“How do you know what you’re supposed to do with your life? Do you follow your passion, or what’s practical?” asked a senior high school student from my alma mater. I was part of a panel talking about my experience graduating from a prestigious university (UP Manila!) and the kids wanted to know how to figure out what to do after high school.

Today, we're taking you on a magical adventure to the Scottish Highlands, where Jo Malone London's Global Head of Fragrance, Céline Roux, and the talented perfumers Anne Flipo, Marie Salamagne, and Yann Vasnier have created an enchanting new collection that perfectly captures the essence of Scotland's wild beauty called The Highlands. This collection is available here in the Philippines this May!

I've forgotten a lot of things in my life, but one memory that remains vivid is the Doraemon theme song. "Do-ra-eh-mo-un!" would joyfully echo from our TV in the afternoon after school, which means it’s time for merienda. I recall eagerly anticipating the fun adventures of Nobita and Doraemon, as the futuristic, robotic cat lent a helping hand to solve Nobita's problems. So, you can imagine my sheer delight when I discovered that Anessa, one of Japan's leading sunscreen brands, has joined forces with Doraemon for a special collaboration.

MAC, one of the OG lipstick brands, has recently launched a new lip product, the MAC Locked Kiss Ink. This liquid lipstick promises to lock in 24 hours of weightless, rich matte color with a kiss-proof, transfer-proof, and waterproof formula. I tried out this product, and here's my take on it.

The beauty industry has always been a hotbed of innovation, with new products, techniques, and trends emerging constantly. In recent years, however, the integration of AI and technology has transformed the industry in unprecedented ways. As we move into 2023, we can see that the fusion of beauty and tech is shaping the future of personal care. Here, we'll dive into some of the most exciting ways AI and technology are revolutionizing the beauty industry, with real-life examples of brands and apps leading the charge.

I recently had the chance to attend an exclusive and intimate event hosted by Good Molecules Philippines. This skincare brand is known for its innovative and affordable products, and they invited us to discover their ucoming release scheduled for Q3, the 1% Retinol Night Oil. Today, I'll share my experience at the event and provide an overview of this new product, so you can decide if it's something you'd like to try.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve personally done lip swatches on an entire lipstick collection. It’s a lot of work, guys! It’s easier to do a TikTok! However, this only goes to show how unreasonably excited I am to share about a new lipstick formula from one of my favorite local brands. It’s called the Happy Skin Lip Cloud Matte Lipstick (P599 for 3.8 grams) and - spoiler alert - I’m impressed.

Let me do a quick rundown!

Japanese luxury brand Kanebo is not new to the Philippine beauty scene; I remember writing about the brand's skincare and makeup products here in PV back in 2016. They're available at Rustan's Makati, Shangri-La, and Cebu, and these past few years, also online at the Rustan's website, Lazada, and Zalora. Now you can add BGC as the newest location to get your favorite Kanebo products!

One of Benefit Cosmetics' best sellers is the POREfessional Primer, with variants for minimizing pores, mattifying, or hydrating. It’s a personal favorite as it creates a smooth base and you can wear it alone if you just want to get rid of the skincare shine. But I still want to solve as much of my pore issues as possible – visible pores, clogged pores, texture! The new POREfessional Pore Care Collection is developed to help achieve that.

I’ve been a menstrual cup user for three years now. I started using it during the start of the pandemic, when there wasn’t a lot of certainly about getting tampons and pads from supermarkets with supply issues. Since then I’ve never looked back. Menstrual cups are simply superior to pads in every way - well, not counting the learning curve one needs to go through to properly place it inside the vagina. But once that’s sorted out, it’s a lot, lot less shitty dealing with menstruation as a woman.

Recently though I’ve gotten on the menstrual disc train and it is even better than menstrual cups. Here’s a quick comparison, and why I ultimately decided that a disc is better for me!

