I turned 36 today, and I’m feeling great. My life is quiet and comfortable, surrounded by people who love me, and my health has never been better. I wish someone had told me at 20 how I was essentially an Olympic gymnast in the mental gymnastics of standing in my own way. Now, with a little more gray hair and a lot more perspective, I've learned the art of stepping aside and letting myself pass. It's been about ditching the mental clutter for mental clarity, realizing that the biggest roadblocks were often my own making. This shift has been liberating, like finally deciding to clean your makeup brushes after months (we've all been there) - surprisingly satisfying and long overdue.

Today, I thought of sharing with you 26 of the most important beauty (and life) lessons I’ve learned so far. I know that many of these are easier said than done - we have to go through some things to truly understand them - but I hope these can be a guide for you when the time comes.

When I first decided to sew my own clothes in 2021, it was partly because I had too much time on my hands thanks to COVID-19 and partly because I was delusionally inspired by TV shows like "Drag Race" and "The Cut." I mean, if they can whip up a runway-worthy outfit in 7-10 hours, why couldn't I, right? What started as a way to kill time soon morphed into a rewarding (and occasionally frustrating) hobby. From sewing gowns for weddings to crafting the perfect brunch ensemble, the journey has been nothing short of an epic saga - complete with plot twists and character development. Here's what I've learned along the way.

"Shiseido's mission, 'Beauty Innovations For A Better World,' perfectly aligns with their commitment to using innovative beauty solutions to inspire joy among cancer survivors. This mission was brought to life at the "Lavender Ring: Makeup & Photos with Smiles" event, hosted last January at Shangri-la The Fort.

The Lavender Ring project, initiated by Shiseido in 2017, symbolizes the brand's dedication to supporting cancer survivors through the power of beauty. The choice of lavender represents the fight against all types of cancer, while the ring signifies unity and communal support for those affected.

Let’s do a throwback to pre-pandemic makeup holy grail (HG) finds. Remember how every beauty fan had to have at least one MAC bullet lipstick, and a fave from Benefit’s brow lineup? Where were you when RiRi made headlines with her gorgeously gilded Killawatt highlighter? And did you feel like a professional makeup artist when you discovered your perfect Make Up For Ever (MUFE) foundation shade match? These OG beauty HG’s are recently getting either lineup expansions or reformulations. It’s time to take another look at new editions of our favorite makeup staples. Let’s go on another Beauty News Roundup!

Are you gearing up for your next trip but feeling overwhelmed by the thought of packing your beauty arsenal? Fear not, as I'm here to guide you through the dos and don'ts of packing beauty products for air travel in 2024. We're talking about keeping your skincare game strong and your makeup on point, even thousands of feet up in the air!

Vital Perfection is Shiseido's No.1 pro-aging line with Anne Hathaway announced as the global ambassador last year. Paired with the inspiring tagline "Potential Has No Age," one can expect the brand to further its campaign with continuous development towards better skin via a holistic approach – beauty beyond the surface. This proves true as Shiseido launches locally the revitalized Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream with a renewed focus on the lifting part.

What I love about barenbliss is that, in my experience, they rarely miss. They intuitively know what us makeup girlies want from our makeup products, from pricing, to packaging, to shade selection, to formulations! Once again they came up with something that I’m proud to add to my daily makeup routine: the new barenbliss BNB Dream Chaser Quad Eyeshadows (P539). I wore these to a couple of videos recently and a few people were asking me about the eyeshadows! So, let’s dive into what makes them so interesting.

I love beauty products, but I will also be the first to admit that what they can do is limited. Skincare, makeup, and beauty treatments like botox and fillers can only do so much especially when it comes to preserving youth. Sure, we can tell each other that’s not the goal, but isn’t it ultimately? We know we will get old but we’d rather it doesn’t happen soon. We’re constantly sold products to prevent this and I admit, I fell into that trap for years too. I gained 20 pounds and developed uncontrolled hypertension and pre-diabetes. It took me so long to realize my mistake, that I can’t DIY this.

Valentine’s day 2024 is in two weeks. Are we feeling excited, anxious, or meh about it? However you may feel about this Hallmark holiday, new makeup releases for it are coming in hot! I’ve featured a few early releases in my previous BNR’s, but there are so much more new makeup collections that I felt they deserved their own Valentine writeup. Let’s check out a puffy heart-filled collection from Colourpop, a Hollywood glam lineup from Charlotte Tilbury, a jewel-toned, fave-filled curation from Pat McGrath, and an interstellar love affair with Kiko Milano.

Did you know that stress can cause hair loss? YES. Can red light therapy help? Also YES. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “…clinical studies have revealed that hair growth is stimulated by 650-nm red light.”  I’ve personally tried red light therapy for the skin, but I have never tried it on my scalp! I’ve been seeing this all over my FYP on TikTok lately and was excited to see that this service is available at Marqed Salon located at Sapphire Residences, BGC. I was able to avail of their services via Parlon.ph, which as you guys know is the best place to score deals on beauty services. Let me walk you through the steps when you avail of this intriguing hair treatment!

