The killing of Charlie Kirk was a curious one, mostly because of how far the shockwaves reached, reverberating all the way to Manila. I had never even heard of the man before his death. And yet, suddenly, my feed was full of mourning posts from conservative acquaintances. They were grieving him like he was a fallen hero.

Naturally, I looked him up. What I found was unsettling. There it was, in black and white, years’ worth of inflammatory, cruel statements. Statements that, frankly, seemed to target people like me. People like some of those very same friends now praising him. I am shocked that people I know - the very people Kirk seemed to hate and want to disappear from his version of America - are defending his views.

Level up your beauty game with this week’s beauty news roundup! Let’s kick off with Happy Skin’s newest Play Collection, a set of primer, powder, lip treatment, and finishing spray that promises 24-hour active wear. Vice Cosmetics collaborates with Jelly Eugenio once again, this time with a bonus masterclass and collection launch in Cebu. The OG Tati Westbrook is back, this time with a new brand called Details by Tati. Glossier’s bestselling Cloud Paint family gets a new member: the Plush Blush.

If you’ve read any of my previous articles you know I love getting into the nitty gritty of product formulations and ingredient lists. I like learning how effective a product is and love when my skincare has the science to back up its claims. So, my ears perked up when I heard about new things from Cantabria Labs.

This week’s Beauty News Roundup is all about the sparkle! ✨Let’s check out Careline’s newest liquid highlighter, the Beam Booster. Your eyes will do the talking (and shimmering) with Generation Happy Skin Creamy Eyeshadow Stick. Hourglass releases three versions of their newest take on the Ambient Lighting Edit - Unlocked. Ever Bilena capitalizes on their best-selling OG shade with the Toast of New York Collection.

If you’ve been reading this space for a while, you’d know about my long-standing, conflicted feelings toward doing any major procedures on my face. I’ve been tempted more than once, but each time I managed to hold back, telling myself I didn’t want to rely on treatments just to feel confident. I wanted to believe I could accept the natural changes, to embrace every line as a record of years well-lived.

Here’s the thing though: there was a single deep line on my forehead that just wouldn’t go away. It became less obvious when I lost 20 pounds, but now that I’ve gained back 10, it’s back with a vengeance.

And just like that, the BER months are upon us. Hopefully, this edition of Beauty News Roundup will help us prepare for the busy season ahead. This week, it's all about stepping up, improving, and innovating. Benefit releases two new shades of their beloved Benetint. The new Generation Happy Skin Blush Balm is everything you love in a Happy Skin multi-use formula–but now in a more convenient stick form. Hello Glow unveils a Mattifying Sunscreen Spray with broad-spectrum SPF55protection. Last but not least, we learned that you can drop off your GRWM Cosmetics empties at SM Makati to help the environment, and get an exclusive freebie to boot!

blk Cosmetics has done it again! Their newest collaboration with Rei Germar feels like the perfect fit for the brand. Think youthful and goal-driven, versatile and hard-working. It’s not trying to be loud or overhyped and it just makes sense. The kind of collection that blends into your routine effortlessly, with pieces that feel like they were made for your everyday, not just your feed.

This week’s new local releases make the perfect additions to any travel beauty kit, and will help get you ready in a jiffy! Colourette releases a one-and-done base: the Blur Base Everyday Powder Foundation SPF 15. An on-the-go kikay kit isn’t complete without a multitasking stick for eyes, lips, and cheeks; and that’s just what Issy has been brewing up with their soon-to-be-released Crème Cheek Stick. Ever Bilena has a new must-have for brows that last: the 24H Brow Liner. Last but definitely not the least, you can leave your falsies at home with Spotlight’s new Faux Lash Mascara. Read on to see which ones would make worthy additions to your on-the-go makeup kit.

It feels like an understatement to say that so much can change during pregnancy. You're literally growing a whole new person, reshaping your home, and bracing for a completely new chapter of life. In the middle of all that, it's surprisingly easy to overlook the small stuff—like checking the ingredient list on your go-to beauty products.

It might seem like a tiny detail in the grand scheme of things, but tweaking my beauty routine has become part of how I prepare and protect both myself and my baby. I’ve learned that being mindful of what I put on my skin is just another way of taking care.

We know what you’re here for, and we totally have it ready for you. Here is this week’s hottest news from the local beauty scene! We have a couple of new noteworthy launches, a can’t miss beauty buffet, and a challenge for aspiring content creators. Strokes Beauty Lab is serving full face looks in travel-friendly compacts with their new Beautiful Any Day Palettes, which pair well with their new Pro Brush Elite Travel Collection. Faboulash collaborates with three legendary celebrity makeup artists for their Bespoke Collection of cluster lashes. Build up an entire makeup collection for P999 with Spotlight Cosmetics Buffet Station. Dazzle Me is celebrating Shopee Brand Day with tempting deals and a challenge for content creators. Read on for this week’s edition of Beauty News Roundup.

