How long does it take you to use up a product? I don't wear makeup everyday, I circulate through a lot of skincare products, and I have a tendency to apply anything sparingly (because I was taught to make tipid) so it takes me a long, long time to empty out a product. It may seem like a good thing but what actually happens is that the product hits its expiry date or goes bad before I'm able to finish it up. If and when I'm finally able to produce an empty though, that's also when I realize how much I actually liked and enjoyed it!

Of course, there are also those of us who will continue to use meh products just so that they don't go to waste. Did we love them or did we just tolerate them? The PV team dishes out on what we've finally used up, what we think about them, and whether you should definitely add it to your cart or avoid it like the plague.

Claire: I always stock up on MiaCare Spot Care Patches - I go through these so quickly! After this box though, I tried the ones from CosRX and those rocked my world but I would probably repurchase the MiaCare ones instead, just because all Watsons branches stock it. Next up is Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence. I like that I can use it both as an essence and as a toner but I don't feel like it made a dramatic difference on my skin. I think I could get the same or better results from other essences.

I finished up two serums: Olay White Radiance Cellucent White Essence Serum and Benefit Instant Comeback Facial Serum (mini). The Olay serum was actually a repurchase - it does lighten my dark spots but it takes two to three weeks for visible results. Not gonna repurchase this though because I will be trying out In Her Element's Spot Control Facial Oil!

The Benefit serum brightens my skin and I like using it before applying makeup. Still, I don't think it's worth the price tag (I'm definitely keeping the cute little bottle though!). I've already repurchased the CosRX One Step Pimple Clear Pad. It's the ultimate exfoliant/toner with BHA for the lazy girl! The VMV Hypoallergenics Essence Skin-Saving Superwash is technically a joint empty. My husband uses this as shampoo, face, and body wash. I use it as facial wash when I'm too lazy to reach for mine on the sink LOL. It didn't trigger his skin asthma and his skin continues to improve. It never triggered a reaction on my sensitive facial skin either so needless to say, this one has become a staple in our bathroom.

Stacie: I don't know if you can see how simot my Heroine Make Lasting Mineral BB Cream is! I love this BB so much that I cut it the tube open so I can use every last drop! It fits my skin color well and has medium coverage. Too bad they left the country! I've hit pan on two powders from Tony Moly namely their Cristal Blusher in #7 and the Cat's Wink Pact, which are both part of my everyday routine. I'm also near to emptying Etude House's Face Blur, which is my everyday primer. I probably just have 2 weeks of use left for this!

Jenn: I only have two empties for this month. One is my Migabee Witch Hazel and Seabuckthorn Toner, the bottle of which I accidentally threw away before I could take a photo. I love this toner and really used it up to the last drop because it really regulated my skin's sebum production. The other is the BRTC Jasmine Cleansing Oil, which I like using on days when I use just light makeup. Its floral scent soothes me and cleanses without stripping the skin's natural oils.

Charlie: I have a lot of skincare items open at the moment that it's really been a goal of mine to actually finish even just a few of them early this year. Recently, I ended up emptying my favorite serum, the Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum, my trusty troubled-skin helper COSRX Pimple Pads, and my night moisturizer, the Etude House Collagen Moistfull Cream. I wish they were as less expensive here as they are in Korea but still, I love these products as they’ve helped calm my skin during my monthly breakout attacks. I’m actually planning to repurchase all of them!

Crystal: I'm proud of myself for using up another lipstick, even though it was a deluxe size: NYX semi-matte lip cream in Istanbul. This is my second lip empty for the year so far! I also used up a travel size spray of Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Now Eau de Parfum. I initially thought that I wouldn't like anything with coconut but I love how fresh it smells and turns into a floral scent. I also used up a Laneige Pore Minimizing Pack. I really like how it dries so quickly so I can use it even when I'm in a hurry. I emptied a Nature and Co. Green Tea Mist, which I got at Beauty Bar as a pick-me-up when my skin looked weird. I used up an Obagi Clenziderm Pore Therapy toner, which helped me a lot when I was breaking out. Lastly, I also emptied an Eva Nyc Hungry Hair Oil Treatment for my frizzy, curly hair. A little really went a long way so one bottle lasted a really long time!

Gett: I finished my In Her Element Nourish and Cleanse Balm, which I've had since December. If it run out too fast, it was because it was my skin-saving best friend when I traveled to a colder climate last January and because I use it to remove glittery eye makeup! I've also gone through two Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms, which are still some of my fave lippies because of the colors and comfy wear. Standout has been my fave matte red for the longest time, and Sultry is a great MLBB!

I also finished up a tube of the COC Eye Flower Care Serum that I got from Althea Korea, which is a hair serum for lashes and brows. I've noticed how my brows and lashes seem more stronger and how my lashes have grown longer. The Nature Republic Aloe Vera gel has been a staple and is a great multi-purpose gel that feels good especially in this heat. Finally, I've also gone through a Lush Percup bar, which I initially thought was a soap LOL but is actually some kind of bar lotion! I love how it smells of coffee and gets me buzzed for the day.

Have you collected any empties so far? Did you love them enough to repurchase, or you still questing for HG quality?

The first time I stumbled on a “secret” service offered by a beauty brand, I was at a popular department store browsing through the drugstore makeup on sale. The sales assistant was probably eager for me to finally make a purchase, so she offered to give me a free makeup session whenever I needed one - with zero prompting from me. She told me that a lot of clients usually request that, and that she and the other SAs willingly oblige if it’s not a busy day.

As I made a mental note to go back there instead of splurging at a parlor for my next event, I realized that money (or at least meeting the minimum purchase requirement) truly does open doors! Since then, I’ve learned to never hesitate to ask if beauty brands offer additional services aside from selling beauty items. That’s how I discovered that there was so much more than just free makeovers! From bacne (back acne) extractions to professional makeup workshops, here are three establishments that offer secret beauty services that you may not have been aware of!

Benefit

We all know about the legendary brow waxing service at their Brow Bar - we even featured their commitment to charity a while back through this service. But did you know that they offer brow tints, lip and chin waxing, and lash extensions, too? Select branches even offer body waxing for the underarm, bikini, arm, and leg areas. You can enjoy these treatments in the privacy of their Pretty Rooms (which totally live up to they name, btw!) located at the Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, and Trinoma branches. Prices range from P700 to P1,400 and are available strictly by appointment only. Bonus: they’ll be offering a new brow service come May!

Image via bdjbox.com

VMV Hypoallergenics

I’ll be completely honest: I really like VMV skin care products for how they are formulated and labelled. The price point might be a bit high but appreciate how knowledgeable and straightforward their marketing generally is. My fondness for the brand intensified after trying out their Skin-a-Jiffy Facial, a 30-minute facial treatment that includes a gentle massage, steaming, and a custom-mixed mask treatment made on the spot but I didn’t even know that their SM Megamall branch had a spa room!

They also offer Superskin Facials (1-hour facial similar to what I tried, plus light extraction), and more intense treatments like targeted Cosmeceutical Booster Facials and Skintensive Care treatments. These treatments address aging, stress, blemishes and even back acne using VMV products! I think the pricing is fairly competitive, considering that you get to use products from the respected brand, and even receive discounts after specific purchase requirements.

What really blew my mind was when I heard about their Skin Research Centre + Clinics in Makati. You can consult with their in-house dermatologists, get help for customizing your skincare routine, and possibly even participate in their skin research trials. Appointments can be booked online.

Make Up For Ever

MUFE recently launched their Make Up Service Menu that includes different makeovers and lessons. These can be booked for free, after meeting specific minimum purchase requirements. If you’ve ever purchased a beauty product that you weren’t sure how to use, the video tutorials in the app make it super easy and convenient to access. lf I had to buy skincare or makeup from a high-end brand, I’d definitely go for MUFE! The videos are useful and give added value to their actual products. As a brand that even professional makeup artists trust, I have been eyeing the Ultra HD Makeup Lesson so I can do my own makeup for special occasions — it’s pro-level makeup so it deserves pro-level tutorials!

Estée Lauder

Speaking of looking picture-perfect for events, Estée Lauder has just launched their Glam It Up makeup services at all their counters! As the brand founder liked to say, “The most beautiful face in the world? It’s yours,” and this new offering makes it so much easier to do just that. You can choose from their Face Defining service (3-5 minutes) if you want something quick but high-impact, or go for one of five Full Look options (40 minutes to an hour) which include Bare Faced Beauty, It’s A Date, Beauty At Work, Late Night Party, and Modern Classic. 

