How can you tell that a lipstick line sold well and is actually worth purchasing? Easy. If it has new shades added onto it without a formula change, then you know it's something special! Nothing speaks louder than consumers' wallets. For a brand to keep re-investing in a product line, it has to be something that we want more of. That's why I'm happy that Revlon recently came out with eight more shades of their best-selling Ultra Matte HD Lipcolor (P575)!

I reviewed this line previously and liked how it doesn't set into a hard flaky layer after a few minutes. The Ultra Matte HD keeps its creme texture for hours, keeping my lips from drying out. Now it has a demi-matte finish and might not be as long-wearing as the liquid lipsticks we're used to, but I prefer something like this for everyday wear. I like matte liquid lippies, don't get me wrong - I just don't wear them all the time as they can be drying.

Expect these to wear for three to four hours, longer if you apply a lip liner first. Here are my swatches of the new shades available in the PH + my color notes!

Embrace, Forever, and Kisses might look similar in the photos, but they're way different in person. Embrace is a petal pink that would look great as a nude color for fairer skin tones. Forever contains a bit more brown, while Kisses has a more reddish pink tone to it. Forever would be a good node for medium skin like mine while Kisses is the perfect MLBB.

Happy to report that these shades are not streaky, and are opaque in two layers.

Spark, Intensity, and Crush are three more shades in the same color family. Spark is a cool, bluish pink while Intensity is a warmer, redder pink. Crush is a cute cool lavender. It doesn't work for my medium yellow skin but it should look nice for cooler, fairer faces.

Romance is a classic bright red while Infatuation is a deep browny red. I love Romance as it reminds me of the lip color of this character in a K-drama I've been watching recently haha. Infatuation is pretty as well, but quite streaky. It's best worn on top of a lip liner.

Overall, I'm happy with the pigmentation and wear of most of these new colors and would recommend them to anyone who's looking for a cushy demi-matte lipstick. I love how comfy and non-drying they are. Try Kisses, Intensity, and Romance! These are lovely shades that would integrate into your lipstick wardrobe well.

Revlon is available in department stores and drugstores.

Our daily lives can get tiring and stressful at times so it’s important for us to find ways to relax and treat ourselves to some leisurely activities. My favorite ways to destress include getting a massage, shopping, reading, and watching a TV series at the end of a long day. But a massage doesn’t always fit in my schedule and I’m nearing makeup hoarder levels to even consider shopping! As much as I love reading, I haven’t gone the full ebook route yet so I was thrilled to learn about the latest mobile streaming app to hit town, FOX+.

FOX+ launched to much fanfare as FOX Networks Group Asia unveiled the app here in the Philippines. If you’re an avid follower of a FOX TV Series, you’d be happy to know that this internet-streaming service allows you to watch the latest episode on the same day it airs in the US! You also get access to Hollywood movies faster after their release on the big screen so you don’t have to join long lines on opening day or miss out on blockbusters if you’re too busy. And if you’re the ultimate sports fan, FOX+ will now be your new mobile go-to as it will stream sports events live, allowing you to watch the play by play instead of relying on Twitter updates.

The FOX+ service is currently available only in the Philippines but it will be available all over the region soon. You can access FOX+ on multiple devices – tablets, smartphones, laptops, so you can make sure that you have your entertainment anywhere and whenever you want it!

FOX+ is currently offering a 30-day free trial to new signups. I’m really excited to try out, also free trial because I travel a lot for work and waste so much time just sitting in traffic. This way, I can keep myself entertained instead of focusing on the stressful situation. It also helps that I can download content for watching offline!

You can check out the app via the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. Service is available through SMART, Cignal, and PLDT. For more information, visit http://foxplus.com.

Do you follow any FOX TV Series? What’s your favorite way to destress?

With March almost over, summer will soon be in full scorching swing! The heat makes me want to head to the beach or at least lounge by the pool ASAP. But before we head out to another epic summer adventure, we need to make sure to pack enough sun protection in our bags. As we’ve said time and again here on Project Vanity: we should never skip or skimp on sunscreen!

With the launch of their “Make Your Summer” campaign, Watsons Philippines aims to help us enjoy our vacations while keeping our skin protected and stress-free. The event was hosted by Patty Laurel and showcased the wide range of SPF offerings available at Watsons. Karylle also came straight from the beach to introduce the new additions to the Belo Sun Expert line.

Sunscreen isn’t just something for your face; you actually need head to toe protection if you don’t want to experience the effects of sun damage or increase your risk for skin cancer. Here’s a peek at just a few of the products from Watsons that can help you get summer-ready:

Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF50+ PA++++ (P460/90ml) and Bioré UV Perfect Spray SPF50+ PA++++ (P299)

Our editor Liz recently reviewed these new Bioré sunscreens and I’ve been curious to try them out. First impression: the gel feels like nothing on, and I love the convenience of the spray!

Daylong Gel Extreme SPF50+ PA++++ (P646/50ml)

This sunscreen brand is by the same makers of Cetaphil and especially formulated for sensitive, oily skin. Check out our review here and consider adding this to your shopping basket if you’re worried about looking and feeling like an oil slick.

Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Moisturising Sun & Collagen Protection SPF50 (P482/125ml) and Nivea Protect & White Whitening Sun Protection Face Cream SPF50 (P151)

I’ve regularly been using a few Nivea products for my skincare and body care but I haven’t been able to try out their sunscreens yet. I’m excited for these two because of the water-resistant claim, as well as the dedicated whitening sun protection for the face. I need the extra protection so I can still use most of my cushion compacts even after a trip to the beach.

Sunplay Ultra Shield SPF130 (P399) and Lip Ice Sheer Color Fragrance Free (P145)

Liz has reviewed Sunplay before but it now has an all-new look. At SPF130 this offers the highest level of protection among the products in my haul while maintaining a fairly reasonable price point. Meanwhile, the Lip Ice Sheer Color made it to last year’s round-up of magic lipsticks. Even if you’re into the color-changing trend, this is a good option for a daily balm.

Solstice Whitening Sunscreen Face Cream (P269) and Solstice Age Defense Sunscreen Body Lotion (P269)

This is my first encounter with the brand and I’m liking their two main variants – the Whitening and Age-Defense. At SPF50 for the face and SPF70 for body, Solstice Sunscreen is a candidate for our next go-to brand.

Belo Sun Expert Hair and Scalp Shield (P349), Belo Sun Expert After Sun Gel (P259), and Belo Sun Expert Ultra Gentle Sheer Spray SPF50 (P539.75)

I’ve used the first line-up of Belo Sun Expert products and I was pretty satisfied with them. The spray even made it to Liz’s favorite body and hair products a couple of summers ago. For this season, they added the Hair and Scalp Shield (particularly necessary if you have thin or fine hair) as well as an After Sun Gel to nourish skin after  exposure.

Kojie-san Before Sun Spray SPF50, Kojie-san After Sun Spray Aloe Vera, Kojie-san Sunscreen SPF55 with Lightening (P455 each), and Kojie-san Sunblock SPF69 Sunactyl Broadspectrum for Body (P360)

Speaking of after sun products, Kojie-san also has their own version debuting this summer – the After Sun Spray with Aloe Vera and its matching Before Sun Spray. If you’re not into sprays though, there are two lotion variants with high SPFs of 69 and 55.

Watsons Sunscreen Body Invisible Spray Heat Protection SPF50 (P279) and Watsons Sunscreen Body Lotion Heat Protection SPF50 (P299)

Did you know that Watson’s in-house brand has its own line of sunscreens? They even have options: you can choose from a spray version and a lotion version, both of which have SPF50+.