Sometimes it’s the smallest tweaks in design that make the biggest difference in how a makeup product performs. Take the Careline Click on Fleek Brow Liner (P245 / 0.14 g). At first glance, it’s just another twist-up pencil. But look closer and you’ll notice the angled, sword-cut tip. This shape changes the game.

Why? Because our brows aren’t uniform. They have curves, dips, and awkward corners (hello, sparse tail area!) that can be tricky to navigate with a standard round tip.

I’m very selective about the skincare products I try and review. Having acne-prone skin means I need to be extra cautious, because every new product is a risk. One wrong ingredient, one overly harsh formula, and I could be dealing with breakouts that leave marks lasting for weeks, sometimes even months. That’s why I tend to stick with products I know work for me and rarely veer into new territory unless I feel like something truly has potential. But every so often, I come across something that just works. The first few nights of using it, I get this gut feeling that it’s going to make a difference.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a good luxe Beauty News Roundup. Let’s welcome August with one! First up, we have an unexpectedly luxurious White Truffle skin care collection from Hyaloo. Glossier releases a new liquid highlighter, Skylight, that can make your skin glow like a million bucks. Let’s take a look at the newest Yves Saint Laurent Beauty release: the All Hours Couture Palette, a face palette wrapped in their signature embossed chevron case. Last but most definitely not the least, Louis Vuitton is joining the beauty world with La Beauté Louis Vuitton, with none other than Dame Pat McGrath at the helm!

Vitamin C is one of those skincare ingredients that enjoys celebrity status. You’ll see it everywhere, from serums to moisturizers, all promising a brighter, healthier complexion. But the question comes up often: is it actually a good idea to use it during the day, when our skin is most exposed to stressors like UV rays and pollution?

It’s August! Can you believe it? The past few weeks have swept us up in a flurry of wind and rain. This hasn’t stopped local beauty brands from making new product drops, though. But don’t you worry. This week’s beauty roundup will catch you up on all the latest local releases you wouldn’t want to miss. Happy Skin gives us the Off Duty Seamless Perfecting Stick Foundation. We will also check out Careline Cosmetics’ new Gloss Boss and Canva Pot. Vice Cosmetics releases their Velvet Blur Lip Shaper. Issy Cosmetics brings out their Under-Eye Brightening Concealer and Brightening Powder, a duo designed to bid undereye darkness goodbye.

Kanebo’s latest launch feels like their way of saying, “But wait, there’s more!” This drop has a little bit of everything: a well-loved product with an upgraded formula, bold new lippies that pack serious color, and even something completely new for the brand.

For those who aren’t familiar yet, Kanebo is a Japanese heritage brand that balances tradition with innovation, creating modern beauty products with meaning. Since opening their fflagship store at Mitsukoshi BGC, they’ve been introducing more Filipinos to the effortless elegance of Japanese beauty.

Yesterday afternoon, I was looking out the window with my dog. It was raining hard, so the water spattered our faces as the wind blew through our hair. The sky was a smoky grey, mirrored on the slick asphalt below, the ground lit with splashes of neon from cars passing by. The air smelled green, thanks to the riot of houseplants on the balcony. I worried for them. Had there been enough sun this past week?

Looking out at the skyline with my dog, I was reminded of a younger version of myself, the one who believed everything was possible.

Store openings have always excited me, especially with my background in design. I enjoy observing how products are laid out and how the atmosphere is crafted to make shopping feel both inviting and effortless. It’s in the little things—the flow of the space, the textures, the lighting. So when Happy Skin opened its flagship store at SM Aura, I couldn’t help but be curious. The brand certainly didn’t disappoint, offering a space that felt thoughtfully designed and very on-brand.

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. Back in elementary, I was that kid constantly sketching dreamy mermaids and doodling outfit designs in any scrap of paper I could get my hands on. It was always something I enjoyed, for no other reason than the fact that it’s fun. My mother was always supportive and never failed to get me the art materials I requested even when money was tight, something that I will forever be grateful for.

This week’s beauty news is a roundup of our favorite things: affordable yet luxe new drops, and mini makeup cuties. Spotlight Cosmetics releases their newest lippie, the Velvet Matte Lipstick. Blk Cosmetics launches their new Soft Blur Liquid Foundation in a posh bottle. GRWM Cosmetics broke the internet when they released mini versions of their bestsellers. Last but not least, the viral Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Spray (and its mini version) is now available locally. Whether you want to build your travel kikay kit, or are looking for new pretties to add to your vanity, we got you!

My favorite local skincare brand, Dermtropics, has just opened a new home at Shangri-La Plaza! It’s now so much easier to get your hands on their ultra nourishing coconut oil lip balm and luxuriously moisturizing shampoo. After being a well-loved staple in KULTURA and lifestyle gyms across the metro, Dermtropics has officially planted roots with its very own standalone store—proof that this homegrown gem is here to stay.