Support Breast Cancer Awareness with beauty

My weekend had a lovely start when I checked out the World Pink event yesterday at Rustan's Makati. The pink-themed affair was sponsored by Estee Lauder Group of Companies so I was very excited to see not just Estee Lauder products but products and activities from their other brands as well (La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Clinique).

The focus of the event is our wellness. So women attendees, especially those from the I Can Serve Foundation, had a fun time learning to value their health. There were cooking demonstrations, yoga classes, makeup lessons, facials, skin consultations plus the yummiest hors d'oeuvres served by Intercontinental Hotel. And, did I forget to mention the fabulous freebies? We all got a little pouch with a fluffy towel, a Bobbi Brown lip-and-cheeks pot rouge and mini blush brush, and--of course!--a pink ribbon.

Healthy food need not be yucky, guests learn at the cooking demos.

Exercise is needed for complete wellness so guests gamely do yoga.

This lady has her skin professionally scrutinized by a Clinique expert.

Everyone gets pointers on how to look good!

Beauty writer Marie Calica gets a pampering session from La Mer.

A guest goes through a makeover at the Bobbi Brown counter.

Each guest brought home a pouch full of prettifiers

Raise awareness on breast cancer and care more for yourself and the women in your life by going to World Pink this weekend. You still have all of today and tomorrow to enjoy some pampering!

First photo details: With the Estee Lauder ladies and fellow editors. That's me at center in a white Kate Torralba dress featuring embroidered pink cherry blossoms, Bayo cardigan, Schu flats and Longchamp clutch.

Estee Lauder launches fun and fab weekend for Breast Cancer Awareness

It's October! That means it's time to wear pink and promote breast cancer awareness. This weekend, Estee Lauder lined up some lovely activities for us ladies to enjoy--all in the name of finding a cure!Marketing Manager Sandra Lacson tells us more about what we can expect: "Estee Lauder is holding a Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign-Wellness Weekend this Saturday and Sunday at the 5th floor, Heaven on the Fifth, Rustan's Makati. Activities include Yoga sessions, Cooking Demonstrations and Makeup Workshops. Plus, all the Brands have different offerings: Clinique Derma consultation, Estee Lauder skin-typing consultation, Bobbi Brown makeup lessons, La Mer Essentials pampering session. Activities are on-going for the whole weekend. Bring your family and friends. See you there!"

I'm so going there! And, of course, I'll be wearing pink! I'll post photos from the event soonest! Hope to see you girls there...

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!

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!

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.

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

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 P101.72

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!

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.

Beauty can help fight cancer

A little boy named Mio is fighting the battle of his life. The enemy is leukemia and Mio is all of 5 years old, so we desperately need your help.

As a magazine editor, I get a lot of beauty products sent my way. I hope my friends in the beauty industry will understand what I'm about to do--I will be selling beauty products here at 20% to 50% off of their retail price to raise funds for Mio's chemotherapy treatment. These are all brand new, unused and authentic.

UPDATE: I've run out of beauty products to sell so thank you to the other magazine editors and beauty writers who gave me their products--the proceeds of which will all go to Mio and Jasmine! They don't want to be identified but thank you, lovely ladies!SOLD!

ABSOLUTE C RADIANCE MOISTURE CRÈME
REVLON
P554.80 (+ P80 shipping)
This instantly hydrates and energizes dull skin. Its sensational lightweight
texture leaves no stickiness and keeps skin glowing, moisturised and
silky smooth all day. Costs $22.71 (P1,109.61)
YOU SAVE P554.80 (50%!)

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.

SOLD!
SPLIT END MENDER
CITRE SHINE
P200 (+ P80 shipping)
This leave in treatment replenishes vitamins and nutrients that repair and
strengthen split ends, leaving your smooth and full of brilliant shine.
Daily use prevents new split ends from occurring by 90%.

SOLD!
WILD CHERRY BODY SCRUB
THE BODY SHOP
P684 (+ P80 shipping)
Leave skin radiant and subtly sweetly scented with a gentle
exfoliating scrub enriched with wild cherry. Costs $20 (P977.20).
YOU SAVE P293.20

SOLD!
OLEO-RELAX SLIM
KERASTASE
P954 (+ P80 shipping)
This leave-in conditioner for thick, dry, rebellious hair is designed to reduce
volume and leave hair silky soft and super sleek. Costs GBP 17 (P1,362.61).
YOU SAVE P408.61

SOLD!
OLEO-RELAX NUIT
KERASTASE
P1,369 (+P80 shipping)
This rich mask is a nutri-disciplining night treatment for dry and
rebellious hair designed to reduce volume and leave hair silky soft
and super sleek. Costs GBP 24.70 (P1,957).
YOU SAVE P588

SOLD!
MANGO SHOWER GEL
THE BODY SHOP
P500 (+ P80 shipping)
Smell yummy after every shower with this deliciously
scented shower gel. Costs P625 in shops.
YOU SAVE P125

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!
VITA LIFT RE-TIGHTENING MOISTURIZER
L'OREAL MEN EXPERT
P100 (+ P80 shipping)
FOR MEN: This is a 2-in-1 treatment. Action 1: GEL retightens skin
on face and neck. Action 2: CREAM reduces the appearance of wrinkles

SOLD!
PURE & MATTE MATIFYING TONER
L'OREAL MEN EXPERT
P100 (+ P80 shipping)
FOR MEN: The salicylic acid and algae extract dries out
imperfections, tightens and clarifies pores.

SOLD!
PURE & MATTE GEL
L'OREAL MEN EXPERT
P100 (+ P80 shipping)
FOR MEN: The anti-sebum complex will give you long-lasting
shine control for pure, clear and healthy-looking skin.

SOLD!
WHITE ACTIV MOISTURIZING FLUID
L'OREAL MEN EXPERT
P100 (+ P80 shipping)
FOR MEN: The Melano Block gives you fairer and more even skin tone.
With SPF20, it helps prevent against skin darkening.

SOLD!
JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM PUREE BODY LOTION
THE BODY SHOP
P539 (+P80 shipping)
This lightweight lotion softens and smoothens your skin with extracts
from the Japanese cherry blossom. Costs P770 in stores.
YOU SAVE P231

SOLD!
WILD CHERRY BODY BUTTER
THE BODY SHOP
P672 + (P80 shipping)
With cherry oil that's filled with Vitamins A and E, pamper
your skin with this cream! Costs P960 in shops.
YOU SAVE P288

SOLD!
DNAge ANTI-AGE BODY LOTION
NIVEA BODY
P132.50 (+ P80 shipping)
Tighten, smoothen and tone your neck, decolletage and arms with
this lotion packed with folic acid and UV filters. Costs P265 in shops.
YOU SAVE P132.50

SOLD!
DNAge ANTI-AGE HAND LOTION
NIVEA HAND
P132.50 (+ P80 shipping)
This lotion uses tourine--the skin's own natural amino acids--to restore
moisture to dry skin and prevent aging. Costs P265 in shops.
YOU SAVE P132.50

SOLD!
EYE SHADOW PALETTE

LUNASOL
P200 (+ P80 shipping)
This is from the Japanese beauty brand. I don't know how much this
costs but I know it's available at Rustan's and it's not cheap.

SOLD!
EXFOLIATING BODY SCRUB WITH CORIANDER
KIEHL'S
P847 (+ P80 shipping)

This body scrub has coriander extracts to slough away dead skin cells and
prime your skin for moisturizing. Costs P1,210 at Kiehl's Greenbelt 5.
YOU SAVE P363

SOLD!
SEAWEED MATTIFYING DAY CREAM
THE BODY SHOP
P539 (+P80 shipping)

Extracts from the bladderwack seaweed will help control your
skin's oil spills! You stay matte all day. Costs P770 in stores.
YOUR SAVINGS: P231

SOLD!
SEAWEED PORE PERFECTOR
THE BODY SHOP
P675 (+ P80 shipping)
Extracts of the bladderwack seaweed and seaweed from the
French Coast help to balance oil and clear skin. Costs P965 in stores.
YOU SAVE P290

SOLD!
MUSE PORTABLE MAKEUP BRUSH SET
SHU UEMURA
P2,800 (+ P80 shipping)
This portable makeup brush set is from the Muse Collection. Includes
a face powder brush, blush brush, eyeshadow brush and a lip brush.
Made of goat hair, pony hair and sable. Costs P3,500 at Shu Uemura Power Plant.
YOU SAVE P700

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!

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! 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!

Please send me an email

Yedy, Nina, Teeyah, Twisted Halo, Fish and Kae!

I have some beauty stuff for you girls. Yey! Sorry it took me a while but I've finally done my inventory for your requests and for helping raise money for Mio's leukemia chemo (please scroll down--I posted new products!).

Kae, I'm giving you an extra product because I saw on your blog that it's your birthday!

The email is frances@topazhorizon.com. I'll be waiting!

To the other ladies, sorry I didn't have the ones you wanted but do watch this space!