Everyone is obsessed with youth. This generation is no exception. Our ways might be more learned than those who went ahead of us. Some publications might have banned the word “anti-aging” in light of more liberal thought. But we still want to trick the ways of time, especially when it comes to how it leaves traces on our skin.

For Kiehl’s, a trick to looking young lies in the newest member of their mask line. The Kiehl’s Ginger Leaf and Hibiscus Firming Mask promises to be a star in your daily routine. Applied after your serum as an overnight mask, this product reduces the fine lines and wrinkles. It improves the texture of your skin in order for it to look youthful.

Kiehl’s newest mask is about looking younger overnight.

The secret lies in the unique ingredients. Botanical hibiscus seed extract contains hydrolyzed proteins, from which the mask derives its overnight firming power. These seeds are harvested especially from Southern India. On the other hand, the ginger leaf is sustainably-sourced from Vietnam. Fourteen women grow and harvest them, something that falls in line with Kiehl’s efforts to always give back. What they got in exchange is the ginger leaf’s power over fine lines. Ginger leaf isn’t a new player in the beauty world as its benefits have been cited by traditional Chinese and Ayurveda medicine.

Applying the mask doesn’t leave a sticky feel either. I was a little thrown off by its consistency, it’s quite dense like cream as opposed to being thin and water-infused like a moisturizer. Nevertheless, it feels good on the skin; you don’t have to worry about leaving the product all over your pillowcases if you lie on your side or on your face as the night goes on. The mask is quickly-absorbed by the skin, feels gentle and non-irritating, and smells relaxing as well. It’s advised to apply it in upward strokes to counter the effects of gravity, something that I also do when applying my other skincare products.

Think about it as something that ups your beauty sleep and maximizes the benefits of a good night’s rest, so you wake up feeling youthful. It’s also safe enough to use five times a week if you want to see the results fast.

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Continuing our obsession with youth is BLK Cosmetics. Over the past few days, the brand celebrated its one year anniversary in the industry with the #BLKtothe90s collection.

It’s an ode to the decade which today enjoys a resurgence in fashion and trend references. It’s also a decade special to Anne Curtis, BLK Cosmetics’ mega-celebrity founder. I asked her what being a beauty mogul has taught her so far, and it’s quite a break from her showbiz know-how, she admits.

Anne Curtis celebrates one year of BLK with a throwback collection.

“You really need to have patience. You have so many ideas but it doesn’t always work,” says Curtis who worked on the brand for years before the actual launch. “You have to be patient and listen to your consumers and take your time to plan things out. Being someone who is always on the go and who always wants things to happen, it was a big change for me to learn that.”

The limited-edition collection includes two new products from the brand: a soft matte mousse and their first Volume + Lash Extension Mascara. The soft matte mousse comes in three shades: Totally (nude brown), Booyah! (plum) and As If (nude pink). Totally, for my morena skin tone, is an easy choice. It offers a pigmented coverage and stays true to a good matte mousse formula which is weightless, non-drying and fades nicely on the lips.

BUY: BLK Cosmetics is now available for purchase online

If you purchase your BLK picks via Shopee, you can also get your hands on some mech made in collaboration with personal fashion favorite Neon Island. There’s a bum bag that I suggest comes in handy when you want to be hands-free like during traveling or parties.

Curtis still looks forward to something more as BLK Cosmetics grows. She eventually wants to have an eyelash curler in her set. “There’s a specific shape that I want and it’s so hard to find.” Other than that, she also wants to create an eyebrow gel. Both of which I’m sure we’re all going to keep an eye out for. JB

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