Tuesday, December 14, 2010

And the winner of the O2 Intraceuticals set is...

Marites Bolalin Violeta!

There were 71 entries to my giveaway. I went to Random.org and, using their True Random Number Generator, I came up with the number 7. A very lucky number indeed!

Starting from the very first wall post from my own giveaway post, #7 is Marites! So... congratulations! Email me at frances@topazhorizon.com for details on how to claim your prize!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Win a special beauty kit! It's Hollywood's anti-aging secret!

If you've been wondering what the skin secret of Madonna is, then I reveal it here: It's O2 Intraceuticals. Aside from her strictly healthy lifestyle, the 51-year-old superstar relies on this skincare line to keep her looking young.

I met O2 Intraceuticals' training manager Patricia Steel just before I gave birth. Here's OK! magazine's feature [September 2010] on the line:
click to enlarge and read

The treatment starts with a facial--together with the line's active and natural ingredients and extracts, pure oxygen is pumped into the surface of the skin. It's so effective, the facialist usually does half your face first so you can see the instant difference! And it doesn't have ugly results (ya know, like peeling, redness, swelling, etc) so Hollywood celebs can actually have a facial right before stepping onto the red carpet!

I loved how the products are so safe. Being pregnant then, I was wary of using anything that can be toxic to the developing life inside me. But because the line uses oxygen and natural ingredients, it's super safe!
I'm giving this away!

I'm giving you the chance to try out this line. All you have to do is type this on OK! Philippines's Facebook page: "I want Hollywood's anti-aging secret to look great in 2011!" Then just tag 3 of your friends. That's it!

The O2 Intraceuticals oxygen faciala nd skincare line are exclusively offered by The Spa Acropolis. Call (02) 631-5790 to 92 or (0918)884-3772 for inquiries.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Fergie's Outspoken is for the tough girl who's secretly sweet



That was Fergie's new TVC for the fragrance she created with Avon. It's called Outspoken. I never got the impression that Fergie was an outspoken girl, though. She's always seemed very discreet to me. But, hey, maybe she means that with her music and songs and fashion, she can be loud and clear.

Then I got this in the mail last week:
Ooh! A big box with a big bow!
Inside was a cool leather jacket!
(Wore it to my radio tour for OK! magazine)
And Fergie's Outspoken perfume!
I got my very own bottle! Fergie says of her first foray into fragrances (love all the F's there!), "Fragrance makes me feel sexy and alluring. I wanted to create a fragrance that people will respond to and enjoy. Outspoken is a fresh, modern scent that will make the women who wear it feel confident and fearless."

Fergie also says that she enjoyed the creation process. "I want the fragrance, like my music, to have a story and have real meaning and personality."

And it's not just the concoction she was excited about since Fergie was also involved with the packaging: "I found the inspiration for the cap design while getting dresses for my wedding [to Transformers actor Josh Duhamel]. There was a crystal decanter in the bridal suite and I knew I wanted the cap [of my perfume bottle] to look like that. I was so excited about the design that I had my team send me sketches while I was on my honeymoon!"

Wow, she really was excited! I'm kinda like her in that I was working on my honeymoon, too. Some things become such a part of you that you can't leave work at the office, I guess. Wow. That just made me sad!

Anyway, what do I think about the fragrance? Well, it definitely conjured images of leather and lace, black and red, smokey-eye makeup, tough-girl chic, a night of seduction. It's a little too strong for my taste, but then I'm a light floral scent kinda girl. I do wear this, though, on a night out. Definitely a scent for the night.

Outspoken by Fergie costs P999 and is available through Avon Representatives nationwide. Call Avon at 864-2900 or log on to www.avon.com.ph.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Went shopping for my fave Kiehl's stuff!

Lenny Tiongson of Kiehl's invited me and some friends to shop, shop, shop at the newly opened boutique at Mall of Asia. Oh, what fun we had!
That's Lenny with OK! magazine's beauteous beauty team,
Nicole Delos Angeles and Nichole Reyes-Mercado.
Preview's Lyca Puno, Eunice Lucero and Agoo Bengzon. 
And here's what I bought:

Why? Here are my reasons!

  • For Vito: 2 bottles of Kiehl's Baby Gentle Foaming Hair & Body Wash - This is super duper my favorite for the convenience! The wash foams up so there's no mess and no sponges. I love the barely-there scent (some baby washes are too fragrant) and best of all, it's so gentle on Vito's baby skin. 
  • For Vince: 1 bottle of Acai Damage-Minimising Cleanser - Vince says, "I really like that," when I asked him about this facial foam. He says his skin really improved while using this and I can definitely vouch for that! 
  • For me: 2 tubes of Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 - I actually use Lancome SPF 50 makeup base but I don't think it's very good because after months of use, I still have sun damage. So I'm switching to this. My friends say it's the best SPF 50, both in texture and efficacy.

Thanks, Lenny!

To my readers, here's where to find Kiehl's fab boutiques: At the ground level of Greenbelt 5, nearest the driveway, just along Legaspi St., and at the second level of Mall of Asia, just enter the main door (ya, where the globe is) and go up the escalator and go right. Have fun shopping!

Be BECCA Beautiful!

I'll be honest with you. Going to Adora at Greenbelt 5 intimidates me. I always feel like everything there must be so damn expensive that I don't even dare enter. Well, it's a good thing my friend Pinky Jacob-Ileto invited me to the launch of BECCA Cosmetics because I got to see that everything in Adora is such high quality that the prices aren't exactly expensive, more like quite reasonable.

