I’ve struggled with oily skin all my life. I thought that it was just part of puberty and would lessen later on but here I am in my late twenties, just as oily as ever. Aside from having to deal with a constantly greasy face, the bigger problem is that my oily skin makes me very acne-prone. Every little thing clogs my pores! I’ve tried so many different products in the hopes of controlling my oily skin and in the process, I learned that there is no magic product that will solve my skin woes. Rather, it is a combination of habits and products working together that help me keep the shine in check and the pimples away. I swear by these tips, and they should work for my fellow oily-skinned gals as well!

Never, ever sleep with makeup on

We’ve repeatedly stressed the importance of facial cleansing before hitting the sack but it’s an especially important non-negotiable for oily skin. While other skin types may not get any reactions from one night of neglect, my uber oily skin ensures that I wake up to pimples and bumpy skin! I’m so done with making this mistake so I always keep a bottle of Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion handy for removing all traces of my makeup and toning my face all in just step! I like how it doesn't leave a sticky residue on my skin so it sucks that I’ll need to replace this soon as Bifesta has pulled out of the market. On nights when I don't feel like using micellar water, I reach for my Nivea Exfoliating Wipes (P140 at leading department stores). One side is smooth just like a regular makeup remover wipe, while the other side is textured so I can exfoliate my face without washing.

A sonic cleansing brush can do wonders

A sonic cleansing brush can cleanse our face more thoroughly than our fingers, plus it helps remove dead skin cells. I invested in a Clarisonic (P8,890 at BeautyMNL) three years ago, and I am happy to say that it still works fine until now. Although it costs a pretty penny, I do not regret my purchase at all. My skin definitely feels smoother with regular use, and I feel confident that I don’t have an ounce of makeup left on my face. For those who are not ready to bite the bullet though, there are more budget-friendly alternatives worth trying out.

Exfoliate twice a week

Did you know that oily skin can tolerate more exfoliation than other skin types? And let’s face it, when even the smallest amount of oil and dirt can turn into a blemish, we could surely use it! I love my Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser because it uses a combination of chemical (glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid) and physical (jojoba beads) exfoliants to polish my skin.

Moisturizers are your friends

It is a common misconception that oily-skinned people don’t need to use moisturizer, and it’s one that myth that should be immediately busted! When our skin lacks moisture, our oil glands go into overdrive in an attempt to compensate. If you’re afraid to add a greasy texture to an already greasy face, it may be that you simply haven’t found the right type of moisturizer for your skin. Gel moisturizers are usually best because they aren’t sticky or heavy. I’m currently loving The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet (P999 at The Body Shop) because my skin absorbs it so quickly that it feels like I have nothing on!

Not all sunscreens are sticky

When I first started wearing sunscreen around eight years ago, there weren’t a lot of options that didn’t make me feel like a white ball of grease. Luckily there are now so many lightweight options that don’t give that ugly white cast! The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Ice Air Puff Sun SPF50 (P995 at The Face Shop) is the lightest facial sunblock I’ve tried to date. It is like a sunblock spray with a sponge tip at the end, so it goes on very sheer and dries quickly. It has a nice cooling effect on the skin, too!

Don’t be afraid of oils

Contrary to popular belief, not all oils are comedogenic. When I first read about the oil cleansing method, I was skeptical. After all, why would I want to put more oil on my face? I still tried it though, with the cult favorite Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils, and I’m a convert! I loved them so much that I seriously tried out every variant that the company has ever produced. They’re expensive but worth every penny and last quite a while. The Porefinist variant, in particular, has noticeably made my skin less oily so this is something that I keep coming back to.

Add a clay mask to your routine

Sheet masks are in the limelight right now but I still use clay masks as ,well, for a different purpose. Compared to sheet masks that are mostly designed to infuse the skin with moisture, clay masks work to draw out impurities and help reduce oiliness. They are cheaper than sheet masks in the long run, too, because one tube can last for 30 or more uses. I currently have four in rotation that I either alternate or do a mask combo: Laneige Pore Minimizing Pack (P1,150 at Laneige), B&Soap Mamie Blue Pack (P550 at AltheaPH), Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, and Origins Out of Trouble 10-Minute Mask (both P1700 at Origins).

Primers need not clog pores

While admittedly, silicone-based primers can help a lot in controlling oily skin and making makeup last longer, I don’t use it on a daily basis for fear of clogging my pores. Thankfully, there are primers that are not as silicone-heavy, and have added ingredients that are beneficial to oily skin. My favorites are Bioderma Sebium Pore Refiner (P1,748 at SM Beauty) with salicylic acid, and The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimizer (P895 at The Body Shop) with tea tree oil. These mattify my face without breaking me out.

Setting sprays are a great add-on

Even the most long-wearing foundations slide off my greasy face so I’ve found that using an oil-controlling makeup spray really makes a huge difference in the longevity of my makeup. My favorite is Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray Oil Control (starts at P550 for 20ml, for pre-order at Digital Traincase). I spray on three layers as directed, and it keeps my face matte for up to an additional two hours on top of all the other mattifying products I apply. It may not seem like a lot but those couple of hours are a lifetime for me!

Oil control powders are your best friend

For us oily-skinned gals, oil control powders and blotting sheets are our constant companions. Oil control powders are key products because I use them to both set my makeup and retouch throughout the day. If you’re worried about your makeup caking from too many layers of powder, make sure to use a powder with very sheer or translucent coverage. I find that silica-based products are the most effective in keeping my face matte. My favorites are Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (P260 from AltheaPH) and Ellana Sheer Velvet Primer Powder (P399 for a refill at ellana.com.ph).

Do you struggle with oily skin as well? What are your beauty mantras for keeping your skin healthy, shine-free and pimple-free?

How is the first month of 2017 almost over? It’s crazy how time is just passing us by, especially with a new launch or teaser coming out every single day. From the official release of Urban Decay’s new liquid lippies to MAC’s brilliant Internet-Meets-Makeup idea, there’s no lack of excitement in the beauty world. Here’s what you should watch out for!

Images via Instagram

MAC-ing the world a better place

Forget the celebrities and Disney cartoons for just a bit - MAC has announced that they are bringing in their most relatable collection yet: a collaboration BY the people, FOR the people. Teaming up with 10 global beauty influencers, the collection will feature lipsticks by American beauty blogger Gabriel Zamora, American vlogger LarLar Lee, British YouTuber and author Fleur De Force, Glamour UK Beauty Director Alessandra Steinhgrr, Canadian makeup artist Samantha Ravndahl, Brazilian blogger Vic Ceridono, blogger Fouz Al Fahad from the Middle East, French vlogger Enjoy Phoenix, German blogger Caroline Daur, and Australian blogger and makeup artist Nikkia Joy. The lipsticks are set to launch some time in April but if you can’t wait to see the shades, MAC has been sharing BTS clips over on their Snapchat and Instagram @maccosmetics!

Full story on Allure

Images via Temptalia

It’s going to be LEGEN… wait for it… DARY!

mashing into the new year (see what we did there?) Smashbox Cosmetics is gifting us with the most amazing lipstick palettes we could dream of: the Be Legendary Lipstick Palettes! Infused with Vitamins C and E and shea butter, these pigmented beauties promise to keep your lips hydrated at all times while still giving you a bold, satin finish color. Choose between the Cream Audition Palette (which has loads of pinks, reds, nudes and a few fun shades like blue and purple), or the Matte Bing Palette (which offers a wide range of tones in matte finish). Both palettes even comes with a Pro lip brush! Priced at $75, these are now available on the Ulta website.

Full story on Temptalia

Images via Target and Essie

Essie something I said?

We’ve got two new things from one of our favorite nail brands! Following the successful launch of their Gel Couture Collection last year, Essie is bringing out six new shades to add to the at-home gel manicure collection. Inspired by the elegance of ballet, the collection will feature six new pastel shades that promise long-lasting staying power and amazing color pay-off for just $12 a bottle.

Accompanying the launch of the new shades, Essie is also bringing out the Treat & Love Color collection ($10) that promises to improve your overall nail health in just one week! Infused with collagen, camellia leaf extracts and brightening pigments, the three shades work to strengthen your nails while still providing you a cute splash of color. With shades like Laven-Dearly (lavender shade), Sheers to You (baby pink shade), and Treat Me Bright (pearlescent white), it’s easy to forget that these are actually good for your nails. Added bonus: they don’t need a base or top coat!

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Glory News

Naughty or Vice?

Remember when we first gushed about the “possibly some time soon” release of Urban Decay’s liquid lipsticks? THEY’RE FINALLY HERE!!! The Vice Liquid Lipstick Collection consists of a whopping 30 shades of matte and metallic goodness, with each one priced at $18 a pop. They officially launch on the Urban Decay website on January 19. We’re eyeing the metallic gunmetal of Time, the 90s-inspired brown of 1993, and the juicy watermelon in Tryst!

