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Aside from the Beauty Profile, we have added a new feature to the site called Suggest A Topic. It's straightforward - if you want us to cover and discuss a particular topic, send it over with a short description. The PV Team will research it and get the necessary products or service to try. While we come up with our own topics, we of course want to know the specific stories you want to see to give you a better reading experience.

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Acne. Blackheads. Whiteheads. Infamous skin woes that many of us are at least familiar with, and able to recognize in a glance. What about the more mysterious of skin issues though? The issues that make you stare at the mirror a little bit longer each day, making you wonder: “What is THAT and how do I get rid of it?”

Our exploration of milia was a big "AHA!" moment for many readers but what if that thing you've been obsessing over looks... kinda different? There are dozens upon dozens of skin problems that are unheard of to the average Joe (or Jane), so we've decided to shift the focus onto other common but lesser-known skin problems so you that you can be your own "Derma Detective" at home. At least, until you vamoose to the nearest actual derma for your skin's health and safety!

image via acne.org

Keratosis Pilaris

This is the skin problem that I’m sadly all too familiar with, and also refer to as "chicken skin". Mine are clustered mostly on the upper arms, but they can be found anywhere from the face to the legs. They're basically small, red bumps that pop up when dead skin gets trapped in hair follicles.

Having KP almost always means that the affected skin is dry and rough, but a small comfort for those of us who have it is that doctors often consider KP as just another ‘type’ of normal skin. It can’t be cured or prevented though, but in many instances, KP gradually disappears with age.

In the meantime, you can minimize its appearance with regular exfoliation and the use of moisturizers or prescribed creams afterwards. Personally, what worked for me was to use either an exfoliating towel or mitt while in the shower followed by the application of a gentle but highly moisturizing lotion afterwards. My preferred one is the Physiogel Hypoallergenic Lotion that’s easily available in most local, leading department stores. My KP is still very much there, but it’s now a lot smoother!

Warts

First up on the unwanted list is what many consider to be an embarrassing body bump. Different from milia which aren't contagious, warts are caused by viruses and can therefore be passed on from person to person. That’s why one should ALWAYS wear flip-flops in communal showers, and why sharing towels or clothes with someone who has warts is a big no-no.

There are five identifiable types of warts: common warts (rough, dome-shaped, and gray-brown in color), plantar warts (hard patches with dark specks that grow on soles of the feet), flat warts (small and either pink, brown or yellow usually found on the face, arms or legs), filiform warts (skin-colored with thread-like growths), and periungal warts (rough bumps with an ‘uneven border’ found around toenails or fingernails). They look vastly different from milia, so telling them apart should be a piece of cake.

Image via goodmandermatology.com

If you spot this kind of growth, don't panic! They can (and should) be treated, whether topically at home or by a dermatologist. The safest way to DIY your own wart removal is to regularly apply tea tree oil or bee propolis on the affected area. If you want something more potent and quick-acting, local drug stores have a variety of creams or ointments like DuoFilm for treating warts. A visit to your trusted derma is still the surest way to garner a cure, though, and minimize the chances of scarring. There they can freeze it off with the use of liquid nitrogen, or use specialized lasers to effectively ‘burn’ the wart away.

Skin Tags

The only thing milia and skin tags have in common is that that they’re not contagious, but that’s where the similarities end. With skin tags, instead of an accumulation of dead skin cells, they’re actually just little ‘flaps’ of raised skin or tissue. They're most likely caused by excessive rubbing or friction from clothes or jewelry, or even frequent skin-on-skin contact. Why they form and their exact cause is still unknown though. Bummer!

image via livestrong.com

Oh, and don’t worry if you’re like me and regularly need to exfoliate both your body and face because proper exfoliation, which does involve a certain level of friction, might even help prevent skin tags and other skin problems from forming. Skin tags are more likely to appear on those who are older, obese or have diabetes, but they can also form in childhood and disappear on their own with age. These ‘terrible tags’ tend to be found in different areas on the body like the neck, underarms or even the genital region, rather than on the face.

Just like warts, skin tags can succumb to liquid nitrogen, but they can also be banished by your derma applying a special solution to chemically burn it away, electrocautery (using electricity to zap it into oblivion), or by simply snipping it off with sterilized scissors. Generously treating the skin tag with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice are popular home treatments if you want an alternate route.

Syringoma

Syringoma can look quite similar to milia, plus they have a nasty habit of clustering around the eye area too, though they can also be found on the upper cheeks, forehead, chest and a variety of other places. They can appear round or almost flat, but are still flesh-colored.

Now I’ll have to be Bad News Brian here because if you have syringoma, which is caused mainly by cell overgrowth from overactive sweat glands, it prefers to be a permanent resident making it very difficult to ‘evict’ from your skin. Other possible causes for syringoma include hormonal imbalance (as in puberty and pregnancy) and even underlying medical conditions like diabetes and Down’s syndrome.

image via dermquest.com

So how does one try to say sayonara to syringoma? Consulting with your derma is your best bet, especially since medical conditions might be the culprit. Once those are ruled out, your options for removal include excision (cutting and removing each individual syringoma) and lasering (using a CO2 laser to kill the cells). You can also have a simple dermabrasion if you don’t want a procedure that’s too invasive, but it only rubs down the bump until the skin appears flat.

To minimize your chances of being inflicted in the first place, make sure to:

• Avoid smoking and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol (sorry, party animals)
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet that includes enough antioxidants and vitamins 
• Regularly wear sunscreen as unprotected exposure to the sun, or allergic skin rashes in general, may aggravate your skin and lead to a syringoma outbreak

Xanthomas

This other complicated sounding skin problem can be differentiated by their yellow or orange appearance and can be found anywhere on the body. They’re sometimes larger than your typical milia, irregular in shape and form, and also like to hang out around or on the eyelids. If you’re a frequent consumer of unhealthy food (guilty as charged!), the appearance of these fatty-looking pockets on your skin may also indicate that you have high cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides (AKA fats in the blood).

image via e-jams.org

If you do indeed have xanthomas, consider them a (totally harsh) reminder to start eating right! Certain cancers or pancreatitis can also be the reason behind xanthomas, so make sure to get yourself checked by a doctor.

Excision, laser therapy, or the use of a topical acid are the usual dermatological treatments for this but if you want to bid them farewell once and for all, maintaining a balanced diet is more than essential. C’mon. Do you really need this skin issue to be the reason to keep fit and have good-looking skin at the same time? I don’t think so.

Yes, there are a lot of other skin issues out there that may be clever impostors and look like a lot like milia, but to spare you from reading a hundred page article I’ll just give you another piece of advice that’s easy to remember: if you don’t know the cure, ask to be sure. Instead of poking and prodding at any mysterious bumps in front the mirror, make the smart (and safe) move and head on over to your trusted dermatologist to really get the skinny on what’s going on with your skin!

Arian Yupangco is a beauty blogger and Philippin Star columnist currently studying makeup artistry.

My dilemma: I am crazy busy these days because I'm running a growing company, but it is a requirement that I look put together every single time I go out to meet clients and partners. I actually have a pretty quick makeup routine as it happens, but I am forced to cut corners more often than I'd like. That's why I love quick-to-use products that are a breeze to apply. Plus points if I don't have to get my fingers literally dirty!

Lately I adore the convenience of liquid foundations in compact form. Cushion foundations - with the soaked sponge thingy in the middle - suit my needs perfectly since I get the light coverage + glow I want without taking too much time off my schedule. There's a downside to cushions, however. They dry out faster and the surface (which means the WHOLE product) can easily get contaminated by a dirty sponge.

Enter the genius that is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go Liquid Compact (P2,690). It has the same convenience and the dewy, flawless finish of cushion compacts without the risk of contaminating the whole foundation. Just press the button in the middle and voila - enough product for half of your face oozes out. Neat, right?

Here's a rundown of my experience on this foundation!

What I love about the product

• The coverage is sheer to medium, just right for the current condition of my skin. I rarely wear heavy coverage liquid foundations as they can appear too heavy for everyday wear! The finish of Makeup To Go is dewy, but not shiny.
• I found my perfect shade match in Warm Creme. There are 18 shades in this line so you're bound to find something that suits you too!
• The formula is thin but surprisingly hydrating. I prefer this for my combination skin, although I make sure to have a powder on hand to blot my T-zone after a few hours.
• Staying power is pretty good, the above note notwithstanding. I've worn this for ten hours and it doesn't fade too much with consistent retouching. I've also worn this foundation to tennis practice and it doesn't fall completely apart even though it does transfer when I wipe my sweaty face.
• THE SPONGE IS AMAZING. It's ultra soft and plush while being quite dense. It doesn't absorb too much of the product and applies it neatly, without streaking. It's super hassle to wash though. The foundation is water-resistant so I had to use a foaming makeup remover to be able to clean the sponge thoroughly.
• The packaging is sanitary and dispenses only what I need per use.

