Who says Hollywood has a monopoly on celebrity glam? Every year, the world's biggest and brightest silver screen stars gather at the city of Cannes, France to bask in beaches of the French Riviera, relax in the most luxurious resorts, and compete for the coveted Palme D'Or award at the prestigious international Cannes Film Festival. It's one of the most-awaited events of the movie industry!

This year, the 69th year of the festival is being celebrated from May 11 to May 22. Our very own Andi Eigenmann is expected to be there with mom Jaclyn Jose for Ma’ Rosa (directed by Brillante Mendoza), one of two entries from the Philippines. We’ve yet to see them on the red carpet, but we've already spotted a few looks that we definitely want to try for ourselves!

Image via celebmafia.com

Blake Lively looked gorgeous as ever, and proudly showed off her new baby bump in a golden bejeweled gown with cut outs. The Café Society actress paired her loosely curled locks with a muted, earthy pink lipstick and kept the drama at eye level with intensely dark and long lashes.

Get the bombshell’s look with the Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Lippie in The Morning After (P649). . For lashes that go on forever, Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Mascara (P429) is a good choice that won't budge even if you tear up or sweat it out.

Image via celebsla.com

Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looked regal in an embroidered and sequined gown. Her almond eyes were lined with a cat-eye flick that paired well with bold, burgundy lips.

You can easily change your eye shape and draw a perfectly sharp flick with the Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Liner (P399). Complete this classic look with a sophisticated lip color like the L’Oreal Color Riche Collection Star Matte Reds in Pure Garnet (P525).

Image via savoirflair.com

Model Bella Hadid walked the red carpet with a dazzling goddess-worthy gown of intricately embroidered golden threads and crystal beadwork, so it was wise that she kept the rest of her look subdued. With her hair slicked back in a high ponytail, her cheekbones glowed with a matte kind of radiance.

To recreate this look, use a sparkle-free illuminating powder like the highlighter in City Color Contour and Define Palette (P550) then apply the contour powder right under your cheekbones. Finish with just a hint of blush blended well with your contour.

Image vie lexpress.com

At 16, Lily-Rose Depp has skin we could only dream of in our pimple-faced teenage years! Johnny Depp's daughter made use of this flawless canvas to keep the focus on her intensely expressive eyes, which were highlighted by golden eyeshadow and rimmed with kohl.

No need to break the bank to copy this look - the gold eyeshadow from Bobbie Cosmetics Into the Nudes Palette (P215) can make you feel like a million bucks even while on a budget. Choose a peachy-nude shade like L’Oreal Caresse Powder in Lily Blossom (P350) to keep your lips subdued but pretty.

Image via deadline.com

The Personal Shopper star Kristen Stewart donned a sheer cut-out Chanel shirt and a bright red lip, which imbued an edgy, grungy vibe that contrasted with the other soft and feminine looks.

Smoky eyes are always a scene-stealer, and you can achieve this look with Sleek Makeup i-Divine Original Palette (P695). For a bright lip, use Pink Sugar Creamy Matte Lipstick in Bombshell (P349). 

Image via elle.fr

Naomi Watts channeled Cinderella with a powder blue dress that flattered her glossy, golden locks. Her makeup looked fresh and sweet, thanks to softly-defined brows and a pink creamy lip.

Forget about fairy godmothers: just swipe on the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Temptation (P575) and lightly brush your brow hairs in place with The Face Shop Color My Eyebrow in 02 Light Brown (P395)!

Image via titleza.com

Kendall Jenner slayed with a sexy, ornate see-through gown that fit right in place with her signature soft smoky eyeshadow look. Mix the taupe and black shadows from the Golden Rose Professional Eyeshadow Palette in 109 Smokey Eyes (P499) for a more warm-toned shadow, then draw on straight brows with the help of one of these budget-friendly brow pencils.

Have you been following the Cannes Film Festival? Which red carpet beauty look did you like best?

Do you like being dazzled? We sure do. And that’s exactly how it felt when we stepped into Revel at The Palace for the media launch of Benefit’s lightning hot brow collection!

The swanky lounge-slash-nightclub was transformed into what felt like a girl’s night out just for the occasion. The roving (topless!) male models, magicians, and dancers made it a fun and cheeky event. It felt like a place where you could go and be full-on kikay with like-minded ladies. Fun, witty, (a little) naughty, girly-girl, and innovative. Benefit wanted to go all-out for the launch, going as far as to fly in Jared Bailey, Benefit’s Global Brow Expert, to share the exciting new products with the rapt kilay-obsessed audience.

Benefit global brow expert Jared Bailey

Jared discussed the typical brow issues faced by Benefit users and how they’ve redesigned Benefit’s popular brow line to expand and address those problems. What’s more, there are now more colors available to accommodate a wider range of hair colors. Behold, it’s “Abracadabrow”!

So, let’s talk common brow troubles. You have sparse brows, eh? Reach for the BROWVO! Conditioning Primer. It’s a clear gel that acts as a brow serum, so you can use it before makeup or before bed. We love that the Benefit brow routine now starts with primer because we like our bases covered. The tiny comb applicator is the soft silicon type, making it feel like you’re only grooming your brow hair as you normally would.

Do you feel like you have wonky brows refuse to conform to a recognizable brow shape? Precisely, My Brow Eyebrow Pencil may look like it’s used for surgery or crafting, but it’s actually a dual-ended, automatic pencil that will help map your brows and fill in sparse areas. The brow pencil's tip is super-fine that you can create hair-like strokes for a subtle, multi-dimensional effect, while the other end is a spoolie brush. And guess what? It’s waterproof with a 12-hour wear time!

Are uneven, patchy brows a constant bother to your makeup routine? The Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil makes it a helluva lot easier! Another dual-ended, sharpener-free brow must-have, the sword-shaped end makes it easy-peasy to fill-in those brows and perfect that elusive tail. Good news to those who need gym brows: This is also waterproof and can stand up to 12 hours of wear.

Ungroomed brows are driving you cray? Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit is the old fave with a new spin. Aside from the retro-inspired silver packaging, the wax + powder compact now comes in six shades where there were once only three.

If there’s frizzy hair, then there are also unruly eyebrows that point every which way! Ready, set, BROW! will keep those stray hairs in check and set the rest of your brow makeup. It’s a clear gel that will be able to maintain its hold for up to 24 hours. You can party from morning 'til night, and still have brows on fleek until you take them off.

For brows are on the thin and skimpy side, this is how to deal: grab a tube of Gimme Brow. It’s a brow mascara that contains volumizing microfibers to make each hair strand look thicker and fuller for a more lush appearance. This remake of the previous Gimme Brow now features three shades.

Are you the type to prefer “painting” your brows in? Ka-brow! will come in handy. The packaging is amazing as the angled brush applicator is cleverly concealed in plain sight. The cream-gel formula is also buildable.

To highlight the browbone, the High Brow line has gotten a makeover. High Brow and High Brow Glow feature the same selection between matte and pearly, but with reformulations to make the application feel more luxurious. Some beauty gurus suggest matte brow highlighters, while others insist that shimmery is the way to go. Take your pick!

What sorcery is this?! With this massive spread of Benefit brow products, we bet you'll find the perfect solution to your kilay problems. The new collection will be available starting July, and we think it’s going to be worth the wait! 

What are your brow woes? Which new Benefit brow product do you think will be the best remedy for it? 

Beautiful fragrances need not be flashy and dramatic. The newest Tory Burch perfume to arrive in the Philippines drives this point home, as it nuances the skin with fresh notes of crisp grapefruit, creamy sandalwood, and earthy vetiver combined with the sweetness of tuberose.

