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

Celeteque has been a household name for skincare for over a decade now, so we initially found it curious that it's earnestly coming out with cosmetics. We are happy to report though that the brand has managed the crossover to makeup in a way that stays true to what it started with: affordable, high-performance pieces that help give the look of a good skin day.

We did a feature last year on the cosmetics launch. This time we tested a few of Celeteque's latest products, so let’s get cracking!

Celeteque 24-Hour Photoready Matte Primer (P825)

The Photoready primer acts as a mattifier and blur cream in a single tube. It instantly takes shine off and reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, especially on the nose area. Compared to the more expensive Benefit The Porefessional Pro Balm, I find that Celeteque has a drier, more powdery texture that initially balls up as you smooth it over the skin. Surprisingly, the pilling disappears as you continue to apply and there is no significant difference in the way the skin looks afterwards. Celeteque could, in my opinion, pass as a dupe for the Porefessional.

Top: Benefit The Porefessional Pro Balm, Bottom: Celeteque Photoready Matte Primer

Under makeup, the primer gives me about four hours of matte wear before the T-zone of my combination skin starts to get shiny again. I like its skin-smoothing finish which helps improve the appearance of my base! 

Celeteque 2-in-1 Eye Bag Miracle Kit in Natural (P745)

Cleverly incorporating a skincare step with makeup, this unique duo includes an eye balm and an eye concealer. Since they were created together, the two formulas are designed to be compatible when layered over each other. It’s nice that this takes some of the guesswork out of the equation.

The under eye balm stays solid at room temperature and, though it may look waxy because it stays that way in the pot, it melts upon contact with the fingers. When applied to the skin, it has a mild cooling effect that lasts a couple of minutes, which I find pleasantly soothing. My eye concern has always been dark circles and not puffiness, so I can’t really tell you if it works in that department. It feels refreshing and moisturizing at the very least, and allows the eye foundation to apply smoothly on top. Once fully absorbed, you can proceed to apply the eye foundation.

On your left: Wearing a sheer layer of the 2-in-1 Eye Bag Miracle Kit; on your right: bare skin

The fliptop lid reveals a tiny mirror, which is a useful addition that allows for applying this duo on the go. As with the eye balm, the eye foundation is on the dry, solid side instead of a creamy formula, so it is not prone to caking.

The shade Natural seamlessly blends with my NC20 skin. At best it is a little brightening, at worst it does not quite show up. If you have severe dark circles, you will still need a concealer with way better coverage.

Celeteque CC Micro-Hydrating Powder in Classic Natural (P930)

Love the light, natural look of loose powder but hate lugging the potential mess around? The CC Micro-Hydrating Powder is the answer! From the outside, the thick, plastic compact looks like it could be a cushion compact but it’s actually a pressed powder topped with a special dispenser that scrapes a little bit of powder whenever you turn the knob. If you’ve seen the Elizabeth Arden Mineral Powder Foundation compact, the mechanism is similar. The thick puff that comes with the powder helps prevent loose bits from spilling out and making a mess of your purse, but there is a bit of wiggle room for some bits of loose powder to dusty up the mirror and the sides of the compact..

At first glance, I thought the shade Classic Natural would be too dark on me but it’s more of a sheer translucent powder that applies smoothly and quickly disappears on the skin. To an extent, it also refines smaller pores though the Photoready Primer already tackles the bigger ones. Used together, my skin looks even smoother, even on the sides of the nose. Longevity on my T-zone is around two hours before it starts to get shiny. I don't mind so much though, as I can retouch with this easily!

Celeteque Eyebrow Defining Kit in Medium Brown (P600)

Offering both coloring and grooming features, the mirrored compact of the Eyebrow Defining Kit consists of a brow powder, a brow wax, and a dual-ended brush applicator (one side is angled and the other is slightly domed). The bristles on the applicator are made of synthetic hairs that are quite soft. Though they apply comfortably without snagging at my brow hairs, I wish the angled brush side could have been made of stiffer material so that mapping the edges of the brows would be easier and less jagged-looking.

The brow powder, although buildable, is not heavily pigmented. It takes quite some time to get the color to stand out against naturally black brow hairs; I counted 4 passes before it looked like I had brow products on. Similarly, the brow wax is more like a light balm that may keep brow hairs in place, but it hardly contributes to the coloring. You would have to use quite a lot, and the included applicator doesn’t offer much help in building up pigmentation.

Medium Brown is on the reddish side, making it suitable for those with chestnut or chocolate brown hair. As with most brow products I use, I did not require any touch-ups when I wore this for an entire day.

Celeteque Moisturizing Lip and Cheek Duo (P665)

Lip and cheek products come in many forms. Some brands do tints, while others do creams. In this case, Celeteque has created a cross between a mousse and a cream that offers comfortable wear on both the lips and the cheeks. Lightweight and velvety, the whipped consistency that borders almost feels powdery, and it is neither tacky nor dry. That same texture and consistency lets it patiently sit on top of the skin as you blend it on the cheeks, allowing for it to diffuse evenly without the risk of patchy application.

On the lips, it initially applies sheer like a tint but layering twice will give it a creamy lipstick look. That being said, the buildable pigmentation is at sheer to medium. Moisture-wise, I recommend applying lip balm first as I didn’t find this to be moisturizing enough.

Wearing Photoready Matte Primer, CC Micro-Hydrating Powder, Eyebrow Defining Kit, Moisturizing Lip and Cheek Duo in Rosy Blush on cheeks and lips (left), and Soft Berry on cheeks and lips (right)

Soft Berry is a warm-toned medium fuchsia that pops beautifully against fair skin. Rose Blush, on the other hand, may look like a nude peachy brown from the tube but it’s actually more of a coral-tinged pink that’s flattering on fair and morena skin alike. With no eating or drinking, the color stays vibrant for about three hours' I noticed that fading starts at the 5-hour mark. There is also a strong cherry candy scent to this, so check first if you're ok with the fragrance.

Wearing Natural Nude (left) and Soft Pink (right)

Celeteque Ultra-Nourishing Lip Lacquer (P645)

To top off the Celeteque collection with something shiny and new, there’s the moist Ultra-Nourishing Lip Lacquer. It’s basically a lip gloss but it’s only slightly tacky, and the shine it delivers is good for two hours before it starts to look more like lip balm. Pigmentation is on the sheer side and there is a pineapple candy scent that isn’t as strong as the Lip and Cheek duo’s cherry scent.