Full story on Bustle

Image via People

Livin’ La Vida LAW-ca

Obviously, great genes run in this family! Iris Law, the 16-year-old daughter of actor Jude Law, was just launched as the newest face of Burberry Beauty. Talk about following in the footsteps of godmother, Kate Moss! She will be part of the campaign for the new Burberry Beauty Liquid Lip Velvet lipsticks. Going with a very minimalist makeup look in the shots, the campaign will highlight the amazing 14 shades of Burberry’s first take on the liquid lipstick front, which promise 8-hour wear and high pigmentation in a creamy matte finish. You can shop the luxury lippies over at Sephora for $34 a tube.

Full story on The Telegraph

Image via Bustle

500,000 reasons to smile

Just in case you need a valid reason to go online and buy another one of her signature lip kits, People Magazine has just revealed that makeup mogul Kylie Jenner has raised over $500,000 for Smile Train, a charity that gives free cleft palate surgery for millions of children around the world. Her baby pink lip kit aptly called “Smile” raised $159,500 on its first launch, and earned over $300,000 after its January relaunch. That’s a grand total almost half a million dollars! Jenner has said that absolutely 100% of the earnings will go straight to the charity and 1,800 surgeries for children. Alright, who else is stocking up on this beautiful pink shade?

Full story on People

I don't always get to try some products immediately, and when I do, it may be that I feel it's too late to write about them. There are just so, so many things to fit into a single face so I have to budget the time it takes for me to be able to come up with a review! But hey, it's never too late. Here are three things that I've been using A LOT lately but haven't gotten to talk about yet!

Lunasol Sheer Light Loose Foundation 02. This was released as part of the brand's autumn collection here in the Philippines sometime last September. I didn't use it right away because I thought it was just a normal sheer powder; it's not. Oh, it's so much more than that. It's a light-reflecting, mid-coverage foundation that just melts into my face and makes my skin look wow-worthy.

I mean, just look at this picture:

I used the Laneige Pore Control Cushion as base here, concealed some spots, and then set it with a light layer of the Lunasol powder. I like using the Lunasol by itself as well since it offers good coverage and shade match, but it really looks more amazing with a good base to adhere to! It stays longer that way.

I'll definitely restock this powder! It makes my skin look like skin while covering up little hijinks here and there. Lunasol is still available in the PH for awhile so no need to go abroad to pick some up.

Glam21 One Shot Skinny Eyebrow Pencil. I received this early last 2015 but never got around to using it until the end of the year. IT'S SO GOOD! The wispy, natural eyebrows I'm wearing above is courtesy of this pencil alone. Didn't use any other product! It draws natural strands that never look solid; the result as you can see are structured, creamy-looking brows that look effortless.

And it is effortless. I don't have to layer so much to achieve the look I want and the product sticks to my skin flat. It stays on all day too! Unfortunately, the only distributor of this brand, Aboutface.ph, seems to now be defunct. Do you guys know where I can buy more of these pencils locally?

Tony Moly Perfect Eyes Long Kinny Gel Pen Eyeliner, Glam21 One Shot Skinny Eyebrow Pencil, and Lunasol Sheer Light Loose Foundation 02

Tony Moly Perfect Eyes Long Kinny Gel Pen Eyeliner. Tony Moly is most famous for their skincare, but did you know that they make really, REALLY good eyeliners? Some are truly waterproof, while others, like this one, are highly water-resistant when dry. I love this pen eyeliner because it glides on easily and can get really dark when layered a couple of times. It never smudges on me too, if I'm wearing it on top of eyeshadow!

Caveats: this stains my lids if not removed properly (i.e. double cleansing). Also, it performs best when worn over some eyeshadow, otherwise it will stamp itself onto my upper lids. This liner is by no means perfect but it does work well enough for me! And, y'know, it's P498. The other liquid liners in my arsenal are around P800 - P1,000+. #eyelinerapologist

And that is that. ^_^ How's your weekend like, ladies?

Photography by Sam Gonzales

We’re only a few days away from the year’s first big event, and we’ve got the scoop on all things Miss Universe! With the pageant scheduled for January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena, tons of preparations are being made for the official tours, live telecasts, security protocols, and traffic schemes. As beauty girls, what we’ve most been excited about is finding out that the official makeup partner is MAC Cosmetics!

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics Philippines

Sparing no expense, the official team of makeup artists for the contestants will include big names like Al De Leon, Anacleta Paredes, Angel Manhilot, Apple Fara-on, Byron Velasquez, Don De Jesus, Emer Buenaventura, Emman Concepcion, Gela Laurel, Gery Penaso, Jaycee Matias, Kusie Ho, Leah Casio, Mikee Raymundo, Omar Ermita, Pong Niu, Raf Bardon, RB Chanco, Ria Aquino, and Ryan Wong. They will be in charge of keeping the girls gorgeous all throughout their stay, and of course, on pageant night as well.

For the judges, hosts, VIPs, and current Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, a separate special MAC team will be handling their looks as well. And that’s not all - MAC has also put together another team for the Special Events, which include makeup artists Renen Bautista, Pia Reyes, Bea Colet, Alex Lisbona, Jorence Delimos, Cielo Desamperado, Erin Cabrera, Mhike Gonzales, and Jaja Pangilinan.

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics Philippines

Not only will the contestants be handled by some of the most talented artists in the country, but each is going to receive a special treat: a Miss Universe MAC Cosmetics Kit which includes a primer, skincare, foundation, powder, contour, highlight, eyebrows, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lashes, blush, and lipstick - everything she will need to slay her makeup game at all times.

MAC has also lined up something very special in honor of the 2016 Miss Universe Pageant. A #MACLipsLipsLips pop-up store will be at the Main Atrium of the SM Mall of Asia from January 18 to February 2, 2017. The famous Viva Glam lipsticks will be sold there, and each lippie purchase will go towards the MAC Viva Glam Campaign, a cause that helps in the research and battle against HIV/AIDS.  

Now, a Miss Universe candidate can probably claim #wokeuplikethis and truly work it, but looking their absolute stunning best for pageant night requires both skill and the right products. Pageant makeup is a different ballgame; we just had to know how they do it, in the hopes of picking up a valuable tip or two! Lucky for us, we got a chance to get an official MAC x Miss Universe Makeover with makeup artist Jart Mercado!

MAC artists start by prepping and priming using the Prep + Prime range for both the skin and lips. As per PR & Artist Relations Assistant Gaby Azarcon, pageant makeup is all about enhancing the natural beauty of a woman and focusing on key facial features. The winning combo is a bold eye look paired with a nude lip, so MAC strives to give each contestant a classy, daytime beauty look, or as they call it, the “Natural Beauty Queen.”

Jart recommends starting off with your concealer first, and then applying your foundation after. Placing your foundation after your concealer allows your entire base makeup to blend together and look more natural while still giving full coverage.

Once the base is blended and powdered to a T, the artists will then go to the most important part of the face (in this writer’s humble opinion, at least): the eyebrows. And here’s Miss Universe Hack #1: Jart recommends that you use three different shades of brow pencil in order to achieve queenly brows!

Gaby explains, “To achieve a more dimensional brow, using three different shades of eyebrow crayons would be the best kept secret of most beauty queens. A great combination is Fling, Lingering, and Spiked. The lightest shade, Fling, would be the color to use on the inner brow area, while the mid-brow area would be filled in with Lingering, and the tail of the brow will be the darkest shade, Spiked.”

When it comes to eye makeup, contestants who have warm undertones are matched with the Amber Times Nine Palette, while the contestants with the cool undertones are matched with the Dusky Rose Times Nine Palette. The look consists of a smoky eye complete with gel winged liner and fluttery lashes.

Miss Universe Hack #2: To ensure that your eyeshadow and eyeliner stay put, blend in some shadow primer on your bottom lash line! Smoke out the bottom lash line with some brown eyeliner and shadow, then blend a cream highlight or light concealer underneath in order to achieve that glowy smize.

Don’t forget to carve out your cheekbones with some contour powder. Jart says that Miss Universe contestants pack on their blush in order not to look washed out on camera and under those strong stage lights.

Once the smoky eye and flawless base are set, all that’s left for each contestant is their choice of lip color. According to Jart, most contestants opt for a nude lip with just a hint of gloss in the center. Some will rock a bold statement lip like a red or hot pink, but very few choose to do so on nowadays. He lined my lips with cult classic (and pageant favorite) Boldly Bare liner and filled them in with Velvet Teddy lipstick.

Finally, Miss Universe Hack #3: For fuller lips, overline just the edges of your upper and lower lip. Then add gloss at the center of your lips to give a plumper and “juicier” look.

And there you have it! This is the MAC x Miss Universe makeup look that the contestants will be wearing on pageant night, and it made me feel every inch like a beauty queen! There’s a such fresh quality to how the products come together, and it looks well-balanced both on-cam and off. The transformation just took 45 minutes but it creates an incredible impact. Thank you again to MAC Cosmetics and Jart Mercado for taking time to teach us the ropes on all things Miss Universe!

Did you ever dream of becoming a beauty queen? What do you think about copping this look? Wouldn’t it be perfect for a special daytime event?