This is a bright scent that reminds one of an early-morning walk in a garden. It is indeed inspired by Tory Burch's own backyard blooms, so her clean yet elegant taste really shows through! I love how the airy floral top scents perk up the mood and then later warm up to become a green, woody glow.

The staying power of this eau de perfum on me is quite good. It stays on for 8-10 hours, and has a sillage (the trail) that is striking but not overwhelming to the nose.

The packaging is gorgeous, featuring a clear glass flaccon with a topper modeled in Tory Burch's signature fretwork. The box is so simple yet so beautiful! It's in such a chic blue shade that I want to keep if only to look at.

Overall, I highly recommend the Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Bleue if you love understated and elegant scents. It's simple and complex at the same time, just enough to make anybody wonder what it is you're wearing. ;) It's my current fave scent! Definitely a keeper, if you ask me.

Tory Burch scents are available inside Rustan's and Tory Burch stores. Prices to follow.

Having oily scalp, I’ve shied away from hair conditioners for most of my life. But after finding the best hair conditioner for my hair type and trying out the reverse hair washing method, conditioners secured a permanent spot in my shower.

Hair conditioners work by flattening the hair cuticle layer, making it smooth and shiny. As with most beauty products, there’s no such thing as a“one-size-fits-all”. To help you decide which ones to check out first, we’ve compiled our tried-and-tested hair conditioners and included a bit of info on each our hair type!

Liz (Dry, fine, and color-treated hair)

I'm a huge fan of the Pantene 3-Minute Miracle (as are most of our staff of writers!) but I want to tell you about my other fave. It's the Zenutrients Gugo Straightening Conditioner! I love this stuff. This doesn't make my scalp oily or weigh my hair down. The scent is also my fave kind: minty, with a hint of oatmeal. I use this with the Gugo Shampoo and they work so well together in voluminzing my hair!

Angela (Naturally straight, thick, and color-treated)

I love Pantene's Total Damage Care 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner (P59/70ml from drugstores and supermarkets). When I first used it, I was so amazed by how it made my hair feel like it was still a virgin from coloring treatments! It also rinses off easily and it doesn't leave my hair feeling heavy or oily. My hair is at its softest and smoothest when I use this. :)

Den (Naturally straight, untreated)

I like hair products that don't smell "commercial", so I'm a big fan of Oryspa's rice bran conditioners (P520 at The Echo Store). I love the lush, green scent of the Olive variant, but I use the citrus-scented AM blend on hot days because of the minty cool sensation! I've long been impressed by this local organic brand, and use their shampoos as well.

Jorj (Naturally straight, thick, and color-treated)

I love the Pantene 3 Minute Miracle conditioner. It's the best one I've tried so far, and trust me, I've tried many. It really is like a miracle worker. My hair always feels and looks nourished and healthy after I use it.

Kim (Naturally curly/wavy and color-treated)

Aveda's Smooth Infusion Conditioner is my favorite conditioner to date. It's hella expensive for a hair product, but it's frizz-fighting power, heavenly scent, and overall luxurious feel is really A++. For drugstore options, I also like the effect I get from Pantene's 3 Minute Miracle and Dove's Pink Conditioner (Straight & Silky).

Marielle (Naturally curly/wavy, thick, and color-treated)

I am obsessed with the Pantene 3 Minute Miracle. I hate the feeling of slick conditioners, and this is a stark contrast. This feels smooth to the touch, and my hair also feels smoother and slightly less frizzy afterwards. I often refer to 3 Minute Miracle as the equivalent of a pore refining primer, but for your hair!

Rae (naturally straight, thick, and color-treated with greasy scalp)

Head and Shoulders Cool Menthol Conditioner will always be my favorite, mostly because of the cooling sensation! It makes hair-conditioning-waiting-time less of a drag. In this heat, if I could keep it on my hair for as long as possible, I would! It’s also not too heavy for my oily scalp.

Stacie (Naturally straight and thick)

Although my holy grail is Pantene's 3 minute miracle--which converted me to become a conditioner user - I'm currently enjoying Kerasys Perfumed Rinse in Pure and Charming. It smells so good and it’s a decent conditioner. What I really like about it is that the scent stays on my hair for the whole day even if I commute!

VB (Naturally curly/wavy and fine)
I've found that Human Nature's Salon Care Conditioner (P199.75/200 mL from Human Nature website and branches) works so much better than their other variants in making my limp, wavy, and somewhat unruly hair much softer, and receptive to being styled. My mom swears by it, and how it helps lessen the dreaded fading between coloring. It smells like a summer dream too! 

Is there a conditioner that changed your life? Please share in the comments!

Happy Skin is famous for their lipsticks that flatter and moisturize, but did you know that they have good bases as well? The two co-founders, Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, formulated foundations that intuitively address Filipina needs. They also wanted to create shades that will blend with our natural warm tones, whether we are as fair as Jacqe or as morena as Rissa.

So, to help you decide which of their bases you should get, I made a quick review of each formula! I've been using these bases for quite a while now. I also have the Second Skin Cream but just forgot to include it in the photo.

Insta Beauty Blur Cream Primer Foundation (P1,299)

This is a tinted primer that intends to soften fine lines and pores. It comes in one shade, a sheer brightening yellow, which blends on all skin tones. If you prefer a barely-there base that imperceptibly makes your skin prettier, this is a good pick! It can also be used as primer on top of more heavy coverage foundations.

Zit Zapper Second Skin Cream Foundation (P1,299)

The ZZ Cream is a unique base as it contains salicylic acid that helps clear red spots and lessen oil. Like the Blur Cream, it comes in only one shade, and should match fair to medium complexions. Get this if you want something that helps heal pimples while lessening their appearance! It also has SPF 20 PA++.

Second Skin Creme Silicone Free Foundation (P1,199)

The SS Cream was among Happy Skin's initial release of skin prettifiers two years ago. This silicone-free foundation has medium coverage that DOES look like skin as promised; it's so natural, but covers up blemishes and discoloration even with just one layer.

If your skin reacts to silicone (breakouts, clogged pores), this is one of the few products locally available that doesn't have that ingredient. It comes in two shades for morena to fair skin.

Don't Get Mad, Get Even Hydrating Liquid Foundation (P999)

I think this is one of Happy Skin's most underrated products! This mid to heavy coverage foundation hydrates my combination skin while staying on all day. It has hyaluronic acid that helps keep skin smooth and flake-free - very useful if you like traveling abroad in colder climes, or if you have dry skin.

It comes in three shades. The darkest shade is my perfect match, so if you're darker than I am, you may find the line a bit limiting.

Don't Get Mad, Get Even Hydrating Powder Foundation (P1,399 for the compact and P899 for the refill)

This is my Holy Grail powder foundation aside from Shisedo. It has the ridiculous buttery smoothness and fine-tuned coverage of high-end foundations without the crazy price tag! I mean, I know it ain't cheap at P2,300 for both the compact and refill but that's a great price for the quality. It's comparable to Lancôme, Shu Uemura, and Shiseido foundations - but those cost almost P4,000 for the refill and compact.

Believe me, I know.

My shade here is the darkest, #3. It has three shades like the liquid foundation and yes, if you're darker than me, you may be a bit frustrated. I wish Happy Skin would come out with more shades for their foundation line! At the same time I feel super lucky that I found a shade match. You just might too, so I suggest swatching these in person.

And that is that. ^_^ Have you tried Happy Skin's bases? How were they? If you haven't yet, what's your pick?