From left: Soft Berry, Rosy Blush, Soft Pink, and Natural Nude

Natural Nude is a versatile nude pink that I think will be flattering on most skin tones. Soft Pink is a sheer hot pink that swatches vibrantly on the back of the hand but it looks toned down once on the lips. This shade might be more flattering to fairer skin tones.

After experiencing all these new offerings from Celeteque, I find that I want to keep a lot of them as staples in my makeup bag. I particularly loved the CC Micro-Hydrating Powder, the Lip and Cheek Duo, and the Ultra-Nourishing Lip Lacquer. The skin-flattering shades are great for light, everyday makeup that looks effortless but pretty!

Have you tried any of Celeteque’s makeup offerings? What are your faves?

I currently have five foundations, four moisturizers, three serums, and six shampoos in circulation. It may not seem like a lot compared to other people’s stashes but having more than one product that pretty much serves the same purpose and isn’t differentiated by color is honestly more than I need. The truth is, being a beauty addict turns most, if not all, of us into product junkies as well. We fall in love with the pretty things and fawn over them until a newer, shinier object catches our attention and the cycle repeats itself.  

It’s that same realization that helps me appreciate posts about empties. When we’re constantly trying new things, it feels like a rare feat to finally hit pan or squeeze the last drop of product out. Empties may not always read like a list of holy grails but I personally enjoy learning why people continue using them, even when other options have become available. This is what the PV team has used up so far for this year!

Den: I’ve just run out of another K-Palette Lasting 2Way Eyebrow, though thankfully not during mid-application. As one of my kit staples, I wish these were cheap enough to hoard backups for! After using them all of last year, my bottles of Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser and Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Refreshing Cleansing Gel are now empty. I loved both: Neutrogena’s low pH formula was great for daily use while the vitamin C in Avalon had a nice brightening effect on my skin. I’m not sure if samplers would count as empties but I extended the tiny pack of CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid to three applications and promptly bought the full-sized bottle as a result. I tell anyone willing to listen that they absolutely need this in their lives!

Angela: I finished my Maybelline Clear Smooth All-In-One Powder Foundation. It covers some of my blemishes and keeps my T-zone oil-free. I also use it as a setting powder for my concealer. It's so affordable and performs really well so I'll definitely buy again!

Crystal: I've always prided myself on my ability to empty products because it (somehow) justifies my hoarding tendencies! This month, I emptied a whopping 30 grams of 3W Clinic Powder, which is a really nice, inexpensive setting powder with a floral scent. The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Ice Air Puff Sun is the lightest sunblock I've tried to date with a nice, cooling effect that is perfect for our hot weather. The Body Shop Almond Oil Conditioning Hand Wash was a moisturizing hand wash with a mild scent.

I finished a Maybelline Brow Mascara even though it took me forever because there was so much product. Miller Harris is a perfume brand from the UK. I used up the lip balm and it's honestly one of the most moisturizing lip balms I've ever tried. Last but not least is a mini size of Belo SunExpert SPF60 PA+++ Body, which I got when Belo had a promo. I've always been happy with Belo SunExpert and will continue purchasing from the line. Overall, I'm happy with all the products I emptied for this month, which is exactly why they are empty now LOL!

Katsy: I'm nearly done with the travel-size skincare set I got from Laneige last November. The set lasted almost three months, although I did alternate with other skincare items once I reached the halfway mark. I will probably repurchase the line plus the Water Sleeping Mask as they really did hydrate my face well. I used the Laneige Moisture line as I have dry skin.

Claire: I go through conditioners, lotions, and makeup wipes really quickly. I have backups of the Pantene 3 Minute Miracle and Nivea Extra White Firming Body Serum but I'm not loyal to any brand of makeup wipes just yet. I picked up the Watsons 3-in-1 facial wipes in Malaysia a while back but haven't been able to find it locally. Too bad, as it effectively but gently removes makeup! I also enjoyed the Biore makeup remover wipes but I wish they were a bit larger. It's pretty rare for me to finish any makeup item but I really abused my Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder. Will definitely repurchase this after I go through my loose powder stash!

Jenn: Super happy to finish my bottle of Merphil AC+ All in One Magic Cream - my holy grail when it comes to combating zits! This is one product that really changed my life, errr, skin. Designed for hormonal acne, it always either flattens my small pimples after overnight use or calms down big ones. It's a regular fixture in my routine so I always have to keep a backup of it.

Gett: I finally finished my bottle of Cure and a tub of Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask after more than a year of using them. These two helped improve my overall skin texture and kept my face thoroughly clean. I use both once a week, or twice if my skin looks meh. I'd repurchase these two in a heartbeat!

Did you empty out any products last month? What convinced you to keep using them?

The temperature keeps rising and humidity is at an all-time high. For me, this signals that summer is just around the corner and it’s time to take my makeup game to go sheer, sheer, sheer. But while going as au naturel as possible is in line with this year’s makeup trends, I know there are will be days when I’ll need to wear a proper face of makeup in order to look fresh and presentable despite the heat. Thankfully, L’Oreal Makeup Designer Paris has brought in their Infallible Makeup line to help us get battle-ready with #NeverFail makeup!

At the L’Oreal Infallible launch event, we were invited to put their makeup line to the ultimate tests. The first step was to have an Infallible Makeover to determine our shade matches then we could choose to head over to a workout station, an eating station, or a photo booth station to test out each of the product’s properties. As it turns out though, the true makeup test for me came after the event, when I took the products out for a spin in the real-world application of renewing my driver’s license!

The L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Foundation (P700) is a lightweight, liquid foundation that promises to last for 24 hours with a “flawless, full coverage”. From the six shades available, I was matched to the Shade 120 Vanilla, which surprised me because it was on the lighter side of the spectrum (I’m about NC35). It was a perfect match though! The line has offers a substantial shade selection, which will hopefully match more Filipina skin tones.

When I apply the foundation after my usual skincare routine, it blends on easily even just by using my fingers. It does have good enough coverage with a demi-matte finish, though I have to go over and apply an extra layer over areas like my dark under eye circles. In a pinch though, the L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Foundation does its job well and it left my skin looking fresh and ready for the day.

