Brighter Days

Immensely, unimaginably—this is how the world and life has changed over the past year for many of us. I haven’t seen family outside my own since the pandemic hit hard in March 2020, save for video calls and one 5-minute drive-by to see my mother and grandmother who stood at their gate while singing our child’s favorite song so she would know it was them behind their masks. It was heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time.

It’s usually around this time of the year when our entire family gets together for a 3-week-long vacation. I can’t even begin to think of such a possibility right now. The memories of such, however, bring us life and make us see everything with a more grateful perspective.

It’s been a year with very few bright spots, but we learn to manage and find joy in the little things—from the meals we indulge in and the virtual get-togethers with family and friends to essential selfcare treats like makeup and skincare. Volume 2 of The Beauty Edit[ed] Box is filled with bright, refreshing, pretty things we’ve carefully edited for you to enjoy and love. Discover these products from Mario Badescu, M.A.C Cosmetics, Pili Ani, Sekaya, NARS, Make Up For Ever, Benefit, and Dolce & Gabbana in the following pages. We also have a special Spring Cleaning feature inside the mini magazine to help you sort and arrange the products on your vanity—a worthwhile, therapeutic project to finish amid everything, believe me. 

On our cover for this edition is an illustration by Isabel Malicdem of how we see the next best thing to the old normal—a realistic, distant future we can all look forward to. We are far from the mask-free life, but as the vaccines roll out and with hope, we will all be able to enjoy our old activities soon, from malling and eating out to seeing family and friends, with less fear and much more appreciation. Brighter days definitely await.

Nicole