We strongly advocate the use of low pH cleansers for the facial skin here at Project Vanity. It's not just a matter of preference; low pH cleansers actually function to preserve the acidic mantle that keeps our skin healthy. Unfortunately, there are products marketed for facial cleansing that have high pH levels. They may come in the form of bars, foams, creams or even gels but for this discussion, we'll refer to this kind of cleansers as "soaps". If you use soap to cleanse your face, you may want to stop for a moment and read on why it’s doing you more harm than good.

While Manila is on lockdown, we have everyday heroes fighting against a deadly virus in their scrubs and PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment). Some, like Medical Technologist Elle Zamora, go the extra mile with her beautiful makeup looks and show-stopping natural curls. I was inspired by her when I saw her post on a Facebook group the other day and thought that you should hear her story as well! This is what her life as a medical frontliner is like, and how she copes with brutal 12-hour shifts and stress about COVID-19.

It’s the third week of the quarantine, so we’re all feeling a little (or super!) lazy when it comes to putting any sort of makeup on. If you’re doing a lot of meetings on Zoom or holding parties at Hangouts though, you probably want ~some eyebrows at least! I know I do. I need to feel normal during such abnormal times. Here’s what I like to use when I only want to spend the least amount of time as possible on my arches.

While I often shop for makeup at Sephora, I admittedly tend to skip over their in-house brand as they’ve always looked plain next to the other brands that they carry. Recently though, I’ve noticed that the Sephora Collection has been upping their game with new skincare releases that feature trendy ingredients housed in chic, minimalist packaging. If you’ve been curious to try their new line of cleansers, here are my thoughts after testing these products for two weeks.

Disclaimer: I actually finished this project before the coronavirus quarantine. I wanted a more compact and complete makeup kit for my workout bag; I was swimming and playing tennis at the club as often as I can, and I shower there then go to the office or to a meeting after. I needed a comprehensive face! So I thought long and hard about what went in here and how everything is arranged.

I started a group chat with fellow beauty entrepreneurs about a year ago, and it’s usually what we use to coordinate lunches and sometimes discuss the retail landscape as well as challenges in the industry. We have had very different conversations though once the lockdown bore down on all of us - we were in distress. With malls closed down and even Lazada and Shopee non-operational (except for essential products), plus limited delivery service, it has so far been a three-week nightmare.

You’ve probably bought a product based on how attractive its packaging looked. I know I have! Sometimes I feel conned when the product itself turns out to be bad, and its only saving grace is the cute design that initially lured me into purchasing. Indeed, the beauty industry is very competitive and they have to do whatever it takes to keep their customers interested.

I know how frustrating it is to manage serious acne. I regularly go to the derma, I’ve tried different products and treatments, and I’ve even worked on improving my sleep quality and mental wellness to help manage my stress. But I think the most difficult part of acne is the aftermath. They often leave marks - physical scars, and sometimes even emotional ones. While there are many ways to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scarring often affects skin texture, causing a rough and uneven surface. How do you treat this type of acne scarring?

There are products that are bad, and then there are ones that we can not in good conscience recommend to anybody with a face. We don't hate anybody that much (or at all)! Here are five things that should be on your hit list.

And there goes another week! We hope that you’re keeping safe and well during these trying times. While the news may be filled with stories that make us anxious, we hope that this week’s beauty roundup gives a little respite. Check out ColourPop’s Disney dream collection, Huda Kattan’s contribution to freelancers, as well as something magical care of the Halliwell sisters!

How much does your entire makeup stash cost? Have you ever tried computing the cost of each item, including your tools? Over at the Project Vanity Facebook group, we once had a community challenge to find out just how much beauty lovers spent just to create their daily looks. More than a few members were surprised by how much their FOTDs were actually worth, so it becomes easier to understand why it hurts so much when we misplace kikay kits or accidentally break foundation bottles!

If there’s one thing that I changed in my beauty routine in the past year, it’s to rely less on contour and focus on highlights. I used to regularly hit pan on my contour powders but I’ve since changed my makeup look to focus on glowy skin. I love how a touch of well-placed highlighter can instantly brighten my face and make me feel like the star of a Kdrama! It’s also perfect for days when I feel gloomy or lack sleep. as it makes me look alive and put together. However, some highlighters look great on camera but too much for real life. If you want something that’s more subtle and natural-looking, we’ve put together some picks to suit every kind of budget!

One of my favorite beauty things to do is to contemplate which hair color I’m trying next. Over the years, I’ve experimented with red, done bronde, gone sunkissed with highlights, and I’m currently Team Au Naturel with salt and pepper strands. I love how the color of my hair can change my look without the commitment of chopping or perming my hair strands, and if I don’t like the results, I can just dye it again. If you’re thinking about refreshing your look and need some #inspo, here’s a look at celebrities rocking this year’s trends.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink is a big favorite in the drugstore liquid lippie category, and earned the first runner-up spot during Project Vanity’s 2019 Beauty Awards! I don’t often use liquid lipsticks but I’ve been curious to know what the hype is about. The arrival of the new Superstay Matte Ink Pink Edition (P299 each) presented the perfect opportunity for me to finally try this cult favorite.

Hello, PV fam! We’re all hoping that you’re keeping safe and staying healthy in your homes. And if you’re still at work, thank you so much for your service! With everything that’s been going on, we thought you might like a little beauty breather this weekend. Our roundup introduces MAC’s newest Maker (hint: she’s iconic and ageless), and has Louis Vuitton making anti-bacterial hand gels (read on before you freak). ABH also has a new baby, and Urban Decay has an answer to microblading. Happy reading!

Before buying skincare, you probably read hundreds of reviews before hitting the checkout button. Of course it's important to know if the product you're eyeing causes people to breakout, but you may also see some reviews that talk about “an initial purge”. Because purging is also characterized by the appearance of acne, it can be confusing to tell the difference between the two. Should you keep using the product and allow the purging phase to finish, or should you throw it out stat?

Writing about beauty feels like a mental refuge for me during this tough time, so I hope this throw down can give you a few minutes of stress-free reading. While it is important to stay updated and alert, we should also think about the potential effects of reading news article after article. I’m quite guilty of this as I’ve had to make more of an effort to put down my phone before my anxiety turns into full-blown panic. So take a deep breath, clear your mind for a while, and let’s indulge in some beauty talk.

It’s been an extra crazy week, and we hope you’re staying safe! Are you ready for a bit of good news? We’ve got the latest drops from Bobbi Brown, Dyson, and FENTY. Plus there’s a new sunscreen that’s sure bring out that summer glow, and a HUGE Sephora sale for some virtual retail therapy!

While my personal preference is to avoid alcohol in my skincare products, it’s an important item for helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, people have been panic-buying and hoarding bottles at the grocery, leaving others to find other means to buy alcohol. You’ve probably seen people selling commercial alcohol online at unreasonable prices, but did you also notice those posts with gallons of 99% alcohol? Don’t buy that until you’ve read this.

These are dark times, my friends, but I hope you can still allow me to share something that I’ve been working on for a year now! After the successful launch of the Ellana x Project Vanity Life-Proof Eyebrow Gel in 2018, we have a follow-up that I think you guys will enjoy using everyday. Theresa Carbonel-Buenaflor (the founder of Ellana) and I made this for busy ladies who can’t spend too much time on their makeup; it’s something that you can apply quickly and beautifully with little effort.