If you're looking to up your skin care game though, you should definitely take them up on their complimentary skincare consultation! A Beauty Adviser will personalize a regimen best suited for your needs, and even do a mini facial so you can try the products and see how they work with your skin.

Bobbi Brown

It's not enough to just own the products, you need to know how to use them properly to maximize their potential. With a brand focus on natural beauty, Bobbi Brown keeps things real with its How To makeup lessons. The approach is practical with modules like How To Look Less Tired, How To Make My Skin Look Better, and How To Get Ready In Five Minutes. Best of all, the makeup artist will give you a personalized Face Chart and How To Tip Card at the end of your lesson so you have references when you recreate the look on your own! You can find the full list of available lessons here. 

These are just a few of the beauty secret services available in the metro, and I’m eager to find out if there are others being offered! Do you know of any other beauty secret services in Manila? Which ones are your faves, and do you have more tips to share? Comment below!

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?

As a dry-skinned gal, I don't really have much problems with turning greasy until much later in the day, when I'm probably home and ready to take off my makeup. Since I started taking better care of my skin though, it seems like my current skin condition is more normal than dry and I've started getting quite a bit shinier and sooner than usual.

A dab of tissue and pat of powder is enough for the moment but for the more oil-prone girls of Project Vanity, finding the right products to manage shininess has taken quite a bit of trial and error. Luckily, they've found what works best for them and considering the collective rave over a certain K-beauty powder, I'm now inclined to get one myself!

Liz: I am in La Union right now, in a bed and breakfast by the sea, and I am honestly too lazy to put any makeup on. I still don't like the greasy look though, so I always keep the Happy Skin Charcoal Blotting Sheets in my pocket. It mattifies skin instantly by absorbing oil and leaving a sliiiight dusting of powder. I like that one sheet is enough for my whole face!

Stacie: Innisfree's No-Sebum Powder and Primer are unbeatable, I swear. The primer is a cheaper (and IMHO better!) alternative to Benefit's Porefessional as it blurs my pores and prevents my face from oiling up by midday. Meanwhile, the powder is great as a finishing powder or for quick touch-ups as it mattifies my skin well without making it look too flat.

Gett: Another point for Innisfree No-Sebum Powder from me! What a godsend this has been - so much so that I already have a backup, haha! I use this to set my T-zone and my oily eyelids then I’m good to go! I've also been really digging W.Lab's Sebum Out Finish Powder. Performs pretty much the same as the Innisfree one!

Crystal: For keeping oil at bay, Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray Oil Control and Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder is a hard combo to beat. I set my foundation and concealer with Innisfree and then do the rest of my makeup. I then spray my face with Skindinavia. With this combination, I'm confident that I will stay oil-free for hours!

Jenn: My daily go-to for my oilies right now is the Master Oil Control Max with Zeroil Facial Moisturizer! I tried it on a whim since I've been seeing it raved about a lot in a Facebook makeup group and am pleasantly surprised with how well it performs. I only apply it on my T-zone area and I’m happy to say that it has not caused me breakouts. My killer combo with it is the RCMA Makeup No Color Powder. I barely have to blot throughout the day!

Marielle: Although I don't use it everyday, the Kate Tokyo Makeup Lock Primer manages to keep shine at bay for longer and my makeup more adherent without causing dry patches. It's lightweight compared to the usual velvety silicone primer, so it doesn't feel gunky in this weather. Another must-have for me is the grapefruit-scented Clean & Clear Oil Control Film.

Kim: After a long, arduous search for the ultimate oil control routine, I've finally found the answer in three products. The Murad Oil Mattifier, Innisfree No Sebum Powder, and Clean and Clear Oil Control Film make up my holy trinity for battling oil. These three combined will keep my foundation intact for up to 16 hours - a rare feat for us with oily skin types!

Have you found your HGs for keeping your face fresh and matte? Do we have the same picks?Tell us about how stay shine-free!

How is it almost the end of April already? The summer heat feels as intense as ever, and we hope everyone’s been applying (reapplying!) sunscreen to stay protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Meanwhile, things are continuing to sizzle, beauty-wise!

In this week’s roundup, we serve up a bit of mystery from Kylie Cosmetics and their most exciting collaboration yet, and a budding romance with the newest palette from BECCA Cosmetics (we love the muse that inspired it, too). If you’re still going gaga for Disney inspired makeup, you’ll want to grab the exclusive designs on our favorite brow pens. And if you want to rock a summer glow without the sun damage, Too Faced’s new collection is just the thing to warm up your skin. So grab an ice cold drink and soak up some beauty!

COMING SOON @kyliecosmetics #KKW

A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Apr 18, 2017 at 10:20am PDT

Keeping Up with Kylie and Kim

Makeup maven Kylie Jenner has dropped a bomb on our Instagram feeds and we honestly couldn’t be more excited for it! After a successful Kylie Cosmetics collaboration with big sister Khloe, Kylie is taking it one step further and involving another member of the uber popular reality TV family - superstar sister Kim Kardashian West! Kylie took to Instagram to post a video featuring her and Kim side by side, with sleek hair, gorgeously golden skin, and that signature Kardashian nude lip. 

Image via Bustle

The KKW x KYLIE collaboration will include four crème liquid lipsticks adorably named Kimberly, Kim, KiKi, and Kimmie. You can get your hands on this girl power collab when it drops on April 25!

Full story on E! Online

Image via Hypebae

#Blessed By BECCA

When it comes to amazingly luxe packing and collaborations, BECCA Cosmetics is on a roll. After the release of their purple primer, the brand is coming out with another product that’s sure to steal our hearts (and the cash in our wallets!) BECCA has announced that they’re teaming up with comedienne, TV host, author and supermodel Chrissy Teigen to create the face palette of our dreams!

The limited edition BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette will feature the model’s favorite Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Rose Gold as well as three stunning new shades: the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Beach Nectar, Sunlit Bronzer in Malibu Soleil, and Luminous Blush in Hibiscus Bloom. The palette will retail for $46 and will be available on the BECCA website some time in May.

Full story on Grazia

Image 

Destined for Disney

Wouldn’t you think I’m a girl who has everything? Not until you have these! Cult favorite K-Palette has come out with a limited edition version of their Lasting 2Way Eyebrow Liner in a Disney Princess design! The long lasting eyebrow pen features a different Disney Princess on each tube: Belle for 01 Light Brown, Rapunzel for 02 Natural Brown, Ariel for 03 Mocha Brown, and Cinderella for 04 Grayish Brown.

This is only available in select SM Beauty counters in North EDSA, Megamall, Makati, Aura, and MOA plus Watsons branches in Market Market and Robinson’s Place Ermita, so you better hurry before these collectible pens run out! 

Images via Instagram user @jerrodblandino

Just Peachy!

Despite the gigantic release of the Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection, the brand is taking things up a notch by adding to the already well-loved collection with even more products! Brand founder Jerrod Blandino announced on his Instagram that he has created an expansion of the Sweet Peach line exclusively for Sephora. The line will have everything from shadows to blushes, lippies to foundations, and more, all infused with the signature peach essence and Italian sweet fig crème. These new products won’t be out til August but knowing Jerrod, he’ll be posting a lot more teasers on his Instagram leading up to the release. Start saving up, girls!

Full story on Allure

Images via milkmakeup.com

Glow Out of This World!

There’s nothing like a well-placed highlight to give your face that healthy glow. There’s also nothing like a highlighter that goes above and beyond shimmer - we’re talking an out of this world glow! MILK Makeup revolutionized the stick highlighter when they launched their Holographic Highlighter Stick in Supernova back in 2016, and everyone couldn’t wait to get their hands on the creamy and super blendable stick.

Now the brand is back with a brand new shade: the Holographic Highlighter Stick in Mars ($28). A beautiful golden pink highlighter shade, the Mars stick is a warmer version of the cult classic Supernova, which is more of a cool toned opal. Mars also has traces of pink shimmer and gold flecks but without the overly glittery or chunky shine. The Mars Holographic Highlighter Stick will be available on May 2 from MILK, Sephora, and Urban Outfitters websites.

Full story on PopSugar

Image via Bustle

Kiehl(‘s) Em With Kindness

Talk about gifting for a good cause! Kiehl’s has come up with a very special Mother’s Day treat that will not only be the perfect gift for your mom but for those in need as well. 100% of the sales of the Kiehl’s X Jeff Koons Midnight Recovery Collection will benefit the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC).