What I don't like about the product

• It takes about a minute or two to set. It's a very wet formula and doesn't dry as quickly as the original Double Wear foundations. I recommend not touching it while it's setting, since you might cause it to transfer.
• I wouldn't recommend this for oily skin. It is formulated for dry skin and does have a marked dewy finish.

Verdict

The Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go Liquid Compact is a staple in my base routine since it's convenient, looks beautiful on my skin without being too foundation-y, and is water-resistant enough not to emulsify along with sweat (I.e. it wears well). I highly recommend it for girls with dry to combi skin! If you're oily, you might want a drier, more oil-absorbent formula.

Thoughts? 

Find Estée Lauder in Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la, Rustan’s Alabang, Rustan’s Gateway, Rustan’s Cebu, Essenses Rockwell, and SM Mall of Asia

Do you follow Project Vanity on social media? Here's one great reason why you should: One of the perks of being a follower is getting access to exclusive events like the Project Vanity x Origins Mask Madness party!  

Last May 21, Project Vanity staffers and readers had a Mix and Mask party at the Origins concept store in SM Makati. We got to hang out with Liz, snack on healthy treats, and of course, try the best-sellers from Origins! Sam and Niki, the awesome brand duo of Origins, were there to teach us all about #MaskMadness and gamely answer all our questions about their products.

The Origins store at SM Makati

Healthy eats and drinks courtesy of Wholesome Table

The awesome ladies of Origins Philippines: Samantha Lim (sales and training coordinator) and Niki Francisco (brand coordinator)

Chat time with Liz!

Sam started by telling us the story of the brand. Origins is all about using the best of that nature has to offer to create skincare that are as effective as they are pretty. They only use all-natural and all-organic ingredients, particularly premium essential oils, to formulate their products. But it's not enough that they're made without parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, or animal ingredients - they perform well, too! Sam shared that she once forgot to put on her favorite products, and got a breakout the very next day. Her skin went back to normal when she returned to her routine, so lesson learned: don’t ever skip your HG skin care!

Bestsellers: GinZing, Out of Trouble, Clear Improvements

Every time we swatched a new product, we were stunned by how good everything smells!

Sam then explained the concept behind multi-masking. Basically, though you probably already know your skin type, different parts of your face can actually have different needs. She demonstrated this on Corine, whom she first interviewed about her skin to know what her issues are. Since Corine is prone to acne, Sam recommended the Blemish Buster mask combo for her. It's a combination of Out of Trouble and the Clear Improvement Activated Charcoal Mask. 

Out of Trouble has zinc oxide and sulfur to absorb excess oil, and salicylic acid which helps control breakouts and blemishes. Clear Improvement purifies the skin by pulling away dirt and impurities from your skin. 

Get all the benefits of your mask by prepping skin with the Maskimizer!

First, Sam removed Corine's makeup with Dr. Andrew Weil’s Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser for her face and Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil for her eye makeup. She then sprayed her face with the first ever mask primer in the world, the Maskimizer! It softens and hydrates the skin so that it absorbs the mask's benefits better.

Sam used Clear Improvements on Corine's T-zone and the Out of trouble on her jaw line. As a bonus, she also applied GinZing, a refreshing face mask to wake up tired skin, on her cheeks. After waiting ten minutes for the masks to do their job, she gently washed off the products with water. Corine's skin looked incredibly smooth and she had an amazing glow!

We were already wow-ed but Sam's treatment didn't stop there. She then applied Soothing Treatment Lotion from Dr. Weil’s Mega-Mushroom line, which functions as a moisturizing toner that you can just pat on your face. After that, she used the Advanced Face Serum from the same line and corrected any uneveness in skin tone with the Smarty Plants CC Cream SPF20 PA++.

Liz removes Kim's makeup before masking

Snacking while waiting for their turns to mask up

I tried Out of Trouble to deal with my blemishes

Everyone had their skin assessed and got to try the best masks for their concerns. You only had to see our big smiles to know how immediately fell in love with the products and how they transformed our skin! After washing off Out of Trouble, I tried applying Dr. Weil’s serum and face lotion, GinZing eye cream, Smarty Plants CC Cream, Lip Remedy, and Drink Up Sugars in Caramel Crush. Every product worked wonders on my face! (They truly did! I could not get over how perfect her skin looked! -Den)

Bare but fresh and radiant faces!

Take-home goodies: generous sample sizes of Drink Up Intensive overnight mask and Modern Friction exfoliant with an invite to another free mask facial

Skincare is a personal adventure. That’s why Origins has so many products to choose from, so you're sure to find the perfect solution for every kind of skin concern. If you love masking, don't miss out on their ongoing P150 off on  all masks promo until May 31. They also give a free Mini Mask (30ml) when you purchase.

Want to try before you buy? You can also get a free consultation and mask facial with their #MaskMadness offer. Just head to your nearest Origins store or visit their Facebook page for more info!

What happens when a travel-loving dermatologist brings in her favorite premium skincare products from Korea? About Face happens, that's what! This Philippine-based online store is carrying a few amazing things, and I'm here to talk to you about five of their best-selling products that you are not likely to find anywhere else. I've tried them and yes, color me impressed. That's why I asked for a 20% discount code (it's projectvanity, use it) which you guys can key in your shopping cart to get a straight up discount site-wide. The code is valid until May 31 only so...you know the drill.

Ready? Here's what I think of About Face's top five!

Magic Stone | P990 at AboutFace.PH

This was just featured in Refinery 29 and was promptly called "legit magical". If you Google it, this soap is blowing up the Korean cleansing scene. It's supposed to remove makeup and brighten skin with a thick, heavy-duty cleansing foam that isn't drying. There are two variants: the Original, which is a speckled stone-like soap for all skin types, and the Black, which has charcoal for oily skin. I'm using the Original and loving the lush foam so far! I've been using it as a facial wash but I will definitely try it as a makeup remover next time.

The soap is quite pricey at P990, but I cut up a small piece (about 1/8s) and stored the rest in the box. I think it will take a while to use that piece up as a little goes a long way per use!

Egg Sleeping Pack | P1,350 at AboutFace.PH

In Korea, the "sleeping pack" is a cream or gel that you apply on your face thickly right before you go to bed. I've tried one before and it's pretty much an extra hydrating night moisturizer! The Egg Sleeping Pack is possibly the cutest one in the world. It features these small eggs that has a yolk (the cream) and albumen (the gel) which is to be "beaten" together with a spatula you pull out from the packaging. So cool! 

Since it features eggs, this pack's main function is to tighten, brighten, and moisturize your skin as you sleep. I find it does what it promises and I only need a very small amount overnight. If you use it much like a normal moisturizer, one pack should be good for about 15-20 uses depending on how much you apply. There's a lot of product inside, surprisingly!

Animal Face Mask | P125 at AboutFace.PH

Cute face masks aren't my jam, but if it's yours, About Face has Proud Mary masks in a tiger, panda, horse, and monkey print. I tried the Relaxing Charcoal & Aloe Mask this morning and it added a boost of moisture on my face. My skin is so dewy right now! Masks are a great way to try Proud Mary skincare, which can get quite expensive. I'll review the ampoules for you one of these days. I hear beauty editors are loving it.

Glam21 Eye Crayon | P849 at AboutFace.PH

Do you want water-resistant eyeshadow that you can just draw on and go? If the answer is yes (possibly the only answer lol) then you'll love these eye crayons. These eyeshadows will need to be layered a couple of times to get max pigmentation, but once they set - they SET. They are impervious to sweat and I know this because I wore one to tennis aka my favorite way to test a product's longevity.

There are many fun colors to choose from, but if you must only get one, you can't go wrong with June Bug. It's a gorgeous taupey bronze that makes for a great single-color eye look. Paired with a red lip (wearing the Glam21 Lip Crayon in Heavy Metal here), it's incredibly chic!

