Foundation, Review Crew Marielle Ong Foundation, Review Crew Marielle Ong

De-Lightful: A look into MAC’s new Lightful C3 line

I remember when I had just started writing for Project Vanity and attended a MAC workshop that featured the Lightful C collection. It was actually the first time I realized that this MUA staple makeup brand also carried a skincare range! And it’s one that focuses on highlighting the skin’s radiance for a rosy glow, even before any base makeup takes place.

Well, the Lightful line just got a major “tone up” that sees the series expanding to a total of seven skincare products and three types of base makeup. Say hello to the Lightful C3 collection!

Read More
Announcements, Beauty News, Beauty Roundup Firas Abboud Announcements, Beauty News, Beauty Roundup Firas Abboud

Beauty Roundup: New bases from Happy Skin and Detail Cosmetics, The Body Shop All-in-One Stick, MAC Lightful C3, and a new Maybelline mascara!

How’s it going, PV Community? To all the working girls out there, are you reporting back to the office already? I’ll be doing so soon, and one thing that excites me about it is that I’ll get to curate an office makeup bag again. Now, perhaps a product on this week’s beauty roundup list will make the cut.

Read More
Blush, Cheeks, Concealer Liz Lanuzo Blush, Cheeks, Concealer Liz Lanuzo

Editor’s Picks: The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and Brightening Concealer

Celebrity beauty brands are all over the place these days, with many of them seeming like they’re just merch, or a second thought sent out into the void by celebrities who simply can’t have too much money. But I find Rare Beauty to be an exception. I see Selena Gomez with regular updates on socials and seeming very involved in her own brand (this is not as common as it should be). Of course there is a team running it day-to-day, but somehow it feels like the brand has a soul. At least to me.

Read More
Lips, Review Crew Bambi Dela Cruz Dimapilis Lips, Review Crew Bambi Dela Cruz Dimapilis

A lip treatment and tint in one: A look at Issy and Co.'s Hydragloss colors

Beauty brands are stepping up these days in incorporating treatment with their makeup. Issy and Co’s Hydragloss (P209) has made waves in being a lip treatment and lip color in one cute tube. Let’s test it out!

The Hydragloss colors I have are Jell-Oh, H.O.T. and Punch. They appear super pigmented on the tube, making one think of fruity summer colors. Upon smelling, there was no fragrance or “flavor” that I would usually get in some lip glosses. I swatched them on my arm and it was surprising that I didn’t get a sticky texture. It glides more syrupy and didn’t leave an overt residue when wiped off with a tissue.

Read More
Health & Wellness Guest Writer Health & Wellness Guest Writer

You don't want to "get pretty" today, and that's okay

I lost my job during the pandemic. And let me tell you, taking care of my skin and putting on makeup were the last things I wanted to do.

Skincare and makeup is always a fun time for me. I’m always happy when I “make myself pretty” even for no reason and despite the amount of time it takes to finish. I feel glad whenever I get to use the makeup products I worked hard to earn the money for. It’s double the serotonin boost for me when I could get ready while a new episode of my favorite show or the latest upload of a YouTuber I follow is playing in the background. I call it “my happy alone time”.

Read More
Lips Liz Lanuzo Lips Liz Lanuzo

Quick Rave: The Ready Set Glow Badass Lip Stain is my new favorite mask-proof stain

Ready Set Glow is the local makeup brand to watch. I love that it is adventurous with color and unafraid of coming out with fun formulations for the true makeup fan. They’ve been releasing new products non-stop since 2020 from eyebrow cushions to jewel-toned eyeliner, and most recently they came out with a mask-proof lip color. Are you looking for one right now? This may be the one!

Read More
Announcements, Beauty RoundUp, Beauty News Firas Abboud Announcements, Beauty RoundUp, Beauty News Firas Abboud

Beauty Roundup: New local brands and releases, plus an exciting base addition to NARS!

Okay, February’s almost over. Can you believe it? Now, before the month of love officially ends, let’s talk about what’s new in beauty that I’m sure you’ll love. Oh, who am I kidding? Regardless of the month, there’s always something new to love in the beauty world!

Read More

Review + Swatches: The fabulous MAC Loves Lisa Collection

Global superstar singer and rapper and Blackpink member Lisa has recently collaborated with MAC, launching her first-ever full MAC collection featuring her favorite products. Inspired by what Lisa loves most and with hues designed by Lisa herself, this limited-edition collection is the superstar’s most personal collaboration yet.