A beautifully designed tin houses products from the cult favorite line including the Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($46), Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil ($32), and the Midnight Recovery Eye ($37). You can shop the limited edition collection from May 2 to 31. The products are already available online and the special tin is expected to hit Kiehl’s stores very soon.

Full story Bustle

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

In The Sex Talk, we consult with doctors and experts about common questions we feel should be answered by women, for women.

As if navigating love and sex - technique, birth control (natural, artificial, and emergency), and cultural beliefs about virginity - wasn't difficult enough, there is the very serious matter of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs that you should know about. Talking about venereal diseases isn’t sexy, can be embarrassing, and often involve gross descriptions of things you never imagined could happen to your vaginal area. But let’s face it: knowing more about what they are, how they’re transferred, and the options for treating them help knock the-fear-of-the-unknown down a peg. So in the spirit of adulting, we’ll forego the awkwardness and get straight to the facts with help from OB-GYN Dr. Sandee Go of St. Luke’s Medical Center. Sometimes, love harms, so it’s important to be prepared and take extra precaution!

The Bad Five

When asked to name some of the most common STDs that plague Filipinos, Dr. Go mentioned chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The first three are bacterial infections, while the latter two are carried by viruses. Gonorrhea is often referred to in the vernacular as tulo because of the unusual penile or vaginal discharge that occurs but the same symptoms apply to those with chlamydia. Syphilis can be harder to diagnosed as its moniker, “the great imitator,” is a result of it having symptoms that are also commonly found in other diseases. However, it is most often associated with rashes and sores.

Chlamydia

Gonorrhea

STD or UTI?

Could it be that the discomfort is actually from a urinary tract infection, which you can get even if you’re not sexually active? Dr. Go says that there are overlapping symptoms, so it can be hard to tell from those alone. “For example, abnormal penile or vaginal discharge, burning sensation upon urination, and lesions are symptoms that both STDs and UTIs share,” she explains. The best and surest way to find out is to visit a gynecologist who can screen for both and determine the actual cause.

Syphilis

Getting Tested

There is no one way to test for all STDs at once; if you suspect that you may have something, the doctor may have to run several tests to check in what is causing your discomfort. There are also individual DIY home test kits available for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, and for chlamydia and gonorrhea here. For HPV screening, a cervical Pap Smear can be done to find out if there are pre-malignant cells even before it turns into cervical cancer. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested via urine or a sample of genital discharge, which is then cultivated in a lab for a few days until the bacteria’s DNA can be identified. As for herpes and syphilis, a blood test can be conducted to check for antibodies, similar to how antibodies are checked to detect HIV.

In all cases, your doctor still needs to conduct a physical exam and their own sets of tests, even if you already used a DIY kit. This gives them access to more accurate results and helps ensure that the diagnosis is correct. The more they know, the better the treatment plan they can prescribe.

Herpes

Preventive Measures

According to Dr. Go, the best preventive measure is still the most commonly available barrier method. “Condoms lessen the risk [of contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases], but not always,” she warns. “Correct usage is necessary to get the most protection.” Meaning, if the penis isn’t fully sheathed, if the condom breaks, or if it slips off, then infection is possible. HPV vaccines will prevent infection only of certain virus strains so its not quite enough on its own. And in the case of scabies and crabs (aka, pubic lice!), condoms won’t do any good and neither will Brazilian waxes. “A topical treatment is required, and full recovery is needed before engaging in sexual contact,” she says. 

Treatment Options

Even if you just engaged in a drunken one night stand, #MayForever when it comes to certain diseases. Viral diseases like HIV, HPV or herpes will permanently remain in your body once contracted and can progress to create complications. Medication for these disease mostly focus on symptom management and preventing their spread. Herpes, for example, deals more with treating active lesions or reducing their emergence.

Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are usually treatable by a round of antibiotics. It’s necessary for an asymptomatic partner to be treated as well as the patient because not having the symptoms isn’t the same as being disease-free. They can still be carriers of the disease and infect others just as much as a symptomatic person can. That’s why both partners need to get tested and treated.

Image via Khokar Dispensary

Other Things You Need to Know About STDs:

• Having multiple sex partners may increase your risk of getting an STD but being in a monogamous relationship doesn’t make you safe either. Your partner may have a pre-existing condition, or in case they cheat, pass on the infection from another sexual partner. If you’re sexually active, see your doctor yearly and get a Pap smear.
• Disclosure is a must. If you have an infection, it is absolutely necessary to inform all your sexual partners in the last 2 to 3 months that they may have the disease as well. This allows them to seek out treatment and also avoid passing on the infection to others.
• Testing once isn’t always enough. There are varying incubation periods from weeks to months so regular testing is recommended, especially when multiple partners are involved.
• STDs can be spread through anal and oral sex as well. Other surprising ways to get it? Scabies and crabs can also be transferred through towels and beddings, though the likelihood is small. Some diseases need living hosts to keep them going otherwise exposure to the elements (air, heat, etc.) will just kill them.
• Some STDs can be passed on from the mother to her unborn child. Left untreated, syphilis can be transmitted to a baby while a mother with active lesions during delivery can also pass on herpes. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, make sure to check with your doctor that your system is clear of diseases that can be transmitted in utero or during childbirth. 

If you have had unprotected sex or suspect that you or your partner may have an STD, seek medical assistance immediately. It may seem embarrassing at first but consider that doctors have seen all sorts of cases, some probably worse than you’re experiencing. You owe it to yourself and your partner to get treatment immediately because sex should be safe for it to be enjoyable. 

Sources: American Cancer Society, WebMD, CDC, WebMD, British Journal of Cardiology

Photo Sources: Advuro, Nutrition Review, About STDs, Reference.com, Infectious Diseases Hub, Herpes Land, CDC, Health Life Media, TES, Cleaveland Health

Admittedly, I’m a naturally clumsy person and pretty much everyone who knows me can share a story or two about how klutzy I can be. As a result, I’ve had more than my fair share of beauty boo-boos: from dropping a glass bottle of tester foundation at the malls, to accidentally pulling out all my eyelashes with a cheap curler! I had to fake my lashes by drawing them on with a pen liner for weeks until they grew back, and that’s definitely the worst mess I’ve been in so far.

I still make a lot of other smaller mistakes every day though, so if you have butterfingers like I do, here’s a quick guide to avoiding total beauty mayhem and how to deal when they do happen.

Your complete lack of drawing skills are painfully obvious in your mismatched eyeliner wings

Instead of trying to remedy the situation by drawing a little more on each side until you end up looking like a raccoon, remove the lines you’ve drawn and start afresh. Grab some adhesive tape and stick it to the back of your hand a few times to make it less sticky before carefully placing a piece at the corner of each eye. You can move it around until you feel satisfied with the placement; this will serve as your outline! 

Now you can just run your liquid or gel eyeliner along the edge of the tape, doing your best to make the length and thickness of each wing as uniform as possible. Continue lining the rest of your eye then gently peel off the tape when you’re done. If you still make a few mistakes or want to sharpen the definition, just apply a bit of concealer!

After perfectly blending your eyeshadow, your unsteady hands land some eyeliner or mascara on your masterpiece

Before you cry and ruin the rest, calm down and remember that this is salvageable without having to redo your whole look. Grab your trusty concealer and use a clean cotton bud to pick up a bit of product. Warm it up a bit at the back of your hand before gently patting concealer just right over the stray eyeliner or smudged mascara. Do not blend! This basically erases the error and allows you to rebuild your base eye makeup only on a specific portion of your eyelid so you don’t have to touch anything else. When set, you can just apply a bit more eyeshadow on that area. 

If your hands are shaky, try resting your elbow on a level surface whenever you apply eyeliner your aim steady. For mascara, you can place a business card or even a spoon right behind your lashes to keep the wand from landing on your skin.

You’re not trying to eat it but lipstick keeps getting on your teeth

When we apply lipstick, we usually cover all bases, even the innermost part of our lips. If you have a tendency to over-apply or happen to be wearing a particularly slippery lipstick formula though, you can get some of that on your teeth without even knowing. To prevent any unsightly vampire-like moments, apply your lipstick as normal then place a (clean!) finger in your mouth. When you pull it out, the excess lipstick should stick to your finger instead of getting on your teeth but it’s a good idea to still check your teeth from time totime. Repeat this process as needed if your teeth continue to get lipstick stains.

