As the air thickens with heat and humidity, whether we’re staying home or venturing safely outdoors, we’ve made space in our closets and vanities for these standout warm-weather essentials.
Parang Bakya by Studio Josanna
Studio Josanna has made a name for itself, not only for its use of beautiful geometric shapes in its shoes, but for its workmanship, made by artisans out of Marikina. Their use of interesting materials and attention to absolute detail is visible in their iteration of the sandal of the summer, the Parang Bakya. The upper is made of a beautiful fish skin, featuring contrast stitching and antique studs. The footbed is lightly padded, wrapped with suede for comfort, and has a rubber toplift and outsole for secure footing. The mango wood heel is varnished in bronze, bringing us the best of local material and talent, and functions as a piece of wearable art.
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To know more about the Parang Bakya, head over to studio-josanna.myshopify.com.
Terno Set by Studio Sampaguita
The team behind tailoring outfit Masanting Sastreria moved into designing tailored casuals with their second project, Studio Sampaguita. See varying cuts of tailored shorts, delicious safari-inspired separates, and what they call their “presto” shirt in breathable, natural fabrics and a multitude of flattering patterns and colors.
The Terno Set, however, is what wins the lot for an easy-breezy summer set, as it takes the guesswork out of dressing. The top is oversized, with a relaxed V-neck and a mandarin collar, while the shorts are available in three different styles, depending on your preference. Available in a range of classic but very current ginghams, this set segues seamlessly across everything you may be busy with this summer season.
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For more information, click on over to @studiosampaguita on Instagram.
Kari Top & Elara Bottom by Sandy Cheeks
Maybe we’re not heading out to the beach just yet, but if you’re tanning on a balcony or perhaps taking a socially distanced swim at an available pool, there’s no reason not to feel your absolute cutest. Body-positive swim brand Sandy Cheeks has been known for their pinup-inspired silhouettes when it comes to their bikinis, and this pairing of the Kari top and Elara bottom from their recent collection is as beautiful and flattering as it is unique. These pieces have stunning smocked detailing and feel absolutely comfortable, while being available from sizes XS to 4X. It’s a set that is super flattering on a range of bodies, but especially so on a curvier shape. Everyone deserves their hot girl summer vibe, even in quarantine, and Sandy Cheeks delivers.
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Check out the Sandy Cheeks offerings over at wearsandycheeks.com.
Rings by Vera Metals
Vera Juan calls herself a novice metalsmith, but is known for making truly stunning, everyday wearable pieces out of recycled fine materials and salvaged gems. While she has a range of jewelry available, her specialty is rings. She happens to pick out gems with incredible character, setting them in ways that make them easy to wear without taking away from their personality. Making her pieces truly accessible are the fact that many are vermeil and silver, with plating that stands up to the constant hand washing and sanitizing we’re wont to do these days. These are quite affordable for great quality pieces, and make for a fabulous gift, whether to a loved one or to yourself.
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Vera Metals drops her micro collections over at @verametals on Instagram. (Pro tip: subscribe to notification alerts!)
Colourbalms by Colourette Cosmetics
Colourette has the unique ability to dream up the products you didn’t know you were missing, and they’re able to execute them in a way that makes you ask, “How did I live without this?” As the summer season makes getting ready for Zoom meetings a little slower than usual, Colourette launched their line of everyday, simple and easy-to-use products with their Colourbalms. It’s a tinted lip balm in a very nourishing, vitamin E-infused, watermelon-scented formula that evokes past memories of early 2000’s Juicy Tubes without the sticky factor. These are lightweight and come in four truly universally-flattering shades, all in a pocket-sized squeeze tube.
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Colourette Cosmetics is available on Shopee and Lazada. Follow them at @colourette.cosmetics on Instagram for all the gloss.
Eye Paint Duo by Strokes Beauty Lab
These days, we’re playing up our eyes a little bit more with all the mask-wearing we’re doing, and Strokes Beauty Lab has made it really easy with their Eye Define Any Day line. Following their release of long-wear precision liners comes a dual-ended liquid eye shadow in an equally crease proof and waterproof formula, made to wear for up to 12 hours. One end is a vibrant matte that blends with ease, and the other a sheer metallic in a similar shade to use as a topper or a wash of glittery goodness. If you’re looking for a quick eye look and don’t really want to mess with an eye primer and eyeshadow palette and 4,000 brushes, these duos deliver a look with maximum impact as well as maximum ease.
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Pick up your own duos from Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, or through their own dedicated website at strokes.ph.
POREfessional Super Setter Spray by Benefit Cosmetics
Whether you’re looking for the lightest way to set a skin-focused look or worrying about mask transfer, Benefit Cosmetics has come up with the perfect solution. The latest addition to their POREfessional line is their Supper Setter, which is a microfine makeup setting spray guaranteed to lock in makeup for 16 hours. It’s alcohol free, which is atypical for setting sprays that promise to keep your makeup in place, but promises waterproof, sweat-proof and smudge-proof wear. It’s fast absorbing and delivers the same soft-focus magnifying effect we’ve come to expect from the POREfessional range. For all my oily and sweaty gals, I see you, and apparently Benefit Cosmetics does, too.
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This product is available exclusively on Sephora Philippines. Follow @benefitph for more information and updates on their latest promos.
Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense and Yellow Hibiscus Cologne by Jo Malone
Jo Malone has been known for their flair in making lighter colognes and wonderfully palatable musks. (My personal favorites have always been Wood Sage and Sea Salt, as well as Peony & Blush Suede.) Their Blossoms Collection launched a couple of tropical-appropriate scents, namely the Yellow Hibiscus cologne, which the brand describes as “an exotic bloom growing on tropical islands.” The scent is a sparkling floral made for the sun worshipper, with a touch of rose and lime. The Red Hibiscus variant is a Cologne Intense, known for their more sensual blends and richer notes. It’s made with night-blooming Jasmine Sambac and warm vanilla, smoothing out its floral notes with a touch of smooth, sweet and sexy. Up your summer scent game with standout colognes, and stay fresh in a different kind of floral.
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For more information, head on over to jomalone.com.ph.
Cleanse and Protect by For Keeps
One thing we’re doing these days, apart from washing our hands constantly, is taking way more baths than usual. For Keeps is a new line of “radically honest” beauty products that's launched with a range of body care. They have a range of sizable hand and body washes as well as body bars, all of which are formulated with cold-pressed virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oils, ensuring an effective but gentle cleansing experience. There are several scents in the range: Arise is citrus-heavy, while Unwind is a really pleasant lavender (something I don’t often say about lavender scents), but my favorite has to be the Cleanse and Protect collection. The Cleanse soaps feature a mix of tea tree, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils, but also have a beautiful Protect hand sanitizer that comes with the tea tree and peppermint, as well as eucalyptus and lemon, for a really herby, luxe spa scent on top of the disinfectant power of 70% ethyl alcohol. These products are straightforward and lovely, both for one’s self and to give those who deserve a more pleasurable way to cleanse.
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Pick up your own For Keeps products at forkeepsdaily.com.