Store openings have always excited me, especially with my background in design. I enjoy observing how products are laid out and how the atmosphere is crafted to make shopping feel both inviting and effortless. It’s in the little things—the flow of the space, the textures, the lighting. So when Happy Skin opened its flagship store at SM Aura, I couldn’t help but be curious. The brand certainly didn’t disappoint, offering a space that felt thoughtfully designed and very on-brand.

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. Back in elementary, I was that kid constantly sketching dreamy mermaids and doodling outfit designs in any scrap of paper I could get my hands on. It was always something I enjoyed, for no other reason than the fact that it’s fun. My mother was always supportive and never failed to get me the art materials I requested even when money was tight, something that I will forever be grateful for.

This week’s beauty news is a roundup of our favorite things: affordable yet luxe new drops, and mini makeup cuties. Spotlight Cosmetics releases their newest lippie, the Velvet Matte Lipstick. Blk Cosmetics launches their new Soft Blur Liquid Foundation in a posh bottle. GRWM Cosmetics broke the internet when they released mini versions of their bestsellers. Last but not least, the viral Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Spray (and its mini version) is now available locally. Whether you want to build your travel kikay kit, or are looking for new pretties to add to your vanity, we got you!

My favorite local skincare brand, Dermtropics, has just opened a new home at Shangri-La Plaza! It’s now so much easier to get your hands on their ultra nourishing coconut oil lip balm and luxuriously moisturizing shampoo. After being a well-loved staple in KULTURA and lifestyle gyms across the metro, Dermtropics has officially planted roots with its very own standalone store—proof that this homegrown gem is here to stay.

Canmake is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and the festivities in the Philippines brought the party to Mitsukoshi BGC. Shoppers enjoyed a playful setup featuring a makeup gachapon, a mini-roulette, and a grand raffle draw with a P40,000 prize, all while browsing new and best-selling Canmake goodies.

To mark the milestone, Canmake also launched three new products focused on the eyes: one for brows, one for lashes, and one for the undereye area. All made in Japan, these releases blend function with that signature kawaii aesthetic the brand is known for. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to Canmake, the anniversary lineup is a fun way to celebrate this beauty icon’s big year.