standard of beauty. Make sure you’re happy, that you feel good about yourself, and just keep doing your own thing; everything else will follow.

Nix Ceballos and Mayesa delos Santos

Mayesa delos Santos, professional makeup artist

I became a single parent at a very young age. Seeing girls my age enjoying their freedom made me feel lonely and insecure. I was too concerned about not being able to do the things that I wanted, but as I got older my priorities have totally changed. I think less of myself and focus on how to give my children the life they deserve. 

My career helped to boost my confidence and lessen my worries. I am able to support our needs and sometimes enjoy a few perks of the job. Being a single mom is not easy, especially if you become one at an early age. But being self-supporting and actually do it all by yourself is very fulfilling. The trying things that happen to us have their purpose. Just use them to become a better person. 

Nix Ceballos, professional makeup artist

I used to see competition in everything I do. It was so internalized that I would lose sleep over the thought of possibly falling behind my contemporaries, or not doing as well as my accomplished siblings. Now, I’m definitely not as worried as I used to be - I don't lose as much sleep, I'm more comfortable at work, and I don’t compare myself to others as much.

What I did was to focus more on doing the actual work rather than overthinking it. I realized that you can only truly control one aspect of all possible outcomes, and that's your output and yours alone - so make it something you can stand by with conviction, or at the very least, live with. 

I became my own competition, my own benchmark. In anything I do, it is my personal rule to always do better than my last work. I compare myself with my contemporaries less and less, and look to them for inspiration rather than competition. I have learned that with discipline and hard work, growth is sure to come. It’s easy to drown in a competitive industry. Instead of fighting to stay afloat, work your way from the ground, lay your roots deep, and rise with the tides. Sthira and Sukham - be firm so that you may be free. 

Submissions have been edited for clarity. Header image via Raiza Contawi.

I’m a big believer in the power of the brow. The way you do them can make a huge impact on your look, so if I could only choose one thing to make up on my face, this would be it! There are so many new brow products and formulas coming out though, it gets pretty confusing (and overwhelming) to choose the best one for you. If you’re a brow beginner, or even a full-on brow junkie, here’s the 411 on different brow products and how you can use them to get your kilay on fleek!

Crystal’s bare brows

Brow Pencils

Most of us start our eyebrow journey with a classic pencil. They come in many different shapes and sizes that you can categorize by their tip (fine tip vs. sword tip), consistency (creamy vs. waxy), and form (standard vs. retractable) among others. Brow pencils are versatile enough to transform your brows to anything between naturally lush to full-on glam. Which pencil is best for you all boils down to your personal preference. Luckily for us, it’s easy enough to cop a good eyebrow pencil under the P200 mark!

Crystal wearing the Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Wonder Drawing 24hr Eyebrow Pencil (left) and Christian 2in1 Longlasting Eyebrow/Eyeliner Pencil (right)

This isn’t true 100% of the time but for the most part, the creamier the product is, the more pigment it would deposit on your skin. So if you want soft, natural looking brows with almost undetectable product, drawing brow hairs one by one with a fine automatic pencil like the Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Wonder Drawing 24hr Eyebrow Pencil (P500) would get the job done. For a lusher, stronger-looking brow, a creamy formula like the Christian 2in1 Longlasting Eyebrow/Eyeliner Pencil (P495) will give you more intensity.

Brow Pen

While versatile and beginner-friendly, pencils can be notorious for fading throughout the day. Much like a pen to an actual pencil, the edge of brow pens is that they stay put and are more precise than the pencil. We’ve raved about the K-Palette Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow Liquid Pen (P895) more times than we can count because it’s a nice pen that can give you natural-looking eyebrows that stay on like a trooper.

Crystal wearing the K-Palette Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow Liquid Pen

Brow Powder

Like mixing up your looks? A brow powder can be used dry for a soft-looking arch, or wet for a more high impact look. It’s also easier to build up volume using a powder than a pen or pencil, simply because you can cover a larger area at a time. A downside to brow powder however is that when used dry, fading can be an issue. You want to make sure that the powder can adhere to something tacky such as an eye cream or lid primer.

Crystal wearing the Estee Lauder Brow Now All-In-One Brow Kit

Liz loves the Estee Lauder Brow Now All-In-One Brow Kit (~P1,700) for brows that look full but not bushy. If you want the budget option, we have eight brow powder recommendations under P500. Considering that you don’t need to use much per application and the versatility it affords your looks, brow powders are the most cost-effective option for keeping your brows on fleek.

Brow Mascara

There are a few good reasons why you may need brow mascara in your life. One, if you have unruly brows that could use some taming. Two, if you have colored hair and you want to match your brow color to your dye job. Three, if you have super fine brow strands that look like they barely exist. Four, there are days when you just don’t have the time or patience to pencil and powder your arches.

Crystal wearing the Pink Sugar Honey I’m Good Brow Mascara

It takes a bit of work to master the art of the browcara and even then, you might not be able to achieve a more defined shape as you would with any other product. But because it coats the individual brow hairs with product, nothing beats brow mascara for dimension. Wearing it alone can make your brows look lush without too much effort. There are lots of good, affordable ones, too, including the Honey I’m Good Eyebrow Gels from Pink Sugar (P349)!

Brow Gels or Brow Pomades

Brow gels or brow pomades are your best bet if you want to achieve the full Instagram gradient brow effect. Applied with an angled liner brush, it’s easy to create bold, lush, defined brows that won’t fade or budge even after a long, sweaty day. The downside to them, however, is that they can be too attention-grabbing when the rest of your face isn’t fully made up, so save these for glam occasions.

The current PV fave is the new Benefit Ka-BROW! Eyebrow Cream-Gel Color (P1,400) but if you’re on a budget and feeling a bit creative, you can try making one yourself with stuff you may already have at home!

Crystal wearing the Benefit Ka-BROW! Eyebrow Cream-Gel Color

Clear Brow Gel or Serum

On the opposite side of the spectrum is the clear brow gel or serum. This is perfect for girls with naturally thick eyebrows ala Cara Delevigne who just need to brush their brow hairs into place. You can also use this to condition your brows!

Celeteque’s Eyebrow Nourishing Serum (P595) is formulated with Biotinyl Tripeptide-1, Panthenol and Pro-vitamin B5, which keep your brow hairs healthy. If you want them to have a more lush growth (raise your hand if you’ve ever overplucked), you can use a treatment like the Lashem All Eyes on You Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum (P3,600).

Crystal wearing the Celeteque Eyebrow Nourishing Serum

The world has gone so far in the eyebrow department, don’t you think? Remember that you don’t have to stick with just one product and depending on your needs, layering on different formulas can actually work wonderfully!

Left to right: Christian 2in1 Longlasting Eyebrow/Eyeliner Pencil, Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Wonder Drawing 24hr Eyebrow Pencil, K-Palette Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow Liquid Pen, Pink Sugar Honey I’m Good Brow Mascara, Estee Lauder Brow Now All-In-One Brow Kit, Benefit Ka-BROW! Eyebrow Cream-Gel Color

Personally, I like the pen + powder +  clear brow gel combo for photographs but I can make do with just a pencil or clear brow serum on regular days. How about you, what’s your eyebrow routine like?

If you've snatched a glance at the Project Vanity Channel on YouTube lately, you may notice a few videos have cropped up. They're not quite the same as the ones I did before; this time, I decided to just chill out and do my makeup while chatting up a storm. It makes for a much longer video, but at this point, I just want to hone my YouTube skills. I think it's better to use this platform to show off a few products I've already reviewed and at the same time try new ones!

Anyway, I've been promising you guys a tutorial on how I do my Korean-style makeup, so here it is! I used mainly K-Beauty here but there are a few that I don't have in my stash so I used substitutes. I hope you enjoy watching and please, I'd love to know what you think I should show, try, or teach next. I'll try my best!

