Sassy Reds

I, along with my colleagues in Manila Bulletin, roadtested a bunch of red lipsticks—just in time for the holiday season.  Read below for my reviews:


The Face Shop Face It Wrinkle Repair lipstick in RD301

The Face Shop combines skincare (its specialty) with cosmetics in Face It Wrinkle Repair Lipstick. Makeup artist Marge Apacible shares her tips on how to take extra care of your puckers:
1. Use Plus+1 Dual Lip Care Kit to keep lips smooth and well-moisturized.
2. Apply liquid foundation or concealer onto lips, and dust with loose powder. This makes the lipstick last longer.
3. Draw the contours of the lips with Lovely Me: Ex Auto Lip Liner in 06 Red that matches the red lipstick. This is to prevent smudging and increase its staying power.
4. Fill in lips with Face It Wrinkle Repair Lipstick in RD301 using a lip brush for precision. Dab tissue onto lips and dust lips with loose powder. Apply a second coat.
5. Once the lipstick has been fully applied, get a cotton bud with a bit of powder foundation and glide around the lips to perfect the outline of the lips and further define its contours.
6. Finally, apply a sheer red lip gloss like Diamond Shine Lip Gloss in RD301 onto the center of the bottom lip and press lips together.


Verdict: Not only does it stay on the lips long, it glides on easily as well—thanks to its anti-aging ingredients such as collagen and Vitamin E.




M.A.C. PRO Longwear Lipcreme in Extended Play

M.A.C. is every makeup artist’s dream playground. Resident Trainer Owen Sarmiento shows us how to keep lip color from bleeding:
1. Apply Lip Conditioner to the lips using a lip brush.
2. Apply a coat of Prep+Prime Lips over the lips especially the edges to avoid color bleeding.
3. Sharpen Lip Pencil in Burgundy & Spice, then draw in desired shape and fill in the entire lip area.
4. Fill in your lips with PRO Longwear Lipcreme in Extended Play.
5. Gently press your lips onto a single-ply tissue to blot off the excess oil and press the pigment onto the lips.
6. Apply lipstick color.
7. Blot again.


Verdict: When a lipstick bears both “longwear” and “extended” in its name, one is doubly rest assured of this lip color’s long-lasting power. It’s a heavily pigmented, semi-matte cream lipstick that is a perfect match for the sexy and confident career woman who wants to look good without worrying if her lips need retouching every hour or so. No bleeding here!




The Body Shop Colourglide in Brilliant Red 53

A conscientious global beauty brand, The Body Shop continuously aims to protect our planet with its ethical trade programs. Here are some tips from the brand for fabulous puckers:
1. Use Lip Scuff to exfoliate, and remove dead skin cells from your lips to keep them soft.
2. Outline your lips with Lip liner shade in Rosy Red 13 to keep lipstick from running.
3. Apply lipstick, preferably with a lip brush, to achieve defined lips, and an even coat.
4. You may opt to apply extra shine with Hi-Shine lip treatment shade in Cherry Glimmer 15.


Verdict: A buildable lip color that’s highly recommended for those who are red lippie newbies. You can work your way from sheer to bold colors with minimal application.

Beauty vows to save the Earth

Two of the most eco-conscious and earth-friendly beauty brands celebrated Earth Day with record-breaking news:


With the success of The Body Shop’s Rainforest Hair Care range in 2010, the brand proudly brings us yet another product range called the Earth Lovers. This product line features a 100 percent biodegradable shower gel that has a non-drying formula that promises to be good to your skin and to Mother Earth. Free of sulphates, colorants and parabens, the Earth Lovers shower gel line is made from a soap-free base that gives you smooth and soft skin after every wash. Choose from seven variants: Lemon & Thyme, Mint & Cucumber, Watermelon & Eucalyptus, Fig & Rosemary, Pear & Lemongrass, Apricot & Basil, and Fragrance-Free.

Kiehl’s debuts its iconic customer representative lab coat—made from Bionic Yarn. The latest upcycling technology, Bionic Yarn boasts of premium yarns and fabrics made with fibers derived from plastic bottles. Though made from plastic, each lab coat offers the same high-quality cotton look and feel of the classic version.

