Three ways to use your beauty routine to lift your mood
Note: This article has been revised from the original version for clarity.
It is a fact that beauty products are not essential to survival. But is survival enough if we can do more? One of the things that makes us human is the ability to have a story in our head about how things could be, and the desire to make it true in the real world. We like to hope for better days and dream of better selves. As shallow as it sounds, a beauty routine actually helps with that.
I’ve always believed that beauty products are a way to narrate who we are not just to others, but to ourselves. There’s a power to spraying on, say, a specific scent that makes you think of happier times when you had it on. You may not necessarily feel happy but even just a 10% improvement in mood matters during these crazy times! Here are five ways to use your beauty routine to lift your mood.
Masking. And not the surgical or N95 kind! Try to set aside the time to mask as often as you can. Not only do masks work more quickly with delivering skincare actives, they force you to stop for 10 minutes and just, well, be. Plus it feels great to have bouncy soft skin right after the session! Now that’s a quick win.
Since we are all wearing masks for the time being, beauty trends have been focused on eye and brow makeup. Sometimes, though, we want to wear more face makeup, but then it would just transfer to our masks instead! As a PV girl, I still sometimes wear makeup under my mask and have learned a few tricks to help my makeup stay put on my face and not turn my mask into an icky mess. Here are some of my tried-and-tested tips to make my makeup more mask-resistant!
Since I started writing for Project Vanity many years ago, I have learned to adopt a multi-step skincare regimen. There was even a point where I challenged myself to a 10-step Korean routine! And yes, I totally get the sensorial appeal of each luxurious step. But I will always have just as much appreciation for the straightforward but efficient skincare routine. Now after having tried five of Japanese brand BCL’s high-performance products, I have no doubt that they have the simplified skincare routine down pat.
When I first heard about the Foreo UFO, I thought it was another cleansing device from the brand as we’ve previously featured the Foreo Luna Go and the Foreo Luna 3. Those two got rave reviews so when I found out that the UFO was in fact, not a cleansing device, my interest was piqued. What is this masking device and what is it supposed to do for my skin?
It’s tough for beauty businesses to keep going during the pandemic, but Ellana Cosmetics was fast to adapt and create a new line of products despite drastic limitations during the lockdown. They were actually able to come out with new soaps and sanitizers in April! I’ll review those next time, but today I’d like to show you the new Ellana Mood Mask Washable Face Mask (P199) which is currently available in their website.
I always have a stash of sheet masks available. There’s a couple in my travel kit because it’s the easiest skincare to bring along, and I always have a few in the fridge to help me cool off on hot days. Sometimes, a cold sheet mask and 15 minutes is just what I need to de-stress.
The clay mask made my already dry skin feel even more dry and tight. It was also very difficult to wash off, so I had to use a damp towel to remove the mask. I later learned that a bentonite clay mask is more apt for use on oily skin, because it’s made from a very absorbent material that is sometimes even used for cat litter. It’s not a bad ingredient, but if you have dry or sensitive skin, there is a better alternative.
Face masks are a great way to get bouncy, plump skin in 10 minutes. They’re like the first aid of skin care: affordable, easy to find in most stores, and quick to give your skin that extra TLC when it needs it. If you’re exhausted and your skin needs a pick-me-up, or you need something to make your skin look better ASAP, slap on a face mask! Even celebrities have been known to put on a face mask to get their skin glowing and red carpet-ready.
I’m a big winner in the skin care concern lottery: I have sensitive combination skin. This means that my t-zone (forehead and nose) gets very oily, while my u-zone (cheeks and chin) turn dry and flaky. My pores also love forming comedones, making me more prone to getting enlarged pores and pimples. It has been extra challenging to find skin care products that work for my various issues because my skin can get really reactive, flaring up whenever I come near anything it doesn’t like!
Do you think of yourself as an influencer? You don’t need to have a blog or even an Instagram account. If you enjoy talking to others about the products you love, you already are! Sometimes it’s as easy as offering to share a face mask - that’s how I got my tita hooked on the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. She so loved how it soothed her skin that she immediately bought her own tube when we got home from the beach. When I next talked to her about a month after, she told me that everyone in her office had purchased their own tubes as well!