The L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 16HR Powder (P600) promises to provide a matte finish to complete your look. It can be worn on its own or as a finishing powder to set foundation. Of the six shades available, I got matched to 200 Natural Beige, which I find to be a bit dark on me. I liked that it doesn’t look cakey when applied and really does extend the wear of the Infallible 24H Foundation. This also completely mattifies the demi-matte finish of the liquid foundation.

The packaging is also quite commendable as the sponge applicator is stored separately from the product, though I much prefer using a brush for both initial application and touch-ups.

The L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender & Setting Spray (P500) is a dream come true for making makeup last in our weather! A quick spray over ensures a longer-lasting makeup look, so imagine combining that with the promise of 24HR and 16HR finishes of the liquid foundation and powder respectively! While the powder mattifies the entire look, I didn’t want to look too matte and the Pro-Spray comes to the rescue by ensuring the makeup looks freshly-applied. I love the combo of the three Infallible products for an all-day flawless finish. Plus, the Pro-Spray can easily be used over base makeup, eye makeup, and even lipsticks!

Speaking of lipsticks, the L’Oreal Infallible 10HR Lipstick (P500) is available in 20 shades! These Infallible lipsticks promise to be food-proof, fade-proof, and dry-proof. I got the shades Always Apricot and Forever Frappe and have been testing them out since.

From left: Always Apricot and Forever Frappe

Do they stay true to their claim? Amazingly, yes! The lipsticks are infused with vitamin E, which make them creamy and glide on like a dream. My normally dry lips do not feel parched when using the Infallible lipsticks. A great bonus is that they fade evenly throughout the day, leaving a distinct demi-matte stain once they set.

From left: L’Oreal Infallible 10HR Lipsticks in Always Apricot and Forever Frappe, L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 16HR Powder in 200 Natural Beige, L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Foundation in 120 Vanilla

Here is my #FOTD using the L’Oreal Infallible line! I’ve taken to reaching for the entire line when I know I need to be out and about for hours without fear of constant retouching. I get oily around the T-zone area after 3 to 4 hours but nothing an oil blotting paper can’t solve.

Wearing the Forever Frappe lippie!

Have you tried the L’Oreal Infallible makeup line? If not, which product has caught your eye?

The year 2016 may have come and gone but when it comes to enduring beauty trends, we are definitely still loving liquid lipsticks! More and more local brands are coming out with their own versions while old faves add new shades or improve existing formulas. There can be a bit of a learning curve to applying liquid lippies perfectly but with so many offerings under P500, you can practice painting on the perfect line with no stress.

Today, our focus is on six local liquid lipsticks that have caught our fancy and become mainstays in our stash. We tested them out to see which ones lasted well throughout the day, with a full eight hours of drinking and eating. Ready to see which ones will survive?

From left: Happy Skin Glam Squad Liquid Matte Lipstick in Mickey See, Features & Shades True Light Liquid Lipstick in Coral, Jazzy France Lustrous Lip gloss in Nutmeg, Everyday Love+ Nude Lips #03, Pink Sugar Sugar Tint Lip & Cheek Tint in Purrfect Pout, Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Lip & Cheek Mousse in The Morning After

Happy Skin Glam Squad Liquid Matte Lipstick by Mickey See (P699 at Happy Skin)

This is honestly one of my personal favorites, so much so that I actually collected all four shades from the Glam Squad collection! The texture is smooth and non-drying on my lips. It is highly pigmented and reapplies easily. The color looks vivid when freshly applied, and stays true to the shade even after eight hours of wear. While it does fade around the middle area of the lips like most liquid lipsticks, I find that I can go without retouching by simply pressing my lips together to “refresh” and even out the look.

Features & Shades True Light Liquid Lipstick in Coral (P350 at SM Beauty)

The ingenious packaging of this illuminating tube is what drew me to it in the first place but the formula is A+ as well. This liquid lipstick is of a slightly runnier consistency but pigmentation is still great. The wetness of the formula actually lends to an easier application as it glides on smoothly and evenly covers the lips. It also fades out into a light stain, which looks okay if you’re dressed down. In my case though, I had to reapply after 5.5 hours because I was headed to a meeting.

Jazzy France Lustrous Lip Gloss in Nutmeg (P349 at department stores)

The name is really a misnomer as it certainly does not behave like a lip gloss. The pigmentation is insane! My freshly applied lip swatch went on really matte, with full color. It is admittedly patchy but this can be expected from most dark liquid lipstick shades. It also clung to the flaky bits of my lips, unfortunately.

Nutmeg is a very lovely color though, and the lippie didn’t feel like anything that I almost forgot I was wearing such a dark shade. Reapplication is a must for this liquid lipstick as any fading on darker shades is immediately noticeable.

Everyday Love + Nude Lips #03 (P199 at Instagram @everydayloveph)

This is such a pretty color in person but features a very drying formula that looks and feels desert-like immediately upon after application. I did notice though that as the day progressed, the dryness I felt lessened and the color started to blend with my lips more. Maybe I just had a bad batch but the gorgeous nude shade really made me want to make it work! I feel like this is a close dupe to Kylie’s liquid lipsticks. The shade still looks presentable after three hours, which is good, but at 8 hours, reapplication becomes a must.

Pink Sugar Sugar Tint Lip & Cheek Tint in Purrfect Pout (P349 at SM Beauty)

Featuring a moussey texture and a sweet fragrance, it dries down to a soft matte almost immediately after application. I needed a few passes for it to completely cover my lips but I didn’t mind too much as, compared to the other liquid lipsticks I tried in this battle, it felt softer and lighter. It certainly makes it easier to blend on the cheeks! This held up quite well as shown by the hour 6 lip swatch; I just have to purse my lips to refresh the color a bit and it’s good to go. It also did not dry out my lips as much as other liquid lipsticks normally do.

Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Lip & Cheek Mousse in The Morning After (P699 at Happy Skin)

Compared to the brand’s own Liquid Matte, this has a creamier, moussier texture that helps it apply smoothly to the cheeks. The almost demi-matte finish looks like a healthier version of your lips’ natural look. It fades evenly except for the build up around the edges, so you may want to reapply even at just the 4-hour mark as the formula can’t be easily “refreshed” by just pursing the lips.

