Beauty Discounts

Hey, my dear readers!


I got an e-mail from Strawberrynet last week regarding a special discount for our readers here.  It's an online site that sells beauty products at discounted price.  The prices are pretty okay, but you'll get 50% off when you use this discount code that they gave me: SNETBR-033883.


This code is good for one-time use only and will expire on Monday, March 28.


I haven't had the chance to order from them, since I still have a lot of beauty products in my "cupboard."  So, if anyone of you would like to try and grab this opportunity, do let me know and I will send an e-mail back to the Strawberrynet girls regarding your orders.  This way, I can assist you and make sure your order gets to you.  Let me know also if you have any good or bad shopping experiences with them.


Happy shopping! :D

Counter Intelligence

Don’t we all love looking for fabulous finds? The ones that are of good quality and are affordably-priced? Two shops that I frequently score amazing products from are Watsons Personal Care Stores and Beauty by SM Department Stores, and they just brought in a few more beauty goodies. Check these new additions:

For men, Watsons Men introduces two lines to cater to two skin types: normal and oily. Packaged in sleek matte black with pops of aqua blue and neon green, this is a sophisticated grooming line. Each range comes with four products that consist of wash, toner, scrub and cream, with the cream being my favorite from the lot. It comes with a pump for easy usage, and it’s also mess-free—perfect for men who want to keep everything simple and fast.

Seems like everyone’s becoming more eco-conscious, and these two stores join this category by offering eco-certified products that are free of paraben, mineral oil, and alcohol ingredients. Their bottles and packaging are also recyclable and reusable, with the line working closely with Bantay Kalikasan in protecting the La Mesa forest reserve. My favorite from the lot is the Sunflower Soothing Sugared Body Scrub, as I’ve been searching for Sunflower-scented products. I fell in love with the smell after I had my massage at Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay.

Koreans and Japanese have been known to have super smooth and clear skin, which is why we gravitate towards skincare products that have a connection to these. Pure Beauty is the newest member at Watsons Your Personal Beauty Store. Made in Korea, and dermatologically-tested, Pure Beauty has detoxifying, neutralizing, energizing, and brightening effects that give you radiant skin results. A powerful yet gentle combination of relaxing ingredients such as lavender, bergamot, freesia, peppermint, rosemary, patented Greenol Oriental Herb Complex, and pomegranate works on reversing the signs of aging.

Yummy Facials

Got this a few weeks ago from the Montagne Jeunesse team:

They've really put a lot of thought into this press kit :)  Included in the kit are a CD, some printouts, and a Chocolate Mud Masque. 

You've got to love the idea of making the mask chocolate-flavored.  It's supposed to de-stress, aside from deeply cleansing your skin.  I left the mask on for a good 15 minutes.  Those 15 minutes were a breeze, as I love every minute of it!  I think the smell of chocolate gave me an extra dose of endorphins.  Haha...  And after washing it off, I immediately felt that my skin feels tighter, cleaner and glowing!  Not bad for P77.75 a pack.  And I didn't even finish the pack, so it's actually good for 2 uses ;)

I can't wait to try the other variants: Peach Kernels & Walnut Exfoliating Mask exfoliates and brightens up skin.  Aloe Vera & Green Tea Face Tonic softens the skin and protects it from oxidative damage.  Dead Sea Mud Pac cleans deeply and nourishes with seaweed and minerals from the Dead Sea, with a hint of lavender. Aromatherapy Masque is a good choice to calm your skin after a day in the sun or a particularly stressful activity.

*Available at Watsons, Landmark Dept Stores, Gaisano Metro Group, Gaisano Regional.

Travel Looks + Contest

Everyone's planning a trip. If not this Holy Week, it's probably soon :) So, to get you in the mood for some serious packing and planning, here are some of the images from L'Oreal Professionnel's latest look book.

Don't you just love the how it's styled? The layout, the photos, the model, the clothes, and of course, the hair!

