Beauty For A Living now owns its own domain!

I just bought this baby a gift--its own domain. Please update your links. We are now...

www.beautyforaliving.com

I love the way it looks!

The Beauty Writer

Kerastase launches Oleo-Relax Slim in a chi-chi party

Hailed as the haircare line used by the stars (Jennifer Lopez, Emmy Rossum, Paris Hilton are fans), Kerastase is definitely the gold standard when it comes to hair products. Even I'm convinced! Whenever I use Kerastase, my hair is always perfect. I just can't use it all the time because (a) I have to test other brands now and then and (b) it's expensive. That's why whenever Kerastase launches anything, it's lovely to attend becasue I get to bring home Kerastase goodies!

The goody bags had a bottle of leave-in conditioner
and a tub of treatment

Last night was the launch of Kerastase Oleo-Relax Slim, the latest product that is guaranteed to tame frizzy and rebellious hair. Now my hair is naturally behaved (thank the heavens) so I'm going to let my sister try this one out. Will post her review in a week or two.

The event was held at chic new club The Establishment at The Fort Strip. There were art installations for guests to marvel at but I found the drinks and the food more inspiring, to be utterly honest. But, for art's sake, marvel below...
Beautiful people everywhere (or beautifully dressed, at least!). Very well attended event so congratulations to Oliver Salva and the Kerastase team for a gorgeous night and for another new product that I'm sure will be a success!

Preview's beauty editor Cindy Go and Real Living's art director Arlene Sy

SM's marketing manager for kids and teens fashion Jasmine Mendiola (in pink),
me (in yellow), Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief Zo Aguila (in gray) and
Cosmopolitan fashion editor Kat Dy (in black)

The Beauty Writer

Spot on Plastic Surgery and Stars

I wrote for the newly revamped website Spot.ph and my story on stars and plastic surgery is causing quite a bit of talk. I don't know why it's controversial--I mean, in this day and age when cosmetic surgery centers and spas are practically on every corner, believe me when I say it's no big deal. What is a big deal for me is when you've obviously done something and you keep denying it!

I confess that I wish I could have a boob job. I'm a very small AA. Yes, you read that right. But my husband says emphatically, "More than a mouthful is too much." Now if that was too graphic for you, then maybe you'll say I really don't need the Orgasm after all because my hubby sure knows how to make me blush!

How about you--If you could have anything done, what would it be? And would you really do it? Why or why not?

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

Questions on eye creams and foundations answered (kinda sorta!)

Hi to my new readers! Welcome again to my new beauty blog! Anyway, I've got a couple of requests to write about certain beauty topics:

Hope you can review eye creams in the market - Anonymous
Can you share some tips on finding the right foundation to use? Specifically what brand is the best? - Ranran

For Anonymous, off the top of my head I can guarantee that Olay Regenerist has a fantastic eye treatment--the one I used was the Eye Lifting Serum (P999). Right now, however, I'm using Garnier's Anti-Puff Eye Roller. It feels kinda weird and I miss Olay Regenerist but I'm going to give this Garnier a chance. I'll write about that in a month. Keep glued to this blog!
Ranran, to answer your question will entail an entire book! I'm kidding... Actually, it's not really about the brand; it's really about your skin. An expensive product can look awful if it's not meant for your skin tone and type. So give me time and I'll answer this in detail.
My personal pick is L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation. I use both the liquid and mineral powder foundations. I've been a fan since 2007, when my bridal makeup artist, L'Oreal Paris Chief Makeup Artist Jigs Mayuga, showed me my true match (Golden Beige) the day I wed my true match (Vince Sales)! The range of shades they have is amazing, making it easier for you to find your, er, true match! Plus, it's just below P1,000 and available at all department stores nationwide. Just throw away the brush of the mineral powder--it's scratchy and stiff.
I'll interview some beauty editors and do some research, too. Thanks!

The Beauty Writer

And the winners are...!