Verdict: After thoroughly testing and documenting the six liquid lipsticks, here’s where they stand in terms of longevity, moisture and consistency, as well as overall performance.

Best in Longevity: The Happy Skin Glam Squad Liquid Matte Lipstick remains my favorite for this! Even when it starts to fade a little, it can easily be “refreshed” even without reapplication.

Best in Moisture and Consistency: The Pink Sugar Sugar Tint Lip & Cheek Tint wins this for me as it did not dry out my lips and also applies well to my cheeks.

Best in Overall Performance: I have to say that the Features & Shades True Light Liquid Lipstick is the top winner! This is a sleeper hit for me as I knew it performed well enough but I only realized just how good it actually performs after comparing all six lippies. While it doesn’t dry down immediately, it lends a lovely looking finish to the lips that eventually settles down into a soft matte.

Do you have a favorite among these liquid lipsticks? If not, do tell us what other lippies past the 8-hour mark for you!

Happy Skin just dropped a new collection called Festival of Colors last week, and here's your first look into how some of the products perform! I don't have the Lip Kits, Glisten Up! Kit, and Air Touch Sponge, but I've tested everything else. Here's what I think of these colorful additions to the beloved homegrown brand after rigorously trying them out for a few days.

Y'all know that I have no time or patience for substandard eyeliner. I am pleased to report that the basic Eye Am Here To Stay 24H Gel Pencil Eyeliner (P599 for .5 grams) of Happy Skin is super good! The mini ones they released in the past are nice, but only as an occasional addition to my look. I can see that the Perfect Black (opaque matte black) and Chic Brown (shimmery brown) liners will be mainstays in my routine as they're pigmented, fairly creamy with minimal drag, and sweat-resistant.

Perfect Black is mostly matte, but it has this strange smattering of fine sparkle when drawn on. It's not obvious at all, but you will see them if you look closely. I love how ridic black it is that even I was surprised when I took my first selfie with it! It's solid in one or two layers for me. Chic Brown is pigmented, and is more of a bronzy brown to me. I like wearing it a bit below my iris or all over my waterline to add some shadow to my eyes. By itself, it creates a natural line on the upper lid.

A single swipe the Bye Bye, Blues Concealer in Medium, Perfect Black, and Chic Brown

Staying power is really good. The Gel Pencil smudges a teensy bit when worn for over five hours, but it retains its integrity for much for the day. I wore it during an intense tennis session to see how sweat-resistant it is and as you can see in the photo, it did not fall apart after an hour! There was some smearing on the bottom lid and it has faded on the upper waterline, but it still looks decent.

Left: Before tennis | Right: An hour after tennis and buckets of sweat

I love that these pencils are automatic; there's no need to sharpen. It does come with a detachable plastic sharpener on the butt part but I don't have a good experience with these gizmos so I won't recommend it. You might end up breaking the tip of the eyeliner.

Overall, I highly recommend the Eye Am Here To Stay 24H Gel Pencil Eyeliner to anybody who needs reliable liners. These should do well even on oily lids, when applied properly.

The Happy skin Bye Bye, Blues Brightening Concealer (P899 for 7.5ml) is an entirely new product. It comes in two shades, Light Beige and Medium Beige. I have here the latter and it's a great match for my NC35 skin! It's yellow with a strong peachy undertone to it - perfect for eye bags.

This concealer has heavier coverage and thicker texture compared to the Happy Skin Eye Need A Miracle Corrector which I reviewed previously. As promised, it brightens the under eyes without looking like a caked-up mess even with the good coverage. Here is it + the Perfect Black eyeliner in action.

It fades minimally during the day when set properly with a thin layer of powder. It creases after about 3-4 hours, but i just pat it back down with a clean finger and it's like nothing happened. Do I like this new concealer more than Eye Need A Miracle? I think I need more time to see, but so far so good! I'd say Bye Bye, Blues lasts better but Eye Need A Miracle is more light-reflecting and thus more brightening. 

Finally, I've got the Tickled Pink Skin Perfecting Super Absorbent Charcoal Blotting Sheets (P149 for 50 sheets). I've tried A LOT of oil blotting sheets but I'd say this one is the best so far! It's thicker and bigger than your average oil blotting paper, which means that you only need one sheet to remove all traces of oil. I've always found it counterintuitive that we have to use at least two sheets for the oil-blotters to do the job. Maybe we boys and girls are just oilier here in the Philippines? In any case, I'm happy that a local brand found the perfect solution to a very greasy problem.

I love the thickness of the paper here as the oil doesn't get into my hands when I press into it. I love that it has some bamboo charcoal and kaolin incorporated in the paper that boosts its matifying power. Overall, a great find! I understand it's more expensive than the ones you can buy in drugstores but for 50 uses, P149 is not too bad for me.

Hope you enjoyed reading through my review! Let me know if you're looking forward to trying out anything from Happy Skin's Festival of Colors collection. Currently, you may pre-purchase them only online at happyskincosmetics.com. Starting February 8, you can get these at Happy Skin's retail locations.

This story is brought to you by Svenson.

Coming from firsthand experience, I know how losing so much hair can take a toll on one's self-confidence and self-worth. Hair is such a visible, definitive characteristic that suddenly going bald is hard to accept. But it's not game over for us who wish for better hair days. Svenson, the country's premier hair loss and hair restoration center, has aesthetic surgeons who are able to do hair transplants.

The Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Strip FUT is a method that removes a strip of hair from the donor site, generally from the back of the head, and dissects it into smaller groups to implant into thinning and balding areas. It's a procedure that takes several months and quite an investment for results to show, but if baldness is a big concern for you, it's worth looking into.

Suki Salvador, Vice President, Creative Director & Editor at One Mega Group has decided he's had enough of early hair loss and got the procedure done recently. Here's his story!

When did you start to notice the hair-loss signs?

I started to notice it 5 to 8 years ago. A friend told me, ‘Hey your hair is thinning!’ That time, I kinda ignored it. It started to hit me when I got rained on one time. When the water dropped, it fell straight to my scalp. It was very alarming. And every time I’m sitting at my office desk, I could feel the air from the AC hitting my scalp directly. That’s when I decided to go to Svenson for a consultation. 

How did hair loss affect your job?

