I’ve been journaling every day for the past few weeks. It’s nothing fancy or too involved. I keep it quick, just a few minutes right before bed. I follow a few simple rules: I can’t go beyond one page in my small Muji notebook, so I don’t end up overthinking or falling into introspection, which honestly stresses me out. If I start self-reflecting too much, it’ll take forever and totally discourage me from writing regularly. All I have to write are the facts of what happened during my day. Then, I end with a single line about how I felt. Something easy like, “Today was nice,” or “Today was tiring but worth it.” There are definitely nights when I don’t feel like journaling at all, but I’ve tried to make it as automatic and low-effort as possible.

In an age when a single video or post can launch a career, creators have become some of the most powerful voices shaping the beauty industry today. But as algorithms shift, audiences evolve, and brands demand more than just numbers - how do creators continue to grow, stay authentic, and build something that lasts? That’s the conversation at the heart of the Beauty Creator Summit 2025, happening on November 22 (Saturday) at KMC Solutions, One Ayala, Makati.

You've probably heard of fragrance layering by now. Beauty experts say that if you want your perfume to last longer, you should apply a lotion first, then layer your fragrance on top. It makes sense: perfume clings better to moisturized skin, helping it stay put instead of evaporating too quickly. The perfume oil will tend to combine better on an emollient base like a lotion so you get more long-wearing results.

Now, what if you could do both in one go? Blackwater Women took that idea and ran with it. Their new Perfume Lotion Spray (P220 / 200 g) is the first of its kind in the Philippines, being a lightweight hybrid of body lotion and fragrance that you can spray directly onto your skin. Sounds gimmicky no? But wait, it actually works!

I was watching an interview with Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith about their new movie Tron: Ares the other day. She shared that, at 40, she finally has abs for the first time in her life - a major achievement! The catch? She can’t even show them off in the film because both she and Jodie had to wear full-body suits. Greta joked that she pitched a scene where they could dramatically rip off their costumes just to reveal those hard-earned abs - Taylor Swift who was also a guest asks “Can you show three of the abs?” - but the director didn’t go for it. Then Jodie chimed in with a line that’s been echoing in my head ever since: “This was not about sex, this is strictly vanity.”

The Careline Canva Pot Multipot (P295 / 4 g) is the brand’s latest multi-use product. The Canva Pot has that “mochi” consistency that’s become very popular for cream-to-powder formulas. It's soft, bouncy, and densely packed, but glides on with minimal resistance. There’s no dragging, just a seamless blend that’s beginner-proof. I personally prefer applying it with a fluffy brush (skip the dense ones if you want a softer, airbrushed look), though fingers work fine if you're in a pinch or want a more intense color pay off.

Growing up, I remember seeing Myra on TV and billboards with their multivitamins. They were the first brand here that focused on supplements specifically for enhancing women's natural glow from within. I was too young to appreciate it then - I thought that vitamins didn't work (I'm sorry) - but now that I'm 37 and wiser I know how important it is to take care of your health with the right supplements.

We all know what inflation means in theory: “prices go up, your money buys less.” But in practice, such as when you’re staring at the newly hiked up price tag of a beauty product you love, it feels intensely personal. In September 2025, the Philippines’ annual inflation rate ticked up to 1.7 %, from 1.5 % in August. That’s still within the government’s target range of 2 %–4 %, but we are all still feeling the pinch. Why does everything suddenly seem more expensive?

Now, 1.7 % might sound low to macro watchers. But to someone whose budget is already tight, a 5–10 % markup on imported makeup, or a sudden 100‑peso hike in their favorite cleanser is a big deal.

You can always tell when an event is going to be good. When I received the call to attend Timeless by Design, a dinner hosted by Skin 101 and Vanguard Philippines, I already knew it wasn’t going to be one of those forgettable, filler-type gatherings. And I was right.

Held at Blackbird in Makati, the event was elegant and intimate. It was meant to introduce Ultherapy PRIME, a new and improved version of the classic Ultherapy treatment, but the night turned out to be more than just a product launch. It was a celebration of what it means to feel powerful in your own skin, whether that skin is 25, 45, or somewhere in between.

I have a soft spot for lip gloss. Maybe it's the early 2000s teenage girl in me, but there's just something pure about a glossy pout. It feels fresh, youthful, a little flirty even. I haven’t been wearing that many mattes these days since I find them too drying and, okay, aging, so it’s usually a glossy lip of me. That’s why I was immediately intrigued when Careline launched their Gloss Boss Lip Treat (P275 / 12 g). A gloss that promises not just shine, but serious hydration too? Yes, of course!

If there’s one beauty step I’ll never skip, it’s sunscreen. We all know by now that sunscreen is non-negotiable, as it protects us not just from sunburn, but also from premature aging and more serious skin concerns. But here’s the catch: applying sunscreen once in the morning isn’t technically enough. To actually get continuous protection, you need to reapply sunscreen every three hours, especially if you’re outdoors, near windows, or playing sports.

That’s where sunscreen sprays come in.

Do you remember your first "grown-up" lipstick? For many Filipinas, that shade was Toast of New York by Ever Bilena. It had this warm terracotta-brown hue that looked good on just about everyone. It was affordable, dependable, and something you’d find in your tita’s purse and your best friend’s makeup kit. It was, in short, iconic.

So when I heard that Ever Bilena was launching a full collection inspired by Toast of New York, I was immediately intrigued. It’s a clever move, and a nostalgic one too. But does it live up to the memory, and more importantly, does it work for today's beauty standards? I spent the last few weeks trying out the collection. Here's everything you need to know, with swatches!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

It’s taking me longer and longer to review products these days. I just want to make sure that, when I finally put something out there, it’s something I truly believe in. That means testing it in different conditions, wearing it in various weather (if I can), and really paying attention to how it performs over time. One of the products I’ve been using for a while now is the EB Plus Glazed Lip Booster (P325 / 2g). I even brought it with me on trips to Dubai and Osaka to see how it would hold up in both dry and cool climates. I’m happy to report that it did really well!

Do you remember the exact moment you became an adult? Mine was when, after my first ever pay check, I went grocery shopping. I was shocked by how much of my salary went to a basket of the cheapest basic grocery items I can find. I cried a little in the supermarket aisle because of this. I thought it would be easier! There should be a warning label for adulthood. Something they hand out the moment you pay your first bill or realize chips for dinner is a viable, if not entirely wise, option. Because the truth is, no one really prepares you for the bizarre, often lonely, sometimes liberating experience of being a grown-up. It just...happens. One day you’re in school with a packed lunch and a schedule, and the next you’re staring into your fridge wondering if crackers are enough to hold off your GERD.

Here are some hard truths about adulthood that no one warned me about, but I’ll warn you now.