You applied foundation before putting your clothes on and now it’s on your shirt

If you pulled on a shirt after application or apply foundation down to your neck, getting makeup on your clothes is bound to happen. While you can just change into something else, you may risk transferring makeup onto more clothing and it’s a good idea to remove the stains as soon as possible.

Don’t rub it with water as it may cause the stain to spread and set! Instead use something that’s actually designed to breakdown these kinds of formula: makeup remover wipes! Simply dab or even rub it over the stain until the discoloration is removed. You can cut the sheet in two and save the other half for cleaning your face later on. You may also use micellar water on a cotton pad to get the same effect.

You reach for something in your vanity and accidentally topple your open liquid foundation over, spilling the product

It’s a normal instinct for us to want to save the spilled product, just as we would fix our broken palettes, especially if the product was expensive. Unfortunately, the spilled liquid has already been contaminated, no matter how clean the surface it spilled on may seem.

If you really really want to save the product regardless, don’t add the salvaged product back into the original bottle with its remaining contents. Place it instead into a separate clean container so you don’t end up contaminating the entire batch.

Warning: if the spill occurred as a result of breakage, don’t try to save the liquid anymore! Especially in the case of broken glass packaging, small shards may have mixed with the spilled product so this is no longer safe to use. Let it go (into the trash bin) and take care to be more conscientious next time!

Do you have any other hacks for clumsy girls like me? Share your best tips in the comments below!

The last time I did a "what's in my bag" story was, wow, three years ago. The contents may have changed slightly in 2017 but I can't help but notice that I'm featuring another blue bag! This time, it's a pretty Saint Laurent Y-Ligne Cabas that I've had for a while now. It's light and roomy enough, but I can't really overload it with items since the strap is slim. I love it though as the powder blue color surprisingly works with many of my outfits.

Aside from my wallet and phone, here's what I usually bring with me out to work meetings and events!

Let's start with the practical stuff first. I always bring this Midori notebook and Pilot Cavalier fountain pen (both from Tokyo) so I can jot down notes while I'm at a meeting. Pretty stationery make me happy but more than that, I care about the quality of paper, writing instrument, and ink I use. I also have this cute fabric business card holder I got from Naraya in Bangkok, while of the powerbanks I use is the Imation Link. It can also store photos and videos directly from my phone plus it has a built-in cord of its own. Handy right?

Finally, I like to keep everything clean with the two Watsons products I can't live without: the Mini Wet Wipes and Mini Hankies! The wipes are only P19 a pack, with a buy two take one promo pa. They're my favorite because they don't feel drying on my hands AND the liquid isn't sticky once it has dried! The tissues on the other hand are just P39 for 10 packs with 10 sheets each. That's pretty sulit, and if you've ever tried these, you'll know how thick they are.

Pro tip: if you need an emergency makeup remover for your face, you can use these Watsons wipes! Yes, I've had to use these to wipe my makeup a few times I've forgotten to bring a makeup remover for my after tennis shower. I didn't break out, and it did a good job. Not bad at all!

You guys might already know that I don't really bring that much cosmetics when I'm out of the house. I mean, what's the point of using great products on your face if you expect them to fall apart in three hours? Retouching key areas is a must though! I bring the Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don't Lie Matte Lip Crayon (this one's I Can't Even), the Happy Skin Tickled Pink Oil Blotting Sheets, and the Tony Moly Panda's Dream powder pact. I do care about how cute the products look so that retouch time is fun. ;P

That glass rollerball with the gold cap contains the Jo Malone Basil & Neroli Cologne. I bought about a dozen of these tubes a few months ago and have been filling them with my fave scents! It's a convenient way to bring perfumes in style, don't you think? Application is more discreet too versus spraying the scent all over.

And that is that. ^_^ I hope you enjoyed this peek! I'd love to know what you keep in your work bag too! 

The not-so-big-surprise is that just about everything comes in cushion form nowadays. In addition to the standard cushion foundation, there’s now a tone-up cushion, cushion highlighter, corrector, blush, eyeliner, concealer, and even cushion fragrance. I’m just waiting for the invention of a cushion brow stamp to take the place of the powder one!

I had a lot of fun coming up with my own DIY cushion compact foundation, which was easy and allowed me to customize a shade to match my skin tone to a tee. This time, I decided to try my hand at making a cushion blush to help me resist buying one. It turned out to be ridiculously easy to make!

Materials:

• Empty and clean cushion compact case* with cushion and applicator sponge 
• Small bowl
• Mixing spoons
• Cream or mousse blush (or several, if you want try mixing your own shade)
• Facial oil
• CC cream
• Liquid highlighter/illuminator (optional)

* If you are using a cushion compact case meant specifically for cushion foundation, you may need to whip up a bigger batch of the blush mixture to saturate the cushion better. The quality and pigmentation of the blush cushion will all depend on the products you used to blend into it, and it’s best to use this up in a month to ensure freshness. Cushion compacts may be purchased for P235 at Althea.

You may also re-use an old cushion compact simply by washing the empty cushion with dishwashing fluid or baby shampoo, and then rinsing the compact as well.

Now here's how to make the liquid blush!

Step 1: Scoop some cream or mousse blush into a small bowl. Sky’s the limit as you can use a blend of two or more colors, if you’d prefer to create a custom shade. Make sure to use a new or completely cleaned spoon to scoop out product from their original containers to avoid cross-contamination and unintended color mixing.

You can actually also use lipsticks. The ingredients of lipsticks are technically the same as a cream or liquid blush, just with perhaps more or a stiffer kind of wax. If you can put it on your lips, you should be able to put it on your cheeks.

Step 2: Add a drop or two of facial oil to dissolve the pigment and mix well. It is imperative that you use the tiniest amount of oil possible, because this merely serves to help blend the pigment together. I’ve discovered that water-based serums tend to turn cream and mousse blushes lumpy, while using too much oil can cause the cushion blush formula to separate. Adjust the shade and intensity of pigmentation by adding more cream blush until you get the hue you want. Make sure that it’s correct because it will be difficult adjust the shade later on. It’s also best to make the blush color blend super pigmented at first as it will thin out and look a bit more sheer as you add more ingredients.

Step 3: Add CC cream and blend until you get the standard cushion makeup consistency. This is also the point where you can incorporate some liquid highlighter/illuminator for that extra dewy glow.

Step 4: Pour half of the formula at the bottom of your cushion compact case, replace the cushion, and then pour the other half over the cushion. Saturate the cushion by pressing the product in with your mixing spoon. Aaaand, you’re done!

So why use CC cream? I noticed that most of the K-beauty cushion blushes I’ve encountered have a milky, almost-pastel coloring to them. Since CC cream has a brightening/insta-white effect, it could help mimic that milkiness.

I’ve been using my DIY cushion blush everyday since making it! I love the level of buildable pigmentation that I’m getting, and it blends at the edges with just a few pats. The liquid highlighter also gives my cheeks a hydrated, dewy look.

Have you ever tried cushion blushes before? Will you be trying this DIY? What shade would you like your custom cushion blush to have?

It’s always difficult to force ourselves back into the daily grind after enjoying a long, relaxing weekend. Whether you were team Laboracay, La Union, or LaBahay, this weekend all roads lead to White Space in Pasong, Tamo, Makati for this year’s Row101 Summer Pop Up! Happening on May 6 to 7 (Saturday and Sunday) from 11am to 9pm, it’s a shopping bonanza that you will not want to miss. Here’s a sneak preview of what’s coming your way!

Earrings from Simone's Closet

Local celebrities and fashion influencers will be opening their envy-worthy closets

This year’s summer pop up will see a nice mix of fashion, food, and beauty brands offering the best deals. Models, style influencers, and celebrities will also be hosting their own booths to sell brand new and pre-loved clothes and cosmetics. Chie Filomeno, Janina Manipol, Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia, and Vern and Verniece Enciso will have booths set up so do drop by and check out their stuff!

Need proudly Filipino-made skincare for your busy life? In Her Element has you covered!

Our very own skincare brand In Her Element will be having our bazaar debut. You can test and shop the Nourish and Cleanse Balm, First Wash Cleansing Oil, Pure Squalane Facial Oil, and Spot Control Facial Oil. Come say hi and hang out with the PV team. Our founder and editor Liz Lanuzo will be there as well to share her recos! Need more convincing? Event goers will be getting first dibs on our two new surprise products! *wink*

It's going to be a K-beauty stop, too!