I’m in fashion. Styling my hair is important and hair loss restricted me from pulling off fun, unique hairstyles. I couldn’t color my hair as wild or as crazy even if I wanted to. I couldn’t cut it too short or grow it too long, because it would weigh my hair down, which can make my hair loss problem more obvious. 

What made you decide to have the hair transplant procedure done?

I just realized, people nowadays are very active; they travel a lot, myself included. So it’s hard to go to the centre as often as you should. When my trichologist at Svenson recommended hair transplant, I said yes right away.

How did the procedure go? Tell us about your whole experience.

During the first consultation, they did several tests to assess my hair-loss condition. After getting the results, they recommended the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) procedure. The process involves taking a strip of your scalp from the back of your head, where some of your healthy and permanent hairs are planted, to replace the balding areas.

Before we started, they even asked me to choose what shape of hairline I want to have! I chose the square one. The procedure took hours but it was comfortable. I even posted what’s happening on my social media accounts and everyone was like, ‘How are you so calm?’. I just felt that I was in good hands, which only means that my doctors were great at what they’re doing. Three months after the surgery, here I am seeing great results. Can’t wait to see further hair growth in the next few months!

Why would you recommend Svenson Hair Transplant procedure?

I believe it’s the best option for those experiencing hair loss, because it’s permanent and the technology they are using now can guarantee a very high success rate. And it’s not something you should feel ashamed of, especially those who are young. Balding is actually a young man’s problem. It can start even in your 20s, but you can do something about it. When you’re young, you have plenty of options and reasons to save your hair. And the best thing about Svenson hair transplant is that it’s complete, comprehensive, and they got you covered from start to finish. It’s the trifecta of full service!

To know more about Svenson’s Hair Transplant procedures, go to www.svenson.com.ph/hair-transplant/ or call 892-4247 or Text/Viber 09175014915 to book your free hair and scalp analysis

If you’re ever wondered what you could do about short lashes or sparse eyebrows, you may have come across a beauty hack that suggests using castor oil. The tip simply says to apply the oil every night and you’ll wake up to lusher lashes and brows. I wanted to know if this actually works and what sort of results I could get from using it for a month. But first, what is castor oil exactly?

Castor oil is a medicinal oil derived from the seeds of a plant called Ricinus communis. It’s often used as a laxative but is also a common ingredient in cosmetics. Known for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, it offers skin benefits such as combating fungi and bacteria and helping to heal wounds.

Ready to take on the challenge, I bought a small bottle of castor oil from Watsons for about P80 for 30ml. For 30 nights, I simply applied it on my lashes and brows with my fingers right after finishing my skincare routine. If you want something a little more precise, you can use an old mascara wand that has been cleaned or simply dip a cotton bud into the bottle. The oil feels very thick but I did not have any allergic reactions or develop any breakouts. It just smelled a little bit like nuts but it wasn’t too bothersome.

Before I started using the castor oil, I took this photo and measured my lashes with a ruler (first time to do this, actually!) My upper lashes’ longest length was 0.7 cm.  

After 30 nights of application, here’s how my lashes and eyebrows now look like:

I love how my eyebrows and lashes look thicker and lusher! To check that I wasn’t just seeing things, I used a ruler to measure my lashes again. My upper lashes now measured 0.9 cm, a full 0.2 cm from before! Even my lower lash line seemed to be growing more hair. Though naturally bushy, my eyebrows also looked fuller and darker, so I haven’t needed to use my eyebrow pencil as often. It feels like the castor oil even conditioned the hairs; they look pretty shiny and healthy!

The results of this challenge really surprised me but there seems to be a good explanation for this little miracle. Castor oil contains essential fatty acids like omega, linoleic, and oleic acids, which are able to penetrate into the skin and hair follicle. This enables it to nourish from the hair root, making it stronger and more resistant to breakage. The added moisture also serves as a protective layer, which makes hair look shinier and more pigmented.

If you’re in need of some hair help, I would definitely recommend trying this out! I’m thinking of keeping it as part of my regular routine so I can still be rocking full eyebrows and lashes ‘til I’m 80. I want to try it on my scalp as well to see if it can help with my falling hair. It’s pretty cheap, too, so it may work as an at-home hot oil treatment!

Have you tried using castor oil on your eyebrows and lashes? How did it work for you?

Makeup means different things to different people. Some turn their talent and knowledge into a paying job, others obsess about it like any other hobby, while many simply enjoy enhancing their good looks with it everyday. We get it though - not everyone understands our love for makeup. We don’t all have to die for the perfect MLBB lipstick or understand the importance of kilay but can non-makeup lovers just not rain on our parade? Some remarks are simply annoying, spoken out of ignorance, or even downright rude. We’ve compiled a list of the usual comments we encounter and our tips on how to deal with them!

“Are you sick?” (if you don’t have makeup on)

You may hear this if people around you are used to seeing you wear makeup and have never seen your dark circles before. There are just days when don’t have time to put on makeup or simply don’t feel like it. And that’s totally fine! Just brush off the remark, assure them that you’re fine, and go about your life.

“Why are you wearing red lipstick? May ganap?”

Red lipstick has a rep for glamour and sexiness. It may apply tediously but it’s such a flattering color, especially if you find the right shade of red for you. Wearing blue-based reds can even make your teeth look whiter. There’s no good reason why it has to be reserved just for special occasions – bust it out if you want to look put together without having to apply much else for the rest of your face! Give them a smile that shows of your pearly whites and reply, “Ang ganda, noh?”

“Eyeliner is for goths.”

First off, there’s nothing wrong with doing a gothic look. But if you wear a smudgy formula that gets all over your face or apply it incorrectly, you may end up looking like you have panda eyes. It’s possible that this comment means you need to work on your liner application. Make sure you use a good product and apply in a way that actually flatters your eye shape. If your line is fine and the other person is simply expressing a bias, ignore the remark or come up with a snappy “It didn’t say so on the product label.”

“Why buy a 1k lipstick if you can get it for P50?”

We pay a little more for good and safe ingredients and for what we value; if you can afford it, go ahead and treat yourself to luxury makeup. While there are great makeup products you can find for less, at the end of the day, it’s all about your priorities. If they’re bragging about a Kylie lip kit that they “scored” for a tenth of what you know it actually costs, consider carefully if you should tell them about fake makeup. While it’s technically the responsible thing to do, some people may just not be receptive.