Okay, that was one crazy contest--So many people joined my first ever blog giveaway!

Sitemeter says that bloggers from all over the world blogged about my giveaway

Thanks! I'm so encouraged by the enthusiastic response that I plan to do this regularly!!! I have an unbelievable amount of yummy beauty loot for you! Next time, though, I'll just assign numbers to people and then throw dice. Writing down blogs on pieces of paper seemed like a good idea until the entries approached 100.
And now, without further ado, here are the winners!

1st Prize
Shu Uemura Mika Hearts Shu Portable Makeup Brush Set
Winner: Ekimura from the USA

2nd Prize
Jurlique Moisture Balance Introductory Set
Winner: Daphne's Diary from the Philippines

3rd Prize
Shu Uemura Lipstick Case
Winner: Lovely Purses from Germany

Congratulations to the lucky ladies! Please email me at frances@topazhorizon.com so we can talk about the details.

Thank you to everyone else who joined (I linked you up as my thanks!):
A Girl Should be Two Things: Classy and Fabulous, A Life Without Love is No Life At All, A Piece of My Mind, Accidentally In Love, AhCapp, Akisalove, All the Vanity, Amanda's Sunshine, Anything & Everything, Baby, You Make My Heart Beat Faster..., Be Happy, Beautification, Beauty, Life, Love and Many More, Beauty is Within, Beauty Moogle Zone, Beauty Reviews, Beauty Snap, Becoming a Yummy Mommy, Bienvenida A Mi Pagina!!!, Bunnie, Cake, Cherrie Bosa, ChinkyMel's Corner, Chomfifi, Cogito Ergo, Scrap!, Confessions of a Makeup and Fashion Lover, Confessions of a Soapaholic, Crazy Mama, Dazzling..., Documented Days, E.motion in Motion, Enfant de L'Amour, Enjoying Life as I Live It, Facets of the Fire Fairy Princess, Fly. Soar. Land., Fully Awesome Babyy, Goddess, I Am, Hello, 'moto, Her Royal Bleakness, I am Kaith, Innovative Essence, Invisible Pathos, Just Another Day, Kikay Corner, KXY, Kylie's Blog, Laugh and the World Laughs with You, Le Miroir de Wanderita, Lights and Shades, Life is Full of Beautiful Complications, Life with Jemboy and Joyce, LipstickFever Makeup Blog!, Little Miss Julienne, Living Life to the Fullest, Lost in the City, Love Eve Beauty, Lush Angel, Make My Not-So-Interesting Life Interesting, Makeup in Manila, Maldeetuh Ramblings, Mango Pepper, Me You and a Dog Named Boo, Miss Girl Interrupted, Mrs. Dumpling, Ms. Giling's Spot, Musicalfan Loves Minerals, My Blog, My Life in This Wonderful World, My Lucid Intervals, My Own Spot, My Place Under the Sun, My Soap Opera Life, My Wonderful World of Colors, Naturals and Minerals, Nevergirl's, Newbie to Beauty, Nling*Star House of Collection, No, I am not a Genius, Not Enough Hours in a Day, On Beauty Stuff and What Else's, Pensieve, Pinay Mind, Pinkfish Pie, Plan B, Popcorn <3>, Quarter Life Chronicles, Sanniet, Science's Box of Nice Things, Shan Shan Style, She R0XX, Sh0be, Siamese, Simply Glamorouxx, Simply Susie, Sippinslow, Sneak In, Somekinda. Aliw., Spoiled Rotten, Still Life, Sweet Hopia, Sweet Lisi, The Drama Queen Can Tell Stories, The Grazing Land, The Journey Continues..., The Mystery of Me, The Soundtrack of My Life Now, Thinking Out Loud, Time Outs, Tournesol, Twenty-Four Periwinkle Street, Ugly is In, Vanity Kit, Vintageday Blog, Voodoo Dolly, What Have You Learned Today?, Where Air Time is Free, Will Work For Shoes, Xtine, Yen <3, You Lite Up My Life

Thanks for joining my giveaway. My new blog got a ton of traffic! Yey!

