Articles - Project Vanity

Bright and bold makeup gives me life. Nudes are pretty and always appropriate, but when I’m getting bored with my looks, I like to have fun with crazy pops of color on my face! That’s really the best thing about makeup. You can use it to create an entirely different person whenever you feel like and when you’re done, you can simply do a new one.

So, when Sephora PH challenged me to do a bold FOTD I said yes immediately. I chose the theme “red” because it’s the most flattering color on pretty much anybody. Red brightens any skin tone and catches the eye like no other color can. That makes it intimidating to wear, so I’m going to show you two easy ways you can work with it!

The Look: Classic Daytime Red

A matte red lip gives you that retro flair. When matches with gold lids and thick lashes, you can wear it everyday as it’s just the right balance of pop and elegance. Here’s how I did the look!

Step 1: I massaged the Herbivore Lapis Oil Balancing Facial Oil (P1,316) to hydrate my skin and give it a natural glow. This one smells so good!

Step 2: The Burberry Cashmere Foundation in 32 Honey (P2,848) provided medium coverage to even out my skin tone. I like using my hands when applying liquid foundation as it ensures max coverage and a skin-like finish.

Step 3: To conceal dark spots, I patted on a small amount of the Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Creme in Honeycomb ( P1,608) again with my fingers.

Step 4: I set the look with the Cover FX Matte Setting Powder in Medium (P1,742) to make sure that the liquid base doesn’t move throughout the day.

Step 5: Using the Sephora Long Lasting Brow Pencil (P503), I filled in my brows - using just enough to cover sparse areas - and brushed them up.

Step 6: I layered the “Pure Ganache” (a white gold) shade from the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette (P1,106) on my lids, then swiped “Substitute For Love” (a light bronze) on the crease to blend it out. “Freshly Toasted”, a matte terracotta, went into my outer-v for that slight smoky, reddish tint

Step 7: I then used the Eyeko Fat Brush Mascara (P1,040) to create volume and length on my lashes. The trick to maximizing your mascara is to deposit most of it on the root of your lashes, then brush up with whatever remains on the wand.

Step 8: I contoured and highlighted my cheeks with the Cover FX Contour Kit (P2,613). Cream contour gives a more natural effect compared to powder, and looks more believable in daylight.

Step 9: The Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red (P804) was the perfect lip color to cap off this look. It is completely matte and quite long-wearing!

The Look: Bold, Fierce Red

This one is inspired by K-pop! It’s an overload of red that I think would be perfect for a party or concert. It uses the gradient technique to emphasize the eyes and lips!

Step 1: I patted on “Warm Notes” (a reddish pink) from the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette (P1,106) on my lids first, then layered “Infusion” (a sparkly deep plum) over it to create a gradient effect on the upper lid. I combined both Warm Notes and Infusion on my lower lids for a smoky look.

Step 2: I then drew on a sharp cat eye with the Guerlain L'Art Du Trait Precision Felt Eyeliner (P2,360). The trick to a precise and even cat eye is creating the layout first before filling it in!

Step 3: Sometimes, too much is just perfect! I used the Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Classic Red (P335) to line on top of the black liner. It gives a pretty Korean vibe!

Step 4: I added more volume to my lashes with the Eyeko Fat Brush Mascara (P1,040). You may also choose to attach some falsies for a more pumped-up eye look.

Step 5: This is optional, but I recommend adding a reddish pink flush on the cheeks with the Zoeva Luxe Color Blush in Rush Rush (P486). I just love the effect!

Step 6: The red gradient lip involves the Herbivore Coco Rose Lip Tint in Coral (P1,220) as a base. It also moisturizes the lips nicely and smells like roses.

Step 7: I then lined my lips with the Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Classic Red (P335) starting from the inner part. I then blended it by pressing my lips together. It’s easy, I promise. ;) That completes this K-pop look!

I hope you had fun watching and reading these tutorials! Would love to know what you think, as always. If you’re curious about the products used, you may get them all at Sephora PH. ^_^ Do check out their other bold looks with different pops of color here!

This story is brought to you by Sephora PH. There are custom links in this post, but we make no money when you click or purchase through them. It just lets Sephora know you got to their website via Project Vanity!

by Kristel Yap, contributor

Once upon a time when I was in Grade 4, there was a commotion in the school assembly area. Everyone was lining up in front of this girl who was assessing everyone’s noses, declaring whether people had blackheads, whiteheads, or baby blackheads. While many pubescent changes such as acne and body odor disgusted us, getting comedones were treated as a badge of maturity that we were all excited to claim. Now that I’m much older and way past puberty (thank heavens!), I have a more fuck off attitude towards the little clogs that peppered my nose. But what I’ve known my whole life is apparently a lie: those aren’t blackheads!

So, what are they?

The quick answer is “sebaceous filaments” but before we talk about what those are, let’s first take a look at our skin’s structure. If you’ve ever wondered why the hairs on your head, your arms, and your face look different, it’s because they are. There are three types of hair follicles, with the first and most immediately noticeable one being the terminal follicles. These are what we would call normal hair such as our head hair, eyebrows, and armpits. The second type is called vellus follicles and they consist of the finer hairs that don’t have much pigment. They cover most of the rest of the body, and look like peach fuzz or balahibong pusa.

Finally, we come to the sebaceous follicle. It’s basically a hair that’s connected to a sebaceous gland underneath and is most commonly seen on the nose. A sort of tube-like structure (the filament) builds around the hair from collected sebum and dead skin cells, and it has white or yellowish appearance. This occurs naturally and isn’t as bad as it sounds!

Image via WebMD

Knowing these characteristics, three things begin to make sense. When I squeeze these fake “blackheads” on my nose, I sometimes get a gross, impossibly long string that makes me wonder how it all fit under my skin! Secondly, I feel a sense of comfort in realizing that there is nothing abnormal with my skin nor is it just dirty. As there’s more hair on my nose than I originally realized, it’s natural that I have so many visible sebaceous filaments concentrated on a certain area.

Last but not least, I now know why the “blackheads” didn’t look black at all. I used to think they appeared greyish because I have dry skin and produce less oil! Sebaceous filaments can look white, grey, yellow or even tan due to their contents and structure.