Get more inspirations in L'Oreal Professionnel's latest lookbook, by joining this contest by hairinmanila

They are giving away 3 of these special books. :D

Deadline of entries is until April 3, 2010.

Good luck and have a blessed holy week, everyone :D

See you all next week!

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).

Texture Play

With matte lips and nail polishes dominating the runways and magazine editorials, it’s about time beauty brands gave in to their consumers’ requests. And with Shiseido’s successful line of Perfect Rouge lipsticks launched last year, its Artistic Director, Dick Page, introduces eight additional shades for all us lipstick lovers.

Two new varieties, each with four new colors, are sure to excite you as they did for me—Glowing Matte and Tender Sheer. Glowing Matte, obviously, is my recommended choice. Page explains: “For Glowing Matte, my inspiration was softness, smoothness, and a delicate, lightweight veil of color.” Unlike the matte lipsticks of the ‘90s, these slickers come in semi-transparent color, and are formulated with Shiseido’s exclusive Smoothing Matte Powder. It doesn’t leave your lips dry, since it has intense moisturizing properties. Hence, the look of sheer matte is achieved, with minimized appearance of lip lines, too.

Left: Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer lipsticks in pout, tender, natural wine and natural red.
Right: Perfect Rouge Glowing Matte lipsticks in sugarbabe, natural beige, wink and coral glow.

On the side: I love the packaging of both lines. The black matte cases for the matte lipsticks are so sleek!

For those who prefer to stay on the safe side, Tender Sheer is for you. Though light and glossy, it’s highly pigmented to give your lips just the right tint. It has a dewy finish that keeps your puckers moist all day keeps flaked and chapped lips at bay. Both lip ranges have Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE that locks in moisture, and keeps it from evaporating. So your lips stay fresh and moisturized all day long.

Other new releases include eight shades of lip gloss, six colors of blushes, five satin eye colors, and sheer matifying compact.

*Shiseido is available at Rustan’s, Greenbelt 5, and Power Plant Mall.

Makeup that works as Skin Treatment, too!

Last month/year, La Mer launched two new products under its cosmetics line. I was invited to its intimate launch at the 5th floor of Rustan's Makati.

It was quite cozy and relaxed

From their famous skincare line,

comes their Treatment Powder Foundation (big compact) and Radiance Concealer (small compact)

Taken from their website:

Treatment Powder Foundation with SPF15

This luxurious, lightweight powder foundation may be applied to create uniquely flexible coverage. Gemstones capture light energy to create a translucent color palette, optically erasing imperfections to reveal a naturally flawless complexion. An exclusive Radiant Ferment works continuously to add visible clarity and brightness, revealing a more luminous appearance.
This versatile powder foundation is ideal for natural, long-lasting coverage and simple touch-ups over any other Skincolor foundation.

Radiant Concealer with SPF25

This treatment cream concealer instantly evens the skin’s appearance while adding radiance. Gemstones capture light energy to camouflage dark circles and blemishes, optically erasing imperfections to create a smooth, even finish. Precious marine and plant extracts help reduce the appearance of undereye puffiness, lines and wrinkles and minimize pores. Redness and discoloration are diminished as skin is continuously calmed and soothed. Fine layers provide buildable coverage. Skin stays naturally flawless all day. SPF 25.

Makeup Artist Christine Duque explains these two new products

...and showed us how to apply it, with the help of my friend (model/makeup artist/ad girl) Mica Tuano

It was great to see fellow editors again. In the photo below:

Preview's Cindy Go, Mega Publishing's (and ex-MEG eic) Pierra Labrador, and Kelly Misa

*Visit Rustan's Makati and Shangri-la Plaza mall to try these new La Mer products.

Classes Resume

Great news from Maquillage Professionnel!

They are extending our promo until January 31, 2010 due to public demand.

Enroll on or before January 31 in any of the intensive courses and get a MAKE UP FOR EVER 25Years Eyeshadow Palette,

...or in any of the short courses and receive a MAKE UP FOR EVER 25Years Tote Bag.