Use uplifting scents on yourself and in your home. When things smell good, it’s natural to feel good and more like yourself. Using essential oils on our skin (a drop per point, like your wrist or inner elbow) is a great way to get a pure, long-wearing scent. Just be careful not to use too much! You can also place your favorite essential oil in a humidifier to scent your home while also improving comfort as you breathe; I personally love to do this right before I sleep. Of course, you can also use your favorite perfumes even if you’re not really going anywhere. Try layering it with your body lotion/oil, and even hair products to achieve a unique scent.
Today we find ourselves chatting about something that’s been popping up quite a lot again lately - mall pull out perfumes. Sellers claim that these are the perfumes straight from the factory, overstock, or items that have minor defects, hence the considerable markdowns on the prices. But before you snag that deal, let’s have a little heart-to-heart about what you're actually getting into and why it’s a better choice to stick to the official retail stores.
The U.K.'s premier body mist has arrived in the Philippines! With a launch reminiscent of both Elle Woods and Barbie, SO…? Fragrance unveils a range of over ten captivating scents, from rich and bold to sweet and classic, tailored for daily wear and all preferences. More than just offering a taste of the U.K., SO…? Fragrance invites users to embark on global adventures with So…? Escapes, a collection of body mists inspired by the allure of sun, sand, and sea breezes from around the world.
The delicate tinkling of crystal glass filled the air as I walked into the sophisticated space of the Tory Burch boutique in Powerplant. The room was aflutter with an intoxicating blend of fragrances and the excited chatter of fellow beauty editors and influencers, all gathered for a special brunch event hosted by Nicole Limos Morales of The Beauty Edit. A plush invitation had promised the revelation of something magical, and I was ready to be swept away.
Hey there, scent-savvy folks! Brace yourselves for the blazing heat of the Philippine summer because I've got just the thing to keep you smelling fresh and fabulous all season long. We all know that feeling when sweat threatens to steal our fragrance thunder, but fear not! I've handpicked a trio of scents that will keep you smelling fresh, even in the midst of the sweltering heat. So, grab your fans and get ready to dive into my personal favorites for the summer.
Today, we're taking you on a magical adventure to the Scottish Highlands, where Jo Malone London's Global Head of Fragrance, Céline Roux, and the talented perfumers Anne Flipo, Marie Salamagne, and Yann Vasnier have created an enchanting new collection that perfectly captures the essence of Scotland's wild beauty called The Highlands. This collection is available here in the Philippines this May!
Fragrances are more than just objects we use to smell good. Scent is infused in our memories, and bring them back as clearly as the day we experienced them. No one understands this better than Filipino perfumer Renato Lopena Jr. His passion for scent runs in the family, and he brings his own unique art form to life through his bespoke perfume brand Wren Atelier.
Coco Chanel described perfume as the “unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.” As a perfume addict, I would have to agree. We can spend a lot of time planning our perfect makeup, clothes and accessories, but a scent adds another dimension to your self-expression. It’s the invisible finishing touch that pulls our whole look together.
Much like a collection of clothes, skincare, or jewelry, a fragrance wardrobe contains a selection of scents for every occasion. If you don’t have a fragrance wardrobe yet, here are some tips to get you started!
Hibiscus or gumamela blooms year-round in the Philippines. Here it grows with barely any prodding, so you can easily find it in many homes or even just by the country roads, tended to by only sunlight and the rain that falls on the earth. As a child I loved playing with these brilliant blossoms. I would put one in my hair as I ran across the streets, drenched by the sun and carrying the simple knowledge that everything was right in the world.
It goes without saying that 2020 was a challenging period of adjustment for everyone. For the first half of last year, I was so completely resigned to staying in that I pretty much dropped most of my beauty habits, save for my nightly skincare routine. But as the months went by, I slowly began to miss my old self-care rituals. So much so that I’ve started them back up even whilst I remain stuck indoors.
The Guerlain Shalimar was my first true grown-up perfume. It’s what started my love for deep, oriental fragrances in chic perfume bottles that I’d rather look at than drain. I reviewed it 10 years ago, in 2011, and while I never finished it I kept it close to me despite all the massive changes that encompassed my life in the last ten years.