It’s easy to get excited over hauls or finally getting your hands on the expensive product you’ve been saving up so long for. Even a mid-price purchase that fits into our beauty budget is a plenty of reason to be happy, but the truth is, we’re our most giddy when we spot a cheap beauty find! It is its own special beauty addiction but we’re only the tiniest bit embarrassed to reveal what our cheap thrills are, especially since they keep our wallets happy!

Liz: I first saw these ribbed cotton buds in Hong Kong and hauled so many to take home! They're really cheap, and they make excellent outer ear cleaners due to the texture. It's just gross afterwards, haha! I use the other end to clean makeup mistakes as it's properly stiff, compared to normal cotton buds which have a too-soft tip. Similar ones are available in Daiso too!

Den: I’ve begun to amass a little collection of random makeup tools and containers! I love popping into the beauty section but I linger the most in the accessories aisle. When I feel the itch to shop, it’s just so much cheaper to pick up inexpensive plastic tubs, spatulas and spray bottles than picking up a random makeup item that I probably already own a version of. I end up using these anyway - I decant micellar water into the small tubes for easy touch-ups, excess mask essence into misters, and cleansing balm into travel-friendly tubs so I don’t contaminate the rest of the jar. Landmark’s beauty section has the best selection!

Tellie: I don't know if I'm ashamed of it but I'll buy any beauty tool if it's cheap enough and something that I actually use. In beauty stores, I actually go to the Tool aisle first and feel judged for not fangirling over makeup. Recently I bought this 10-pack of cotton puffs for KRW 3000 (around P130) when I normally find it for KRW 1500 each! I was so happy that I ended up staying at the aisle for about 10 minutes, just studying it. My boyfriend actually left and came back for me without me noticing because I was trying to find other cheap supplies like cotton squares and sponges!

Gett: I love trying out face masks and I don't discriminate on the price! I recently tried a lemon clay mask from a brand called Ovale, and it was only P25! It smelled a bit sweet for a lemon scent but it helped control my breakouts!

Kim: I'm slightly ashamed that I even own a comedone extractor (P89 at Watsons). I know I'm not supposed to pick at pimples but... at least I'm doing it the same way aestheticians do? It's my last resort for pesky clogged pores and pimples, and have the guilty pleasure of using it every once in a while!

Stacie: I'm not even ashamed of owning cheap beauty tools, especially makeup puffs from Daiso. I can't see myself spending a thousand bucks for a Beauty Blender since these can blend and distribute makeup pretty well. I think it works okay for the price! I get 10 sponges for P88, so that's roughly just P8 pesos each!

Angela: I am not ashamed of asking for samples before trying out a product. It really helps to try it first before buying! When the product does work, I feel more motivated to save up for it.

Marielle: I always have to have nose pore strips around. I put them on once a month or whenever I actually remember to. The stuff that comes out is always fascinating and gross, and I keep thinking, "That's been there this whole time?!"

Katsy: I'm currently loving the Skin Genie Lip and Cheek Tints! At P80 per bottle, it's really tempting to hoard all colors. I pair it with Smith's Rosebud Salve for a quick "natural" lip look.

Charlie: I’m slightly ashamed but mostly terrified (for my wallet) of my love for lip balms. Especially those sold in dollar stores or beauty sections! No matter where I go, I almost always end up with a lip balm, even the ones found in fashion stores. If I like the scent and how it feels on my hand, I’ll most likely buy it. I even once had a Mrs. Fields lip balm! Even when bought blindly, I end up liking and repurchasing most of them like Avon’s Dew Kiss lip balm. I’ve finished about three sticks of this and I still stock on it! It’s pretty affordable, too, at P69 when it’s on sale (regular price is P130).

Do you indulge in cheap beauty thrills as well? We want to know what you’re into!

They say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, and the perceived difference between the two sexes has been endlessly rehashed in popular culture. While we can’t generalize behavior and pin it based on someone’s biological makeup, we wanted to know what the men we know often found most confusing about women. We hope this discussion helps forward our grasp on relationships with the other sex, and gives us some insight on what men usually notice about us.  

Seph Cham, in a relationship

I don't understand when women say they are fine but they're actually not. I always argue with my mom and my two sisters because of this. Luckily, my girlfriend doesn't have this trait!

Masaru and RG

Masaru Nakaegawa, single

I once went shopping for clothes with a girl. The first thing that I liked and looked good on me, I brought to the counter and paid for. It was a fast decision with no doubts. She, however, wanted to check out all the stalls and shops! The worst part was that she still came out empty handed due to indecision while I had worn out my feet in trying to keep up. I think it may have stemmed from a strong insecurity about how she looked physically. I find that girls sometimes overthink and get anxious over what others would say on how they look.

RG Gabunada, married

I don't understand how complex and admirable women are as individuals. They are able to juggle a lot of things all at the same time while keeping their cool and their tasks organized.

Elijah and Ron

Elijah Legaspi, single

I grew up in an environment surrounded by women, and most of my friends are female so I actually had to do a lot of thinking about this. Most of the women I know don't seem to realize that they don't have to look like the prettiest and sexiest girl just to be able to catch the attention of a potential partner. Many girls are following the same trend: on fleek eyebrows, lip kits, skimpy outfits, skinny bodies. I have nothing against those trends if you believe it boosts your confidence but if you’re doing it to fit in, it can make you look generic and lose your uniqueness. You don't have to undergo all of these troubles just to catch a guy’s attention if that’s what you’re after - we're not worth it! And ladies, please, stop chasing after jerks. There are a lot of good guys out there.

Ron Alegre, single

Why do they have to keep so many kikay stuff? What is it with their monthly period? Why is it easy for some of them to get easily attached to men? Why do they take so many selfies? I don’t get the long hours they spend in malls just to pick a single dress and a pair of shoes. They spend so much time in salons and always have to ask if they look fat. There’s a lot I don’t understand about women!

Brian and Carlo

Brian Poe Llamanzares, dating

I’ll never understand why girls expect guys to be mind readers sometimes. Like when a girl says it’s fine, it’s never really fine.

Carlo Clemente, single

Some (if not most) women I know are walking, breathing riddles. When they want something, they won't say what it is. When made to choose, they'd simply say "okay," or "any," but then expect the other person to know that they don't really mean it. When this doesn't happen, they get angry. Some would immediately throw a fit, while some would suffer silently, and then bring it up - bring it ALL up - when a major confrontation erupts later. ¿Que pasa? Women would say they are over it and then blame you months or even years later.

Javie Bengzon, married

I will preface this by saying I don't feel comfortable making generalizations about people based simply on their gender. I don't think there are such things as gendered behaviors; gender may inform behavior, certainly, and it usually does, but to make a blanket statement regarding half of society and ascribing some universal behavior to that half seems reductive and incomplete. What, then, would my answer be to the question “What don't you understand about women”?

It would definitely have to be something that applies, as universally as possible, to all women, for the reasons mentioned above, and this is what I've come up with. It is completely inexplicable to me how, in the face of crippling injustice and mistreatment from society, religion, family, work, and other cultural factors, women seem to still be able to function, survive, and build lives for themselves that are nothing short of miraculous. Women continue to go to work despite getting paid 20% less than men for the same volume of work. Women are never permitted to explore or articulate their own sexuality, but when men do it, it's written off as “locker room talk”. Men can be priests, but women can't. Many other religions exhibit this same exclusion of women from their clergy, not just Catholicism. Being thrust into similar social imbalances would have many men reaching for their assault rifles.

As a woman, how does this apply to you? How do you address your differences with the men in your life?  Let’s keep the discussion friendly!

Header image via RG Gabunada's Instagram account

We’re all beauty bargain junkies here in Project Vanity. While we undoubtedly swoon over beautiful luxury cosmetics, nothing quite beats the high of scoring cheap makeup that turns out to be a steal. Where better to hunt for these hidden gems than the Dollar Store? I checked out the branch in Ali Mall, Cubao and came out with nine (!!!) products in my bag for just P1,000. Check out what I got from this budget haul!

Face Products: P367

I challenged myself to buy a full face worth of makeup with just P1,000 pesos but sadly all of the remaining liquid foundations on display were far too dark for my complexion. So I settled for the She All In One Concealer in Vanilla (P89) and the L.A. Colors Mineral Pressed Powder in Sand (P149) for my face base. To blush, sculpt, and highlight my features, I scored a four-pan She Bronzer Palette (P129) with two blush shades, a highlighter, and a bronzer! It swatched beautifully on the back of my hand though the bronzer shade was more red and glittery than I would prefer.

Clockwise swatch of the She Bronzer Palette; the L.A. Colors Mineral Pressed Powder comes with a puff for application

Eye Products: P257

I picked up Beauty Treats 12-pan eyeshadow (P99), L.A. Colors Grafix Eyeliner in Purple (P59), and She Eyebrow Gel in Black (P99). I couldn’t find a black liquid liner so I’m thinking this eyebrow gel might work as a two-in-one product. Your girl has to hope cause this violet eyeliner ain’t gonna cut it. It just wanted to move every time I went in for a second layer.

My eye makeup haul; swatches of the eyebrow gel and purple liner

Swatched by column. There were more dud shades than good ones, TBQH.   