You can purchase Happy Skin products at Happyskincosmetics.com. You may also see the complete list of their branches on the website.

Did you celebrate summer with a trip or two to the beach? If you did, chances are you came home beach with a lovely tan. Although the golden glow can make you feel like a legit beach babe, you may have realized your foundation no longer matches your skin tone! Shopping for a new face base isn't the most practical solution, especially when you're on a budget, but luckily there are some hacks that bring harmony back to your foundation match.

Make your own liquid cocktail

If you have a darker liquid foundation that's too off to use on its own, simply mix a little bit of that to your regular liquid foundie! Finding the perfect blend may be a bit tricky at first, so start by adding only a small amount of the dark shade to your normal one. Swatch it on your jawline and don't be satisfied until your custom color disappears in the area! 

We recommend mixing similar base and undertone foundations to keep the formula consistent. This means mixing water-based products together, or cream bases with like formulations. When you've found your match, mix a little bit more in a clean acrylic jar or bottle and set it aside for future use. 

Layer like a boss

If you wet foundation is ever too light, you can always set it with slightly darker powder. This will mix with your base and natural oils. Pick one with heavy coverage to offset the lighter shade. If dry skin is a concern, we have a list of powders that won't dry out your skin!

Bronze and contour

Now’s the best time for us to use our bronzing and contouring skillz to maximum effect! Bronzer can make our complexion look a bit darker when applied properly, while contour makes your neck and face colors blend better.

Apply a sheer layer of bronzer lightly where the sun naturally hits the face - cheekbones, bridge of the nose, forehead, and chin are the top hot spots. It's like highlighting, just with a warmer tone. You may also choose to softly contour your cheekbones, jawline, and nose to get even more definition and dilute the appearance of your slightly-too-light foundation.

Artdeco makes such beautiful matte bronzers! Check out our review.

If you don't want to be hassled by these hacks, well, you don't have to spend much for a product that you'll only use for a season. Check out our Under 400 foundation list for one that won't put much of a dent on your wallet, and may even be reused as a contour shade when you return to your natural coloring.

Did you get a tan this summer? How are you matching foundation to your new skin tone?

Do you love researching about makeup and skincare? Can you hold a conversation about  the difference between American makeup and say, Korean makeup? Cream contour versus powder contour? If you're obsessed about beauty as much as we are, we want YOU to talk about it as much as we do here at Project Vanity!

We are a growing website and we need fresh new voices to share our singular passion. Inspiring women to love how they look while constantly improving their skills both in life and vanity is our main goal. We want to hear from you if you love doing any of the following!

- You research about the latest trends, releases, and events in the local and international beauty scene. You would also ideally have encyclopedic knowledge about most things related to beauty.

- You can write elegantly and eloquently in 500-700 words and choose great photos to go with each article.

- You want to attend industry events to be the first to know about the hottest products and campaigns.

- You can take amazing product and event pictures and have graphic design skills. This is not required, but a bonus!

We also have an opening for a part-time photographer, videographer, and/or graphic designer. Please do just send your details, sample work and/or portfolio along with your CV to liz at projectvanity.com and den at projectvanity.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

Makeup artist Jigs Mayuga works with the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry, and has become renowned for his talent and professionalism. He can create beauty looks that enhance his clients' best features as well as high-fashion, avant garde makeup that brings out his models' personalities. He is versatile and this is what keeps him relevant in the cut-throat world of makeup artistry.

His work and career are admirable, to say the least. But after exchanging emails with him, I’ve come to appreciate Jigs’s work ethic even more. I picked up a few life lessons – apart from a couple of valuable makeup tips, of course – during our exchange, and I’d like to share them with you.

On passion

Life gets in the way sometimes, but there are some passions that don’t fizzle over time. And if even after years, the urge to do something you’d stopped doing because of other responsibilities and commitments is still strong, it might be right to give it one more try.

Before making a name for himself in the beauty industry, Jigs worked as a flight attendant. The interest in beauty and makeup was already flying in his head long before his workplace was up in the air.

“It was the early nineties and I was obsessed with Niki Taylor,” he said about the first makeup item he bought. “I bought Cover Girl Clean Makeup in Soft Honey (for myself of course!).”

After flying to different destinations, he landed on beauty again and started a new journey. It wasn’t an easy ride, though!

On commitment

“[People think] that it’s all just very glamorous and easy money,” he said. “I had to work a LOT of free jobs and stay up for long hours before I could do the bigger projects that I do today.” 

Nobody can contest Jigs’s talent. Looking at his work, you’ll know that they were done by someone who’s passionate about his craft and has taken time to master it. Talent can only bring you to the front door, though. In order to get around and be offered a place to stay, you need to be good at networking and to stay professional. In his many years in the business, it seems that Jigs has mastered those two important traits.

When I asked him what the most valuable tip a peer has given him, Jigs said, “Find out who the important people are in the industry and get to know them genuinely.”

And when you’re already inside the world you want to be part of, work hard to make sure you don’t lose your place.

I’ve read many good things about Jigs before. Most everyone he has worked with shares stories of how talented and professional he is. And I’d have to agree.

I asked him to relay his most embarrassing client story for fun, and I was expecting to hear something funny or lighthearted – a makeup mishap perhaps, an unexpected remark. I was surprised, however, to hear about his story.

“I guess it was the one time my alarm didn't go off and the editor-in-chief of the magazine was already calling me because the model was already on set. And I'm never late. So you can imagine the panic that immediately set in. Let's just say I literally jumped out of bed straight to the shoot location,” he said.

It speaks volumes of his professionalism and passion for his craft, and it’s definitely inspiring.

On variety

It’s already known, but Jigs reinforced my belief that there should be variety in a lot of aspects in life, especially the ones you consider hobbies and passions. Never be afraid to try something new. And don’t dismiss the drugstore!

Jigs has a wide array of beauty products to alternate with, and he mixes his high-end brands with affordable finds.

He said if he were to lose all his makeup items and tools and could only keep one, he’ll grab and hold on to his Shu Uemura eyelash curler. As for a drugstore product he swears by, Jigs reveals that the Maybelline Great Lash waterproof mascara has been a staple in his kit for over a decade now.

On trends and individuality

It's an exciting time to be a beauty addict, what with all the new products, innovative indie brands, and crazy new looks to absorb. There are certainly many trends worth trying, but there are some to shrug off. Individuality should always be at the top of your list.

“To be honest, women have a tendency to look the same nowadays because of all the makeup trends on YouTube and social media that pretty much just mimic each other,” Jigs admits. “I think it's important to recognize individual style and express it even in makeup. I find that the most interesting people wear makeup in unconventional ways.”

The trend that irks him most? “Solid, unnatural brows. They're not supposed to look perfect!”  

I hope you picked up something from our exchange, too! If you want makeup tricks from him, Jigs will be holding a lot of workshops this year. And he’s working on a top-secret collaboration with a brand, so keep an eye out for that, too!

At Project Vanity, it's our job to hoard makeup and skincare. We constantly try different products from a variety of brands and risk breakouts, allergies, and even burning (true story) so we can write about them and help you find the best of the best. But we gotta admit: we have our biases. There are brands we always look forward to trying (and keeping) because we know the quality is ALWAYS going to be ace. We're taking it a step further by asking each other: What is the one beauty brand we can stay faithful to for the rest of your life?

Liz: Everybody probably knows by now that Shiseido is my HG brand. If I can use only one brand forever, it will have to be Shiseido! But there's another close to my heart that rarely fails me, and that's Estee Lauder. Estee skincare is cutting edge, and have you seen their makeup line lately? Everything is so trendy yet so well-formulated! You have to visit them once you're ready to spend on the good stuff.