Flawless Finish Brush | P799 at AboutFace.PH

Honestly I don't know what the hell I've been doing without an oval brush in my life. It's the best tool for blending cream and liquid makeup in the most seamless way possible. About Face has their own version and it is soft, incredibly dense, and is such a breeze to use. Love applying cream foundation with it! I wish they'd come out with one in a bigger size one of these days for an even quicker base routine. 

So there you go. ^_^ I hope you enjoyed reading my capsule reviews! Remember, About Face has a special code just for Project Vanity readers. You can get 20% off on any purchase with the code "projectvanity" until May 31. Enjoy shopping, and I'd love to know what you're planning to get!

I used to joke that flight attendants might be sourcing their beauty knowledge not just from other countries, but from another world altogether. I mean seriously, isn’t it fascinating how FAs can go on long haul flights and still look well-rested and gorgeous around the clock? To think that the extremely drying atmosphere inside planes is a recipe for skin and hair disaster! When I sleep in planes, I wake up with the worst FOTD ever. 

So I thought, why not try to decode the secret and share it with you guys! We reached out to Angela Mae Reyes, a lovely international flight attendant serving the Middle East route for 10 years now. We wanted to know: how do FAs keep pretty while traveling for work?

Let’s get the most important question out of the way. How do you manage to look fresh all throughout the flight?

Makeup is a requirement for the job. We are very busy and active in flights and the reality is that we don't really have much time to retouch, so we need a solid makeup routine. I start by priming with the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm which perks up my skin and gives it an instant glow, especially if I feel like I look tired or jet-lagged. I discovered it (and I'm glad I did) because one makeup artist was using it for his clients and they looked blooming and radiant. It’s a great primer that makes my makeup adhere and look flawless for hours.

Image via takeoffyourcolours.com

For my actual makeup, I normally prefer to use long wearing products: foundation from Estée Lauder or Revlon, liquid eyeliner from L'Oreal, my favorite mascara from Lancome, and Urban Decay's Afterglow blush. I set everything with Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray, which seals my makeup and makes it stay in place even in ultra long haul flights. I also keep oil-control sheets handy, and lightly pat my face with powder foundation when needed.

Image via taylormhawkins.com

The atmosphere inside the plane can be extremely drying. What’s the secret to combat dry skin?

Good ol' hydration! I chug down a lot of water, and apply lip balm and hand cream frequently.

How do you keep your hair sleek and frizz-free hour after hour?

At work, my hair is always in a bun but I have never been a fan of hairspray or gel products. I’ve been using Bench Fix's Styling Stick to tame my baby hair, and then put them in place with black snap clips. This product is gentle on the hair, it has an amazing scent, and one stick lasts forever.

Image via bench.com.ph

What country or countries have the best beauty products and best makeup deals? Where do you frequently buy your makeup?

When I'm in the US, I normally buy my makeup at Sephora (I have a VIB card) and CVS Pharmacy. Our flight attendant ID cards also have a special power: we usually get a 10 to 20% discount on cosmetics and perfumes at any airport Duty Free! So I do a lot of my shopping there.

Which nationality has the best skin in the world?

I guess Asians in general. Due to the tropical climate, our skin tends to have more moisture and look more youthful. But then again it also depends on other factors such as genes, skincare routine, and a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Do you bring your whole kikay kit to every flight? If no, what beauty essentials would you not fly without?

No. I normally just carry a powder foundation for emergency touch-ups, a lip balm, and a couple of different shades of lipsticks because I like changing my lip color and look.

What’s your go-to makeup brands?

Urban Decay and MAC.

Image via t-pageant.com

What’s one specific makeup item that you can’t live without?

I have been using my ever reliable Covermark concealer since I was 15! I got this beauty secret weapon from my mom who used to be a flight attendant, too. It's the best concealer for the under eye area and dark spots, and even works as an overall foundation. It’s waterproof and sweatproof. It's available in Singapore and Japan. 

Personally, what’s your biggest beauty secret?

Drink a lot of water, do cardio, meditate, and take your vitamins and antioxidants. Most importantly though, be kind, generous, gentle, and loving. Act like a lady and love being a woman.

Did you pick up a beauty tip or two from Angela? Personally, I’d be sure to hunt down for that Covermark concealer! If you're also a flight attendent with your own beauty tips, we can't wait to hear them in the comments below!

"Magical" does not even begin to cover the 15th anniversary celebration of Zen Zest that went down last Monday. Granted that Le Petit Soufflé already brims with scenic charm even on regular days, but it was the lovely event styling, the buzz of an excited beauty community, and the aroma from the different Zen Zest products wafting through the air that pushed the afternoon to perfection status.

Upon arrival, guests were invited to visit the different scent stations specially set up for the party. Being the pioneer Filipino brand to carry a complete range of fragrances, body care, and home aromatherapy, the massive display of Zen Zest’s product range was an impressive sight (and scent) to behold.  

Did you know that Zen Zest sells over 100,000 bottles of fragrance every month? It’s no surprise because these fragrances smell absolutely heavenly, and they’re packaged in a posh glass bottle that does not look like it just cost P200! A lot of the guests had been using the Zen Zest Eau De Toilette since they were teens, and they had a blast checking out the newer Zen Zest products. There were body washes, body scrubs, hand washes, massage oils, room and linen fragrances, and even mosquito sprays – all available in a multitude of aromas.

Zen Zest had the genius idea to let the guests "shop" for their own scents instead of giving away pre-packed loot bags. Their staff assisted the guests in trying out different scents so we could pick what we want to take home. Two thumbs up for this concept since scent is such a personal thing!

I just used the Vanilla Cream Body Wash (P140) this morning and my bath time felt like I was surrounded by freshly baked honey glazed doughnuts – it smelled that good! I’m so impressed how smooth my skin felt all day even without lotion that I’m already eager to pick up their other scents.

I also took home the lavender scented linen spray (P250), room spray (P250), and home fragrance oil (P150) from the Aromatherapy SLEEP collection and now our house feels like one giant spa! Lavender is such a calming and soothing aroma and I’m glad that I get to have some much needed R&R at home thanks to these Zen Zest products. 

Sari Yap, Tessa Prieto-Valdez, Michelle Fontelera, Peewee Isidro

The proud founder and inspiring #GirlBoss of Zen Zest, Michelle Asence Fontelera, thanked us all for coming and supporting the brand through the years. From one small kiosk in SM Megamall, they’ve now grown into a 100-stall strong fragrance empire available in the Philippines, Japan, Bahrain, and other Asian countries. They've reached 15 years in the business and continue to innovate great products for their customers to love – I'd say the future of Zen Zest smells sweeter than ever.

Team Project Vanity

Have you ever tried any of Zen Zest's fragrances? What are your favorites?

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This adage still rings true even with globalization and the continued westernization of beauty standards. Even with the biological assumption that symmetrical faces are intrinsically more beautiful, an enlightening recent experiment by freelance journalist Esther Honig showed the ever-varying cultural differences of the definition of beauty.

Esther Honig's Before and After experiment (Original unaltered photo is the at the third row, third column)

In her experiment Before and After, Esther sent her unaltered photo to 40 Photoshop enthusiasts around the world with the request to make her beautiful. The difference in every culture’s definition of beauty surprised Honig.

At PV, we celebrate all kinds of beauty and even the not-so beautiful. We don't aim to generalize beauty standards, but we got intrigued about what people online are saying about their culture’s definitions of beauty. Do feel free to give your thoughts in the comments and check out the links for more resources!

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing (Image via findpik.com)

Asia

Particularly in East Asia which includes countries like China, Japan, and Korea, the prevailing definition of beauty is still dark glossy hair, pale skin, big eyes, double lids, small v-shaped face, and a slender build.

Pale skin is still revered as a sign of affluence and attractiveness. This is evident in the various whitening beauty products that are widely available in Asia. In China, because of the intense desire of Chinese woman to get whiter skin, most go through skin bleaching treatments that promise to give them skin as pale as rice. Although fair skin is the standard, there are also subtle differences in Korean and Japanese skincare and standards of fairness.

Filipino actress Liza Soberano (Image via wethepvblic.com)

In the Philippines, as much as we want to champion our proud morena complexions, the popularity of whitening products still shows hints of our Spanish colonial longing, associating whiter skin with being “mestizo” or having mixed ancestry.

The caste system in India has introduced a preference for paler, golden skin among them, even if most South Indians have darker skin.