Can I get rid of them?

When we prick a blackhead, that is normally the end of the story. As blackheads are merely ‘dirt plugs’, removing them fixes the problem. However, people who use pore strips or squeeze out the sebaceous filaments will never completely get rid of them. They’re part of our natural skin structure, so they will just keep coming back.

That said, it’s possible to minimize their appearance and make skin look clearer and smoother. Pore strips are a popular option but since they only remove that top part of filament, the buildup continues to stay deep in the skin. Just as with the rest of our body, the best way to remove shed cells and sebum is through exfoliation and oil purging. Don’t force them out on your own; you can wound yourself and even causes broken skin capillaries. Instead, go for these gentle yet effective options:

BHA exfoliants or solutions

Beta-hydroxy acid is an oil-soluble chemical exfoliant and therefore able to penetrate deep into the pore. It’s one of your best bets in attacking sebaceous filaments at the root as it causes all the blockage to get purged. Salicylic acid is technically not a BHA, but can also help in de-gunking pores. However, it works best as a spot treatment rather than something to apply all over your face. Instead, opt for a light liquid solution, such as CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (P963 at theskincarecurator.com). Rest for about 20 minutes after application to allow the acid to work before proceeding with your skincare.

As acids are very potent (and thus effective) skin care products, we recommend consulting with a dermatologist about precautions and contraindications prior to usage. I know many Filipinas are scared about using acids in their skincare routine, and rightfully so, but starting at 2% twice a week for about a month should help you get a feel of what your skin can manage. If unexpected irritation occurs, use due diligence in deciding whether less frequent usage or complete abandonment of the routine is necessary. If you feel your pores are hyperactive and fill up much faster than a twice-a-week routine can manage, definitely consult with a dermatologist!

Clay masks

As a highly porous material, clay is very effective at stripping oil and dirt on the surface of the skin. It’s a particularly good addition to your weekly routine if you have very oily skin. Personally, I love the soothing texture of Innisfree’s Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mousse Mask (P520 at Althea PH).

Oil cleansers

It sounds strange but the best way to remove excess or hardened oil/sebum is to use an oil cleanser! The cleansing oil melts the buildup and, combined with a gentle facial massage, gently dislodges it from the pore. My favorite is Banila Co’s Clean It Zero (P890 at Banila Co), which also works great at removing even waterproof makeup.

I already use the clay mask and oil cleanser but it looks like the BHA is key to making everything work. I’m hoping to add that to my collection soon and doing a #30daysofporechallenge! From what I’ve read on the Fifty Shades of Snails blog, the secret to smaller looking pores is to apply the BHA for the recommended period of time, apply the clay mask, wash it off, apply and allow that oil cleanser to penetrate, then massage before washing it off with a cleanser.

Do your sebaceous filaments bother you? Have you tried using a BHA before? What products have you tried and would recommend as effective?

Sources: NCBI, Vuality

Kristel Yap is currently based in Seoul. Find more of her writing at beauty-by-tellie.com

ICYMI: skin is in! The current makeup trend has swung towards face bases that are lighter and more natural-looking. And if you’re looking for that #WokeUpLikeThis no-makeup makeup look, one of your best options it to get yourself a cushion compact. You get good coverage, SPF, and the compact makes it easy slip into your purse for touchups. You can DIY your own cushion, too, but sometimes it’s hard to beat formulas developed by established brands.

Luckily, so many brands are getting into the cushion makeup craze, with Western ones starting to compete with the OG Asian releases. We’re not complaining though - we’re definitely spoilt for choice, and it now poses the new problem of narrowing down which ones to consider for your selection. To help you decide, we shopped our stash and picked out a mix of old faves and new finds to battle it out!

Skin notes: I have dry skin that’s prone to redness, and I get a little shiny on my T-zone after a few hours. My shade is somewhere between NC15 and NC20.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Cushion BB in 2W0 Warm Vanilla SPF 50/PA+++ (P2,400 at Estée Lauder)

Among the cushions I tried for this challenge, this has the lightest formula and the sheerest coverage. It mildly corrects discolorations but doesn’t do much for blemishes or hyperpigmentation. I felt that the lightweight formula may have contributed to it fading at the three-hour mark. Warm Vanilla is an excellent match for my skin tone, though, and gives it a healthy, slightly sun-kissed coloring! I like that it didn’t make me look like I had a white cast, even with the impressively high SPF. This cushion is ideal for those with dry to normal skin who have lots of good skin days because it looks more like a tinted moisturizer.

Laneige BB Cushion Whitening in 21 Beige SPF 50+/PA+++ (P1,320 at Althea Korea)

Another cushion that toes on the sheer side, Laneige’s offering doesn’t do much for redness and blemishes. Compared to the Estee Lauder cushion, the formula feels drier and more foundation-like with a dewy finish. Longevity is at two to three hours before a touch-up becomes necessary. The shade made my skin look slightly paler, which might be due to the whitening/brightening effect it claims to have. Plus, I've been a little more tan these past few months and I bought the cushion when I was at my palest. It's still wearable for me though, and I can just top it with a powder foundation closer to my current skin tone.

W.Lab W-Snow CC Cushion in #21 S.L SPF 50+/PA+++ (P1,050 at Althea Korea)

This also has a dewy finish and provides light color correction and blemish cover, just like the first two. The shade, insta-bright effect, and coverage level is similar to Laneige but I liked this formula better! It’s more lightweight and runny so it instantly got absorbed by my skin. Zero tackiness and stickiness, too, so I hardly felt that I had any base makeup on. It also lasts a bit better, with touch-ups needed after a good four hours.

Iope Air Cushion Moisture Lasting in N23 SPF 50+/PA+++ (P1,520 at Althea Korea)

True to its name, the formula feels a little richer, with a certain heaviness that reminds me of sunblock. It’s this thickness that causes it to stay put, even when in a humid, sweaty environment. On the flip side, it's also what makes this base prone to caking on pores and clinging to dry patches. The finish is dewy but looks like I have a thick layer of translucent powder on, which is unable to hide redness and hyperpigmentation. The shade may just be too light for me, which is odd considering that this is already the darkest shade available. Longevity is at four hours.