Den: This is a really difficult question because I like different brands for different things! If I really had to choose though, I'm most inclined to go with an Asian brand that offers both great makeup and skin care, like Shiseido. It's not a "sexy" brand, but I really like the Japanese philosophy of sticking to tried-and-tested formulas and taking innovation slowly but surely, rather than coming out with meh products on the regular.

Marielle: Hands down, Bobbi Brown. I've always loved the curating of their makeup colors as I find them elegant and ideal for a signature look. Bonus points for Bobbi: It was also a big deal to have finally found my perfect foundation color with this brand after years of searching!

VB: But..but..but..variety is the spice of life! I really have no idea--though the lipstick junkie in me is shouting for a specific makeup brand. However, I am partial to choosing a Japanese brand for the following reasons: best foundation shade match, espouses the importance of skin care, with a wide range of high-functioning products. All of this I personally can find with Kanebo (and even their more youth-oriented brand, Kate Tokyo). I'd probably pick up anything from any of the Kanebo cosmetic brands.

Rae: The most difficult question for a beauty product enthusiast! But I've been asked this a few times and I always answer NARS. When I rank the beauty products I care deeply about, it's three things: foundation, lipstick, and sunblock. If I'd be forced to create a capsule makeup and skin care collection, I'll get them all from NARS. I can only choose a brand that carries a foundation shade that matches me exactly and NARS has it -- Stromboli! I also can live off of their pure matte lipsticks and velvet matte pencils. I haven't tried much of NARS' skin care but I have their primer that I love and it has high enough SPF.

Kim: Oh God. This is the hardest staff picks question to date! If I'm stuck with one brand for the rest of my life, I'd definitely want it to be a luxury brand that has equal skincare and makeup. With that in mind, I'm going with Charlotte Tilbury. I adore her work as a makeup artist, and I've seen countless rave reviews of her products. I cannot wait to be stinking rich to be able to afford everything she comes out with!

Estée Lauder and Clinique are tied at a close second. But if La Mer had more makeup products, it probably would have been first.

Angela: I've only tried a few brands in my life but still, it's hard to choose only one. But what first came to my mind was Estée Lauder. From packaging to performance, Estée Lauder impresses me the most. From how it started to how it's innovating now, it simply is dedicated to beauty. Every product is a treasure. I especially love the perfumes, lipsticks, and skincare lines! I wouldn't mind using them until the day I die because I love every product the brand has!

Stacie: If I have to choose only one brand for the rest of my life, I’ll choose Amore Pacific! It's the umbrella company of Aritaum, Etude House, Innisfree, IOPE, Laneige, and more. They carry all my favorite Korean brands, from high-end to roadshop or drugstore K-Beauty. These brands also target different age groups so I can easily switch when my skin condition changes with age! I know I'm totally cheating here, so if it really just has to be a single brand, I’ll choose Innisfree as my ultimate brand pick.

Katsy: OMG, this is hard! But I only hesitated because I don't know if I can live without my Armani lipstick. But for THE one brand to use for the rest of my life - definitely Chanel!

If you could only use one brand for the rest of your life, what would you pick? Did you find this question difficult to answer, or were you able to decide in a heartbeat? We want to know!

Real talk: you don't need to spend buckets of money on good skincare. There are lots of affordable ones out there that do a great job of improving and maintaining your skin. You would definitely be fine just using what works for you in the drugstore or from "masstige" brands. However - and here it comes - if you want to break the limit of just how good your skin can get, you need to splurge. There are brands that are on the cutting-edge of skincare research. They are hella expensive, but they work better and faster than any cheaper substitute (which will take years to come out anyway).

One of those brands is Shiseido. I have been a huge fan ever since their Ibuki line came out about three years ago, and to this day I still stock up the facial wash and softener. It hurts my wallet, and sometimes I feel silly when I receive similar things for free, but there is nothing like Ibuki. Nothing. In the same vein, there is nothing like the newly reformulated White Lucent line which came out last February. 

White Lucent has been around for a while, even before Ibuki was released. I tried it a long time ago but it didn't really work out for me. This new version though, I swear, it's so good! Where Ibuki is a maintenance line for me - meaning, it keeps my skin clear, soft, and generally nice - the White Lucent products is on a whole 'nother level. They feature the Double Strike PROApproachx2 brightening technology and SAKURAResist Technology with Sakura from Japanese cherry blossoms to help skin become resistant to dark spot appearance

When used together, the Luminizing Infuser (a softener), MicroTargeting Spot Corrector, and Luminizing Surge (emulsion) is a powerful trio that has improved my skin faster than any line I've tried before. I get breakouts occasionally so I still have blemishes, but when I need them to heal fast, the Spot Corrector in particular does not fail me.

I feel my complexion has brightened considerably in the four months I've used these, even though I stay out in the sun because of tennis. The sun damage isn't as markedly obvious on my face. Of course, I use sunscreen, but that only protects and doesn't really heal the damage. Only something like White Lucent can do that.

The Luminizing Infuser is a clear gel-like liquid that is meant to tone and moisturize the skin at the same time. One pump is enough for the whole face and neck. The Spot Corrector, I need two pumps of. I feel like this is the star of the line since it just works so darn well! Finally, I finish the routine with the Luminizing Surge. This emulsion is thick and uncomfortable at first but feels like nothing once it dries.

I also have the MultiBright Night Cream. I love it too, but since it's been hot lately and it's a thick cream, I only use it when my skin is very dry. This jar will probably see more use in the wetter, slightly cooler months.

So there you go! If you are ready to spend on a skincare routine that does as it promises - brighten skin and clear out blemishes quickly - the Shiseido White Lucent line is the best option out there as far as I'm aware. I'm a fan! I will most likely repurchase the softener and serum. Already dreading it but sometimes, a blemish-prone girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.

Shiseido is available in Rustan's and the following locations:

Greenbelt 5 - 729-9853
Greenhills - 725-7805
Glorietta 4 - 752-7308
Rockwell - 898-1615
Shangrila - 632-9136
Trinoma - 901-3480
Eastwood - 400-4083

Korea is big on skincare so it’s no surprise that get-fresh-quick sheet masks are extremely popular. The quality and variety of Korean masks can be a bit overwhelming, so we decided to focus on a staff favorite: sheet masks from Leaders! 

To start with, sheet masks are not just limited to the face. Leaders also has masks for other concerns like damaged hair, dry hands and feet, dark eye circles, and even acne spots. When it comes to facial masks though, it can be tough to choose from the whopping 50+ variants that Leaders has available here. (Yes, I counted!)

Locally, Leaders has three sub-brands that are developed for different objectives:

• Insolution is a cosmeceutical brand that actively deals with skin troubles with special formulas made by skin specialists who study skin mechanism.
• Stepsolution is a more professional and functional cosmeceutical brand that adopts special usage steps based on actual clinical know-how of skin specialists.
• Mediu is a more trendy cosmetic that provides fun and pleasant solutions for young women who are troubled with their skin.

When masking, it's important to first know what problem you want to address using sheet masks. There’s practically a sheet mask for every skin concern out there, so you should make sure to use the type that suits your needs best. To save you the trouble of researching all 50+ masks from Leaders, we've put together a list that categorizes mask variants according to common skin concerns!

ANTI-AGING

Sadly, wrinkles and sagging skin aren't just for old people. You can experience these skin issues even when you're just in your 20s! Whether you're just beginning to see fine lines or have had them for years, you'll be turning back the clock with the Insolution Coconut Bio Mask with Tomato and the Mediu Amino Lifting Mask, which promise to firm up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. To do its job, the former enlists the help of tomato extracts, and amino acids are used for the latter.

