Last week, I had a conversation with a friend that not only opened my eyes but also inspired me to rethink how I approach my goals. You see my friend lives by the mantra "delulu is the solulu" (being delusional is the solution), and boy, does she practice what she preaches!

She is the kind of person who believes in the power of dreams to an extent that makes the impossible seem merely a stepping stone away. During our conversation, she pointed out something that struck a chord with me. She said, "Liz, you're not convinced enough that you're going to achieve your goals." It was a wake-up call. She's right; sometimes, I get so caught up in the planning and strategizing that I forget to truly believe in the end result.

Since we did an all-local beauty news roundup last week, let’s do the opposite this time and look at beauty news from other countries. First up, Huda Kattan is back as CEO of Huda Beauty! Hard Candy releases a delicious collection inspired by Girl Scout cookies. Maybelline New York takes on the lip plumper trend with their own version. Last but not least, Dyson releases a gorgeous ceramic pink and rose gold version of their hair care tools in honor of Mother’s Day. Shall we take a look-see? Here we go!

Happy Leap Day! Here we are at the end of February, but let's not throw in the towel on those New Year's resolutions just yet. Saving more cash is a huge goal for many of us when the new year rolls around, especially now with prices going through the roof. It's more crucial than ever to stick to a budget. But, oh, the struggle when our favorite brands drop those irresistible new items or when our go-to influencers share their latest holy grails. It's tough not to have that "add to cart" moment and just hope for the best when the month wraps up. This leads me to one of my guilty pleasures – overspending on beauty products. Trying to figure out when to save and when it's okay to treat myself is tricky, so getting some solid advice can be a game-changer.

We decided to tap into the wisdom of The Project Vanity Community Facebook group to see how members have tackled beauty overspending. Maybe their tips can help you too!

The Philippines is famous for beautiful beaches, endless summers, and, well, the relentless sun. Living so close to the equator, we Filipinos are blessed with an abundance of sunshine almost year-round. But with great sunshine comes great responsibility—specifically, the responsibility to protect our skin. Sun damage, premature aging, and other skincare woes are all too real for us island dwellers. Luckily, there are so many options for us Filipinos now when it comes to local beauty!

Ah, the 30s. That magical decade when you're expected to have your life together but often find yourself wondering whether eating cereal for dinner again is a sign of independence or just poor time management. But fear not, dear reader, for this is also the decade where you find a deeper well of self-confidence—partly because you're too busy to care about the small stuff and partly because you've survived your 20s, which is no small feat. So, how do you unlock this treasure trove of self-assurance? Here’s some advice.

Trying to find ways to save the planet can be overwhelming but you can take action by starting with yourself and your shopping habits. For February or what is called the love month, Watsons encourages its customers to show the planet some love by doing simple things that could make a difference. Small actions, taken by many, can be a real gift to the planet.

Here at Project Vanity, we're absolute aficionados of everything beauty-related, but it's not often that we witness a beloved brand truly transform the market with a singular launch. So, believe me when I say our excitement was through the roof upon hearing this news. Benefit, globally celebrated as the #1 brand for brows and known for their iconic Precisely, My Brow Pencil flying off the shelves every seven seconds, has never been one to just bask in their success. In a bold move to shake up the beauty scene, they've introduced the groundbreaking Precisely, My Brow Detailer and the Precisely, My Brow Wax, proving once again that innovation is at the core of their ethos.

As we wrap up the month of February, let’s do a quick roundup of new locally available finds. First up, Mae Layug’s GRWM partners with Pawssion Project to raise awareness and funds for our furry friends. Happy Skin treats us to new and old faves with their Lip Mallows in two formulas. Get killer makeup looks with Ready Set Glow and their new powder compact. Maybelline Philippines plays it up with new vibrant pink lip tints and colorful eye liners. Ready? Let’s go!

Ah, tomatoes! Those juicy, red fruits are not just for salads and sauces; they're a powerhouse ingredient in the skincare world too. Tomato extract is like a secret weapon against a myriad of skin concerns, harnessing the goodness of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to give your skin a healthy, radiant glow. Let's dive into the benefits of incorporating tomato extract into your skincare routine.

I'm absolutely thrilled to dive into the offerings from FIRST Skincare, a gem of a local brand that caught the eye of Project Vanity's ever-curious gaze. Embracing the ethos of clean and sustainable beauty, FIRST Skincare stands out as a beacon of innovation in the Filipino beauty scene—an initiative that's nothing short of inspiring.

With a keen focus on catering to both men and women, FIRST Skincare harnesses the power of the PSE (Pumpkin Seed Extract) Antioxidant System, a marvel of Swiss technology.