Our favorite Korean brands Etude House, Tony Moly, and Leaders will also be there to sell their wares. If you’ve always wanted to get your hands on Etude House’s Berry Delicious Collection, Tony Moly’s Panda’s Dream Collection, or the rave-worthy sheet masks from Leaders, Row101 is a convenient way to collect them all under one roof. 

Shoes from El Marikeno

Hard-to-find but amazing local fashion brands will be there for us to explore

The Row 101 Summer Pop Up Bazaar is also a great place to shop awesome local fashion finds. There’s no shortage of clothes, shoes, swimwear, and accessories from brands like El Marikeno, Shoegar, and Simone’s Closet. 

Joyce, Marj and Nikki

Say hi to your favorite beauty vloggers and bloggers

While you’re there, don’t miss out on the perfect chance to meet and greet your favorite beauty influencers! Joyce Sola, Marj Sia, Nikki Tiu, Say Tioco, Jessica Godinez, Kim Mendoza, and Genzel Habab will be shopping and selling at the event themselves, so check out their booths for makeup and skincare finds. 

Other brands participating in this year’s Row 101 include:

Browhaus, Happy Socks, Boulangerie 22, Bahn Mi, Serbesa MNL, Baba's Kitchen, Squeeze Me, Below 35 MNL, Lazeez Shawarma, Swinging Chairs, Sunflower Kitchen, Lemoon Philippines, Sefra Babe Wear, Marie Villamor, Sun Fish PH, Alijo Chua, Basi, Shop Katre, Shop Eunice Sason, B Manila, Vida Lim, Guppy Shorts, Simone's Closet, The Poppy PH, Leather and Feet, Shut Up Tees by Rekles, Heir Clothing, Owl PH, Kaine Cordova Primegroup, Teddy Sage, I Love Koi, Grigio Inc. El Marikeno, La Latina Swimwear, Ibiza Love Your Sole, Sola Jewelry, Estela Philippines, Coral Swimwear, Food Truck Cheese Steak and Food Truck Fire Station.

There will also be some surprise booths so be sure not to miss this summer event!

Here’s my loot from the media preview of Row 101. I can’t wait to go this weekend to catch the best deals! You can come in for free simply by sharing the official event poster below on your Facebook timeline with the caption "I am going to #row101summerpopup on May 6 and 7 at White Space, Pasong Tamo, Makati!”. Just show your post at the door to gain free entrance. Hope to see you there!

More than all the skin care in the world, sunscreen is the most important thing you can and should apply on your skin. Not only can it delay wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and other signs of aging, it also protects you from skin cancer! That’s a real health issue well outside the confines of everyday vanity.

There’s no debate that everyone needs to wear sunscreen everyday. The question now is, how do you choose the best sunscreen for your needs? Here are three basic factors you should check for!

UVB Protection

All sunscreens should have an SPF or sun protection factor declared on their labels. This is what protects us from UVB rays that cause redness and sunburn. What you should know is that you don’t actually need a lot of it to get yourself protected.

With just SPPF15, a sunscreen can already block 93% of UVB rays. SPF30 increases that protection to 97%, and SPF 45 to 50 blocks up to 98%. There’s very little difference in protection as you go for a higher rating. Up to this day, no sunscreen can promise 100% protection.

UVA Protection

UVA rays cause photoaging and suppression of the immune system. In the US, sunscreens are labeled “broad spectrum” when they offer UVA protection. Here and in other Asian countries though, we use a system called Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD). The higher the PPD rating, the longer it takes for the skin to tan, as compared to when the skin is unprotected.

Thus, products that have UVA protection are labeled as “PA+, ++, +++,” and so on, indicating the protection grade. PA+ means a PPD rating of 2 to 4, PA++ means a PPD rating of 4 to 8, PA+++ means a PPD rating of 8 to 16, and PA++++ means a PPD rating of 16 or higher. 

Water Resistance

The US FDA doesn’t allow sunscreens to be labeled as “waterproof” or “sweatproof.” Instead, sunscreens that can last for up to 40 minutes in water may be labelled as “water resistant” while those that can last effectively for up to 80 minutes in the water are labeled “very water resistant.” 

We’ve already covered a lot of facial sunscreens in the past but lest we forget, the rest of our body needs protection, too! So for this showdown, we decided to put four body sunscreens that we regularly use to the test. Meet our contenders!

Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture, P459 for 125ml at Watsons 

With broad spectrum SPF50 PA++, the Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture has you completely covered. It’s labeled as water-resistant, and I made it to 40 minutes in the water before feeling like I needed to reapply it already. It can be really sticky though even if the label says otherwise. It creates a white cast. There’s a strong sunscreen scent upon application but it seems to fade afterwards. This would be good to use for when you’re outdoors and expecting to sweat a lot, or for swimming. 

Belo SunExpert Body, P459.75 for 100ml at Watsons

At SPF60, Belo offers the highest SPF coverage among the products I tested plus a pretty high broad spectrum protection at PA+++. It’s also the only product here that’s labeled as hypoallergenic and paraben-free, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or conscious about product ingredients. It’s also water-resistant but I find that it does not last as long as Nivea does. It’s not really sticky and doesn’t have a white cast but it leaves a sheen on my skin. It still smells like sunscreen but the scent is less noticeable compared to Nivea.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel, P460 for 90ml at Watsons

Unlike all the other products I tested, this features a gel formulation that you can apply on both your body and face. It’s not water-resistant but I love that it absolutely feels like nothing once applied.

The downside, however, is that it doesn’t have any moisturizing properties that a cream lotion formulation usually provides. For my face, it’s okay because I have combination skin and I only need a bit of moisturizer on my cheeks. But I have dry skin on the rest of my body, so I’d need to apply lotion first before putting this on. If you have normal skin on your body though, this is a good pick for you as you can use it all over. No need to bring a separate sunscreen just for your face!

Silka Premium Whitening Lotion in Papaya with Milk and Honey, P174 for 200ml at Watsons

This moisturizes really well and has a skin brightening effect because of the addition of niacinamide, sweet almond milk protein, and papaya enzyme in the formulation. It does not claim to be water-resistant but I wouldn’t mind reapplying this every two hours because I love the scent. The price is very budget-friendly! It’s an economical option for everyday use, however, we recommend a different sunscreen if you’ll be outdoors long or when swimming.

Reminders about using sunscreen

It’s best to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes BEFORE sun exposure to give the product time to dry on your skin. Be generous with your application because a thin layer won’t build up enough product to shield you from the sun's rays - you’ll usually need about a shot glass worth of sunscreen to cover EACH limb in your body. Finally, regardless of whether you’re swimming or just outdoors, you need to reapply about every 2 to 3 hours to ensure that you get continuous protection. 

Care to share what your fave body sunscreen is? Why do you love it?

Sources: Time, Skincancer.org, Byrdie, Foxnews.com, TheKlog.co, Cancer.org.au

How hot is it going to be today? That's my #1 consideration when I wear makeup lately. The hotter it is, the lighter I need my base to be since it can get uncomfortable later on! I ascribe to the "less is more" philosophy during the summer, unless I really, really have to pile on the product for work. At the same time I need my makeup to keep it together for the day. Sounds impossible, right? Not really. If you find the correct products for your needs, you'll have more control with the way your makeup looks later on.

Happy Skin recently released a duo that should help with keeping our faces shine-free for longer. The brand introduced the Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude (P1,299 for 25 ml), a silicone-based primer that fills in pores and mattifies skin in one later. They also have the new Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent (P1,200 for 8 grams), a white, zero-coverage powder that creates a matte filter-like effect on the skin. 

Here's what I think of each!

A pea-sized amount is enough for the whole face. I like spout dispensers like this since I can control the amount of product that comes out.

The Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude looks and feels like your typical silicone primer. It's dimethicone-based, with added kaolin powder and mica to enhance the ultra smoothing finish. It has no coverage at all even though it has a slight tint off the tube, but as you can see in my before and after photo, one layer of it seems to have made my skin tone and texture more even. 

I like the mild, clean scent of this primer and how easy it is to blend all over the face. Do note that you have to wait for your moisturizer and/or sunscreen to dry completely before applying it. Otherwise, the primer won't sit on your skin well! You'll notice it will crease or roll off in a few hours. Also make sure to apply the rest of your base makeup after Matte About You has dried and set.

