There’s no question about what a gorgeous set of lashes can do to improve one’s look but thanks to our Asian heritage, most Pinays have short, thin, and stick-straight eyelashes. Luckily, we’ve been pampered with a wealth of lash improvement options: extensions, perms, lash serums, and even the popular and inexpensive castor oil that proved to be a successful DIY.  False lashes have also practically become S.O.P. for special events but they take too much time to apply and can be uncomfortable. Wouldn’t it be great to just wake up with camera-ready lashes? Yumi Lashes makes that a viable option!

Also known as a keratin lash lift, the technique is designed to boost and lift the lash without having to resort to false lashes. The procedure originated in Switzerland while the products used in the procedure are made in France. They are also infused with keratin to help nourish the lashes.

I have pretty long lashes already but my problem is that they can’t hold a curl, despite all the curly hair on my head! So I headed over to The Aesthetics Studio by Kristine Lucas, who trained at the Yumi Lashes Academy in Beverly Hills. Kristine told me that she first learned about Yumi Lashes from celebrities on Instagram and, after doing some research, she decided to take up the trade herself. Yumi Lashes is still relatively new in the Philippines, and we are glad to be some of the first to try it out!

before the procedure

Prior to my appointment, I was advised not to wear mascara a day before and to not have any contact lenses on. Before starting, Kristine applied patches under my eye to separate my lower and upper lashes. She then applied a water-based glue on my upper eyelids and then attached a guide to help fan out my lashes. She then added a lifting cream and applied a bit of heat to my lashes.

Once my lashes were lifted, she applied a fixing cream to make the lift last. Afterwards, she applied a tint to my lashes to make it look like I was wearing mascara as well as a nourishing oil to moisturize the lashes. She then removed all the excess product on my face, and applied a keratin mascara to polish off my look. 

After a little over an hour, I was finally finished! I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort except for a mild itching that only lasted for a few seconds. I loved how full and lifted my lashes are now, and expect them to last around two to three months, which is around one lash cycle.

Aftercare

Kristine advised me not to get my lashes wet for the next 48 hours to make sure that my lashes properly absorb all the product. The salon also sells keratin mascara to help care for your lashes at home. It is okay to use mascaras also as long as they are not waterproof, since they are hard to remove. You also have to refrain from using oil-based makeup removers and other oils in general. 

Before and after

Lash perming vs. Yumi Lashes

One might wonder how Yumi Lashes is different from regular lash perming. Lash perming curls the lashes using a rod, giving the lashes an unnatural “C” shape, and the lashes are also not fanned out so the lashes still stay clumped together. The products used in Yumi Lashes also claim to be hypoallergenic, formaldehyde-free, paraben-free, and non-toxic so they are gentler to the skin and lashes. I can attest to this because I’ve had a couple of lash perms in the past but they were less than perfect. 

Three days after the treatment

3 days after the treatment

After 48 hours, I was finally able to get my eyelashes wet and I’m glad to say that I am loving them even more! They actually look very natural. My mascara will be out of commission for a couple of months while I rock this look on its own; it’s really just that good!

Yumi Lashes are P3,700 at The Aesthetics Studio by Kristine Lucas at L68 Richville Corporate Tower, Alabang-Zapote Road., Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Contact 5859670 or 0917 553 4348 to book your appointment. You may also visit their Facebook page here.

With our 9th anniversary all done, we’re looking forward to a restful Holy Week and a quick vacay.  Meanwhile, the beauty world has been anything but chill - we’re watching the drama unfold over an (alleged) copycatting of brand logos, swooning over the gorgeousness of chrome manicures, and hyperventilating over the makeup that promises to keep our faces fresh through this hot hot summer!

Image via Her Campus

Serving the shady

Remember when Kat Von D spoke out about that whole Palette Dupe fiasco? Well, it looks like there’s another copycat going around the makeup world, and this might actually shock you! Black Moon Cosmetics is looking to file a lawsuit against Jeffree Star and Manny MUA for blatantly copying their brand logo and causing major confusion among their customers. Apparently the logo for the much-awaited Jeffree Star x Manny MUA collaboration set looks similar to the logo of Black Moon cosmetics: a holographic crescent moon against stark black packaging. 

Image via The Revelist

Black Moon claims that in a series of Instagram DMs, Manny MUA praised the brands logo and design before “stealing” it for his own collaboration with Makeup Geek. The cosmetics brand is looking to sue for damages, lawyer fees, and overall customer sales confusion as YouTube star “definitely knew what their logo looked like.” What do you girls think? Does this look like a straight-out copy of Black Moon’s logo? 

Full story on The Revelist

Image via twitter.com/emcosmetics

EM(agine) that!

If you’ve spent countless hours watching tutorials, reviews and hauls on YouTube, then Michelle Phan is no stranger to your subscription box or Instagram feed. Well, the OG YouTuber and makeup guru recently announced something super exciting about her makeup brand EM Cosmetics: they’ve come out with their very own liquid cremes! YASSS! The EM Cosmetics Infinite Lip Clouds ($16) promise to be pigmented, non-drying, long lasting, and super comfortable on the lips. With a vibrant matte finish and velvety texture, these lippies claim to be the perfect shade for every undertone, and without sacrificing color payoff as it wears into a stain throughout the day. 

The shades include Crimson Red (true red), Faded Clementine (orange), Muted Mauve (dusky rose), Rose Nude (pinky nude), Spanish Earth (brown), Ultramarine Violet (deep violet), and Violent Magenta (brown maroon). The lippies launch on the EM Cosmetics site on April 17, and you can watch Michelle talk more about the Infinite Lip Clouds here.

Image via Sailor Moon Collectibles

SLAY-lor Moon

As if we needed more adorable makeup from our childhood, Creer Beauty just announced that they’re releasing the Sailor Moon Disguise Pen Makeup Moisture Rouge Senshi Transformation Pens in four new shades! The lightweight, semi-glossy lipsticks are packaged in the cutest pen-like bullets, complete with the adorable gems and Sailor Moon designs. Choose from Mercury (cool toned pinky nude), Jupiter (beigey nude), Mars (glossy red), and Venus (bright orange). The lippies are infused with hyaluronic acid, squalane, macadamia seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, making them super moisturizing on the lips. They retail for ¥3,024 (around $27) and are available for pre-order on Premium Bandai.

Full story on Sailor Moon Collectibles

Image via happyskincosmetics.com

All that MATTErs!

We all love a good filter for that perfect Instagram shot but how awesome would it be to have that perfect filter that gives us flawless looking skin, with zero pores and a glow, despite a matte finish? Well, ladies, Happy Skin Cosmetics has managed to put that perfect filter into two new products! The Matte About You range consists of the Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent (P1,299), a finely-milled pressed powder that’s perfect for setting base makeup, touching up throughout the day, and combating shine. Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude (P1,299) is a liquid primer that blurs pores, keeps skin matte but hydrated, and helps makeup to last all day. Both products are currently available for pre-order at the Happy Skin website at very limited quantities so better get clickin'!

Images via Beauty Almanac

Livin’ La Vida Latex

In a world filled with matte lipsticks and anti-shine finishes, one would think that a brand coming out with a high-gloss lippie would be crazy, right? Wrong! Too Faced Cosmetics is again changing the game and offering another product that is sure to sell out and make girls go gaga! The Too Faced Melted Latex Liquified High Shine Lipstick ($21) offers the most amazing high shine finish, making your lips look wet, luscious, and super bold. Available in 16 shades, these super shine liquid lipsticks will be pigmented, comfortable on the lips, and give you a fun new way to rock a bold lip color. We’re excited to swatch Bite Me (deep maroon), Bye Felicia (bright purple), Strange Love (brown nude), Love You Long Time (hot pink) and, of course, Unicorn Tears (yes, the famous Unicorn lippie will now be available in liquid form!) Set to launch in June, the Melted Latex Liquified High Shine Lipsticks will be available on the Too Faced website.

Full story on PopSugar

Introducing...THE WORLD'S FIRST LIQUID MIRROR CHROME NAIL POLISH! One step to beautiful TRUE CHROME reflective nails. No gel, no powder. A @ciatelondon exclusive launch, 3 years in the making and coming very soon...who's excited?

A post shared by Ciaté London (@ciatelondon) on Mar 24, 2017 at 10:04am PDT

Ciate’s chrome-ing for ya!

Nail trends aren’t anything new in the beauty world. From vibrant reds to crazy cartoons stamped on finger nails, our manis and pedis have somewhat become another accessory to our beauty looks. From the recent rise of acrylic and gel nails, the nail world is about to get another treat, care of Ciate London. The well-loved nail polish brand has just teased what seems to be the most epic and awesome nail polish in the market - Chrome Nails! No, you don’t have to spend a fortune and get fake chrome nails anymore because with just a swipe of a brush, you can now get the most strikingly metallic nails. With no need for powders, preps, or curing lights, this polish took three years to formulate and resembles their “regular” formula. We can’t wait for more details about this revolutionary product!

Full story on Elle UK

I'll be traveling a bit in the next couple of weeks - with friends in La Union and with my love in Malaysia. It's my first time to go to both places, so I'm pretty excited! I just want to relax for a bit out of town, see the sights, completely get lost in a place. Technically I'd still be working my ass off (there's no break when you're running a company) but it is nice to explore and get inspired by new things. I travel so I can clear my head, make way for new ideas!

I just want to share five things I always do whenever I travel. Everything else is up in the air, but this check list for me is non-negotiable. Let's hear it!