“You have too much makeup on!”

IMHO, swiping on a bold lippie or sporting a cool eyeshadow look isn’t “too much makeup”. But to someone who barely swipes on lip balm, your tiny winged liner may look too dramatic. Consider also that you may have been using too much product or not blending it in well enough. Make sure to apply in thin layers, slowly building up to the coverage or color you desire. Always moisturize properly, and blend, blend, blend to avoid your makeup from looking cakey!

“May tinatago ka ba? Baka insecure ka.”

We all have our reasons for applying makeup. For me, it’s to feel extra ready to take on the day and add a spring to my step. Whatever your reason may be, just brush off what people say – we believe in the empowerment that makeup gives!

“Makeup is bad for your skin.”

This is a valid point, if you don’t take care to remove your makeup completely or buy fake cosmetics that have questionable quality. Otherwise, take this as an opportunity to tell them about local brands like VMV Hypoallergenics and Happy Skin, which focus on coming up with skin-friendly products that won’t irritate skin. Be familiar with what ingredients irritate your skin and research on what you should avoid.

“Pahiram ng makeup!”

Makeup is a personal thing, literally! Maybe you can lend say, bottles of foundations where the product is just pumped out but for things that require skin contact like powder, lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, and tools, there’s a good reason for you to be selfish and not want to share. Gently decline and explain that makeup can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and you certainly don’t want to pass on your germs to them even if you don’t appear to be sick for their own safety.

“Drag makeup is only for drag queens.”

To be clear, you don’t need full-on drag makeup unless you’re going onstage and under bright lights. The queens’ techniques have found their way to everyday makeup though, like baking and applying contour. If you like how they make you look, just go for it and don’t be afraid to strut your stuff!

“Ka-vogue ka ngayon! May party ka, noh?”

High fashion or editorial makeup are best reserved for runway and the glossies because they’re often unrealistic and possibly even uncomfortable to wear IRL. But you can totally make these unwearable looks wearable! They can be adapted to play into your daily look, just like when we recreated the glossy eyes trend to not look out of place with everyday makeup. The technique is to keep things understated, and to keep the focus on a particular feature.

In any case, at the end of the day, it's none of anybody's beeswax how you choose to dress up your face and the rest of your body. You don't owe anyone an explanation, least of all an apology, for how you choose to live your life. If you're happy and spending your own money then do yourself a favor and don't let those around you control you.

Ever had the things above said to you before? How do you address them? We’d love to hear your stories!

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

Celeteque has been a household name for skincare for over a decade now, so we initially found it curious that it's earnestly coming out with cosmetics. We are happy to report though that the brand has managed the crossover to makeup in a way that stays true to what it started with: affordable, high-performance pieces that help give the look of a good skin day.

We did a feature last year on the cosmetics launch. This time we tested a few of Celeteque's latest products, so let’s get cracking!

Celeteque 24-Hour Photoready Matte Primer (P825)

The Photoready primer acts as a mattifier and blur cream in a single tube. It instantly takes shine off and reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, especially on the nose area. Compared to the more expensive Benefit The Porefessional Pro Balm, I find that Celeteque has a drier, more powdery texture that initially balls up as you smooth it over the skin. Surprisingly, the pilling disappears as you continue to apply and there is no significant difference in the way the skin looks afterwards. Celeteque could, in my opinion, pass as a dupe for the Porefessional.

Top: Benefit The Porefessional Pro Balm, Bottom: Celeteque Photoready Matte Primer

Under makeup, the primer gives me about four hours of matte wear before the T-zone of my combination skin starts to get shiny again. I like its skin-smoothing finish which helps improve the appearance of my base! 

Celeteque 2-in-1 Eye Bag Miracle Kit in Natural (P745)

Cleverly incorporating a skincare step with makeup, this unique duo includes an eye balm and an eye concealer. Since they were created together, the two formulas are designed to be compatible when layered over each other. It’s nice that this takes some of the guesswork out of the equation.

The under eye balm stays solid at room temperature and, though it may look waxy because it stays that way in the pot, it melts upon contact with the fingers. When applied to the skin, it has a mild cooling effect that lasts a couple of minutes, which I find pleasantly soothing. My eye concern has always been dark circles and not puffiness, so I can’t really tell you if it works in that department. It feels refreshing and moisturizing at the very least, and allows the eye foundation to apply smoothly on top. Once fully absorbed, you can proceed to apply the eye foundation.

On your left: Wearing a sheer layer of the 2-in-1 Eye Bag Miracle Kit; on your right: bare skin

The fliptop lid reveals a tiny mirror, which is a useful addition that allows for applying this duo on the go. As with the eye balm, the eye foundation is on the dry, solid side instead of a creamy formula, so it is not prone to caking.

The shade Natural seamlessly blends with my NC20 skin. At best it is a little brightening, at worst it does not quite show up. If you have severe dark circles, you will still need a concealer with way better coverage.

Celeteque CC Micro-Hydrating Powder in Classic Natural (P930)

Love the light, natural look of loose powder but hate lugging the potential mess around? The CC Micro-Hydrating Powder is the answer! From the outside, the thick, plastic compact looks like it could be a cushion compact but it’s actually a pressed powder topped with a special dispenser that scrapes a little bit of powder whenever you turn the knob. If you’ve seen the Elizabeth Arden Mineral Powder Foundation compact, the mechanism is similar. The thick puff that comes with the powder helps prevent loose bits from spilling out and making a mess of your purse, but there is a bit of wiggle room for some bits of loose powder to dusty up the mirror and the sides of the compact..

At first glance, I thought the shade Classic Natural would be too dark on me but it’s more of a sheer translucent powder that applies smoothly and quickly disappears on the skin. To an extent, it also refines smaller pores though the Photoready Primer already tackles the bigger ones. Used together, my skin looks even smoother, even on the sides of the nose. Longevity on my T-zone is around two hours before it starts to get shiny. I don't mind so much though, as I can retouch with this easily!

Celeteque Eyebrow Defining Kit in Medium Brown (P600)

Offering both coloring and grooming features, the mirrored compact of the Eyebrow Defining Kit consists of a brow powder, a brow wax, and a dual-ended brush applicator (one side is angled and the other is slightly domed). The bristles on the applicator are made of synthetic hairs that are quite soft. Though they apply comfortably without snagging at my brow hairs, I wish the angled brush side could have been made of stiffer material so that mapping the edges of the brows would be easier and less jagged-looking.