April Skin Magic Snow Cushion in 23 SPF 50+/PA+++ (P650 at Althea Korea)

Medium to full coverage with a satin finish, this evens out my complexion and deals with hyperpigmentation without much effort. It mattifies without looking too flat, and lasts four hours. Though the finish is more matte, I still recommend using a setting powder afterwards as the formula tends to look cakey (as opposed to fading) when the skin starts to get oily. The shade is on the yellow side, giving my skin a lightly tanned look.

Chica Y Chico Matt Cushion in No. 23 Medium Beige SPF 35/PA++ (P610 at Althea Korea)

While most of the other cushions gave a dewy glow, this is gives a truly flat matte finish. It almost feels like actual medium to full coverage foundation, too, as a few pats is all I needed to neutralize redness and lighten hyperpigmentation. No need to set with powder! As with typical mattifying liquid foundations, it can be a little drying, so make sure to moisturize well beforehand. Medium Beige is on the yellowish side, making it a good match for my skin tone. Without setting powder, my nose starts to get shiny after three hours. It fades around three hours.

Verdict: I can’t pick just one winner because the formulas of the six cushion compacts varied quite a bit! Instead, I have my Top 3 to will address various skin type and coverage requirements.

Best lightweight formula and sheer coverage: Go for Estee Lauder Double Wear Cushion BB if you want that woke-up-like-this, dewy, healthy look and have minimal skin issues. This also feels like nothing on the face, and it fades evenly throughout the day.

Most comfortable to wear: W.Lab W-Snow CC Cushion helps me achieve that luminous K-idol look without feeling dry or sticky. When using cushions in humid weather, its lightweight formula makes a huge difference to my comfort levels.

For oily skin and matte lovers: Chica Y Chico Matt Cushion is a clear winner. And if you have normal or dry skin, you can already skip the setting powder and use this as a one-step base.

It bears mentioning that while Korean cushion compacts are worthy products, you'd be hard-pressed to find a good shade match if you're NC35 upwards. Medium-toned ladies will rarely catch a break in that regard! Laneige does offer a wide shade selection; Estee Lauder and Bobbi Brown makes good shades for darker skin too.

Do you use cushion face bases? Which one is your fave? Whatever you do end up using, don’t forget to keep the sponge clean to avoid breakouts and general grossness!

Imagine going to one of your favorite shopping destinations and seeing SALE signs everywhere. There are 30% off, 50% off, and even Buy 1, Take 1 promos. We PV girls go weak at the knees for budget-friendly beauty finds, so a major sale at one of our fave shopping haunts is good news that we simply can’t keep to ourselves!

With super convenient locations (they’re practically everywhere!) and plenty of well-loved brands, Watsons is our go-to for affordable toiletries and makeup staples. With the ongoing Watsons Big White Blowout, they’re all about bringing us the lowest prices for their best-selling whitening products. If you’re keen on taking better care of your skin or getting a more even skin tone this year, now is the perfect time to stock up!

Cosmo Skin founder and marketing director Dr. Nino Bautista and brand endorser Ruffa Gutierrez

Celebrity guests joined us for the special event. Ruffa Gutierrez talked about her endorsement with Cosmo Skin while Kelly Misa and Lauren Young shared their favorite must-buys from the store. We spotted Kelly getting back-ups of the Pond’s Flawless White Face Cream and BB Cream plus a box of Belo Collagen Powder Drink, which promotes youthful and healthy-looking skin. Lauren got her trusty Cetaphil Cleanser, as well as Watsons Collagen Face Masks which were Buy 2, Get 1 Free.

Brands like Belo and Skin White are up to 20% off or have Buy 1, Take 1 deals.

If you’re a fan of Nivea and Rexona deodorants, take advantage of the sale to keep you smelling clean all year long! You can also get Olay Face Creams at up to 40% off.

Other brands included in the sale are Vaseline, Safeguard, L’Oreal, and Celeteque, with their lotions and creams at up to 50% off.

I hoarded these Watsons Collagen Face Masks (P65 each) because we just love our sheet masks here at PV! I’ve also heard a lot about the benefits of collagen and wanted to try it for myself.

Our editor Liz still keeps raving about Kojie-san so I’m pretty excited to try out their popular Skin Lightening Soap (P120 promo pack) as well as their Body Lightening Lotion with SPF 25 (P159).

One of the causes of dull skin is having too many layers of dead skin cells (ick) so exfoliation is a must. I chose a Nylon Body Glove exfoliator (P59) for my body and a konjac sponge (P199) for my face.

I’m a loyal user of Pond's White Beauty Spotless White Cream (P32) before so I got an extra as backup. I also got the Biore UV Perfect Bright Milk sunscreen (P380), the Quick FX Tinted Moisturizer (P35), and the Nivea Extra White Repair Pore Minimiser Toner (P185) because I’ve seen good reviews about these products.

The Dazzling White Instant Whitening Pen (P188) for teeth is a cool addition I got because of Lauren Young’s tip. This should make it easier to wear lippie shades that somehow make teeth look more yellow. Whitening can take a while though, so in the meantime, you can use makeup to fake a pearly white smile.

The Big White Blowout sale at Watsons is until February 22, 2017. If you’re an SM Advantage Card or BDO Rewards card holder, you even get a chance to win an iPhone 7 when you buy P500 worth of participating products. Just look for the “Qualifier to win iPhone 7” sticker like on the packaging. For more information on this promo, check out the complete mechanics.

Are you ready to shop the Watsons Big White Blowout Sale? What will you be stocking up on?

As promised, I took my Dollar Store makeup haul and put it to the test! I was both excited and nervous about doing this as I’d never tried any of these products before. I was determined to make it work, though, no matter what it took. Can I do makeup magic with a P1,000 budget? Will I survive this challenge?

Step 1: Concealer

I couldn’t find a liquid foundation that matched me in the store so I figured I’d just use the She Concealer (P89) all over my face. I started buffing it in with the largest brush from the 6-piece Princessa Tool Kit (P99). Instant regrets because I did not sign up for a cat scratching!

This concealer smelled like a Pentel pen. And nope, the brush ain’t working out.