Pond's Age Miracle Day Cream Cell Regen SPF15 (P725) and Pond's White Beauty Spot-less Rosy White Day Cream Sun Protection SPF15 (P157)

Pond’s has always offered plenty of products to choose from. It’s easy to refer the Age Miracle line for anti-aging or the White Beauty line for those who want fairer skin. Both the Age Miracle Day Cream and White Beauty Day Cream feature SPF15, a numbers which actually offers about three hours of sun protection as is. Perfect for everyday!

To make shopping even more exciting, Watsons is giving away summer vacations for 4 to these amazing destinations – Batanes, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, and Palawan! You just need to present your SM Advantage Card when purchasing the participating products and you’ll get one e-raffle entry for every P500 single-receipt purchase. Promo runs from February 23 to April 26, 2017.

How are your summer preps and plans coming along? Which products have you tried and loved, or simply feel curious about? Do let us know which ones you’d like us to review!

Goodness knows how hard it is to buy makeup online without seeing it in person. Skincare is even more challenging, as just showing swatches and photos isn't enough to demonstrate how the products feel and smell on skin! That's why we thought of providing free samples of In Her Element Skincare. You guys can now try out our samples first if you're not yet sure how they would work for you.

We've got samples of the Nourish & Cleanse Balm and First Wash Cleansing Oil restocked at Inherelement.ph currently. They are free, but shipping is not, at P40 for Metro Manila and P135 for provincial.

Samples run out pretty fast so get yours before they're OOS! We'll hold your samples for three business days to give others a chance to try them out. Please do kindly note that no matter the quantity you place on your order, we are sending only one sample of each product to your address. It would be really cool if you keep the quantity to one as doing otherwise confuses our inventory tracking.

My plan is to provide samples for every skincare product we release, whenever we have stocks. I can vouch for IHE's clean formulation and meticulous testing (by the PV Team no less), so I hope you guys can support our brand! It's just a few months old and not that many people know about it yet, but I'm giving everything I've got to IHE. 

I'm currently working on more new products soon (hint: we're releasing two this month) so that's something to look forward to. If you've got time, I'd also appreciate it if you can answer this quick survey to help us with our direction. Thank you so much. <3

The winner for February-March is Michele Ereno! Thank you for sharing your insights and for being sincere in sharing your stories. Congratulations! Please email your address to den [at] projectvanity.com so she can ship out your prize. 

For the April CoM, we're giving away Benefit's newest set called the Beauty School Knockouts Full Face Makeup Kit. It contains the best of the best from Benefit:

• the POREfessional pore primer mini
• they’re real! mascara in beyond black fun-size
• they’re real! duo shadow blender in naughty neutral pressed in pan
• Custom ShadowBlender
• gimme brow in 3 medium fun-size
• benetint medium
• rockateur pressed in pan
• mini powder brush

I personally love everything inside! They even included the new shadow duos which allow you to apply two colors onto your lids in a single swipe. <3 The box is so cute too, and is reusable when the product tray is removed.

So! It's the same mechanics as before. Every month, we'll pick a commenter on Project Vanity. She must be able to leave useful comments, such as sharing feedback about a product we reviewed. It can be a "thank you" comment, or maybe a really good question (we love good questions). A big factor would be the frequency of the reader's comments. Does she always visit? Does she read through the site? At the end of the day though, we always value quality more than quantity. Consistency is key. 

Comment away! Am hoping to hear from you. We'll pick the winner by the end of April 2017. ^_^

In a country that celebrates everything with a handaan, it seems inevitable that most of us have a great love for food. We know that a healthy diet is important for healthy skin but did you that you can do more than just eat your way to better skin? Thanks to vitamins, minerals and other amazing properties, food-based ingredients have become a popular addition to beauty products. The benefits are absorbed directly by the skin and may have a faster effect.

If you’re a foodie or looking to fortify your regimen without ruining your diet, here are some food-inspired products (or what Koreans call foodmetics) you may want to binge on!

Aloe Vera

Using this spiky plant for beauty is one of the secrets passed down with each generation of Pinays, and it has even gained popularity as a refreshing drink on hot days, with bits of aloe flesh suspended in sweet juice. If you don’t have access to a garden or feel put off by the distinct smell as I am, you can just buy a tub of aloe-infused skincare goodness!

Made into a multipurpose gel, you can slather it on your face, hair, and all over your body without burning a hole in your pocket. I use the Tony Moly Pure Eco Aloe Gel 92% (P298 at Tony Moly stores) to moisturize and cool down my skin, and the huge 300ml tub lasts a long time. Follow it up with another layer of moisture in the form of the Tony Moly I’m Real Aloe Mask Sheets (P98 at Tony Moly), which provides a more intensive cooling and hydrating experience.

Egg

Have you ever tried applying an egg white mask on your face to remove blackheads and tighten pores? It actually works! Eggs contain a protein called albumin, which the oil and clogs in skin stick to so that they also get removed when you clean up. Using raw egg can be a messy and somewhat smelly experience though, so it’s easier to use something like W.Lab’s Egg Pore Mask (P100 from Althea), an easy-to-use sheet mask that cleans and tightens pores while giving a boost of moisture!

Honey

When I tried going on a skincare diet last year, I stuck to a regimen of all honey products and it’s my best skincare experience to date! Honey has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties while being hydrating and soothing, so it’s especially ideal for acne-prone skin. It even works well as a facial cleanser! To get its full effect though, it’s best to allow it to sit on your skin so it can be absorbed better. W.Lab’s Honey Beam Mask (P100 from Althea) offers a non-sticky solution that also contains propolis and royal jelly for firm and glowing skin.

Coconut Oil

The tree of life will take care of our whole being, from head to toe! Its oil is famous for its many health and beauty benefits, and we particularly love how well it cleanses and nourishes skin. That’s why it’s the key ingredient of our In Her Element Nourish and Cleanse Balm (P595 at inherelement.ph), which we designed as a multipurpose balm that you can use as a lip balm, dry spot treatment, and eye makeup remover!

Milk

Cleopatra was said to have maintained beautifully flawless skin by taking milk baths, and there’s actually some real wisdom behind that story. Milk contains lactic acid, a type of AHA that gently exfoliates and whitens the skin leaving it soft and smooth. If you don’t have the budget to sit in a tub of milk, you can opt to apply TonyMoly’s Naturalth Goat Milk Whitening Toner (P1,348 from TonyMoly) followed by W.Lab’s Milk Protein Mask (P200 from Althea) for skin worthy of a queen.

Rice

Here’s one instance when asking for extra rice won’t make you feel guilty. Rice water (water used to soak rice) and fermented rice (which is used to create sake or soju) are great for evening out the skintone. Skinfood’s Peach Sake Silk Finish Powder (about P600 at Althea) makes use of rice’s skin brightening and adds peaches into the mixture to nourish skin with vitamins A and C.

Apple

Can an apple a day keeps the pimple marks away? Sounds crazy but could very well be true true. Apples are a rich source of vitamin C and AHAs that create a potent combo for removing dead skin and revealing a more radiant complexion. The AHA Wash Cleansing by Cleansing Research (about P400 at at Pure Beauty and SM Beauty stories) is #1 on Japanese beauty forum, Cosme, because of its unique and effective formula. It contains tiny, water-soluble scrubs to provide both physical and chemical exfoliation without feeling harsh on the skin.

Grapefruit

It’s a popular scent note in perfumes but did you know that it’s good for the skin as well? This citrus fruit contains antioxidants and vitamins A and C that make it a good addition to anti-aging products. It also naturally contains salicylic acid to keep nasty pimples away! Happy Skin’s Zit Zapper ZZ Second Skin Cream (P1,299 from Happy Skin stores) contains grapefruit and yoghurt extract, which makes it an ideal face base for acne-prone skin.