Read More
Features Liz Lanuzo Features Liz Lanuzo

Editor's Picks: Five products that are on my auto-purchase list through the years

Do you have products that you always just buy without fail every time you run out? These are your ol’ reliables, the ones that you can’t quite live properly without. They’re more than just holy grails at this point; they’re already sewn into the fabric of your life! Beauty products come and go through my desk but these five have proven themselves indispensable over the years.

Read More
Bambi Dela Cruz Dimapilis Bambi Dela Cruz Dimapilis

Why this Cebu-based brand is making waves in the perfume community

When I dived into the perfume-collecting rabbit hole, I discovered some homegrown perfume brands with a more affordable price range. They smell really good and are, to me, comparable already with imported brands. It’s great to know that we have some very talented noses right here in the Philippines. One of these brands is called Maison Phillipe.

Read More

Beauty Roundup: New local mascara and falsies and, wait, a BBB Cream!?

How’s it going, PV Community? We hope you’re all doing well! As for the beauty industry, it’s doing good - great, even! What makes us say that, you might ask? Well, just take a look at all the latest beauty releases that’s set to make our hearts skip a beat.

Read More

Airy, moisturizing, and with SPF: The new Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Creams

When I was younger, I can skip moisturizer for weeks and not feel like my skin is (figuratively) dying. Now, in my early 30s, a few days without moisturizer leaves my skin feeling tight and papery! My skin has become drier in the last couple of years too. This is normal as we grow older and our skin produces less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Plus, if you use strong exfoliating acids and actives, you can dry out the skin if it’s not properly moisturized.

Read More
Reader Question, Tips and Tricks Guest Writer Reader Question, Tips and Tricks Guest Writer

How to spot fake beauty products online, 2022 edition

Anyone who loves browsing aisles of beauty products know from experience that it’s fun to discover and test new products. When we would look around physical stores, it was easier to scrutinize whether the products are real or not. Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, however, our choice of shopping channel quickly and heavily shifted from retail to e-commerce.

Read More
Beauty News, Beauty RoundUp Firas Abboud Beauty News, Beauty RoundUp Firas Abboud

Beauty Roundup: A series of local beauty releases and Fenty Beauty’s first bullet lipsticks!

Happy Valentine’s Day, PV Community! I know this is cliché, but Valentine’s Day doesn’t really have to be about the romantic type of love. You can celebrate different kinds of love - self, platonic, family, and more. Here at Project Vanity, we’re all about love for beauty, and it’s time to show some love for the latest in beauty!

Read More
Review Crew, Hair Guest Writer Review Crew, Hair Guest Writer

The Curly Girl Method for beginners: What it is, how to do it, and where to find products in the Philippines

During most of my childhood I had pin straight hair that needed little to no management. Then right before high school, my curls happened! My hair started growing out curly to my surprise. I would try to hide with wide headbands and ponytails because people said it was buhaghag. In high school I was regularly rebonding my hair during the summers. By the time I was in college, my hair was fried, so I chose to stop getting my hair treated. College was more than five years ago at this point and while my hair is more alive, I wasn’t completely sold on how it looked. I knew I had curly hair; I just didn’t know what to do with it.

Read More
Announcements, Beauty News, Beauty RoundUp Firas Abboud Announcements, Beauty News, Beauty RoundUp Firas Abboud

Beauty Roundup: More local releases, a new look for Dior Beauty, MAC’s Lunar Luck Collection, and Tom Ford Beauty on Lazada!

It’s the month of love, PV Community, and I wish you a February filled with just that. I hope you get to celebrate love, regardless of its form and kind, more than ever this month. Speaking of celebrating love, let’s talk about what’s new in beauty - one thing I know we all love.

Read More
Skincare Marielle Ong Skincare Marielle Ong

Four facial oil recommendations from a former hater

I am of the opinion that facial oils are severely underrated. They can feel so… extra - and, therefore, not for everybody. Since they’re primarily occlusive in nature, oils work best when they’re not just used as a one-and-done skincare step. Rather, they best function as a final moisture “sealant” to go over your serum and moisturizer. That’s why some might feel that they’re excessive.

Read More