Aside from irritating my skin, the bristles kept falling off! I had to switch to the flat top brush I scored from my Divisoria haul to give the product a real shot at working. That said, the concealer wasn’t half bad at evening out my skin tone but I had to go in for a second layer. It was still far off the level of coverage I normally wear but I also didn’t want to cake up my face this early on.

What it looked like a single layer (left) and a second application (right)

Step 2: Powder

The L.A. Colors Mineral Pressed Powder (P149) turned out to be a patchy, blotchy, tanned nightmare!

But Sand is normally my color for everything!

Okay, so this is partly my fault because I picked up the wrong shade. In my defense, Sand is usually a light-medium shade with yellow undertones but this definitely wasn’t it. I had to blend like a mad woman to diffuse what looked like a messed-up tanning job. That took a while but I was able to save my canvas.

Blending is my cardio

Step 3: Blush

I swear on my grave that I just lightly dipped the brush on the She Bronzer Palette (P129) and it still came out like this. I even tapped the excess product off but here I am, looking like a perfectly ripe tomato. This blush did not want to blend and practically emphasized every single pore on my cheek! I tried to tone it back down with powder but it wasn’t working so I gave up five minutes later. I disturbed my concealing job to try to get this blush to look less patchy, to no avail.

What the hell have I done

Step 4: Contour

I was so done with that stubborn bronzer palette so I switched to the Beauty Treats Eyeshadow Palette (P99) for contouring. Luckily, there was a cool taupe shade which worked out for my nose.

My nose is more high maintenance than you can imagine

Step 5: Eyebrows

The She Eyebrow Gel (P99) turned out to be more dark brown with grey tones than jet black, which I was very thankful for! Using the tiny lip brush from the Princessa kit, I was able do a pretty decent job filling in my eyebrows.

I know it looks a little strong without eye makeup on, but just wait!

Step 6: Eyeshadow

The Beauty Treats Eyeshadow Palette (P99) left me unimpressed when I swatched it so I didn’t really have the highest hopes for the palette. I used the bottom right quad to shade my lids, and the She Eyebrow Gel for a subtle wing. I packed and packed and packed color repeatedly but this was the best pigmentation that the eyeshadow could offer. No surprise there.

Where's my pigmentation at?

Step 7: Falsies

A pair of fluttery lashes makes everything better, right? LMAO, wrong. The Revlon Double Wink Eyelashes (P129) were the heaviest and stiffest pair I’ve ever tried to put on (wait, are these authentic?). And I’ve had studded falsies before, mind you, complete with long, spidery fibers and tiny gem stones! The eyelashes came with a sticky band but no lash glue. Because I had a tough time aligning the band to my lash line, all the readjustments caused the adhesive to lose its stickiness. I was all out of lash glue and not to keen on having these on so I ended up not wearing the falsies after all.

Felt heavier than the curtains falling on a bad comedy act

Step 8: Lipstick

A nude lip has never failed me...until now. The formula of the L.A. Colors Lipstick (P99) refused to stick to my lips and got all over the place. I’ve never had lipstick this bad since 2003, when eight year old me thought it would be a good idea to buy P10 magic lipstick from a sari-sari store.

Verdict

Believe you me, I tried my damnedest to make this work but not a single product turned out to be worth being thrifty over. Go to the drugstore instead, or use your P1,000 to splurge on a high ticket item that’s Holy Grail material. Even if these are cheap, your money is better spent elsewhere.

Looks like a throwback photo to when I didn’t yet know how to put on makeup

Have you had a better beauty hunting experience at the Dollar Store? What products worked out for you? I want to hear your story!

One of the things we love about beauty is how brands are continuously pushing the envelope to come up with new ideas and better techniques. It’s pretty inspiring, plus you end up looking good as a result! This week, we discovered that our fave childhood cartoon has even more makeup collections, an easier way to finally find your foundation soulmate, and the year’s cheesiest holiday will be worth celebrating for singles and couples alike. Read on to get the deets on the hottest beauty news!

Image via strongindependentcatwoman.wordpress.com

Customized to perfection

Every makeup-lover knows just how real the struggle is when it comes to finding the perfect foundation. It’s hard enough to find one that matches your undertone and shade - you also have to consider your skin type and even acidity level as well! Knowing and finding your match is a skill on its own, and a truly gratifying experience when you finally achieve it. Well, what if we told you that you can now skip all that guesswork and buying duds with just a click of a button?

Lancôme set the beauty world abuzz with a video featuring their newest foundation. Le Teint Particulier is the first ever custom-fit foundation that not only promises to give your perfect shade match but the best formula for your skin type as well! Using a specially developed gadget, your face is scanned to determine your shade and skin type. The analysis is then fed into a mixing machine that will concoct a blend uniquely customized for you. If that isn’t awesome enough, you can even choose the coverage, finish and amount of moisturization! Unfortunately, it’s currently only available at select Nordstrom stores!

Full story on Lancôme USA

Image via Beauty Almanac

Read my Lips(stick) Palette

Looks like 2017 is all about new trends in both fashion and beauty as luxury brand Tom Ford has just announced their sexiest lipstick creation yet: the Shade and Illuminate Lips! The whopping $60 duos feature six pairs of pure pigmented goodness that only a luxe brand like Tom Ford can pull off (at that price tag at least). Each palette is designed to help you sculpt the perfect pout - think classy ombre lips! The selection includes Nikita (warm toned red and deep brownish red), Tantalize (dusty rose and bright red), Automatic (nude and brown), Impulse (mauve pink and maroon), Possession (hot pink and baby pink), and Saboteur (purple and violet). If the formulas are just as good as their Lips & Boys Collection, we know these babies will be perfect to carry around!

Full story on Refinery29

Image via Creer Beaute

Champion of justice and of our hearts!

If you grew up in the 90s, chances are this anime character was on your must-watch list. Now, our beloved Sailor Moon is back with even more goodies up her sleeve... or should we say gloves? Apart from getting us giddy with Romance Communicator Lip Glosses, the geniuses over at Creer Beaute have announced the latest addition to this fandom collectible: the Sailor Moon Prism Compact! The playfully kawaii compact contains four shimmery eye shadows (with one that can double up as a blush) for creating makeup looks that are out of this world! It includes a golden nude, a dark brown, a baby pink, and of course, a hot pink shade for that whimsical pop of color. Set to be released in March of this year, the compact will set you back $34 but hey, it seems worth it considering that it also doubles as a collector’s item. Check it out on the Creer Beaute website.