WHITENING OR BRIGHTENING

We tend to think of whitening products as something that makes your skin lighter. However, I read in The Little Book of Skin Care by Charlotte Cho of Soko Glam that it’s not always the case; sometimes it actually refers to brightening or evening the skin tone. One mask you can use for this concern is the Insolution Mela-Tox Skin Clinic Mask that has a “whitening effect” and a “skin brightening compound” that evens out your skin. I noticed that their Mela-Tox masks under different sub-brands deal with this concern as well. Another mask you can try is the Insolution Whitening Cell Skin Seed Mask that uses Niacinamide, Super Berry, and Sea Buckthorn Seed for a similar whitening and brightening effect on the skin.

HYDRATING AND MOISTURIZING

Boosting skin hydration is one of the primary concerns of sheet masks in general, so new releases are often made with improvements towards increasing moisturizing ingredients or allowing skin to better absorb nutrients. Another thing I noticed was that if you see Aqua or other variations like Aquaringer on the label, there’s a good chance it has a moisturizing function. These include the Insolution Moisturizing Aqua Mask and the Stepsolution Aquaringer Mask.

SOOTHING SENSITIVE SKIN AND ACNE TREATMENT

I grouped these two issues together since the first condition is often prone to the second. Mask recommendations include the Insolution Teatree Relaxing Skin Renewal Mask, the Bio Medi-curing Calming Dressing Mask, the Derma Soul Anti-Sebum Mask with Pine Oil, and the Insolution AC Balancing Control Mask. The key effects in these masks include calming irritated skin, controlling excess oil production, tightening pores, and having anti-bacterial properties.

BONUS MASKS

Some of the Leaders masks are really interesting in terms of concept, like the Mediu 2 Step Double Effect Masks. Having a facial V-line (a defined, V-shaped chin and jaw) is a popular trend in Korea, so Leaders created a line just for that purpose! What you get is two masks: a common sheet mask, and another specifically for your jaw. The second mask supposedly helps to slim your face by firming, shaping, and lifting the area. There are variants for Whitening, Pore Tightening, Wrinkle-Care, and Moisturizing as well.

I also took note of the Stepsolution 2 Step Plus Masks which consists of an ampoule and a sheet mask in a pack. You apply the ampoule after cleansing your skin and before using the mask. The four variants of this line (the Mela-Tox Plus, the Wrinkle Off Plus, AC-Dressing Plus, and the Aquaringer Plus) aim to intensify the effects of the ampoule with the sheet mask.

If you want an all-in skincare pampering session, the Mediu 3-Step Vitamino Mask is what you should get. Each pack comes with an essence, a sheet mask, and a cream that you apply in that order.

Image via sokoglam.com

More and more sheet masks variants are being released by Leaders, like the Daily Wonders Masks that I’ve only encountered in the Leaders US website. But with the few suggestions here, you can already choose where to begin your sheet masking journey. When you’ve tried a lot already, you can actually use a combination of masks from the different sub-brands and lines to address multiple skin concerns. And after applying and using up your sheet mask, don't forget to follow our tip for maximizing each usage!

So are you excited to embark on your sheet mask journey? Have you tried Leaders Sheet Masks? What’s your go-to mask for an instant skin boost?

Leaders boutiques can be found in Lucky China Town and Festival Mall. They also have department store stalls in SM Makati, SM North Edsa, SM Manila, SM San Lazaro, SM Cubao, SM Cebu, SM Davao, and Robinsons Ermita. You can also order online from BeautyMNL.com and Leaders.ph.

The wedding month of June is coming up soon. You know what this means: time to trade your bikinis and flip-flops for formal gowns and heels. Aside from the changes in your wardrobe, you'll need to update your makeup look as well to match the occasion. Natural-looking makeup is usually the go-to look for bridal beauty, but it's definitely not the only option. You may be a guest, a member of the entourage, or the bride herself, and you'll want to say "I do" to these beauty ideas regardless of the role you play on the big day!

Image via theknot.com

Monochromatic Makeup

Using shades from the same color family gives your makeup a unifying overall theme. This is no big secret in the bridal beauty industry, and most artists have a go-to set of colors already. Pinks, plums and browns are the most used because they're the most flattering. For a summery touch, try peach or peachy-pink shades.

When done properly, monochromatic makeup can have a dreamy effect, which will definitely look great in photos!

image via popsugar.com

Relaxed Smokey Eyes

The smokey eye look is most commonly associated with nights out in the club and looking on with a smoldering stare. But for those who want to wear it to a wedding, there’s always a way of toning it down to make it appropriate for even an early-morning ceremony. Opt for a color that isn’t as harsh as flat-out black. How about bronze or even purple? Don’t forget to pair it with a nude lip or MLBB to balance out the primary feature you’re defining.

Image by Alasdair McLellan

Everything About Adele

Winged eyeliner has already become Adele’s signature look. She may pair it with light or contoured lids and nude or bold lips, but the precision liner game is a constant. The resulting photos are timeless, be it in color or in black-and-white. Cop her siren style with perfectly winged liner, on-fleek brows, and false lashes. If you're prone to crying (it'll be hard not to when Make You Feel My Love comes on), make sure to use waterproof makeup!

Song Ji Hyo for Banila Co.'s White Wedding line

 A Korean Level of Dewy

The hallmark of Korean makeup is a youthful and glowing look. Isn’t that pretty much synonymous to bridal beauty? It starts with a beefed-up skincare regimen for well-moisturized skin. If you don’t have the time to lay the groundwork, work with sheen and shimmer to simulate that fresh-faced vibe.

Image via christinaliangmakeup.com

Try on a colored shimmer shadow for your lids, then add fine beige shimmer to the inner corners of the eyes and on the lower lashline to brighten up those peepers. Gloss-touched lips are the oh-so-kissable option, but avoid sticky formulas if you’ll be doing a lot of smooching! You can still strobe, but select a highlighter or illuminator that has fine shimmer and work with a light hand.

Loved the looks above? Get Pinterest-happy so you have more pegs to show your makeup artist and, if you're the bride, it pays off to have a trial session beforehand. Should you choose to do your own makeup, start practicing your application techniques and collecting the right products to ensure that everything stays on even if you party the night away.

Will you be attending weddings this June? Which look/s will you be trying on?

Header image via Diorcomakeup.com. Dior is a beauty blogger and one of the best wedding makeup artists in Manila. She did her own wedding look, of course, which she chronicled here! 

Sometimes you're on top of the world, and sometimes you're rolling in shit from a thousand broken toilets. Or worse. There is always worse, and when that happens it's almost impossible to see a way out of that black hole. Is it being too melodramatic? Different things break different people. If you're going through that right now, I am writing this for you.

I was inspired by the speech Sheryl Sandberg (the COO of Facebook) gave to the University of California Berkeley's graduating class last week. She said, "When the challenges come, I hope you remember that anchored deep within you is the ability to learn and grow. You are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. Like a muscle, you can build it up, draw on it when you need it. In that process you will figure out who you really are — and you just might become the very best version of yourself." 

That was possibly the most-quoted paragraph when the speech made its rounds on Facebook. It's amazing advice, but I feel there's something Ms. Sandberg also discussed that did not get enough focus on social media. She talked about the inevitability of adversity - losing opportunities, loved ones, our own health - and how to get through it. She discussed the three P's and how understanding them can help us get through difficult times. These three P's are what holds us back, and they are so common that it is easy to slip into them without noticing.