“Hattoshin” is a term used in Japan to describe a perfect body. One of the factors to get hattoshin is to have a smaller face, which should be 1/8 of your total height. Japanese women have been known to get plastic surgery for jaw line and cheek bone reduction, making them look like they have smaller heads and bigger eyes.

Japanese actress Keiko Kitagawa (Image via nihongogo.com)

The creased eyelid is also a desirable feature throughout Asia, but has made waves particularly in Korea, with the plastic surgery procedure called blehparoplasty. In this procedure, surgeons reshape the eye by folding the upper skin lid, giving the patient the much sought-after double eyelid.

Straight hair is still highly desired by Asian women. This has given rise to the popularity of hair treatments such as thermal reconditioning, which uses bond-breaking chemicals to straighten hair. Hair irons are also widely used to get sleek hair.

French actress Mélanie Thierry (Image via dosparalatres.com)

West Europe

On the other hand, golden hair, pale skin, a strong jaw, a narrow nose, and wider lips are the features of choice in countries throughout Western Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

In France, women have been known to exude what the locals call je ne sais quoi, or “a pleasant quality that is hard to describe.” They have been taught early on that beauty is more about style, and place great emphasis on natural beauty. French women focus more on skincare than cosmetics and most aspire for a super healthy, luminous, and clear complexion. This is why French gals always have always been in pursuit of that “just thrown on” style, making them the muses for effortless beauty.

German actress Diane Kruger (Image via harpersbazaar.com)

There’s a misconception that most women in Germany are blond, blue-eyed, and heavily built. But there are also brown-haired and dark blonde German girls out there. Think Diane Kruger! Just like the French, for Germans, having what they call Ausstrahlung – a glow or radiance – is highly valued. Natural beauty is still the best for Germans, so surgeries and overdone makeup are not very popular according to beauty blogger Venusian Glow.

Ukrainian actress Mila Kunis (Image via 7-themes.com)

There are a few differences in the standards of beauty between Western and Eastern Europe. Among these are the preference for tanned skin and more buxom figures in Eastern European countries such as Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, and the Ukraine.

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopes is of Puerto Rican descent (Image via richestcelebrities.org)

South America

One might think the global standard of beauty can be found in South America. After all, they have won six out of 10 Miss Universe titles in the last decade. Have you seen the following features in these title holders? Golden skintones, a strong brow, full lips, a curvy though slim body, and Germanic features?

Although Latinas are anatomically diverse, and their definition of beauty largely depends on the area they come from, the standard Hispanic features include a voluptuous body, olive skin, and dark hair. The waif may be celebrated in most countries, but South Americans take pride in their guitar-shaped bodies. Even old Spanish songs talk about the como una botella de Coca-Cola, or the body shaped like a Coca-Cola bottle.

Iranian-born actress Nazanin Boniadi (Image via theguardian.com)

Middle East

In the predominantly Islamic Middle East where women are often expected to cover themselves for modesty, most communities focus on the women’s eyes as the focal point of beauty.

As most women in the Middle East are curvier than their western counterparts, a healthy body with “meat and bones” has always been considered the most attractive body type. This is also partly because heavier-set bodies are indicators of affluence in some Arab cultures. The same goes for having lighter eyes and fairer skin.

Curiously, in Iran, nose-jobs are the ultimate status symbol. Most men and women wear the bandages from their nose jobs as a status symbol, and will occasionally wear them longer than they’re supposed to.

American model Kate Upton (Image via celeb-zones.com)

North America

Not to generalize, but most online content still points to arched brows, tanned skin, high cheekbones, narrow nose bridge, an oval shaped face, full lips, and voluminous wavy hair as the beauty standards for North America. However, the American standard for beauty has been constantly evolving. In Allure’s 20th Anniversary Beauty Survey, 64% of all the respondents think women of mixed race represent the epitome of beauty. This is a far cry from the 1991 version of the survey, when most Allure respondents chose blonde, blue-eyed Christie Brinkley as the ideal beauty. CNN says that the all-American look today is much more hybrid.

How would you define "beautiful"? There are no right or wrong answers. Do let us know in the comments section!

Sources: Totalbeauty.com, Beauty Standards Around The World: One Face 7 Countries, Beauty Standards Around The World by Buzz Feed Yellow, The Geography of Beauty, Refinery29.com, Newimage.com

Nude eyeliner is probably in the bottom of your barrel of makeup priorities. It isn't as inspiring as say, a beautiful color on your lips or perfectly arched eyebrows, but it is quite useful in stunningly subtle ways. You can line the top and bottom part of your brows to sculpt them out even more, highlight your cupid's bow and the outer corner of your lips to fake a poutier look, and bring out the bridge of your nose by lightening it right in the middle.

Of course, the classic way to use nude liner is the best: coloring the waterline in order to create bigger, brighter eyes. Our waterline tends to be extra red when we're tired or don't get much sleep, so sometimes even if we wear the right under eye concealer, the eyes don't look as bright as they should. "Concealing" the redness in the waterline helps tremendously in freshening up that area.

You can use green, white, or champagne, but the the least obvious is a matte nude eyeliner. I highly recommend the new Eye of Horus Goddess Eye Pencil in Sahara Nude (P990 at Glamourbox) as it's very subtle on the eyes while being 100% opaque. It's a creamy, super pigmented skin-toned eyeliner that's like a rock even on watery, well, waterlines. It's highly water-resistant and stays on my eyes for over six hours.

I've tried Goddess Eye Pencils before and they are beautiful while being extremely reliable even in our humid tropical weather. It's nice that they have new shades like these!

The catch: Sahara Nude is so pigmented that sometimes I end up coloring my bottom lashes to invisibility, but I can avoid that as long as I'm careful. My advice is to keep the pencil to a fine but not sharp point to make it easy to target ONLY the area you want to cover.

Eye of Horus also has another new liner shade called Selenite White, a shimmery white that could serve as an accent to a variety of eye looks. White eyeliner is perhaps not so useful for everyday wear but makeup artists would love it for more avant garde affairs.

You can find Eye of Horus in Glamourbox.ph. ^_^ How's your nude liner game? Do you think you need it in your routine?

I believe in the saying that you’re never fully dressed without great hair. The days following my salon treatments are easily some of my best ones, simply because I feel more confident when my hair looks healthy and vibrant from a fresh dye job. But even if I prefer to get salon treatments, I do sometimes feel that it’s an expensive and inconvenient routine considering I travel two hours to my suking hairdresser. So it must have been my lucky day last May 17 because Project Vanity got an invite for the #WatsonsHair event just when my roots were screaming for some badly needed TLC.

Watsons invited members of the press and dared us to color our hair bold with their brand partners Beautylabo, Bigen, Kolours, Lolane, L’Oreal, Revia, and Revlon. Consider me a convert: my DIY hair coloring experience with Kolours took less than an hour, and it’s impressive how evenly the color turned out! 

Each box of Kolours Dual Conditioning Hair Color contains a tube of crème colorant and a bottle of colorant developer. Mixing the two together, I applied it evenly all over my hair with the help of a Watsons representative, wrapped my head in cling wrap, and waited 30 minutes. After washing with the Pantene Color & Perm Lasting Care shampoo and conditioner, I had my hair straightened, and enjoyed the rest of the evening with my gorgeous new copper locks!

Watsons also invited Tresemme hair expert Lourd Ramos, celebrity stylist Matt Gozun, Metro’s beauty editor Charmagne Laconico, and Lolane senior hair experts on stage to lecture about proper hair coloring, styling and post-care treatment.

To close the glamorous celebration, fashion It girls and Watsons Influencers Janina Manipol, Chienna Filomeno, Jessica Yang, Cindy Miranda, Bianca Guidotti, and Yvethe Santiago graced the Watsons runway to showcase their new hair looks, colored and styled with Watsons products.

Watsons has undoubtedly outdone itself in being the one stop shop for the modern Filipina with their bigger and bolder hair care offerings this year. If you dare to color your hair bold with Watsons, you might just be rewarded!

From May 19 to July 2016, you'll have the chance to win shopping points when you shop with your SM Advantage Card. Every P500 single-receipt purchase of any hair color treatment, styling and other color care products entitles members to one e-raffle entry. There will be three winners of 50,000 shopping points for the grand prize, five winners of 30,000 shopping points, and 40 winners of 10,000 shopping points. That's a lot of shopping to do in one of our favorite beauty haunts!

Do you dare to go bold with your hair color? What colors will you be trying out from Watsons?