1. Pack smart and light. I'm proud of my ninja luggage skills. I always fill only half or even 1/4 of my suitcase (or carry-on bag if I don't need one) so there's space for shopping. Honestly though, this is mostly because I dislike carrying heavy things or bringing unnecessary possessions. I'm taking a break, not taking my house with me.

I like organizing everything in neat folded areas and pouches so I can easily live off my luggage for the next few days without having to remove everything. Finally, I never forget to bring comfortable clothes and shoes. I've been burned trying to look fashionable but dying all the way inside because of the discomfort.

2. Look up art stores and book stores in the area. I love collecting art supplies. Sure, I might not be able to use them as often, but I like the fact that I'll never run out of papers and colors. You know what I mean? I also enjoy trawling book stores for art books and stationery. I'm going to own it and admit that I prioritize this more than looking for beauty products, haha.

3. Graze street food stalls. Street food is life! I seek out cheap, bad-for-me food whenever I'm away. I love fried, saucy things that steam up in my face as I eat them fresh off the pan. I always look forward to this part!

4. Immortalize memories by taking and sharing photos or videos. I make it a point to be "in the moment" when I travel, but some memories are too good not to share with others. You guys may know that I do some urban sketching on the side. It's the best way to absorb everything about a place as once I've sketched something, I will never forget the temperature, the smell, every color and shadow in the scene. I love sharing my sketches along with my travel photos and videos, so I can look back at photos and remember how amazing that time was! It's great to get feedback from other people too, especially food recos in the area when I post about my trip.

5. Check in with my family and check up on Snaps! As much as I enjoy being away, I always look forward to seeing my family and of course, Snaps. I update my parents in a group Facebook chat where I am and share photos or videos there directly. I also call Snaps on video so I can talk to him before we go to sleep (his yaya uses my phone at home to facilitate this haha). Even though we're far from each other, I still feel connected to the ones I love because of Smart LTE, which is always on when I'm in the Philippines, and on which I rely heavily when I'm abroad (it's not so expensive actually as they have a flat 24-hour rate - just P550).

Recently, Smart upgraded their LTE network to be faster like never before. With faster internet connection and wider network coverage, it's easier to be there for your friends, and family! They've recently rolled out network improvements in Manila, Cebu, Davao, and CDO to name a few so you can rest easy knowing you can access people, informations, and apps at a reliable speed.

For more details on network improvement, visit www.smart.com.ph/about.newsroom.

I hope you enjoyed going through my list! What's in yours? Have you been traveling this holy week as well?

This story is brought to you by Smart.

While I love the chill summer break, being stuck in the humidity and heat has honestly been spoiling my fun! The PV girls have had to switch up our beauty routines to make up for the sweltering heat. Whether you're looking to up your sun protection or finding products to help you cool down, take inspiration from what's currently in our summer kits!

Liz: My latest sunscreen discovery is the Silka Green Papaya with SPF30. I don't like the scent of the orange papaya version but this one is pleasant! Love how lightweight it is and yup, the niacinamide in the formula does wonders to soften skin. This is my everyday lotion these days as it's only P174 for 200ml. Can't beat that price.

I also love the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel - it's more lightweight than the Silka one - but I am a bit more matipid with it as it's almost P500 for a bottle. I'd go for Biore if I'm going to play tennis outdoors. For the beach though, I'd go for a waterproof formula from Nivea or Neutrogena.

I had my mom get me a few bottles of the 2017 formulation of the Biore Watery Essence while she was in Japan recently so this is what I've been using for my face everyday. I'll do a comparison with the old formulation next time, but I can say this isn't that much different from the 2015 essence.

For my face, I go for a super watery, lightweight base like the Make Up For Ever Water Blend. Powder foundies with SPF like the Lancome Blanc Expert Brightening Compact serves me well for retouching!

Den: My skin has been behaving pretty well so aside from my acids, my regimen has been pretty stripped down. I use Proud Mary StemS Renewal Age Control Serum as a lightweight moisturizer followed by Mild Sun Block Shake PA+++ SPF50+ from the same brand. This sunscreen is HG for me because I don't need a separate moisturizer and it provides sun protection without the stickiness, white cast, or distinct sunscreen smell. The heat zaps my energy so I just use Jordana Fabubrow to quickly brush up my arches and swipe on the Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don't Lie lippie in Sorry, Not Sorry.

Stacie: Increased sun protection and gel texture products have taken over my everyday routine because of this intense heat! I put more care into slathering extra sun protection on my hair using Vitress Hair Polish Sun Protect, which also makes my hair manageable. I now use my Mamonde Rose Water Gel to moisturize my body because the cool feeling it leaves is perfect for my dry, hot, and irritated skin.

Charlie: During the summer, I bring out my lightweight skincare must-haves. I love using my The Saem Tea Tree Cleansing Water because it gets rid of the dirt on my face and it's a bit cooling. I also like using the iWhite Aqua Moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated. I love it because it makes my skin feel so refreshed. To keep my skin and lips protected, I use the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence and my trusty Blistex lip balm. 

Angela: I now always carry my Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Mist from Nature Republic because of the heat. It feels so refreshing on the face and it smells so good! I tend to always wash my face when it's summer so to prevent my skin from drying out, I use In Her Element Cleansing Oil instead of a normal foaming facial wash at midday then double cleanse at night.

I also use Zenutrients bug spray because there are more bugs at this time of the year in our place. I still use my regular sunscreen for the face, It's My Suncream SPF 45. And for the body, I just use Silka since it's lightweight but moisturizes really well.

I usually wash my hair every other day but when it's summer, well, that's not a luxury I can afford. Washing every day dries my hair out but the Argan Oil Thermal Shield from Art Naturals really helps my hair. It moisturizes my hair, gives it a beautiful shine, and infuses it with a lovely scent.

Gett: For summer, it's all about SPF and lightweight products for me. Right now, I'm loving the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream as moisturizer because it feels light enough on the skin while being moisturizing. The Simple Soothing Eye Balm feels so nice for the under eye area, not too heavy but still hydrating! For my face and body I use the Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Gel sunscreen. Love the SPF50 and how it doesn't pill under my makeup.

I always have in my bag the Nature Republic By Flower Lip Essence because of its moisturizing properties, plus it has SPF! 

Crystal: I always make it a point to switch to really light formulas during the summer and load up on SPF that gives high protection but is non-sticky at the same time. I currently use the Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA+++ on the face, the Lancome Bienfait Multi Vital Eye SPF 28 for the eyes and the Belo Sun Expert SPF 50 PA+++ for the body. I ditch my traditional lotions and use the Kracie Natululu Skin Conditioner which feels almost like water. I also like the Yves Rocher Sebo Vegetal Mattifying Gel Cream as a moisturizer because it leaves my face feeling matte. 

Did you make any changes to your beauty routine this summer? Tell us about your updated essentials!

Facial oils, what? Are you sure people would buy that? That's what people asked me, with trepidation, when I said I'd like to come out with facials oils under In Her Element. It's a hot country and people are scared of putting oil on their faces, for fear of breaking out or just getting greasier (these are totally not true, by the way). I was discouraged and put the idea out of my head for a while until one of our staff writers, Kim Capeding, asked me if I have any more of the sample oil I sent to her for testing weeks before.

I did a double-take. I wasn't sure I got her request properly. But then she started raving about it, saying that the oil helped her deal with a harsh breakout and faded her blemishes so quickly! I had the same experience but decided that it might have been a fluke. It wasn't, apparently, and all I needed was just one more person to believe in the product. The other PV girls loved it as well when I sent over the final formula!

And so that's how the In Her Element Spot Control Facial Oil (P475 / 15ml at inherelement.ph) was born. This oil is a blend of sunflower oil, virgin coconut oil, tea tree oil, green tea, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. One to two drops are all you need right before you sleep to help dry out pimples and fade existing blemishes a little faster! Sunflower oil and VCO have fatty acids and antioxidants to deal with skin damage, while tea tree oil and green tea have antibacterial properties. Jojoba helps to balance and nourish skin nicely. 

Our Spot Control Facial Oil is great for oily, troubled skin as it helps to regulate the oiliness while maintaining glow and combatting breakouts. It might sting a little bit due to the tea tree oil, so do patch test beforehand to make sure you're not extra sensitive to it. I love using this all over my face (a couple of drops will do) before I sleep when I have pimples; a few days of this and I get calmer, less red skin.

If you're breaking out, I recommend dropping everything else from your routine at night and let the Spot Control Facial Oil do the work. Think of it as skin detox. The simple yet effective combination of oils contains no fillers or other sensitizing chemicals so that your skin can rest! This anti-inflammatory facial oil can hydrate your skin while dealing with your spots as you sleep. You may actually also use this during the day as long as you don't mind waiting for a few minutes for it to be absorbed by your skin before your sunscreen.

We also have the new In Her Element Pure Squalane Facial Oil (P445 / 15ml at inherelement.ph). If you're OC about ingredients, well, this is the cleanest moisturizer you'll ever come across as it literally has only one ingredient. This squalane oil is derived from olive trees (I'm never going to put shark on my face knowingly, ok) and is absolutely scentless and tasteless. This is ideal for all skin types (more so for dry and sensitive skin) as it moisturizes effectively while being super lightweight. This absorbs lightning fast and feels like nothing! It may be applied during the day and at night.