Pharrell Williams, with partners Tyson Toussant and Tim Coombs, owns a New York City-based company named Returns Textiles that is responsible for the Bionic Yarn technology. “When I became a partner in Return Textiles, it was my goal to use the fabric technology to partner with other like-minded companies to find ways to do good for our planet. Kiehl’s has a long history of taking both small and big measures to reduce waste, and inspiring others to do so,” shares Pharrell Williams.

Lip Service

A change of lip color can be a powerful and quick move to transform your look. A swipe of light pinks and peaches can sweeten up a look, and a hot red lipstick can give off a sexy, I’m-in-control vibe. But whether you take that bold step to the bright and dark side or not, having smooth and soft lips should be top priority. Applying lip color on dry lips will only enhance your chapped lips, and it’s not a sight anyone would enjoy.


One lip balm that we’re quite happy about is the arrival of LipIce. A trip to Hong Kong is not complete if I don’t buy a lot of LipIce lip balms. Affordably priced at P89 and up, these mentholated lip balms not only protect and moisturize your puckers, its mint flavor also soothes dry lips.

LipIce comes in fruity flavors like strawberry. It also offers lip balm with sheer color, color lipbalm and color gloss fruity. Mentholatum Therapy Lipbalm and Lip Gel and Men’s Cool Aqua are also available at Watsons and Beauty by SM.

Now that you have achieved healthy and moisturized lips, trying on different lip shades and textures is going to be more enjoyable. For the ladies who have always been on the safe side, natural-looking lips are the way to go. The Body Shop Colourguide Lip Colour in nude and soft pink hues has moisturizing properties that hydrates and provides intense coverage in one swipe.

The Body Shop Colourguide Lip Colour, P695, is highly pigmented for quick application.

But if you’re looking for lip color that lasts longer due to the festivities this season, try Revlon’s newest lipstick, Just Bitten Lipstain by ColorStay is a Two-in-One Lipstain and Balm that will surely last longer (on your puckers) than your average lipstick. Lipstain has longer staying power that provides better coverage and lasting color. It also has vitamin-enriched formula that guarantees hours of wear without streaking or smudging. Some girls have even vouched that Revlon’s latest lip baby is kiss-proof, too!

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain by ColorStay, P575, is exclusively available at Watsons and Beauty by SM.

Vday is Coming!

Valentines day is less than a week away—it's this Sunday :o Will try to post more gift ideas for you this whole week.

For my first entry—The Body Shop Love Etc:

It’s happy. Fullfiling. Intoxicating. Exhilirating. It’s Love Etc…!

Fall in love this season with a whiff of The Body Shop’s newest fragrance—Love Etc…™ With a sensuous union of iconic feminine jasmine, with indulgent notes of vanilla, sandalwood and musk cream, it’s sure to get you high on love!

Layer on the happy notes of love with the Love Etc… 30 ml Eau de Parfum (Php 1,495.00) or 50 ml (Php 1,995.00) or the Love Etc… 50 ml Eau de Toilette (Php 1,495.00) with the Love Etc… Body Lotion (Php 895.00), Love Etc… Body Butter (Php 895.00) and Love Etc… Body Wash (Php 795.00).

Bright Brigade

I've been quite shy when it comes to putting bold lip colors, but I recently gathered up the courage to try on a few. And with this new-found liking to bright lippies, I proposed a beauty story to my boss in Manila Bulletin on these eye-popping lipsticks. I hope this photos below inspire you to try something new ;) Here they are below:

HOT PINK - Fuchsia pink lips shows that you have a playful sweet side. Blue undertones whitens your teeth as well. On model: Shu Uemura pink collection in PK369.

Try: M.A.C. Lip Gloss in Crazy Haute, Glorietta; Shu Uemura Pink collection in PK 369, Power Plant Mall; The Body Shop lipstick in 69, The Podium.

FIERY RED - Powerful confident women love having red-colored lips. A fire-engine red is your safest bet that matches all skin tones. On model: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in 128.

Try: Elianto Spa Lipstick in Royal Red, available in most SM malls; ModelCo lipstick in True Red, Beauty Bar, Power Plant Mall; Max Factor Silk Gloss in Cashmere Red, available in most SM department stores.