Did you know that the BB cream was actually invented in the 1960s by a German doctor? It was only in the 1980s though that Koreans started to develop it to become the worldwide beauty basic it is today. What makes BB creams so revolutionary is that they can even out the skin tone, conceal blemishes, provide some SPF protection, and hydrate skin - all in one go. So for this weeks Staff Picks, we want to share our fave BBs!

Liz: BB creams (and by extension CC creams) are my go-to bases when I don't want to spend too much time primping. Etude House makes awesome ones but we also have to give Western brands some credit - they come up with better shade matches, IMHO. I love the Maybelline Super BB Cream because it has great coverage + SPF 50 PA++++. Recently I've also been enjoying the Smashbox BB Water with SPF 30 when I don't want to deal with anything heavy. 

VB: I have tried an entire bevy of brands, and sadly, I have yet to find a good BB cream brand. Maybe it's the foundation lover in me, but the colors just really can't match my skin tone. The closest that I marginally loved was Pond's Age Miracle BB Cream. This one offered some coverage (yay!) without the heaviness of liquid foundation, and is my base makeup product when I'm at the beach (yes, I wear makeup at the beach - Boracay does that to you). I'm still on the lookout for a light shaded, yellow-based BB Cream that dries down to a matte finish, so if you have suggestions, please please tell me too!

Image via thepinklemonadegirl.com

Stacie: I've tried a handful of BB creams and I'm surprised to say that I prefer Japanese BB creams over the famous Korean ones! Currently, my top pick is Heroine Make's Mineral BB Cream. Unlike the Korean ones I've tried, this one didn't break me out or make me look gray. Staying power is so-so but coverage is good. The only downside is that the shade selection is limited. I have the darker shade of the two and the shade is still paler than me. (I'm an NC 20-25).

Image via yettezkiedoodle.com

Marielle: I’m sad that Fairy Drops BB Cream is no longer sold here, because I immediately fell in love with it. My T-zone, nose, and chin get sweaty and shiny so quickly because of my combination skin, and Fairy Drops does a good job of staying put. It was also the first time I experienced a BB cream color that wasn’t too light or too pink on me. Nowadays, I have yet to find something as good, but I am actively looking. 

Image via hairstylestwine.blogspot.com

Rae: Due to the limited shade selection, I'm not much of a BB cream girl. I prefer foundations because I'm really particular about getting my exact shade. The only BB cream I liked is Benefit Big Easy in Beige - a medium yellow-toned BB cream that matches my extra-yellow olive skin.

Image via couchwasabi.wordpress.com

Den: I only really started using face bases about two years ago, so I haven't yet had much time to experiment with BB creams. Currently, I'm trying out Tony Moly's BCDation All Master and I'm not even sure if it counts as a BB. The coverage is surprisingly solid for such a lightweight formula and it feels like it's really stuck on your skin. I like the matte finish but the SPF30 PA++ creates an obvious white cast on my face. I've also had Etude House's Precious Mineral BB Cream sitting in my stash for a few months now and while I've been itching to try it, I still have several face bases to finish up first!

What’s the BB you swear by? Tell us why you love it so much!

Do you love natural solutions to seemingly difficult yet common problems? You can buy a new product to solve a specific skin or hair issue, but then you can also simply add something affordable, organic, and easy-to-find instead.

We're talking about epsom salt. It's a favorite DIY ingredient that has got the likes of Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow as fans! Pretty solid celebrity endorsement, yeah? We're more familiar with it as a way to pull out splinters from the skin, but it has a lot of beautifying properties as we've found out.

Named after the town where it was first discovered, epsom salt is actually a mineral compound of magnesium and sulfates. It's not a salt at all, but is called such because it looks like your everyday table salt. So no, they aren't substitutes for each other.

Locally, you can find epsom salt in Healthy Options (last time we got one, it was in a huge carton for roughly P200+) and in Rustan's supermarkets. Here are its beauty applications!

Image via radianthealthtips.com

Scrub your lips, face, and body

Compared to regular salt, epsom salt has a milder abrasive texture that makes it ideal for scrub use even on the more sensitive parts of the body like the face and lips. Mixed with a cup or so of carrier oil (olive, sunflower, or other vegetable-based oil) and a drop or two of essential oils (lavender, chamomile, or similar oils) for a bit of aromatherapy goodness, your handful of epsom salt is ready to exfoliate your skin! 

There are also other scrub recipes that include egg, mayonnaise, lemon, honey, or oatmeal depending on your skin concerns but the base recipe of salt + oil is enough to work wonders. You can even add some epsom salt to your favorite facial cleanser to give an exfoliating component to your skin care routine without having to switch products.

The compound's anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make these DIY scrubs especially good for treating acne. You can use it thrice a week. Just check prior that you are not allergic, and consult with a doctor if you're pregnant.

If DIY is not your thing though Z by Zenutrients, the premium sub-brand of the local organic line, has an Epsom Salt Scrub in Relaxing Lavender, Olive and Olive.

Image via seektheuniq.com

Get your hair clean and full-bodied

Greasy hair often looks limp because it gets weighed down by all the oil. Epsom salt can help your hair get squeaky-clean and revive its bounciness without drying out your strands! Simply mix in equal parts with your conditioner and warm it up on the stove to dissolve the salt. Let it cool to a comfortable warm temperature, apply all over, and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing. The combination of epsom salt and conditioner creates a unique cleansing and moisturizing effect, and the warmth makes it feel like you're treating yourself to a hot oil!

For removing hair product build-up, you’ll need one cup each of lemon juice and epsom salt. Dissolve both dissolve in a gallon of water and allow the solution to sit for 24 hours before you can apply on dry hair. Leave on for 20 minutes, allowing it to soak in your scalp, then shampoo as you normally do.

Treat yourself to a foot or full bath soak

The most commonly known use for epsom salt is adding it to bath water for soothing muscle pains and softening skin. If you're an active person or simply plain stressed out, this is a better way to relax instead of taking the usual bubble bath! Just be careful not to accidentally swallow the bathwater since epsom salt has laxative properties.

• For the skin: An epsom salt soak is also good for keeping skin soft; it works against dry skin, mild sunburn, and psoriasis. You can also carry the solution in a spritz bottle and spray as needed.
• For the belly: Epsom salt it also said to have a detoxifying effect on the body when you soak in it. It supposedly pulls out excess water and toxins from the body, which reduces bloated stomachs and leads to flatter bellies (hurray!).
• For the feet: For women who love wearing heels, a 10-20 minute foot soak at the end of a long day will wonders for tired feet! Epsom salt helps soothe any inflammation caused by a build up of uric acid in the foot joints. Added plus: it'll keep your toes looking nice and smooth! 

Have you tried using epsom salt? How do you incorporate it into your beauty routine?

Sources: seasalt.com, epsomsaltcouncil.org, naturehacks.com, allure.com, livestrong.com

Bloggers are #blessed because there's a lot of swag that comes along their way. It's part of the job. It's so fun to keep on trying new things, but it means that they have difficulty finishing up products! That's why "empties" posts are so popular in the blogging world.These posts are a good indicator as to what items are great enough to savor to the last drop, and worth repurchasing again and again.

Since we've been curious about what beauty bloggers what bloggers have currently loved to death, we decided to ask a few of them what they've managed to use up and if they plan on repurchasing!

Donnarence of My Lucid Intervals

L’Oreal Mat Magique BB Veil - This powder has been my holy grail since late last year. This has been my nth compact, and I have two back-ups ready in my makeup drawer. I usually take advantage of sales, so I made sure to nab six compacts for just P125 each last time. I should have gotten 10! Haha. This powder is lightweight, matches my skin tone perfectly, and is not flat matte. This has a silky finish: perfect for my dry troubled skin

Moroccan Argan Oil by Mondes - When I had my haircut a few weeks back, I decided to buy this product to give my tresses some lovin’! This smells so good, and it made my hair soft and bouncy.

Tony Moly Pure Eco Snail - If you hate heavy creams or lotions, this one is a very nice alternative. This feels light and refreshing.

Jason Tea Tree Shampoo - I have scalp psoriasis, and being pregnant made my situation worsen. My psoriasis flare up is worse than ever, and steroids are definitely a no-no for this future momma! I decided to switch to organic shampoo to treat my scalp psoriasis. So far, this helps in alleviating itchiness and has somehow lessened the scales. The downside for this shampoo is that its smell reminds me of insecticide, and it is not a moisturizing formula.