It may be used several ways:

• As an overall face moisturizer. Just apply 2-3 drops and massage it all over your face.
• As an eye hydrator. Apply one drop each on your eye bags to return elasticity to saggy skin.
• As a lip oil. If you have seriously chapped lips, put squalane oil on them, let it sit there for a few minutes, and then rub gently with a towel!
• As a moisture booster. If you already have gel moisturizers that you like but find that they don't provide enough moisture, add some squalane oil into the formula!
• As a foundation enhancer. You can mix it with liquid foundation to achieve a thinner texture that has a glowy finish. This is perfect with matte, cakey, heavy coverage foundations that you can't use regularly.

Personally, I love it on my eye bags as I don't wake up with crusty eyes in the morning (y'all know what I'm talking about). That's why my bags have no lines these days! The Pure Squalane Facial Oil has no actives which makes it a great companion for pretty much any beauty product or routine you like.

And that is that. ^_^ I hope you can try out our new products! As always, let me know what you think!

You may purchase In Her Element at inherelement.ph. Shipping is free when you order two full-sized products!

Product photography by Samantha Gonzales

Even the most careful and budget-conscious of beauty lovers has given into an impulse buy at least once in our life. Whether because of a super sale price or irresistibly cute packaging, the instant gratification from making an unplanned purchase quickly fades away when we realize that we got the wrong foundation shade, an eyeshadow palette full of chalky formulas, or a much-hyped about skin care product that works great for everyone else but breaks us out. 

Aside from the disappointment of not having a new product to play with, we feel hinayang over having forked the money for a dud purchase, especially if the item was expensive! Before chucking it into the trash or giving it to someone who can use it (after sanitizing the item, of course), consider trying these hacks to turn your #fail beauty buys into winning ones!

Eyeshadow that doesn’t work

If an eyeshadow shade doesn’t flatter your skin tone or has too much fallout that makes it difficult to work with, use it to create eye-catching nails instead! Crush some of the pigment or scrape the top. Try to make the powder as refined as possible to ensure the pigment distributes evenly and doesn’t create a lumpy texture. Mix the eyeshadow powder with either a clear polish or a top coat and ta-dah: a new polish color! You can add more shadow to make the color more opaque, or mix in other-colored shadows to customize a different shade. This can actually work using any powder product so the next time you want a new nail color, bring out your sucky palettes and design your own color instead! 

Foundation in the wrong shade

No matter how many times we read about how to properly buy foundation, whether in-store or online, mishaps still occur and leave us stuck with a product that’s too light or too dark for our skin tone. This can actually work to your advantage! Use too-dark shades to subtly contour your face; if it has the same undertone as your skin, it will look a lot more natural and almost undetectable! On the flip side, light foundation can be applied to your forehead, nose bridge, and cheekbones for a matte, barely-there highlighting effect that makes your skin look brighter. Even though the shades are already designed to be skin-like, make sure to always blend well. 

Thick eyeliner brushes

As a monolid, I actually favor thick eyeliner brush tips because it covers a large area with in a single stroke but it’s an entirely different story for double or hooded lids, or anyone who prefers a more discreet line. The shape makes it difficult to draw thin and precise lines, which are non-negotiable for mastering looks like the cat eye. It works well as a lip brush though! The hairs may be packed a little more densely than your usual lip brush but it allows you to pack more pigment in while keeping your lip lines clean and crisp. You can also use this to carefully blend out a gradient lip!

Unflattering lipstick shade

Lip trends come and go, making our vanity pile high with bullet and tubes we’ve only used once. If they’re already expired, chuck them without hesitation. If they’re still okay though, it’s a good idea to make the most of your purchase by doubling it as blush! Lipsticks have the similar consistency to cream blushes, and brown lipsticks with neutral undertones can also be used for contouring. Doubt that it’ll work? Colors can register differently on lips and cheeks, so it’s at least worth trying out before making the final decision to get rid of it.

Too drying lip tint

Water tints are notorious for being drying on the lips but the watery consistency and staining formula would also be perfect for faking a natural flush. Apply in small amounts and carefully build up to your desired effect so you don’t turn too red. Pro tip: It’s the best cheek option for withstanding oil, sweat, and face touching!

Cheap and heavy moisturizers

We opt to change our skin care routines when hot summers make certain products uncomfortable to use. Even if you have dry skin, rich moisturizers can create too much of a barrier that keeps your skin from cooling off efficiently. The moisturizing factor works just as well for the rest of your body though! Slather it wherever you want, after all, it’s cheap. For heavy but very potent moisturizers that are much too expensive to slather on your legs, use them as an eye cream instead.

Lip balms that fail to deliver

It sucks when a product you buy fails to do the one job it’s supposedly designed to do. Unfortunately, product duds do happen and you may be stuck with several tubes of worthless balm. Or are they? Lip balms that fail to meet our standards are great as travel-friendly cuticle creams! The heavy texture keeps them intact after application but do keep them off your palms so you don’t grease up everything you touch.

White cast in your oil control powder

Oil control powders are heaven-sent for oily skinned gals but just as we carefully choose sunscreen formulas, it’s best to immediately check if the product leaves a white cast. If it does, then you’ve found yourself a new dry shampoo! Use a small amount at a time and work it in your hair to instantly refresh your no ligo locks. 

Chunky glittery highlights

Highlighters are tricky products that can either beautify the skin, or emphasize any and all skin imperfections if used incorrectly. Chunky glitters are particularly challenging (and messy) to use so apply it as body highlight instead! Put it on your collarbone, arms, and legs - they can make you slimmer and move those points higher! Plus since our bodies don’t have dilated pores as our faces do, you can definitely dare to make do with chunky highlights.

The facial wash that broke you out

After trying out a popular high pH cleanser a few times, I experienced the worst breakout of my life! Even though it worked well for many others, my skin just found it too harsh and got irritated. It did a thorough job of cleaning makeup off though so I’ve relegated it for cleaning my makeup brushes. This may depend on the kind of facial wash you want to ditch but most are usually able to clean brushes well. My tools have stayed in good condition this way!

What beauty products have failed to meet your standards so far? Do you have another tips and tricks for using them instead of just throwing them out? Share your stories with us! 

My jaw dropped when, at a recent local event, Sephora PH introduced their 25-piece skincare collection that focuses almost exclusively on just cleansing. They've got micellar waters, cleansing gels, milks, and creams, wipes, and exfoliators under six different lines that have themed ingredients. Even more interesting? Everything is under P400!

They launched the Sephora Collection Mix & Play Skincare Range in their first ever event in the Philippines. Don't get your hopes up though, because Sephora physical stores are not arriving here anytime soon (according to their team). In the meantime, you can avail of their fast shipping from Singapore - it takes only three business days for my order to get to me - which is free for orders above P1,300.

Now back to this intriguing new collection. There are six lines: Coconut Water, Rose, Pomegranate, Charcoal, Yuzu, and Green Tea. Each one has a designated function, but looking at the ingredients list informs me that the actives (e.x. punica granatum or pomegranate fruit extract, charcoal powder, camellia sinensis or green tea extract) are quite low in concentration; oftentimes, "fragrance" is even higher than the featured ingredients. This is common practice.

Nevertheless, these are affordable enough that they may be treated exclusively as a pleasant way to cleanse off makeup. I do appreciate that as I am a makeup remover fiend! Sephora claims that you can go to sleep right after, but I would not recommend it as using cleansing products only dissolves and re-distributes the makeup; they don't take all of it away from the surface of your face.

Here's a quick review of each product I have!

Charcoal Micellar Cleansing Water (P347 /100ml). This is a nice change from clear micellar waters as it's actually black due to the charcoal particles in it. It smells fresh and clean. I like that it removes my heavy makeup effectively with a couple of cotton pads, but it stops short of removing waterproof makeup (as all micellar waters do).

Pomegranate Micellar Cleansing Gel (P347 /100ml). I first spotted cleansing gels in Tokyo a few years ago and enjoyed using them for a while. It's great to see a more accessible contender! This gel is supposed to be squeezed onto cotton first, after which it will become more fluid, like micellar water. It's a waste of a cotton pad though as it can be massaged directly on the face with just fingers. 

It claims to remove waterproof makeup, but don't count on it. I recommend to keep it away from your eye area as it stings quite a bit.

Coconut Water Cleansing Cream (P385 /50ml). This is my favorite so far! It feels very gentle and moisturizing on skin, like I'm wearing a soothing mask. It removes heavy (but non-waterproof) makeup effectively and washes off without residue. I massage this on my face using just my fingers. Do note that it doesn't sud up; it melts the makeup then washes off cleanly.

I love the mild coconut smell of this one as it's not cloying or heavy at all. This is just 50ml though; it's much more expensive than the micellar removers.

Charcoal Exfoliating Cleansing Cream (P385 /50ml). This is much like the plain cleansing cream save for the hydrated silica beads in it, which are mineral-based and not plastic. It gently exfoliates the skin as I massage off my makeup. I'm all for 2-in-1 routines! This doesn't sud up and washes off without residue.

Actually, for the cleansing creams, you can treat them as facial wash if you're not wearing that much makeup and don't mind that fact that they don't form bubbles. This feature makes them more gentle than normal facial wash as they don't contain harsh surfactants.

Pomegranate Cleansing Wipes (P385 for 25 wipes). If you prefer using wipes to remove your makeup, these Pomegranate ones are nice! They are thick, smooth, and wet, features which allow them to remove even heavy (non-waterproof) makeup with just one wipe. I love the pomegranate scent the most in this collection, so you can bet I'll finish these no-fuss wipes up!