The brow powder, although buildable, is not heavily pigmented. It takes quite some time to get the color to stand out against naturally black brow hairs; I counted 4 passes before it looked like I had brow products on. Similarly, the brow wax is more like a light balm that may keep brow hairs in place, but it hardly contributes to the coloring. You would have to use quite a lot, and the included applicator doesn’t offer much help in building up pigmentation.

Medium Brown is on the reddish side, making it suitable for those with chestnut or chocolate brown hair. As with most brow products I use, I did not require any touch-ups when I wore this for an entire day.

Celeteque Moisturizing Lip and Cheek Duo (P665)

Lip and cheek products come in many forms. Some brands do tints, while others do creams. In this case, Celeteque has created a cross between a mousse and a cream that offers comfortable wear on both the lips and the cheeks. Lightweight and velvety, the whipped consistency that borders almost feels powdery, and it is neither tacky nor dry. That same texture and consistency lets it patiently sit on top of the skin as you blend it on the cheeks, allowing for it to diffuse evenly without the risk of patchy application.

On the lips, it initially applies sheer like a tint but layering twice will give it a creamy lipstick look. That being said, the buildable pigmentation is at sheer to medium. Moisture-wise, I recommend applying lip balm first as I didn’t find this to be moisturizing enough.

Wearing Photoready Matte Primer, CC Micro-Hydrating Powder, Eyebrow Defining Kit, Moisturizing Lip and Cheek Duo in Rosy Blush on cheeks and lips (left), and Soft Berry on cheeks and lips (right)

Soft Berry is a warm-toned medium fuchsia that pops beautifully against fair skin. Rose Blush, on the other hand, may look like a nude peachy brown from the tube but it’s actually more of a coral-tinged pink that’s flattering on fair and morena skin alike. With no eating or drinking, the color stays vibrant for about three hours' I noticed that fading starts at the 5-hour mark. There is also a strong cherry candy scent to this, so check first if you're ok with the fragrance.

Wearing Natural Nude (left) and Soft Pink (right)

Celeteque Ultra-Nourishing Lip Lacquer (P645)

To top off the Celeteque collection with something shiny and new, there’s the moist Ultra-Nourishing Lip Lacquer. It’s basically a lip gloss but it’s only slightly tacky, and the shine it delivers is good for two hours before it starts to look more like lip balm. Pigmentation is on the sheer side and there is a pineapple candy scent that isn’t as strong as the Lip and Cheek duo’s cherry scent.

From left: Soft Berry, Rosy Blush, Soft Pink, and Natural Nude

Natural Nude is a versatile nude pink that I think will be flattering on most skin tones. Soft Pink is a sheer hot pink that swatches vibrantly on the back of the hand but it looks toned down once on the lips. This shade might be more flattering to fairer skin tones.

After experiencing all these new offerings from Celeteque, I find that I want to keep a lot of them as staples in my makeup bag. I particularly loved the CC Micro-Hydrating Powder, the Lip and Cheek Duo, and the Ultra-Nourishing Lip Lacquer. The skin-flattering shades are great for light, everyday makeup that looks effortless but pretty!

Have you tried any of Celeteque’s makeup offerings? What are your faves?

Is there such thing as a "wrong" facial wash? Granted, it's just something that you put on your face for two minutes, but the wrong cleanser can cause drier/oilier skin or worse - breakouts. Your facial wash doesn't need to do much other than wash off the oil and dirt accumulated on your face but it does have to do one thing, without compromises: it has to be non-irritating.

That's where the recent obsession of beauty nerds with pH levels come in. We wrote a pretty detailed article about it already, but to summarize, this is why pH levels in your cleansers matter:

pH which stands for “potential hydrogen” is a measure of how acidic or basic a water-based solution is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 referring to a highly acidic substance, 7 a neutral substance, and 14 a highly basic or alkaline substance. 

The acid mantle is our skin’s outermost protective layering. It’s a film of skin oils and acids that serves as a natural barrier between the deeper layers of our skin and the bacteria that we come across in our day to day lives. For the longest time, I used to associate the term acidic with a negative connotation. The truth, I’ve discovered, is that the low pH of the acid mantle creates an environment that is inhospitable to infection-causing pathogens and acne-causing bacteria. In short, pH-balanced skin is clear, clean, healthy skin!   

You want your skin to be able to fight off bacteria, maintain its moisture level, and control its natural oil production on its own. This is why it's important to use a cleanser with low pH, ideally in the acidic range (pH 6 or under). I wouldn't call this an absolute rule though. My favorite facial wash of all time is still the Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser which apparently has a pH of 8 (!!!)* but it works perfectly for me. I have other low pH cleansers but while they're pleasant, they don't work as well as I perceive the Ibuki does.

Anyway, before I get even more sidetracked, I just want to quickly review the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Cleanser (P540 at theskincarecurator.com). I love this stuff (well, not as much as the Ibuki but it's pretty up there) because it is SLS-free, has a pH of 3.5, and features a non-drying, gentle formulation that's ideal for sensitive skin. Best thing is that it's less than P600!

Many low pH cleansers have trouble foaming but this one does not. It produces a robust foam and when it's washed off, the skin doesn't feel dry at all. It has a mild tea tree scent which I don't mind personally. I've also observed that this leaves a bit of a minty feel which manifests itself after I've dried my face; it's unexpected but not unpleasant.

The cleanser is a clear, viscous gel off the tube

This cleanser doesn't remove makeup very well, but it's great as a morning cleanser by itself and as a second cleanser at night after I take off my face. I turn to this when I feel my skin is freaking out or just whenever I feel like rotating my facial washes. 

Sorry if the foam looks weaksauce here, it's just that it was not easy having this on my hand and a DSLR on another! The COSRX cleanser can produce a more satisfying foam given the proper attention.

Overall, I highly recommend the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Cleanser to anyone who wants to start their new low pH life. It's great for sensitive and troubled skin, plus you get 150ml for P540. This is one of those products where you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Unless of course you're allergic to some component of it but we can't predict that, of course.