How's your weekend so far? I had a busy day yesterday since I joined a bazaar, but today I just want to relax. Probably play tennis in the afternoon then just veg out at home. Maybe sushi for dinner? Ahhh. Genki Sushi in Bonifacio Stopover is my fave place because it's cheap lol. Haru in Kapitolyo is also lovely. ^_^

Matte brown eyeshadow might seem boring to you, but it can be one of the most useful pieces of makeup in your kit once you learn how unlock its potential. It can do so much especially when you have the right shade! The most versatile is a medium neutral brown with a matte finish. A good neutral eyeshadow palette should have one in it but lots of brands sell singles as well. Consider it if you want to have more product and extra space to move your brushes around.

In this quick tutorial, I used the MAC Eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown five other ways aside from its intended application. Here's why brown eyeshadow should be your makeup bag staple!

#1: Get soft, polished eyebrows

Why just keep it on your lids when eyeshadow can work on your brows just as well? Choose a shade that closely matches your hair and use it to fill in your arches. Be careful though: eyeshadows are sometimes more intensely pigmented than their brow powder counterparts so start by applying sparingly with a light hand. Make sure to brush it out with a spoolie after!

As eyebrow powder

#2: Achieve that smoky yet subtle line

Eyeliner and eyeshadow are both applied on the lids so it makes sense that you can substitute one for the other. You can't do any tightlining or uber crisp lines like a gel or liquid liner but the brown color will create a softer liner look. To intensify the color of the powder, you can lightly wet your eyeliner brush with clean water before dipping it into the eyeshadow. You can even use a liner sealer like the Inglot Duraline to get a long-lasting, intense line.

As eyeliner

#3: Contour to your heart's content

Most contour powders are dark and brownish in color, very similar to brown eyeshadow which makes for an excellent substitute in a pinch. A neutral matte brown creates a natural-looking shadow on the skin, and it can even be used to contour along the sides of your nose! Just use an angled brush to apply a sheer layer of brown right under your cheekbones and jawline. Use an eyeshadow blending brush to subtly shade your nose and eye crease.

As nose contour

#4: Try drawing an aegyo sal, the K-beauty secret to a youthful look

Have you seen that meme of how K-Pop stars look without aegyo sal, aka the little fatty pouch under the eye? It’s amazing how weird they looked without some deliberately-placed shadow, and its absence did make them look older. It still sounds weird to us to create "eye bags" where we were taught they shouldn't be, but doing so makes the eyes look bigger and fresher - strange, but true! Just apply light shading under the bag of the eyes to get the effect.

#4: Fake thicker hair by evening out your hairline

This is something Koreans also inspired as well - a neat yet natural-looking hairline. If you want to create an impression of depth and volume for your hair or just really want your baby hair not to stand out too much, just shade your hairline with a blush brush. Add more intensity as needed but keep everything well blended! You can also thicken your part the same way.

Hope you see your brown eyeshadow in a new light! Have you ever tried using your brown eyeshadow on other parts of your face? Which one of these tips would you like try? Let us know your own picks for the best matte neutral brown eyeshadows, too!

One of my signature looks is a super black line with unabashedly copious amounts of volumizing mascara. Short of complex eyeshadow kung fu, I believe that a great liner + mascara combo can make eyes speak a thousand words (or cut at a glance whatever applies)! It's certainly less time consuming than a full shadow job. Anyway, I had the chance to try a liner and mascara from CoverGirl recently and I must say I am impressed!

The CoverGirl The Super Sizer Mascara promises "400% more corner-to-corner volume for full, fanned out lashes" and the ability to reach even the smallest lashes. Sounds impossible? Well, I'm not sure about the 400% part, but this is probably the most volumizing mascara in my stash right now. It's sooo black too, that it doesn't even have to be layered to get that false lash effect.

Staying power is great, even though it's not waterproof. The final coat has this water-resistant film to it that doesn't budge easily with sweat and oil. It doesn't come off that easily with micellar water, either, since it has to be broken down properly. Of course if you soak it in sweat (as in after playing sports) it'll fall apart, but a normal day at the office or school should prove it only smudges minimally.

The caveat: this has to be applied correctly for you to get crazy fat, clump-free lashes. First, use the flatter bottom half of the wand to deposit the product at the roots of the lashes. Then, comb upwards using the tip with longer bristles to break up any clumps and lengthen the lashes at the same time. It sounds complex, but I promise it's easy to do once you get the hang of it.

Note that this has an especially thick formula (it makes for lesser layer requirements) so it will clump easily if you don't comb fast enough. So werk it! It might take a bit longer to dry than average so just don't squint your eyes until it's settled down.

Overall, I find the Super Sizer Mascara worth adding to my lash stash rotation; I have been picking this up regularly. It stays put on me, doesn't irritate my eyes even though I've got sweat all over it and it's goopy after tennis, and turns up my lashes to such great volumes. It's exactly what I need! 

The CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Eyeliner is something I think liner addicts will love. It has an interesting popsicle-shaped tip that can draw thin or thick lines, depending on which side you're using. It's handy, since it gives you the control of a pencil with the sharpness of a liquid. On top of that the Intensify Me! is a crazy black liquid liner. I didn't have to layer twice to get the liner look I did in my FOTD below!

The applicator might take a bit of getting used to especially if you're used to brush tips, but it's a cinch for me once I got the combination of pressure + pull. It's wet enough that I don't have to tug at my lids and it deposits A LOT of pigment in one go. So yes be careful and keep cotton buds within reach on your first one or two tries! You can also try stamping in the formula if you don't want to do a sweeping motion - that'd do just as well and it's what I would recommend if you're new to liquid liner.

Here's how the Super Sizer Mascara + Intensify Me Liner looks like when worn all day (10am to 8pm), and in extreme conditions. Note that an hour after tennis, the liner and mascara are still black and intact, although they have smudged. Impressive!

Staying power is great when worn normally, meaning the usual commute or day at work/school. It barely smudges on me. It's not waterproof though, so if you are especially sweaty or oily, this might smudge. I find that as long as you dab your eye area when it gets damp this stays put like a boss. (Actually, you should do that no matter what your eyeliner is!)

Overall, Intensify Me! is another great addition to my kit. ^_^ My eye makeup game is so much better with the mascara and liner together! And they're such a steal, too - they're currently bundled together for just P595! Check them out at CoverGirl counters and on Zalora.

How about you - any new finds lately? What's your signature eye look? 

Product photography by Sam Gonzales

We're girls with less than perfect complexions and skin textures, so we rely on some pretty shimmer to keep us looking fresh and radiant. Achieving that pretty, luminous glow even on tired, stressed-out skin makes the experience so addicting! If you haven't fallen down that rabbit hole yet or simply want to expand your existing face-brightening arsenal, make sure to check out these splurge and save highlighter recos for every budget.

Here are the secrets to our glow in this week's Staff Picks!

Liz: A topnotch highlighter can look like light happened to pay a visit to your skin, no big deal. That's what the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal is like for me! Its texture is finely milled and creamy (even though it's a powder) and it looks beautiful when patted onto the high points of the face. I also love the Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Afternoon Glow. It's like warm sunlight compared to Opal's cooler tone!

Den: I didn’t start using highlighters until recently because it felt like an extra, unnecessary step. Since getting the Lunasol Pressed Face Color in Lavender Pink though, I’ve realized that a light sweep of shimmer can do wonders for brightening my often ashy complexion! The lavender shade puzzled me at first but the PV gals explained that it’s apparently a popular highlighting shade among the Koreans and Japanese because it gives a lightly tinted luminousity that flatters yellow-toned skin. I love that the gorgeous compact includes both shimmer and shimmer-free options!

Marielle: I have two that I can't imagine being without at this point. Even though TheBalm Marylou Manizer has broken twice on me already, I can't bear to part with it. I've already repaired twice with alcohol! It gives off a gorgeous golden, soft-focus glow that makes my pale skin come alive. The second is Becca Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal. Perhaps the shade Moonstone would look more natural, but Opal gives me an ethereal glow for days that I want a more obvious highlight (peg: Jeffree Star).