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Bustle

As luminous as the moon

Speaking of appeasing fandoms, even Japan’s luxury brands are getting on trend. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the anime, Shiseido will also be releasing a two-piece Sailor Moon makeup collection for the MAQuillAGE line! Can we just talk about how insanely gorgeous these look?

The focus is all about creating gorgeous skin that looks bright and smooth. The Dramatic Skin Sensor Base UV is a lightweight liquid formula that creates a perfectly smooth and matte complexion, while the Dramatic Powder UV is a compact with light coverage. The set is about $61 and comes with a velvet pouch to keep the powder compact safely protected. It comes out in April but you can already pre-order!

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Instagram user @Guerlain

Guerlain gets it!

Known for combining luxe aesthetics with superior performance, Guerlain is once again changing the way we see cosmetics and beauty. The French brand has just tapped Hollywood actress bas the muse for their new fragrance! Brand master perfumer Thierry Wasser says that the brand creates fragrances based on the women that inspire them, so having the silver screen’s biggest siren as their latest icon will bring a whole new level of sexy to the upcoming scent. It’s been in the works since December 2015, and is expected to finally drop on March this year! Anyone else excited to smell like Angie? *raises hand*

Full story on Telegraph

Image via Instagram user @kyliecosmetics

From Kylie, with love

ERMERGERD. Even if you aren’t a fan of the flowers, the crowds, the traffic, and the cards, this will make you look forward to Valentine’s Day. Kylie Jenner is giving you big reasons to pucker up and batt your lashes! The makeup mogul has announced a limited-edition Valentine collection that includes two new lip kits, six mini matte liquid lipsticks, and a giant palette called Kylie’s Diary which includes her first ever blushes! There are also three mini collections that include two lippies and two exclusive eyeshadows each. Start your vigil at the Kylie website early because these are sure to sell out in seconds once it goes on sale on February 2, 3pm PST!

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Instagram user @jaclynhill

YASSSS, HONEY!

If you didn’t get that reference, don’t worry, we gotchu! YouTube queen Jaclyn Hill has just teased her most epic creation yet: a palette with Morphe Cosmetics! Although there are no pictures of the actual palette yet, Jaclyn has been busy teasing her fans on her social media accounts with the various shades and gorgeous finishes of the shadows she’s helping to create.

Image via Snapchat user @jaclynhill

Partnering up with a brand that is known for high quality at a low price, her Morphe palette will feature 35 shades that she has personally worked on since 2015. Expect warm browns, oranges, golds, turquoise, and tons of other Jaclyn-approved shades! The price will range from $23 to $40, and will launch some time in March. Who’s ready to recreate her signature warm brown smoky eye?

Full story on Glamour

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?

How far would you go in the name of beauty? This is probably a question you’ve had to confront a few times, from having your eyebrows threaded and getting a Brazilian to forking over several thousand-peso bills to buy a product that promises to bring you closer to perfection. Those activities are all pretty normal though and we no longer bat an eyelash when we hear of a makeup haul that goes up to five figures, but sometimes we do things that are just a bit of the beaten path.

The Internet is full of crazy ideas that can supposedly help you look better, and it can be tempting to give them a try even though the chances of them actually working are 50-50. So we asked six women about the weirdest beauty product, service or tip they’ve tried so far and whether it actually worked for them. Ready to get a little weirded out?

Rica Garcia, 23, freelance makeup artist and Youtuber

Not one to shy away from testing out products and home remedies, Rica is no stranger to beauty kitchen experiments. One of the strangest things she’s done for beauty is using baking soda and milk to whiten her knees and elbows. Rica shares that she was so desperate to see the effects that she did the remedy for two straight weeks! Unsurprisingly, it didn’t work and we now know that baking soda is bad for your skin.

Katrina Aguas, 33, manager

When it comes to her beauty regimen, Katrina keeps it simple but is pretty fearless about trying anything and everything. From Ventosa treatments to acupuncture, she’s been there and done that. But she says that the strangest thing she’s ever done in the name of beauty is to slap some snail serum skincare on her face! Before her trip to Korea, she had heard so many people rave about this “snail mucus” skincare, and all of its benefits and amazing results. So she decided to purchase the Snail Solution line from Nature Republic in Seoul, and shares that she’s in love with its effects on her skin!

Angela Ronquillo, 27, advocate and account manager

Being a woman isn’t as easy. There’s a lot of pressure to always look our best, and that honestly takes a lot of work. From brow threading, to body waxing and even laser hair removal, most women opt to be as smooth and hair-free as possible. Taking her cue from her favorite YouTube beauty gurus (Chloe Morello, Huda Beauty, and Teni Panosian) Angela decided, after much contemplation and consideration, to shave her whole face! Skipping her brow area (thank goodness), she took a razor and lightly shaved her entire face - revealing smoother and softer skin with no peach fuzz! She now swears by this trick and shaves her face regularly, saying that her makeup application is so much better and result in a more flawless finish. BRB, we’re off to buy a razor!

Lexy Angeles, 24, radio DJ

Face masks are all the rage nowadays. From cute animal-design masks to ultra-hydrating sheets of pure heaven, we’ve all done a mask at some point in our lives. But remember those classic “home remedies” we were fooled into believing would actually work? Lexy decided to try the classic egg white face mask, which is supposedly popular for its pore-tightening properties. Although she’s still unsure if it actually works, she has also tried applying toothpaste as a spot treatment and in Lexy’s own words: “It does not work. Don't do it."

Amanda Alegre, 25, content creator

Beach babe Amanda loves heading out to the surf and working on her tan. One time though, she decided to try this suggestion of washing hair with a soda or beer to make hair lighter. Amanda reveals, “It worked to a certain extent!” Just be ready to feel sticky and smell a little funny after!

