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.

Want to achieve that healthy, dewy look? We’ve got you! This week’s Beauty News Roundup features new local launches to help you get that healthy, lit from within glow. Happy Skin launches their Ceramide + Peptide Boost Wrapping Mask, a hydrating treatment that gives you glass skin. Hyaloo Dewy Defense Sunscreen SPF 60 PA++ protects your skin while giving a fresh, dewy finish. New Issy Gel Pencil Extreme shades just dropped, and they’re perfect for using on the waterline to make your eyes look awake and fresh. Last but not the least, Blk Cosmetics dropped that perfect lip liner + gloss combo with their new Outliner and Hypergloss. Let’s find out new ways to glow with these new local drops!

Finding “The One” when it comes to base makeup is no easy feat. Whenever we try something new, do we often get love at first swatch or end up consoling ourselves that there are plenty other fishes in the proverbial foundation sea? I consider myself lucky in this regard; I only fell in love with bases in my thirties. But for those who have been searching, Benefit’s latest launch posed this challenge – are we ready to meet the foundation of our dreams?

This week’s Beauty News Roundup is for those who are always on the go. If I were to pack my Beauty Go Bag, these new launches (and comebacks) are definitely solid candidates. First up is Squad Cosmetics with their massive Color Library customizable palette launch. The Colourette Velvetints are back and better, for that long-wearing velvet lip with staining power. Careline’s OG Oil Control Blush On gains not one, not two, but TEN new shades! Last but not least, our favorite affordable Hello Glow Hairsaver Dry Shampoo is now available in two unique scents.

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.”

Halloween might be coming around, but this week has been full of good news in the Beauty World. No tricks, just treats: this week’s Beauty News Roundup features treats for all beauty lovers out there. Issy is giving away their previously unreleased Pressed Velvet Inserts for free with every in-store purchase. Spotlight Cosmetics celebrates their 5th anniversary with massive discounts you shoudn’t miss. Detail Cosmetics releases the Lip Luster Mini, a tiny version of their best-selling Tinted Reviving Balm. Last but definitely not least, GRWM Cosmetics is ready to share what goes on behind-the-scenes with the GRMW Goal-Getters’ Podcast.

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.

Cute, heart-shaped packaging has become a signature look for local makeup darling, Chu Chu Beauty. True to form, their newest blush release follows the same charming aesthetic, and yes, it’s just as adorable in person. What makes it even more enticing? The price tag won’t make your wallet cry. As someone who loves a good blush and appreciates thoughtful packaging, I couldn’t resist checking them out for myself.

They say sometimes, things taste sweeter the second time around. When it comes to beloved makeup releases and beauty sales, that definitely is true! This week’s Beauty News Roundup is all about comebacks, shade extensions, and a sale you wouldn’t want to miss. Vice Cosmetics teams up once again with celebrity makeup artist Jelly Eugenio for a new makeup collection. Blk Cosmetics debuts their Airy Matte Lip Primer & Topper, plus new shades for their beloved Airy Matte Tint. Strokes Beauty Lab restocks their Kiss Sculpt Lip Liners, and gives us new shades to love as well. Last but definitely not the least, Sephora.ph is once again on sale with an adorable freebie and unbelievable discounts.

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.

This week in Beauty World, celebrations abound! Colourette celebrated their tenth anniversary. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde went viral (in the best way) this week for being a relatable “matipid” makeup queen. Blk Cosmetics continues their birthday celebration with the release of Brow Bond. Last but not least, GRWM Cosmetics’ Envirocycle Bin is now available in three locations.

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!

Beauty doesn’t always need to be loud. It can be soft, intentional, and quietly powerful. That’s what Vice Cosmetics taps into with their newest drop, the Perfect Kizz VELVET lip collection. Inspired by the idea of soft power and the blurred, velvety lips seen in Korean beauty, this line leans into that lived-in, effortless look. It’s all about smooth, diffused color that feels easy but put-together.

The shades range from barely-there nudes and everyday neutrals to warm reds you can wear any day of the week. Let’s take a look!

It’s been a stormy week out in the real world; likewise in Beauty World a whirlwind of unique releases awaits us! GRWM Cosmetics blows us away with their second wave of base product releases: the Daily Skin Tint and the Fresh Matte. Dazzle Me indeed dazzles us with the first ever spray blush in the Philippines: the Airbrush Spray Blush. Issy brings back full, incredibly glossy lips with Fat Gloss. Colourette releases Erase Base and Bye Base, making makeup removal a cinch.

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!