HAPPY ORANGE - Orange lips might be too much to handle, but do try going a notch lower with sexy coral shades. On model: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in 581.

Try: Max Factor lipstick in Pearl Orange, available in most SM department stores; Guerlain Rouge in Gina, Rustan’s Makati; Revlon Crème Gloss in Crush on Coral, available in most SM department stores.

URBAN PURPLE - Go for sexy goth in dark or acid purple tints—a refreshing fun option to your usual dark wine red lips. On model: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in Purple 050.

Try: M.A.C. lipstick in Purple Rite and M.A.C. lip gloss in Fierce & Fabulous, both available in Glorietta; The Face Shop Color Shimmer Lipstick in PP403, available in most Robinsons malls.

So, which lip color will you try? ;)

*Photography by DIX; Makeup by Ding Espinosa of Shu Uemura; Hairstyling by Elaine Ganuelas for L'Oreal Professionnel; Model: Sai Manzano of Victo Rio

Discounts from the Beauty Hub

The Body Shop has a new batch of products that are being sold at "promo" prices:

Buy 1 at 10% off; buy 2 or more at 20% off on ALL SKIN CARE ranges (except soap and lip care).

Save 40% on TEA TREE OIL, CONCEALER and BLEMISH GEL.

Save 40% on GRAPESEED GLOSSING SERUM

Save 20% on BROW & LINER-KIT and MASCARAS

Save 40% on FLAWLESS FOUNDATION

Save P300 on MINERAL BLUSH and MINERAL MAKEUP

Save 20% on COCOA BUTTER range

Buy any 2 at P495 on BATH SHOWER GELS

Save P100 on WELL-BEING range

Love Your Body Members get 15% off when you buy 1, or 25% off for 2 or more—on all skin care range.

Plus, a new look for their best seller Tea Tree Oil range. About the new and improved line:

"The range features tamanu oil which has traditionally been used to promote healthy-looking skin. It also has fantastic skin-moisturising properties. Lemon tree oil is also featured in these products, giving them an unbeatable zesty fragrance. Enjoy visible results with these clinically and dermatological tested products and get that confidence boost!"

"Tea Tree products feature Community Trade organic tea tree oil from Kenya, an ingredient renowned for its antibacterial benefits—an infusion perfect to help blemished skin! The Body Shop ® sources this ingredient through the unique Community Trade fair trade programme where it’s cultivated by expert farmers living and working at the foothills of Mount Kenya."

For the (secretly) Vain Dad

I'm sure your dad secretly wishes that he could age gracefully as well. (photo courtesy of Clarins)

Most dads are too embarrassed to ask for help with regards to vanity,

so why don't you give him some skin care products to try?

Sleepless working nights can make him look older through his eye area. Help him fight wrinkles

and puffiness with these Clarins products. The Line-Control Eye Balm (left) smoothes and firms

the eye area; while the Anti-Fatigue Eye serum (right) prevents dark circles and puffiness from

appearing. Don't forget to teach your dad how to apply these creams

by lightly touching the eye area with just one finger (or his ring finger).

It's a long-time fave shave cream that works for all skin types. And you don't have to use much on your skin,

just a very thin layer of this product will do. Dads who love mint (like mine) will surely love this,

since it comes with Menthol and Camphor to give an antiseptic cooling effect.

If you hear your dad talking about sagging skin and his double chin getting bigger, then give him

this Shiseido Men Facial Contour Refiner. It has Yeast Extract, which enhances

the tightening of collagen fibers.

The Body Shop's Maca Root men's care range is an affordable starter/travel kit. According to the brand, Maca Root is the "super food of the Andes"

that grows in the mountains of Peru. It has essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that have been used

by the Incas 2,000 years ago—believed to make them strong before going to battle. Now, it comes in a skin care line

to keep men's skin healthy, radiant and firm.