Tea

Even as a beverage, tea is known and valued for its rich antioxidant content. Applied topically, it helps to keep skin looking young and radiant. Origins’ Mind Over Maté Invigorating Cleansing Body Mask (P1,850 from Origins stores) utilizes the clarifying properties of tea for revitalized, vibrant and clear skin.

Time to treat yourself to a skin care buffet! Do you use products that contain food ingredients? What are your favorite "food-metics"?

Photography by Sam Gonzales

Brands have different approaches to how they approach their packaging: some prefer to keep it sleek and minimalist while others go all out in making their products as cute and attractive as possible. While we mostly prioritize performance and function, there are times when we just can’t help but fall in love with pretty products! Today, we dish on what sits on proud display at our vanities and make our beauty routine feel extra special:

Liz: Bobbi Brown sets its packaging apart by being effortlessly elegant yet professional-looking. Some brands can make their products look too pretty to the point that they're almost ornamental, but Bobbi Brown does a good job of mixing form and function! I love how the Wine Eye Palette and Brightening Brick in Naked look, feel, and - this counts quite a bit in my book - apply on my face. These are my workhorses for a quick, glowy FOTD!

Den: I received this T. LeClerc Loose Powder Limited Edition Starbox Swarovski as college graduation gift many years ago! I’ve since replaced the translucide powder with a different brand but even though it comes with a velvet traveling pouch, I prefer to only use it at home so it’s sure to stay safe. My other fave eye candy is this Petal Multi-Use Oil from Urban Outfitters. The flowers and dropper applicator make using it feel like a luxurious treat, plus it smells amazing!

Katsy: I'm a total sucker for pretty packaging. I actually had a hard time choosing my products for this edition of staff picks so I went with quantity. Third time's the charm right? The orange and gold detailing of Tory Burch Lip Colors are simply lovely; I can't stop staring at them. You wouldn't even know that they're made out of plastic! I also can never get enough of Marc Jacobs Daisy. I still keep my empty bottles just because. And the Guerlain Automatique packaging is an engineering marvel. It's also sleek and luxe, which is a huge bonus. Runners up would be my Narsissist Unfiltered I cheek palette, the Shiseido Ultimune duo, and the Guerlain Rouge G in Parade. Red and gold will always hold a special place in my heart.

Jenn: Korean cushions usually have the most beautiful designs and this one from Sooryehan with its femininely floral design is the prettiest in my current collection. I'm really looking forward to more pretty cushion covers!

Charlie: I'm a self-confessed lip balm addict and more often than not, it’s the fancy packaging that draws me. This Skin Food Honeypot Lip Balm really looks like a mini pot of sweet gold honey with a matching honey dipper that conveniently functions as a lip balm applicator. It smells a bit like the real thing, too! This is probably the coolest-looking beauty item and lip balm I own. I wish I had my sister buy all the colors from Korea because it's too pretty.

Marielle: Okay, so it's not pretty in the "bells and whistles" sense of aesthetics but I'm a sucker for the sleekness of the Le Marc Lip Creme Lipsticks by Marc Jacobs Beauty. The shiny black tube with the magnetic closure makes a resounding click, and I'm surprised that the sturdy case hasn't gotten scratched up in my makeup kit after staying there for days. I guess I'm attracted to the beauty of its simplicity!

Stacie: I am an avid fan of Kbeauty, which is known for really cute packaging, but surprisingly the prettiest item in my vanity is Too Faced's Chocolate Bar palette! It makes my small vanity box look more beautiful plus it actually smells like chocolates so it stimulates my appetite every time I use it.

Angela: I like the minimalist aesthetic. My eyes are drawn to white, black, and gold so these two gorgeous bottles from Estee Lauder make my heart happy. These pretty bottles make my dresser look extra special.

Kim: My heart still flutters everytime I see the Tarte Colorwheel Amazonian Clay Blush Palette in my collection. I mean look at it! 10 gorgeous blush shades encased in gold and purple. I almost never want to put it down.

What are the prettiest products in your vanity? Let us know in the comments!

I don't present dupe products often because I rarely find them. Sure, similarities may exist between a high-end and cheap find, but they aren't often close enough for me to say that they're on the same level. Recently though I realized that I have two things in my stash that are alike in many, many ways - well, except for the meteoric difference in the pricing that is. These are the Essence Make Me Brow Gel Mascara (P250) and the Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel (P1,400).

So how do these compare? Let's find out!

 What they can and can't do

There are eyebrow mascaras that can be used alone to completely shade and set sparse brows; these two gels are not the type. They're more for volumizing hairs and setting the base product. Those who have full arches though would enjoy these as a stand-alone browcara since they'd be enough to tint and groom lush brows! 

Consistency and coverage

Both the Make Me Brow and Gimme Brow have a gel-like consistency that offers light to medium coverage. The base feels almost the same except MMB has these tiny fibers that boost its volumizing properties (good when I use it as a setting product); GB has no fibers so I have to build up the thickness per layer and sometimes, per hair.

In terms of coverage as a stand-alone brow product though, I'd say Benefit performs a bit better as it looks more even. The fibers of the Essence browcara can be patchy-looking when I begin to layer it.

Color

The GB color I have is #3 (the reformulated and repackaged 2016 version) while my MMB's shade is Soft Browny Brows. These two shades, while both the middle ones out of three options, are not really the same as Soft Browny Brows is a cocoa brown while #3 is a chocolate brown. They do look the same from afar though! I prefer #3 as it's less stark on me. Benefit I think wins this round as Essence's selection of colors is not quite in the Goldilocks zone for me; it's either too light or too dark.

Brush and application

Both have a small, narrow brush. Essence's is a bit longer and has a straight shape; Benefit's is shorter and has a conical shape. There's no difference for me come application time as both are easy to work with. They're easier to maneuver around the contours of my brows and do well when it comes to breaking up clumps.

Both products are used on bare brows and layered on a couple of times

Staying Power

There is no difference. Both products have good staying power as is; they last up to 6-7 hours on me with minimal fading. Do note I have non-oily brows though! When I use them to set my brow makeup, they extend the wear time of the base for about 2-3 more hours and prevent fading.

Amount of product in the tube

The Gimme Brow has 3 ml inside while the Make Me Brow has 3.8 ml.

Verdict

If you've long wanted to try the iconic Benefit Gimme Brow but can't find it in your pocket to splurge, then the Essence Make Me Brow is a pretty close alternative. It's less snazzy-looking than Gimme Brow, but it offers more product for ~almost~ the same results. Not bad for P250! You can get it at Watsons and SM Beauty Stores. 

What do you think? Have you tried either of these browcaras?

Nothing makes you look quite as blooming as a pretty, pink flush that you get when you’re in love or after a good workout. But if you constantly look like you’re blushing from embarrassment or turn bright red after just five minutes under the sun, you may need to check with a derma if you actually have a skin condition. We talked to Dr. Angeli San Pedro-Garcia, a Philippine Dermatology Society fellow, on what you should know about rosacea.

image via sarahjagger.co.uk

What is it?

While rosacea is a chronic disease most common in Caucasians, we Asians and those of African descent can also get it, too. It can occur in both sexes but men often report more severe symptoms as they not likely to consult with a doctor until symptoms have worsened. It also typically begins after age 30 but may also develop in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Typically, rosacea affects the center of the face (forehead, cheeks, chin, glabellar area). There are four types of rosacea, and it’s possible to experience more than one type at a time:

• Subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic rosacea) is when unexplained facial flushing lasts up to 5 minutes. When the rosacea becomes chronic, the redness becomes a permanent feature of the skin. Blood vessels may also look more obvious.
• Subtype 2 (papulopustular rosacea) also displays redness, accompanied by swelling, and acne-like breakouts. Patients often complain of a burning or stinging sensation on their skin, even without stimulus .
• Subtype 3 (phymatous rosacea) typically shows thickened skin, enlarged nose, and bumpy features.
• Subtype 4 (ocular rosacea) presents as red and irritated eyes that are sometimes swollen. Patients may also experience dry and flaky skin.

