Wednesday, September 23, 2009

La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is the most expensive face cream on the planet!

... and I have it sitting pretty in my beauty closet!

In the US, the 50 ml jar of this platinum-infused cream costs a whopping $1,000. Here in Rustan's, it costs even more--P56,500 or $1,193. That means you spend about P1,000 each time you dip your finger in the pot! I didn't get that big jar, though (thank goodness because I don't think I'd be able to use it!). Anna Go of Rustan's sent me the 5 ml jar.

I just read the press material and I won't bore you with all the scientific mumbo-jumbo. I'm going to just cut and paste the explanation of La Prairie on why they charge an astronomical amount on this cream: "Platinum is so rare that it requires ten tons of ore to produce a single ounce. La Prairie’s scientists found that platinum, which has the ability to bond with the human skin, exhibited incomparable anti-aging properties. Colloidal Platinum Water – the suspension of particles of platinum in water – establishes an electrical balance in the epidermis, which enables the skin to function at its most efficient level. It does this by creating a buffer zone, similar to that found in young skin, which maintains an optimal moisture level and by enhancing the skin’s ability to take in nourishing minerals, known as electrolytes because they carry an electrical charge, at the height of their efficiency."

Okay, okay... All I need to know is that La Prairie is the cream that Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston use! This particular Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is used by Nicollette Sheridan and she's 45 and she looks damn fine.

I've just started using it. Two days ago in fact. So far, I see no breathtaking changes (well, it has only been two days...) but I will say that this fact amazed me so much that my jaw dropped this morning--the fine lines around my eyes are GONE.

Gone!

Still, it's pricey. It's insanely pricey! La Prairie responds, "The price of platinum itself exceeds that of gold. Then there are the expenses of developing a formula containing the most exotic ingredients from all over the world and utilizing the costliest, most highly advanced biotechnology. Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is designed for the woman who wants the best of everything: the woman who places high value on recharging her skin with youthful beauty."

I'm a woman who wants the best of everything but even I was stunned by the cost. If you're more financially fortunate than me, then this just might be the cream for you. To the rest of us, we'll just have to stay out of the sun, sleep well, eat right and love lots to look good without spending that much!

La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is available at Rustan's Makati for P56,500 (50ml).


UPDATE: It's been almost a month that I've been using this cream and I have to tell you that I've stopped using it. Little pimples have sprouted all over my face. Rorie Carlos, the fashion and beauty editor of Town & Country and who is a fan of this La Prairie platinum cream, told me that the reason for the breakout is it's too rich for me. Yup, I guess my face is not meant for ultra-expensive creams. My face is quite happy with Olay!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Buy more beauty products for Mio!

To my generous donors, you are helping a little boy with leukemia in his battle... and you're helping him beautifully! So far, we've raised P26,193.89. This is very good but our battle to save Mio Mendiola from cancer is costly so again we knock-knock-knock on your hearts!

If you're new here, I've been selling the authentic and unused beauty products we magazine editors get from beauty brands. We hope to raise money for Mio's chemo (see here and here!).

If you're not new here and you've been waiting for the new stuff, well... I haven't updated my blog sale here because I held the sale for my fellow co-workers this week so that I won't have to collect payment and ship products for a while. My schedule's pretty packed, you see, and I can't always send off the products bought asap (sorry to the blogger friends who got their stuff late!). I feel terrible for sending them late! Please be patient with me!

Anyway, here are some stuff for sale! Thanks again to the many editors who donated these!



SOLD!
RED ROSES COLOGNE
JO MALONE
P1,320 (+ P80 shipping)
1 fl. oz. Costs $55. Here, it's 50% off!
SOLD!
NUTRI-GLOSS HAIR MASK
L'OREAL ELSEVE
P556.50 (+ P80 shipping)
Costs $22 (P1,045) online.
YOU SAVE P488.50
SOLD!
GLYKEROS CLEANSING CREME
VMV HYPOALLERGENICS
P750 (+ P80 shipping)
Costs $25 (P1,188) online.
YOU SAVE P438


Please send an email to frances@topazhorizon.com if you wish to buy. Tell me the product/s you want, your name, delivery address and phone numbers. Please also tell me how you wish to pay.

I accept PayPal, G-Cash and deposits to my BDO bank account. Once payment is received, I will send the beauty products straight to your doorstep. Yes, I combine shipping! Thank you for your generosity and happy shopping!