Charlie: I don't usually highlight unless I feel like it. And when I do, I'm after that really, really subtle highlight. I love using the Essence Cookies and Cream shimmer pearls mostly because it smells so much like cookies and it gives a great peachy-champagne glow. If I want something more of natural-looking brightening highlight, I reach for my Victoria's Secret Mineral Pressed Powder. It will never work for me as a regular powder since it's very light on me and has a bit of shimmer but it's perfect as a highlighting powder.

Crystal: Highlighters have been all the rage lately and brands have been producing highlighters at an all-time high! Despite owning several popular highlighters, I find that my favorite is an old player in the game: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade. While most of the popular highlighters tend to be on the warm side, this one has more of a pearly finish that goes on very sheer. It looks very subtle on my light skin tone that I can use it every day!

Kim: I haven't found my HG highlight yet but the one that I reach for the most is the highlight shade from Sleek's Face Form Contouring Palette in Light. It's a nice peach-pink highlight that gives me a natural-looking pearly finish. It's very versatile and buildable, and I like that it won't give me that "blind the deer with headlights" look.

Angela: After having tried Becca Champagne Pop and discovering it as my holy grail and lifesaver for highlighting, I promised myself to save up for it. But right now, I'm using Pink Sugar's eyeshadow palette and it works well for me! Most highlighters available in our market are too white and unnatural-looking for my morena skin. This palette has ones in pink tones that really give me a good highlighted blush.

Gett: While it's primarily an eyeshadow, I use it to highlight (if I'm ever in the mood to since my oily skin already gives me a natural highlight lol). L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Blinged & Brilliant is a peachy-champagne color that goes so well with any skin tone. Little goes a long way, unless you're into the high-shine, blinding highlight look!

Claire: I used to think that Becca highlighters were over-hyped and overpriced. I got the (always out of stock) Becca Glow on the Go at Sephora.ph expecting to be underwhelmed, but fell in love instead! This pressed highlight has won my heart, getting me to tilt my head left and right whenever I glimpse my reflection. A single dab of my brush gives a natural, healthy glow that lasts all day!

Stacie: Etude House's Face Color Corset in #4 Light Shading Corset is the highlighter I've been reaching for the past few weeks. It's got a bit of glitter mixed in with the pearly powder which reflects light ever so subtly. It gives my glowy base an extra glow boost while still looking natural. I definitely recommend this to beginners who doesn't want to have face-blinding highlights!

Clearly, we've all become highlighter converts over at PV. Do you use a highlighter? What are your fave products and how do you use them

Before Althea, I've always just liked Korean beauty products. I found they work well for the price and I enjoy how cute the packaging for the products are but I never really got into K-beauty as a way of life. I think it's because of a lack of access to more unique finds. We have a lot of Korean brands here already and they're so well-priced, too, but I suppose I was missing what the rest of the world is raving about or those good but affordable slipped-in-the-cracks brands that otherwise wouldn't have made it to my radar.

I remember meeting Tammy Lim of Althea Korea last year, when she flew in from Malaysia to meet some of the local beauty writers. She, along with her blogger friend Carol, talked about an online store based in Korea that exclusively sold only K-beauty items. I was like sure, cool, but what's different? We have many good brands here already. She said Althea would offer way more brands and specially curated products for less than the retail price here. I said, ok. I was still unconvinced.

Nevertheless, I became one of the first beta testers before the PH store launched this February. I found shopping experience smooth and hassle-free, and shipping was pretty fast too! I got my package in five business days and this shipping time remained consistent (except for this one occasion, which I will talk about later). Five more of these pink boxes later over the year and now Althea has sort of become my default online shopping paradise whenever I'm thirsty for what's new in K-beauty.

As I mentioned above, shipping time is consistent (between 5-7 business days). I've ordered five times already, during different times this year, and all except one arrived with no problems. My second to the last box though got to me about a month after I paid for it. There were no issues with the box arriving from Korea to PH but for some reason, the local courier would go to my house and say I wasn't there. There was one time I was actually at home when they said I wasn't, and in all six (!) attempts, they never texted to inform me about a package arriving (which they never failed to do previously).

This was stressful to say the least, but I did get to put Althea's customer service to the test. The person who handled my account was polite and prompt in his answers; it takes less than a day to get a response. Since the local courier kept on failing to deliver to me, I escalated my concern to the management. I received several calls - not just emails - from Korea to coordinate the shipping and finally, my order got to my door. The local courier made sure to actually call me when he was near.

I don't know what happened there. I ordered another box early this month and I got it in five business days, no problem. The courier - same company - texted me per usual. It was just that one box! Anyway, I'd like to think they've made steps to improve their local courier service provider. Should this happen to you, just contact their customer service and coordinate closely. Make sure to leave feedback so they know what they have to work on.

Iope, Witch's Pouch, W.Lab, and Onsaemeein are some of the hard-to-find brands available at Althea

Did the experience put me off buying from Althea ever again? Nope. I think the store maintains a great selection, payment is easy (I use PayPal), and shipping on average is reliable. The experience just made me realize how proactive their customer service can be should something unexpected happen, and it made me appreciate Althea even more. That being said - omg I just got the Rilakkuma x A'pieu collection the other day AND IT IS SO CUTE. It's still available so get it while you still can! I'll post the unboxing + look soon.

How's your Althea experience so far? What are your fave finds there?

by Marianne Raterta, contributor

When we think of K-beauty, the usual imagery is of porcelain-colored women with glowy chok chok skin, rosy cheeks and stained lips. Online beauty gurus like Pony and Jenn Im come to mind, or maybe even the ageless Sandara Park! With so many beautiful women dominating the scene, it’s easy to forget that looking good is serious business in South Korea, even for men. You don’t have to look very far for great examples though because any one of the male K-idols will have you turning green over how absolutely perfect their skin looks!

Song Joong Ki (via allkpop.com) and Henry Lau (via theoneshots.com)

Top Hallyu star Song Joong Ki captured hearts around the world starring in dramas such as Sungkyungkwan Scandal, The Innocent Man, and the smash hit Descendants of the Sun. The secret to his alabaster complexion? He washes his face every night with milk! He reportedly even avoids heaters to prevent his skin from drying out. Ever diligent with his skincare, he always applies sunscreen and uses a mask daily.

Henry Lau of Super Junior-M looks young and fresh even in his mid-20s, thanks to a cup of warm tea every morning as soon as he wakes up.

Sungyeol (via nautilion.com) and Jaejoong (via princejj.com)

Sungyeol from INFINITE also credits his radiant skin to a particular beverage: he drinks Chinese cabbage juice everyday as part of his skin care.

JYJ’s Jaejoong is currently serving in the army so his spartan regimen fits right in. He says he only uses water to wash his face, and uses cleanser only when completely necessary!

While we’re pretty sure that the 10-step Korean skin care routine probably fits into here somewhere, chances are that these guys already have perfect skin to begin with. So what do regular guys do to get their skin looking just as good as an idol’s? We got a chance to chat with Edward Avila, a Filipino K-beauty YouTuber based in South Korea, who gamely shared some male K-beauty secrets!

What skincare and makeup products do Korean men like to use?

From what I’ve seen they like to keep it simple: generally, a foam cleanser, skin (which is what they call a toner), emulsion (a sort of light lotion), and sunscreen. The main makeup products they carry (if any) are a simple BB Cream and maybe an eyebrow product.

Do you see any makeup trends among Korean males?

Generally Korean men keep their makeup simple, focusing on just base makeup and eyebrows. I have seen some get into contouring the jawline but other than that, less is better for most guys.

How does male idol makeup differ from everyday makeup?