I wasn’t allowed to swatch the eyeshadows as well, so it wasn’t until I got home that I was able to try the formula. I got excited about the cool-warm shade selection and the price, but not gonna lie, the formulation felt downright terrible at first try. The poor pigmentation, chalkiness, and patchiness is apparent in the swatches. For the same price, I recommend getting a Daiso quad instead.

Tools, Lashes, and Lipstick: P327

I wanted to go the extra mile by purchasing cheap beauty tools for application. That turned out to be a bad decision because this Princessa Six Piece Tool Kit set me back by P99, and I definitely got what I paid for. These are cheap, fraying, scratchy brushes! Run the other way and get one sulit elf brush instead.

These are supposed to be brand new brushes but they look more beat up than Manny Pacquiao

The L.A. Colors Lipstick (P99) and Revlon Double Wink Eyelashes (P129) didn’t look half bad though. If all else fails, I’m counting on a nude lipstick and falsies to save the day.

Nude lipsticks and lashes don’t ever fail, right?

Final bill: P951! Given my usual makeup budget, I was kinda shocked to not have gone over and still have change to spare. A thousand pesos can’t even get me an eyeshadow palette at Sephora but I was able to stretch to cover all my needs by shopping at the Dollar Store. Is it worth it though? Watch out for our face test soon!

Have you ever tried makeup from the Dollar Store? If you have amazing finds from there, do let us know about them in the comments!

If there's one makeup basic I can't live without, it would be powder foundation. It's the quickest way to get coverage and often even sun protection, for days when I'm just really stepping out and don't want (or if I'm fortunate, need) to apply a lot of layers. I just need to even out my skin with it using a big dense brush and I'm good to go in three minutes!

That's why I can't have too many powder foundations in my kit. The latest addition is the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer SPF30 PA+++ (price to follow) which was included in the press kit they gave out at their recent event. Luckily, it's ~sorta~ my shade so I've been wearing it quite a lot lately!

I've had several Clinique powders in the past and all of them I finished down to the pan. Clinique has this way of making bases that smoothen the skin immensely well - they never look powdery or overly thick. It's just your skin, but enhanced up a few significant notches! This new foundation does not disappoint in that regard. I'm also happy that it has SPF30 PA+++!

The Beyond Perfecting Powder gives my skin a demi-matte finish and smoothens out creases and bumps nicely. Coverage is medium to heavy - it does not quite work like a concealer at all but I'm pleased with the coverage and adherence it gives me. It can cover up minor blemishes and discolorations by itself, but if course you'll still need a proper concealer underneath for serious hyper pigmentation. A little goes a long way with this foundation; you may apply it with the sponge or your preferred buffing brush.

The shade I got in the press kit is 64 Cream Beige. It's not an exact shade match as it's about a shade lighter than what I would wear, but I don't mind so much since it adjusts to my skin tone about an hour into it. Cream Beige isn't that beige, and is actually yellowish in tone. I'd say it's best for NC30 skin.

Staying power is average - the Beyond Perfecting Powder keeps me oil-free for about 4 hours, and fades evenly by the 6-hour mark. I just keep retouching to keep it up. It's not that much of a hassle but if you're particularly oily, you may need something that has better wear time.

Overall, I highly recommend the  Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer SPF30 PA+++ to anyone looking for a good daily powder foundation. You may need to retouch more often if you have oilier skin, but those with normal to combi skin should be fine with it. As for me, I'll be using it until I run out since it works pretty well for my purposes. ^_^ Let me know what you think!

When people say you look tired, chances are you dark circles and eye bags are a lot more obvious than you think. Sure, you can try to cover them up with concealers and correctors but all that makeup isn't going to address the actual issue of what’s happening to your skin. If you aren't using an eye cream yet, it's a good idea to add it to your routine even before you need it. Prevention is always better than cure, and to start you off, the PV girls are sharing their current picks!

Liz: Eye cream is one of those things you don't think you need until you do - and by then, it's almost certainly too late! To be fair though as long as you moisturize your whole face properly, sleep right, and maintain a healthy lifestyle then your bags shouldn't be a problem. If you're not able to do all the above though, you might need some help.

I love the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye; it's a good formula for all ages and one I've been using for years whenever needed. Recently I've been trying out the Juice Beauty Anti-Wrinkle Eye Treatment and Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Cream. I like how both have a refreshing feel on the eyes and how thin the formula is. They do help de-puff my bags nicely!

Den: I haven’t been as religious about putting on eye cream as I should be at my age but when I do remember, these are the ones I reach for. The Body Shop Moisture White Brightening Eye Cream sits well under my makeup and helps to keep my concealer from creasing. I don’t use it regularly enough to say if it does lessen the dark circles though. At night, I apply Clinique’s Repairwear Laser Focus, focusing at the outer corners where crow’s feet threaten to show up. I try to avoid putting anything on my lids though because the cream eventually travels into my eye and clouds my vision.

Jenn: While I don't think I've used enough to really pick out "what's best out there", I have a thing for eye creams with metal applicators. It makes putting on eye cream more fun since the applicator cools and relaxes the skin. L'Oreal Revitalift helps with lines while Beauskin Crystal Whitening combats dark circles, especially during puyat days!

Katsy: I have been using eye creams since college but I can't recommend a "best" one yet as my under eye area is still dehydrated. I do like the Laneige White Plus Renew Eye Cream that I'm currently using just for its brightening properties. Still not enough moisture though so I've started to use eye masks like the Petitfee Black Pearl & Gold Hydrogel Eyepatch.

Marielle: Because I only use eye creams at night, my bottle of Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse Anti-fatigue Eye Cream is still around. It applies without drag or greasiness, and the formula is light and absorbs quickly. I find that it delivers well on moisturizing the eye area.

Claire: Mizon's Snail Repair Eye Cream is the best I've tried so far. It made my sagging lids firmer and my under eye area lighter. And it costs less than most eye creams, too! Right now, I'm trying Skin Food's Salmon Brightening Eye Cream. I like its gentle scent and light texture. It does what it says and brightened my dark circles in a week.

Angela: I use the Elizavecca Gold CP Nest White Bomb Eye Cream that I got from Althea. It's made from bird's nest and 24K pure gold! They all seem to work at keeping my eye area moisturized and healthy. It has reduced the darkness of my under eye area and my fine lines are now gone. I really love the mild and delicate scent, too! 

Gett: My undereye area's fine for now so all I really put on the area is the Watsons Collagen Hydro-Balance Eye Treatment Cream. It's very moisturizing that I sometimes use it on dry patches of my skin!

Kim: My eyes are very choosy when it comes to mascara. I grab the wrong tube, and they will immediately itch like hell and develop ugly dry patches on the inner corner. What helps my skin recover overnight is the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme. I like how well this heals and moisturizes my abused eye area. If this lightened my dark circles, too, I'd be happy to stick with this forever!

Are you already using an eye cream? What products have you tried, or have been eyeing for your next purchase?

My fragile beauty heart was shook when the Silisponge first broke the Internet. The promise of a smooth, airbrushed texture sans the maintenance troubles of a normal beauty sponge? While I love the Beauty Blender, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find the task of cleaning it pretty demanding. The Silisponge hooked me in from the beginning, and review after review left me curious as to how it would perform. We managed to order a dupe from an online seller but we decided to test it with a fun, cheeky bonus: I picked up a similar-in-texture silicon nipple pad that I’ll also be trying out for makeup application. Let’s call it the boobie blender, as other YouTubers have been doing!   

My game plan is to apply foundation and concealer on the right side of my face with the Silisponge dupe, and the boobie blender for the other half. I used the Celeteque Dermocosmetics Photoready Foundation for my base as per usual, and concealed with TheSaem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer. Time to find out how these trending tools actually perform!

Round 1: Silisponge Dupe

The gel-like material of the sponge makes it poreless and not at all absorbent, so I expected that a small amount of product would go a long way. Starting with about a centavo-sized squirt of foundation, I first dabbed it on like I would with a Beauty Blender but it left obvious foundation stamps under my cheekbone and around the mouth area. I also found it more difficult to apply on tight nooks and crannies like the sides of my nostrils because the sponge is on the thick side and not so easily pliable.

See how the product looks "stamped" on my skin? I had to blend it out quite a bit to make application look more even

With experimentation, I found that a combination of dabbing and swiping movements work best with this tool. Here’s half of my face done after seven minutes of smoothing it out. I’m pretty impressed with how smooth it looks!  

Wearing foundation using the Silisponge dupe on the left!

Round 2: Boobie Blender

I used the same amount of product to do the other side of my face and followed the same dab-and-swipe technique. My first thought was about how weird it felt to be patting a nipple cover all over my face, but I soon realized that I actually liked this better than the Silisponge dupe! It’s softer and more pliable, so it’s more comfortable to use.

Since it was designed to cover nipples, it has curved surface rather than a flat one. As a result, I didn’t encounter the same stamping marks issue! Here’s how it looked seven minutes later--who would have thought I’d used a boobie blender?