Left: Pomegranate Cleansing Wipes / Right: Green Tea Exfoliating Wipes

Green Tea Exfoliating Wipes (P385 for 25 wipes). These are textured wipes with raised dots. Frankly, I will not recommend this as the dots feel sharp on my face. :-/ I've tried exfoliating wipes before but they've never felt this abrasive.

Coconut Water Lip Balm (P347 for 3.5g) and Honey Lip Scrub (P347 for 3.5g). These are thin, comfortable lip balms that moisturize the lips and can be worn under drying lipsticks. The Lip Scrub effectively exfoliates lips and has a sweet taste and mild honey scent.

Overall, I highly recommend the Coconut Water Cleansing Cream and Pomegranate Cleansing Wipes out of all the products I've tried. They are gentle makeup removers that keep skin hydrated and soft, while cleaning off non-waterproof makeup without the drama. Love how they smell, too. Everything else is good except for the textured wipes and micellar gel. Get them now at Sephora.ph! Let me know what you think, as always!

I've mentioned this a few times in the past, but if you're new here at Project Vanity, you should know that I grew up with Avon makeup. Even before Nichido, Careline, Ever Bilena, F21, and other drugstore brands came into my life, I had Avon. Both my mom and grandmother were Avon ladies so I always had Simply Pretty products along with Avon bras and panties as a teenager! This is why the brand will always have a soft spot in my heart.

Anyway, I received the Avon Belle In Bloom Collection a few months ago but only got to try it recently. Just as well because these products are on sale right now, with lipsticks for as low as P129, the powder at just P149, and the nail polish at P49. You can get all these at the official Avon Online Store - yup, they have one of those now! - which I found while looking for the print catalog. Shipping is free above P750 and they have COD. You're welcome!

Here are my quick swatches and color notes on this gorgeously packaged collection.

The Avon Ultra Color Lipstick (P129 on sale and P229 at regular price) is an old formulation, several iterations of which I've reviewed in the past years. I'd say it's a classic that will never go out of style - as long as women love pigmented, juicy lipsticks that don't dry out their lips, it will always have a place in any makeup kit! 

Belle In Bloom offers up five colors: 

• Hibiscus, a bright hot pink. I was not able to swatch this one unfortunately.
• Ripe Papaya, a pale warm pink.
• Hot Pink, a mid-toned berry. Not hot pink at all, which is weird. It's a lovely color that's perfect for everyday though!
• Berry Bright, a pinky berry.
• Lava Bright, a cheery carnation with warm undertones.

I love how Hot Pink and Lava Bright looks on me, so you might want to consider them! These shades are just in time for summer even though the collection is meant for spring.

The Belle In Bloom Eyeshadow Quad in Rose Awakening (P279 on sale and P399 at regular price) comes in a pretty compact, with pans just as pretty inside. I can't say I care much for the shade selection though, as the three pale shimmery colors are almost identical; they are not that pigmented, too. I like the bright pink matte and can think of a couple of ways to use it, but I won't get a palette just for one shade.

The Avon Ideal Oil Control Pressed Powder (P149 on sale and P229 at regular price) is another staple for a reason. It offers up a nice matte translucency which makes it ideal for retouching mid-day. It comes with an applicator and mirror, so you can keep shine at bay wherever you are. Plus points for the colorful watercolor flowers on the compact! I'd say my shade is more Neutral, but I imagine Natural could work for my NC35 skin too.

The Nailwear Pro+ Nail Enamel (P49 on sale and P149 at regular price) was quite a surprise. It's my first time to try nail polish from Avon so I didn't know they make great ones! I used Wandering Rose on my nails today and I love how easy it was to work with; it didn't streak or clump at all and dried within 25 minutes. At P49 I'd say these are a steal.

Avon nail polish in Wandering Rose

Did anything from the Avon Belle In Bloom Collection catch your eye? ^_^

Product photography by Samantha Gonzales

Good skin trumps makeup any day. Now while good skincare can get pricey, there are actually many drugstore options that even skin professionals use. We were curious what dermatologists would buy from the drugstore, so we talked to three of them to divulge what they have on their shelves!

Dr. Jeanne Jao of JaoMD Skincare Clinic 

Dr. Jao admits that she doesn’t really shop for beauty items, as a lot of it is given to her by different brands and partners. “I have a lot of these products, and it’s a shame not to use them,” she says. She does like to try on different products to get to know what her clients use  and why they use it. She has even tried some Korean skincare as well as international brands but a lot of them have not merited long-term usage from her. 

Instead, Dr. Jao sticks to tried and tested favorites. She really likes the classic Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, which is a cleanser of choice of those with sensitive skin and as well as those with dry skin. The formula doesn’t feel harsh, and she says that she actually likes that it doesn’t sud up too much. She also likes the lightweight feeling of the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, which she finds particularly well-suited for those with really oily skin. For sun protection, she uses Daylong sunblock because of its lightweight, non-greasy feel and high SPF. 

Still, she cautions against using skincare without prescription. “There are certain products in the market that need to be used under the supervision of a licensed dermatologist. You can’t just buy it over the counter,” she clarifies. “Some products are mahapdi, and some products, like exfoliators, leave your skin looking burned so you need professional guidance.”

Dr. Luisa Borromeo (based in Imus, Cavite)

For Dr. Borromeo, it is essential to moisturize to keep your skin healthy and prevent future problems. She favors using emollient creams or lotions that help keep skin supple and healthy. She also recommends using products that contain less chemicals and can be used for different skin types. Her usual picks are Cetaphil, Physiogel, Aveeno, and Ceraklin. 

As any dermatologist will tell you, sunblocks are a MUST. Whatever brand you decide to use, make sure it’s broad spectrum sunblock that offers both UVA and UVB protection. She reminds, “It’s important to apply sunblock prior to sun exposure to delay aging process, and prevent UV-induced dermatosis or skin problems.” Some of the sunblocks she likes are from Cetaphil, Celeteque, and Avene.

Courtesy of Nikki Paderna

Dr. Nikki Paderna, dermatology resident and blogger at Girl Behind the Glasses

Nikki is a medical doctor who chose to focus on Dermatology because she wanted to help people with various skin concerns. “It’s cliché but the truth is the state of our skin plays a huge factor in our self-esteem,” she says. “I’ve seen how people lose their confidence or get depressed by their skin condition. I’d love nothing more than to see them get themselves back and boost their confidence when I have helped them with their problem.”

Depending on her current skin condition, Nikki uses different products to address her skin’s needs. Most days, she washes her face with Celeteque Hydration Facial or Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser. For toners, her top picks are Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner and Sana Namerakahonpo Skin Lotion. She also loves Sana Namerakahonpo’s Emulsion and Face Cream (which you can both find in the SM Store Beauty section), using the former for day time and the latter at night for deeper moisturization.

Nikki also advocates for daily sunscreen usage. She goes back and forth between Biore UV Perfect Face Milk and UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel. “Both are perfect for oily-skinned people like me who live in a humid country like the Philippines,” she shares. Daylong SPF50+ Light Gel is also a good option. 

Courtesy of Nikki Paderna

For body care, she uses either Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion or Physiogel Calming Relief A.I. Body Lotion after showering to lock the moisture in. For makeup removal, she turns to Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths, Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution or Biore Micellar Cleansing Water. She also relies on good ol’ petroleum jelly to keep her lips hydrated and leaves it on as an overnight treatment.

Since Nikki tries on a lot of different makeup and skincare, she also has go-to products to rely on when she has a bad reaction. She shares, “If I have a bad reaction to a new product I’m testing out and I get a lot of bumps, I immediately switch to the Celeteque Acne Solutions Acne Cleansing Gel followed by the Oil Control Toner.“

We’re definitely glad to see that dermas love drugstore products, too! Did any of your favorite drugstore skincare picks make it to the derma-approved list? Which of these products would you want to try out?

Header image courtesy of Nikki Paderna

I first started regularly using lip balm in high school because the air conditioning in our classrooms left my lips chafed, and also because it was the closest thing to makeup that our strict Catholic school allowed. Our uniform blouse had pockets so I always kept a Chapstick or Lip Smacker with me and reapplied through the day.

Now that it’s actually part of my job to wear makeup, I’ve come to own way too many lipsticks, but I still stick to just a couple of balms. Both are tried and tested formulas that have saved my lips many times but if you haven’t yet found a REALLY GOOD lip balm that really works, here are a few of our favorites to check out!

Liz: Lip balm is a key part of my routine as I use it not only to moisturize my lips, but also to prime them before makeup! I always apply lip balm after foundation, wait for it to dry while I do my eye and cheek makeup, then finally follow with lipstick. I love the La Mer The Lip Balm for its sweetish taste and slight minty feel, the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant Sheer Tint Stick with SPF15 for the light tint and SPF, and the In Her Element Nourish & Cleanse Balm for intense moisture.

Den: When I’m out and about, tube packaging is the easiest to bring along. Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm with Kokum Butter works very well for me, and I love that the formula seemingly sinks into the lips instead of just sitting there. For more severe dryness though, I pat on Blistex Lip Medex, which doesn’t smell good or look sexy but gets the job done.

Kim: I like In Her Element's Nourish and Cleanse Balm for every night but for intensive healing (when my lips start to rebel against me after a week of liquid lipsticks!), I count on good old Aquaphor.

Claire: My all-time favorites are Burt's Bees lip balms but lately I've been using something I found at Healthy Options: Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunscreen Lip Care with SPF25. It feels a lot like Burt's Bees lip balms but with added sun protection.