"Idol makeup" tends to differ depending on the look and concept. It can be anything from a heavy smokey eye to a no-makeup makeup look. It could be light enough to pass for everyday makeup, or more complicated and involving more products, brushes, application, etc.

Who's your inspiration when it comes to Korean-style makeup?

A lot of my inspiration comes from the looks that Monsta X members often sport. Perfected skin, defined eyes, and just bitten/pinky lips. Pony is also always inspiring with her East-meets-West makeup looks, as they are much more fun than most of what you see on the streets of Seoul.

Do you think products have to be gender-specific or marketed towards a specific gender only?

I feel that products should never be for just one gender. In shops here in Korea, sales associates often try to direct me towards the men's section but with my knowledge of cosmetics and what I do on YouTube, I make sure to be open to trying different products or go in knowing exactly what I want. Products don’t always work the same way for everyone so it’s important to know what works and doesn’t work for you.

How do your favorite male K-idols keep themselves looking ready for the spotlight? Talk to us in the comments section!

Images courtesy of Edward Avila

As much as I love makeup, the scents I wear also play in part in setting my mood for the day. I have perfumes for when I want to feel cheery and refreshed, casual but chic, or bold and sexy. But is there a scent that can help me feel like I can take on the world? Cityscape Eau de Parfum, Mary Kay’s latest fragrance, was designed to inspire its wearer to follow her dreams wherever they may take her.

When I first encountered Cityscape, the streamlined aesthetic of the bottle immediately appealed to me. It has a minimalist, straightforward design that felt reminiscent of the tall buildings that usually populate a city. It also gave me the impression that the perfume will be clean and refreshing, which are two qualities I usually look for in my scents.

The perfume is described as “simple sophistication”, and while I do agree with Cityscape giving off a quiet, sophisticated air, I wouldn’t quite describe the scent as “simple”.

Cityscape opens up on a zesty note, enough to perk you up and prep you for the day but with a complexity that keeps it from being too citrusy. It almost immediately dries down to a flowery scent, one that I can wear practically everywhere. In fact, I’ve been wearing this daily whether for simple errands, work, or events, and it has never felt out of place. What is left after hours of wear is a stable woody scent. At first I thought it just smelled powdery but as I grew accustomed to the perfume’s nuances, I began to notice the scent finishing with a warm, almost comforting note.

I have to say that Cityscape is a sleeper hit for me. I didn’t expect to reach for it day after day but the scent really grows on you. It’s a great daily perfume, though I would probably reach for a stronger “power” perfume when I have a big presentation or very important meeting.

On me, Cityscape lasts a good six to eight hours, though I’ve taken to spraying it once or twice during the day for that wake-me-up top note. While the glass bottle is sturdy enough to travel, the 50ml bottle still takes up space in my purse so I bring the sample-sized spritzer included in the Project Vanity Wanderlust Kit instead.

Have you ever had a scent that felt seemed to work for any occasion? What’s your favorite everyday perfume?

Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper, red currant, apricot, violet leaves

Middle notes: Phantomia orchid ScentTrek™, orange flower absolute, peony, Florentine orris

Bottom notes: Sandalwood, damson plum, sustainable vanilla beans from Madagascar ORPUR®, angelica, amber

Cityscape™ Eau de Parfum is available for P2,100 from independent Mary Kay beauty consultants. Find one near you here.

Is it just me or do you also keep products way past their expiration dates? I'm pretty careful about using creams and liquids for only up to a year (or two, depends) and powders up to three years, but there are a few things that for some reason or other I can't bear to part with. No way I'm going to put them on my face again but I just like looking at them every now and then! I mean, I didn't even use some of these heavily in their heyday, but I just. Can't. Seem. To. Let. Go.

Here are the seven that I occasionally hiss "my precious" to whenever I spot them in my semi-forgotten drawer! These products are ~almost four years old at least, while the oldest has to be over five years old. What's the oldest product in your collection?

Estee Lauder Eyeshadow Palette. This was part of their annual holiday promo wherein you have to buy x amount of regular items to get a set of limited edition products for way, way less. I remember this also came with a blush palette, lipsticks, and brushes in a gold case. So chic. I've given away everything else except this. The eyeshadows were before EL got good at eye makeup so they're chalky and not pigmented, but you know what, I just love how they look in their neat little slots! It reminds me of my Lola's makeup. 

Sigma Flare Eyeshadow Palette. I actually pre-ordered this pa from the US and thought it was ok! In retrospect, it's not that pigmented even with primer. I guess I just realized how good eyeshadow could be later on na, when I got to try more products. It's barely used but I just love the combination of greens and violets. I see what it's trying to do but yeah, this was before Sigma got good at eyeshadows too.

Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Palette. This was one of the first few palettes that made me realize what high quality eyeshadows should be. Also Bobbi Brown was all about naked eyeshadow before Urban Decay got on that train! That's what she built her whole empire on, really. And oh I still LOVE that tortoise shell-inspired case, after all these years.

Benefit She's So Jetset Box. This I keep for the vintage-looking illustration. The aesthetic of Benefit has shifted slightly through the years but this particular look is what got me into in the brand in the first place. Anyway I gouged out the trio eyeshadow and removed the mini mascara so it's not complete anymore; it's the box itself that I have feels for so I'm ok with that.

Etude House Etoinette Heart Blusher. If the super cute cauldron-shaped pot didn't get you, it's the pink, heart shaped powders inside that will. I think I still have the matching lipstick but I just can't find it right now!

Guerlain Meteorites. This I used regularly until my pot was three years old, but there's just SO much product inside that it was impossible to finish up the whole jar. The look is vintage 1920s with a serving of luxe on the side. Next time I get one of these I'll make sure to share the pearls so as not to waste them. 

Paul & Joe Cream Foundation. I miss Paul & Joe. I found their look unique but at the same time, the products were ridiculously good. I wasn't able to take a picture of the compact open but I will mention that it's almost finished up! I have other old Paul & Joe things here but this is my fave compact. Wonder if P&J will ever stage a comeback here ala Origins!

There you go, my collection of the expired. How about you - do you keep your old things too? Why or why not?

It’s amazing how the Internet has made it possible for virtually anyone to become a celebrity with millions of followers. Because of great bloggers and YouTubers who tirelessly make their content and build their brand from scratch, us fans get to learn easy techniques and know which products we should be buying (or shouldn’t). This year, content creators are getting more opportunities to reach out to their audiences, too; beyond sponsorships, some of them have worked on product collabs or even created their own makeup brands!

Our collab with Pink Sugar for the These Lips Don’t Lie lippies gave us a chance to peek into what it’s like to work on a makeup line, and the experience has given us a better appreciation for all the hard work that actually goes into creating one. We got a lot of help though, and we were inspired by these online beauty influencers to just go for it!

Michelle Phan x em (through L'Oreal)

Michelle is the OG of beauty collabs. L'Oreal inked a high-profile deal with the YouTube star and launched em in 2013, but eventually sold it to Ipsy (a company founded by Michelle) in 2015 since it never really took off. Em is still online, with star products like the Chiaroscuro Contour & Highlight Stick and the Waterliner Intense Color Eyeliner still available along with the full line. We hope to see more new things from the brand soon!

Image via leopardprinteverything.com

Jaclyn Hill x Becca Cosmetics Champagne Glow Collection ($28 to 38)

Becca Cosmetics x Jaclyn Hill = highlighter perfection! After their first collab sold out in just four hours, our favorite highlighter brand teamed up again with the famous YouTuber to produce a wider Champagne collection. Count us among Hill’s five million subscribers who squealed over the new shimmering skin perfector/mineral blush duos, blush shades and highlighter sticks that were released last June. Prosecco Pop is just about to reach that same cult status as Champagne Pop has, and we gotta hand it to Hill for dealing with the negative response to the eyeshadow palettes head-on. 

