We’re about to head off to the last few days of 2024, but the beauty world is keeping busy! This week’s Beauty News Roundup is full of new local releases to shake up your holidays. Let’s take a look at the Ever Bilena No Budge Lip Liner, Spotlight Soft Glow Beauty Wand, and new Strokes eye and face palettes. Let’s see what K-beauty brand Laneige has in store for us this holiday season with limited-edition Lip Sleeping Masks and gifts!

I’ve been using the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask for years, and I think I’ve tried almost every flavor they’ve come up with. It’s such a staple in my routine that you’ll always find it in my online shopping cart, waiting for the next sale to restock. It has a permanent spot on my bedside table and is a must-have in my travel pouch. It just works so well for my dry lips! I’ve experimented with other brands, but I always end up going back to Laneige—there’s a reason it’s beloved , after all.

You can never have too many skin tints, especially when your social calendar is suddenly packed this holiday season, but you have zero patience for full foundation. Whether I’m running late and trying to beat the holiday traffic or getting ready for a ‘no makeup’ makeup day, I always find myself reaching for a reliable skin tint. Ellana Cosmetics has one that’s packed with SPF and skincare benefits! The Even Better Skin Care Tint SPF 30+ PA++++ (P299/18g) is 100% vegan, PETA-certified cruelty-free, and even safe for pregnant and breastfeeding moms.

Just now a thought occurred to me that has truly not passed my mind at all within the last year, and it is this: when was the last time I had A Real Break? Interesting! First let’s define what A Real Break is. ARB is a period of time that is fully dedicated to rest and relaxation, without any occurrence of work or work-related activities. That’s easy enough. But what qualifies as ARB for me, specifically? The thing is, because I am my own boss and I control most of my time, I’m able to take a break whenever I need or want to. But because my work involves social media - in fact it revolves around social media - my “free time” is related to making content in some form or other, or being plugged in to my industry’s comings and goings. That’s the tricky part.

Last week, our Beauty News Roundup featured delicious treats from the world of beauty. I’m happy to report that this week’s edition will be just as sweet! Let’s take a look at Colourette’s newest Eye Gotchu Collection. NARS makes a new addition to their Afterglow lippie lineup with the new Afterglow Lip Oil. Estée Lauder collaborates with Ladurée, home of the most famous French macarons! Last but not least, Sabrina Carpenter releases a new fragrance named Me Espresso. So have you got a sweet tooth? Let’s get our fill of sweet, sweet beauty news!

There’s an age-old question that many of us who love makeup still ask ourselves all year round: What shades suit me best? That’s where MAC’s APAC Senior Artistry Manager Anton Zimin comes to the rescue. As part of the recently held MAC Trends Makeup Masterclass, Anton introduced four must-try trends and dished out essential tips and tricks to keep in mind before you even lift up that makeup brush. Of course, every masterclass has to have the perfect models and muses to demo on and who better than PPOP royalty themselves, BINI.

Papaya is more than just a sweet, tropical fruit; it’s a powerhouse ingredient that has earned its place in the skincare world. Packed with vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants, papaya offers quite a few benefits for glowing, healthy skin. If you’re ready to level up your routine with this natural wonder, here are the benefits and best ways to incorporate papaya into your skincare regimen!

There’s something about the holidays that makes us crave a touch of magic. It might be the twinkle of lights, the warmth of reunions, or the joy of giving and receiving, but whatever it is this season calls for moments of wonder. This year, Dior brings that wonder to life with its Ball of Dreams pop-up at SM Aura, a luxurious haven of beauty and elegance that’s perfect for holiday gifting—for your loved ones or yourself.

Walking into the Dior pop-up feels like stepping into a fairytale. At the heart of the space is the breathtaking golden Dior tree, an homage to the Château de Versailles and Pietro Ruffo’s stunning designs.

It happens to the best of us. Maybe it’s hormones. Maybe life’s just being extra for no reason. Or maybe it’s that weird, floaty feeling of ennui that you can’t quite explain. Whatever the reason, slumps happen, and I’ve learned not to fight them too hard. But I also don’t like to stay there for long, so I’ve got a few things I turn to when I need to get myself out of a funk.

And so the last month of the year begins! It’s off to a promisingly delicious start as color authority Pantone officially releases the 2025 color of the year: Mocha Mousse. If you’re a fan of Dunkin (or at least how yummy the doughnuts smell), Native has some personal care products you’re going to love. In a surprising turn of events, Teviant has released some sweet treats in collaboration with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty! Last but not least, Issy Cosmetics has released a limited edition product lineup in honor of their fifth anniversary, and it’s perfect for the holidays. What are you waiting for? Keep reading as we round up this week’s yummy beauty news tidbits.