Sarah Carlos, 22, artist

Even some of our favorite celebrities have done some pretty strange things for beauty. Take budding actress and future accountant Sarah Carlos. When she was younger, she was super frustrated about how slow her hair was growing so she went online and found a DIY home treatment that suited her student budget. She mixed up a hair mask made from egg yolks mixed with olive oil and promptly got into a mess because of the tricky application. It didn’t work though so best save these kitchen ingredients to make a fancy meal.

We’re no stranger to weird beauty practices either but there are trends and products that are just way out of our leagues! Have you ever tried an unusual beauty product, service or tip before? What was your experience? Would you do it again?

This is probably the most massive press kit I've ever received in my beauty writing career, and it's only fitting that it's from such an in-demand name! Too Faced Cosmetics as you guys may have heard has just been recently acquired by Estee Lauder for $1.45 billion last November. It seems like this iconic brand is on its way up in the world; it can only get better from here. It may not have physical stores yet in the Philippines but you can find their best sellers over at Sephora.ph.

Just the other day, Sephora sent me the full Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection which recently dropped on their site. Now I was so excited to try out everything that I shot and swatched the products immediately! If you've been curious about the collection or dithering on a purchase, then I hope you find these photos useful. I'll be posting a look + capsule reviews of the products next week. Let's begin the swatch party!

Click on the gallery images to see a bigger size.

The Too Faced Papa Don't Peach Blush (P1,808) is the one that started it all. Released years ago and considered to be one of TF's most iconic products, it's a universal peach that offers a rosy, almost bronzy hue to the cheeks! Looking forward to see if this wears as well as people say. I almost never retouch blush during the day so this would be a staple in my kit if it would stay for 8.5 hours (as Temptalia claimed).

The Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Collection (P2,953) has eighteen highly-pigmented shades with different finishes. I like that everything veers on the warm side, and there are interesting colors to play with. There are neutrals, peaches (of course), and smoky shades to delight the eyes.

The swatches below were done with fingers on bare, primer-free skin. Most of the colors were solid in two swipes; the bronzey shades as well as Tempting took just one swipe. They're so creamy! Are these shades gorgeous or what? Just Peachy, Candied Peach, and Caramelized stood out the most to me.

The Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Kit (P2,531) is a palette that contains a champagne highlighter, a golden peach blush, and a peach-toned light bronzer. The pigmentation level and smoothness of the formula are just right; it should layer beautifully on top of your base makeup. This palette will lend itself well to the draping and sun stripping cheek looks that are quite pretty, when done correctly.

Matte lipsticks are amazing, but glosses are a welcome change! I am digging the Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Oil Lip Gloss (P1,145) which has a balmy, non-drying, non-sticky feel and surprisingly even coverage. It's not 100% opaque, but the color is even throughout my lips.

There are eight shades available, ranging from nudes, pinks, and peaches. The swatches look just okay, but on the lips, they show up quite well!

Wearing Tickle Me Peach below on bare lips. I was expecting a streaky mess based on the swatches, but it looks even.

All of these products have a sweet peach scent which has divided the makeup population. Some people love it, some people hate it. Me? I've got a cold right now! But from what I can sniff of it, I like. I would still prefer my cosmetics to be unscented but this is a novelty I can get behind as long the formula performs well.

We'll see how these Too Faced products wear soon! Stay tuned, and let me know if you're looking to try anything!

Too Faced is officially available at Sephora.ph

This story is brought to you by Silka.

The Project Vanity girls are a little bit - ok, a lot! - like me when it comes to choosing their skincare products. We’re very particular about brands, to the point of sometimes being snobbish about what we pick out at the store. There is, however, one thing that trumps our brand-conscious nature: how effective and good the product actually is. It’s even better when it’s affordable!

We’re no strangers to drugstore HGs, so when Silka asked the team to try their new lotions, we were game to find out what they had to offer. Here are some quick info on the two new variants!

Silka Whitening Lotion with Shea Butter

If whitening or evening out your skin tone is a priority, this new lotion is Silka’s premium variant. It features shea butter for moisturizing irritated and dry skin, as well as SPF23 for daily sun protection! It has a lovely cocobutter scent that’s almost edible. It’s 50ml / P41, 100ml/P70.25, 200ml/P124.75 at your favorite supermarkets and drugstores.

Silka Premium Moisturizing Milk Lotion with Avocado Oil and Almond Milk

If you’re looking for deeper, long-lasting moisture, this Silka lotion with avocado oil and almond milkcan give it to your skin sans the sticky, thick feeling. This has a creamy floral scent as well as SPF23! It’s a bit more expensive than the Shea Butter variant as this is 50ml / P45, 100ml/P77.25, 200ml/P137 at your favorite supermarkets and drugstores.

Which one should you try? Here’s what the PV girls think of these new releases! We split them up into two teams: the Shea Butter Team (Marielle and Angela) and the Avocado Team (Den and Kim). They used the lotions for two weeks to see how their skin would react. They have previously never tried a Silka lotion before but, spoiler alert: they loved it!

Personally, I am really enjoying the Shea Butter variant for everyday. I love the scent and the SPF23 the most, followed by how moisturizing yet light it is on my skin. Can’t beat the price too - I was previously using an SPF 24 body serum from another brand but the Silka one is like half the price! Will continue using it and keep it in my to-repurchase list.

Have you tried Silka lotions before? How did they work for you?

Editor's Note: We believe that virginity, birth control, and sex are still opaque topics here in the Philippines. A discussion about these things with our parents mostly involves them telling us never to have intercourse or get pregnant until we're married. However, that is hardly a deterrent for women to make unwise choices. At Project Vanity, our ultimate goal is to empower women by providing them information about their own bodies so they feel more confident navigating their world.

In The Sex Talk, a new section here at PV, we aim to consult with doctors and experts about common questions we feel should be answered by women, for women.

I always knew I wanted to have kids. No specifics on how many, what gender, and when, though. Whenever I would hear the phrase “family planning” it just went over my head, my brain stamping it with “N/A” and going on with my life. So I had a bit of a panic attack when I found out I was pregnant, a mere two months after I got married. I never thought I’d get preggers so soon! I felt very unprepared, and wished desperately that I had paid attention to the required pre-wedding seminar on birth control.