Used the Silisponge dupe on the left, and the boobie blender on the right

Verdict

Call me a believer! It’s funny to me how people think of these things but guess what – they actually worked! The finish was pretty much identical but between the two, I’m putting my coin on the silicon nipple tape which I got from Bench for only P179 for a pair. The Silisponge dupe is priced at around P150 on Ebay, Shopee, and Facebook for a single sponge, plus you face the risk of streaking if you don’t blend out your foundation well.

That being said, neither one is on the same level of airbrushed finish that I get from the original Beauty Blender, so I’m not about to put that away anytime soon! It also takes me about five to seven minutes to do my full face with the BB so there’s a time-price tradeoff. These “dirty” sponges do put my heavily stained Beauty Blender to shame, though. A quick makeup wipe rundown got these back to looking brand new in just a few seconds!

I had so much fun putting these hot trendy items to the test! Have you ever tried the Silisponge or any of its dupes? If you’re considering trying this out, which one would you prefer to get?

I've been stalking Herbivore, a Seattle-based natural skincare brand, for months now. I love the minimalist packaging, the clever products, and their focus on the concept of sensorial beauty! I've wanted to try it for so long but have always been discouraged that I had to order it from the US. Thankfully, Sephora PH recently started carrying Herbivore products! I just had to get a few things, and one of them is the Sea Mist Coconut + Sea Salt Beach Wave Hair Mist (P1,027 at Sephora PH).

I was surprised by how hard I fell in love with the scent. It's an airy coconut scent with a dash of vanilla; it reminds me of cool drinks by a sunny beach. Granted it doesn't stay strong for very long, but I like that I get a whiff of it every once in a while during the day. It doesn't smell funky even when I sweat.

The gorgeous scent is not my favorite thing about the Sea Mist though. I love how it makes my hair look all textured and more volumized, just with a bit of water, aloe, and salt! It's amazing really. I was crazy about the Batiste Dry Shampoo last year - I even have backups - but I just didn't like how my scalp got so oily with it. Herbivore's Sea Mist does not make my scalp greasy even if I don't wash it off at night.

I'm also a huge fan of how this Herbivore mist can tame my frizzy hair without any stickiness or waxy feel.

Sorry that this is black and white! I hope to reveal this #FOTD next time haha. You can get a clear idea of how the Sea Mist texturizes my hair here.

The Sea Mist also doesn't leave a white residue like the average dry shampoo. If you spray too much in one area though, the salt might show a little bit when it dries. Definitely not as obvious as powdered shampoo!

Overall, the Herbivore Sea Mist smells fabulous and makes my hair look great. I would highly recommend it to anybody who wants to create more pronounced, messy (but not overly so) waves! It's a welcome break from my dry shampoo and volumizing mousse as it doesn't weigh down hair nor leave a hard-t0-clean residue on the scalp. Thoughts? Have you tried other salt sprays for your hair?

I’ve struggled with oily skin all my life. I thought that it was just part of puberty and would lessen later on but here I am in my late twenties, just as oily as ever. Aside from having to deal with a constantly greasy face, the bigger problem is that my oily skin makes me very acne-prone. Every little thing clogs my pores! I’ve tried so many different products in the hopes of controlling my oily skin and in the process, I learned that there is no magic product that will solve my skin woes. Rather, it is a combination of habits and products working together that help me keep the shine in check and the pimples away. I swear by these tips, and they should work for my fellow oily-skinned gals as well!

Never, ever sleep with makeup on

We’ve repeatedly stressed the importance of facial cleansing before hitting the sack but it’s an especially important non-negotiable for oily skin. While other skin types may not get any reactions from one night of neglect, my uber oily skin ensures that I wake up to pimples and bumpy skin! I’m so done with making this mistake so I always keep a bottle of Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion handy for removing all traces of my makeup and toning my face all in just step! I like how it doesn't leave a sticky residue on my skin so it sucks that I’ll need to replace this soon as Bifesta has pulled out of the market. On nights when I don't feel like using micellar water, I reach for my Nivea Exfoliating Wipes (P140 at leading department stores). One side is smooth just like a regular makeup remover wipe, while the other side is textured so I can exfoliate my face without washing.

A sonic cleansing brush can do wonders

A sonic cleansing brush can cleanse our face more thoroughly than our fingers, plus it helps remove dead skin cells. I invested in a Clarisonic (P8,890 at BeautyMNL) three years ago, and I am happy to say that it still works fine until now. Although it costs a pretty penny, I do not regret my purchase at all. My skin definitely feels smoother with regular use, and I feel confident that I don’t have an ounce of makeup left on my face. For those who are not ready to bite the bullet though, there are more budget-friendly alternatives worth trying out.

Exfoliate twice a week

Did you know that oily skin can tolerate more exfoliation than other skin types? And let’s face it, when even the smallest amount of oil and dirt can turn into a blemish, we could surely use it! I love my Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser because it uses a combination of chemical (glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid) and physical (jojoba beads) exfoliants to polish my skin.

Moisturizers are your friends

It is a common misconception that oily-skinned people don’t need to use moisturizer, and it’s one that myth that should be immediately busted! When our skin lacks moisture, our oil glands go into overdrive in an attempt to compensate. If you’re afraid to add a greasy texture to an already greasy face, it may be that you simply haven’t found the right type of moisturizer for your skin. Gel moisturizers are usually best because they aren’t sticky or heavy. I’m currently loving The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet (P999 at The Body Shop) because my skin absorbs it so quickly that it feels like I have nothing on!

Not all sunscreens are sticky

When I first started wearing sunscreen around eight years ago, there weren’t a lot of options that didn’t make me feel like a white ball of grease. Luckily there are now so many lightweight options that don’t give that ugly white cast! The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Ice Air Puff Sun SPF50 (P995 at The Face Shop) is the lightest facial sunblock I’ve tried to date. It is like a sunblock spray with a sponge tip at the end, so it goes on very sheer and dries quickly. It has a nice cooling effect on the skin, too!

Don’t be afraid of oils

Contrary to popular belief, not all oils are comedogenic. When I first read about the oil cleansing method, I was skeptical. After all, why would I want to put more oil on my face? I still tried it though, with the cult favorite Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils, and I’m a convert! I loved them so much that I seriously tried out every variant that the company has ever produced. They’re expensive but worth every penny and last quite a while. The Porefinist variant, in particular, has noticeably made my skin less oily so this is something that I keep coming back to.

Add a clay mask to your routine

Sheet masks are in the limelight right now but I still use clay masks as ,well, for a different purpose. Compared to sheet masks that are mostly designed to infuse the skin with moisture, clay masks work to draw out impurities and help reduce oiliness. They are cheaper than sheet masks in the long run, too, because one tube can last for 30 or more uses. I currently have four in rotation that I either alternate or do a mask combo: Laneige Pore Minimizing Pack (P1,150 at Laneige), B&Soap Mamie Blue Pack (P550 at AltheaPH), Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, and Origins Out of Trouble 10-Minute Mask (both P1700 at Origins).

Primers need not clog pores

While admittedly, silicone-based primers can help a lot in controlling oily skin and making makeup last longer, I don’t use it on a daily basis for fear of clogging my pores. Thankfully, there are primers that are not as silicone-heavy, and have added ingredients that are beneficial to oily skin. My favorites are Bioderma Sebium Pore Refiner (P1,748 at SM Beauty) with salicylic acid, and The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimizer (P895 at The Body Shop) with tea tree oil. These mattify my face without breaking me out.

Setting sprays are a great add-on

Even the most long-wearing foundations slide off my greasy face so I’ve found that using an oil-controlling makeup spray really makes a huge difference in the longevity of my makeup. My favorite is Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray Oil Control (starts at P550 for 20ml, for pre-order at Digital Traincase). I spray on three layers as directed, and it keeps my face matte for up to an additional two hours on top of all the other mattifying products I apply. It may not seem like a lot but those couple of hours are a lifetime for me!

Oil control powders are your best friend

For us oily-skinned gals, oil control powders and blotting sheets are our constant companions. Oil control powders are key products because I use them to both set my makeup and retouch throughout the day. If you’re worried about your makeup caking from too many layers of powder, make sure to use a powder with very sheer or translucent coverage. I find that silica-based products are the most effective in keeping my face matte. My favorites are Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (P260 from AltheaPH) and Ellana Sheer Velvet Primer Powder (P399 for a refill at ellana.com.ph).

Do you struggle with oily skin as well? What are your beauty mantras for keeping your skin healthy, shine-free and pimple-free?

How is the first month of 2017 almost over? It’s crazy how time is just passing us by, especially with a new launch or teaser coming out every single day. From the official release of Urban Decay’s new liquid lippies to MAC’s brilliant Internet-Meets-Makeup idea, there’s no lack of excitement in the beauty world. Here’s what you should watch out for!

