When I first started buying my own makeup, I bought some of my very first lipsticks from Maybelline. I have been a fan of their Creamy Matte line for years now, and still reach for Maybelline faves like Clay Crush, Nude Nuance, and Touch of Spice despite owning over a hundred lipsticks! And it’s not hard to understand why.

As a beauty enthusiast, I naturally gravitate towards skincare discussions—whether in websites and online platforms (shout out to The Project Vanity Community on Facebook!), at beauty events, or with friends and family. I do appreciate all of these venues, because I learn a lot about skincare from them. The conversation has changed a lot through the years, with many participants becoming *woke* about how to properly care for their skin. At times, I even feel like I’m preaching to the choir!

This week’s beauty roundup has me feeling like it’s my birthday, or that Christmas came early! Funko Pop collectors will have something new to add to their wish list, while the newest lipsticks from MAC are perfect for those who moisturizing but lightweight lip color. Of course, you don’t want to miss out on Sephora’s crazy Beauty Pass Sale and a peek at gorgeous new KKW Beauty collection that we’re lowkey eyeing.

Not that I need much help in figuring out my next beauty purchase, but I enjoy browsing through store bestsellers to see what everyone else is loving. That’s how I stumbled on V&M Naturals CPC+G Oil while looking for an oil for both the face and body on BeautyMNL. It had over 500 5-star reviews and I couldn’t help but feel intrigued, especially since it was just P350 for a 30ml bottle.

When it comes to face bases, I have a bias for lightweight foundations. I love how it evens out my skin tone without covering too many imperfections, thus allowing my skin to still look like skin. The light to medium coverage is also great for everyday wear as it fades more gracefully and is not as fussy as full coverage foundation can be. Weather-wise, lightweight formulas are just perfect for the fickle super-hot-then-suddenly-wet season we’re currently experiencing, as these lightweight foundations literally feel like nothing on the skin. 

From a brand that we used to only see in Thailand, Snailwhite has become a staple in many a Filipino’s beauty routine. Launched in the Philippines just last year, their Whipp Soap has fast become a bestseller. We don’t recommend it as it has a pH level of 10 (way too high for cleansing!), but fellow PV girl Gett found their Snail Secretion Filtrate Moisture to be a great moisturizer option for oily skin, so I was very curious to try the Icy Mask and CC Sunscreen SPF50/PA+++ that the brand sent over.

My dear friends, the Sephora PH Beauty Pass Sale is upon us, and we must now gird our wallets for the battle of their lives! Okay, seriously, in case you missed it, Sephora PH is going on a sitewide sale from September 4. Gold and Black Members get 20% off, while White Members get 15% off. If you’re wondering what to get from the sale, here are my top 10 favorite Sephora finds that need a spot in your kit!

For many beauty lovers, the temptation to sneak a peek inside a Watsons store is often hard to resist! Considering all the makeup and skincare finds we’ve scored there, Watsons is definitely the place to be when you want to “look good” but that’s only half of its value proposition. The brand also delivers on its promise to help customers “feel great” with products and campaigns that promote health and wellness, including how to stay protected from stress, germs, and the changing weather. We got to sit down for a short Q&A with Joyce Pring and Kris Lumagui to talk about how they keep their skin healthy and radiant even during this gloomy rainy season.

And that does it for ghost month, folks! Get ready to bust out those berry-toned lippies for the Ber months! Although we may not have a Fall season, this week’s roundup puts us in the right mood for cozying up in sweaters. From Natasha Denona’s step into the lipstick world to Chanel’s latest beauty breakthrough, this week is full of good vibes and fun times. We’ve also got FENTY’s shimmery subtle launch, so happy reading!