As promised on the label, this Happy Skin primer lessens the appearance of pores, flakes, and rough skin. It also helps to keep shine at bay for about three to four hours on my combination skin - I usually shine in two. Not bad at all! It really helps to hold my makeup down (you'll see later). I did notice though that it has a lifespan; it creases slightly on me after six to seven hours so I have to correct the fine creases as they appear.  

Nevertheless, I like the Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude and will continue to use it when it's extra hot outside. I have combination skin so I'm actually ok with just patting my nose with powder on a regular day. Sometimes though, a girl needs a hand! This is just the thing I need to keep my look fresh in this crazy summer. 

I find myself reaching for the Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent regularly because it just makes my skin look so gorgeous. It doesn't look like a blah white on skin; it sorta melts into my color, creating this amazing filter-like finish! This can be used as a setting powder after liquid/cream bases, but it also excels at absorbing oil midday. I love that it's not a flat matte. It has some light-reflecting juju going on so that it looks skin-like and not just totally matte.

It takes a bit of layering to set makeup with this as the powder is quite tightly pressed, but it only takes a layer to remove shine. It comes in a mirrored compact with a puff so you can retouch anytime. Plus points for the cute, mermaid-inspired packaging too! I do hope Happy Skin would sell refills in the future.

Applied the Matte About You primer here, added liquid foundation on top, then set everything with the Matte Of Your Dreams powder. How's that for smooooooth AF?

Seven hours later, here's what my makeup looks like! I did not retouch AT ALL. My base has faded a bit, though I'm way less shiny than I normally would be considering I use a liquid foundation. It still looks serviceable because of the primer + powder combo.

Overall, I highly recommend the Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent to just about anyone who wants a smoothing powder for retouching. It's well-milled and not gritty at all, so the results on skin are impressive. It's a bit pricey for 8 grams at that, but well worth it if you want a good retouch powder that won't look cakey or disturb what you already have on.

Let me know what y'all think, as always! Are you digging these new Happy Skin products?

If Project Vanity had a motto, it would definitely be “Never ever skip sunscreen”. There are just so many benefits for doing so and with many affordable choices for both the face and body,  there is simply no excuse for neglecting your skin. Full-body sun protection doesn’t even just stop there - if you truly want to be covered from head to toe, you’ll need help from something like the two new Belo SunExpert products: the Hair and Scalp Shield (P349.75) and the After Sun Gel (P259.75)!

After the release of the non-aerosol Belo SunExpert Transparent Mist (P449.75), the Hair and Scalp Shield was a curious addition to the collection primarily because the packaging looks almost identical. It has a pop of green on the label though, and even without looking you’d be able to identify which is which because of the scent. The Transparent Mist has a strong sunscreen-alcohol smell while the Hair and Scalp Shield has a sweet, fruity scent similar to the After Sun Gel.

The Hair and Scalp Shield can be applied on both damp or dry hair but take care to apply it correctly. You need to hold it at least 9 inches away from your hair when spraying because the oily formula might just collect on a single concentrated oily spot when applied too close. A spritz or two is enough to give hair a natural-looking luster and mild frizz control. Just lightly comb through the hair to evenly distribute the product all over. If you’re prone to getting greasy roots though, you may want to limit application to just the hair tips and away from the scalp.    

Sun damage is a year-long reality, not just something that becomes a problem in summer or at the beach. Being outdoors for a prolonged period of time without sun protection or its reapplication can cause dry, tingly skin even if you don’t turn red or look tan. It’s handy to have the After Sun Gel to soothe the irritation effectively and help it begin to repair the damage. It’s formulated with niacinamide, a popular ingredient in serums and moisturizers because it has anti-inflammatory effects, restores hydration, and evens out skintone. Once applied, the gel behaves as a fast-absorbing lightweight lotion that leaves a little bit of sheen. There is menthol in there but the cooling effects is subtle and lasts less than 5 minutes. 

Before

After

The two Belo SunExpert products perfectly complement the previous roster of face and body sunscreens. With these new additions, the brand ensures that every inch of you gets the sun protection it needs, as well as aftercare for repairing the sun damage. Strictly speaking, they aren’t absolute must-haves like sunblock or sunscreen are but they are useful and convenient to have.

If you're not yet sure, you can sample these Belo products (and more!) over at Sample Room. Find the Belo SunExpert Hair and Scalp Shield here and the Belo SunExpert After Sun Gel here. Both can be yours at only 75 and 50 points respectively.

Have you tried Belo SunExpert before? What are your fave products? Would you add these two to your routine?

Belo SunExpert products are available in leading drugstores and supermarkets.  

Here at Project Vanity, we’re always on the lookout for products that tickle the Internet’s fancy. Whether it’s a buzzed about cult favorite, a hot trendy product, or a crazy novelty item that might just work – we’re always curious to find out which ones are actually worth the hype. Liquid lipsticks have been around a while and practically every single brand has their own take on the formula. We’ve tested out five local liquid lipstick brands before but now it’s time to see which of these seven international cult favorites is the best of the best!  

For reference, I normally apply makeup before 7 in the morning, and take it off at around 9pm when I get home. In those 14 hours, I’d have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and lots of snacking and drinking in between. I avoided eating anything oilier than usual during the test days, and applied balm and exfoliated my lips the night before to keep them as soft, smooth and supple as possible. These photos are the result of zero retouching and minimal wiping after meals. Here’s my verdict for each!

Jouer Liquid Lip Crème in Melon (about P800 to P1200 for the full size from online resellers)

The Jouer formula is touted by many as a thin, lightweight, comfortable liquid lipstick. I find that to be all true, which is impressive for a liquid lipstick that actually dries down matte. These lip crèmes smell like butter cake frosting, and are quick to set upon application. Compared to most liquid lipsticks, Jouer has minimal transfer, is the least bit drying, and easy to retouch. If there’s anything negative to say, it’s that the lip creme emphasizes lines and crumbles a bit throughout the day. I would say all eight shades that I have (purchased as a mini set) have medium pigmentation and would need to be layered twice to get full opacity.

Colourpop Ultra Matte in Beeper and Ultra Satin in Alyssa (about P300 to P500 each from online resellers)

Believe your makeup-loving friends when they tell you that Colourpop lippies are drying to the point of peeling. While they look Instagram-worthy upon application, any further smiling will show that they settle into and emphasize lines, no thanks to the thick and heavy formula. I’m usually able to easily remove my liquid lipsticks but the Ultra Mattes and Ultra Satins are best removed with a cleansing oil or balm to protect your lips from further peeling. 

Ultra Satin

The Ultra Satin would stay wet and tacky while the Ultra Mattes dry down to a flat matte. The satins are just a tinge more comfortable than the mattes but the slight comfort upgrade doesn’t save my lips from feeling ultra dry after. Also, I’ve used these lipsticks no more than ten times but the peeled-off sticker on the cheap packaging seems to tell another story. For all my nitpicking though, they are still pretty hard to beat in terms of color payoff and longevity at their price range.

Lonely Planet Liquid Lipstick in Concrete Jungle (about P700 to P900 from Etsy)

I’m glad I took a chance on this indie Etsy brand after getting curious about the hype. This Lonely Planet liquid lipstick is a thin, lightweight, non-drying, and comfortable formula that hugs the lips like second skin. The formula feels a lot like a less-flat Jouer actually but it would never last through a meal. That said, the smooth formulation makes for an easy retouch and it takes a while to set so if you’re still learning the ropes of liquid lipstick application, the forgiving formula will do great for practice.

However, it doesn't stay very well on the lips. At four hours, it's close to falling apart. You may need to wear a lip liner as a base!

Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Havana Nights (P850 from Glamourbox)

The Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick works the most like actual liquefied lipsticks. They feel and wear similarly to your average bullet and are just a tad longer lasting. While I like how creamy, opaque, and comfortable the mousse formula is, the transfer is absolutely the worst I’ve come across and it’s not the type of lipstick you’d want to wear on a date or a windy day. The formula bunches and flakes off throughout the day but just patting it with your finger is enough to save your lip look as the flexible formula never completely dries down. 

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina (P1,250 for the full size at Rustan’s)

Naming the lipstick “stay all day” was a tough claim – but one that they’ve almost managed to pull off. The moussey, opaque formula is a little thicker than I’d like yet they it hugs the lips nicely without looking gloppy. The Stila liquid lipstick can take a while to set; it stays tacky and constantly transfers throughout the day.