Images via Instagram

MAC-ing the world a better place

Forget the celebrities and Disney cartoons for just a bit - MAC has announced that they are bringing in their most relatable collection yet: a collaboration BY the people, FOR the people. Teaming up with 10 global beauty influencers, the collection will feature lipsticks by American beauty blogger Gabriel Zamora, American vlogger LarLar Lee, British YouTuber and author Fleur De Force, Glamour UK Beauty Director Alessandra Steinhgrr, Canadian makeup artist Samantha Ravndahl, Brazilian blogger Vic Ceridono, blogger Fouz Al Fahad from the Middle East, French vlogger Enjoy Phoenix, German blogger Caroline Daur, and Australian blogger and makeup artist Nikkia Joy. The lipsticks are set to launch some time in April but if you can’t wait to see the shades, MAC has been sharing BTS clips over on their Snapchat and Instagram @maccosmetics!

Full story on Allure

Images via Temptalia

It’s going to be LEGEN… wait for it… DARY!

mashing into the new year (see what we did there?) Smashbox Cosmetics is gifting us with the most amazing lipstick palettes we could dream of: the Be Legendary Lipstick Palettes! Infused with Vitamins C and E and shea butter, these pigmented beauties promise to keep your lips hydrated at all times while still giving you a bold, satin finish color. Choose between the Cream Audition Palette (which has loads of pinks, reds, nudes and a few fun shades like blue and purple), or the Matte Bing Palette (which offers a wide range of tones in matte finish). Both palettes even comes with a Pro lip brush! Priced at $75, these are now available on the Ulta website.

Full story on Temptalia

Images via Target and Essie

Essie something I said?

We’ve got two new things from one of our favorite nail brands! Following the successful launch of their Gel Couture Collection last year, Essie is bringing out six new shades to add to the at-home gel manicure collection. Inspired by the elegance of ballet, the collection will feature six new pastel shades that promise long-lasting staying power and amazing color pay-off for just $12 a bottle.

Accompanying the launch of the new shades, Essie is also bringing out the Treat & Love Color collection ($10) that promises to improve your overall nail health in just one week! Infused with collagen, camellia leaf extracts and brightening pigments, the three shades work to strengthen your nails while still providing you a cute splash of color. With shades like Laven-Dearly (lavender shade), Sheers to You (baby pink shade), and Treat Me Bright (pearlescent white), it’s easy to forget that these are actually good for your nails. Added bonus: they don’t need a base or top coat!

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Glory News

Naughty or Vice?

Remember when we first gushed about the “possibly some time soon” release of Urban Decay’s liquid lipsticks? THEY’RE FINALLY HERE!!! The Vice Liquid Lipstick Collection consists of a whopping 30 shades of matte and metallic goodness, with each one priced at $18 a pop. They officially launch on the Urban Decay website on January 19. We’re eyeing the metallic gunmetal of Time, the 90s-inspired brown of 1993, and the juicy watermelon in Tryst!

Full story on Bustle

Image via People

Livin’ La Vida LAW-ca

Obviously, great genes run in this family! Iris Law, the 16-year-old daughter of actor Jude Law, was just launched as the newest face of Burberry Beauty. Talk about following in the footsteps of godmother, Kate Moss! She will be part of the campaign for the new Burberry Beauty Liquid Lip Velvet lipsticks. Going with a very minimalist makeup look in the shots, the campaign will highlight the amazing 14 shades of Burberry’s first take on the liquid lipstick front, which promise 8-hour wear and high pigmentation in a creamy matte finish. You can shop the luxury lippies over at Sephora for $34 a tube.

Full story on The Telegraph

Image via Bustle

500,000 reasons to smile

Just in case you need a valid reason to go online and buy another one of her signature lip kits, People Magazine has just revealed that makeup mogul Kylie Jenner has raised over $500,000 for Smile Train, a charity that gives free cleft palate surgery for millions of children around the world. Her baby pink lip kit aptly called “Smile” raised $159,500 on its first launch, and earned over $300,000 after its January relaunch. That’s a grand total almost half a million dollars! Jenner has said that absolutely 100% of the earnings will go straight to the charity and 1,800 surgeries for children. Alright, who else is stocking up on this beautiful pink shade?

Full story on People

I don't always get to try some products immediately, and when I do, it may be that I feel it's too late to write about them. There are just so, so many things to fit into a single face so I have to budget the time it takes for me to be able to come up with a review! But hey, it's never too late. Here are three things that I've been using A LOT lately but haven't gotten to talk about yet!

Lunasol Sheer Light Loose Foundation 02. This was released as part of the brand's autumn collection here in the Philippines sometime last September. I didn't use it right away because I thought it was just a normal sheer powder; it's not. Oh, it's so much more than that. It's a light-reflecting, mid-coverage foundation that just melts into my face and makes my skin look wow-worthy.

I mean, just look at this picture:

I used the Laneige Pore Control Cushion as base here, concealed some spots, and then set it with a light layer of the Lunasol powder. I like using the Lunasol by itself as well since it offers good coverage and shade match, but it really looks more amazing with a good base to adhere to! It stays longer that way.

I'll definitely restock this powder! It makes my skin look like skin while covering up little hijinks here and there. Lunasol is still available in the PH for awhile so no need to go abroad to pick some up.

Glam21 One Shot Skinny Eyebrow Pencil. I received this early last 2015 but never got around to using it until the end of the year. IT'S SO GOOD! The wispy, natural eyebrows I'm wearing above is courtesy of this pencil alone. Didn't use any other product! It draws natural strands that never look solid; the result as you can see are structured, creamy-looking brows that look effortless.

And it is effortless. I don't have to layer so much to achieve the look I want and the product sticks to my skin flat. It stays on all day too! Unfortunately, the only distributor of this brand, Aboutface.ph, seems to now be defunct. Do you guys know where I can buy more of these pencils locally?

Tony Moly Perfect Eyes Long Kinny Gel Pen Eyeliner, Glam21 One Shot Skinny Eyebrow Pencil, and Lunasol Sheer Light Loose Foundation 02

Tony Moly Perfect Eyes Long Kinny Gel Pen Eyeliner. Tony Moly is most famous for their skincare, but did you know that they make really, REALLY good eyeliners? Some are truly waterproof, while others, like this one, are highly water-resistant when dry. I love this pen eyeliner because it glides on easily and can get really dark when layered a couple of times. It never smudges on me too, if I'm wearing it on top of eyeshadow!

Caveats: this stains my lids if not removed properly (i.e. double cleansing). Also, it performs best when worn over some eyeshadow, otherwise it will stamp itself onto my upper lids. This liner is by no means perfect but it does work well enough for me! And, y'know, it's P498. The other liquid liners in my arsenal are around P800 - P1,000+. #eyelinerapologist

And that is that. ^_^ How's your weekend like, ladies?

Photography by Sam Gonzales

We’re only a few days away from the year’s first big event, and we’ve got the scoop on all things Miss Universe! With the pageant scheduled for January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena, tons of preparations are being made for the official tours, live telecasts, security protocols, and traffic schemes. As beauty girls, what we’ve most been excited about is finding out that the official makeup partner is MAC Cosmetics!

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics Philippines

Sparing no expense, the official team of makeup artists for the contestants will include big names like Al De Leon, Anacleta Paredes, Angel Manhilot, Apple Fara-on, Byron Velasquez, Don De Jesus, Emer Buenaventura, Emman Concepcion, Gela Laurel, Gery Penaso, Jaycee Matias, Kusie Ho, Leah Casio, Mikee Raymundo, Omar Ermita, Pong Niu, Raf Bardon, RB Chanco, Ria Aquino, and Ryan Wong. They will be in charge of keeping the girls gorgeous all throughout their stay, and of course, on pageant night as well.

For the judges, hosts, VIPs, and current Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, a separate special MAC team will be handling their looks as well. And that’s not all - MAC has also put together another team for the Special Events, which include makeup artists Renen Bautista, Pia Reyes, Bea Colet, Alex Lisbona, Jorence Delimos, Cielo Desamperado, Erin Cabrera, Mhike Gonzales, and Jaja Pangilinan.

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics Philippines

Not only will the contestants be handled by some of the most talented artists in the country, but each is going to receive a special treat: a Miss Universe MAC Cosmetics Kit which includes a primer, skincare, foundation, powder, contour, highlight, eyebrows, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lashes, blush, and lipstick - everything she will need to slay her makeup game at all times.

MAC has also lined up something very special in honor of the 2016 Miss Universe Pageant. A #MACLipsLipsLips pop-up store will be at the Main Atrium of the SM Mall of Asia from January 18 to February 2, 2017. The famous Viva Glam lipsticks will be sold there, and each lippie purchase will go towards the MAC Viva Glam Campaign, a cause that helps in the research and battle against HIV/AIDS.  

Now, a Miss Universe candidate can probably claim #wokeuplikethis and truly work it, but looking their absolute stunning best for pageant night requires both skill and the right products. Pageant makeup is a different ballgame; we just had to know how they do it, in the hopes of picking up a valuable tip or two! Lucky for us, we got a chance to get an official MAC x Miss Universe Makeover with makeup artist Jart Mercado!

MAC artists start by prepping and priming using the Prep + Prime range for both the skin and lips. As per PR & Artist Relations Assistant Gaby Azarcon, pageant makeup is all about enhancing the natural beauty of a woman and focusing on key facial features. The winning combo is a bold eye look paired with a nude lip, so MAC strives to give each contestant a classy, daytime beauty look, or as they call it, the “Natural Beauty Queen.”