The Beauty Writer

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

Olay Touch of Foundation needs just a touch more color

I am seriously in love with everything Olay comes out with. After years of acne and dull skin, my skin now looks unbelievably great (yes, despite my flirtation with a not-so-effective skincare line). I owe all this to Olay Total Effects which I started using in 2007 and to Olay Regenerist which I am currently using. So when Proctor & Gamble came out with Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation, I was totally ecstatic.

Now, however, I feel ambivalent. On one hand, it's a fantastic moisturizer--it's still the same 7-in-1 anti-aging cream that made it such a favorite; on the other, it's a mediocre foundation.

I guess it's okay--it's not like they promised coverage since the foundation is just a "touch." If you need more coverage because your skin isn't perfect, then skip this product and grab your trusty concealer and liquid foundation. But, assuming you're a longtime user of Olay and therefore already have flawless skin, then Olay Touch of Foundation has just the right tinge of color to bring a subtle glow to your skin.

Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation is available at all leading department stores and drugstores for P749.

Oh, and I'm giving away a Shu Uemura makeup brush kit, a Jurlique Facial Care set and a Shu Uemura lipstick case! Join now!

UPDATE: Okay, okay... I'm changing my mind on this product. Every time I use it, I get compliments. My mother-in-law thought I was glowing. I gave one to my sister-in-law and she absolutely loves it. So I may not see the effects but since other people do, then it's effective!

The Beauty Writer

*product photo courtesy of BigW

WIN! A Mika Heart Shu Makeup Brush Set - UPDATED!

CONTEST IS CLOSED.

NOTE: Contest ends on May 7, 6 PM. I'll announce the winners on May 7, 11:59 PM. Manila time!

UPDATE!!! MORE PRIZES BELOW!

To celebrate my entry into the beauty blogging world, I am giving away this limited edition Shu Uemura Mika Hearts Shu Portable Brush Set!

The brush set is a collaboration between the Japanese beauty brand and photographer Mika Ninagawa. (Here's what Vanity Fair has to say about the partnership.)

Shu Uemura describes this super pretty set: "Carry your brushes in a portable Mika Ninagawa work of art! Purple on the outside with a special Mika red rose photograph lining the inside, the limited-edition brush case includes a set of four Shu Uemura brushes, each handmade in Japan by professional artisens for optimal makeup application for the face, cheek, eye and lip."

The set includes 4 brushes: goat brush for the face, pony and squirrel brush for cheeks, sable and kolinsky brush for eyes, and sable brush for lips.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Write about the contest in your blog.
2. Make sure to link your post to this post.
3. Leave a comment informing me of your post.
4. Wait for 7 days because I'll announce the winner on May 7!

The winner will be drawn randomly. Of course, I'll be checking if he/she also did a post on his/her blog first!

MAY 3 UPDATE!!!
I love the response! My page rank went up dramatically! I thought that maybe only 2 or 3 people will join but now... I've decided to give away more prizes!

2nd PRIZE: Jurlique Maintain Balance Introductory Set. This is actually more expensive than the brush case above! This is about P4,000 from Jurlique Greenbelt 5. The kit contains a Balancing Foaming Cleanser, Rosewater Balancing Mist, Daily Exfoliating Cream, Herbal Recovery Gel and Balancing Day Care Cream.

3rd PRIZE: A Shu Uemura Lipstick Holder. This is a super cute case that will hold 2 lipstick tubes. Specially designed with delicate artwork, it also comes with a little mirror for quick touchups wherever you may be!

Good luck! Spread the word! And thanks for joining!

P.S. Yes, I will send the prize anywhere in the world (shipping's on me!) so this is open to everybody in the world. However, if you aren't from the Philippines, I'll have to use regular post which can take up to a month in transit.

The Beauty Writer