What causes it?

The cause of rosacea is still unknown though it has been suggested as being caused by blood vessel abnormalities that compromise the blood vessel-supporting structures under the skin. It is most common in fair-skinned individuals after the age of 30, but it can occur in younger ages too.

Though the redness may be constant, it’s possible for the skin to flare-up if it comes into contact with a trigger. Some of the most common ones include hot or cold temperatures, sunlight, wind, exercise, spicy food, alcohol, stress, cosmetics, topical irritants, menopausal flushing, and medications that promote flushing. It’s best to quickly identify your own triggers so you can avoid them, and make sure to always have photoprotection (by way of sunscreen).

Dr. Angeli San Pedro-Garcia

How is it treated?

All rosacea patients have sensitive skin, so using a soap-free cleanser and light moisturizer is best. Avoid harsh products and ingredients like toners, astringents, menthol, camphor, and sodium lauryl sulfate. A protective gentle moisturizer should be applied first before application of other products.

There are many medications available that can help relieve the symptoms of rosacea: azelaic acid gel 0.75% and 1% metronidazole are in creams, gel and lotion; 10% sodium sulfacetamide, 5% sulfur (in cleansers, lotion, creams). Other topical agents are also equally effective, like benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, calcineurin inhibitors, and retinoids.

Oral medication can be used as a short term solution that can rapidly control symptoms. There are also some other drugs with off-label uses that work for rosacea. For moderate to severe flushing, tetracycline or isotretinoin maybe use for initial control. Other medications include metronidazole, oral contraceptive agents, and spironolactone. All medication and pharmaceutical drugs should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Vascular lasers and intense pulse light (IL) are useful alternatives to oral medications. It can be used as adjunct treatments with the topical and oral medications for a faster and more complete treatment. Generally, two to four laser treatments are required to achieve the best outcome for rosacea.

If you still want to wear makeup, a light liquid foundation is the best choice for patients with sensitive skin. Green-tinted corrector makeup is also usually applied before foundation to mask the red areas before topping with the face base.

At the end of the day, always consult with your derma if you’re struggling with anything skin-related! Are you suffering from rosacea? What are the ways you do to keep the redness at bay? Share with us your experiences below!

Special thanks to Dr. Angeli San Pedro-Garcia from Re-Enhance Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Butuan City for letting us do this interview!

When Pink Sugar first burst into the local makeup scene in 2015, word about how great their products are quickly spread in the beauty community. Matte liquid lipstick was just beginning to trend, and the Sugar Tint Lip & Cheek Tints (P349) were right on the money as a high-performing budget-friendly option. The maiden color line included some daring shades like Purple Pleasure, which became our editor Liz’s favorite.

The second wave brought in some very pretty nudes, including the best-selling Queen Bee, which looks great across all skin tones. I got myself Sugar & Spice from the third collection released for Fall last year, and it works great as contour on the go! This summer, Pink Sugar came out with three on-trend shades that will have you looking perfectly beach-ready. And at just P349 each, you’d definitely want to get a shade or two or all three!

From top:Pillow Talk, Love Bug, Slay

Pillow Talk is described as a Warm Brown on the Pink Sugar Cosmetics site. It has just the slightest red mixed in that makes the color look quite natural on my cheeks. On my lips, it shows up as a lighter version of the still-trending brown lipstick. I find myself reaching for this when I’m going for a more polished look. The shade also works for an earthy version of the monochromatic makeup look.

Love Bug is my personal favorite of the three new shades. It is the lightest in terms of saturation and shows up the brightest on my skin tone. Pink Sugar describes it as Pink Coco and it does show up as such on swatches. On my face though, it pulls on the yellowness of my skin and appears more like a brighter pink with a hint of coral. It is such a lovely shade and I’ve been using it everywhere!

Slay is a Dirty Blue Pink that is the most cool-toned of the three. I like to wear it out when I want to make more of a statement in terms of color. I also like using it for draping paired with Love Bug. The shade is striking yet not screamingly so, which makes it a versatile lip for any occasion.

I find that the three new Pink Sugar Sugar Tints live up to the hype of the entire line. They still have the same sweet scent that I’ve come to love and associate with the Sugar Tints. The new colors also look as lovely on the cheeks as they do on the lips! Be careful when applying though as a little goes a long way - a dot or two for each cheek should do the trick.

The trademark mousse-y texture of the Sugar Tints is something that I’ve also come to appreciate. You can wear it for hours, even for consecutive days, and they won’t dry out your lips like other liquid lipsticks do. The color payoff is excellent as well. Just don’t forget to exfoliate your lips beforehand so you won’t have any issue during application. I especially like how they make my constantly dry lips look healthy and plush. The color also fades evenly and can last through a meal or two; just refresh by pursing your lips together and you’re good to go.

What is your favorite Pink Sugar Sugar Tint shade? Do you use it on the lips or on the cheeks or on both?

Pink Sugar is available at pinksugar.com.ph and in SM Beauty and Watsons stores.

The future is here, PV Girls! This has got to be one of the most futuristic-themed roundups we’ve ever done. Online shopping has gotten even easier with the launch of a new mobile app, and even makeup newbies can now apply falsies thanks to a magnetic makeover. We’ve also spotted a new collection of metallic bullet lipsticks that will have you wishing for the days to go by faster! Dare to read on and explore the future of beauty with us!

Images via BeautyMNL

Click Bae

Makeup shopping should really be considered a sport: it’s honestly a challenge to be on top of restocks, online sales, shipping perks, and midnight releases! If you’re keeping a close eye to get the best deals, the newly released BeautyMNL Mobile App allows you to easily keep track wherever you go. With an easy-to-use interface and handy search function, the app makes it easy to browse through hundreds of beauty products with just a few flicks of a finger. There are also exclusive in-app promos while giving you access to your preferred payment options, just like in their desktop site.

The app is currently only available on iOS so we hope they also offer it for Android users soon. ‘Til then, best to take advantage of their Free Shipping offer for purchases made using the app. Happy shopping, everyone!

Full story on BeautyMNL

Image via Zalora

Be Their Guest

With the wait for Disney’s latest masterpiece finally over, our excitement over Beauty and the Beast has reached new heights with the official launch of #HappySkinXBeautyandTheBeast! We first heard about the collab in February, and now Happy Skin’s Limited Edition Beauty and the Beast Matte Lip Kit (P1,199) is available at Happy Skin counters and at Zalora! The gloriously dusty rose shade of the liner and lipstick set is made even more wearable with the infusion of Cupuaçu Butter in both formulas, offering a deeply moisturizing treatment for the lips. You can also grab the liquid lipstick on its own for P699 so make sure to snag this in time for your movie date.

Images via Peaceful Dumpling

The Future of False Lashes

Even as we master contouring and drawing the perfect winged eye well enough to do them everyday, putting on a pair of falsies can feel like too much trouble and thus best reserved for special occasions. But what if you could just clip them on with ease? Magnetic lashes are a fascinating innovation that need no glue or adhesive to apply; the magnets simply stick to each other and give amazingly lush lashes that promise to last so much longer than normal falsies! One Two Cosmetics currently offers four types of magnetic lashes: Original ($69), which are your standard lashes; Bold ($69) or thicker, more dramatic lashes; Accent ($59), which are small bunches of lashes; and Filler ($59) or thin strips of lashes.

As intimidating as they may seem, these lashes won’t hurt your lids. You simply “clip” them on by placing one half on top of your lash line and the other just below it, sandwiching your actual lashes in between them. It’s very nifty though I’m not sure about how comfortable they are but if you’re tired of having curling, waiting for the glue to dry, and carefully positioning falsies, this might be something you’d want to give a go. Purchase a pair over on the One Two Cosmetics website.

