8 Beauty Essentials for Every Woman

A woman can have different roles in her life. She can be a student, a career woman, a business woman, a friend, a girlfriend or wife, or a full-time mom. She can be a leader at work (and at home!) But no matter what part she plays, how a woman feels about herself dictates how she’d perform in that role. You have to feel confident and beautiful wherever you are. This is why every woman should keep these beauty essentials in her life.


1. Cleanser.

I know this may sound basic, but you should have a separate cleanser for your face. There are still some ladies out there who use the same soap that they use for their body on their face (gasp!) Body soaps are too harsh for the face. The fragrance here can potentially irritate your skin and strip away your skin’s natural oils.

Dermatologists recommend cleansing your face with a mild cleanser once in the morning and once at night.

Mild cleansers to try:

·      Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser (P459, available at selected Watsons and SM department stores and BeautyMNL)– great for normal to dry skin. Outside the Philippines, you can try the Hydro Boost Cleansing Gel

·      Celeteque Hydration Facial Wash (P130 for 100ml, available at all major drugstores and department stores) – a local, inexpensive facial wash with gentle cleansing and moisturizing properties. Safe for sensitive skin.

·      Cetaphil (P127 for 60ml, available at all major drugstores and department stores) – a ph-balanced cleanser that’s great for all skin types

If you have acne-prone skin, try cleansers with salicylic acid or glycolic acid.

Important tip: If you’re wearing makeup or sunscreen, it’s absolutely important to use a make-up remover before washing your face. Gentle facial cleansers are not designed to remove all of your make-up. Sunscreens are naturally water-resistant, so you need to take it off using a make-up remover. Try Bioderma make-up removing water, DHC deep cleansing oil, or Banila Co. Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm.

2. Sunscreen.

All dermatologists agree that sunscreen is the best protection for your face. It protects you from skin cancer, slows down skin development of wrinkles, and prevents unsightly brown spots and skin discolorations.

Sunscreens to try:

Biore UV Watery Essence (P445, available at selected Watsons stores, Landmark, and BeautyMNL) – because it’s water-based, it’s perfect for humid weather and oily skinned ladies.

Clinique Super City Oil-Free Daily Protector Broad Spectrum (available at Rustan’s Department Store and Clinique shops – sheer formula that can also be used as a make-up primer.

Catch The Sun On The Go Hydrating UV Mist SPF 35 PA++ (P699, available at Beauty Bar, Landmark, selected Plains and Prints branches, and Happy Skin stores.) – because it’s in spray form, it’s perfect for women on the go.

3. A signature scent.

Every time you spritz on some cologne or perfume, you’re not really doing this for the people around you, but for yourself. Scents influence your mood. Pick a signature scent that would reflect your personality and uplift your mood throughout the day.

For daily use, I personally go for body mists or spray from Victoria’s Secret or Bath and Body Works. I only use eau de toilette or eau de parfum for meetings or special events. Check this out to know the difference between eau de toilette and parfum.

4. My-Lips-But-Better Lipstick

Your my-lips-but-better (MLBB) lipstick isn’t your nude pink, coral, or bright red lipstick. This differs from woman to woman, but it’s usually mauve or pink-brown shades. Look at your lips in the mirror. Your MLBB should be one to two shades darker than your lips. This is the perfect shade for daily wear, for office, for running errands, or when you’re wearing smoky eye make-up. 

Check out lipsticks from Lorea’l or MAC. Both offer a wide selection of colors. Bobbi Brown has a good selection of MLBB colors too, because the brand is known to create colors that enhance your natural color. Happy Skin, a local brand, has MLBB colors for all pinay skin tones.

5. Perfectly matched foundation.

Your foundation gives a clean base for your make-up. A perfectly matched foundation is one that’s closest to your skin tone (if you’re not acidic) and one that’s one to two shades lighter if you’re acidic. You’ll know if you’re acidic if your make-up tends to look darker at the end of the day. Using a primer can help prevent your foundation from oxidizing.

Want to achieve a dewy, natural look? Go for liquid foundations with a dewy finish and light to medium coverage. I’m a fan of the MAC Waterweight Foundation SPF 30 Foundation and Laneige Skin Veil Foundation EX. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation is also a great choice, but it’s on the pricey side. Korean make-up brands and cushions are known to help you achieve a dewy, natural look. If you have oily skin, pick liquid matte foundations like the L’oreal Pro-Matte Foundation or MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15.

6. Natural blush.

Pinch your cheeks. What color do you see? The color that closely resembles your pinched cheeks is your natural blush color. I like Bobbi Brown’s and Revlon’s selection of natural blushes. A personal favorite is Desert Pink by Bobbi Brown.

7. A passion.

Find out what your passion and purpose is. What do you enjoy doing? What excites you each day? It can be cooking, crafting, writing, or even just tutoring your child. That drive that propels you to create something great just because you’re enjoying it makes you glow from within. A person who is happy at what she does exudes natural charm and beauty.

8. A strong support system.

Challenges, daily stressors, and loneliness can age you. Stress has been medically proven to make you appear years older. It can be the culprit behind your dark circles, dull and dry skin, deep wrinkles, acne, and hair loss.

The best way to combat stress? Have a strong support system—inside and around you. A strong support system starts with you. Practice daily meditation, even for just 5 minutes each day. Go offline and get some air outside. We are all overstimulated by information coming in from our mobile device. Allot time for reflection and prayer. Don’t forget to pause and breathe each day. The last thing that you want is to go through life rushing everything.

Surround yourself with people who love and support you. Be in the company of people who help you grow. Disagreements are normal, but hatred and disrespect aren’t, so let go of toxic relationships that dim your glow.

Beauty is Both External and Internal

Beauty is not just skin deep. It starts from within. You may have read stories of women who go under the knife countless of times, only to feel ugly in the end. Love who you are and make the best out of what you have is the best beauty advice for women of all ages.

Which of these beauty essentials can you not live without? Let me know in the comments section.