In the early days of Project Vanity, I would often write year-end reports celebrating all the things I accomplished over the past 12 months. It was always such a joy to look back on my highlights and share them with this wonderful community. Now that I’m a little older (and hopefully wiser!), my perspective has shifted. These days, I measure the success of my year not just by achievements but by the hard-won lessons that have shaped me along the way. The older I am, the more I realize how harder it is to learn new things because of a natural resistance to change. It’s like when you play an RPG and the XP points required to level up become higher and higher! And so, here are the three things I learned in 2024.

The thing about Kanebo is that they’re obsessed about the science behind their formulations. They really spend time and money on figuring out what’s next in skincare, which is why they’ve survived for 88 years in a highly competitive beauty industry. They’re a Japanese brand so we know that they’re committed to making the best that they can with the resources that they have. It is my belief that Kanebo’s skincare products are truly worth watching out for if you have extremely high standards.

Just now a thought occurred to me that has truly not passed my mind at all within the last year, and it is this: when was the last time I had A Real Break? Interesting! First let’s define what A Real Break is. ARB is a period of time that is fully dedicated to rest and relaxation, without any occurrence of work or work-related activities. That’s easy enough. But what qualifies as ARB for me, specifically? The thing is, because I am my own boss and I control most of my time, I’m able to take a break whenever I need or want to. But because my work involves social media - in fact it revolves around social media - my “free time” is related to making content in some form or other, or being plugged in to my industry’s comings and goings. That’s the tricky part.

Papaya is more than just a sweet, tropical fruit; it’s a powerhouse ingredient that has earned its place in the skincare world. Packed with vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants, papaya offers quite a few benefits for glowing, healthy skin. If you’re ready to level up your routine with this natural wonder, here are the benefits and best ways to incorporate papaya into your skincare regimen!

There’s something about the holidays that makes us crave a touch of magic. It might be the twinkle of lights, the warmth of reunions, or the joy of giving and receiving, but whatever it is this season calls for moments of wonder. This year, Dior brings that wonder to life with its Ball of Dreams pop-up at SM Aura, a luxurious haven of beauty and elegance that’s perfect for holiday gifting—for your loved ones or yourself.

Walking into the Dior pop-up feels like stepping into a fairytale. At the heart of the space is the breathtaking golden Dior tree, an homage to the Château de Versailles and Pietro Ruffo’s stunning designs.

It happens to the best of us. Maybe it’s hormones. Maybe life’s just being extra for no reason. Or maybe it’s that weird, floaty feeling of ennui that you can’t quite explain. Whatever the reason, slumps happen, and I’ve learned not to fight them too hard. But I also don’t like to stay there for long, so I’ve got a few things I turn to when I need to get myself out of a funk.

This has been the best year of my life so far. I’m not ashamed to flex that because, honestly, the last three years were terrible for me. I was lost for a while and didn’t know how to recover from the literal losses I experienced during the pandemic. I figuratively lost the plot; I didn’t know why I was doing what I was doing anymore. I felt powerless and left behind. But in 2024, I sorted myself out—and I can tell you the exact moment it happened.

If there’s one step in the skincare routine that often gets overlooked, it's toning. We’ve all been guilty of skipping this step at some point, especially when we're in a rush or trying to cut down on the number of products we use. But is toning really necessary? What exactly does it do, and why should we make room for it in our routine? Today, let’s discuss why toners deserve a bit more love in your skincare regimen!

If I could travel back in time and sit my younger self down for a heart-to-heart about beauty, there are a few things I’d whisper in her ear. Honestly, I cringe a little when I think about how long it took me to figure some of these lessons out, but as they say—better late than never! If I knew then what I know now, I wonder how much more confident I would have been, how much time I would have saved wishing for things I already had, and how much earlier I could have embraced true self-care.

Let’s be real: the term "anti-aging" needs to retire. Aging isn’t something we should fight—it’s something to embrace and celebrate. That said, taking care of your skin as you age shouldn’t be about chasing youth; it’s more about keeping it healthy, strong, and radiant as it transitions. Think of it as self-care, if you will. Here’s the scoop on well-aging, plus some products to help you along the way.

Easily one of my favorite lipstick formulas of the year is the EB Plus Sheer Tinted Lip Balm (P245 / 3.2g). I’ve traveled to several countries with this in my kit and most days, it’s the only lip product I’d slip into my pocket so I can retouch midway through my day. I don’t normally carry a bag, so that pocket space is precious! That’s how much I love it. Recently, EB released six new shades, so of course I had to swatch everything for you.