Cream Silk Leave-on - This is a wonder product! This is already my second bottle, and I love how it can instantly soften my dry hair without making it greasy or oily.

Bio Oil - This works well in lightening mosquito bite marks and scars.

Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil - I bought this from Japan because it was very affordable. Sadly, this is not as great as the Shiseido Perfect Watery Oil or the Biore Cleansing Oil. This also does not have a great scent, but I just needed to finish it off para naman sulit. This works well in removing base makeup, but I need to exert a little bit more effort in removing mascara or gel liners.

Nikki of AskMeWhats

Bioderma Sensibio Dermatological Water - It works so well for my sensitive skin! Whenever I get rashes and itchiness from certain allergic reactions, this helps soothe my skin almost immediately.

Benefit That Gal Primer - This is my favorite day-to-day primer because it gives my skin an instant glow-from-within. I can just set this with powder foundation and get compliments on how good my skin looks.

Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm - This is my favorite balm for daily use, because aside from the fact that it's made with natural ingredients (safe for moms with toddlers who love to kiss!), it helps soothe dry and chapped lips.

Ari of Ari’s in Wonderland

Divinia Ultra Light Tinted UV Base - I’m the kind of girl who likes a decent amount of coverage on my skin before heading out. However, thanks to the relentless heat these days, multiple layers of makeup aren’t as easy to pull off and are most likely end up melting away. That’s why I really like the Divinia Ultra Light Tinted UV Base and used it throughout summer. Not only does it have a good level of sun protection with its SPF 30 PA++, it has just enough coverage to even out my skin tone and minimize or cover up any minor blemishes and pores. Plus, it doesn’t promote shine or dry out my skin, making it great for almost all skin types.

Bare Minerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation - As someone with fair complexion but also a heavy, yellow undertone, finding foundations that are a good match for my skin are next to impossible. Everything is either too light, too dark, or has the completely wrong undertone. The Pure Brightening Serum Foundation from Bare Minerals in the shade “Bare Ivory” is one of the very rare foundations that fit me to a T! It works well with my NC25 skin tone, is quite moisturizing on my dry skin, and has the heaviest yellow undertone on a foundation that I’ve ever tried – which I love, of course! I bought this in Tokyo, since there’s currently no Bare Minerals in the Philippines, and am already longing for another bottle or (two)!

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - So many mascaras claim to do the same thing, yet very few actually live up to their promise. One of these exceptions is the Great Lash mascara from Maybelline, and I’ve gone through two tubes of it already! It gives me flirty, fuller-looking lashes with just one coat, lasts virtually all day, and is seriously waterproof. I’ve even showered with this mascara on and it held up remarkably well. I guess when it comes to this product, ‘great’ is actually an understatement here.

Gen-zel of Gen-zel.com

Maybelline Makeup Remover - The Maybelline two-phase one is my fave because it doesn’t sting the eyes and only costs P199. I have 5 bottles as backup!

Nivea Extra Whitening Lotion - It’s great, though I still need to put on sunblock separately.

Mari of Doll Up Mari

Maybelline White Superfresh Powder - This is my go-to everyday powder. It stays put even when I sweat, which is why it's always a favorite.

Mentholatum Lip Ice Sheer Color Shimmer Lip Moisturizer - This has been my ultimate lip balm for the past few months. It doesn't go on too thickly, which is why it's super comfortable. It also gives me perfect pink lips every time so I'm frequently asked what lippie I'm wearing.

CanMake Shading Powder - This is the first legit contour powder I've used, and it seems like ther perfect match for Asian skin tones because it's not too red nor too ashy. It stays put relatively well and is easy to blend. This has been something I can't live without for at least two years already!

Did you spot any of your favorites? What products have you used up this month? Share your thoughts below!

Images courtesy of the bloggers

If you're just about to get into a new industry whether as a fresh graduate or jumping ship from an old career, I have one advice for you: don't be too caught up about the pay check. Everybody will tell you that the pay will be shit and it will be late, which are both true. Newbies don't get to be choosers. They get to be at the bottom of the totem pole until they're not, through sheer hard work and dedication to the job.

Of course, not everybody has the luxury of caring little about money and when it arrives. If you are one of them then practicality dictates that you find another job that will pay the bills. If your dream is what you really, badly want so much that it hurts, you'll find a way to hold down two jobs to sustain you financially and emotionally.

You can't have all the things - yet. Bide your time, learn and network as much as you can, and you'll get there. I assure you this.

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Last weekend I realized the difference between how entrepreneurs and employees think. Entrepreneurs care about the business and its future, foregoing immediate gratification for long-term success. Employees on the other hand care about the present and measure success by how well they are doing presently. I'm not saying one is better than the other - sometimes entrepreneurs sacrifice and risk too much, sometimes employees are too complacent.

As with all things, balance is key.

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I was asked: if you can go back in time to five years ago, what will you tell yourself to do?

My knee-jerk answer was, "I would tell myself to start my business early. I'd tell myself to raise money, incorporate, hire my staff, blow up content, and monetize efficiently." But thinking more about it, I wouldn't have known five years ago how to follow this advice. I would have absolutely no clue how to do what I do now.

I would also not have enough industry and personal relationships to tap for my projects. 

All of the above takes time to build. Five years may not sound much, but they were crucial to my personal growth. I had to be in the exact same spot I was when I made the decision to become an entrepreneur. A time-traveling Liz wouldn't have been able to bring me there even if she explained the details.

In other words: don't be anxious about the future overmuch. If you're consistent about pursuing that thing you want so badly it hurts, you'll eventually arrive at your destination. That in turn will point you to the next step, and the next, until you live the life you've chosen for yourself and die with little regret.

Did you know that only around 10-15% of the money you pay for makeup goes toward the actual product? The remaining 85% of the price tag goes to product development, taxes and tariffs, overhead costs, marketing, and you guessed it – packaging. How well a product performs is of course a huge factor which pushes us to make a purchase. However, it is the packaging that catches our eye and makes us consider the brand to begin with! Do you agree?

Either way, we've made a list of makeup brands with packaging that screams “pretty” all over! Tell us if your favorites made the cut!

Benefit

Starting with the best of the best, Benefit is consistently on top of the game when it comes to fun, hip, and cute packaging! From the product name, the packaging, store design, and even the boxes of holiday beauty sets – whatever they come up with is genius. Have you noticed how each product has a unique look but they all have that distinct Benefit signature look to them? They are rocking pastels and metallics so well!

Happy Skin

Happy Skin is like our local Benefit when it comes to packaging. It’s bright, it’s fun, it’s cheeky, and the clever names of their products always trigger a giggle. The formula to their design is fairly simple but it works. Playful prints + gorgeous typography = Instagram-ready makeup!

Snoe

If you’ve been reading PV for a long time, then you’re probably familiar with Snoe. This proudly Filipino cosmetic brand is well-known for their hair care products, multipurpose oils, and even a contour powder – all named and marketed in the wittiest way. Snoe’s designs remind me of the vintage pin-up doll era. If I had to describe Snoe’s brand in two words, it would be frisky and clever!

theBalm

Now theBalm is as vintage as vintage can get! This hip, fun, and flirty makeup brand is not for the tame gal. Apart from their cutesy art pop packaging, I adore how their bestselling multi-use palettes are designed for travel true to their "beauty in five minutes" philosophy. The light yet sturdy cardboard packaging doesn’t feel cheap at all and is an absolute winner in my book.

Image via charlenejudith.com

Etude House

Walking into Etude House transforms me into a modern day princess. Seriously, how sweet and dainty are these Etude House products? It’s like an explosion of pink cuteness! Everything from their line deserves to be on display on your vanity just so you could admire how cute and pretty these are.

Pixi by Petra

If you’re the type to favor sleekness and minimalism in your makeup with a touch of whimsy, then London brand Pixi by Petra should be on your radar. All boxes have the Pixi logo stamped in gold in a mint green background – such a lovely color combination! Imagine a wedding in this theme!

Human Heart Nature

Human Heart Nature is on the opposite side of the spectrum as their product packaging scheme is all about “more is more”.  Notice how they maximize the bottle to feed you all the information right away from the star ingredient to the amount of product. Clever marketing strategy is what it is! HHN knows that not everyone reads the fine print so eye-catching visuals and pops of color are the way to go.

Pink Sugar

They might be new to the makeup scene, but Pink Sugar enjoyed a successful debut thanks in no small part to their appealing packaging. It’s such a girly brand what with all the pastels, prints, patterns, and scripts. The compacts and tubes themselves are in a sleek black, but the boxes are worth keeping if only for their cuteness.

