I saw a lot of posts on Instagram about this new line of makeup called Happy Skin, part-owned and endorsed by pro model Rissa Mananquil.  They had a launch party recently, and right after I started seeing blog posts and features, particularly on Jenni Epperson's blog (www.jenniepperson.com).  Was completely taken by the products' suuuper-cute packaging,  all sweet and girly.  So, what's a girl gotta do?  I went right ahead to the neares Plains and Prints store (that's where they sell it) and got myself their bestsellers, so far:

The girl at the counter, who was extremely nice and helpful, told me that their most popular product is the Second Skin Creme (P1199.00), which I imagine is like a better BB cream, followed by the Shut Up and Kiss Me moisturizing lippie (P499.00).  I relented and got the Eye Need a Miracle concealer (P699.00) just so I can have the free pouch (not pictured) which is for purchases of at least P2000.00.  Then I was handed everything in a cute printed cardboard bag with a pink satin ribbon handle.  For a local brand and something that hasn't proven itself yet, medyo mahal ha!  Then again, it's probably meant for a particular target market. 
But I thought the packaging looked familiar, and when I checked online, people were saying that it's a copy of American brand BeneFit Cosmetics.  Patingin nga if gaya-gaya, and this is one of the photos I saw:

photo from www.beautezine.com

Hmmm, medyo pareho nga.  Fun, funky, witty, colorful.  Mismo.  Oh well, I hope it works for the brand, also considering it is being hyped as made with ingredients 'that will make your skin happy', such as hyaluronic acid (you know I like 'em).
Sige, let's try this.  At the store, the silicone-free foundie and the concealer seemed to blend well into my skin and felt fab, but let's seeeeee.  Will update after I've used everything for at least a week.
Sana happy ka nga! :D

I've been watching this girl on YouTube for some time now, and I really like that she uses and recommends local makeup products.

photo from saytiocoartillero.blogspot.com

In the beginning, she would only use 'very' local makeup--such sa SanSan and Ever Bilena--but now she's branched out into imported brands .  Pero affordable pa din, and I think that's what makes her different from the rest.  I don't think it's in her lifestyle, preference, or budget to buy and use sushal makeup brands, and that, I think is what keeps her real.  However, I think she gets sponsored more these days (shows how popular she's been getting) so she gets more and more name-brand stuff.  She knows her technique and admits it if she's not so used to a particular style (in one of her earlier vids, she talked about how it took her some time to learn how to do her kilay).  She's not ashamed to show her unmade-up face even outdoors, and so you'll really get to see how she made the best of what she already has.  More than that, she vlogs like she's just talking to a friend, and keeps the same level of energy (which is not too much, not too little, just normal) even if she's alone, and in a public place.  Now that's not so easy to do.
These days her vids are a combination of makeup tutorials, documentation of her makeup classes or sessions with clients, and her everyday life--with her boyfriend Mark, at the mall (particularly SM Manila!), buying clothes, and all other normal girl stuff.  Some girls actually don't like these non-makeup vids, and in fact Say has her fair share of haters (who give her a hard time about her grammar, her way of speaking, how she responds to criticism, etc.), but I guess it's because more people are viewing her YT channel more than ever.
This is the way I see it.  If I want to know about the newest and most chica makeup brands, I'll go watch Michelle Phan and other makeup gurus who really know and live by them.  But if I want to keep it real and down home, and feeling like chatting with a girlfriend, I'll tune in to Say Artillero's channel.
Check it out, its http://www.youtube.com/user/saytiocoartillero .  Have fun! :-)

So, OK, when I hear about new anti-aging products (basta affordable), I go right ahead and try them.  One day, I happened to pass by Skin Station at Mall of Asia and saw a couple of women enter the clinic--and made a beeline for the counter, to ask for something very specific.  Na-intriga naman ako, so, ayun, naki-chismis.  Kaya I found out what they were after.

It's the Dermax Hyal-C Serum and the Hyalift Eye Repair Duo, costing P888 and P599, respectively.  Sabi ng taga-Skin Station, proven na daw to get rid of premature wrinkles and the Hyalift duo really tightens the eye area.  Sabi din sa website nila, the Hyal-C Serum "formula helps boost collagen production, revitalizes, hydrates, and firms skin. Vitamin C is probably one of the most well known ingredients, known for anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and lightening effects. It is made available in stabilized form in Hyal – C Serum to ensure its long term effectiveness." and the duo naman "combines the latest in cutting edge eye serum nanotechnolgy to reduce fine lines, dark circles and puffiness.  Clinically backed anti-aging and antioxidant ingredients are blended with powerful microcirculation boosters, the finest skin vitamins and advanced moisturizers for this one of a kind formula. Ingredients are nanosized and encapsulated for faster and consistent results."

Of course, nag-research ako.  According to a website, Vitamin C serum fights free radicals, helps fade blemishes, and gets rid of inflammation.  Sabi din sa ibang site, helpful daw talaga ito to bring back youthful resilience and is the best in anti-aging.  So sige na nga, bumili ako. :-D

Two weeks have passed and I can see results.  Yung serum nag-wo-work talaga--nag-brighten ang skin ko and naging noticeably smoother.  Yung Hyalift feeling ko minimal pa lang ang effect though para ngang nag-tighten ang eye area ko.  Feeling ko lang. But the serum produced awesome results.  Hindi na dull ang skin ko, and I can feel it has become more supple and even in tone.

Bibili ako ulit ng Hyal-C Serum pag naubos na, definitely.  Among the many I've tried, this is one of the few na nag-work talaga.  Yung Hyalift Duo, well, tingnan natin in two more weeks if bibigyan ko pa sila ng another chance.