Angela: I have incredibly dry lips and the only thing that has really helped me is my Burt's Bees tinted lip balm. Currently, the Tony Moly Delight Magic Lip Tint has been keeping my lips from drying out, and even gives my lips a natural rose color that I love.

Charlie: My most loved (and repurchased) lip balms would always be from Blistex. I love how they heal my chapped lips and keep them moisturized. It also isn't too greasy or glossy which I dislike about some lip balms. Plus, it has SPF so I know my puckers are protected. Their medicated balms are my usual go-to but I'm trying out a new variant given to me by a good friend, Triple Tropical, which I love just as well because it smells so fruity.

Stacie: I have this gross habit of picking at the dry skin on my lips. I feel bothered when my lips don't feel soft and smooth so I end up peeling the flakes off! As a result, my lips are constantly chapped and bleeding. The best lip balm I have tried is from The Face Shop called Lovely Me:Ex I'm Shea Butter Lip Care Cream, but sadly TFS PH doesn't carry it anymore (please bring it back!) so I've been making do with a regular Carmex tube. It doesn't have mint, so that's the best selling point for me aside from moisturizing and healing properties.

Marielle: Nivea Vanilla & Macadamia Lip Butter never leaves my nightstand. It is inexpensive, effective, and smells amazing! I mostly put lip balm on before bed, and this one stays on and keeps my lips moist 'til I wake up in the morning. I also like the buttery texture/consistency!

Gett: I've recently discovered Nature Republic's By Flower Lip Essence. It gives a good shot of moisture and has SPF! For those really dry days, I mask my lips with Aritaum's Ginger Sugar Overnight Lip Mask at night. Technically not a lip balm but this gives me moisturized, smoother lips overnight and I just can't be without it anymore!

Jenn: My go-to lip balm is Nivea's Soothe and Protect Lip Balm. It glides smoothly on my lips and manages to moisturize them without leaving a thick, heavy feeling. The SPF 15 in it is a neat bonus!

Crystal: My best lip balms are Fresh and Miller Harris, which were pasalubong from London. These two are really moisturizing and heal my cracked lips, stat! I use the former during the day because it has SPF 15, and the other before I go to bed so I wake up with moisturized lips.

Is lip balm a staple in your beauty routine? What's the best one you've tried so far?

Summer season is swimsuit season. For those of us who prefer to look smooth, removing unwanted body hair becomes non-negotiable. That used to mean shaving our underarms and legs but over the recent years, bikini and Brazilian waxing have become a grooming staple for many women.

To be clear, we don’t think it’s something that all women should do; we believe that you should feel free to go either way! If you choose to have your pubic hair removed though, have you ever wondered if it’s safe to do or if it actually is a better option to keeping your bush? Time to find out for sure! We asked Dr. Maria Rosario G. Castillo-Cheng, an obstretrician-gynecologist and perinatologist (high risk pregnancy specialist) at The Medical City in Pasig to weigh in on keeping things hair-free.

What is pubic hair?

Pubic hair is the body hair found around the mons pubis, a fatty pad that is over the pubic bone. As a general rule, genetics play a major part on how much body hair we will have and pubic hair is no different. Some people will have very little or fine hair surrounding their genital area, while others may experience a proliferate growth. Just like any other body hair, pubic hair serves to keep the area clean and to protect it against foreign bodies.

One may wonder, we are not born with pubic hair so why does it have to grow in after? Reaching puberty brings about many changes in our bodies, and the increase in hormones cause the growth of pubic hair as well as axillary or underarm hair.

Is it necessary to remove pubic hair?

Some people think that removing hair makes the area cleaner but while that is true in terms of keeping stray strands from peeking out bikini bottoms, there are no actual hygienic benefits. The only time pubic hair removal becomes necessary is to assist in childbirth (more on this later). If you feel cleaner when bare, go for it! Dr. Castillo-Cheng says that it’s all about personal preference but you should take heed of one important rule.

Scrutinize your salon before availing of their services.

Since they’ll be handling a very delicate area, it’s absolutely crucial that the salon you’re considering is uncompromisingly meticulous about good hygiene. Do your research and ask for feedback from past clients who can provide honest and unbiased feedback. A hygienic salon will never reuse their tools to help ensure each customer’s safety. 

For example, Dr. Castillo-Cheng says that a reputable salon should include a clipper in their package so that the tool will be dedicated solely for your use. It may cost a bit more but you can take it home and then just bring it with you for use at your next appointment. Waxes and disposable applicators should be new and opened only in front of you. Even applicators that were used to apply the wax need to be replaced with each application; no double-dipping even when it’s also for you!

What are the risks involved?

As with most cosmetics, whatever product that will be applied to your skin should be tested before spreading to a larger area. Dr. Castillo-Cheng recommends doing a patch test on the skin first to see if any allergic reaction develops. For hot waxes, it is of course important to check that the temperature is correct and won’t cause any burns to the skin.

Dr. Castillo-Cheng says that the most common infection associated with hair removal is folliculitis, which is basically ingrown hair.  The hair follicle becomes infected and forms a painful, pimple-like lesion. Left untreated and combined with poor hygiene, the infection can progress into a boil. (Ouch!)

Hair removal can also cause an abrasion on the skin, resulting in redness, irritation, and sensitivity. It’s important to have this checked in case the reaction is an allergy or a symptom of contact dermatitis.

Can you get STDs?

No, you can’t. Sexually-transmitted diseases can only be contracted through actual sexual penetration, with the exception of the human papillomavirus (HPV). There’s no risk of contracting HPV from a salon unless there’s an open wound or sore in the treated area, which most salons will not allow to be waxed. It is not possible to contract a urinary tract infection (UTI) through pubic hair removal, either. Nevertheless, Dr. Castillo-Cheng advises not to have any hair removal services if you have an open wound, and any salon that would agree to do so is best avoided.

What about DIY pubic hair removal?

This is a big no-no from Dr. Castillo-Cheng, who reports that she’s had patients who developed folliculitis as result of shaving their nether region themselves. After all, it is quite difficult to actually see what you’re doing even with the help of a mirror and you may end up nicking yourself in the process. Leave that work to the professionals instead! If you really must do it yourself, limit it to easily visible areas and make sure to use items (razors, clippers, etc.) exclusively for that area only and not to share it with anyone else.

What if I’m pregnant?

A woman’s pubic hair is usually shaved just before childbirth in case an episiotomy (incision between the vagina and anus) or a Caesarean section becomes necessary. The area will need to be sterile and wiped down, plus the hair can obstruct the doctors’ view. Dr. Castillo-Cheng stresses that for medical purposes, hair is only removed where it is necessary. 

If you prefer to use wax or a particular service, Dr. Castillo-Cheng has no objections as long as you’ve already had it done before and at a salon that you trust so that you’re already familiar with the process and the pain involved. Some salons will not agree to perform a bikini or Brazilian wax on pregnant clients for fear that the pain may induce labor. Check that the salon attendants are properly trained to perform the service on pregnant women, and be prepared to present a note from your doctor giving you clearance to have the service done.

Can I get rid of the hair permanently?

Committing to permanent pubic hair removal such as with the use of laser is safe as long as it’s done properly. Make sure that the procedure is performed by a licensed dermatologist with formal training, not just by any cosmetologist. It may take several sessions for the hair to stop growing for the most part.

Practicing Good Feminine Hygiene

So why has pubic hair grooming become so popular now? A lot of people say that it makes them feel cleaner but it doesn’t actually guarantee proper hygiene. Instead, follow Dr. Castillo-Cheng’s tips for good feminine hygiene:

1. Wash the vaginal area thoroughly with a mild soap. Always wash or wipe (after urinating or a bowel movement) from front to back to avoid contamination of the vagina with bacteria from the anus.
2. Wipe the vaginal area thoroughly after showering, washing, or swimming. It should be completely dry before putting on your underwear because a moist environment encourages the growth of yeast.
3. If you are using panty liners and sanitary napkins, change it every four hours. 
4. Always urinate and wash after sexual intercourse.
5. Avoid wearing tight clothing and synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, or spandex that can trap moisture.
6. Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch.

At the end of the day, the decision to have no hair down there should be your own personal preference and you should not be pressured into removing it by anyone else. As Dr. Castillo-Cheng likes to say, “Hair or no hair, nobody dies!”

Header image via Instagram user @triangl

We love taking a peek into other people’s kikay kits. It’s fascinating to discover what products they can’t live without or what brands a celebrity like Heart Evangelista is a fan of. The purpose is mostly to “discover” new products via a collection of HGs, so the kit of a professional makeup artist particularly appeals to us! Some MUAs have already shared about the drugstore items that they consider to be staples, so we decided to dig a little deeper and find out what others have to say. This time around, we talked to professional makeup artists Angie Cruz, Randy Sta. Ana, and Paul Unating for their own great yet affordable finds.

Evian Facial Spray (P199 for 50ml at major department stores)

A clean canvas is a must prior to any makeup application. The pro choice to do the job? Randy uses Evian Spray for prepping his clients' faces because it cleanses and hydrates the face while maintaining its natural pH.

L'Oreal True Match foundations

Curious how MUAs achieve that flawless base each and every time, even with acidic skin? Randy shares that instead of regular colorless primer, he uses either L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup (P600) or L'Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation (P600) before either traditional or airbrush foundation. These bestselling foundations prime the skin while providing a color-matched base. Because it’s layered under another foundation, a perfect shade match is achieved even if the client might have acidic skin.