In 2011, I’ve just been working on Project Vanity for three years. It’s not big yet and far from being a sustainable business back then, but it was growing steadily and getting some notice from people.
Learn new makeup techniques. What I find truly lifts my mood is learning a new skill. While we won’t be staying home forever, we will be wearing masks for a long while, so now is a good time to improve your eye makeup game! Whether it’s learning how to do cat eyes or a smoky eye, it’s okay to make mistakes since you’d be home to correct them. And hey, maybe it’s also time to go all out and learn the art of drag makeup, or even avant garde/conceptual looks!
Filipino brand Chu Chu Beauty launched a super sparkly collection just in time for their birthday, and I’m here to share some swatches! Chu Chu in my opinion is the underrated younger sister of Issy & Co., with lots to offer to makeup beginners as well as those who just want to add a little bit of magic to a basic makeup routine.
I’ve not come across a Filipino brand mascara that I love, until this one. I know, so dramatic, but I was really pleasantly surprised when I finally tried the Spotlight Second Skin Mascara with Castor Oil (P385 for 8g).
About me: I have really high standards when it comes to mascara. I usually go for Japanese or American mascaras because they deliver the curl, the volume, the length, the staying power. But they are a bit more expensive than I would like to spend for an everyday I’m-just-going-to-the-grocery mascara, with Maybelline at P499 and up depending where you buy it. Enter Spotlight.
I was feeling a bit bored of my eyeshadow options lately, so I decided to buy the Dior Backstage Eye Palette in 003 Amber Neutrals (P3,550) from the Dior store in The Podium. I do have a few eyeshadow palettes in this warm-reddish-bronzy color story, yes, so it’s not really “new” in my collection. So, oops, I guess? It’s Dior though!
The year 2021 has been such a wonderful year in terms of beauty releases, and I’m sure that, like me, you are all excited for what’s to come in 2022. Here’s what you need to know about!
It’s hard not to think of Cruella De Vil when the subject of female villains comes up, more so when it’s specifically about their beauty. Her look - black-and-white hair paired with a red lip - is an iconic one. This is why when Disney announced their live-action film Cruella, it’s no surprise that MAC Cosmetics collaborated with them to celebrate the rebellious, edgy, and glamorous villain.
After all this time, Happy Skin remains as one of my top three favorite local cosmetic brands. I like how they’re always improving their formulations and coming up with new ones. And now, since the launch of Generation Happy Skin a couple of years ago, they have affordable everyday makeup solutions that are all under P400. What a steal, right?
When I decided to buy my first “fancy” blush 11 years ago, NARS Orgasm was the one I had my eye on. It was said to be the best blush EVER and was highly recommended by all the beauty bloggers I respected! But Super Orgasm came out around that time so I spent weeks in agony thinking about what to buy. In the end, I decided on Super Orgasm. It was my fave blush for years and years!
I always watched my mom do her makeup as I was growing up. I love how she would always take her time in applying lipstick. When she was ready for blush, she would smile in front of the mirror, exposing her dimple, which I find so beautiful. This is why the new NARS Claudette Collection is so personal to me. It is inspired by Claudette, who is the mother and muse of François Nars.
Although it feels like it was just yesterday when I reviewed Details Cosmetics’ Powder Pout Collection, I am not complaining one bit! After all, who doesn’t like new makeup? Now, while new makeup brings excitement, it also presents the temptation of spending. In order to avoid unnecessary spending, we look to reviews, which is where I come in!
I first fell for Anne Curtis’ Wedding Lipsticks back in 2017 when it was first released. I promptly went out and bought a set because the whole concept was so timely for me; I also got married that same year. While I didn’t wear the lipsticks for my own bridal look, I recall enjoying Anne’s lipstick shades in Mon Amour and I Do on a daily basis.
I’d love to know what you do to drive some good vibes during these crazy times!
Liz Lanuzo
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
I eat makeup for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.
Most of us are stuck indoors for the rest of summer, yes, but the tropical fun doesn't have to be shoved to the side and forgotten, yes? blk Cosmetics' Wondermelon Edit captures summer fun all year round with a skincare collection that feels as refreshing as it looks! The products contain watermelon seed oil that refreshes and hydrates. Here's the report of what I've tried!