Whew, that was quite a long list! But we’re so glad that there’s no shortage of prettifiers that actually look pretty themselves. Did I miss out on any brand you like? Let us know which items we need to pick up next!

One of my greatest splurges in the name of beauty has got to be my Suesh Vanity Case. It cost me more than P10,000 and has the ability to transport my makeup quite easily. It is similar to Liz’s case except that mine didn’t have the legs to stand on or the power outlets to plug in your styling device. I honestly love it, though I think someone who actually moves around with her makeup collection like a professional MUA will benefit from it more. The only movement mine has seen was to go from the attic down to the second floor during summer time.

The best thing about it is the huge mirror with built-in LED lights. Once you’ve used a “Hollywood-style” mirror like it, using regular unlighted mirrors for makeup application will leave you wanting. I actually looked around for vanity mirrors that I can mount onto the wall and guess what? They're super expensive!

So today, we bring you good news – we present to you our DIY Hollywood Mirror, Project Vanity style! This creates a light box that gives your face a diffused glow instead of the harsh light coming direct from the LED strips. You'll be able to see your makeup in it much better versus a lamp simply facing you.

What you'll need:

• Mirror (you can choose any size you like)
• USB powered LED Lights (I got mine from CDR-King)
• Power bank/USB power adaptor
• Magic tape/Double-sided tape
• Illustration board (for base mount)
• Box for outer case (make sure it's bigger than your mirror and not more than 5 inches deep)
• Cutting mat, steel ruler, cutting knife, pencil

Step 1: Prep your mirror. In my case, the mirror I used was housed in a frame so I took it out for a more seamless look.

Step 2: Make a base mount for the mirror using illustration board. It should fit snugly lengthwise into your box, but with the same width as the mirror. You can place the mirror right on top as a guide for cutting.

Step 3: Fit the base mount (illustration board with the mirror) inside your box, with the white side of the illustration board facing you. Fix the mirror onto the white side of the base mount using strong double-sided tape. The base mount should be able to stand on its own when placed inside the outer case.

Step 4: Assemble the USB powered LED lights at the back part of the base mount (black side of the illustration board). Secure everything onto the base mount using the double-sided tape and place the back mount assembly inside the outer case box.

Step 5: Turn on the lights and enjoy your DIY Hollywood mirror! 

Here I am using the DIY Hollywood mirror! The lighting is perfect for checking imperfections and shade matching. It's also fantastic for lighting selfies and quick makeup videos.

Notice the Project Vanity logo on top? I added that because my recycled box had an extra flap. Cute! You can also use washi tape and decorative stickers to personalize the outer panels of the box.

What I love most about this DIY is that it costs less than P500 for me to make! I just used a mirror I'd found at home and recycled a pan box for the outer case. The only materials I bought were the LED lights from CDR-King, and they were just P200 each. They don’t always have it on stock though so you may want to check hardware stores as well.

So are you ready to make your own DIY Hollywood Mirror? 

Back then, when we say "matte", we get this hard lump of lipstick that is devoid of any shine. It looks great and it stays on FOREVER, but modern times have modern requirements. We want something that's moisturizing, creamy, and opaque - oh, and matte but perhaps not too much so. And so the velvet matte lipstick formula was born. It's matte with a hint of velvety shine that has all the perks of the modern lippie!

L'Oreal Paris's new lipstick line, the Velvet Pinks La Vie En Rose Collection (P400) has the prettiest pinks made for different skin tones. Some of the colors actually look similar to one another but can lean warmer or cooler. The varied pinks may be paler, peacher, or bluer, depending on the shade. They're great everyday colors that need a couple of layers to deliver opacity.

The formula isn't sticky, nor does it have a scent. Staying power, as with all Color Riche lipsticks, are decent at 3-4 hours with no retouching. You can make them stay on longer if you wear a lip liner beforehand.

Here are some of my shade notes. I have all seven shades locally available in the PH but for the life of me I couldn't find Jasmine come swatching time. Sorry about that! Anyway!

• Nymphea (Eva Longoria's shade) is a peachy nude pink. It's the closest to an MLBB and should look good on fair to medium skin tones.
• Fuchsia (Liya Kebede) is a mild pink that's nothing like L'Oreal's usual screaming fuchsia shades. It's one of the three most saturated pinks in this collection.
• Primrose (Blake Lively) is a dainty warm pink, versus Iris (Aishwarya Rai), which is a cooler version of the same saturation. 
• Camelia (Doutzen Kroes) is a bright happy pink.
• Rose Lotus (J. Lo) is a deepened berry pink. Nothing dramatic, it's a great way to try darker colors without the commitment.

(You may click on the images to see a bigger version on the screen)

Overall, the L'Oreal Velvet Pinks La Vie En Rose Collection is a great pick for those who:

• Love everyday pink shades that flatter their skin tone.
• Want a matte that's non-drying, but don't mind that there's a teeny bit of that velvet shine.
• Enjoy sleek packaging.

Tell me what you think! What's your pink?

A standard shower routine usually consists of applying shampoo, conditioner and soap, but do you make sure to moisturize your skin after cleansing? In a hot and humid country like ours, lotion is often left out of our beauty rituals because some formulas are too thick and sticky for comfort. Luckily, we now have the option of using a gel moisturizer. However, if that's still a no-go for you, here's a new kind of product you may wanna try!

African Paradise Body Conditioner from Lush (P1,575 for 225g) | Image via lovelygirlybits.com

In-shower moisturizers are the latest addition to our bath supplies addiction. The concept is similar to using conditioners for our hair: apply it after using body wash then rinse it off after a minute or so. No need to leave on lotion for the rest of the day, or to wait for it to dry before dressing up.

In-shower moisturizers claim to be just as effective as body lotions, but without the sticky feeling. This also makes moisturizing more convenient, by incorporating it into one’s shower routine rather than as an extra step after.

Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturisers (about P250) | Image via temporary-secretary.com

I feel like in-shower moisturizers are the best choices for moisturizing when it's too hot to apply a lot of gunk on your skin. It will often leave the skin feeling a little slick, similar to the effect of conditioners on hair, and makes it feel softer and smoother. On the downside, the slick feeling can get spread all over your shower area, so be very careful when moving around. To prevent slipping, you can apply adhesive shower decals to the bath floor or simply put in a non-slip shower mat in the bathing area.

Image via writespell.com

Admittedly, in-shower moisturizers still have a long way to go before coming up with an HG-worthy product. They work well, especially for those who have oilier skin, but if your skin is very dry, you'll still need to apply a traditional lotion for that.

Have you tried in-shower moisturizers? What has your experience been like? Let us know your favorite in-shower moisturizers in the comments below!

Have you ever encountered a product that you would 100% for sure repurchase the moment you run out? Or have you heard practically everyone rave about a product that you know you just have to try for yourself? I know I have.

Magazines declare their Best Beauty Buys yearly and if a product keeps popping up, chances are it's a keeper. Beauty bloggers and vloggers come out with their monthly favorites as well. The latest releases which get the highest buzz are sure to make my next month’s do-I-really-need yet another lipstick/blush/foundation/(insert your makeup weakness here) list! I've given into those lemmings a few times (oops) but I've no regrets. These picks have proven to be truly rave-worthy.

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder (P1, 650) 

We know the standard base drill: primer, foundation, concealer, powder. Now while a good quality powder can set your base well and even adjust your foundation to the right shade, nothing beats a great setting powder. A repeat winner at InStyle’s Best Beauty Buys, the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder is so finely milled that it blends seamlessly onto your skin. Apply just the right amount and your face will stay matte without the dreaded cakey look. Perfect for events and special occasions, as well as that all-important work meeting! 

A bonus for the LM powder – it prevents my foundation from turning dark! Most foundations darken on me but when I set with the Translucent Setting Powder, the effect is greatly reduced. I have repurchased this once (the tub lasts a long time) and will surely do so again.

Laneige BB Cushion Compact (P2, 145)

When the cushion craze hit the beauty world, Laneige was one of the first brands to offer a wider range of shades which suits us Filipinas. The all-in-one Laneige BB Cushion Compact promises SPF 50, long-lasting finish, and convenient reapplication in chic packaging. Laneige also comes out with limited edition compacts such as this one from the Sparkling Party Collection with rose gold accents.

