*header image features Shen of Shen's Addiction in the PV Pink Room, with her PV 10 and Tenacious Kit and in her pink outfit!

While it's not my own work, I'm so proud of how much Project Vanity has grown. From feeling an affinity with Liz's blog x years ago, stalking her in events, forcing her to be my friend, contributing with her blog and finally, going on our own journeys side by side... It seems longer than 10 years.

In the last couple of years, PV has impressively grown. Liz's blog-baby gave birth to another of her babies, the In Her Element skincare line. It has been steadily pumping out products for the past year, and is on track to push out more - here are some that I've tried. She has also been a regular FB Live vlogger pulling in 50,000-60,000 viewers per video. These videos are like a daily radio show for many people; it's often like a little kikayan party! The PV Community on Facebook is one of my favorite developments. It's like an online powder room where girls from all backgrounds can just kikay and geek out in peace. I have learned so many technical things from this group, and the little chikahan sessions never cease to entertain me. A favorite thread of mine is the monthly sales and hauls thread. I just love breaking other peoples' no-buys >:)

Last Saturday, March 10, was the 10 and Tenacious Project Vanity anniversary. We took to the Shangri-La Mall Atrium from 1PM-6PM where I was able to meet SO MANY of my 'online friends'. Tita K (Karrots Nazareno), honorary PV team member, hosted. It really was kind of like a giant PVC eyeball, haha. The human bingo was especially fun! People were given human bingo cards at the gate, and there was a contest for the person who could have every block signed by a friend. It broke the ice and I had so many laughs with girls who knew straightaway what to make me sign (and those who didn't!)

Liz made sure everyone had energy, so Rocket Rentals brought in an old-school cotton candy cart and provided fun pink or green cotton candies for everyone.

Everybody had a chance to feel like a princess with Kuya Omu-rice (!!!) as the dashing prince slipped your feet into the Baby Foot glass slipper, where social media posts earned you a box of Baby Foot Peeling Masks. Those who got to take a box home are encouraged to share their #BabyFootPeelingJourney and tag @babyfootph by March 30 for a chance to win PHP 10 000 worth of Beauty Box products! I'm not big on foot peeling, but this brand includes Cure <3, Kracie, K Palette, Hadabisei, ShiroashiHime ShirowakiHime so I am joining for a chance at those other brands!

We also had a spin cam care of SpinCam 360. It was fucking intimidating so I pulled up fellow PV girls, Kim and Sam, for our 3-way spin. I eventually got over it and took my own solo, up at @beautbytellie on Instagram.

Ros Juan of Commune delivered a spectacular talk about social media and self. I thought it would be very soapboxy, but she has amazing insight and blew me away. I wish I could repeat her talk in full, but I will just share my favorite comment: that social media doesn't have to be toxic. Hide or unfollow people and topics that make you feel bad - it doesn't have to mean that you're in a fight or you hate them. People who make you feel envious or bitter are worth blocking because as much as social media is about giving (one's opinions,) it is also about taking. I think it is a sign of maturity and not weakness to ignore things that make us feel bad. She says we should create an online social network that inspires us instead of depresses us. I love that message!

Andrea Amado of AGC (Etude and Tous Les Jours,) Laveen Mirpuri of Pink Sugar Cosmetics and Theresa Buenaflor of Ellana Cosmetics also had the floor for some time to discuss work and success. It was pretty interesting to get behind the curtain of these beauty brands I follow, and Liz was able to get them to really open up on executing their visions. It gave me hope that dreams don't have to stay dreams and I can take my vision somewhere, in the future.

As panelists, Liz, Den, Sam and I were asked: "what has been your favorite beauty lesson that you learned through PV?"

In PV, I am most happy that I found both like-minded equals and people I can look up to. The community has shown me, most importantly, that you can succeed and have substance while rocking a full-on glam face.

PV affirms to me one of my favorite sayings; that 'beauty is more than physical.' I grew up thinking that a beautiful, successful, kind-hearted woman with substance was a myth apart from my mom. In PV, I learned that I could be one as well. I love how women are encouraged to get their eyeliner flicks right, but at the same time are also challenged to be strong, to succeed and to never fear bettering one's self. There is no smart-shaming here. And you are not dismissed as a ditz for liking makeup.

And of course, the best part, as always. The kit! The PV 10 and Tenacious kit* comes in the same pink leatherette that the PV Bridal Kit came in, only, this is bigger. Brand partners and friends of Project Vanity all pitched in for an exciting loot bag: Baby Foot, Beauty Bar, Browhaus, BYS, Colourette, CosRX c/o Skincare Curator, Ellana, Flormar, Happy Skin, Inglot, Jordana, Origins, Pink Sugar, Wet n Wild, and Zenutrients

Kanebo sponsored the best spin cam video winner, while Estee Lauder sponsored the best pink outfit and best pink room winners. People who kept the talking going by asking questions were thanked with Beauty Bar goodies. The human bingo game winner got another (!!!) PV 10 and Tenacious Kit!

This was such a blast! So many people came, and I'm thankful for each attendant's, sponsor's and speaker's time and effort in creating this super fun chikahan sesh. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did during the 10 and Tenacious anniversary party, and even now, can't wait for the next one ;)