K-Beauty has always fascinated me. Yet, as a morena diving into its colorful world, I hit a snag - the shades and tones often fell short of flattering my skin tone. I resigned myself to this reality, thinking K-Beauty just wasn't meant for me.

But then, 2023 brought a refreshing change - a surge in shade expansions! This shift sparked a renewed hope in me. Maybe it was time to revisit K-Beauty with fresh eyes. Eager to dip my toes back in, I've chosen to start with a product that's new to me (though not new to the market) - the barenbliss BNB Korean Bloomatte True Beauty Inside Cushion 24H Full Coverage SPF 45 PA+++ (P899).

Filipino beauty brands are releasing bigger and bigger collections now compared to before. It’s a good thing because it gives us consumers more formulas and colors to choose from, but it’s also a bad thing because it can be quite overwhelming! Sometimes, I have trouble going through dozens of products just within a single collection. Which one should I try first? What’s worth my time? I find that I have to be a little bit brutal when it comes to short listing what to actually use.

Anyway, if you feel both excited and a bit overwhelmed by the huge Careline x Spongebob collab, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve tried everything, and here are the three products you absolutely need to get (if it fits your needs, of course).

I had zero expectations when I was tasked to try Trizie Naked Collagen for 30 days. I knew that taking Collagen supplements have a plethora of benefits like improved skin texture, healthier nails and hair. BUT I had tried other collagen supplements before and I didn’t see any noticeable changes. Little did I know that I would be a convert within the first week!

Is it still January? Apparently, yes. And with each new week comes a new wave of beauty news we bottle up and store just for you! For this week, let’s get to know new releases from local brands Ever Bilena (gorgeous powder blushes) and Hello Glow (a tinted sunscreen). Kim K is back with a new makeup collection. Feeling luxe? Check out the latest lipsticks and perfume sticks from Dior. You just might find a new place to shop at Corso Como 88, which features designer treasures from around the globe.

I am one of the first few bloggers here in the Philippines. For almost two decades, I’ve watched the content creator industry evolve, especially the symbiotic relationship they have with brands. These days I find that role of content creators has become a topic of hot debate. Should brands view these creators primarily as salespeople, or is there more to this partnership? This is a nuanced conversation, one that needs a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between commercial interests and authentic content creation.

I’m in Tokyo by the time you’re reading this, and dying (figuratively) in the 10—0 c weather. My legs and lower back are also probably sore and painful by now from all the walking I have to do in the trade convention I’m visiting. I’m not complaining - you know what, I totally am! When did my body start to hurt so much for so little? It's a question I've been asking myself more often lately. It feels unfair to age and sense my body start to creak, and all of this when I’m only 35!

Now, let’s talk solutions, because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that being prepared is half the battle.

The Ever Bilena Powder Blush (P250 for 3 grams) represents a new stage for the brand, I think. I’ve tried their powder blushes before, and while they were good for the price, I can’t say they’ve far exceeded my expectations. This one is different. You know how some brands have become synonymous to certain products, like concealer, eyeshadow, foundation, and so on? I think that with this release, hot on the heels of Pillow Pop’s success, Ever Bilena is positioning itself as the definitive choice for blush.

Let’s go through the new Powder Blush!

I was having lunch with my two mentors yesterday and we were talking about lash lifts. One of them said that she never wants to try them because of the maintenance required, and the other said she actually got them once, then had them removed the next day. It was too weird not to be able to touch her eyes whenever she wanted! Personally, while a lot of brands have offered to give me a lash lift for free, I’ve never had them done. Like my friend, the labor and cost required to maintain them is beyond what I want to shoulder for myself.

That doesn’t make me better than anyone. It’s just not for me. I’d rather spend 6-10 minutes a week or a total of 24-40 minutes a month using eyelash curler and brushing on mascara

Two weeks into 2024, and I’m already lemming for some new makeup. New year, new (makeup) look! If you’re feeling me, this week’s BNR is right up your alley. Let’s roundup the most exciting releases so far in color cosmetics! I heard that our girl RiRi is adding a new hydrating concealer to her Fenty Beauty lineup. Drugstore makeup steps up with Essence Cosmetics’ Love, Luck, & Dragons collection. Natasha Denona curates beautiful colors for their 2024 Valentine additions. Last, but most definitely not the least, get ready to be dazzled with Colourpop’s latest collab with Twilight!

Before I started using Epiduo, my skin was struggling with persistent cystic acne. These were large, inflamed, and painful bumps that had to be covered with a thick layer of concealer every time I left the house. Nothing I tried to stop them worked! Thankfully, the oral medication prescribed by my dermatologist Dr. Erin Tababa-Santos (aka The Nerdy Derma) had already begun to lessen the severity of these outbreaks, reducing the inflammation dramatically.

I mention this because I want to be clear that while Epiduo has done a lot for my skin in just a week, the medication I am taking is the primary reason that no new acne is coming out. It’s not a miracle product. It’s really good though. Here’s what I observed over the course of a week!