On the plus side, it doesn’t crumble off as it wears and simply fades from the center out, which is preferable IMO. It can also be retouched without starting over. I only have the mini (purchased as part of a trio kit) and while I adore the sleek gold packaging, the doe foot applicator picks up way too much product.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II (about P1000 to P1300 from online resellers)

Everlasting what? Kat Von D’s liquid lipstick used to be my go-to events lipstick because of how budge-proof it was but I’ve had worse luck with it these days for some reason. Whether the formula changed, or I simply don’t eat as much during events, I can’t seem to stretch the mileage of KVD to more than six hours of wear for everyday. That said, I still love the thin, fluid, opaque-in-one-layer formula of the Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. Even with the shorter wear time, I find that they fade nicely and don’t sink into any lines.

And the winner is...

It was a tough call, as all of these lipsticks have their pros and cons. In the end I'm going to name the Jouer Liquid Lip Crème as the one to beat! It's comfortable, not as drying compared to the others, and its wear time is pretty great. It had issues that could easily be addressed - I can layer it to achieve full opacity and it will still be thin and lightweight. The fading and slight crumbling could be easily saved by blotting with a tissue and reapplying when needed.

After shooting all these lippies, I’m off to mask my lips for a week! Whew! Did you have similar experiences with any of these lipsticks? What’s your current favorite liquid lip formula?

Happy month of May, PV girls! This week’s beauty news is all about the fancy new arrivals from high-end makeup brands and the exciting promos available in local stores. We’re so excited for the Fashion Meets Beauty collabs, a super-waterproof eyeshadow we can probably swim with, and the ongoing contest that allows you to win a set of limited edition brushes weekly! Pretty cool, right? Read on!

Kipling, the brand famous for colorful and playful fabric bags, is celebrating their 30th anniversary with an all new store and collection! Visit them at their recently opened boutique in 2F, Uptown Mall in BGC. They've also just come out with the Dream Garden Collection, a lovely set of bags in dreamy pastel pinks and lavenders. If you buy any bag from the collection, you get a free Pink Party Monkey Keychain (limited edition, only for Kipling's 30th birthday) to match with with your new bag baby! Get it only until May 30.

Image via Banila Co Philippines

Thrilla in Banila (Co.)

K-beauty brands are known for giving out samples and gifts with purchase but Banila Co.‘s special treat is beyond generous. They’ve just released the new The Banila Co. x Taeyeon Happy Collection (P2,850), and with each purchase, shoppers will also receive The Best Collection Kit for FREE! We are not making this up!

In addition to the Happy Cushion in BP15, Happy Lip in Relent Pink, and Happy Color Eyeshadow Palette (3 shadow pigments and a blush) that comes in Taeyeon’s Happy Collection, you’ll also be taking home four premium sample sizes of Banila Co's best-selling products: Clean It Zero, White Wedding Sleeping Essence, Prime Primer Classic, and It Radiant CC Cream! Such a good deal, right? And if you’re still looking for a gift for your mom on Mother’s Day, the Banila Co. online store is offering FREE SHIPPING until May 13. Happy shopping, girls!

Image via beautydea.it

An XL-ent Makeover

It takes a lot of guts for a brand to reformulate, repackage, and basically revamp a cult classic. Toying with a crowd favorite can get a brand a lot of backlash or possibly lose them loyal customers, but some risks are worth taking. Make Up For Ever has decided to do just that with their 2007 Aqua Cream and revamp it into the new AQUA XL COLOR PAINT Extra Long Lasting Waterproof Shadow ($25).

The new formula is now easier to mix and apply, thanks to a silicone blend that adds to the comfort as well. The brand new tube packaging not only makes the shadow more hygienic but also keeps the product from drying out (which was the old problem of the cream pot). There are 20 shades all-in-all, and each one boasts of the waterproof formula that MUFE has become known for. We personally love the Matte Turquoise (the perfect festival look), Lustrous Khaki (every neutral lovers dream shade), and the Iridescent Pink Beige (perfect all over lid shade). You can already shop the new Aqua XL Color Paints on the MUFE site.

Full story on Refinery29

Image via Almanac

Christian LoubouNUDE

Despite the summer season being all about the bright, vibrant colors, one luxury brand is is more interested in showing some skin, or at least, looking like it. Christian Louboutin has released their Metalinudes Collection, which consists of the most amazing metallic nude nail varnishes and liquid lipsticks!

The Metalnudes Polish ($50) comes in three shades: Golddissima (orange bronze with gold hues), Preciosa (rose gold), and Bronzissima (deep bronze). With the exception of Bronzissima which will be replaced by Irisa, the same shades will also be used for the Metalnudes Liquid Lipsticks ($85), allowing you to rock the matching nail-and-lippie trend. You can shop the luxurious collection over on the Louboutin site. 

Full story on In Style

Images via Instagram user @olivier_rousteing

L’Oreal’s Balmain Baby

Pinch us cause we must be dreaming! Haute couture fashion house Balmain, a brand that works with some of the top celebrities in Hollywood, has officially teamed up with L’Oreal Paris to bring its first ever lipstick collaboration! The capsule collection is still in the works but what we do know is that there will be 12 shades in 3 different finishes.  The images above were shared by Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing and are the only ones available so far. The collection is expected for release in the US this September, so it’s a timely pasalubong from balikbayans when they come home in December!

Full story on PopSugar

Image via ColourPop Cosmetics

I Got It For My Momma!

Have you picked a Mother’s Day present yet? While these kits may not quite make it in time for next week’s celebration, it’s a gift that any makeup-loving mom would definitely want to receive. ColourPop Cosmetics has got the perfect (and personalized) treat for gorgeous moms everywhere. 

The brand has created four Mother’s Day Kits ($25), containing products perfect for every mom out there. There’s One in a Melon (Crème Gel Liner in Brew-Haha, Pressed Powder Face Duo in Double Play, and two Blotted Lips in Sucker and Drip); The Coolest Person Ever (3 Super Shock Shadows in Birthday Girl, Coconut and Desert, Lippie Stix in Bootie and Super Shock Highlighter in Flexitarian); I Got It From My Mama (Foursome shadows in Love Line, Super Shock Highlighter in Lunch Money and Ultra Matte Lip in Sunday); and lastly there’s Hot Mama (Pressed Powder Shadow Palette in Heavy Hitter, Ultra Glossy Lip in My Jam and the Super Shock Highlighter in Wisp). Aside from the amazing value for these sets, you also get to personalize your gift by selecting a card for your mom. Shop the Mother’s Day Kits here.

Full story on Bustle

Flatlay To Play

Still using your fingers to apply makeup? You can level up your technique with a set of limited edition brushes from Flormar Cosmetics! All you need to do is to post a flatlay of your favorite Flormar products and caption it with why you should be chosen to win. The best part is that they are picking a winner every week, so you have 5 chances to take a set of these plush babies home. Don’t forget to hashtag #FlormarPlushBrush #FlormarCosmetics #FlormarPh!

Winners will be announced on May 8, 15, 22, and 29

Image via BeautyMNL

Fun and Fabulous at 50!

Why should Manila girls have all the fun? If you’re in a provincial area, you may experience a hard time sourcing products. Online stores are the best way to go and as it turns out, one of our faves has a special promo! BeautyMNL is giving all of their customers are seriously awesome deal with their limited time only P50 shipping fee! No matter where you are in the Philippines, the promo is nationwide and there’s no minimum purchase required. Time to shop and finally check out those items in your car! Visit the BeautyMNL site or download the app.

Header image via Sidewalk Hustle

This story is brought to you by Jergens.

Do you do right by your skin but find that it's still so, so dry? Did your fave body lotion use to work until suddenly, it stopped doing anything? Healing and avoiding dry skin is more than just vanity. It's uncomfortable when our skin is flaky and tight (or sometimes even itchy) that it affects our quality of life. So how do you keep your skin from deteriorating to an abnormal dry state? Well, here are a few things in your routine and environment that might be causing the dryness!

Using products with too much alcohol. Alcohol as an ingredient is not always inherently bad for your skin, but using it regularly and in high concentrations can lead to dryness and irritation. Make sure to choose formulas with emollients (like aloe vera, shea butter, oils, etc.) that will help offset the effects of alcohol! 

Airconditioners set to very low temperatures. Life without aircon is equivalent to suffering in this intense summer heat. You might be tempted to turn the temperature lower than usual. However, this might also contribute to dryness as cooler temps = an increase in the dehumidifying effects of airconditioners. If you must keep your aircon to less than 20 degrees, perhaps you might consider installing a humidifier in your house or office to offset the dry air!