Don’t get me wrong—I don’t regret for one moment conceiving and giving birth to my beautiful babies. Still, I had thought my husband and I would enjoy at least a year or two of just being newlyweds. I realized with guilt that I had given more thought to planning our wedding than making specific plans for our marriage.

Here at PV, we want women to be informed of their options on this critical issue. Since we already talked about artificial birth control, let’s have a look-see at natural options. I sat down with Dr. Cecilia Vicencio, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Medical City, for the low-down on natural birth control, and her expert opinion on its merits and disadvantages. We hope this article can give you the basic facts you need and encourage you to consult with your own doctor before you decide whether or not this is for you and your partner.

First things first

Natural birth control methods are also known as fertility awareness-based methods for good reason. All of these methods involve pinpointing dates when one is likely to get pregnant and avoiding unprotected sexual contact on those times. It comes as a bit of a shock but Dr. Vicencio reveals, “You are actually only fertile one day in a month, so that’s just 12 days in a year!”

Although the egg cell is viable for only 24 hours each cycle, sperm cells live for an average of 3 to 7 days, with the most tenacious ones surviving for up to 8 days in the womb. So it’s unsafe to have sex about a week before the egg drops, and until after the egg exits the body through menstruation. The key to success is accurately predicting when you will ovulate, since not all women get their menstrual cycles within regular intervals. There are several methods that medical practitioners recommend.

Image via mamanatural.com

Rhythm Method

Also known as the calendar method, this is probably the most commonly known and used natural method for birth control. It has been around since the 1930s, and just requires a calendar and basic arithmetic to use. To make this work, you’ll need to keep a log of your menstrual cycles for the past six months at least, and then use simple math to chart days when you’re likely to be fertile. Here’s the formula, as quoted from WebMD:

Subtract 18 from the number of days in your shortest cycle.
Count that many days after you start your period. That’s your first fertile day.
Subtract 11 from the number of days in your longest cycle.
Count that many days from the start of your period. That’s your last fertile day.
Don’t have sex on or between your first and last fertile days.

Advantages: You won’t need to spend much--all you’ll need is a calendar or journal. There are also free apps available to help you track your cycles. Once you know which days are “unsafe”, just avoid having sex on those dates. On the flipside, you can also use this same knowledge if you’re trying to get pregnant.

Disadvantages: The rhythm method assumes that your period follows a strict schedule. If your cycles is irregular though (as women who have polycystic ovary syndrome can sometimes experience), it’s hard to accurately predict your ovulation. It can work but it’s not completely fail-safe method for preventing pregnancy, and if you don’t use this method together with artificial birth control, it can drastically diminish sexual contact between partners.

From top: Day 1 (sticky and a little slippery = safe), Day 3 (cloudy and stretchy = not safe), Day 5 (clear, wet and stretchy = fertile), Day 7 (white and tacky = safe)

Images via readytogroove.com

Cervical Mucus Method

Also known as the ovulation method or Billings method, this involves checking the mucus from the cervix. On fertile days, there are detectable differences. Dr. Vicencio explains that as you reach your peak fertility, your cervical discharge becomes clear, thin, slippery, and spinnable. She demonstrates by putting her index finger and thumb together and slowly pulling them apart--the mucus feels more wet and stretchy.

You can check your discharge by wiping with a tissue, from front to back. Take note of the appearance (white, clear or cloudy), texture (clumpy and thick, or smooth and sticky), and feel (wet, dry or slippery). Like the rhythm method, it’s best to log these observations over a few months.

Advantages: There are no expenses involved with this method. Plus, if you track these changes and see a regular pattern, you can predict your fertile days for future cycles.

Disadvantages: Breastfeeding, menstrual flow, use of vaginal products like douches and spermicide, as well as certain medical conditions (like having PCOS or an infection) can affect cervical discharge, preventing an accurate interpretation. Some women also don’t produce enough mucus daily.

Image via babysounds.com

Temperature Method

Monitoring your basal body temperature (BBT) is another way to check for your fertile days. To measure this accurately, you have to check your temperature immediately upon waking up. An oral thermometer will do but a rectal one gives a more accurate reading. There will be a slight rise in your body temperature (about 1 degree Fahrenheit) when the egg drops into your uterus and falls again just before menstruation. Usually, you reach your peak fertility 2 to 3 days before the increase in your body temperature.

Advantages: Anyone with a thermometer can use this method. You can use this in tandem with other natural birth control methods.

Disadvantages: The differences in temperature can sometimes just be a fraction of a degree from day to day, so this is not an ideal method if you don’t have a large-scale thermometer that can track slight variances. Of course, you won’t get accurate results if you have a fever. Stress, excessive physical exercise, drinking alcohol, and an irregular sleeping schedule can also affect your BBT.

Images via maya.live

Helpful tools and aids

Practicing natural birth control takes quite a bit of effort and diligence but there are tools that can help you stay on course and get more accurate readings. A basal thermometer provides a more specific thermal reading compared to regular thermometers. Dr. Vicencio shares that there is a vaginal thermometer with a matching app that charts the results straight to your smartphone (but it’s not available locally). There’s also a gadget that can check for ferning patterns (due to crystallization of sodium chloride) in your saliva.

It may be easy to get data for these methods but the true challenge lies in faithful tracking and accurate interpretation. Cycle beads can be used to track the days in one’s cycle while doubling as either a bracelet or a necklace.

Whether you’re practicing natural birth control or not, it’s a good to get a period tracker app for your phone. There are many free options for both iOS and Android such as Maya, Clue, Eve and SpotOn. Some even offer features like sending reminders before you get your period (so you can stock up on supplies!) and taking notes for temperature, cervical mucus, mood, etc.

Should you go natural?

Dr. Vicencio’s explained that natural birth control options are the safest ways to prevent pregnancy. There are no side effects, unlike hormone-based pills and IUDs, patches, and injectables. There are no major expenses involved, too. Should a couple change their mind and opt to conceive, there is no waiting period, plus they can continue using these methods to determine fertile days.

Although these are big reasons to consider a natural option, Dr. Vicencio admits that it is the least effective of birth control methods. Natural birth control has relatively high failure rates, though it helps if you use all three methods to boost efficacy. Women whose menstrual cycles are outside the normal range (21 to 35 days, or even up to 38) will have a challenging time making the rhythm method work. It’s also not for women who have uncooperative partners. To be candid, it takes a lot of work and advanced planning for both parties to use fertility awareness-based methods to prevent pregnancy.

