I’ve had ear piercings since I was a baby, and added two more just before I graduated from college. I really like how they enhance my personal sense of style and have been wanting to get more, but my college piercing experience was not a good one. To ensure that everything goes smoothly this time around, I prepared for new piercings by doing a lot of research and being more thorough with choosing where to have it done. If you’ve been thinking of getting some, too, make sure you read these must-know guidelines first!

I'm talking pedicure on our toes, toes, trying on all our clothes, clothes! Did that get you singing? I must confess, this week’s roundup has got me singing for joy with all the latest in beauty! Sunnies Face has spilled the tea on their SUPER(model) collab, Pia Wurtzbach’s sporting a new pout, and Kesha's latest release isn't music-related! MAC has a crazy lippie drop that’s sure to have gloss lovers buzzing, while Shiseido joins our list of online beauty stores to frequent. It’s a bit of a random mix, but we reckon it’ll have you editing those lists and shopping way more than you should!

A month before stepping into a new decade, PANTONE announced 2020’s Color of The Year: Classic Blue. Described as a restful color that brings a sense of peace and tranquillity to the human spirit, it becomes a standout shocker when used in beauty looks! If you’re feeling adventurous and dare to rock this color, channel Classic Blue with these picks:

I have a lot of Human Nature favorites that I like to stock up on, and while I can often get them from the grocery, I like being able to visit their stores so that I can check out their newest releases. Recently, I’ve been curious about the Marine Caviar moisturizer and their long-awaited Natural Shampoo Bar (maybe it will change my mind about shampoo bars?) so I went to visit their new store in SM Megamall as soon as it opened last week!

Could you believe that we’re only 21 days away from a new decade? And what a decade it has been for beauty! We began our obsession with full, perfectly-groomed eyebrows, our love affair with matte liquid lipstick, and a keen desire for long-wearing, full-coverage, yet ultra-comfortable foundation. K-Beauty became the undisputed trend and technology leader for beauty all over the world. Even so, we saw the rise of Filipino beauty brands as we became more competitive and world-class - now that’s a plot twist!

This 2019, the Project Vanity Community has spoken and voted for their best finds this year. Let’s see what captured our hearts (and wallets) in 2019, shall we?

The first time I heard of Advent calendars was in college, when I saw a YouTuber take out chocolate from a Cadbury-branded Advent calendar. It looked like a fun idea to enjoy a little treat in the days leading to Christmas, though I had to wonder how much self-control I’d need to not open everything at once! Assuming you have enough impulse control, I can certainly imagine how “receiving” a small gift every day can set the mood for Christmas cheer. Now imagine doing that with beauty products!

Have you done any Christmas shopping yet? Between that and the parties to attend and plan, December is surely going to be a crazy hectic month! So take a breather and check out this week’s beauty Roundup, which has loads of fun things that’ll put a smile on your face, and quite possibly add another item on your wish list. 

It’s been three years since I founded In Her Element Skincare. In those three years, everybody kept asking me: “Why not makeup? I thought you’d do makeup!” This is understandable because I am a makeup geek and it has always been my first love in this industry, and what got me in to begin with. Skincare though has always been a bit of a challenge for me, because Fact #1 I am lazy when it comes to applying skincare and Fact #2, I’ve always loved expensive brands that’s painful on the wallet to repurchase. So, I thought I’d take it in my own hands to create something that would fit my budget and my needs!

Aging is a natural and inevitable process that we all experience. In fact, we experience it every day, in every part of our bodies! As the largest organ and an external one at that, our skin is where the signs of aging become most obvious. With decreasing elasticity and our body's repair processes slowing down, skin becomes thinner and more fragile as we age. Applying products won't stop the wrinkles, age spots, or sagging, but they can definitely slow down the process and help protect your skin against external damage. The key is to make sure that the anti-aging products you use actually have ingredients that work! 

They're 36 and thriving! 2019 has certainly been a fruitful year for Ever Bilena. Earlier this year, the proudly homegrown beauty company expanded their range of products with Kris Aquino through the release of some seriously hydrating tinted lip balms. They then tapped Jodi Sta. Maria to be the latest face of the flagship brand. This was followed by celeb collaborations that were launched with Andrea Brillantes (Careline's Blythe Cosmetics) and Ara Mina (Ara Colours). The year may be almost over, but this local powerhouse is continuing to keep us on our toes!

Merry Cliniquemas! We recently went to the brand’s Holiday Preview in SM Mega Fashion Hall, and were dazzled by the numerous skincare, makeup, body, and fragrance sets curated for seemingly everyone. It’s like Ophra saying, “You get a set! You get a set! You get a set!”

From doodling on the pages with my favorite poems, to using them solely to keep track of work, the way I’ve used planners have changed a lot over the years. But I think that’s also because the designs have changed so much that they’ve become more than just a way to keep track of our schedules. Planners are super useful for keeping your life organized, productive, and fulfilling as well! Belle de Jour played a huge role in bringing about that change.

Ho ho, how is it already December?! With Christmas just a few weeks away, our beauty roundup is full of good tidings and holiday cheer. From Dior’s newest face (and her favorite Christmas-perfect lippie) to Sunnies Face’s solution to your holiday shopping woes. We’ve also got Benefit’s newest baby and an incredible vegan nail polish solution! Happy reading!

Issy & Co. is a new local makeup brand that you’ve probably seen around on Instagram or from their celebrity endorser Alex Gonzaga. Apart from the star power though, I was particularly drawn to their minimalist packaging and thoughtful approach to beauty. Not only are they cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, their formulas are also vegan! 

I rarely ever finish lipsticks. I can’t even remember the last lipstick I used down to the base, which is why mini lipsticks delight me endlessly. Recently though I’ve come by two absolutely gorgeous lipsticks that deserve a spotlight here on Project Vanity, and a permanent place in my actual makeup vanity (which is btw a perpetual mess, the very definition of chaos, so favorites must ALWAYS in front and center!). These would be the Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipsticks in Rose Tea and Boldface (P1,900 on Lazada)- the ultimate MLBB and the ultimate red lipstick for me, respectively.

As a 90s kid, I was thrilled to find lip gloss returning as a beauty trend in 2019. After seeing too many dry and cracking lip looks in the years that matte lipstick reigned supreme, I’m ready for juicy, shiny pouts to be back in business. And local brands are picking up the trend, too. Here are five local lip glosses under P600 that explore the different ways you can wear a super shiny lip!

One of my favorite parts of the holiday is shopping for presents, and as a PV girl, I love giving gifts of beauty and wellness. Because I’m pregnant, I have to be extra careful of the products I use. I’ve also become extra sensitive to the scent of a lot of commercial brands so I’ve had to make a lot of changes to my routine. Zenutrients was one of the first brands I turned to for their naturally-derived ingredients and non-synthetic fragrances. And it looks like I will be gifting them this Christmas, too!

We’ve got our list and we’ve checked it twice, but OMG we’re still freaking out! Get into the festive spirit with this week’s beauty roundup featuring everything you need to know about SnailWhite’s Holiday Glow Factory (think the winter wonderland of your dreams plus discounts) as well as Kylie Jenner making bank right before Christmas! We’ve also got a gorgeous limited-edition collection from beabi and Lady Gaga’s perfect red lip for the holidays! Happy shopping, I mean, reading!

Happy Holidaze, PV fam! Have you started ticking names off your gift-giving list? If you’re racking your brain trying to find gifts for different ages and diverse tastes, a bazaar might be your best bet! In fact, you may want to check out the Flair Pop Up happening this Saturday and Sunday (November 23 to 24, 2019) at The Fifth Rockwell in Powerplant Mall, Makati.