Full story on PopSugar

Images via Allure

#CoupleGoals with the Ultimate Pair

Is it just me, or are lip kits becoming a *thing* in the beauty world? From local faves to international standouts, the pairing of liner and lippie has been so in-demand that it’s got us wondering just how many other brands will debut similar liquid lip-liner combos. One that’s caught our eyes and possibly captured our hearts: Urban Decay’s The Ultimate Pair ($22). A kit with a full-size Vice Lipstick and a 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil, this pair means serious business. It’s currently available in four shade duos: Firebird & Jilted (hot pink), Bad Blood (true red), Ex-Girlfriend & Naked2 (cool toned nude), and Blackmail (deep berry plum). You’ll want to grab your own kit over on the Ulta website before it runs out! I’m hoping these babies land on Sephora and Philippine shores soon, too, cause truth be told: I NEED BLACKMAIL!

Full story on Refinery29

Images via Temptalia

Dishin’ Out Some Heavy Metal(lic)

What’s another fun way to customize your pout? How about adding some metallic goodness to it! MAC Cosmetics has entered the game of metallic lipsticks, with a bit of a twist. Unlike the usual metallic liquid lipstick, MAC is bringing back the OG bullet form lippie with the MAC Metallic Lips line! Just check out that foil-matte finish.  

Images via Temptalia

Retailing at $17 each with 18 shades to choose from, we’re definitely looking into Foiled Rose (rosy pink) and Cold Front (periwinkle blue), which looks very similar to the Unicorn lipstick trend. There’s even Zerocool (emerald green) and Nightly Ritual (midnight blue) for more adventurous lipstick lovers! The lighter shades look like they can even double up as cream highlighters, giving it potential to become a multi-purpose product. The new lippes go on sale on March 23 on the MAC website!

Full story on Allure

Images via Bustle

Smooth as Velvet

She’s basically come out with everything but the kitchen sink, yet somehow continues to surprise and delight us! 19-year old makeup mogul Kylie Jenner is at it again with yet another product that tons of us are going to be stocking up on: the Velvet Lip Kits! With a new demi-matte formulation and gorgeous shades, these new kits are Kylie’s latest baby since her Kylighters. Pegged to be more comfortable than her super matte formula, these liquid lippies offer a velvety effect similar to combining her matte lippie and gloss. Choose from Rosie (mauve pink), Harmony (old rose), Charm (pinky nude), and Dazzle (reddish nude). They’ve just dropped today so if you missed them, better watch out for when stocks will be available next!

Full story on Bustle

When I was a kid, one of my most treasured toys is a beautiful Belle doll that moonlights as a handy coin bank. There's a slot in the back of her iconic yellow ball gown for dropping my coins. When it's time, I'd ask my mom to open the bottom so I can have money to buy candy. Now that I'm a big girl, I play with a different kind of toy, one that is equally as fun and pretty: makeup!

I was thrilled to see part two of Happy Skin's collaboration with Disney in time for the release of the live action version of Beauty and the Beast. Sadly I haven't seen the film yet (have been so busy!) and this lip kit is not helping at all with my impatience, haha. Let's see what it looks like in action!

The The Happy Skin x Disney Beauty and the Beast Lip Kit in Rose (P1,199) is a limited edition set that contains the Moisturizing Matte Lip Liner and Liquid Matte Lipstick in a cute reusable box. These two lip products aren't new formulas, so if you're interested to see my full review, I've featured the Lip Liner and Liquid Lipstick previously. I love them both as the liner is creamy and long-wearing while the liquid lippie is not fussy and comfy to wear.

Separately, the liner is P499 (1.2 grams) and the lipstick is P699 (4.5 grams). It's cheaper by one peso to buy these two separately, but that hardly matters as you do get the box, the Disney stamp of approval, and the limited edition shade. You can buy the Liquid Lipstick separately but the lip liner is only sold as part of the kit.

Top: Lip Liner in Rose / Bottom: Matte Liquid Lipstick in Rose

The shade of the lip kit is Rose. My hand swatch registers it as a peachy rose with a brown base, but on my lips it's more pink and a bit deeper. It's beautiful and flattering for Filipinas, as can be expected from Happy Skin. I do have to mention that if you already have some of Happy Skin's famous pink browns this is not too far off from existing shades. if you don't, then this kit is definitely a good starting point as the formulas are great and wear well for hours.

Overall, I think the The Happy Skin x Disney Beauty and the Beast Lip Kit in Rose is a fab collector's item that is as pretty to look at as it is functional to wear. It's limited edition so grab it when you can!

You can purchase Happy Skin products at happyskincosmetics.com. You can also visit their retail locations.

If you love keeping your brows neat and arched to perfection, turn that habit into a force for good by having them done at Benefit Brow Bars this May. Every single peso from your brow wax service (all P700 of it) will go to helping children dream big and go bold through the brand's Bold Is Beautiful Project. This year in the Philippines, Benefit has partnered with Mano Amiga, a private, non-profit organization that provides affordable, innovative and quality international education to children from low-income families.

The Benefit PH team with Mano Amiga students

Each brow wax service can provide one of the following: 2-hour leadership training session for girls, 3 months’ worth of school supplies, or 4-month livelihood and empowerment program for a student’s mom. Availing of 2 brow wax services can provide school books and project materials for one month, or 2 weeks’ worth of schooling for one girl! 

Annie Ford Danielson, the brand’s Global Beauty Authority, as well as daughter and niece to the company’s co-founders, Jean and Jane Ford, visited the Philippines recently to share her passion project. Here's what she has to say about this initiative.

1. Why did you decide to start a philanthropy program? Did a certain event trigger that or was it just a given for the firm since it’s become so large and successful?

Since 1976, Benefit has been in the business of making women LOOK and FEEL their best. After decades of helping women look and feel their best, it’s time for us to take this philosophy beyond makeup and make a meaningful difference across the world. That’s why we’re creating a global charity that empowers women to be bold, believe in themselves and achieve their full potential.

Right now is the right time to launch a global Philanthropy program that aligns with our heritage & values: the Bold is Beautiful Project. Because we believe that beauty is more than skin deep. Through Benefit’s Bold is Beautiful Project’s we will focus on empowering big dreams and bold moves.

2. Why is it important to you and to the brand to give back to the community in this way?

At Benefit, our vision is to affect change in the world by creating a long-lasting, positive change in the lives of women and girls around the world.

Every big dream starts with a bold move. We believe that every woman can unlock her superpowers with the right tools and resources. That’s why we’re on a mission to partner with local charities around the world to help empower women and girls to be bold, believe in themselves, and reach their full potential.

3. The Bold is Beautiful Project is held in May. Is there a specific reason for that?

May is the time of year that our customers begin primping and pampering themselves with Benefit’s brow wax services, so we thought this would be a perfect opportunity for them to get their brows waxed while doing good!

In the past each market initiated their own social outreach initiative in their local markets, but they all aligned with women’s empowerment which is at the core of our values so we saw a great opportunity for the Bold is Beautiful Project to grow and resonate with the customers we serve all around the world. Our vision is to affect change in the world by empowering the unique potential in every girl and woman.

4. Benefit believes that “a woman is at her most beautiful when she’s confident, empowered and strong”. Share with us your three tips for self-empowerment.

• Have a clean conscious. Is you don’t you have good reason to doubt yourself

• Always take care of yourself first! Even when if comes to your family and your job if you don’t take care of yourself and do what truly makes you happy only then can you care for others.

• Do what scare you...that’s when you grow.

