Four Beauty Essentials I’ve Been Loyal to this Year

 

Two words that I’ve held on since I was a kid: “simple” and “average”.

The world keeps getting louder and grander about everything — and yet, here I am, still embracing my simplicity in every way I can.

As for “average”? That’s a word I’ve chosen to grow out of. I no longer settle for it – I aim to be great, in my own quiet way, while staying grounded in a simple lifestyle.

That mindset touches every part of my life, even my beauty routine. I’ve never been the 10-step skincare kind of girl. I stick with whatever works – simple, affordable, and effective.

So today, I want to share a few beauty essentials I’ve been using this year. The products that have truly worked for me. These products do the job and it’s perfect for anyone who’s low-maintenance but still wants results.

 

Maybelline New York Hyper Curl Mascara

 

It’s always nice to elevate your look when you step outside. For me, since I rarely go out, my routine is simple. I usually stick to a light liquid foundation, concealer, blush, press powder, and mascara. My go-to is the Maybelline NY Hyper Curl Mascara, which I sometimes even use on my brows to achieve that bushy brow look.

 

What I love most about this mascara is how lightweight it feels while giving a natural finish. It’s gentle on the eyes and adds a natural volume to your lashes for all-day wear. Perfect for humid days, its waterproof formula keeps the curl intact for up to 18 hours without any smudging. Plus, it’s safe for contact lens wearers, non-irritating to sensitive eyes, and never sticky. 

Enjoy a full-day look with a naturally voluminous, curled lashes without a heavy feeling. And the best part? It’s budget friendly at just Php249, available at any Maybelline Store, Watsons, or online. Oh, and it’s washable too!

 

Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum

Back in my early twenties, I didn’t have any noticeable dark spots. My skin used to recover on its own whenever I got pimples – no marks left behind, and my skin would go back to its naturally glowing look. But now that I’m older, I’ve started noticing dark spots on my face, and my skin looks dull. I’ll admit, it does affect my confidence.

I got overwhelmed with all the beauty products in the market, and I’m too afraid that trying any products might make my situation worse, so I was really relieved when I discovered Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum – it seemed like a simple skin care option that could actually help with my dark spots and dull skin.

I first tried the sachet version with 30x Vitamin C since it’s one of their bestsellers. It contains both Vitamin C and Niacinamide which help brighten skin and fade hyperpigmentation. Although it is advised to use it regularly, I started using it three times a week just to see how my skin would react. I know results vary per user, and in my case, it took more than a week before I started seeing improvements.

Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum has a lightweight texture, absorbs well, and it gives a gentle glow. It’s ideal for a low-maintenance routine, suits all skin types, and is affordable too since it comes in different sizes — from 7.5 ml up to 50 ml.

My morning routine is very simple:

·         Cleanse my face

·         Apply Vitamin C serum

·         Use a moisturizer (optional, but helpful if you have dry skin)

·         Finish with sunscreen.

(A toner is also good after cleansing for extra hydration, but I don’t use any atm, lol.)

That’s it, a very simple, low-maintenance morning routine with Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum.

If you’re planning to do the same, make sure to:

·         Patch test first to check for irritation

·         Use sunscreen daily in your morning routine (this is a must when using Vitamin C)

·         Be consistent with your routine

 

You just got to trust the process and see lightening results over time.

Additional note: Monitor your skin tolerance and adjust usage as needed. Since Vitamin C is vulnerable to oxidation (imagine of how an apple turns brown after being cut, you know what I mean), be sure to store the serum properly and watch for color changes

 

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50+

Talking about sunscreen, you can tell that I would always go to something that is lightweight, non-greasy, and provides a real protection from UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. So, I’m talking about Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50+. Given with the weather here in the Philippines, you would want something that doesn’t degrade quickly, water/sweat resistance (up to 80 minutes), high SPF with good UVA protection.

 

As a simple girly, I love that this sunscreen is non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts like some other sunscreens) and its oil-free. It’s something you can definitely wear daily even in hot weather. Plus, it gives your skin a nice, natural glow, also when you’re wearing make-up.

Let me share some things I’ve learned in understanding about the sunscreen labels.

I learned that SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the identifier on how well your sunscreen protects you from any skin problems or sunburn. Dermatologist also suggested to use at least SPF 30 every day, more so in the Philippine weather. That’s why I chose the SPF 50+, to better keep my skin safe. While, PA Rating (denoted as PA+, PA++, PA +++, PA ++++) come in for UVA rays’ coverage (burning). The more plus signs, the better the protection against skin darkening and aging. This one I have is with PA++++.

The price is a bit higher compared to other sunscreens, but I see it as a good investment for my skin’s protection. It starts at around Php699 (88 ml) at Watsons, though you can sometimes find it cheaper online. I always check Shopee sales because, honestly, it does cost more but it’s worth it for the quality.

 

Silka Premium Whitening Lotion SPF 30 (Green Papaya)

What I love, love about this product is its fragrance —it’s honestly one of my fave among all the Silka lotions I’ve tried. I’ve used their version with SPF 10 before, but this one has SPF 30 which is not bad at all, especially for its price (Php113 for 100 ml).

The texture is a solid 9/10 for me — not giving a perfect score yet because I like to leave room for something even better (if I find one, I’ll let you know!). It’s not sticky and I feel comfortable wearing it even when I’m outside.  

Silka Premium Whitening Lotion SPF 30 has papaya enzyme, Vitamins B3, B5, and E, plus olive oil, with SPF 30 + PA+++ Protection. That means it helps with brightening, moisturizing, gentle exfoliation, and sun protection – basically all good stuff in one bottle. It helps prevent dryness and keeps my skin feeling soft, which is super important since I work in an air-conditioned room and then go out into the intense heat.  

I also learned that the best time to apply lotion is right after showering while your skin is still damp because your skin absorb moisture better. Applying it before bed also gives you overnight hydration.

And if you want to take your routine further, it’s advised to add body oils or serums for even better results.

These four products have been my go-to this year. I love keeping everything simple for myself. Remember, beauty doesn’t have to be complicated to feel good and confident in your own skin! Stay glowing! xoxo