The first P is Personalization. When something bad happens, our first instinct is to blame ourselves. We think maybe there was something we could have done differently. We think our own actions led to the Bad Event. But there was no way we could've foreseen the future, and even if that were so, the impersonal and causal nature of the universe would prevent a different outcome. Yes, things sometimes happen because of us, but they also happen in spite of us. If we could stop taking everything personally, it would lead to less misery.

Pervasiveness is the belief that the Bad Event will decimate everything in our life. It will make waves, true, but they will be still eventually. We may not be able to change what happened but we can contain its adverse effects, keep it from contaminating the things that are actually going well in our lives. 

Finally, the Permanence of the Bad Event is simply not possible. It will not always be there; you can't say you will never get over it. Because you will - in time. The only thing that's permanent is change and if you could allow yourself to believe that, you can believe that even shitty times will shift into better times. 

Keep challenging yourself on these false assumptions and you will heal better, and faster. There will be scars, but less pain in time.

Liquid lipsticks are a hot beauty trend that's been going strong since last year. The intense lip colors may come in glossy or matte finishes, and usually need a coat or two for the color to properly show. Though they deviate from the usual cream based formulas, they are prized for being long-wearing and more kiss-proof/transfer-proof than traditional lipstick. Fortunately, there are quite a few liquid lipsticks that will make you fall in love at first swipe and not have to worry about breaking the bank over!

Image via eatinglipstick.blogspot.com

Swatches of Back to the Fuchsia, Red My Mind, and Click on my Hyperpink

Wet n' Wild MegaLast Liquid Lip Color (P299 at department stores)

The lowest-priced on our list delivers intense color and promises to last up to eight hours. Typical of most liquid lipsticks, this formula is long-lasting and is transfer-proof, food-proof, and kiss-proof. Moisturizing Vitamin E is included but it’s best to apply lip balm prior to avoid overly dry lips.

Maybelline Vivid Matte/Velvet Matte (P349 at department stores)

If you ever encounter liquid lipsticks from this brand with either name, it’s the same product since the Velvet Mattes were renamed the Vivid Mattes earlier this year. Moisturizing lip products are no biggie to Maybelline, and this cream to matte formula is no different. Read up on Liz’s initial review for BeautyMNL and see swatches of all nine lippies!

Pink Sugar Sugar Tint Lip & Cheek Tint (P349 at department stores)

Technically the label says tint but it is so pigmented that we’re including this for our liquid lipstick category. Aside from the much-raved about color payoff, the staying power and matte finish easily makes them instant faves from the local beauty brand. Included in the formula is Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, and Vitamins A, C, and E that helps combat the dryness one often experiences with mattes. They also recently came out with FIVE new Tints that include Kylie Jenner-inspired nude shades we’re currently loving. More on those soon!

Image via pinterest.com

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick (P390 at SM department stores)

It’s matte, it’s waterproof, and it has 12 amazing shades! This latest version of the liquid lipstick from NYX might just have all that you can ask for. You can build on the color for a more intense pigmentation and it will stay smooth and creamy. It takes a bit of time to dry, but stays fixed when set.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip (P420~ at online stores)

This product is one of the reasons we want Colourpop to come to the country, aside from the fact that they don’t test on animals. With an ultra-matte finish and transfer-proof staying power, you can snap up one (or two, or three) from online resellers like Death By Lipstick on Facebook.

L'Oreal Color Riche L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick  (P450 at department stores)

Tired of mattes? These glossy lippies are fun and flirty, and feel like you slathered lip balm on your smoochers. They're hydrating and non-sticky! Rose Symphony in particular is a pretty daily pink that brightens up your smile - it's a must-have shade.

Image via shaaanxoblogs.com

Sleek Makeup Matte Me (P450 at SM department stores)

The UK brand launched late last year with a 12-color collection of long lasting matte lippies in just one coat. To show how versatile this lipstick can get, try out our tutorial for a matte gradient lip. We’re loving the cult-fave shade Birthday Suit which is almost always sold out at the counters.

Etude House Color Lips Fit (P498 at Etude House boutiques)

If you’re looking for a matte liquid lipstick that doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all, then this one’s for you. The vivid colors of this product settles into a powdery matte finish that feel “weightless”. Etude House also has another liquid lipstick called Color In Liquid Lips, which has a bit more shine and an additional hundred pesos to the price tag.

There were some that just went slightly past P500, and we couldn't resist adding them because they're pretty awesome, too!

Image via urhappybunnie.com

Tony Moly Kiss Lover Lip Master (P548 at Tony Moly boutiques)

Touted as a lipstick plus gloss plus tint in one product, the Lip Master is a versatile product. The highly pigmented liquid can be applied lightly as a tint or in several swipes as a glossy lipstick (although the ads promise a matte finish). It's over budget when you buy at the store, but you can grab this at Althea Korea Philippines for only P440 when on sale!

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor (P575 at department stores)

Rounding up our list is this velvety matte from Revlon. It’s not quite a super-dry matte as shown in our review of the product but they're really pretty nonetheless. They boast of a “creamy mango and whipped vanilla fragrance” and 16 shade options.

In applying liquid lipsticks, a good prep routine (aka, exfoliating and moisturizing) is a must to avoid visible flaking and chapping. Using the wand included, start applying on the bottom lip first, from the center before spreading it to the edges. Proceed to the upper lip and follow the edges of the cupid’s bow. Need more help? We've got more tips here!

Did your favorite under P500 liquid lipstick make the list? Which are your go-tos? (Note on the plural because we can never have just one! *wink*)

I’m a big fan of dry shampoo. I raved about it in one of my earliest articles for Project Vanity, and it has a permanent spot in my beauty routine. As much as I love how it sops up oil and adds volume to my mane, there are still some drawbacks that keep it from reaching HG status in my hair care. Before buying yourself some dry shampoo, make sure to read this quick guide first!

The dreaded white cast. It’s not a particular problem if you have light hair or are using a tinted dry shampoo. If you’re using white dry shampoo on dark hair though, you know that you can be in for an awkward gray root situation. On top of that, it can give your hair color the appearance of dullness since it mattifies your roots. The key to avoid these problems is to use the powder sparingly and blend it out carefully. An important thing to note when using this product is that a little goes a long way!

You can also DIY your very own dry shampoo to match your hair color!

It can cause scalp dryness. As the name suggests, it's designed to zap all the greasiness from your scalp. Using this more than a few times a week though can lead to an itchy, flake-y scalp and being totally devoid of moisture. A dry scalp may not sound so bad, but is a leading case for dandruff problems.

If you don’t clear out the product build up, dry shampoo can clog your pores. If left blocked for a long time, this can lead to – wait for it – pimples, cysts, and/or bald spots. This is starting to sound like a real horror story, but wait up!

You have to note that these disadvantages are simply the result of the wrong usage of dry shampoo. As any dry shampoo user would tell you, the occasional sprinkle is totally fine, and can even give you healthier hair when used right! You can use dry shampoo in between washes but no more than two days in a row to avoid product build up. To ensure that you don’t clog the pores on your scalp, do give your hair a deep cleanse every week with clarifying shampoo. Remember this guide and you’re good to dry shampoo away!

It’s one thing to know how to cook and bake, but the beauty junkie takes it to a whole new level by knowing her way around the kitchen scraps. That’s right, we're challenging you to get nifty with what some might consider as refuse! Aside from repurposing your coffee grounds, there are more food leftovers that can double as beauty treatments. Get thrifty with your routine, and save a few pesos with these DIY hacks! (Hint: Use the extra funds for cheap thrills or set them aside to splurge on a big-ticket item!)