Image via gemmanicolebeauty.com

NikkieTutorials x Too Faced The Power of Makeup ($56)

NikkieTutorials made waves on the online beauty community (and gained five million followers) when she posted the now famous Power Of Makeup video. Since then, she has gone on to collaborate with cult beauty brand Too Faced to produce a literal full face makeup book inspired by the viral video! The Power of Makeup kit is limited edition containing nine eyeshadows, two blushes, a contour and a highlight, plus mini versions of Better Than Sex mascara (in a purple tube!), Shadow Insurance Eye Primer, Glamour Dust Glitter pigment, and Sketch Marker Liquid eyeliner. The kit has been getting a lot of hype online for being a well-curated (and reasonably-priced) palette even though some shades are already part of Too Faced’s permanent line.

Image via beautybrainsplus.com

Grav3yard Girl x Tarte Swamp Queen Palette ($20 to $45)

Though not conventionally beautiful, Grav3yard Girl aka Bunny Meyer has amassed a huge following of seven million followers on YouTube, thanks to her quirky personality and incredibly entertaining videos.  Her collaboration with Tarte for the Swamp Queen Eye & Cheek Palette came out earlier this year, and the creatively-named palette contains nine eyeshadows, a highlighter, a bronzer and a blush. The collection also has two matte lip paints but what people are mostly drooling over is a highlighter shade called Gator Wings!

Image via makeupbyastridlam.com

Jeffree Star x Jeffree Star Cosmetics (Liquid Lipsticks, $18)

Thought there’s a lot of controversy surrounding him right now, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Jeffree Star. The singer-songwriter slash model slash makeup artist currently has 2.7 million subscribers and like him or not, his Velour Liquid Lipsticks rocked the beauty world and the makeup line is his own rather than a collaboration. The brand has been expanding with the addition of new highlighters and an eyeshadow palette this year.

Image via yummmiiee.blogspot.com

Pony x Pony Effect (starts at 16,000KRW)

Even if you’re not into K-beauty, chances are you’ve at least seen Pony’s transformation makeup video into Taylor Swift which has received nearly 11 million views since it was posted in March this year. The makeup artist has published four makeup books, worked on numerous advertisements (she’s the Etude House Play 101 girl!) and collaborations, and even became 2NE1 member CL’s makeup artist! She’s currently the creative director of Pony Effect, which made a huge buzz when it launched in late 2015. Her contouring shades are one of the best you can get from the K-beauty market while the lip tints like the Favorite Fluid Lip and Stay Matte Lip has been garnering attention for their moisturizing glossy and matte finishes respectively.

Image via wonderplace.co.kr

Ssin x Unpretty Rapstar Cosmetics Ssin Stealer (~20,000 KRW)

With her androgynous features, Korean YouTuber Ssin has turned dressing up and creating makeup looks as both male and female Kpop idols into her ticket to stardom. Her candid style and mad contouring skills led to a collaboration with Unpretty Rapstar Cosmetics to produce her own makeup line called Ssin Stealer. It includes five brow mascaras, two eyeshadow palettes, contour powder and highlighter quads, color corrector sticks, three brushes and some falsies. The brow mascaras and contour powder are especially popular for their color formulation.

Image via abeautymoment.blogspot.com

KathleenLights x Colourpop (~$5)

With almost 2.6M subscribers and four previous collaborations under her belt, YouTuber KathleenLights is on a roll with yet another collaboration with trendy makeup brand ColourPop! There are eight eyeshadows, two Ultra Satin Lips, one Ultra Matte Lip, three Lippie Stix, three Lippie Pencils, and a Crème Gel Pot and Pencil.  With reasonable prices and gorgeous shade picks, everyone is just going gaga, especially for the Lippie Stix in Aquarius!

Image via thebeautylookbook.com

Wayne Goss x Wayne Goss Brushes

Back in 2013, English makeup artist and YouTuber Wayne Goss collaborated with online store Beautylish to launch what was then a humble makeup brush collection. It sold out within a few minutes, and the line continues to be available even today!  Handcrafted in Japan, cruelty-free, and made of natural bristles, prices start at $12 for single brushes and go up as high as $225 for sets. His brushes are commonly compared to Japanese brand Hakuhodo! 

Image via imeltformakeup.com

MannyMUA x Ofra (P850)

Finally, a collection that’s locally available via Glamourbox! Get them while stocks are available because these liquid lippies are gorg! Earlier this March, Manny MUA released an eyeshadow palette in partnership with Makeup Geek, and it was soon followed by an announcement of the lippies he created with Ofra. The three lippie shades were selected for a universally-flattering nude appeal and with Ofra’s trademark long-lasting formula, we definitely want to add Aries, Charmed, and Hypno to our kits.

What do you think of beauty guru x cosmetics brand collaborations? Which ones are your favorites? Got any dream collabs you’d love to see?

Header image via kittykatdoesmakeup.com

Just when we thought we had all the lipsticks we’d need (but who are we kidding, right?), Avon recently introduced a new range of lipsticks that claim to “have it all”.  Let’s get straight to what the Avon Ultra Color Indulgence Lipsticks (P399) are about. Good pigment? Check. Lightweight feel? Check. Not drying on the lips at all? Check!

I don’t even need to carry a lip balm whenever I wear the Indulgence Lipsticks out. The weightless, hydrating gels Avon infused in the lipsticks promise to give 4x the moisture you’d normally get from other lip products. I do feel that the the product sticks to my lips ever so slightly but it’s just enough to be comfortable. And with eight shades available, there’s plenty to choose from to suit any mood and every personality.

From left: Red Tulip, Rose Bouquet, Peach Petunia, Royal Peony, Daffodil Petal, Petal Pink, Purple Hyacinth, Spring Lilac

It was only fitting to launch these lipsticks with the introduction of Avon Makeup’s newest ambassador, a woman who has it all – Marian Rivera. She joins the stellar roster of Avon ambassadors which include Kathryn Bernardo, Angel Locsin, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Maine Mendoza to name a few. As a wife, mother, superstar actress, and philanthropist, Marian needs her lipstick to be as hardworking as she is. She shares, “I’m so excited for every Filipina to try the Avon Indulgence Lipstick! I’ve tried it, and it’s everything I need. Magaan siya sa lips, it’s moisturizing, and it provides beautiful color. At hindi lang nagpapaganda ang Avon makeup; it also helps you feel confident.” And in case you’re wondering, her favorite shade is Petal Pink!

The queen of teleserye looked fresh and pretty from every angle, even as she led guests outdoors to reveal to Avon’s next surprise: the “Beauty on Wheels” van! Connecting with their customers is one of the pillars that built the Avon brand, and now they’re literally bridging the distance. Marian showed off the one-stop beauty shop filled with Avon’s well-loved makeup, skincare and fragrances.

 “Beauty on Wheels” will be going around the country so everyone can get the chance to experience Avon’s beauty expertise. You can get makeovers and beauty consultations as well as purchase Avon products. Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside! 

Catch the Avon “Beauty on Wheels” on September 24 to 25 in Cebu, and October 6 to 7 in Davao. For route schedules and more details, visit Avon Philippines on Facebook. Also, the Avon Ultra Color Indulgence Lipstick is on sale for P249 each or a bundle of two for just P389 from September 1 to 30! You can purchase them from Avon representatives and their online store.

Have you tried Avon products before? What are your faves? Which of the Ultra Color Indulgence Lipstick shades do you want to try? 

You gotta love how the beauty world is constantly coming up with something for us to get excited about! This week, we finally have updates on a long-awaited collection, got a mini history lesson about mascara, discovered makeup brushes that are actually good for our skin, and found markers that we can legit paint our nails with. Glad we’re taking a mini break from all the holiday collection announcements (okay, so there’s one). Here’s what captured our fancy!

Image via maccosmetics.com

I’m dreaming of these tonight!