How inspiring! Since Benefit launched this program in 2015, they have raised over $6.3 million USD and helped empower women and girls around the world. This year in 2017, they are bringing the Bold is Beautiful Project to 17 countries: US, UK, France, Australia, Spain, Singapore, Canada, Ireland and United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Korea, Philippines.

I hope this has convinced you to get a Brow Wax at Benefit this May. ^_^ Benefit BrowBars are available in Greenbelt 5, TriNoma, Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Alabang Town Center, SM Seaside City Cebu, BGC Central Square, Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-la. The Bold Is Beautiful project will run from May 1 – 31, 2017.

We’re a bag of mixed emotions atm, thanks to this week’s roundup. We’re saying goodbye to a well-loved brand with farewell sale, and welcoming some cheeky additions to our vanities. There’s also that itch to go shopping because a brand has just released their new loyalty card, and a skin serum that promises to give a royal glow has us daydreaming. Get ready to cry, rejoice, and get the strong urge to shop with what we discovered this week!

Image via facebook.com/shuuemura.philippines

Shu long, farewell, we’ll miss Shu!

PV girls, this is it: they’re really leaving the Philippines! Shu Uemura posted about their final sale on their official Facebook page and the reality of their departure has fully sunk in. The “Everything Must Go” sale will slash 50% off of their remaining products, giving you the chance to stock up on your favorites or finally try something from the cult Japanese brand, while you still can. From their coveted cleansing oils to their super vibrant shadows, the remaining two branches will be hosting the epic (and super sad) sale. Visit their Rockwell and SM North EDSA branches before the sale ends on March 31 and close their doors forever. I guess this is my last chance to try their Lightbulb Foundation!

Image via Harper’s Bazaar

Kylie’s Getting Cheeky

Okay, I honestly can’t understand how Kylie Jenner can keep up with her own life. From starring in a 24/7 reality TV show to managing three mansions and a huge makeup empire, this 19-year-old gives me major #underachievervibes considering our age difference! From her Kylighters to her new Velvet Lip Kits, she couldn’t possibly have anything else up her designer-clad sleeve, right? Wrong. Set to launch this March 24, Kylie Cosmetics is bringing in Matte Blushes, and our cheeks are sooo ready.

Image via Bustle

Available in five shades, you can choose from X Rated (peachy nude), Barely Legal (light warm pink), Virginity (hot fuchsia), Hopeless Romantic (deep red), and Hot and Bothered (coral). The names, particularly Barely Legal, have been getting a lot of controversy and that can put off many of us from supporting this line. All the same, it will still probably do well in terms of sales.

Full story on Bustle

Image via facebook.com/maybellinephilippines

These Girls Are Loyal

If shopping is your favorite sport, you probably have at least one loyalty card in your wallet. Be it for your favorite coffee shop, department store, or bookstore, the perks and points become quite fun to collect. Fortunately for beauty lovers (especially those looking to justify their purchases!), Maybelline Philippines has come out with their very own Maybelline Loyalty Card! A minimum of P600 entitles you to a sticker, and you’ll receive an exclusive gift for every 5th, 10th and 15th sticker you’ve collected! Gifts will be given out starting April 1, 2017 and the card is valid until March 31, 2018. That’s one whole year of fun and collecting! Check out where to get a loyalty card here.

Image via Teen Vogue

A Beauty That Isn’t Just Found Within

It looks like Beauty and the Beast fever is going to be with us for a while! After the amazing live-action reboot of the Disney classic, loads of brands jumped on the Belle and Beast bandwagon and came out with some of the most amazing products. From an entire makeup collection to gel nails and nail wraps, roses and princesses are going to be a staple in our makeup kits for a while. Well, how about we throw in a bottle of skincare into the mix?

Skin Inc. has just launched their limited edition Beauty and the Beast skin kit ($90)! The price tag is pretty steep for skincare but you’re also getting three classic Skin Inc. serums bottled up into one magical treat. Infused with Vitamin A Serum (to reduce dark circles), Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (ultimate hydration), and Chlorella (for refining skin texture), this gorgeous elixir promises to give your skin that Disney Princess glow. Besides, how can you resist the gold-flecked bottle and rose-gold pendant packaging? Grab it over at the Skin Inc. website.

Full story on PopSugar

Images via PatMcGrath.com

Pat McGrath is Out of this World

Remember when people freaked out over the highly anticipated Pat McGrath glitter lip kits? The high fashion makeup artist has just added an amazing new set of eye shadows that will take your eye look into something otherworldly. Following her work at New York Fashion Week, the statement blue galactic shadows will now be stepping off the runway and into your makeup kits! Dark Star #006 kits ($130) will come in two shades: a blue and a brown kit based on Ultraviolet Blue and Ultrasuede Brown Pigments. Each kit will contain pigments in Astral White, Mercury (beige), and Dark Matter (black) plus a black kohl liner and an eye gloss. What’s an eye gloss, you say? It’s just the thing to transform normal glitter shadow into a galactic levels of awesomeness! Presale will be available on the Pat McGrath website, and the kits are set to launch on April 11.

Full story on Revelist

Images via Revelist and Rebel Circus

It’s a Kat Von Dupe!

Known for making affordable version of high-end makeup brands, Makeup Revolution is currently under fire after the brand was accused of blatantly plagiarizing Kat Von D’s Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette. The tattoo artist-slash-makeup maven wasn’t having any of it and took to Instagram to post a side-by-side picture of both palettes. The dupe palette is called the Makeup Revolution Ultra Eye Contour Palette and retails for just $15 while the original Kat Von D palette goes for a hefty $48. Both palettes have three contour shades and nine matte shadows that are praised for their shade selection as much as their quality. What do you PV girls think? Is it an outright copy, or a well-made dupe? Which palette would you purchase and why?

Full story on Cosmopolitan

How comprehensive is your local drugstore beauty knowledge? Thanks to the Bhagi’s Beauty Backstage event, I was instantly able to broaden my budget-friendly makeup horizons with their lineup of global brands. We’ve previously covered products from European drugstore staples, Essence, Catrice, Deborah Milano, and Flormar, but let’s not forget the equally notable selection from an American brand, Jordana Cosmetics. I was even lucky enough to pick up three shadow palettes to add to my growing collection, so here’s a massive swatch fest + review of these palettes!

Right off the bat, the Jordana Made To Last Eyeshadow Collection (P999 at SM Beauty) attracts attention with its shade curation and sleek and simple packaging. Each clear top palette contains six colors that are laid out smartly so as to guide users on how they are meant to be combined: the first three shades can be used together to create a casual look, while the last three feature bolder pigments that would look great for a night out. Apart from their conventional suggested use as two sets of shadow trios, I find that all the shades are highly wearable. And with that in mind, I challenged myself to use all six shadows for each of these three looks.

01 Newds features a mix of shimmery and matte browns and pinks. One of the included skin tone shades is a very pale pink with fine sparkle, while the other is a matte vanilla. The darkest shades include an ashy dark brown with a matte finish and a cocoa with white micro sparkle.

01 Newds Swatches

01 Newds look

The palette that features the most variety of shadow textures, 02 Dusk ‘Til Bronze, is composed of mattes, shimmer, and sparkle shades. A cream base shadow and a dusty brown are the only mattes out of the six. The gold and pale peach shades are sheer with chunky gold and silver sparkle bits, respectively. They can be layered a little bit but it’s mostly the sparkle you’ll see. The only metallic shade is a popping copper.

02 Dusk ‘Til Bronze swatches

02 Dusk ‘Til Bronze look

07 Make Me Matte, as the name suggests, is an all-matte palette of neutrals with a single light pink thrown in for good measure. It is made up of ivory, beige, chocolate, light peach, light pink, and gray brown shadows. Out of the three, this has the most office-appropriate set of colors as well as the highest contrast between shades.