Coverage can be built up as needed and I even skip concealer when I’m on the go. With three variants available, Pore Control, Whitening, and Anti-Aging, you can be sure to find the best one for your needs.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil (~P4,000)

In case you still haven’t caught on to the skincare trend of Oil Cleansing, you can check out our 101 guide here. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils are the absolute HG when it comes to oil cleansing. The product dates back to 1967, hailing it the “cleansing oil pioneer.” Honestly, I was initially turned off by the cost but upon trying samples, I succumbed to the hype and am now on my third bottle! 

While I have been trying to double cleanse lately, I used up my first two bottles by using just the cleansing oil to remove my makeup at the end of the day. I didn’t breakout from this routine, and my dry skin loved the added moisture.

Zoeva Makeup Brushes (P7, 220 at Sephora.ph)

Some say that good makeup brushes need not be super expensive. To a certain extent I agree but I have yet to own one of those really high-end brushes (think Suqqu and Hakuhodo). There are however, affordable makeup brushes that have exceptional quality. One such line is from German brand, Zoeva.

Zoeva makeup brushes first hit our shores a few years back via Luxola which is now Sephora.PH. Liz made a very detailed positive review of their Luxe Complete Brush Set, and I have to say that I believe everything she said because I have the exact same brush set. I have tried a few MAC brushes and they honestly feel comparable. My personal favorites from the set include the Concealer Buffer (changed the way I applied concealer forever!) and the Luxe Face Definer (which I use for practically everything powder-wise). Even after years of use, the brushes have maintained their shape and have minimal to no shedding. Do check out their Rose Golden Sets for Pinterest-worthy makeup brushes!

Shiseido Skincare: Ultimune, Ibuki, White Lucent

Liz raves about Shiseido skincare non-stop. From her glowing review of the trusted Ibuki line to the most recent White Lucent, Shiseido has been a consistent performer in the skincare department. I personally love the Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (roughly P4,000) which I layer with any serum I have on hand. I stopped using for a couple of weeks to test if it really made a difference and it did. My current pore minimizing serum absorbs better when layered with the Ultimune.

I also adore Shiseido facials (starts at roughly P2,500), which use their extensive skincare line as well as Japanese-trained facial massage techniques. You simply cannot beat the over 140 years of history and experience the brand has.

MAC Lipsticks (P1, 100)  

If you want on-trend colors, fab collabs, and a wide variety of finishes, MAC is THE go-to brand.

Their lipsticks are more than just hype; they are truly some of the most-loved and best-performing lipsticks in the world. The classic MAC bullet can be found in many MUAs' traincases and in practically every girl’s kikay kit. My favorite mattes come from this line – Candy Yum Yum, Lady Danger, and Pink Pigeon, as well as some of the best limited edition packaging from their designer and celebrity collaborations.

Luxury Lipsticks: Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder (Over P1, 500)

Feeling the glide of Bobbi Brown’s Luxe Lip Color and Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Envy Lip Potion against your lips is an experience every girl should spring for. I have also tried Bobbi Brown’s newest release, the Nourishing Lip Color which launched alongside their newest store in SM Aura and lives up to the “nourishing” in its name. I wear it and reapply without the need for lip balm all day. For Estee Lauder, the Pure Envy Matte line is my preferred finish because MATTE. The lipstick applies easily with minimal tugging and is not as drying as other matte lipsticks I’ve tried.

High-End Base: Make Up For Ever and Chanel (Over P2,000 per bottle)

One of the most worth-it splurges you can ever do is on a foundation. The formula is usually well-developed as the more expensive ones invest on extra research and technology. The latest makeup breakthroughs and newest ingredients are also incorporated. Get full coverage using Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation or go for a natural glow with Chanel CC Cream.

MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer (P1,100)

Wide range of shades? Check. Great coverage that stays put? Check. SPF? Check.

The MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer is one of those products that have been around for ages. Still, it is currently the only concealer I have in my stash! I use it for the undereye area, dark spots, and redness. This little pot of wonder hides whatever I want hidden and helps me achieve a perfect base.

Laguna on the upper left and Orgasm on the bottom right

NARS Orgasm and NARS Laguna

The peachy pink color of the NARS Orgasm blush is referred to as HG by many beauty lovers. Same goes for the NARS Laguna Bronzer, whether you use it as a bronzer or for a slight contour. Both apply quite nicely on a wide range of skin tones and stays on FOREVER, which resulted to their cult-fave status. Look how I hit pan on both already! 

NARS blushes and bronzers in general are highly pigmented and easy to blend. Orgasm and Laguna are perfect first purchases in case you’re new to the brand.

Do you have any of our worth the hype products? What’s your next beauty splurge?

Beauty hacks on the Internet range from practical to out-of-this-world. Some work, others don’t. There are a few, however, that have gained cult following for their supposed effectiveness. In measured doses they do the skin some good. But when used at full strength, especially on sensitive facial skin, they may cause damage in the long run. Here's what's on our sh*t list!

Baking Soda

A quick Google for “baking soda for skin” will yield a ton of results, most of which have headlines along the lines of “baking soda offers lots of benefits to the skin.” Baking soda has been touted as a cheap miracle worker. It supposedly exfoliates the skin, helps get rid of acne, and treats rashes. Even Emma Stone swears by it! But this ordinary kitchen staple might actually do more harm than good. Why? Because it’s literally basic.

If you’ve read our story on the surprising facts about pH level in skincare, you may already have an idea why baking soda is bad for the skin. If not, here it is: you have to keep your skin’s pH balanced to ensure that it is clean, clear, and healthy.

On the pH scale, 1 is acidic and 14 is basic (or alkaline). Things are acidic or basic depending on where they sit on the scale, except for when it’s 7, which makes it neutral. Products which are highly acidic have a tendency to burn the skin, while products that are too basic can cause damage through loss of moisture. Baking soda is an 8, which makes it alkaline. It disrupts the skin’s acid mantle; it dries your skin out more than you’d want it to and makes it more prone to irritations.

It’s still best to go for professionally-formulated products as they have been tested and proven to be effective for facial skin. But if you want to exfoliate using natural ingredients, use honey instead. Along with cleansing the skin, honey regulates the skin’s pH. If you want a bit of grit, add a pinch of epsom salt to the honey.

Lemon

Lemon is loved by many for it's skin-lightening properties. To an extent, it does brighten skin. Lemon and other citrus fruits contain ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), which can diminish dark spots. But raw lemon has a pH level of 2, which is highly acidic. The oil in lemon and other citrus fruits also cause phototoxicity, a skin irritation that gets activated or worsened by sun exposure.

If you’re looking to even out your skin tone and want to treat your skin to more Vitamin C, go for a store-bought product that’s infused with it instead of directly putting lemon/citrus juice on your face. The Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is a tried and tested vitamin-C infused product that you can try!

Toothpaste

You’ve probably heard it before: toothpaste is the gift of cupboard gods to frugal ladies who suddenly get a pimple; it can zap away your zit overnight!

I tried it when I was younger, although I don’t recall it working. Still, there are a lot of people backing this “hack.” Most toothpastes contain alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and witch hazel - all of which can dry up a zit. But when these ingredients come in one product and applied on a highly sensitive spot, you may get irritated skin. 

If you want to tackle pimples fast, go for products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide instead.

Sugar

The online beauty world is brimming with variations of the very popular DIY sugar scrub. And you can use any iteration of it to exfoliate your skin, just not on your face. The skin on our face is softer and more sensitive than other parts of our body, and sugar is particularly abrasive. The roughness of sugar’s edges may cause tearing of skin cells and lipid barrier disruption, which leads to extremely dry skin and eventually skin irritation.

Go for AHAs and BHAs instead if you want to exfoliate. Products which are properly formulated with AHA or BHA help get rid of built-up skin cells on your face and promote hydration, wrinkle reduction, and collagen production.

Cinnamon

There have been claims that cinnamon is good for pimples as it can combat acne-causing bacteria. However, it might be overly harsh for the job.

Cinnamon has been proven to have antibacterial properties. It’s strong enough to ward off hospital-acquired infections, like streptococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. French researchers also found out that using cinnamon oil is effective in dealing with E. Coli. It’s that strong. It can actually cause chemical burns. Yikes! So think twice before putting cinnamon on your skin!

Have you tried any of these products on your face before? We hope not! If you have, how did they react to your face?

Sources: PubMed, Huffington Post, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Paula’s Choice, The New York Times