COSRX is making me (and my SO's skin) happy! So glad it's easily available here now. Watsons carries select products (no cleanser yet unfortunately), but you can order online at theskincarecurator.com and beautymnl.com. Let me know what you think, as always! Are you looking to switch cleansers now?

*The Reddit Asian Beauty group has created this crowdsourced document about the different pH levels of popular cleansers. You might want to check yours out there too!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always refused to wear anything that didn’t have sleeves on them and use a cover-up for my arms if forced. It’s not that I hate them - I actually do want to be able to wear sleeveless dresses and tops. I’m not comfortable enough to do so, mainly because my arms lack tone and I feel embarrassed about displaying them. More so, I don’t exactly have Instagram-worthy smooth and white underarms.

Tight clothing that rub against the underarm area, deodorants with chemicals that cause irritation, and shaving are often causes of dark armpits but fortunately, they’re not completely hopeless. As I didn’t want to cower away and give up on my #kilikiligoals, I started looking for solutions to make my underarms lighter and smoother. If you’re stuck in a similar situation, consider these budget-friendly picks that actually work!

Ever Bilena Naturals Sunflower Oil (P135 at Watsons, SM Beauty and Landmark)

Human Nature’s original version became a quick favorite when it came into the market, as it did a great job of providing moisture while lightening skin. It can be a bit difficult to find though and I chanced up this new release from Ever Bilena! It’s made from 100% natural sunflower oil and contains Vitamin E. As it’s an oil and can cause your antiperspirant or deodorant to slide off, it’s best to use this at night after bathing. Simply rub a good amount of oil all over your underarms and let it work its wonders.

Kojie-San Skin Lightening Soap (P50 for two at supermarkets)

Liz has shared her skin-lightening success story with this soap, and the rest of us in the PV team can attest that it’s worth the rave. The kojic acid has powerful exfoliating properties that help to lighten dark spots and uneven skin tone. Use it to soap your underarms during bath time - you’ll start to see results in just a few weeks!

Belo Essentials Whitening Antiperspirant Deodorant (P59.75 at supermarkets)

This is the first deodorant I’ve seen that also contains kojic acid and if using a wash-off soap is enough to make a difference, leaving it on may have an even more powerful effect! It also aids in soothing your underarms if you shave often and suffer from bumpy skin. And since it’s already a deodorant and whitening agent in one, you don’t have to worry about layering products on your underarms to smell fresh.

Gluta-C Underarm and Bikini Skin Whitening Gel (P199 at department stores)

Though glutathione is a popular ingredient in skin whitening products, there’s some debate about whether applying it directly to the skin actually works. What probably makes this gel effective is the vitamin C it contains, which has been proven to brighten skin and even improve its texture. I find this very gentle on the skin and it promises a deodorizing factor so I sometimes use it on its own. The gel formula is also easily be absorbed by the skin, making it easy to use in the morning or at night.

Belfour Whitening Anti-perspirant and Deodorant Spray (P74.75 at Watsons)

Spray-on deodorants are so convenient to apply and lessen your armpits’ exposure to friction. This is a good alternative for canned spray deodorants and you can even keep it in your purse if you feel the need to reapply. It uses all natural ingredients like tea tree oil to keep underarms clean and fresh. It also has a special blend of plant extracts that help lighten the underarms with regular use.

Are you confident about showing off your underarms? What do use to improve the appearance of your pits? Do share your underarm whitening secrets in the comments below!

Though the pleasantly cool weather right now still has us thinking about winter, spring-summer beauty trends have set the stage for a season of vibrant colors and edgy design. It’s all about being fresh and high-energy - just the thing to help us keep our optimistic outlook for the year ahead. Clinique, looking younger than ever, is ready to shake up your FOTD with beautifully bold new color selections that will make your daily look pop!

Headlining the Pop Collection is the Clinique Pop Matte Lip Colour + Primer (P1,100). These matte lipsticks have a luxuriously creamy formula that won’t dry your lips out, and pack a rich, full pigment in a single swipe! I was amazed by how comfortable they felt on the lips, staying vibrant and moist through the commute home, and up until I ate a few hours later. Here are some of the colors I swatched:

From left: Rose Pop, Ruby Pop, Bold Pop, Graffiti Pop, Pow Pop, and Mod Pop

Not a fan of mattes? There’s also the regular variety of Clinique Pop Lip Color + Primer (P1,100). These have a satin/velvet finish.

From left: Nude Pop, Berry Pop, Bare Pop, Melon Pop, Poppy Pop, Passion Pop, and Wow Pop

From left: Love Pop, Grape Pop, Plum Pop, Fab Pop, Beige Pop, and Sweet Pop

If you’re more of a liquid lipstick kind of gal, you’ll be pleased to know that Clinique also came up with the Pop Liquid Matte Lip Colour + Primer (P1,100). The finish is a bit satiny rather than a completely flat matte but it wears comfortably well for a liquid lipstick. It’s got generous pigment in a single swipe, too, so it’s best to apply in thin layers if you want to really build up color.

From left: Black Licorice Pop, Boom Pop, Candied Apple Pop, Sweetheart Pop, Petal Pop, Cake Pop, Ripe Pop, Flame Pop

The Clinique Lacquer Lip Colour + Primer (P1,100) is the choice for those who want both high-shine and high-pigmentation. Surprisingly, the formula is on the light side compared to the usual tacky-feeling lip gloss.

From left: Peace Pop, Love Pop, Cocoa Pop, Wink Pop, Happy Pop, and Lava Pop

Clinique Regional Makeup Education Manager Rene Benkenstein even gave tips on how to pull-off that bright pop of color without a hitch. Lips that draw a lot of attention call for an extra bit of precision. She showed us how to create fuller-looking lips with a lip liner, starting by giving definition to the cupid’s bow then switching to line the center of the bottom lip. From there, it’s just a matter of connecting the two together as the upper and bottom lines act as guides and help your application look more symmetrical.

There are also blushes and eyeshadows under the Clinique Pop line, making it quite a massive selection for those who want to go for a look that’s bold and beautiful. For contouring, she also recommended using the corners of the eyes as the guide for where to end application. Applying contour too close to the the center of the face makes it look obvious, she explained. And for blush, the pop of color is most visible on the apples of the cheeks, so even a subtle choice of shade can instantly light up the face when placed there.

Have you had a chance to swatch any of the lippies yet? Which popping shade is your fave?