MAC is finally giving us a full look into what’s going to be available in their Selena collection! The 13-piece collection in honor of the gorgeously talented Latina singer Selena Quintanilla will feature three lipsticks ($18), a bronzer and highlighter compact ($29), liquid eyeliner ($21), five eye shadows ($17), a powder brush ($35), mascara ($18), and an online exclusive Lipglass ($17). Each product is named after one of Selena’s songs or associated with her personal style.

Amor Prohibido, Como la Flor, Dreaming of You (via Temptalia)

The collection is predicted to sell out quickly once it hits MAC stores and the MAC website on October 6. With lipstick swatches like these, we’d definitely be going gaga, too!

Full story on Popsugar

Image via us.ciatelondon.com

Mark(er) my words!

Did you ever try giving yourself a “manicure” with a highlighter pen or colored markers? It was one of our kiddie attempts at being kikay, and somebody has finally made it a real thing! Thanks to Ciaté London, we can forego the dip brush method and simply color our tips with a swipe of the Mani Marker. Priced at $60 for all five colors, this Sharpie-like tool is designed to help you literally marker your way to a fab manicure (or at least help you hide those pesky chips and cracks in between appointments). Plus, they’re chip-resistant and already available on the Ciaté website!

Full story on Allure

Image via blushingnoir.com

Brushes that care for your skin

Well, it looks like It Cosmetics is at it again with their revolutionary products. The brand just released two new brushes that feel great on your skin because they’re soft and also laden with skincare! Now, why didn’t we think of that earlier?

The Heavenly Skin Bye Bye Pores Powder Brush ($58) and the Heavenly Skin CC+ Skin-Perfecting Brush ($48) are both infused with anti-aging collagen, peptides, silk, antioxidants and niacin. The brushes are both fantastic at blending in products for that flawless finish, and they aid in restoring and taking care of your skin, too. Talk about a two-in-one miracle! Sold exclusively on the Sephora and It Cosmetics websites, we’re definitely itching to try this and find out what it’s like to literally brush on our skin care.

Full story on InStyle

Image via Bustle

Six new ways to glow

Looks like 2016 is the year of the highlighter but hey, we aren’t complaining! When Anastasia Beverly Hills announced their dreamy color-changing highlighters and incredible foundation sticks, we thought we were done. And then a few days ago, ABH went and teased their latest creation: the Ultimate Glow Kit. 

Image via Instagram @anastasiabeverlyhills

The highlighter kit comes with six magnificently pigmented powder highlighters in a variety of finishes and shades. Hot Sand, Amber Gold, Sunray, Golden Dawn, White Sand and Snow are sure to help you glow for the rest of the year, regardless of your skin tone. Priced at $45, the palette comes out in October and will be available on the ABH website and in select stores.

Full story on Bustle

Image via besamecosmetics.com

Life is like a box of… mascara?!

We all have our “can’t live without” favorites when it comes to mascaras. And because they’re meant to just be used for a few months (after which you risk giving yourself an eye infection), we go through tubes and tubes of this stuff. So it came as a bit of a surprise when we found out that the newest mascara in town actually came in a box!

Image via Glamour

Vintage-themed makeup line Bésame Cosmetics had just released their Cake Mascara and in 48 hours, it had sold out on Sephora! Apparently, the $25 product is actually a throwback to how mascara was made and used in the 1900s. Activated by water and made of a buildable formula, it’s proving to be a multi-functional product that can also be used to fill in brows and sub for eyeliner. It may also be more hygienic (and therefore have a longer shelf-life) than your usual tube-type mascara, as you can now clean the brush you use after each application.

Full story on Glamour

Image via Instagram @oldnavy

Old Navy: An oldie but a goodie

Though the Old Navy brand is known for affordable casual wear like flip-flops and basic tees, the famous retailer is getting some fresh attention with the launch of their very own Beauty Line! Called Kindred Goods, the line consists of a hand cream, a hair and body mist, a body lotion, a body scrub, and a perfume set. Exclusively sold in Old Navy stores, there are three scent variants to choose from: Sea Salt & Fig, Sweet Cream & Honey, and Orange Blossom & Tea. The products range from $6 to $12.

Full story on Refinery29

How many eyebrow products does your kilay need? Answer: doesn't matter, it's time to make space for another one! Joke. You don't need much, but whatever it is that makes it on your kit, make sure it's the best one for your particular needs. You have to take your current hair color, preferred look, actual thickness of your brows, and skin type in consideration so that you don't waste money and time on a bad buy.

Now on top of launching our lipstick collab last September 1, Pink Sugar also introduced a new eyebrow product hot on the heels of their brow mascara. The Honey I'm Good Eyebrow Kit (P399) is a set of four colors that are designed to be mixed for a custom brow look. It's got three powders in the appropriate gradation and one dark wax to create contrast and depth. I remember while Laveen (the founder) was developing the product, I specifically requested for a dark, almost black, shade so that I can do my normal routine. It's a must-have color for me! (Demanding lol.)

Anyway here's a quick rundown on the kit!

What I love about the product

• The brow powders have a soft, well-milled texture that goes on smooth. This is not patchy at all, which is my biggest issue with many brow powders.
• The wax also has a smooth consistency that glides on skin. It provides hold (to keep the brow hairs in place) as well as pigmentation. It's best used for drawing hairline strokes on the uneven parts of the brow. I also like to press it on the bottom of my brows to create a shadow for that 3D effect.
• The colors are pretty much everything you'd need no matter how thin or thick you want your brows to look: there's a light blonde-y brown, a medium brown, and a dark brown powder. There's also a dark wax to help you create the illusion of hair and cover up bald patches. Choose Sassy Brown if you have reddish hair, and Perfect Taupe if your hair is on the nutty, chocolate spectrum.

The two brow palettes look almost the same and they are intended as such according to Laveen - it's just the tone that's different, and it shows when worn. You'll observe that the Perfect Taupe has a cooler tone. It's what I use on my brows and I feel it's a more universal palette than Sassy Brown, which is decidedly reddish.

• Staying power is good on my combination skin. I don't need to retouch even if I've had this on for six plus hours! It fades only minimally after that. But of course, if you have oilier skin, you might want to set it with a brow mascara. It's still a powder/wax kit after all. I do recommend the Honey I'm Good Brow Gel, which I've already reviewed here.
• I love using the powders in this palette as eyeshadow, nose contour (the lightest brown), and hairline contour (mix of the mid and dark brown). The colors, texture, and pigmentation just WORK.

Now THAT'S a winning kilay

Caveats

• The powders have a light coverage when used by themselves. If you don't want to spend time building them up, I suggest applying them with a wet brow brush. Wanna boost the staying powder? Blast your brush with a makeup setting spray!
• As I mentioned above, if you have super oily/sweaty brows, set it with a brow mascara so it won't move around. It should be fine as is though if you have combi/dry skin.
• The applicators will do in a pinch, but I would still recommending using a full-sized brush.

Pro tips

• You can use this kit on your brows two ways: use a light layer of the wax first to map out your brows, then set it with the powder. This ensures max staying powder and coverage (if you like that particular look). How I use it is I contour my brows with powder, then PRESS the wax in the sparse areas of my brows. Here's a tutorial of how I generally sculpt my brows!
• Use a crease eyeshadow brush (something round) to contour your nose using the light brown. You can also contour your cheeks a jawline with a mix of the light and dark brown - just use an angled face brush.
• To get the ultimate smoky brown eyeshadow look, pat the wax on the lids with your fingers or a synthetic flat brush; this will be your base color. Then layer the mid-brown shade on top of the wax and smoke it out on the crease with the dark brown!
• With a small blush brush, mix the three powders to shade your hairline. If you have baby hair or a receding hairline, this is a good way to just even it all out.

Verdict

I enjoy the Pink Sugar Honey I'm Good Eyebrow Kit and would recommend it to anyone needing a good multi-purpose palette. It looks fantastic on the brows and can do so much more all over the face! And yes, it's only P399. I'm definitely keeping this around for when I want creamy, precise brows and whenever I need to do makeup on other people. It's just so easy to work with and highly customizable.