Proof is when I checked out BECCA. This is a British brand created by Australian makeup artist Rebecca Morrice Williams. She couldn't find the perfect foundation so she set out to create it herself.

And I gotta say, when Becca makeup artist Nikki applied it on my skin, BECCA's foundation really did feel weightless. It also covered my blemishes and freckles but didn't settle on my fine lines. I looked fresh, not made up! Here are more of the line at the BECCA counters:


Really sorry for the sepia photos. Used my phone camera since I forgot my Olympus at home. But in case you want to know more about BECCA, go to their website or just hop over to Adora and shop there! The price points are the same as Shu Uemura and Lancome. Quite okay since the makeup's pretty awesome!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Anna Wintour on how to be glamorous


Very interesting! I always wondered how to be glamorous. I've always been too loud, too squeaky-voiced, too happy, too excited. It's that easy lang pala!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Who won the Pond's Gold Radiance set?

There were 89 entries to my OK! and Pond's Gold Radiance giveaway. To pick a winner, I enlisted that ever reliable tool, Random.org's list randomizer!


And the list randomizer says that KITTY SIMS won the Pond's Gold Radiance set and Aranaz special edition golden clutch!

Congratulations, Kitty! Email me at frances@topazhorizon.com for details on how you can claim your prize. Thanks everybody! Don't worry--I have a stash of goodies that I still plan on giving away every week till Christmas! This is my personal way of saying thanks to all of you who like OK! magazine and our Facebook page.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Be radiant this Christmas with OK! magazine and Pond's

Hi everybody! As you know, my work with OK! Philippines has one very lovely perk: I get beauty products all the time! So, since Christmas is just around the corner, I decided that I'll surprise one of you this merry season with Pond's Gold Radiance Collection.

This latest skin care set from Pond's infused real gold particles in its creams and serums to impart these benefits:
  • skin tone that is clear and even;
  • skin texture that is elastic, soft, and smooth;
  • skin color that is fair and translucent; and
  • skin hydration having a dew glow as a result of optimum moisture levels
I will give the complete collection and a special edition Aranaz golden clutch bag! Just follow these steps:

1. Go to OK! Philippine's Facebook page.

2. Type this on the wall:

"I want to be radiant this Christmas with my favorite celebrity magazine, OK! Philippines, and Pond's Gold Radiance Collection!"

2. Tag three of your friends.

3. Wait till November 19 (that's next Friday!) and I'll announce who gets my gift!

That's it!No purchase necessary. No difficult questions to answer. No events to attend. No need to re-blog (although I'll be very happy if you do!). All you have to do is like my magazine's Facebook page!


*product photo courtesy of Pond's

Monday, November 8, 2010

Loving Gucci's Fall Winter Collection... for MEN!

Gucci showcased their Fall Winter 2010-2011 and, though the Women's Collection was impeccable as always, I find myself salivating over the bags in the Men's Collection!
 
 
 
 

 
They're luggage, hence the hefty size. But you know us women--we like to carry our entire houses with us everywhere we go. So I'm definitely liking the men's bags!

For the clothes I liked, click here!

*photos courtesy of Visions & Expressions

Friday, November 5, 2010

Zoya's zooo amazing!

Hey preggy women, breastfeeding mommies and anyone who's vegan! You can still have pretty nails, thanks to Zoya.

I first encountered Zoya when my friend, beauty columnist and blogger Mariel Chua, and I visited Organic Rituals Spa. We were curious because I was still preggy then and Mariel is into organic/natural stuff.

We met the gorgeous owners Nikki Angco and Kat Aramento who both showed us the wonderful products they have in the spa.
Mariel interviews Nikki about Zoya 
It's so pretty here! Very relaxing, too.
While I love my mani-pedi experience at Organic Rituals, I'll do a review of the spa later. Today I'll just talk about Zoya. Well, I'll just reprint the text I saw on their Facebook page (like! like! like!)

Zoya Nail Polish has 300+ colors to choose from. There is a color for every mom. And Zoya makes it easy with the Nail Polish Color Finder.

In case you didn't know, Zoya Nail Polish was designed with pregnant women in mind. It is formaldehyde, toluene, DBP and camphor free. It's a safe nail polish choice and it is free of harmful toxins. 

Use the Zoya Color Lock System to keep your nail polish color lasting longer. It's the perfect gift for a salon perfect manicure at home.

Call 6613101 or Text 0915-4887838 for orders.

P.S. Organic Rituals also has SPA Rituals lacquer. As you can see at the back, this polish is vegan. Even its bottle is made from recycled glass!


Organic Rituals Spa is at the mezzanine level of Atlanta Bldg, Annapolis St. Greenhills, San Juan.


Thursday, October 28, 2010

Behind-the-scenes peek at Kate Torralba Hearts Paperdolls runway show

Kate. Uncharacteristically serious!
Who wears what? Photo tags ensure no mix-ups!
Mod makeup coming up!
Nice shot! A model checks herself out.
See? Models aren't catty. They even do each other's makeup!
Be careful! That hot steam can seriously burn!
The models get ready to walk
Showtime!
For photos from Kate Torralba's 60s-inspired collection for Paperdolls, scroll down to the next post!

photos courtesy of Visions & Expressions