Again, please see your OB before deciding to go for natural family planning. It’s best to do this with your partner, since it involves his willingness and cooperation to make it work. Even if you do decide that this birth control method is not for you, we hope it encourages you to be more attuned to your body, and how your menstrual cycles might be affecting your everyday life.

Supplementary sources: WebMD, Planned Parenthood

Whether it’s from having an active lifestyle, surgery, or simply being clumsy, chances are you have a scar somewhere on your body. It’s romantic to think of them as a gateway for telling an interesting story but we’d much rather not have to remember the time when a giant pimple threatened to ruin a special event! If you have scars that you’d rather live without, read on to find out what your options are for managing their appearance.

Different types of scars

The skin can work wonders when healing itself but some injuries are so damaging to tissue that it can sometimes result in pigmentation and/or a different skin texture. It’s important to find out what type of scar you have before attempting to restore your skin to its former glory as some scar treatments are only intended for specific types of scarring.

Flat scars result from minor breaks in the skin, typically from common injuries or burns. The telltale sign is the discoloration - it might start off as pink, reddish, tan, brown or black. In time, it will naturally fade away to something closer to your skin tone. If your flat scar was caused by acne, it’s technically not a scar but post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Severe burn injuries may cause contracture scars, which makes it look like the skin of the affected area has “shrunk”. The unnatural tightening can sometimes impair proper movement.

If you picked at your chicken pox, or had deep cystic pimples, you likely have indented or atrophic scars. These little hollows form if the wound destroys your skin’s underlying support structure. Sadly, topical treatments cannot restore atrophic scars to their original appearance. Collagen fillers might work but only temporarily.

Sometimes, the skin can be a little overzealous and produce way too much collagen to repair a wound, causing raised scars. Hypertrophic scars are typically red but stay confined within the wound’s boundaries. Keloids are also raised scars that form even beyond the area of a wound, so you end up with a mark larger than the wound that caused it. Unfortunately, some people are more predisposed to form raised scars whether from shallow or deep wounds because of genetics.

Stretch marks are also technically a form of scarring but these form from the inside, when the skin is stretched beyond its capacity. They can be caused by weight changes (gain or loss), pregnancy, or even puberty when you hit your growth spurt!

Over-the-counter (OTC) scar solutions

It’s always best to consult a doctor, preferably a dermatologist, for proper treatment of scars. There are many options available, including clinical treatments like laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and even surgical procedures. For less severe scarring that can be treated by topical gels and creams though, these (prescription-free) drugstore finds can significantly reduce their appearance if not fading them off completely.

Contractubex Topical Gel (P600 for 10g and P990 for 20g)

This lightweight gel contains three active ingredients that help skin repair properly: extractumcepae - nion extract, an anti-inflammatory that helps prevent excessive scar tissue formation; heparin, which promotes cell and tissue regeneration; and allantoin, which soothes the skin.

There have been several clinical trials that prove this product’s effectivity but please note that there is no proof that these active ingredients would perform similarly when used individually. Personally, this gel has flattened and lightened my keloid scars relatively quickly. It also lightened my post-acne marks, and wears well under makeup! Best to rub the gel onto affected area twice daily after cleansing until it is completely absorbed. You can also apply this on older scars and then cover with gauze.

Dermatix Ultra Topical Gel (P731.25 for 7g and P990 for 15g)

Scar tissue can benefit from silicone-based formulas with skin-healing antioxidants and ingredients. It helps to plump up depressed areas and thus create a smoother skin texture. It has less active ingredients than Contractubex, but it looks and feels exactly like a smooth silicone-based primer! As such, you can wear this under makeup and you can get a smoother application on the area. Dermatix is also available in sheet form, which works best on raised scars, but I couldn’t find it at the drugstore in my area.

Image via shiberty.com

Glyderm Stretch Mark Cream (P462 for 60mL and P808 for 125mL)

Nothing can completely eradicate stretch marks, since these form underneath the skin. Still, I can attest to the transformative power of Glyderm on my post-pregnancy belly marks! I applied this twice daily and it has significantly lightened and reduced my stretch marks, making them less obvious. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should check with their doctors before using this.

Bio-Oil (P495 for 60mL and P795 for 125mL)

Many people swear by this dry oil, though it seems that just as many say it doesn’t work. It claims to work wonders for scars, uneven skin tone, and stretch marks with its PurCellin oil. Its main agent is mineral oil, which is mixed with other skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin A and several plant oils.

Apollo Sebo de Macho (12g for P40)

This is a staple in many Pinoy households but did you ever wonder what it’s made from? Its one and only ingredient is mutton’s tallow, aka sheep fat! Before you freak out and dismiss it as a gross option, know that mutton’s tallow has been used for centuries as an all-around remedy for skin troubles. Apparently, it’s very similar to the skin-restoring sebum that our skin naturally produces to protect itself plus fatty acids that nourish the skin.

How to minimize scarring

Prevention is always better than treatment, so if you get an injury or have a nasty pimple, here are some suggestions:

Treat wounds properly. Appropriate first aid is crucial to any break in the skin so don’t delay cleansing and applying antiseptic treatment. Never apply creams or other treatments to open wounds.
Use a gentle cleanser. Harsher formulas might irritate the skin and worsen its chance of healing well. Don’t scrub the area, as well.
Keep the wounded area away from sunlight to prevent further pigmentation.
Don’t fiddle with it! It’s so tempting to pick at a scab, especially the itchy ones, but doing so could cause permanent scarring.Manage your expectations once scars form. All we can do is try to improve its appearance and hope for the best. It’s awesome if your scars completely disappear with proper treatment, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t.
Track your progress. It’s easy to be disappointed with scar treatments since all of them need time and a lot of patience to work. Whenever possible, take progress photos of the scar when trying out treatments.

What kinds of scars are you dealing with right now? Have you tried any of the products in our list? We want to know what worked for you!

Sources: WebMD, Cosmetics Cop, The Weston A. Price Foundation, Paula’s Choice