Jart recommends starting off with your concealer first, and then applying your foundation after. Placing your foundation after your concealer allows your entire base makeup to blend together and look more natural while still giving full coverage.

Once the base is blended and powdered to a T, the artists will then go to the most important part of the face (in this writer’s humble opinion, at least): the eyebrows. And here’s Miss Universe Hack #1: Jart recommends that you use three different shades of brow pencil in order to achieve queenly brows!

Gaby explains, “To achieve a more dimensional brow, using three different shades of eyebrow crayons would be the best kept secret of most beauty queens. A great combination is Fling, Lingering, and Spiked. The lightest shade, Fling, would be the color to use on the inner brow area, while the mid-brow area would be filled in with Lingering, and the tail of the brow will be the darkest shade, Spiked.”

When it comes to eye makeup, contestants who have warm undertones are matched with the Amber Times Nine Palette, while the contestants with the cool undertones are matched with the Dusky Rose Times Nine Palette. The look consists of a smoky eye complete with gel winged liner and fluttery lashes.

Miss Universe Hack #2: To ensure that your eyeshadow and eyeliner stay put, blend in some shadow primer on your bottom lash line! Smoke out the bottom lash line with some brown eyeliner and shadow, then blend a cream highlight or light concealer underneath in order to achieve that glowy smize.

Don’t forget to carve out your cheekbones with some contour powder. Jart says that Miss Universe contestants pack on their blush in order not to look washed out on camera and under those strong stage lights.

Once the smoky eye and flawless base are set, all that’s left for each contestant is their choice of lip color. According to Jart, most contestants opt for a nude lip with just a hint of gloss in the center. Some will rock a bold statement lip like a red or hot pink, but very few choose to do so on nowadays. He lined my lips with cult classic (and pageant favorite) Boldly Bare liner and filled them in with Velvet Teddy lipstick.

Finally, Miss Universe Hack #3: For fuller lips, overline just the edges of your upper and lower lip. Then add gloss at the center of your lips to give a plumper and “juicier” look.

And there you have it! This is the MAC x Miss Universe makeup look that the contestants will be wearing on pageant night, and it made me feel every inch like a beauty queen! There’s a such fresh quality to how the products come together, and it looks well-balanced both on-cam and off. The transformation just took 45 minutes but it creates an incredible impact. Thank you again to MAC Cosmetics and Jart Mercado for taking time to teach us the ropes on all things Miss Universe!

Did you ever dream of becoming a beauty queen? What do you think about copping this look? Wouldn’t it be perfect for a special daytime event?

It’s easy to get excited over hauls or finally getting your hands on the expensive product you’ve been saving up so long for. Even a mid-price purchase that fits into our beauty budget is a plenty of reason to be happy, but the truth is, we’re our most giddy when we spot a cheap beauty find! It is its own special beauty addiction but we’re only the tiniest bit embarrassed to reveal what our cheap thrills are, especially since they keep our wallets happy!

Liz: I first saw these ribbed cotton buds in Hong Kong and hauled so many to take home! They're really cheap, and they make excellent outer ear cleaners due to the texture. It's just gross afterwards, haha! I use the other end to clean makeup mistakes as it's properly stiff, compared to normal cotton buds which have a too-soft tip. Similar ones are available in Daiso too!

Den: I’ve begun to amass a little collection of random makeup tools and containers! I love popping into the beauty section but I linger the most in the accessories aisle. When I feel the itch to shop, it’s just so much cheaper to pick up inexpensive plastic tubs, spatulas and spray bottles than picking up a random makeup item that I probably already own a version of. I end up using these anyway - I decant micellar water into the small tubes for easy touch-ups, excess mask essence into misters, and cleansing balm into travel-friendly tubs so I don’t contaminate the rest of the jar. Landmark’s beauty section has the best selection!

Tellie: I don't know if I'm ashamed of it but I'll buy any beauty tool if it's cheap enough and something that I actually use. In beauty stores, I actually go to the Tool aisle first and feel judged for not fangirling over makeup. Recently I bought this 10-pack of cotton puffs for KRW 3000 (around P130) when I normally find it for KRW 1500 each! I was so happy that I ended up staying at the aisle for about 10 minutes, just studying it. My boyfriend actually left and came back for me without me noticing because I was trying to find other cheap supplies like cotton squares and sponges!

Gett: I love trying out face masks and I don't discriminate on the price! I recently tried a lemon clay mask from a brand called Ovale, and it was only P25! It smelled a bit sweet for a lemon scent but it helped control my breakouts!

Kim: I'm slightly ashamed that I even own a comedone extractor (P89 at Watsons). I know I'm not supposed to pick at pimples but... at least I'm doing it the same way aestheticians do? It's my last resort for pesky clogged pores and pimples, and have the guilty pleasure of using it every once in a while!

Stacie: I'm not even ashamed of owning cheap beauty tools, especially makeup puffs from Daiso. I can't see myself spending a thousand bucks for a Beauty Blender since these can blend and distribute makeup pretty well. I think it works okay for the price! I get 10 sponges for P88, so that's roughly just P8 pesos each!

Angela: I am not ashamed of asking for samples before trying out a product. It really helps to try it first before buying! When the product does work, I feel more motivated to save up for it.

Marielle: I always have to have nose pore strips around. I put them on once a month or whenever I actually remember to. The stuff that comes out is always fascinating and gross, and I keep thinking, "That's been there this whole time?!"

Katsy: I'm currently loving the Skin Genie Lip and Cheek Tints! At P80 per bottle, it's really tempting to hoard all colors. I pair it with Smith's Rosebud Salve for a quick "natural" lip look.

Charlie: I’m slightly ashamed but mostly terrified (for my wallet) of my love for lip balms. Especially those sold in dollar stores or beauty sections! No matter where I go, I almost always end up with a lip balm, even the ones found in fashion stores. If I like the scent and how it feels on my hand, I’ll most likely buy it. I even once had a Mrs. Fields lip balm! Even when bought blindly, I end up liking and repurchasing most of them like Avon’s Dew Kiss lip balm. I’ve finished about three sticks of this and I still stock on it! It’s pretty affordable, too, at P69 when it’s on sale (regular price is P130).

Do you indulge in cheap beauty thrills as well? We want to know what you’re into!

They say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, and the perceived difference between the two sexes has been endlessly rehashed in popular culture. While we can’t generalize behavior and pin it based on someone’s biological makeup, we wanted to know what the men we know often found most confusing about women. We hope this discussion helps forward our grasp on relationships with the other sex, and gives us some insight on what men usually notice about us.  

Seph Cham, in a relationship

I don't understand when women say they are fine but they're actually not. I always argue with my mom and my two sisters because of this. Luckily, my girlfriend doesn't have this trait!

Masaru and RG

Masaru Nakaegawa, single

I once went shopping for clothes with a girl. The first thing that I liked and looked good on me, I brought to the counter and paid for. It was a fast decision with no doubts. She, however, wanted to check out all the stalls and shops! The worst part was that she still came out empty handed due to indecision while I had worn out my feet in trying to keep up. I think it may have stemmed from a strong insecurity about how she looked physically. I find that girls sometimes overthink and get anxious over what others would say on how they look.

RG Gabunada, married

I don't understand how complex and admirable women are as individuals. They are able to juggle a lot of things all at the same time while keeping their cool and their tasks organized.

Elijah and Ron

Elijah Legaspi, single

I grew up in an environment surrounded by women, and most of my friends are female so I actually had to do a lot of thinking about this. Most of the women I know don't seem to realize that they don't have to look like the prettiest and sexiest girl just to be able to catch the attention of a potential partner. Many girls are following the same trend: on fleek eyebrows, lip kits, skimpy outfits, skinny bodies. I have nothing against those trends if you believe it boosts your confidence but if you’re doing it to fit in, it can make you look generic and lose your uniqueness. You don't have to undergo all of these troubles just to catch a guy’s attention if that’s what you’re after - we're not worth it! And ladies, please, stop chasing after jerks. There are a lot of good guys out there.

Ron Alegre, single

Why do they have to keep so many kikay stuff? What is it with their monthly period? Why is it easy for some of them to get easily attached to men? Why do they take so many selfies? I don’t get the long hours they spend in malls just to pick a single dress and a pair of shoes. They spend so much time in salons and always have to ask if they look fat. There’s a lot I don’t understand about women!

Brian and Carlo

Brian Poe Llamanzares, dating

I’ll never understand why girls expect guys to be mind readers sometimes. Like when a girl says it’s fine, it’s never really fine.

Carlo Clemente, single

Some (if not most) women I know are walking, breathing riddles. When they want something, they won't say what it is. When made to choose, they'd simply say "okay," or "any," but then expect the other person to know that they don't really mean it. When this doesn't happen, they get angry. Some would immediately throw a fit, while some would suffer silently, and then bring it up - bring it ALL up - when a major confrontation erupts later. ¿Que pasa? Women would say they are over it and then blame you months or even years later.