New Items Up for Grabs at The Body Shop

The Body Shop is having a promo on their latest makeup (Hot Brights) and fragrance (White Musk White Hot Summer) lines. Plus, a few bestsellers are also being offered with lots of savings for you ;)

In the posters/flyers:

Save P400 on Hot Brights Makeup when you buy Hot Brights Lip & Cheek Stain

Save 40% on your next White Musk White Hot Summer product when you buy the Eau De Toilette

Save 20% on all mascaras

Save 20% on Vitamin C range

Save 40% on facial cleansers

Save P100 on body butters

Save 20% on men's fragrances (gift idea for DAD?) and Maca Root range

*Promo period: June 12 to July 2, 2009

Beauty Blowout

Another too-good-to-pass-up store is The Body Shop.  Who could resist not going in, when you see all these goodies? :)

This is what you'll see as you walk by the store.  It's just too tempting :o

Lotions in Spring Orchid (mild calm scent) and Lemon and Lime (energizing fragrance) is not sold at 70% off.  Original price: P695; sale price: P208.

Our tropical weather can be a bit confusing (and non-cooperative), which is why their Macadamia Straightening Balm is perfect in taming your wild wild locks.  Original price: P625; Sale price: P187.50.

Their White Musk Sensual Shimmer Fragrance is also a steal.  From P1195, it's now on sale at P358.  I tried it on my arm, and the texture leaves your skin smooth and silky (not yucky and slimy at all); and gives a light shimmer effect for a dewy, healthy, sexy look :)

Another good buy is this pack of Tea Tree Oil, Cream blush and lip balm, that's being sold for only P495.  You save P645!  

Perfect accompaniments for natural touch-ups.

Their Body Focus line is now at a promo discount of 50% off.

Skincare products have a discount of as low as 10% to as big as 50%!

Their White Musk White Hot Summer products are offered at 40% off.  Definitely winning purchases, since this is one of their latest lines.

Check out their newest makeup collection—all double-duty!

Look for Gil, and he'll give you a makeover and tips on how to use their products.

They even provide you with notes on which products were applied or used on you, to serve as your cheat sheet.

More good news!  For every single purchase worth P3500, you get to bring home this fab cream clutch.  So, bring the whole family and share the loot ;)

Falling in Love with Roses

Taking out a few petals of a rose has been a habit of mine since I was a child. I used to lightly rub them on my cheeks. I loved how smooth and soft they felt on my skin, and it also gave me the feeling of being part of a royal family a la Cleopatra. THAT was a long time ago, and I had forgotten how a simple flower can actually make me feel pretty—until this year.

Ever since British beauty brand The Body Shop was absorbed by L'Oreal, their products (from quality to packaging) have never failed to catch my eye. For this spring, they launched a makeup collection with the rose as their muse: roses etched on the powdered compacts and lipsticks, with subtle scents of roses infused in the products that make you feel like you've stepped inside a dreamy garden of roses. My favorite from the lot is their Roseflower Radiance Stick that serves as a great highlighter stick, and gives a dewy finish for a healthy radiant look.

They come in super cute packaging , and are perfect for Pinays who are into pretty pastel hues.

M.A.C. released their own rendition of the classic rose with their Rose Romance collection late this month. If I fell in love with the wearability and the ingenious infusion of the rose scent in The Body Shop, I swooned over the highly-pigmented playful makeup of M.A.C.

Beauty powders are presented in 3D rose illustrations, P1300, in and Shimmer Rose (soft violet pink with pearl) and Blush of Youth (clean pink with gold pearl). So pretty to look at! I don't think I can bring myself to use them :o

Making a debut through this collection is their gel blush in Just a Pinch, P1250. It's in gel form, so it feels light on your skin and will give you a rosy healthy glow without the heaviness of a cream.

If you're into stained lips, then their See Thru Lip Colours, P870 each, are perfect for you. They're not as thick and heavy like their Lipglass versions, but give just the right healthy tint on your puckers. I love how my lips absorbed the shimmery light cream, and how cool it feels when applied.  I'd use them everyday—very wearable!  

L-R: Loving Touch (sheer pearly light pink), Tender Trysts (sheer pearly plum), and Secret Crush (sheer red berry).

And if you have extra moolah to spare, I suggest you include this in your beauty budget. A limited edition of their fix spray, P800, that comes in—what else?—rose scent. A concoction filled with vitamins and minerals (a blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber and 100% natural rose water) that's good for your skin. Spritz this on after applying makeup; your skin will quickly absorb the water to keep it moisturized. It also finishes off your makeup with a nice radiant glow—try it!

So, why don't you reward yourselves with these rose-inspired picks? :D