You know the feeling. You’re scrolling through Instagram, and bam—that new, shiny, limited-edition palette pops up, with influencers gushing over it as if it’s the holy grail we’ve all been missing. Suddenly, there’s this little pang in your chest, that urgent “I need this now” kirot that has you reaching for your wallet before you’ve even finished the post. Beauty FOMO (fear of missing out) is real, and honestly? It’s exhausting.

If you’ve ever looked at your beauty drawer and wondered why you have five nearly identical brown pink lipsticks, or felt that your collection doesn’t quite feel like you despite all those purchases, it might be time to step off the FOMO train. So let’s talk about how to cut through the hype and curate a beauty collection that feels authentic and satisfying.

I get it. When you see a blush with a nearly 600-peso price tag or an eyeshadow duo that costs more than your lunch for a week, it’s easy to feel like brands are pulling one over on us. It’s even easier to feel that way when certain products seem to get panned right out of the gate. Case in point: the Happy Skin Jelly Blush at P599. The feedback was harsh—many felt it didn’t live up to its cost. But here's the thing: I tried it myself, and I genuinely loved it! It’s the most staining, long-wearing lip and cheek color I’ve ever used. For me, it was worth every centavo.

So why do some people feel like products like these are rip-offs, while others (like me) feel they’re totally worth it? Let’s dig into this, because it’s a topic that has a lot more layers than it seems.

When it comes to tinted lip balms that deliver on both comfort and hydration, the Spotlight Dewy Lip Balm (P395 / 3.5 g) is worth checking out. Many lip balms promise color or moisture, but few manage to strike that perfect balance between the two. This balm, however, does just that, making it the ideal choice for days when you’re craving a wash of color but don’t want to compromise on hydration or comfort.

It’s a scene we’re all too familiar with: you bump into an old friend, maybe it’s been a while since you’ve seen each other, and you gush, “Wow, pumayat ka!” ("You lost weight!"). It’s often said with such enthusiasm, and usually, it comes with a compliment about how good they look. There’s no malice, no intention to harm. But is it really as simple as that? Or are there layers we need to peel back, like the many feelings we have about our own bodies?

I spent last night at the Solaire Theater, catching Six the Musical, and it's still on my mind. If you haven’t heard of it yet (where have you been?), it’s the story of Henry VIII’s wives, but told with a twist: pop concert meets history class, complete with a dash of glitter and a lot of attitude.

Now, I’ll be honest. I went in thinking, “Okay, how exactly are they going to make 16th-century royal drama into something worth my Sunday night?” It’s actually my husband who’s more of a fan of the musical than I am! But about 10 minutes in, I realized they knew exactly what they were doing.

I’ve got some major news, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with you. After months of planning, brainstorming, and talking to the most inspiring beauty creators in the country, we’re officially hosting the first-ever Beauty Creator Summit in the Philippines!

Yes, you read that right! This is a groundbreaking event, and it’s happening on November 9, 1-6 PM at KMC Solutions, One Ayala. We’re bringing together the brightest, most empowering voices in the beauty content creation world for an afternoon packed with learning, inspiration, and community building. Whether you're an aspiring creator or someone who's already established, this is the perfect space to grow, share, and elevate your game.

We all love the idea of having a signature scent—a fragrance that is so you that people immediately think of you when they catch a whiff. But what if one perfume just isn’t cutting it? What if you could create a unique, custom scent that nobody else has? That’s where fragrance layering comes in. This art of mixing and matching scents can help you create a fragrance that is completely your own.

In this story, we’ll dive into how to master the art of fragrance layering, the best types of scents to combine, and tips for getting the perfect blend every time.

In my retelling of my personal history both to myself and to the world, I have always been a confident kid. My mother nurtured all my interests - from singing, to drawing and painting, designing, pretty clothes, reading, makeup, guitar - whatever it was that caught my eye, my mother would indulge me. We weren’t rich, mind you, but she always found a way. She made learning easy, and because of that singular priceless gift, learning has always been a source of joy for me. Unlike most children, I suppose, I did it not because I had to but because I loved to.

Hi. I saw your video where you talked about people saying you look older than your age. I am in the same situation. People think I’m between 35 to 40 when in fact I am only in my late 20’s. What did you do to overcome the judgement or to somehow boost your confidence? Because I am having anxiety about it and I no longer want to eat with my co workers because I feel like they are staring at me and judging me. - A

First of all, thank you for sharing your story with me. I know how difficult it is to feel like people are constantly judging your appearance, and it can be isolating. I’ve been there too. Here’s my story, and I hope my experience helps you feel seen.