IMPORTANT: If you arrived here from a link, please check more recent posts. All products here have been sold and I most probably have other and newer sale posts for Mio. Thanks!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Lovin' Lanvin

I'm one of those women who have a signature fragrance. So while I appreciate the dozens of perfumes I get to review for OK! magazine, my heart belongs to one and only one fragrance: Lanvin's Eclat d'Arpege eau de parfum.
I've been using Eclat d'Arpege since 2003. It is the only perfume that smells good on me! My skin is weird because it really changes the scent. When I was on the quest to find my perfume, I discovered to my utter distress that some fragrances are horrific once I spray them on (i.e. on my skin, Clinique Happy smells like pee).

Eclat D'Arpege, however, was a revelation. After visiting countless perfume counters for a year, I finally found The One. I love everything about Eclat d'Arpege--from the Art Deco bottle to the pale lilac tinge. And let me explain why I love its smell so much. Eclat d'Arpege has head notes of Sicilian lemon leaves and green lilac; heart notes of wisteria blossom, green tea leaves, peach blossom, red peony and osmanthus of China; and base notes of white cedar of Lebanon, sweet musks and precious amber. That's not the reason I love the smell, though!

While the ingredients are all flowery, on my skin, it's remarkably different! At first, my skin smells floral but light and oh so beautifully elegant. But as my skin warms the scent, the fragrance turns to a yummy chocolate. It's divine. And the best thing is it smells like chocolate on me and me alone--everyone else who tried it didn't have the same delicious result!

Now, when Luxasia's JP Paglinawan found out I am loyal to Lanvin, guess what I found on my desk? The brand's latest limited edition scent (thanks, JP!)!
The limited edition is flamboyant with its saffron-tinged liquid and decorative orange tassle--and if you've been following my personal blog, you'd know I love orange. According to the description, the scent is a happy melody of floral and citrus--pink grapefruit, tangy mandarin, bergamot, rose, jasmine, orange blossom, peach, cedar, amber and musk. This is definitely stronger and heavier than my usual Eclat D'Arpege.

On my skin, however, no citrus happened--my skin transformed this limited edition perfume to a light powdery fragrance, reminiscent of baby girls, creamy milk and pink ribbons on a cloudless summer day. Very strange but very nice! I love it!

Lanvin Eclat D'Arpege and its limited edition variant are available at select department stores.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Let yoga, surfing and samba make you beautiful


My friend--super mom Monica Eleazar-Manzano--is a health nut. And why not? Since she had her gorgeous baby boy Santiago, Monica's been taking care of her mind, body and spirit so that she can be the best wife and mom she can be. If you wish to also love yourself so you can be better at loving others, why don't you join Monica in a "Weekend Retreat of the Senses" this November?On November 28-30, at the San Juan Surf Resort in La Union, you can learn Vinyasa yoga, commune with nature, ride quality waves, dance to the beat of the drums and nourish yourself with healthy wholesome food. The FLOW Surf.Yoga.Samba Weekend Retreat aims to unify the body, mind and soul.

Monica tells me, "Practicing yoga will develop focus, strength and flexibility. Surfing will develop your confidence, stamina and ocean awareness. Dancing and creating music enhances sense of well-being and build social skills. The whole retreat is complemented with vegetarian food to help nourish this unique journey to self-discovery."

Rates are:
  • P6,500 per person
  • P6,000 early bird rate (Register and pay on or before Oct. 5, 2009)
Package Inclusions:
  • 2 Vinyasa Yoga sessions by Monica Eleazar-Manzano
  • 2 Surfing lessons with Luke Landrigan of The Billabong Surf School
  • 2 Samba lessons and jamming with Escola de Samba Manila
  • Roundtrip transportation from Manila-La Union
  • Food & Lodging
  • Healthy Meals (w/ vegetarian option)
  • Flow T-Shirts
  • Tote Bag with freebies from sponsors
Sounds interesting, right? At the very least, you'll have a weekend nourishing yourself, enjoying the waves and meeting new people--all of which are guaranteed to make you beautiful inside and out!

For more details, contact Monica at (0915)294-3441 or at flowsurfyogasamba@gmail.com.

This event is co-presented by Gaiam and Sanuk. In partnership with Nivea. Major sponsors are ROX, Sea to Summit, Nalgene, Fitflop. With special participation of Sofitel, Fluidsurf, Twinkle, Moringana, Brownbelly and Dharma. Media partners ONESPORT, Action & Fitness Magazine, QTV, NU107

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

More products for sale!

I have sooooo many product updates, I don't know where to start! Guerlain, Lanvin, Make Up For Ever, Revlon, Kerastase... I promise to update with beauty news soonest!

So busy! It's just that I've been wrapped up with the October issue of OK! magazine and taking care of my sick rabbit, leaving me emotionally exhausted. I've also been collecting donations from my fellow editors to raise money for little Mio's chemotherapy. I have a TON of stuff--the editors have been extremely generous in giving me their new and unused beauty products.