You can get this at the new Pink Sugar online store, by the way. The full line is available there as well so enjoy shopping!

How do you do your brows?

Nuxe (pronounced "noox") is an intimidating brand to explore because of its French origin, luxe-looking packaging, and fancy product names. Sometimes when I go to one of their counters at Beauty Bar I cringe a little before I check the price tag but you know what - it's actually pretty reasonable! Nuxe is a pharmacie brand in France after all, and while it's not exactly on the low end of the price spectrum, many of their entry-level products are under P1,000.

Recently I got to try the Nuxe Rose Petal line, which focuses on cleansing the face gently yet efficiently. French women know that the key to good skin is thorough cleansing - sleeping with traces of makeup on is a huge no-no! - so Nuxe has formulated products for different skin types. Each one is non-drying, smells like a bouquet of roses freshly picked from the garden (no overly chemical notes as far as I can tell), and leaves skin feeling nice after the end of a long day wearing makeup. Here are the functions and how to use them!

Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals (P895). If you have oily skin and don't like the feel of having oily residue on your face after removing your makeup, you'd love this micellar water. It smells fantastic and it's probably the gentlest I've ever used. I've been using this since last year actually, but I like reserving it for special occasions or when I need to kind of wind down after a long day. It's still more expensive than my daily micellar water but if you want your makeup removal to be more of a relaxing ritual than a chore, this is a good option!

How to use: Soak a cotton pad with the micellar cleansing water and pass it over your face to dissolve makeup. Repeat until you get everything out! I usually use two cotton pads, and they're enough to remove most water resistant makeup. You can go right to sleep after this; it leaves skin feeling so smooth and bouncy.

Melting Cleansing Gel with Rose Petals (P875). The first cleansing gel I've ever tried is from Tokyo and so I thought that it was an exclusively Japanese thing. But Nuxe has their own too, apparently, and it's been around for a while! This gel breaks down the makeup and allows it to be rinsed off. I'd recommend this for combination skin since you get a balanced amount of moisture and gentle cleansing. This is soap-free and good for sensitive folks.

How to use: This can be used two ways. Massage it on your dry face, focusing on where makeup is thickest, and then rinse it off. You can also massage it on wet skin! I use it in two stages, first the dry application, rinse, then the wet application. This is a milder cleanser compared to the micellar water so if you wear a lot of makeup, you won't be able to take it all off in one go.

Comforting Cleansing Milk with Rose Petals (P895). If you have dry skin, then you can use this cleansing milk as if it were a cold cream. This is a rich cleanser that feels like a soothing mask as it breaks down makeup; it is the most powerful as it can remove tougher, highly water-resistant formulas. This is something I would use in colder weather! 

How to use: Massage the milk on your dry face, then tissue it off before rinsing it with water. Another way is to tissue it off and then go straight with the Gentle Toning Lotion to remove all traces of gunk on the skin.

Gentle Toning Lotion with Rose Petals (P875). This alcohol-free toner removes whatever's left of your makeup. It helps to balance and refresh the skin as it prepares the surface for the rest of your skincare routine!

How to use: Soak a cotton ball and then swipe it all over your face. This catches anything you might have missed earlier!

Aside from these cleansing products, Nuxe has another superstar: the Huile Prodigieuse (P1750/ 100ml and P995/ 50ml). I've raved about this before, so please read my review on this multi-purpose, non-greasy, great smelling oil. It's so good. If you're curious about how French women use this cult favorite, here's a video to guide you on how best to apply it on your face, body, and hair.

I've had my 100ml bottle for almost a year now and I'm not even halfway through! A little goes a long way per use, so you're sure to maximize each pump. Just store the glass bottle properly and decant whatever you need in a plastic container if you want to bring it around.

So there you go, a quick rundown of the best from Nuxe! If you're interested in trying out their other skincare plus a sample of the dry oil, we've got an exclusive set in the Project Vanity Wanderlust Kit (just a few left!) that we're sure you'd love to travel with. <3 Get it today from the purchase link on the sidebar.

Have you tried Nuxe? Which products are your faves?

Photography by Samantha Gonzales

by Gett Baladad, contributor

While having tons of makeup can be fun and exciting, putting together a streamlined kit is something worth investing in. Maybe you need a lighter makeup bag to carry around, or you have a tight budget that only allows you to invest in a few pieces. Finding makeup that can serve multiple functions is practical, and forces you to get more creative about your application! We've already given tips for using lipsticks as blush but for even more ideas, here are six under P500 picks to get you started.

NYX Wonder Pencil, (P300, NYX counters)

Use this for: highlighting, brightening the waterline, pinpoint concealing, precision lip and eyebrow lining

If you like clean lines and sharp edges, this pencil will be your BFF! Use this to outline your brows and lips for better definition. You can also apply this to the inner corners of your eyes for highlight or on the waterline to make them look wide-eyed and refreshed. With three skin tone shades available, you can even pencil it in to conceal tiny marks and blemishes!

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (P300, NYX counters)

Use this for: highlighting, eyeshadow base, eyeliner

When the Jumbo Pencils were first released, Milk became the go-to primer of many YouTube beauty gurus to ensure that their eyeshadow colors were as vibrant on the lids as they were in the pan. The creamy white shade provided a base that allowed for pigments to stay true to color, plus it could also be used to create a brighter-looking waterline. Used sparingly and blended properly, you can also use Milk to highlight parts of your face like on the brow bone, center of the nose and cupid's bow. 

Pink Sugar Sugar Tint Lip and Cheek Tint in Honey Bunny (P349, department stores)

Use this for: lip and cheek color, eyeshadow, eyeshadow base, contour

This line of pocket-friendly is a PV liquid lipstick fave but Honey Bunny is a versatile shade that may be used several ways. The tawny-nude color makes a fab neutral eyeshadow; simply pat on a small amount on the lids and build up the color if you want more intensity. For fair-skinned girls, try swiping this right under your cheekbones to create a rosy contoured look that isn't muddy or orange-y.

Ever Bilena EB Advance Blush Duo in Baked Fig (P220, department stores)

Use this for: blush, bronzer, contour, eyeshadow

Palettes with multiple colors make for great multi-tasking products, especially when the powders have a smooth texture and great pigmentation like these do. Wear one alone or blend both together to create a quick eye look. Make sure to tap off the excess because a little goes a long way.

Ever Bilena EB Matic Brow Liner in Earth (P180, leading department stores)

Use this for: eyebrows, eyeliner, eyeshadow, contour, lip liner

Aside from keeping your kilay on fleek and giving soft definition to your peepers, a creamy brown eye pencil can flatter other parts of your face. This is creamy enough to be used as an all-over eyeshadow color and even as a lip liner for recreating that 90s inspired brown lip. You can even use it to draw lines along the sides of your nose and easily blend it out for contour.

Etude House Play 101 Pencils (P348, Etude House)

Use this for: pinpoint concealing, highlighting, lip color, blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow base, eyebrow (depending on the color you have)

Aside from the amazing shade range to play around with, these pencils are a PV eyeliner fave for its smudge-proof formula. Depending on the color you have, these pencils serve a great variety of purpose for those who hate lugging around a large makeup bag. They also have built-in sharpeners so you can keep the nibs in a perfect point.

Do you like using multipurpose products? What are the best hacks you've discovered, and which products work best for them? We'd love to know!

“For PV research.” That’s our usual excuse whenever we need to justify a purchase. Okay, fine so we really just want/need to get a new tube of lipstick or a new set of brushes but we do our best to curb shopaholic and hoarding tendencies! We do tend to haunt certain stores more than most, and in the interest of getting more people addicted spreading the love, we’re sharing our favorite beauty shopping destinations!