K-Palette eyebrow products

Even a veteran like Angie recommends K-Palette eyebrow products for everyone's kilay goals! Choose from their 3 Way Eyebrow Pencil (P795), Real Lasting Eyebrow Liner (P795), and 2 Way Eyebrow Liquid (P895). She explains that it's a favorite since the effect is very natural-looking and long-wearing aside from being easy to use.

IN2IT Waterproof Eyebrow Powder (P300 at major department stores)

If you're more into eyebrow powders, Randy uses this classic trio from IN2IT to easily achieve a 3D brow effect. It also comes in handy should you decide to change your hair color!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (P299 at major department stores)

Paul loves using the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in its darkest shade, Cafe, for contouring in place of powder or cream contours! The trick is to blend it with his favorite foundations for a more flattering and long-wearing contour.

Flormar Invisible Loose Powder (P699 at major department stores)

To set the look, Paul loves this finely-milled powder because it does not leave a white cast on the skin. The formula also does not emphasize lines or rough patches, so it can work well even for women with uneven skin textures.

Spotted any favorites in our list or do you have your own great yet affordable finds? We'd love to hear from you, too!

Are you still searching for the perfect, long-wearing, super black eyeliner that doesn't cost a pretty penny? We're here to help, as always! We picked out five affordable black eyeliners to test against each other and here's how they compare!

From top: Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil, Ever Bilena Advanced Silky Eye Liner, Happy Skin Eye Am Here To Stay Liner, Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Eyeliner, Rire Luxe Gel Eyeliner

From the arm swatches alone, it’s easy to tell that the Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil is the darkest of the bunch. Three out of the five liners apply as a matte black, while the Ever Bilena Advanced Silky Eye Liner had a slight sheen and the Happy Skin Eye Am Here to Stay Liner contained fine gold shimmers. All five liners claim to be waterproof, and took quite a bit of effort to remove from my arm. Using even pressure on a cotton pad heavily soaked with micellar water, it took me five swipes before I got about 90% of the makeup off and around two more to fully erase all traces of the swatches. Pretty impressive!

After 5 swipes of Garnier Micellar Water

I would normally just use these liners to tightline, but for you to see how they apply on the eyes, I applied a straight line on my upper lid (as I normally would when lining my eyes) in addition to tightlining. I didn’t use any eyeshadow or primers so I could test the wear time of each product without any additional help. Do take note that my lids get oily, so your experience may be different if you’ve got a drier eye area. Here’s how they fared, in detail! 

Rire Luxe Gel Eyeliner (P210 from AltheaPH)

The Rire Luxe Gel Eyeliner was the only one that came with a built-in plastic sharpener. While incredibly pigmented, I find that it’s on the drier side and causes a bit of a drag when I try to line my eyelids. It doesn’t smudge on me but I noticed that it flakes off around five hours in and leaves black flakes on my under eye and cheek area. While it was the first to go on my arm swatch test, I find that it’s much harder to remove on the eyes due to the dryness. 

Happy Skin Eye Am Here to Stay Liner in Perfect Black (P599 at Happy Skin counters)

The Happy Skin Eye Am Here to Stay Liner had an easy glide that rarely skipped on my heavily-lined lids. The gold flecks threw me off the first time I used it but the detail isn’t as noticeable when applied on the waterline. It applies smoothly even without me having to pull my eyes taut, and lasts a good five hours before it starts to fade and smudge.

Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil (P229 at SM Beauty)

While watching at the store, I initially felt like the wet formulation of the Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil could be a recipe for disaster. It applies almost like a gel but surprisingly dries to a matte, budge-proof and smudge-proof deep black. This is a creamy pencil that glides and wears like a dream, and I get the longest wear time out of this – around eight hours before I would notice fading! One caveat: I have to use an oil-based remover to take this off as micellar water can’t deal with this.

Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Eyeliner (P200 at Holika Holika counters)

If you’d prefer not to sharpen your pencil liner, I find that Holika Holika’s Wonder Drawing Eyeliner is one of the better wearing retractable pencils. It feels a lot like a matte black version of Happy Skin’s eyeliner, and applies smooth and pigmented in one go. It smudges and fades on my oily lids at around five hours in. Word of warning: the pencil “lead” doesn’t fit too snugly in the packaging, so be careful not to twist up too much to avoid breaking! 

Ever Bilena Advanced Silky Eyeliner (P100 at the beauty section)

I was excited to see how this cheap eyeliner would perform against the rest of my list. It initially performed like a drugstore gem – it was creamy, pigmented, and silky as the name suggested. Around two hours in, however, I found that my tightline had completely stamped on to my undereye area and created a new line a few millimeters beneath my lower lash line. I’d never experienced this with any other liner so I gave it another go and the same thing happened. This may work better for dry-skinned girls.

Best in Overall Performance: I’d say that the Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil is the clear winner! This product never gave me racoon eyes, which is basically my number one requirement for eyeliner. It applies smoothly and evenly, and did not irritate my sensitive eyes. Bonus: it’s very affordable, too!

Have you used any of these pencil eyeliners to tightline? What was your experience with them? What other pencils would you recommend for tightlining?

I've tried a Maybelline Super BB Cushion previously and did not like it. I got the wrong shade, granted, but I found the texture too thick and the undertone too pink to fit my requirements! That's why I had low expectations when the new Maybelline Fresh Matte BB Cushion (P749) arrived on my doorstep recently. It came with the Master Strobing Stick (P399), a duo which Maybelline hopes to be part of our summer kit.

Despite my pre-determination not to like the Fresh Matte Cushion, it instantly wormed itself into my heart. One swipe on my face and I knew - knew - that it's something I'll be using regularly! It has medium coverage in one layer and blends beautifully on skin with a soft matte finish. It covered up uneven areas and light blemishes on my face with ease; nevertheless, it still looks like skin. It's like I'm not wearing any foundation! I also love the SPF25 PA+ protection.

I mean, just look at this FOTD. I set the cushion with Clear Smooth All-in-One Powder Foundation (P259), also in the shade 03 Natural, to achieve clean, matte-but-not-flat skin. A swipe on the Master Strobing Stick on my cheekbones and bridge of the nose added a pretty highlight to my look.

I got the perfect shade match in 03 Natural. It's a yellow-toned, medium shade that should blend on NC35 skin seamlessly. There's a lighter shade available if you are fairer than I am, but if you are darker, well - sorry!

The caveat: this cushion doesn't stick very well on skin. It creases around my nose, eyes, and chin in about three hours - not a good sign - when not properly retouched with powder every hour. I don't even have particularly oily skin but there it is. I recommend wearing a primer before the cushion to hold it down better during the day!  

Still, I think this is a great cushion with a workable formula and great shade match. I'll continue using this as it's so convenient and it makes my skin look fantastic (even though it really isn't). It delivers its promise of fresh matte skin, and I'm sold.

The Master Strobing Stick (P399) is packaged simply, which may lead you to underestimate it. Don't! It's a beautiful warm champagne highlighter stick that glides on skin like butter. It blends easily with just fingers and allows light to bounce off your skin prettily.

I like that the formula is not too wet and sets for the most part. It stays on my skin about two-three hours - not particularly impressive - but I suppose it's easy enough to retouch due to the stick format. I love how the shine is subtle and wearable for everyday. You can apply this with a heavy hand without mucking it up; it delivers a soft glow to the skin with barely any effort.  This is a basic highlighting stick that should serve you well if you're looking for a good one without spending *too* much!

Let me know what you think of these new Maybelline drops! Have you tried any of them?

A pop of color in your look does not always have to mean something bold and bright. It can also be intense matte nudes and darks, just like the ones in this new lipstick collection by L’Oreal Paris called the Color Riche Rouge Magique. 

While the red lip will always be a classic, having the perfect nude in your stash ensures that you will always have that go-to MLBB shade. And for those hot summer nights? The dark shades from the 15-piece Rouge Magique collection (P400 each) are sure to make you smolder!

From left: Mont Blanc, Beige Reveur, Café De Flore, Vin Exquis, Purple Comtesse, Miss Chocolate, The Fort

I’ve been road testing seven shades from the line and I find myself reaching for them often, particularly the nude shades in Mont Blanc and Beige Reveur. Those two are the easiest to wear and blend quite nicely with my medium skin tone. Though they are matte lipsticks, the Rouge Magiques do not dry out my lips. I even go out with just a tube in my bag, most times forgetting to bring along a lip balm as the moisturizing benefits of jojoba oil and honey keep my lips nourished.

The tubes also make for great eye candy with their sleek fuchsia and black packaging. The intensity of the pink caps are reminiscent of the strong shades of the line. 

Mont Blanc is a nude for medium skin tones, with a hint of pink to keep your look soft and feminine. This is my runaway favorite!

Beige Reveur is a warmer, deeper nude that makes for a great MLBB for many skin tones. I reach for this if I want my look to be more pensive than playful.

Café De Flore is a beigey nude with a hint of brown for that light take on the still trending brown lipstick. L’Oreal recommends this for medium skin tones.

Vin Exquis is a distinct plum that gives your look that extra edge. While the shade may be unique, it is still quite wearable for an everyday look. 

Purple Comtesse is described by L’Oreal as a deep wine shade. I reach for it if I want a different take on the red lip. Just make sure to exfoliate your lips prior to application for a smoother finish. 

Miss Chocolate is a delicious-sounding deep brown shade perfect for morena skin tones. It does get a little patchy as some dark lipsticks tend to do so I follow up with a lip brush. 