07 Make Me Matte swatches

07 Make Me Matte look

Across the board, the darker mattes of the three palettes are on the chalky side but the pigmentation is buildable. Other than that, the shadows apply evenly and are easy to blend together! Longevity is at three hours before fully creasing, so I would say that eyelid primer is a must. The selling point of this line is that it features a diverse number of finishes while offering colors that are versatile and highly wearable, so you’re likely to find plenty of everyday combinations working with just two, three or four colors at a time.

Are you a matte babe or a shimmery gal? Do you prefer a mix of textures in your palettes?

With our 9th anniversary party just around the corner, March has been one hell of a busy month for us at Project Vanity! We want to make sure that all our guests will get to enjoy themselves so we’re pulling out all the stops for this special event. With all the extra work though, we’re especially thankful that we have eye creams to keep our bags from turning into giant container vans. Our dark circles are still pretty awful though, so we’re keeping them covered up with our trustiest concealers!

Jenn: I normally need color correcting in my undereye area but when I don't have the time for it, I reach for The Face Shop Liquid Veil Concealer in V201. The texture is creamy enough to be blended but not too creamy that it smudges or cakes at the end of the day. It's also very easy to apply; I can just use my ring finger. Lastly, I love how it brightens up my undereye area naturally without the pasty look that I get at times from other concealers.

Marielle: For just P180, the SAEM Cover Perfection Pot Concealer (from Althea) has made me a believer once again in affordable coverup! It's a balm-type formula with medium-full coverage that has a bit of drag upon application, but it doesn't move around once blended and set. (Meaning, it doesn't settle in the creases/wrinkles of my skin.) I don't even need to use a lot!

Gett: I really like the consistency of Maybelline Fit Me concealer for under the eyes. It's creamy, blends easily and it does not emphasize any little bumps or lines on my undereye area!

Angela: The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer is also my favorite concealer to date. I use it all over my face and under my eyes. It really hides the darkness of the skin under my eyes and it even conceals the sunken look I get when I'm sleep-deprived or dehydrated. :) I would love to try the Tarte Shape Tape concealer soon, though! I hear it's the best.

Charlie: I've recently taken my Skinfood Salmon Dark Circle Concealer out of hiding because of the dark undereye circles I'm currently sporting. I love using it because it neutralizes and brightens my under eyes. It's also super easy to blend and it sits on the skin nicely.

Katsy: Happy Skin's Bye Bye Blues Brightening Concealer Wand in Light is my current staple for days when I can't be bothered with the extra application of a corrector. I have really dark undereye circles that need color correction but since I started using this, I find that I reach for my corrector less and less. This concealer has great coverage and works extremely well, especially for when I wear my glasses. It counteracts the shadows quite nicely. I'd probably get the Medium shade too for summer.

Karla: Mine is hands down the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser concealer! Despite the annoying (and quite messy) sponge applicator tip, this concealer is so good! The coverage is fantastic and the consistency is so thin, making it both buildable and comfortable to wear. It's easy to blend and doesn't crease under my eyes! It gives a subtle highlighting effect that makes me look more awake too! Did I mention it's super affordable, too? Yay!

Stacie: Even after trying different concealers, I still go back to K-palette's Zero Kuma Type 3 for my dark circles. It can hide my lack of sleep and make me fresh like I'm not "sabaw". It's got a bit of salmon tint which makes it more effective in covering dark circles too!

Have you been having a busy month, too? What are your go-to concealers for hiding all the evidence of late nights and sleeplessness? 

You know how you have to put your game face on before leaving the house to get yourself psyched for the day ahead? Well, after coming home from a long day of work, it helps to have a kind of cool down ritual to help you relax. Maybe it means cooking up a nice dinner, booking a home service massage, or becoming absorbed in a book or TV show. While relaxation ultimately has to do with your state of mind, being in the right environment will definitely help you get there. 

Think about how just walking into a spa and breathing in the aromatic oils can instantly put you at ease. Instead of spending a lot of cash on treatments though, why not recreate that experience at home, for a fraction of the price? Conveniently bottled and easy to use, the Zen Zest Home & Aromatherapy collection has managed to capture the art of unwinding.

The quickest way to set the mood is by using a Home Spray (P250 for 100ml); just a couple of spritzes can immediately change the feel of a room. They have a ride range of scent variants, and each one has a distinct fragrance to calm or energize you. Ginger & Orange Blossom is a bright, citrusy scent with a zing; it awakens your senses and gives you an energy boost. Eucalyptus & Mint smells like a massage in a bottle - soothing and clears the mind of worries. Forest Bamboo has clean and crisp notes that help to improve focus.

If less-than-pleasant odors lurking in your home are affecting your peace of mind, you’ll need something better than just a cover-up. Zen Zest’s line of Home Deodorizers (P300 for 250ml) turns the tables on all the usual problem areas. The Choco Cappuccino scent of their Kitchen Fragrance replaces the grasa, lansa, and tutong odors with the delicious smells of a coffeeshop, and incite your cravings for dessert. To rid your storage spaces of the musty stench of old wood or moth balls, go for the Cabinet Deodorizer that features Iris Peony and Freesia Blossom. It’s the type of floral that’s sophisticated and complex, so I’m actually tempted to use it as a personal fragrance! Also available are Anti-Tobacco (a blend of cedarwood, bergamot, and pine) and Anti-Mosquito (citronella, lemongrass, and eucalyptus).

For cleaner air with just a hint of something amazing, Zen Zest offers Electric Diffusers and Humidifiers (P1,500) and Fragrance Oils (P500 for 100ml). It’s a must-have if you stay in an air-conditioned room as it helps keep your skin from drying out! Though a bit pricier than their other scents, a single bottle of fragrance oil will last you a long time as you’ll only need to add a few drops into the diffuser water. The scent fills the room within just a few minutes of turning the machine on. The Rose Petals, Orange & Musk Fragrance Blend has the scent of freshly laundered linens, while the Citronella Fragrance Blend is the fundamental anti-insect option. Other available scents include: Grapefruit, Green Tea and Verbena, Fresh Water Cucumber, and French Lavender.

Safety Tip: Exercise proper caution when using electric diffusers and humidifiers. An ideal water level needs to be maintained to allow it to function normally but smaller tanks can usually accommodate just about an hour’s worth of use. For safety, set an alarm, so that you don’t forget to turn off and unplug the unit.

It’s different for everybody, so we’d like to know what scents you associate with relaxation. I bet there will be some surprising answers! 

There are products that are bad, and then there are ones that we can not in good conscience recommend to anybody with a face. We don't hate anybody that much (or at all)! Here are five things that should be on your hit list.

High pH cleansers

I used to think I could get away with using just any kind of facial wash without paying attention to its pH. After a disaster from trying a cleanser that I later found out has a pH level of 8, I vowed to always always check the pH to avoid subjecting my skin to another pimply nightmare. Our skin needs an ideal pH level of 5 to maintain a healthy acid mantle that can protect it from bacteria and irritation. High pH cleansers destroy that by stripping away the protective barrier, so if you’re acne-prone and vigilant about keeping your face clean, you can still put yourself at risk for a breakout!

Others don't react as much as I did with a super high pH cleanser. All the same, steer clear of them if you have the opportunity.

Fake makeup

We can’t stress this enough: just say no to fake makeup! We don’t really know what’s in them, we don’t know where they came from, and stealing intellectual property damages the businesses of the brands we actually love. There are lots of cheap yet safe alternatives that are often at par with the original, and besides, fakes don’t guarantee that they’ll perform anywhere as good as the original as we discovered with the fake Kylie lip kits experiment. So, if you don’t want to slowly ingest rat poop and mystery liquids and aren’t sure of the item you spotted online, check out our tips on how to avoid buying fakes. Remember: if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably fake.