Den: I really don't like going to malls so BeautyMNL is a godsend for me! I love being able to shop several brands and different products without having to physically walk from store to store (#tamad) plus I don't get hounded by salesladies. I hoard my Leaders sheet masks from here, also because they don't have a store near me. They usually deliver my orders the very next day, and the cash-on-delivery option is just so convenient. The cherry on the sundae? I love reading their Bloom magazine articles!

Gett: I usually go around at SM Beauty/Watsons when I have the time. If there are new releases or brands that are not available at SM Beauty, I turn to Beauty MNL!

Marielle: I have K-beauty fever! Because of that, I am on the prowl for both Korean drugstore and premium products. I find that Althea Korea has a great and varied selection, and even some strange stuff that makes me curious enough to want to try. Also, the prices are reasonable. I consolidate orders with friends every now and then to get the minimum for free shipping, so it doesn't always have to be a massive haul.

Kim: I make about two or three trips to Watsons or SM Beauty Stores every month just to check out what's new and make sure that nothing flies under my radar. I really love how the availability of brands have improved over the years! I also shop online quite a bit! I'm always hanging out at Althea and Sephora to check for good deals.

Angela: I go to SM Beauty or Watsons for drugstore favorites like Maybelline and Pink Sugar. And when I'm abroad, Sephora is a sure stopover. It's a beauty paradise!

Karla: I love shopping at Sephora.ph for all of my ZOEVA products. They have the best selection of brushes and eyeshadow palettes, and are bringing in more and more brands into their site! I'm now on the waitlist for some Too Faced and BECCA products and I couldn't be more excited!

Claire: I usually go to Landmark Makati whenever I'm in the mood for a beauty fix. I love that they have major brands for low, mid, and high-end products. Plus, their beauty section has a lot of very affordable beauty tools and organizers (mostly unbranded, though). I also love shopping online - BeautyMNL, Sephora, and Althea are online hangouts for me. I mostly get products that I can't find in physical stores or have an online promotion.

Charlie: When I run out of my regular beauty needs, I usually shop at Watsons. I also love going to bazaars as they carry a lot of beauty stuff that aren't readily available here or have lower prices. I make sure to be careful and avoid "SG Authentic" makeup, but most of my greatest beauty or skincare finds are from bazaars.

Stacie: I visit a lot of stores to shop for my stash since I am always on a look out to score sweet, budget-friendly deals. For essentials, I either buy from Daiso (their puff and cotton pads are decent!) or Watsons/SM Beauty.  For makeup, it depends on the availability of the product or where I can get it cheapest without getting conned. I also have an impulse “I’m sad so I’ll just go buy something” place: Etude House. Their products are fairly priced and they have small things that cheer me up without hurting my wallet. Just last week, I semi-impulsively got this pretty pink and gold lash curler!

Where do you shop for your stash? Are you an impulsive buyer or a practical spender? 

Here’s an interesting piece of trivia: did you know that Olay has been around since 1952? The brand has long established itself as a creator of effective yet affordable skincare, and it maintains its top status by constantly evolving and improving in the cutthroat business of beauty. Olay is all about pushing the envelope to bring customers the latest in skincare technology and user experience. And now they’ve gone a step further by giving the skincare shopping experience a red carpet-worthy revamp.

Under the masterful guidance of celebrated designer Jojie Lloren, Olay’s Beauty Consultants are getting a wardrobe makeover. He’ll be doing three new looks, the first of which is a classy black coat dress cinched with a tan obi belt, as inspired by Olay’s signature colors. The ensemble is an instant classic and perfectly marries Jojie’s minimalist style with Olay’s timeless elegance.

To further tailor-fit skincare product recommendations to each individual user, there’s also the introduction of the Olay Beauty Imaging Device in its most compact form yet. I remember feeling intimidated when I first saw the older, larger version of the device - it looked like a giant lightbox that you had to put your face in. It was also very conspicuous, so that trying it out in the middle of a busy department store felt like everyone was watching and waiting to see all of your skin’s imperfections.

Thankfully, the upgraded version is subtler and more discreet: the handheld device is simply placed against the skin and the specially-developed camera captures the macro details. The screen monitor then displays the results, giving a comprehensive and in-depth look at your skin’s moisture, pigmentation, texture, tone, and wrinkles. In this way, Olay’s Beauty Consultants can help you create a customized skincare regimen that truly addresses your needs.

Lastly, you can now stock up on your favorite Olay’s products while shopping at Lazada! Get a 20% discount from September 22 to 25, and an additional 12% off by using the promo code OLAY12 for a minimum spend of P1,000. BRB, we’ll be hoarding the divine-smelling rose and milk soaps and the amazing Regenerist pre-essence and micro-sculpting cream duo!

What do you think of this level-up with Olay’s customer interaction? Have you tried their skin analysis device before? Was it effective in helping you design the right skincare regimen?

Today’s eyebrow trends celebrate full, natural-looking brows instead of thin, over-plucked arches. The obsession over lush eyebrows has led to such trends as smokey eyebrow makeup but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Just as there are different eyeliner styles, there are several other ways to keep your brows in vogue.

Arm yourself with your brow product of choice, some concealer, and a spoolie brush: you’ll want to try these easy brow styles to find your perfect kilay look!

Naturally Arched, Feathery Eyebrows

Most eyebrows have a natural curve and it’s easiest to simply follow this shape when giving them definition. If your brows are messy and bushy, we definitely recommend having them properly shaped by a professional so you have a better idea of where you should (and shouldn’t) apply brow product. You can also do this by taking a pen and using it to “measure” out these points:

Align the pen on the inner part of your nose to see where to start, the middle part of your eyes to see the arch, and the tip of your outer eye to see where it should end.

Try: Kanebo Pencil Eyebrow in Neutral Grey for the ultimate feathered look

When you’ve marked each of the three points, you can create the brow outline by simply connecting the dots. A brow pencil is usually the easiest to use for this, plus you can also use it to draw feathery hair-like strokes on any sparse areas. Afterwards, lightly fill in the entire shape with brow powder then use a spoolie to blend and soften the look. You can also use a clear mascara to set the hairs in place, or a colored brow mascara to match dyed hair.

Korean Straight Eyebrows

According to K-beauty shows, the straight brow gives a more youthful look compared to highly arched brows. You still define the top part of your brow in the same way as the natural-arch technique but instead of following the usual C-shape, simply connect the inner end to the tail end with a straight line. It may take a few tries to perfect this look; because of the straight edge, you may need to angle the line slightly to keep your brows from having an unnatural boxy shape. Practice with a mid-shade brow powder until you’re satisfied with the shape, then fill it in with a slightly darker color. Make sure to blend out any sharp edges with your spoolie!

Try: Keep it natural and defined with the K-Palette Lasting 2Way Eyebrow Liquid so you can draw hairline stroke. You can also try the Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Pencil, which has a thin tip, to get you the same result.

We recommend topping the look with tinted brow mascara as it further softens the finish and makes it appear more natural. Otherwise, set your brows with some clear mascara or use false lash glue as Thai makeup artist Nongchat recommends.

Instagram Eyebrows

Also known as the Fade Brow, the HD Brow and the Gradient Brow, it’s a brow technique that definitely looks best in photographs. In real life though, it’s extremely defined and can be overwhelming for everyday wear, so we usually reserve this for special occasions and shoots. The style features brows that are lightest near the bridge of the nose and gradually darkens to a sharp tail.

Try: Pink Sugar Honey I'm Good Eyebrow Kit to get maximum control and customization

Since the innermost brow is meant to look softer, it’s best to start drawing your outline from just above your pupil. Use a light brow powder to shade the innermost portion then transition to a slightly darker shade as you fill in the arch and the tail. Blend the shades together with the spoolie to create the gradient effect. To make the lines crisp, apply some concealer above and below the brows. You can also apply a bit of highlighter to make the contrast even more stark.

So, which is your favorite eyebrow look? Are you team au naturel, a K-beauty lover, or do you rock IG brows all day every day?