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!

Guerlain's new "hormones of beauty" is the latest in anti-aging

French beauty brand Guerlain has just released a new line targeted to menopausal women. As these women know, when menopause sets in, skin loses its elasticity, firmness and density rapidly. That's because the hormone estrogen, which used to be abundant in all of us women, is now depleted with menopause. If you're one of these women, what can you do then? Well, aside from getting estrogen therapy, you can apply Guerlain's latest skincare system, Success Age Splendid.
Guerlain's research team has discovered that the magnolia plant, specifically the Magnolia Sieboldii mimics estrogen, restoring the skin's balance and structure. Tests say that 80% of their subjects reported less skin slackening, 91% believed their skin was more toned and nourished. Wow!
It's said that life begins at 40 and if you get the complete line (in gorgeous jeweled blue and gold colors), your skin will definitely feel a new beginning!

Guerlain sent me a jar of the Success Age Splendid Deep-Action Day Care Cream (thank you, lovely Luxasia ladies!!!). I'm not using it since I'm far from menopausal but the mom of OK!'s associate fashion and beauty editor Kristine Ching will try it out. Watch this space for the results!

Guerlain Success Age Splendid skincare line (Deep-Action Day Care Cream, P7,850; Deep-Action Night Care Cream, P9,950; Deep-Action Oil Serum, P8,950; Eye Tech Cream, price unavailable) is available at Rustan's Dept 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.

L'Oreal Professionel announces the hottest hair looks for F/W

There may be no fall/winter seasons here in the Philippines but fashion is followed globally and in the world of beauty trends, beauty giant L'Oreal Professionel has decreed that rock/folk music is the inspiration for the cold months ahead.

Robbie Lizares of L'Oreal Professionel emailed me: "I was going through our Fall/Winter collection and I immediately thought about you! We’re getting inspiration from music icons all over the world–in particular Rock and Folk icons. We’re getting inspiration from the likes of Amy Winehouse (yes, you better believe it!), Debbie Harry of Blondie, Janis Joplin, even Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats (a boy–but the boy cut has also been sported by Rihanna recently)."

Robbie also told me that these looks are going to be launched in September but I'm giving you a sneak peek!

"The Janis Joplin"

"The Joni Mitchell"

"The Debbie Harry"

"The Amy Winehouse"

Too bad the looks require thick masses of hair--my locks are baby fine. Well, I love the rich colors and how they absorb and reflect light. See the Janis color--there are red ribbons throughout the brown. The Amy color is fantastic, too--all deep and dark with golden bronze highlights for depth. Love the colors. Will definitely be getting those soonest!

Get your L'Oreal Professionel music icons-inspired looks from leading salons.

L'Oreal Professionel Nature Serie is so gentle, you can use them on your kids

L'Oreal Professionel just recently launched its Nature Serie line and it is oh so wonderful! There are four types: Oiliss, Richesse, Re-Naitre and Tendresse. While all the products in the line promise all-natural ingredients like avocado oil, grape seed oil, rice protein, lycopene from tomatoes, peach milk, I like Tendresse best. This is soooo gentle even you can use it on your babies--no tears, no allergies. And just look at the adorable kit Lenny Tiongson of L'Oreal Professionel sent me!
I don't have any kids yet, however. Though I can use Tendresse for myself, I figured OK!'s very pregnant associate features editor Joanna Mendoza will appreciate it more for her soon-to-be-born little boy!

Now, what I really love about this new line is its advocacy. For every product you buy, a percentage of the proceeds goes to the Haribon Foundation, which plants and takes care of trees. So not only is the Nature Serie products good for you and the environment, it also ensures that our children have forests to explore. Fabulous, isn't it? Now get yourself a set soonest!

L'Oreal Professionel Nature Serie is available at leading salons.

New fragrance proves that Isse Miyake has a lot of pun!

In 1992, Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake launched L'eau d'Issey. In English, that means Issey's Water. But aurally, it's a playful pun which means The Odyssey. And considering it was Issey's first venture into the highly lucrative world of perfumes, the name was quite apt.