(Ed: Or part of a Project Vanity Kit, haha. - Liz)

Makeup on clearance

Say what!? We beauty lovers all have an amazing sale-radar that helps us spot great deals from miles away, but wait! Before making that super sale clearance purchase, always make sure to look at the expiry dates to ensure that your haul isn’t due to expire in just a month or two. This is particularly important if you’re buying backups that you won’t be able to use immediately. You won’t want to use expired cosmetics for face, or end up just wasting money on stuff you’ll have to throw out soon!

Physical exfoliators with sharp edges

If you haven’t yet heard, St. Ives is facing a lawsuit over the damaging effects of their famous apricot scrub, which contains crushed walnut shells as a physical exfoliator. The shells have jagged edges that are said to cause tears or breakages in skin at a microscopic level. These microtears make skin vulnerable to bacteria, so all that effort to exfoliate may be doing more harm than good. Besides, why subject your skin to a harsh, painful scrub that only scratches the surface (literally and viciously) when there are gentler, more effective alternatives?

These are all new, but I keep them only for personal use.

Pre-loved makeup with dip packaging

Although I prefer to get BN (brand new) items more than PL (pre-loved) ones, I think it’s okay as long as PL items were opened in the same year they are being re-sold and not in a dip-use-dip (DUD) packaging. There’s no assurance that the seller made sure to only use clean applicators and never double-dipped, and there is simply no way to sanitize mascaras, liquid lipsticks, or lip glosses! The product may look and smell fine but there’s a good chance that a colony of bacteria has been living inside the tube. You can still adopt PL items but for your own safety, stick to powder formulas and liquids in sealed pump bottles. 

What products do you make sure to avoid for yourself and others? Why?

When I was younger I would specifically look for "oil-free" and "for oily skin" on the label of any beauty product. I thought that if something doesn't have oil in it then surely it wouldn't contribute to my teenage oiliness! But I've learned a few important things in my journey as a beauty writer for the last nine years. One of them is the fact that pure botanical oils can do so much for ALL skin types - yes, it was also a big surprise to me at first, but it makes sense.

Your cleansing routine is one way you can incorporate oils into your life. The Oil Cleansing Method is not a new concept, but it's worth trying out if you want to improve your skin health. Here are a few reasons the OCM is beneficial to your skin!

Pure plant-derived oils are rich in fatty acids and vitamins

Oils such as argan oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, and castor oil  (to name a few) feature linoleic acid, omega acids, vitamin E, and other antioxidants to keep your skin in its best possible shape. They keep your skin from degrading before its time since they maintain moisture, elasticity, and lessen damage from blemishing or scarring. 

Mineral oil is a good emollient and is actually okay for sensitive skin, but since it is distilled from petroleum, it does not contain the good stuff as botanical oils do.

They can also keep your oiliness in check

If you're oily, the best way to deal with it is to cleanse properly and moisturize like your life depends on it. Seriously! Using drying facial washes and micellar waters (that may have too much alcohol content) can unnaturally dry out your skin which will then cause it to excrete more oil to compensate. 

Even using a mild foaming cleanser and micellar water may sometimes not be enough to completely remove the oil and dirt from your face. Oil is the most effective way to get rid of oil on the face, ironically, since it can clean up your pores (like attracts like) and restore the correct balance of moisture to the skin's surface.

Your lashes and eyebrows will thank you

I've been using micellar water exclusively to remove makeup for, wow, four or five years now? I love that stuff because it feels like nothing and cleanses effectively. But when I switched back to oil cleansing (before facial wash), I noticed that my lashes and eyebrows have become more lush! There was actually a point when they've become so brittle that they fall off with a whisper. :( I've never been able to figure out why, until I incorporated our brand's cleansing oil into my routine five months ago.

So happy with the current state of my lashes

I prefer heavy eye makeup and it has taken a toll on my lashes and eyes. With oil cleansing, I'm able to revive the area. My eyes are less lined and feel more elastic, too! Related: check out how Angela, from our team, got great results after using castor oil on her lashes and brows for 30 days.

But wait...will you break out from using pure oils?

Some oils can be comedogenic - meaning there is a chance they might break you out - but it really depends on what your skin likes or doesn't like. Personally my skin loves oils; the only way for you to find out is to try them. Comedogenicity ratings do exist but they are not a hard-and-fast rule by which to determine if something will cause your skin to react.

I find that oils can clog pores IF they are not removed properly. If you're using a pure oil mix, you'll need a towel soaked in warm water to completely cleanse with oil. You can also choose an oil cleanser that emulsifies completely with water like the In Her Element First Wash Cleansing Oil (P450), then follow up with your facial wash afterwards if you prefer. Sometimes I don't, if I'm not wearing a lot of makeup.

Hope this was useful! Let me know what you think of OCM, and how it's worked out for you if you've tried it!

Whether you’re worried about having makeup melt off your face or looking for a way to minimize the appearance of your pores, adding a primer to your routine can literally change your game face. There are as many kinds as there are different skin concerns; you need to just find The One to forever change your mind about never skipping this step again! I’ve personally been on the hunt for a new one to try so I turned to my fellow PV girls to give me the lowdown on their favorite face primers and why they can’t live without them.

Liz: Face primers should do two things for me. They have to enhance the appearance of my skin and help later layers of my makeup adhere better. That's why I love tinted and illuminating primers since they make my skin look fantastic and actually reduce my need for more coverage! In rotation right now is the Kanebo Glow Primer, which has no coverage but just brightens my skin instantly; the Benefit Porefessional Pore Minimizing Makeup, a watery tint for the t-zone; and the Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control for a matte coverage that sticks to my skin in a thin, lightweight layer.

Karla: It may be a recent discovery but the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter is my HG PRIMER!!! I never used to use primers because I always thought they were just an extra step and a "princess product" but OMG I WAS SO WRONG! My makeup has never looked more radiant and fresh, and boy, does it last all day! Whenever I have events and need to wear a full face of makeup that I can be confident about lasting all day (and not budging), I use the BECCA primer. It makes even the most full coverage and matte foundations look more natural and glowy (without being oily) and it doesn't break me out! ❤

Katsy: I use the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer for normal days where I know that I just need to extend my makeup a bit. While it does the job quite well, I still reach for the MUFE HD Primer for heavy-duty days. I honestly used to think that primers were just an extra step that's not really needed but after starting to use them, I could really see and appreciate the effect. I still have multiple primers for different purposes and I love mixing them up but these two are my go-to’s right now.

Claire: My go-to all-over face primer is Banila Co. Prime Primer Purity (for sensitive skin). It has a greenish cast that color corrects my redness! It also gives a brightening blur effect and extends makeup wear. To fill in large pores and lines, I also use the Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer alone when I feel like my redness is under control. It looks and feels exactly like Benefit's The Porefessional but has a slight herbal scent similar to their famous No-Sebum loose powder.

Gett: I only started using it recently but the Aritaum Pore Master Sebum Control Primer blew me away with how nice my skin looked after application. It made my pores vanish! The oil control is decent, lasting 5 to 6 hours before I get oily. Korean beauty bloggers say this is a dupe to the Benefit Porefessional (haven't tried it yet) but I'm super sold, especially considering how cheap this one is.

Stacie: I got Etude House's Face Blur a little less than a year ago and I’ve been reaching for it so often that I am already running out! It can hide my pores and skin unevenness, making my skin look almost completely flawless. It also has SPF so it can boost my sunscreen protection!

Kim: Before I started using primer religiously, I would always complain to friends about how I don't get as much wear time from my makeup. Murad's Oil Control Mattifier totally changed that! Not only do I stay matte for longer, I find that it also helps extend my makeup wear time by around 2 to 4 hours.

Have you tried any of these primers? Which one would you recommend or want to try out next?