Image via atasteofkoko.com

Pineapple Scrub

In the culinary world, pineapple is a known natural tenderizer for meat because of its high enzyme content. Now it’s time to take this tropical fruit into the bath to tenderize… your skin!

When peeling the pineapple, allow a small part of the flesh to get sliced off together with the skin. Cut the peel into rectangles that you can easily handle. You can add sugar to the inside of the peel for an added level of manual exfoliation, then gently rub it across rough areas like ankles or elbows while you’re in the shower. Don’t rub too hard or too long though, as it can cause irritation if you overdo it.

Image via servingjoy.com

Papaya Whitener

Papaya whitening products are everywhere, so it’s obvious that it is a superstar ingredient for getting those stubborn, uneven-toned areas to naturally lighten. As with the pineapple, it’s the enzymes in the fruit that works wonders on the complexion.

After cutting the flesh of the papaya away, take the peel and rub it over those problem areas. Wait a few minutes before rinsing it off, then proceed with the rest of your bath routine as usual.

Image via tango-mango.tumblr.com

Eggshell Skin Soother

Crushing those eggshells has never been this much fun! For this recipe, you are required to wash and dry eggshells, then crack them into smaller pieces. Mix these up with some apple cider vinegar and let them steep for at least a few hours. Then they are ready to be applied to itchy or inflamed skin for some TLC.

It sounds crazy but it works! Eggshells are rich in a kind of calcium that takes on astringent properties when mixed with the cider vinegar. The resulting mixture calms the skin and gives it an extra layer of protection against triggers that cause skin sensitivity, like insect bites and rashes.

Image via lifestylemedium.com

Lemon Peel Manicure Booster

Aside from getting your fingers to smell great, leftover lemon peel can breathe life into tired-looking nails. During your at-home mani-pedi sesh, rub the lemon peel over freshly cleaned nails. It will bring back some sheen to those nail beds. Guess this is what inspired Burt's Bees to create a Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream!

Image via aol.com

Banana Peel Overall Brightener

Banana peels may remind us of funny gags, but they’re good for more than just causing your favorite cartoon characters to slip and fall. The mineral-rich, whitish portion inside the peel that protects the flesh of the banana can be used to brighten both the skin and the teeth. Just rub the inside portion of the peel on the area you want to whiten. A few regular rubs every now and then should do the trick.

Image via teadrift.com

Teabag De-bagger

This is the type of trick that grandmothers pass on to their granddaughters: Wring out the excess liquid on used tea bags and press them against your eyelids and under eye area to bring down puffiness and dark circles. You can also pop the bags in the fridge beforehand for an added cooling effect. The caffeine and other remaining nutrients that didn’t make it to your cup will perk up your skin!

One woman’s trash is another woman’s spa day. These are wise words to live by, so don’t absent-mindedly dump these leftovers next time you’re playing domestic goddess. And if you’ve got your own crafty beauty recipe from <s>scratch</s> scraps, we’d love to see them. Show and tell in the comments below!

Sources: Snapguide, Foodtrients, Michelle Phan, Beauty Glimpse, Thank Your Body, Style Craze, HealthnBodyTips. 

The first Maybelline mascara I ever tried was the Great Lash, and it's been one of my holy grail lash prettifiers since then. It's everything I want my mascara to be - at the low low price of P350, none the less! I had high expectations of the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (P429) and I am here to report my experience with it so far.

This mascara has hands down one of the best brushes I've tried. It's fattest at the base and curves into a slightly narrower tip. It captures both my long outer lashes and shorter inner lashes effortlessly, and lengthens them without clumping. And I mean zero clumping! The brush combs the lashes in such a neat, organized shape as if I were wearing natural-looking falsies.

The texture of the mascara is drier than usual, which contributes to the zero-clump feature. The waterproof formula smears juuuuust a little bit on me after a tennis match, but it's easy enough to erase and later on remove at the end of the day with a bi-phase makeup cleanser. It does wear well, keeping my curl up and lengthening my lashes without effort.

The catch: if you like dramatic volume, this mascara isn't for you. I feel girls with thick lashes will love this for the cool brush and the no-clump formula as the Lash Sensational will enhance that asset without giving the game away. However, if like me you have thin lashes and need them to stand out, this may not be enough. It's pretty on the eyes sure but I need more fatness, please!

In other words, get this if you:

• Have naturally thick lashes and want to lengthen them without overcoating them with product.
• Love the wispy lash look - thick at the base and fans out into wispy tips at the end.
• Want a waterproof formula that barely moves even after intense physical activity.

Don't get this if you:

• Need more volume and blackness in your mascara.
• Want something that toddles off with just micellar water or makeup wipes, but stays put until you want to take it off.

And that is that! I'd love to know what you think of this mascara, especially if you've already tried it yourself. What's your current fave miracle lash worker?

Constantly using heat styling tools such as blow dryers and hair straighteners can eventually damage your hair in the long run. Although we love our curls and jet black straight hair, we do recommend no-heat hair care once in a while. If you’re worried about getting the volume and the curls without heat, don’t! We have a few tips to help you out if you want to lay down on the heat styling.

 Check labels and avoid foaming ingredients

Shampoos that lather are not doing your scalp any favors. Even natural and organic shampoos contain synthetically derived foaming agents or foaming ingredients to create lather. If your hair product contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), avoid them for the mean time because they strip the scalp of natural oils. Disrupting the cycle of oil production makes your scalp even greasier as it tries to overcompensate, and all that extra oil weighs your hair down.

Squeeze, don’t rub 

Here’s another tip most hairstylists do: squeeze water out from your hair instead of rubbing with your towel. When you rub your hair to dry it, you create frizz and damage through friction. Gently squeezing removes more moisture and keeps your hair cuticles smooth.

If you're in a hurry to get your hair dry, squeeze it once while you're in the shower to get rid of most of the moisture then squeeze it again while it's wrapped in a towel. The towel is important for absorbing the moisture, but squeezing out the excess before doing so keeps the fabric from getting drenched.

Use extra absorbent towels like Aquazorb to cut out even more drying time. 

Give your roots a lift

After you squeeze out the water from your hair, don’t brush or comb it immediately. Wait a while and air dry it while you do other tasks. To give it more volume, use volumizing sprays such as the Phytovolume Actif Volumizing Spray (P795 from Rustan's) or the Sea Spray Volumizing Hair Mist (P425 from Lush).

Using a boar bristle brush tames frizz without heat

The boar bristle brush isn't actually made from wild boar or hog hair, if you’re concerned. Most manufacturers use hair from domesticated or farm-raised animals. Boar bristle is known to be gentle on the hair and very similar to human hair. Because of this, boar bristle brush carries the sebum oil from the scalp and evenly distributes it throughout the rest of your hair. By doing so, you not only reduce the oil buildup on your scalp, you also condition your hair naturally with its own oils and add a healthy shine to it. 

Tease at the roots

This is such an 80s trick, but hey, it still works. To tease without causing tangles, gather the hair at the crown of your head and backcomb, or tease gently two to three-inch sections down the roots. Brush with your fingertips to make the look softer.

Switch your part

This is the oldest trick in the book and also the easiest. Make sure you make a deep part by taking a comb and drawing a line starting from your eyebrow, moving diagonally back to the center of your crown.

Get a layered textured cut

If you’re a wash and wear kind of girl, ask your hairstylist to add layers to your ‘do to add volume without daily maintenance. For fine hair, ask for soft layers around the chin. If you have medium to thick hair, ask for choppy layers throughout.