Happy Skin’s Generation Happy Skin line keeps leveling up with every relaunch! Each time, they manage to add something fresh and exciting, whether it’s new shades or entirely new products—just like they did last year. They’ve been listening closely to their consumers, which is clear from the thoughtful updates: improved leak-proof packaging, gorgeous new shades, and even a brand-new addition to the lineup. These updates were unveiled at the launch last November 21, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on their revamped bases and lip products.

The holiday season is finally here, and with it comes the joy of giving! Christmas is the perfect time to show your love and appreciation for family and friends through thoughtful presents. If you’re looking for gifts that spark joy and are equal parts practical and beautiful, Watsons has you covered with their Holiday Gift Sets. From health and wellness bundles to beauty must-haves, there’s something for everyone on your list—and at prices that won’t break the bank!

This has been the best year of my life so far. I’m not ashamed to flex that because, honestly, the last three years were terrible for me. I was lost for a while and didn’t know how to recover from the literal losses I experienced during the pandemic. I figuratively lost the plot; I didn’t know why I was doing what I was doing anymore. I felt powerless and left behind. But in 2024, I sorted myself out—and I can tell you the exact moment it happened.

The last week of November has been busy, busy, busy. This week in the local beauty scene has been filled with celebrations and milestones! Let me catch you up on the latest beauty news. NARS opens its largest boutique yet at Greenbelt 5, marking the occasion with a Master Class by none other than Jelly Eugenio and Catriona Gray! Five Beauty marks its first birthday with a special live event by celebrity co-founder Gabbi Garcia. Albert Kurniawan’s Teviant continues its month-long celebration of its 6th anniversary with new releases and special bundles. Last but not least, the Careline Multistick now has fourteen (14!!!) shades to get to know and love.

The GRWM Ball on November 22, at the Okada Hotel Grand Ballroom was nothing short of magical and extravagant. From the moment guests received the whimsical scroll invitations, it was clear they were in for an unforgettable evening. With surprise guests of honor, jaw-dropping announcements, and a monumental product launch, the night was a celebration of beauty, empowerment, and community.

As a first-timer at the GRWM Ball, I was thrilled to experience this one-of-a-kind event and couldn’t wait to share all the dazzling moments that made it truly unforgettable.

If there’s one step in the skincare routine that often gets overlooked, it's toning. We’ve all been guilty of skipping this step at some point, especially when we're in a rush or trying to cut down on the number of products we use. But is toning really necessary? What exactly does it do, and why should we make room for it in our routine? Today, let’s discuss why toners deserve a bit more love in your skincare regimen!

I absolutely love makeup, but there are definitely days when I want to pare down my routine to just the essentials. That’s why I’m so thankful for the innovative makeup brands that have made multi-use color products so accessible and easy to use. These handy little tubes are perfect for creating quick, monochromatic looks, and they’re a lifesaver for on-the-go touch-ups or travel. Plus, they’re incredibly convenient to toss in your bag—no extra bulk, just pure functionality!

If I could travel back in time and sit my younger self down for a heart-to-heart about beauty, there are a few things I’d whisper in her ear. Honestly, I cringe a little when I think about how long it took me to figure some of these lessons out, but as they say—better late than never! If I knew then what I know now, I wonder how much more confident I would have been, how much time I would have saved wishing for things I already had, and how much earlier I could have embraced true self-care.

Let’s be real: the term "anti-aging" needs to retire. Aging isn’t something we should fight—it’s something to embrace and celebrate. That said, taking care of your skin as you age shouldn’t be about chasing youth; it’s more about keeping it healthy, strong, and radiant as it transitions. Think of it as self-care, if you will. Here’s the scoop on well-aging, plus some products to help you along the way.

Two is better than one, as the saying goes. This edition of the Beauty News Roundup is a duo of unexpected duos! The first part are new local releases from Spotlight and Issy, and the second half is all about the latest celebrity beauty news of Olivia Rodrigo and Paris Hilton.

Easily one of my favorite lipstick formulas of the year is the EB Plus Sheer Tinted Lip Balm (P245 / 3.2g). I’ve traveled to several countries with this in my kit and most days, it’s the only lip product I’d slip into my pocket so I can retouch midway through my day. I don’t normally carry a bag, so that pocket space is precious! That’s how much I love it. Recently, EB released six new shades, so of course I had to swatch everything for you.