The Fort is the darkest shade of the bunch and it is the purple-toned version of Miss Chocolate. You can barely see the difference in my lip swatches but on the arm swatches, you can easily detect the nuance between the two. This shade also gets patchy so proper lip prep is a must. 

Overall, the L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Rouge Magique Lipsticks present a formidable line-up of nudes and darks. The intense matte promise is legit without drying out the lips. Longevity is pretty good also as I can go for hours without reapplying. You can surely find a go-to shade or two for everyday wear and for evenings out.

Do you love wearing matte lipsticks? Are you Team Nude or Team Dark this summer?

For #ONESWIPEINTENSEMATTE in 15 shades, the L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Rouge Magique Lipsticks are available in L’Oreal Paris makeup counters and official online retailers this April 2017. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/lorealparisphilippines.

If you want to know if a piece of skincare works as it claims, don't look at the price tag or the brand name - look at the ingredients list. Think of it as a story that maps out the journey the skincare will take on your skin! The first part of the ingredients list (around 5-10 of the names in it, depending) is usually the base or the carrier of the active ingredients. For example, if the product is water-based, you'll see water, aqua, distilled water etc. as the first name in line. Then you'll be seeing alcohols, solvents, emulsifiers, and other ingredients that help to stabilize the formula and make its texture pleasant.

Then we get to the fun part - the active ingredients. Aside from the packaging, these are what you're really paying for. For example, just to give you an idea, a kilo of cosmetics grade Vitamin C in the Philippines costs roughly P28,000. A skin lightening protein could cost anywhere from P300,000 to P1,000,000! There are hundreds of oils and extracts available. Some are cheap, while some are expensive for a reason.

Of course, each bottle of skincare would only have a small percentage of active ingredients. It's because our skin can only take a limited concentration before sustaining damage, and the cost of the active/s has to be taken into consideration. The more expensive it is, the more of it there is in the formula, the more pricey the product is. 

And so I present to you the new La Mer The Hydrating Revitalizing Serum. It promises to "awaken vitality" in your skin by hydrating it what they call the Deep Hydration Ferment (a blend of green, brown and red algae) and Lime Tea Concentrate, an antioxidant to protect skin. So does it do what it says? As far as I understand, yes!

It's a water-based serum chock full of plant and algae extracts, oils, and peptides. It is hydrating but it doesn't have a thick feeling at all; the serum is light and is absorbed deep into the skin. There is no filmy or sticky residue as my skin just feels soft and smooth! When I use it at night, I wake up to glowy smooth face with a crazy soft texture. It certainly does look and feel woke, i.e. revitalized.

It does have a strong alcohol (?) scent though. That's strange as I was expecting the usual powdery La Mer scent. Butylene Glycol, a safe organic alcohol, is the third ingredient in the list which may explain the scent, but I see that there's perfume added. Some of the oils should have their own scents as well. Perhaps they are not that pleasant together and are therefore simply masked?

In any case, I suggest smelling this first and checking if you're okay with it. I don't mind it personally as the smell goes away fairly quickly! I suppose this is better than the fishy or old socks smell of other similar serums.

Overall, I find the La Mer The Hydrating Revitalizing Serum responsible for vastly improving the texture and even tone of my skin after I've used it for a couple of months. It's a great pre-boost to the La Mer Moisturizer or as a primer before foundation. It's worth checking out if you're into luxury skin care!

Skincolor de la Mer is available in Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-la and Cebu

Product photography by Samantha Gonzales

Ingredients of the La Mer The Hydrating Revitalizing Serum:

Declustered Water (-)\Aqua\Eau De-Structuree (-), Declustered Water ( )\Aqua\Eau De-Structuree ( ), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Algae (Seaweed) Extract, BIS-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Glucose, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul's Wort) Extract, Squalane, Cholesterol, Caffeine, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sea Salt\Maris Sal\Sel Marin, Castanea Sativa (Chestnut) Seed Extract, Plankton Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Lactoperoxidase, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice, Glucose Oxidase, Linolenic Acid, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure, Acetyl Glucosamine, Bisabolol, Glycosaminoglycans, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Tourmaline, Linoleic Acid, Sorbitol, Urea, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol Denat., Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance (Parfum), Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 4 (CI 14700)

I’ve been an avid online shopper since the (now dead) Multiply platform became a popular place to shop for hard-to-find items. Today, I still purchase a good deal of my beauty hauls from online stores. It’s particularly convenient for makeup and skincare addicts like me, who look for more budget-friendly prices as well as brands and products that aren’t available locally. 

My experience as an online shopper has actually inspired me to put up my own store, so seeing posts about disgruntled buyers and angry sellers definitely make me cringe! Actual scams aside, many of the situations I’ve read about are a simple result of a failure in communication. Knowing and understanding each other’s expectations can make the transaction pleasant and hassle-free for everyone involved, so here are a few tips to guarantee a fun (and easy) shopping experience!

Tip #1: Take the time to read the terms and conditions

While some online sellers don't put every detail as a strategy to establish communication with buyers, many provide the necessary information for efficiency and customer convenience. Check the post for information about the item for sale, and browse the website FAQs for instructions for payment and shipping. Seeking out information allows you to decide on making a purchase faster, as you won’t need to wait for the seller to reply before placing a reservation and end up missing out on limited stocks because you waited too long. 

Tip #2: Do your research on the product

My problematic, acne-prone skin has led me to try many different skincare sets so I've had my fair share of disappointments. Some purchases made me feel ripped off but in hindsight, now that I know more about skincare and understand my skin better, they didn't work because I didn’t read up enough about the products before putting in my order for them. It’s so much easier now that the internet makes it possible to read reviews and interact in forums but always make sure to get your info from credible sites with real reviews (like Project Vanity!). If you never want to miss a story, just sign up for our weekly newsletter to have them delivered to your mailbox.

Tip #3: Pay on time with the correct amount

Once you've settled on a price and placed your order, makes sure to agree on a due date for the payment and honor this commitment. Bigger e-commerce sites usually accept credit card and Paypal payments, which are easy enough to use, but smaller stores are often restricted to just receiving bank deposits. Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget, or if you don’t want the hassle of lining at the bank, consider enabling a mobile banking account for quick transfers. As a seller, I appreciate buyers who take the time to scan or take a clear photo of their payment confirmation slips with their name written on it for easy reference. 

Doing a meet-up and cash on delivery payment option is a common practice when high value or bulky items are at stake. If you choose this option, make sure to arrive on time and keep communication lines open with the seller so they can easily contact you if they are running late or have had a change in plans.

Tip #4: Share the task of tracking your order

Many disagreements have stemmed from delayed shipments, leading the buyer to suspect the seller of being bogus. While a responsible seller should notify the buyer of the date and waybill number of the package, tracking its shipment progress is a shared task between both buyer and seller. Most courier companies have tracking features in their websites that allow you to easily find a package as long as you have the number, so if delivery is taking a while, check its status first before throwing an angry fit. The seller might not have been able to monitor every order sent out, especially if there is a large volume of orders. 

Tip #5: Patience, please!

Convenience is a top reason why people love online shopping, and the same goes for online sellers as well. Many do it on the side for extra income, and thus may not always be online to respond to queries immediately. It doesn't mean though that they've forgotten about you or are ignoring you, so give them some time to reply. Patience is also important for pre-ordered items as shipping takes time and delays can be unavoidable. 

Do you shop online? How do you maintain a good relationship with your suki? 

Ever since I first started buying skincare products as a teen, I’ve always been drawn to merchandise with claims like “non-comedogenic” and “won’t clog pores” stamped on the label. I constantly had comedones (legit blackheads and whiteheads, not just sebaceous filaments) and pimples on my t-zone and chin so i was determined to make sure I didn’t use anything that could potentially and make matters worse! I put blind faith in these products, assuming that they would work wonders on my skin just because of those magic words.

Now that I’ve become more aware about what actually goes into my skincare products and the effects they have on me, I decided to finally look into what makes a product comedogenic or not, and how to check if product label claims are actually true.

Compilation of comedogenic ratings via BellaNina101

The first thing you should know is that common beauty ingredients are tested for their comedogenic ratings. It was almost like uncovering a well-kept industry secret when I discovered this; I imagined keeping a copy of the list in my wallet or on my phone so I could consult it the next time I go beauty shopping. The ratings are derived from lab tests on each of the ingredients, filing each one on a scale from 0 (completely non-comedogenic) to 5 (severely comedogenic). 

My elation quickly deflated though, when I read on that some skin care experts debunk “non-comedogenic” products as nothing more than a marketing ploy. Both sides for and against the comedogenic scale have their merits, and I don’t think that either one should be completely ignored. Here’s why!

The methods used to arrive at the ratings were flawed but testing continues with improved methodology

The comedogenic scale was first recognized in 1979, when a renowned dermatologist named Dr. Albert M. Kligman (who invented Retin-A) published the results of his experiment. He tested for the comedogenicity of substances by applying them on the inside of rabbit ears (yes, the comedogenic scale is a product of animal testing) then checked if the skin tissue developed microcomedones.

At first, the study was well-received by the medical world as it provided information that wasn’t previously available. Inspired by Dr. Kligman’s work, many others performed their own tests (using the same method) and added more substances to the list. Eventually, many raised questions that were impossible to ignore like, were they sure that rabbit ears didn’t form comedones on their own or how similar is human facial skin to the inside of rabbit ears?