Make curls with buns, flexi rods, or socks

If you you want sexy beach waves though, start setting your hair before you sleep! Take your damp, towel-dried hair and separate it into large or small sections, depending on your preference. Twist each section into a bun and secure with bobby pins. Remember that freshly washed hair will hold curls better than unwashed hair. You can also use socks or cheap, affordable flexi rods from SM for less than P200.

Do you have other tips to for no-heat hair? We want to hear your no-heat beauty hacks in the comments below!

Sources:

http://empoweredsustenance.com/no-heat-hair-care/

http://dailymakeover.com/get-hair-volume-without-curling-iron

I didn’t use lotion as much as I should have when I was younger because I found it such a huge hassle to apply. I have to wait for it to dry completely, and when I use a product that’s texturally thick, I hate that I'll be left with a sticky mess by midday.

My lack of effort in slathering on lotion has had consequences, of course. My skin is not as smooth as it used to be and it doesn't bounce as quickly from damage. To try to make up for the time I neglected hydration and general care for my skin, I started using a variety of affordable products to help heal and nourish my skin. Here are some affordable ones I recommend!

Myra-E Hand and Body Lotion (P60~ at groceries and department stores)

This lotion is your best bet when you want a reliable product that’s easily accessible. You can pick it up at any drugstore or supermarket! But apart from its availability, you can lean on to this product for its effects, too. It moisturizes your skin without leaving a sticky feeling. Plus, it has Vitamin E beads to help make your skin look younger. The only thing some people might not like about it is the scent, which is rather sweet. It doesn’t linger on the skin too long, though.

Image via tokopedia.com

Vaseline Total Moisture Aloe Fresh Hydrating Lotion (P125 at department stores)

I like this lotion for the same reasons I like the Myra-E one. It moisturizes the skin minus the icky feeling. I like this a notch better than the Myra-E one, though, because it smells better. Try this one during hotter days.

Jergens Age Defying Lotion (~P100 at department stores)

When I turned 27, my mind went straight to anti-aging concerns. I should have started earlier, but better late than never! So I started exploring options from the drugstore and found this moisturizer. It promises to restore the skin’s youthful look with the help of vitamins A, C and E, which are all antioxidants. It also claims to help diminish wrinkles. My skin still has a long way to go, but this has helped immensely! The only downside is it’s thick, so I only use it at night.

Nivea Extra White Lotion (~P250 at department stores)

I had a whitening obsession when I was younger (long story!), and one of the products I tried out then was from the Nivea Extra Whitening range. I can’t vouch for its whitening power, but it does brighten. It made my skin radiate a healthy glow! So even though I’m already past the stage of coveting kutis porselana, I still use products from the range in rotation with my other lotions.

Kojie San Body Lightening Lotion (P262 at department stores)

I discovered the Kojie San Body Lightening lotion during my skin whitening phase, too. To sum up its goodness: this lotion delivers its promise, and quick! This is definitely best used together with their soap for maximum efficacy. If you’re not a fan of whitening though, you can still use it for problem areas like knees and elbows.

Have you tried any of these lotions before? What are your holy grail body moisturizers?

There is an unparalleled thrill in seeking out your next favorite beauty product. Picture visiting your regular beauty haunt and spotting a brand’s sparkling, new display with so much to explore. As you eagerly sift through the selection, you check out the price tags and discover that ALL of the products sold there are at affordable prices!

That’s exactly the kind of glee we experienced at the recent launch of Cathy Doll. Karmart, a massive cosmetics and skincare distributor originating from Thailand, has partnered with local distributor LifeStrong Marketing Inc. to give us a taste of this Korean-inspired beauty brand that has been making waves across Asia. Cathy Doll features fun, youthful packaging and a wide range of product lines to address head-to-toe concerns.

Ready 2 White Body Lotion, Pom Pom Girl Armpit Toner, Come On Baby Intimate Cleansing Gel, Ready 2 White One Day Body Cleanser

The Ready 2 White Line: One Day Whitener Body Cleanser, Boosting Cream, and One Day Whitener Body Lotion

To even out the overall tone of your face and body from your summer suntan, there’s the Ready 2 White line that includes the Ready 2 White One Day Whitener Body Cleanser (P349), the Ready 2 White One Day Whitener Body Lotion (P549), and the Ready 2 White Boosting Cream (P899). For care of our lady bits, we’re eyeing the Pom Pom Girl Whitening & Pore Reducing Armpit Toner (P349) and the Come On Baby Intimate Cleansing Gel (P169).

Chilli Bomb Anti Stretch Mark Intense Cream and Chilli Bomb Firming Legs and Arms Essence

The Chilli Bomb line features products that can help deal with flabby skin. Say goodbye to stretchmarks and sagging with the Chilli Bomb Anti-Stretch Mark Intense Cream (P349) and the Chilli Bomb Firming Legs & Arms Essence (P349).

Snail Bright Whitening Cream, Snail Pink Pore Reducing Serum, Mineral Drop Snail DD Cream

One of the it-ingredients for years now is snail mucus, and Cathy Doll is ready to supply the demand for this exotic extract. The Snail Pink Pore Reducing Serum (P999) is meant for oily skin, while the Snail Bright Whitening Cream (P999) is ideal for dry and combination skin. The Mineral Drop Snail DD Cream (P399) is a non-greasy face base that suits all skintones and skin types, in addition to offering some UV protection.

Milky Splash Essence with heot gae na mu, L-Glutathione Magic Cream, Snail Pink Pore Reducing Serum

Milky Splash Essence with heot gae na mu, Water Splash Essence with L-glutathione, Gold Splash Essence with bee venom

Eye Love You Eye Serum, Eye Miss You Eye Primer, and EYEmazing Eye Cream

For glowing skin even without any makeup, there’s the Milky Splash Essence line of moisturizers (P649 each). And in case you’re wondering, heot gae na mu is a goat milk extract. For eye care, they’ve also got the What Eye Want series (P399 each). Eye Love You Eye Serum provides the solution for general luggage concerns such as eye bags, dark circles, and wrinkles. Eye Miss You Eye Primer is a twofer that acts as both eye cream and eye makeup primer. EYEmazing Eye Cream deals with wrinkles and loss of firmness.

Color Lip Blur

Clockwise from top center: Triple Eyebrow Designing, Sexy Brow Pencil, Speed White CC Powder, Geisha Hanazakari Lip Matte, Geisha Moteru Gel Liner Pot, Lip Smile Color Lip Balm Stick

Let’s not forget the makeup! A quickie matte lip is achievable with the help of the twist-up Color Lip Blur liquid lip color (P199) that comes in five shades. For those who prefer soft, glossy lips, take your pick from the four colors that the Lip Smile Color Lip Balm Stick (P199) comes in. The Geisha line has trendy makeup colors that blend together Japanese and Korean influences. Opaque color in one swipe comes out of the Geisha Hanazakari Lip Matte (P349) that also comes in five colors. Defined eyes come in the form of the Geisha Moteru Gel Liner Pot (P249), available in three colors. Work on your brow game with the three available shades of Triple Eyebrow Designing powder (P249) and the four choices for Sexy Brow Pencil (P199). Powder up with the Speed White CC Powder (P399).

Cathy Doll has so much exciting new stuff to offer, we haven’t even scratched the surface of their entire product line yet. But where’s the fun in revealing too much here? Better head on over to their locations and try them out yourself!

Have you seen Cathy Doll at your favorite mall yet? What do you want to get your hands on?