Too much sun exposure. Think of your skin as fruit; when left too long out in the sun, it becomes dry and dull. Limit your time out in the sun as much as possible and always, always wear sunscreen! The sun is the skin enemy #1 so make sure you're always protected or simply indoors when it is highest in the sky.

You're using the wrong lotion for your skin. Boy do we love lightweight body lotions! But often, these water-based lotions don't provide enough moisture for your skin's needs. Choose one that's cream-based instead to compensate for dryness. 

Allergies. Allergies affect different people different ways. If your skin is reacting to something, one common way it shows its displeasure is by drying out. You might want to try soothing salves and ointments in this case!

Chlorine and saltwater. Don't let your love for beauty get in the way of having fun, alright? But that doesn't mean you can be irresponsible. If you plan to soak in the pool or at the beach, apply conditioner in your hair beforehand to minimize the damage. 

Using harsh whitening or lightening products. No judgment if you prefer to have lighter skin. You have to know though that it comes at a cost; the bleaching chemicals and acids in whitening/lightening products may thin down the top layer of your skin, causing it to be super dry. 

Showering with hot water. You may want to rethink faking an onsen in your bathroom! Hot water can destroy the skin's moisture barrier, so consider taking a shower in lukewarm water instead.

High fragrance content in your skincare. We want our skincare to smell good right? However, too much fragrance in your skincare can actually irritate more than our noses - it can also cause harm to our skin. Do choose skincare that are fragrance-free, naturally scented (i.e. with essential oils or distillates), or at the least, mildly scented.

Harsh surfactants in your cleansers. It's not just cleansing our skin too much that contributes to dryness. It's also the quality of the surfactants - the ingredients that help break down dirt and oil on skin - used in the formula that you have to watch out for! SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) are two ingredients to avoid as much as possible. Again, while these are not inherently bad for your skin, it's still wise to keep away from them if you can.

If you're looking for an affordable daily cleanser that is SLS and SLES-free and is formulated for sensitive skin, you should try out the new Jergens Anti-Bacterial Soap and Jergens Mild Soap (P36/135 grams). These are basic, mildy-scented soaps, but they lather up wonderfully and cleanse skin without drying. I mean seriously, you have to marvel at how thick and soft the lather is (you'll see it in the video)! I've been using these as a hand soap for the last two months and I would stock up! As a compulsive hand-washer, I don't like how most soaps make my hands feel like paper. This doesn't happen with Jergens.

I hope you found my list useful. ^_^ Let me know if I missed anything! Have you tried Jergens soaps before?

When I first saw videos of Korean women peeling off semi-permanent eyebrow tint from their brows, I was revolted. I thought that it's the straight highway to a hell of patchy brows with pulled out hairs! Why not just stick to ol' fashioned eyebrow makeup? Why do we have to resort to these newfangled, dangerous-looking things?

But curiosity eventually got the better of me, so I picked up the Secret Key Tattoo Eyebrow Tint Pack (P240) at Althea recently. This is a gooey, thick liquid that tints brows for a few days when left on for 2-8 hours. So does it work? Yes, it does! I am so happy with this product. The tint lasts for about three days before completely fading and looks completely natural! The shade I have, 03 Choco Frapuccino, matches my hair to a T. The three other shades appear pretty natural too.

Honestly, you won't get solid kilay that looks professionally filled in, but the results are nice for an every day look; you can always add more definition if needed. The tint fades at the tail and inner corners of the brows first (two days in) but there's still some body left by the third day. I mean, can you imagine it? I DIDN'T PUT EYEBROW MAKEUP ON FOR THREE DAYS. Don't think that's happened in a long, long time!

Edit: The result below has a reddish tint, but this goes away after the first shower or after washing my face. I'd say the brow tint lasts for about three showers - of course, for this to happen, you must avoid rubbing the area with cleansers. You can wet it, just try not to touch it.

To use, just carefully brush the gooey liquid on your brows, following your natural shape. If you're not too confident about freehanding it, you can create an outline first with a brow pencil before going in with the tint. Then, leave it for a minimum of two hours, or overnight if you can manage it. Just try not to roll around while sleeping. When it's ready, you can peel the product off carefully to reveal the tinted finish. I like to pass over my brows with a wet cotton pad just to remove the excess product.

It's pretty easy to peel and no brow hairs were harmed in the process. ^_^ I also didn't get any negative reaction on my skin after using it for about three times now.

This color chart seems to be pretty accurate, at least based on the Choco Frappuccino I have. It's a warm brown that suits brunettes.

Overall, I highly recommend the Secret Key Tattoo Eyebrow Tint Pack if you:

• Want to save time doing your eyebrow makeup in the morning
• Want a long-wearing color that will defy oily skin, sweat, and even swimming
• Want eyebrows that looks natural and soft, like they're thick and polished that way

Cons? Man, I can't think of any. This is the best P240 I spent in a while, and I will definitely get this again when I run out! Let me know what you think, as always. ^_^ Will you try this out? 

First things first: what on earth is a "beauty water?" Any water-based liquid skincare could be called a beauty water, but in the case of the best-selling Son & Park Beauty Water (P1,269 at Althea), you get a makeup remover, toner, and on-the-go skin refresher in a sleek bottle. It received raves in the beautysphere when it was released last year by two of South Korea's hottest celebrity makeup artists Son Dae Sik and Park Tae Yoon. Its lust-inducing minimalist packaging and multi-purpose promise got it on many a beauty fiend's good side. But of course, as we love to ask here at Project Vanity - does it work?

A look at the US FDA-compliant ingredients (please see in the bottom) list shows that it's predominantly made of water, roseflower water, orange peel extract, and witch hazel water mixed with many, many other plant-based extracts and oils. Of course we've got alcohol, emulsifiers, and preservatives in the formula but nothing that I personally find alarming for my skin. This combination allows it to be more than just micellar water; it has skincare ingredients that are known to help fight dullness and uneven areas of skin quickly.

Because of the clever mix of ingredients, the Son & Park Beauty Water may be used in the following ways:

• As a makeup remover. It is passable as a makeup remover for non-waterproof makeup, but it is less potent compared to drugstore micellar waters in the market. I'd still go for Garnier or Bifesta for this purpose, BUT I do appreciate that I can use the Beauty Water this way if I'm not wearing a lot of makeup.
• As an after-cleanse toner. You can use it as a prep product before the rest of your skincare routine. It dries quickly with no sticky or filmy residue, and it helps balance the skin's pH (useful if you're slathering on a high pH facial wash). Fanserviced-B reports that its pH level is a good 5.
• As a prep product before makeup. The Beauty Water may also be used before applying your makeup. It's a great way to clear off whatever oil or sweat you (or your client) may have accumulated before the routine while brightening skin at the same time.
• As a mid-day skin refresher. Transfer some of the Beauty Water in an atomizer bottle and spray it on whenever you want to cool down your skin at work. If you don't wear makeup, you can also wipe it on your face to clean up grime if you feel like your skin needs it.

Here's the Son & Park Beauty Water as a makeup remover in action:

As you can see, it took about five swipes to remove makeup that's just water-resistant. It's ideal for light makeup only; if you're wearing heavy foundation or eye makeup, you'll take at least three soaked cotton pads before they come off. It's a waste of money, IMHO, when other makeup removers can perform much better.

However, I do highly recommend the Beauty Water as a toner, makeup prep, and face mist. It excels at these functions as it's almost like a skincare essence, but it in a more versatile form! I like to think of it as skincare instead of a makeup remover as it's pretty impressive at brightening skin. It's more sulit that way as you get a whopping 340 ml of product in a bottle. Most similarly-priced essences would be at 100-150 ml at most.

You can get the Son & Park Beauty Water at Althea. ^_^ Yes, I've been reviewing a lot of Korean products from Althea lately because I ordered a few - okay a lot - of things from the store a couple of months ago. God I love that place.

Do you need a Beauty Water in your life? Why or why not?

Re-shuffled ingredients list from Soko Glam that complies with US regulations (South Korea has different regulations when it comes to listing ingredients):

US FDA-compliant ingredient list: Water, Rose Damascena Flower Water, Orange Peel Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Alcohol Denat., Xylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel, Grapefruit Peel oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Water, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Water, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine), Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit/Seed Oil, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Rose Flower Oil, Propylene Glycol, Thuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Malic Acid, Sucrose, Urea, Tartaric Acid, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben. (from Soko Glam)