So Dr. Kligman came up with an alternative way to assess comedogenicity: he tested it on humans, specifically prisoners (he was later sued for this). He tested on the upper back area though, and we all know that’s still different from facial skin. He concluded that rabbit ears were wayyy more sensitive than human skin, and that “substances that are weakly comedogenic in the rabbit are probably safe for human use with the possible exception of acne-prone persons.” So he basically acknowledged that findings based on his rabbit ear research don’t reflect real-life usage by humans. How ‘bou ‘dah?

Why YMMV is important

The effects of a beauty product can vary from person to person (let alone from rabbit to human), hence the necessary YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) caveat on product reviews. What might be HG material for someone can just as easily trigger a massive breakout on someone else. Ultimately, the only gauge for whether a product is truly non-comedogenic is your skin’s actual reaction.

While that may seem like no sort of help at all, substances with absolute positives and negatives (ratings with extreme values like 0 and 5) remain to be good guidelines on what you should choose to use or avoid. If you’re prone to getting comedones and pimples, it may be best to steer clear of substances rated 4-5 on the scale. If a product you’ve been using without any problems happens to list an ingredient rated as comedogenic though, you don’t necessarily have to give it up or expect to get a breakout from it. 

These ratings apply to pure substances only

Do keep in mind that whether substances were tested on rabbit ears or human backs, both methods patch-tested them in their pure forms. Unless you’re planning to use an ingredient in its 100% concentration, these ratings won’t be accurate since most beauty products are mixtures and solutions. The best thing to do is to check the ingredients list. If the first 20-30% names in the ingredients list are mainly heavily comedogenic substances, skip it. Ingredients that come after these are likely to be present in the product in lesser amounts, so even if “comedogenic” substances are present, they might not trigger breakouts. 

Nobody polices the use of the term “non-comedogenic”

We check for the bunny symbol on product labels when looking for cruelty-free products while those that claim to be organic usually apply to the USDA for assessment. BUT, no organization or governing body, either local or international, is tasked to check if products that claim to be non-comedogenic actually are! Even with a brand that you trust, a label that declares “won’t clog pores” can’t guarantee that a new product you want to try from their line will work as well for you as what you’ve used before. Therefore, proceed with caution.

It helps to know and keep a list of ingredients that cause a negative reaction in your skin. Take note of products that have caused pimples, rashes or allergies, then check the ingredients lists if there are common denominators. This is the list that you should refer whenever you thinking of buying any new beauty products, so you can save yourself the heartache of buying something that won’t work for you.

Non-comedogenic doesn’t mean it’s good for you, and vice versa

The scale shows that SD alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 0 but it’s actually drying and can even potentially damage our skin. Some antioxidant-rich, nutrient-laden plant oils have high comedogenic ratings at 3 to 4 points but many people use these with no reports of breakouts.

Comedogenic ratings are definitely not the end-all and be-all for beauty products. Still, it has some merit and can be used in specific situations. As always, it’s best to evaluate things in the right context, and to always pay close attention to how your skin responds to different products.  

Do you choose to buy products based on their non-comedogenic claims? Did this article make you reconsider your position? We’d love to hear what you think!

Sources: Lab Muffin, Beautiful with Brains, Colin’s Beauty Pages, Paula’s Choice Beautypedia, NCBI 1, NCBI 2, NCBI 3

By now, I feel like the PV team’s love for sheet masks warrant no introduction. We've raved about our favorites, shared our best hacks to maximize the masking habit (maskimizing?), and even let you in on the results of our five-day masking challenge. It’s an understatement to say that the PV girls are strong believers of what sheet masks can do for our faces! But did you know that there are more to sheet masks than meets the eye? Like, literally? You'd be surprised at how many types of sheet masks are available to treat your full body to that pampering experience, and help them look their best as well. Here are just a few of them! 

Hair Masks

If you've ever wanted to take the salon experience at home without committing to a giant tub of treatment, hair masks are a quick and cheap option for reviving dry and damaged hair. After towel drying freshly-washed hair, just wrap the mask over and around your tresses then leave it on for about 20 minutes. Remove the sheet and gently wash out the essence with warm water. Hello, smooth and easy to manage locks!

Try: Leaders Mediu AngelRing Hair Steam Pack (P298 at Leaders), Kocostar Home Salon Hair Pack (P401 at Sephora)

Eye Patches

Our delicate eye area often needs a little more TLC than the rest of our face, especially after late nights of finishing work deadlines (or bingeing on KDrama—we’re not judging)! To brighten dark circles and boost hydration, pop an eye patch to cool in your fridge then apply it on your undereye area for 10 to 20 minutes. I find that these help plump up my heavily-lined bags for smoother concealer application!.When I know I’m getting less than five hours of sleep, I put a pair of these patches on so I wake up looking like I got all the beauty sleep I needed!

Try: Tony Moly Panda Dream Eye Patch (P58 at Tony Moly), Leaders Hydrogel Eye Therapy Patch (P498 at Leaders), Skinlite Collagen Eye Zone Mask (P100 at BeautyMNL)

Lip Masks

Matte lips are pretty but they sometimes come with a price. If you have severely dry lips and need something more intense than lip balm to bring them back to kissable softness, a leave-on lip mask promises to nourish and moisturize after just 15 minutes of wear. Even Hollywood actress Emma Stone has been known to put these on before walking the red carpet!

Try: Sephora Collection Lip Masks (P154 at Sephora), Pure Smile Choosy Lip Pack in Peach (P40 at Althea)

Image via lauraneuzeth.com

Hand Masks

Hand masks are basically cotton gloves filled with essence to soothe and moisturize dry hands. If you use alcohol and hand sanitizer (hygienic but seriously drying), masks are a great way to restore lost moisture as the essence is more potent than regular hand creams. Wear them as you would a normal glove, and massage the remaining essence on your skin after the 20 minutes are up. And if you just want to treat your hangnail-prone cuticles, there are masks just for that, too!

Try: Sephora Collection Hand Masks (P231 at Sephora), Tony Moly Lovely Hand Peach Mask (P240 at Althea), The Face Shop Paraffin Nutrition Nail Pack

Image via shensaddiction.com

Jaw Masks

Also known as chin packs or V-line masks, jaw masks are elastic sheets that you’d hoop on both ears and wear along the chin to slim and firm up the area. It provides a temporary aid to sagging skin and tightens your jaw for that v-line definition. 

Try: Kocostar V-Line Hydrogel Chin Pack (P150 at Althea), Leaders Mediu 2-Step Double Effect V-Line Facial Shaping System (P248 at Leaders)

Underarm Patch

With the summer heat at full blast, we have to take extra precaution to avoid awkward underarm moments. Don’t sweat it and use an armpit patch instead! Simply stick it on the underside within your sleeve and it should free you from all your sweating worries. 

Try: Elizavecca Neodeo Anti-Humidity Armpit Patch (P360 at Althea)

Foot Peeling Masks

If you have dry, cracked, calloused feet that needs saving, foot peeling masks might just be what you need to regain your baby smooth skin! Pop them on like normal socks for 60 to 90 minutes and wash off all remaining essence. Be amazed (or grossed out?) by the resulting slow but satisfying peel that should happen in the next one to two weeks to reveal smoother, softer feet. We chronicled the full experience here!

Try: Baby Foot Peeling Mask (P830 at Beauty Bar)

Quite literally, different body sheet masks options have us covered from head to toe! Which ones have you tried and what products did you enjoy using the most?

I was recently on the lookout for a new lightweight foundation for this crazy hot weather. I can't stand the stickiness and general grossness of thick foundation once it's been melting on my face for a few hours! That's why I added the Clio Kill Cover Airwear Protexture Foundation SPF 25 PA++ (P748) to my Althea shopping cart last time. It sounded like just the thing I needed, plus it came with a novel-looking brush. For the price, it looked like a good deal.

I love the dewy, light to medium coverage of this liquid foundation. It smoothened and hid whatever needs work on my skin without much effort - I feel like I'm a K-drama star in terms of skin perfection whenever I have it on! (Feel ko lang). I also enjoy the watery texture as it's easy to blend out with the accompanying soft brush.

The shade I have, Ginger, is the only shade available over at Althea. That's unfortunate as it's one shade lighter than I'd like. I know that there's a darker shade available so that might work for my NC35 skin (medium). If you're NC30 (light medium), I think Ginger would work for you

That chok chok lyf

Staying power on me is about 5-6 hours when set properly with powder. In our humid weather, I find that this is not as long-wearing nor as shine-free as I'd like. I imagine that it'd be perfect for cooler climes though! I find this feels sticky on my skin if I'm not wearing the right primer or even just the right moisturizer. 

A bit more on the brush: it has this circular notch in the center supposedly for cupping the foundation and allowing you to distribute it all over your face evenly. It's a nice thought, but in practice, the Airwear foundation is so, so watery that it sinks right in in the brush as soon as you squeeze it out. This brush might work for thicker foundation though; it's a great brush otherwise. The bristles are soft and buff out pigments evenly.

Overall, I think you'll love the Clio Kill Cover Airwear Protexture Foundation SPF 25 PA++ if:

• You have dry to normal skin.
• You work or study in cold, airconditioned environments or like to travel to cooler climates.
• You're into the glowy, chok chok finish (which I am on occasion, as I think it looks pretty!)
• You prefer easy to apply, lightweight bases with fairly good coverage.

You won't like it if:

• You're oily and don't like how sticky bases can get in this heat.
• You're darker than medium yellow (Koreans should really work on darker - yes, darker pa more - shades).

And that is that! Do you think this liquid foundation is for you? What's your current liquid base for this crazy summer heat?