Javie Bengzon, married

I will preface this by saying I don't feel comfortable making generalizations about people based simply on their gender. I don't think there are such things as gendered behaviors; gender may inform behavior, certainly, and it usually does, but to make a blanket statement regarding half of society and ascribing some universal behavior to that half seems reductive and incomplete. What, then, would my answer be to the question “What don't you understand about women”?

It would definitely have to be something that applies, as universally as possible, to all women, for the reasons mentioned above, and this is what I've come up with. It is completely inexplicable to me how, in the face of crippling injustice and mistreatment from society, religion, family, work, and other cultural factors, women seem to still be able to function, survive, and build lives for themselves that are nothing short of miraculous. Women continue to go to work despite getting paid 20% less than men for the same volume of work. Women are never permitted to explore or articulate their own sexuality, but when men do it, it's written off as “locker room talk”. Men can be priests, but women can't. Many other religions exhibit this same exclusion of women from their clergy, not just Catholicism. Being thrust into similar social imbalances would have many men reaching for their assault rifles.

As a woman, how does this apply to you? How do you address your differences with the men in your life?  Let’s keep the discussion friendly!

Header image via RG Gabunada's Instagram account

We’re all beauty bargain junkies here in Project Vanity. While we undoubtedly swoon over beautiful luxury cosmetics, nothing quite beats the high of scoring cheap makeup that turns out to be a steal. Where better to hunt for these hidden gems than the Dollar Store? I checked out the branch in Ali Mall, Cubao and came out with nine (!!!) products in my bag for just P1,000. Check out what I got from this budget haul!

Face Products: P367

I challenged myself to buy a full face worth of makeup with just P1,000 pesos but sadly all of the remaining liquid foundations on display were far too dark for my complexion. So I settled for the She All In One Concealer in Vanilla (P89) and the L.A. Colors Mineral Pressed Powder in Sand (P149) for my face base. To blush, sculpt, and highlight my features, I scored a four-pan She Bronzer Palette (P129) with two blush shades, a highlighter, and a bronzer! It swatched beautifully on the back of my hand though the bronzer shade was more red and glittery than I would prefer.

Clockwise swatch of the She Bronzer Palette; the L.A. Colors Mineral Pressed Powder comes with a puff for application

Eye Products: P257

I picked up Beauty Treats 12-pan eyeshadow (P99), L.A. Colors Grafix Eyeliner in Purple (P59), and She Eyebrow Gel in Black (P99). I couldn’t find a black liquid liner so I’m thinking this eyebrow gel might work as a two-in-one product. Your girl has to hope cause this violet eyeliner ain’t gonna cut it. It just wanted to move every time I went in for a second layer.

My eye makeup haul; swatches of the eyebrow gel and purple liner

Swatched by column. There were more dud shades than good ones, TBQH.   

I wasn’t allowed to swatch the eyeshadows as well, so it wasn’t until I got home that I was able to try the formula. I got excited about the cool-warm shade selection and the price, but not gonna lie, the formulation felt downright terrible at first try. The poor pigmentation, chalkiness, and patchiness is apparent in the swatches. For the same price, I recommend getting a Daiso quad instead.

Tools, Lashes, and Lipstick: P327

I wanted to go the extra mile by purchasing cheap beauty tools for application. That turned out to be a bad decision because this Princessa Six Piece Tool Kit set me back by P99, and I definitely got what I paid for. These are cheap, fraying, scratchy brushes! Run the other way and get one sulit elf brush instead.

These are supposed to be brand new brushes but they look more beat up than Manny Pacquiao

The L.A. Colors Lipstick (P99) and Revlon Double Wink Eyelashes (P129) didn’t look half bad though. If all else fails, I’m counting on a nude lipstick and falsies to save the day.

Nude lipsticks and lashes don’t ever fail, right?

Final bill: P951! Given my usual makeup budget, I was kinda shocked to not have gone over and still have change to spare. A thousand pesos can’t even get me an eyeshadow palette at Sephora but I was able to stretch to cover all my needs by shopping at the Dollar Store. Is it worth it though? Watch out for our face test soon!

Have you ever tried makeup from the Dollar Store? If you have amazing finds from there, do let us know about them in the comments!

The two most memorable meals in my life so far were served in Japan. The first one was at the Shiseido Parlour Restaurant in Ginza, sometime summer 2013, where I experienced a three-course dinner with foie gras and roast beef. The second would be during autumn, also 2013, when I finally understood what sushi really is - a taste of the sea on land - in Tsukiji Market. I've been a fan of Japanese food since then, and I go there so often just to eat!

This is why when Shiseido Philippines invited me to experience the flavors of Kyoto at Sofitel, I just had to go. Master artisan, Chef Hiromi Yonekawa, took food lovers to an epicurean voyage that capture the culinary specials of his mother’s hometown and Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto. Kyoto dishes are known to be healthy and comforting culinary creations that have been passed down from generation to generation. Obanzai food is famous for its long culinary tradition with the use of fresh ingredients in season bursting with natural flavors. 

Last Thursday, for the first time ever, Sofitel together with Shiseido held a Chef's Table dinner where guests experienced an eight-course dinner prepared by their chef. I had the honor of trying out the best Chef Hiromi can offer. For a few hours there, it was just like I was back in Tokyo and Kyoto eating my way through!

We started with an appetizer with onsen tamago and fresh tuna with a miso sauce. This was served with Ume Syu Cider, which perfectly complemented the sweet and salty flavors of the dishes. This was then followed by a plate of sashimi with freshly grated wasabi - the fish was so, so fresh.

Grilled sous vide salmon was then served. It was sweet, juicy, and perfectly medium rare. I've always been a bit iffy about sous vide-ing my meat, but I am reconsidering it after this delicious piece of fish!

A plate of deep-fried shrimp, crab, and eggplant followed. For the main dish, Chef Hiromi served sous vide beef tenderloin which just melted in my mouth.

Right after, the Chef and his team made the guests fresh sushi. The star of the show has to be the tuna smoked with Jack Daniels wood chips. The aroma and slightly alcoholic smoked flavor of the fish was a revelation.

Rice and miso soup followed to warm our bellies as we digest the feast. Finally, a matcha cake and azuki ice cream ended this dreamy experience. The balance of bitter, sweet, and sour was the perfect cap to an amazing dinner.

It was a meal to remember, indeed. Come visit Sofitel soon as they have a special Chinese New Year selection this week, with Chinese Chef Michael Tai whipping up a menu showcasing recipes from the Canton and Sichuan province and select dishes from Taiwan. There will also be an elegant and nostalgic fashion show by international and multi-awarded fashion designer Albert Andrada sponsored by Guerlain on November 25.

For more information, please call +63 2 832 6988 or email H6308-FB12@sofitel.com

Bad news first: you can't make pores disappear with just skincare or makeup. You'll need something more drastic like laser to get them to go away permanently! The good news, however, is that so many brands know that you need something that'll work to conceal pores ASAP. One such brand to watch out for is Benefit Cosmetics, since one of their major claims to fame is the Porefessional line. The first Porefessional product - the Face Primer - is actually their best-selling product ever!

The latest addition though is something that I think you'll like as well. It's called the Porefessional Pore Minimizing Makeup (P1,700 at Benefit stores) and unlike the past Porefessional products, this provides coverage! Yup, it's basically a liquid concealer specifically meant for pores. I thought it was foundation at first - and it can be used as such - but it shines best when used with the attached sponge.

Press the button in the back to dispense! The product is meant to be squirted out on the sponge and then stamped into the area that needs coverage.

The Pore Minimizing Makeup has a runny texture and light to medium coverage. To get full coverage, it must be "stamped" on the pore-y area of your skin with the sponge attached at the bottom. It has five shades ranging from light to deep so you're sure to find something that will adjust to your natural coloring.

It's a nice foundation for evening out the skin tone and creating a smooth, ultra matte finish. But it's too expensive for that as there's only 15ml in the tube! It really works best as a pore concealer around your cheek area as it effectively mattifies and covers up the indentations.

I don't have many obvious pores so perhaps I am not the right model for this, so I wore it as a foundation all over my face to show off its smoothing finish.

Subtle, but effective

Looks great, right? I didn't wear any concealer or powder on top. It dries up completely so there's no filmy feel. You don't even need to set it with powder if you have dry to normal skin! I do find that it does not do much in controlling oil if you have combi to oily skin. It won't make matters worse but this definitely isn't a primer. You might want to apply the Porefessional Matte Rescue Gel first!

Staying power in the T-zone/cheek area would be around 6-7 hours for me. Not bad! It fades evenly at the tail end of my day. Do note I have combination skin though, so oilier gals might find that it would fade more quickly.

Overall, I highly recommend this to those who need something that's lightweight, has coverage, and a mattifying effect to effectively conceal pores. It's not ideal by itself on combi/oily skin types, so make sure to use a proper primer underneath! I do like Benefit's Matte Rescue Gel as it has a lighter texture compared to the original Porefessional.

What do you think? Does this look like a product you might try?