I’ve written before about the the Curly Girl Method (CGM) and how I learned to embrace what my genes gave me. With the right products and techniques, I managed to turn my frizzy halo into soft, defined curls and waves. But by 2023, I felt it was time to take things further and get professional help. That’s when I found KOOP Studio.

Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda is such an incredible play. There are so many themes that resonate with me, but what always gets me is how Alexander Hamilton came from nothing - like I did - and built something through sheer force of will. People often think it’s all about talent. And yes, that helps. But more than that, it’s the determination to win at all costs that makes the real difference.

There’s a line in the musical that lives in my head rent-free: “Why do you write like you’re running out of time?” I relate to it so much.

Welcome the first Beauty News Roundup of 2026! To kick things off this year, we have beauty news tidbits from the global beauty stage. First off, let’s take a look at the new faces of Dior Beauty: Anya Taylor-Joy, Jisoo, and Willow Smith. Gucci’s popular Éternité de Beauté Foundation now comes in a gorgeous cushion compact. Selena Gomez starts off 2026 for Rare Beauty with the release of Warm Wishes, a soft matte powder bronzer. Last but definitely not least, Marc Jacobs releases their newest addition to the Daisy fragrance family: Daisy Wild Eau So Extra.

Shopping for makeup online has never been easier, especially with trusted local brands like Happy Skin available on platforms like Shopee. But with that accessibility comes a growing threat that’s been creeping into our carts: counterfeit products. Last night, Happy Skin CEO Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez revealed that fake versions of their products are being sold on Shopee, and the way these fakes ended up back in the brand’s hands is deeply concerning.

I’ve always believed that beauty is deeply personal. It’s not just about the products we use or the trends we try, really. It’s more about the choices we make to feel good in our own skin. Looking back at 2025, the best beauty decision I made wasn’t something trendy or new. It was simply this: I finally asked for help.