A scent by Issey Miyake
Uploaded by ViaMedia. - Independent web videos.

Seventeen successful years later, Issey Miyake introduces A Scent. Issey says the new perfume is "a scent as simple and beautiful as the air we breathe." True, the freshness of hyacinth and galbanum makes A Scent crisp and invigorating. But I like the name more. The name is so simple and prosaic and yet listen to it and then it means "the act of rising, climbing, moving upward." Aha! I love it! It's so clever.

A Scent by Issey Miyake will be available in September at Rustan's (Makati, Shangri-la Mall, Alabang Town Center, Gateway, Cebu) and Rustan's Essences Robinsons Ermita. For advance orders, please call Issey Miyake Fragrances at +632 856 62 31 or +632 856 1853.

Back to basics with Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Foundation!

Oh my gosh, I have seriously neglected Beauty For A Living! While I haven't stopped updating my personal blog, this beauty blog is a different story because there's just too many beauty events, product launches and new beauty technologies out there! It's like there's something new every other day and I just gave up trying to post them all. I'm so sorry, my dear readers.

For this very first return-to-beauty blogging post, I've decided to report on the very basic of all makeup: foundation.

The stunning Halle Berry and her secret to flawless skin

Revlon sent me their latest product--the Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Makeup. This boasts a formula that offers the benefits of mineral makeup in lightweight mousse form. The foundation will effectively cover facial flaws for up to a whopping 16 hours while protecting the skin with its SPF20. And yes, it's free from talc and parabens so if you have sensitive skin, you don't need to worry about irritation.

Now I love mineral makeup--it's the first kind of makeup that did not make me break out--so I'm pretty excited about this foundation. I was excited, too, when I saw all the tubes Revlon sent over! Whee! Thanks, Ruby Dela Cruz!

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Makeup comes in 6 shades to suit all skin tones. Each 30mL tube costs P875 and is available at Watson's, Beauty by SM, Robinsons Dept Stores, PCX, Mercury Drug Glorietta, Gaisano Metro, Cinderella, Landmark, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall and Unimart.

Kiehl's is on a mission to rehabilitate the Pasig River

Kiehl's, one of my favorite beauty brands, recently made us aware of the state of the Pasig River when they herded us media onto the river ferry and took us on a river cruise.

Metro's Bianca Consunji, me and OK!'s Kristine Ching

Model Isabel Roces, Philippine Daily Inquirer's Kinny Salas-Amparo,
Style Bible's Eunice Lucero and Look's Kelly Misa

The event was held to announce two things: (1) Kiehl's has just upgraded their amazing Rare Earth Pore Minimizing line and (2) they've adopted Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) as their advocacy. The KBPIP project will aim to do the following:

• Raise funds by holding an in-store auction of local artists' paintings of the Pasig River
• Collect plastic bottles and recycle them into bricks which will be used to build homes for the informal settlers along the riverbanks
• Donate P5 from the proceeds of every Kiehl's Rare Earth product
• Urge people to donate-donate-donate to the cause through SMS

Kiehl's gave us beads to create our Commitment Bag Charms--a sign
of our commitment to support the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

The artists show us their paintings.

So how can we help?

• You can buy a painting or two! The artwork will be displayed at the Kiehl's Greenbelt 5 boutique from July to August.
• Bring your plastic bottles to the store from August to September.
• Buy Kiehl's Rare Earth products from August to December!
• Text “GIVE[space]ILOG” to 2366 for Globe, TouchMobile and Sun Cellular and 231 for SMART and Talk & Text. Each SMS automatically donates P1 to the cause.

Beauty isn't just what you see in the mirror--it has to pervade everything in our life: our homes, our relationships, our values, our work, our environment. Let's make the Pasig River a beautiful river once again!

Kiehl's Rare Earth products (Deep Pore Daily Cleanser, P1200; Pore Refining Toner, P1500; Pore Minimizing Lotion, P1450; and Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, P2150) are available at Kiehl's in Greenbelt 5, Makati.

The Beauty Writer

P.S. Read about my Pasig River trip in my blog, Topaz Horizon.

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