Do you have a brow mascara in your daily makeup routine? I do! I find it so useful in making my brow hairs look thicker and more tamed, as opposed to leaving them alone looking limp. It really polishes up my entire look, since eyebrows make such a big impact on how my face is framed. So I always make the time to use a browcara to elevate my look.

The new barenbliss BNB Set N Slick Lasting Browcara (P399) is an exciting addition to my makeup wardrobe, priced at an accessible P399.

While I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to my foundation, usually reaching for those trusty bottles, I've got to hand it to cushion foundations for their sheer convenience. There's something so handy about them, especially on those days when the idea of juggling brushes and blending for what feels like ages just doesn't fit into the schedule. Cushions swoop in like a beauty superhero, simplifying the makeup routine without skimping on the flawless finish.

And now, we have a new one from a Filipino brand: the Spotlight Serum Cushion Foundation (P895 for 12 grams). This has SPF50 PA++++, which of course is not going to replace your sunscreen but offers a good boost of sun protection. More importantly, this one is super lightweight and features light to medium coverage.

Last week, I was at an event and met a high school student who is really popular in TikTok. She was delightful, smart, focused, and I had a great conversation with her! I gave some advice (I hope that didn’t annoy her, I can’t help it, it’s the elder millennial in me) which I hope can be useful to her as a content creator. I honestly find young people so impressive. They’re knowledgeable and generally sensible, that is, as much as you can be at that age. But I honestly don’t want to be young again.

I mean sure, it would be nice not having to feel anxious about the 11 lines forming on my forehead, but I truly don’t want to have to learn everything I know now again. There's something so freeing about moving past the insecurities that plagued my younger years.

This week, we have got an assortment of unexpected beauty news. Cult-favorite Glossier Cloud Paint is now available as bronzers! We get to see Dyson’s new Supersonic hair dryer for professionals. Blackwater releases an unexpected Bubble Up Effortless Hair Removal Spray. Hello Glow enters the hair care game with their very own Hairsaver Dry Shampoo. Last but not least, Avon opens its first ever Avon Retail Corner. Let’s get started on this week’s Beauty News Roundup!

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending an enchanting event that felt like stepping into a scene straight out of a chic Parisian dream, yet it was perched atop the urban oasis of Seda Hotel's rooftop. Dior, a name synonymous with luxury and elegance, unveiled their latest gem in the realm of fragrance: the Mini Miss solid perfume. The event unfolded in an afternoon bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, transforming the venue into a beautiful scene worthy of Dior's timeless sophistication.

So the worst case scenario just happened: you had lash extensions, but after a week or so your natural eyelashes start falling off one by one, leaving you with a balding lash line. Or, it was just a normal day and you were curling your lashes when your curler accidentally snaps off the hair. What to do? Fortunately, restoring the health and vitality of your eyelashes doesn't require a miracle—just a well-rounded approach that nurtures them from root to tip. To encourage eyelash growth after damage, consider a multifaceted approach focusing on nutrition, gentle care, and appropriate products. Here’s what you can do!

Ever Bilena has another affordable dupe that I think you guys might be interested in. The new EB Matte Colorlock Lippie (P295) is quite similar to the NARS Powermatte Lipstick, one of my favorite matte lipstick formulas out there. Like the Powermatte, EB’s Matte Colorlock goes on creamy and sets into a more solid, thin layer of color that’s fairly long-wearing. It has 12 shades available and at least a couple of them are near dead ringers for some of NARS’s shades. Let’s get into it!

I recently found myself chatting about how rare it seems for beauty lovers to completely finish their products. It’s easy to doubt when you see influencers with their empties, especially with products that just hit the shelves. We all have our own pace, with some diving into full makeup daily, while others save their best bits for special moments. But honestly, seeing a product used up convinces me it’s truly loved.

Today, I find myself in a bit of a conundrum that I suspect some of you might relate to. It's about our darling Taylor Swift, a name that needs no introduction and a personality that's become a staple in not just the music industry but seemingly every nook and cranny of social media. As much as I adore Taylor and her music—her ability to articulate emotions and experiences is god level—lately, I've been feeling a tad overwhelmed by the omnipresence of Swiftie news.

Has everybody recovered from the extended 2.2 sales? Now that that’s over, local beauty brands have moved on with exciting new product releases! Let’s look at new skin care and makeup product releases from Ever Bilena, Spotlight Cosmetics, blk, and Happy Skin. Plus, a new find for your glow-up from Myra. Yes, it’s time for another beauty roundup, local brands only edition!