If this is your first time to read this blog, let me tell you about Mio Mendiola--he's an adorable, smart and talented 5-year-old boy who is fighting leukemia. A group of people are trying to help Mio win his battle and people--strangers from all over the world!--have helped donate to this cause. I'd like to thank Lee Shen G, Lanie B, Pilar C, Riza Jane C, Laurice C, Lizelle I, Chris M, Ro-Anne V for purchasing products and thanks also to those who sent money to help fund Mio's chemo.

I'm putting up a few products on this post. Again, all proceeds of the sales made in this blog post will go to Mio's leukemia treatment. I will be adding more products in the next few days so watch this space! Pleeeeease be patient while I research descriptions, prices and photos.
SOLD!
7-IN-1 ANTI-AGEING CREAM (GENTLE)

OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS
P500 (+ P80 shipping)
Fight the seven signs of aging with this cream! Costs P700.
YOU SAVE P200

SOLD!
LASH BLAST MASCARA

COVERGIRL
P237.50 (+ P80 shipping)
Get a blast of lush, volumized lashes! Lash Blast's patented volume-boosting formula
and patent-pending brush are designed to max-out each and every lash,
leaving you with the ultimate big lash look. Cost $7
YOU SAVE P
101.72


SOLD!
COLORSTAY LIQUID EYE PEN

REVLON
P402.50 (+ P80 shipping)
No-mess liquid eyeliner creates a precise line from soft to dramatic. Felt tip controlled
application. Smudge-proof lasting color that wears up to 16 hours. Costs P575.

YOU SAVE P172.50

SOLD!
INTENSIVE CONCENTRATE FOR STRETCH MARKS

STRIVECTIN-SD
P2,500 (+ P80 shipping)
This revolutionary stretch mark cream is clinically proven to reduce
the appearance of stretch marks! And it's also used by some
men and women on their wrinkles! Costs $135 (P6,596.10)

YOU SAVE P4,096!
SOLD!
LASH BLAST MASCARA

COVERGIRL
P237.50 (+ P80 shipping)
Get a blast of lush, volumized lashes! Lash Blast's patented volume-boosting formula
and patent-pending brush are designed to max-out each and every lash,
leaving you with the ultimate big lash look. Cost $7
YOU SAVE P101.72

SOLD!
TOUCH OF FOUNDATION

OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS
P500 (+ P80 shipping)
Fight the seven signs of aging and combine the flawless finish
of foundation with this cream! Costs P700.
YOU SAVE P200

SOLD!
SOFT SHIMMER LOTION

JERGENS
P100 (+ P80 shipping)
This looks amazing on bronzed/tan/morena skin! It leaves a golden sheen
on your skin. I think this is about P250 in SM Dept Store.


SOLD!
LIGHT MILKY LIGHTENING TONER

GARNIER
P100 (+ P80 shipping)
Enriched with pure lemon essence, this creamy toner lifts off dead
skin cells, smooths and lightens skin, helping a translucent complexion
and a soft supple skin to resurface.
SOLD!
VITA LIFT DOUBLE ACTON EYE CREAM

L'OREAL MEN EXPERT
P250 (+ P80 shipping)
Developed to restore and rejuvenate the look of the eye area thanks to its unique technology
which combines 2 formulas in 1 action to treat
men's sagging eyelids, bags, crow’s feet, wrinkles.
SOLD!
BLACK GARLIC EMULSION

SKIN FOOD
P300 (+ P80 shipping)
This toner/serum from the Korean beauty brand contains allicin from
fermented black garlic extracts to moisturize and smoothen skin.

Please send an email to frances@topazhorizon.com if you wish to buy. Tell me the product/s you want, your name, delivery address and phone numbers. Please also tell me how you wish to pay.

I accept PayPal, G-Cash and deposits to my BDO bank account. Once payment is received, I will send the beauty products straight to your doorstep. Yes, I combine shipping! Thank you for your generosity and happy shopping!

IMPORTANT: If you arrived here from a link, please check more recent posts. All products here have been sold and I most probably have other and newer sale posts for Mio. Thanks!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Mixed feelings about Park Jun Salon

When I said I'll never go to another salon again for cut and color, I did mean it. So when I was invited to have a Kerastase treatment at Park Jun salon, of course I said yes.

Park Jun is a huge Korean chain of salons all over the world. This year, a Manila branch finally opened at Glorietta 3. The salon is fantastic--spacious, the decor is cutting-edge, the gadgets they use are out of this world, the service lovely. The shampoo chairs are amazing--they mold themselves to your body!

Anyway, I was so happy with everything (especially my Kerastase treatment!) that when my stylist, the adorable Jinny Kim, said I needed a cut and color and she would like to style my hair, I said... yes.