Foundation is an essential part of makeup routine as it provides a base for other makeup products to be applied. However, achieving a smooth and long-lasting foundation can be challenging, especially if the skin is not prepped correctly. The good news is that there are a few techniques that can help you prepare your skin before applying foundation, ensuring that your makeup looks flawless and lasts all day.

L'Oreal has made a major move in the luxury skincare market by signing to acquire Australian brand Aesop for $2.53 billion. This is L'Oreal's biggest brand acquisition yet, and it comes at a time when the company is moving towards more upmarket labels where consumers are less affected by economic downturns. The purchase provides some financial relief to Brazilian company Natura, which owns Avon and The Body Shop, and has been struggling with shrinking margins and heavy debt.

Anessa, one of our favorite sunscreen brands, launched its first summer event after the pandemic called Golden Island. The event, held at The Island in BGC, featured themed areas such as Luxe Beach, Tropical Gardens, and the Hamptons, each representing a different adventure. Anessa showcased its ability to withstand the hot Philippine summer through temperature pods in each area.

The Anessa Squad, composed of experts in beauty, lifestyle, and sports, discussed the importance of sun protection in their respective fields and why Anessa is the ultimate age-defying sun care.

Summer is just around the corner and I'm thrilled to add sunkissed glowy makeup looks to my routine! Fortunately, GRWM Cosmetics has launched their 25-piece Summer Collection, featuring products and colours that are perfect for fun in the sun.

The brand has introduced new formulas to their already impressive catalogue, such as the Browlift, Lip Booze, Shady Sunstick, and Glow Tint, which have been developed with formulas and shades that can withstand the heat of Filipino summers.

Jo Malone London's relaunch of the Cologne Intense Collection was a scent-sational event that captivated all the senses. From the immersive room that showcased the collection's campaign video on three large screens to the personalized leather stamping station, guests were treated to a night of discovery and delight.

Summer has arrived which means hotter days and more trips to the beach. The intense heat we feel on our skin is a not-so-gentle reminder to always use sun protection. Happy Skin has quite a few sun care products already (check out reviews here: Rescue Me Invisible Sun Gel Primer and Rescue Me Tinted Matte Sun Gel Primer) but they’re expanding the line-up with their newest “sun-centric skincare collection”: the Happy Skin Sun Boosters.

Five days ago, Rep. Arlene D. Brosas from Gabriela Women’s Party filed House Bill No. 7758. It’s an act that seeks to grant all women a maximum of two fully paid menstrual leaves a month. This proposed law is not new; the late Miriam Defensor Santiago actually also filed something like this in August 2004, with the law requiring a one day leave with 50% pay every month. Just last January of this year, Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Talino Santos filed for a law that grants women two paid menstrual leaves a month, with 50% renumeration per day.

The first two months of the year have been slow in terms of beauty releases but little did we know, it was just the calm before the storm! As we celebrate National Women’s Month this year, our local beauty brands seem to be keeping us on our toes with new launches left and right.

Here are all the beauty releases we have been blessed with this month alone!

Being booked and busy is part and parcel when you are turning your dreams into a reality and sometimes, self-care is something that gets pushed off the schedule. As a fellow hustler, I have been there, done that, and mastered the art of getting ready even while I am on the go! 

Luckily, SM Deals has a ton of Glow Up Deals for us as we celebrate  Women’s Month. So here are my top five beauty picks that you can add to your on-the-go makeup kit to keep you looking chic through all of your day-to-day happenings. Whether it is an after class org meeting or a business lunch, these products have got you covered! These products will sure help you achieve that Clean Girl Aesthetic vibe - beautiful yet very minimalist and effortless!

I remember the first time I tried Double Wear back in 2018 and was absolutely blown away by how well it performed. And guess what? The product is still killing it today! It's lightweight, transfer-resistant, and long-wearing, making it one of the most highly reviewed foundations out there.

That being said, here’s some news: photographer to the stars BJ Pascual has officially joined the Estee Lauder family as the new ambassador for their iconic Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation.