Daphne Oseña Paez sent me Vaseline lotions

I love that the new endorser of Vaseline Healthy White Perfect 10 is Daphne Oseña Paez. She's such a gracious woman. When she sent out gift packs to her friends, she put the lotions in a sturdy cream box and enclosed a personal note in each.

Perfect 10. She says I'm a Perfect 10. I think only my husband thinks that of me. So it's really sweet that another person—an amazing woman at that!—thinks I'm a Perfect 10, too.

A lot of times, wives and mommies and career women forget to take care of themselves. There's always something to do, something more important, more urgent. And then when we end up looking old and ugly, we console ourselves with the thought that we sacrificed ourselves for the more important things in life. Well, that's nice. Very noble. But unnecessary! It's totally possible to love ourselves and love our families and careers!

Vaseline's lotions make that easy. They're multi-tasking (whitening, nourishing, moisturizing, protecting and anti-aging!). They're fast absorbing. And they're affordable. Perfect for busy women everywhere!

I haven't tried the Healthy White line yet, to be honest. I'm still using the Total Moisture line. I am currently finishing my bottle of Aloe Fresh. I super love it. It's light, smells fresh, absorbs fast and I am really truly smooth and moist (but not greasy) all over.

Best of all, my husband likes massaging the lotion on me! And this is a man who hates greasy, thick, perfumed lotions. Vaseline's lotions passed his test. And mine! Definitely recommending these! You can buy Vaseline from any supermarket and drugstore. Be a Perfect 10... just like me (according to Daphne)!

*Daphne photo from Philippine Star

My eyes love this! La Mer Eye Balm Intense

Quick quick post since I've only started using this (total day count: 3 days!) but I still want to say this early that my eyes are feeling the change... and showing it!

I'll make a proper review in 2 weeks. Keep you posted!

Lola Cosmetics' Klexius Kolby one beauty tip for the ladies!

A few weeks ago, I found myself at Makati Shangri-la's posh Red restaurant for an intimate lunch with makeup artist Klexius Kolby. There was just me, Preview's Pauline Juan and Good Housekeeping's Pia Rojas and--after a lovely meal of tuna tartar, sea bass and flourless chocolate cake--we just had to ask Klexius about Hollywood, makeup tricks and beauty tips.

This New Year, use Kerastase--and only Kerastase!--for your hair

I love Kerastase. I use the Resistance Bain Volumactive line for my flat lifeless hair. Of course, with Kerastase, my hair is revived and bouncy and beautiful! I also use the Reflection Bain Chroma Riche line when my hair's newly colored, to keep my hair looking redder longer. I cannot emphasize just how much I love Kerastase for my hair! Even my husband is spoiled rotten--he loves it, too, and switches between his Phyto shampoo and my Kerastase bottle because this stuff really works.

Now, Kerastase is not cheap. Why, it's the hair care line used by Hollywood celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston and Emmy Rossum! So I'm so happy I'm friends with Kerastase's Senior Product Manager, the affable and totally wonderful Birdie Salva--he sends me my bottles and jars for free! Thank you, Birdie!

Birdie's so generous, he's extending his offer of free Kerastase products to YOU! Look at what he's giving away on his fantabulous blog, Hair in Manila:

My darlings, that is one box of beauty! Hop on now to Hair in Manila for details on how you can win that fab box!

P.S. Birdie, thanks for my Kerastase Resistance Bain Volumactive shampoo and conditioner and the yummily scented candles, too!

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.

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.

Pond's Big Beauty Sale now ongoing!

Ladies (and gentlemen), better grab your wallets and stock up on Pond's products! The beauty brand is having a huge sale from August 15 to September 15, and the discounts are fantastic!

I'm a fan of the Age Miracle line. The TV commercial promises younger-looking skin in 7 days, right? Well, I used it and four days after, my husband looked at me appreciatively and said, "Wow, you look nice. Have you been getting more sleep? Your skin looks great." Wow! Not even this anti-aging serum got that response from Vince!

Want that same reaction from the man in your life? Grab a jar (or two or three!) of Pond's Age Miracle now!

For a complete list of the discounted prices and participating stores, click here.

Wine treatments for super soft skin

If you think skin exfoliation is a modern invention, you'll be surprised. Egypt's famous queen Cleopatra was said to bathe in milk--the lactic acid dissolves dead skin cells. In the Middle Ages, wine was used as a skin exfoliant--the tartaric acid doesn't only exfoliate, it's an antioxidant, too.

Me, Nikki and Nicole

So when Ola Bailon of The Spa invited me and a couple of editor friends to try out their latest treatments involving wine, we said, "Yes!"

I love how bright and clean the sink area is. Enjoyed hot ginger tea here.

Vinotherapy
a slimming beauty treatment that starts with a soak in a tub of wine-infused bubble bath followed by a scrub using grape and apricot extracts then a mineral-rich body wrap.
90 minutes. P1,900 for executive room, P2,400 for premiere villa.

Verdict: Nikki loved every minute of it except that she hoped to relax (sleep) but couldn't because she had to rinse after each step of the treatment. But she was very happy with the treatment and we loved how yummy she smelled after.

The lovely Jacuzzi

Red Wine Sparkler Scrub
Treatment starts with a thorough body scrub using red wine extract then a wonderful Swedish massage follows.
90 minutes. P1,900 for executive room, P2,400 for premiere villa.

Verdict: Nicole and I think this is absolutely wonderful! Oh, I fell asleep. And I am definitely going back for more. My husband tells me my skin is so much smoother. Though I enjoyed the heavenly massage and all, what the hubby said, well, that's what sealed the deal for me. I am going to be a regular at The Spa from now on!

The massage bed. The leaf cubicle is the sauna and shower.

Book an appointment at The Spa, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Tel nos. 856-5858/6868

The Beauty Writer

Lancome's Genifique is so good!

So today is the eighth day since I started using Lancome's latest anti-aging serum, Genifique and, as promised, here's my review. Genefique boasts that you'll "See visibly younger skin in 7 days." Now, I really look young for my 32 years (see photo below!) so I thought that if people start asking what college I go to, then Genifique works!

The serum activates our genes to promote the production of certain proteins that will make skin look young again. It's simple to use--just warm a few drops between your fingers then apply to freshly washed skin, then you can follow with your usual skincare regimen. Yes, you won't have to throw the stuff on your dresser! For the purpose of testing Genifique, I used it exclusively this week. I was promised the following results:

• Vibrant with youth, skin looks like it's lit from within, breathtakingly radiant
• Skin is cushiony soft, velvety to the touch
• Skin's tone is astonishingly even; its texture dramatically refined

At the end of 7 days, here are the results I saw:

The stuff by GirlStuff is soooo adorable!

Janina Gutierrez-Tan, my classmate from Assumption Antipolo, is the brains behind this line made exclusively for sweet little girls and tweens. I personally use the Facial Spritz Cooling Facial Spray. It's not Shu Uemura Depsea or Evian but it works just as well and for only P109.75! You can't beat that price and cute packaging!

Anyway, GirlStuff had a really cute event for moms and daughters recently. Held at the colorful Marta's Cakes at Serendra, mommies and their little girls had an afternoon of beauty. I thought the mommy makeover was funny and cute.If you want your own beauty bonding party with your daughters, then do grab a bag of goodies from GirlStuff. For makeup that's safe on sensitive skins, you can get the Body Bling scented shimmer lotion (P159.75), G-Gel glitter hair gel (P99.75), Lipfrosting lip gloss (P89.75) and Fairy Dust shimmer powder (P149.75). I love that you can get them in little kikay kits like these:
So cute! Oh, and do check out these new products, which I'm sure you and your little girl will adore:

Mom & Me Cologne (P179.75 )

The mommy scent smells floral and citrusy while the girl's scent is kinda the same but more fresh. Reminds me of Nenuco and Angel's Breath actually.

Peel-Off Nail Polish (P99.75)

Imported from France, this polish is water-based so it's safe for kids. It easily peels off so no need for acetone. Available in fuschia pink with glitter, baby blue and pretty-in-pink. I like the glitter polish, but you already know that if you read my last post!

GirlStuff is available at Mall of Asia, SM North, Robinsons Place Imus and at the children's accessories section of all SM Department Stores. Check out their cute website for more info!

The Beauty Writer

*photos courtesy of GirlStuff

Nail polish is raining on me!

I love pretty packages. Those that come in a nice box, tied up with a big bow--oh, you just know these things have lovely surprises in them! So when The Face Shop had these nail polish sets, I just had to have one!Each box comes with 3 colors, a top coat, a polish remover and a sheet of stickers. Mine has deep colors of plum, burgundy and a dark blue with glitter on it--this color is my favorite: I feel like I'm staring at galaxies on my fingertips. All for a mere P445! Very very good deal, I say, and in a really cute package, too!

Actually, even if gifts don't come nicely wrapped, I'd be happy to receive them, especially if the bags come from Revlon. Revlon is very generous. Very very generous! They sent over 2 bags of nail polish and lip glosses--that's about 2 dozen bottles and wands! I shared the loot to my super thrilled staff and even after they've all gotten all the colors they wanted, I still had all of these left!

That's 10 bottles of polish and 6 wands of lip gloss

I love Revlon nail polish. Aside from the deep pigments and ease in application, they last on your nails a long long time. So even if they cost nearly P300 a bottle, they're oh so worth it!

The Beauty Writer

Hot Brights from The Body Shop

Look at what just arrived on my desk today--a big bag of The Body Shop's latest makeup collection called Hot Brights! The collection has Lips & Cheeks (P795) in Rose Sunrise and Coral Sand, Eye Colour (P695) in Violet Sunset and Pearly Sky, Eye Liner (P550) in Purple Haze and Sapphire Sea, and Blush (P1,195) in Pink Skyline and Bronze Horizon.

What grabbed me immediately was the Lips & Cheeks. I love the Rose Sunrise (then again, pink is my kryptonite). Makeup artist Chase Aston loves it, too, and gives these tips on how to wear it: "Smooth and blend the pink stain onto your lips and cheeks for a sheer rosy hue, and follow by adding a wash of the sheer gloss to your lips. So pretty!"

Pretty indeed! Love it, love it!
The Beauty Writer

NARS and my new Orgasm!

NARS makeup artist and West Coast Lead Trainer Dawn Stultz was here last week and I was able to have a lovely chat with her about--what else?--makeup! First, I just want to say how incredibly mesmerizing Dawn's eyes were. I have no idea what color they are. Because of the warm soft light in Rustan's Essences, her eyes kept changing color from gray to blue to a light hazel. Incredible.

So anyway, I asked Dawn what makeup essentials a woman should have in her bag. She replied that it really depends on the woman since some girls love playing up their eyes or just having powder and blotting paper or really piling it on! However, she did quip, "Stop any woman in this store right now and I bet you'll find three kinds of lip products in her purse!"

For summer, Dawn recommends simple makeup so a powder, a lip gloss and a bronzer stick are enough to take a girl from day to night. She's really in love with the NARS bronzer stick in Palm Beach. She applied some on me and I looked healthy and glowing! The trick is to apply it in the figure 3--temples, cheeks, jawline--and blend, blend, blend. You can use the bronzer on your eyes, too, and on lips then just top with gloss. Simple and easy. I like that a lot!

Oh, and not only did I get to chat with such a lovely woman, I also got to take home these lovely products! Thanks, Dawn, NARS, Rustan's Essences and Visions & Expressions!

I did buy my own blush, the phenomenal Orgasm. Dawn says that NARS Orgasm is the bestselling blush in the entire world. I believe her. All the Hollywood stars and makeup artists swear by it--it's the only blush that looks great on every skin color and tone! Dawn adds that it's almost always out of stock. I believe her, too, since I've been trying to buy Orgasm forever. Just my luck, at her interview, NARS had new stocks! I immediately bought one! Now I look so pretty. Yey!

NARS cosmetics are available at Rustan's Essences, Glorietta 4, Makati City.

The Beauty Writer

*bronzer stick image from Sephora.com

Summer nail colors from Caronia - I love!

Nail polish is just the best--they're fun, cheap and they can totally reinvent and finish your look! Right now, I'm totally in love with Caronia's Summer Colors Collection: Blue Chill, Pink Passion, Mint Frost, Purple Punch and Orange Pop.

Super pretty! And if you watch Showtime's Dexter, you'll get a special spine-chilling thrill having these colors on your nails...

Caronia's Summer Collection is available at all supermarkets, drugstores and department stores for P28 a bottle.

Don't forget to join my Shu Uemura makeup bag, Jurlique face care set and Shu Uemura lipstick case giveaway!

The Beauty Writer

How to do a smoky eye according to Bobbi Brown's Sebastien Tardif

What: Launch of book Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual
Where: Mag:Net Cafe, Bonifacio High Street
When: April 24, 2009

Bobbi Brown makeup artist Sebastien Tardif shows us how to do a simple smoky eye that anyone can do.

Step 1: Prep skin. Smoky eyes are dramatic so the rest of the face should be clean.

Step 2: Groom brows. Eyebrows frame and balance the face so never forget to groom brows! Sebastian used a stiff angled brush to apply brown eyeshadow on to the brows.

Step 3: Pat a black eyeshadow gel all over the lid, but only up to the crease. Beyond that, Sebastien says you'll look like a clown!

Step 4: Choose a color. Sebastien chose blue. Pat this gently over the black shadow. The result is a shimmering deep blue that has depth. Remember you can use any color you like but I think the darker shades are best (blue, purple, green, brown).

Step 5: Trace a thin line on lower lids with a black pencil. And apply mascara to open up those peepers!

Step 6: Use a lipstick shade that is close to your natural color. Sebastien's tip: Before applying lipstick, fluff powder on the sides of your lips to prevent color from bleeding to lines (in case you have them!).

Step 7: Finish with a peach blush on the apples of cheeks.

Voila! Simple smoky eyes in 7 steps! For more makeup tips and tricks, get a copy of the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro for Php 1,235 at Bobbi Brown makeup counters and Fully Booked.

The Beauty Writer