Choose from the training schedule lined up until March 2010. Click on the photos below to read all about their promos and classes:

Zara Sale — Lez Gow!

Got a text yesterday from SSI (Store Specialists, Inc) Eliza Drilon:

Get ready for the much awaited Zara End of Season Sale! Enjoy up to 65% off. Sale period is from January 7 to January 31. Visit the nearest branch: Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 5, Mall of Asia, Glorietta, Shangri-la Plaza Mall and TriNoma.

Oooohhh... see ya 'all there! :P

Btw, good news to all you Kerastase fans out there.

The luxurious haircare brand is giving away this set below:

All of Kerastase products in mini-sizes—soooper cute! Contest ends this January 9 (Saturday), so hurry! Click on this link to find out how you can join. Good luck! :D

More Beauty Picks

For those who have deeper pockets, here are some more gift suggestions.

Whether your “baby” is a beauty junkie or a newbie, she’ll thank you for these makeup and skincare sets:

Keep your items and tools organized with Make Up For Ever Limited Edition Zebra Mallette, P3,200.

An introduction to the wonderful world of makeup should start with high-quality brushes like Make Up For Ever Limited Edition Dany’s Brush Set, P3,800. Available at the 3/F of Shangri-la Plaza Mall, B:8 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global, Taguig City, and Martish at Davao City.

Jurlique Rose gift set, P5,200, comes with its famous Rosewater Balancing Mist, Rose hand cream and body lotion. A great combo for ladies with dry skin. Available at Greenbelt 5 and Power Plant mall.

Smashbox Wish for a Perfect Complexion, P2,050, has two foundation primers—one for the house and one to bring with you, for those last-minute functions. Available at Beauty Bar.

Shiseido Moisturizing Hydrant skincare set is a great starter kit for those who do not know the importance of caring for you skin YET. Available at Glorietta and Power Plant mall.

Bloom Lipgloss Trio, P1,475, is for those who love getting yummy-looking puckers. Available at Beauty Bar.

You’ll never go wrong with Bulgari’s The Blanc parfum set. It has white tea and musk that comforts and soothes. Available at Rustan’s.

Philosophy Recipe box set, P1,150, contains two shower gels: a red velvet and a sweet creamy frosting; also comes with real recipe cards that’s perfect for those who love to bake. Available at Beauty Bar.

M.A.C.’s Naughty Noir Eye Bag, P2,800, comes with pigment in Shimmertime, fluidline in Backtrack, 209 Brush SE, and Zoom lash in Zoomblack—all tucked inside this metallic makeup pouch. Available at Glorietta, Rustan’s Tower, and Power Plant mall.

Keep your skin moisturized and smelling good with The Body Shop’s Festive Body Butter Bliss, P1,195, has three body butters (50ml) each. Available in most malls nationwide.

Beauty Gift Sets—all under P1,000

How are you with your Christmas shopping?

Here are some kikay gift suggestions for beauty babes:

Fruit Bowl Hand Cream gift set (P525, Face Shop)

works wonders on your hands. Smells yummy, too!

Changpo Magic Straight gift set (P595, Face Shop)

is for those who love their long, lush, and straight locks.

Asquith Miracle Manicure set (P450, Beauty Bar)

comes in a pouch for easy storage.

Asquith Massaging Accessory set (P650, Beauty Bar)

is a perfect gift for workaholics like your boss.

Simple Pleasures French Lavander set of 4 (P695, Essenses, Rustan’s)

soothes and calms.

Grace Coleco Miss McCole soap kit (P795, Essenses, Rustan’s)

makes bath time fun with its perky pink packaging.

Grace Coleco Tea tree Oil and Lemongrass set (P995, Essenses, Rustan’s)

energizes and invigorates.

Smell deliciously fresh with Skin Candy set in Martini (P120, Zen Zest).

Sprizt on Room and Linen fragrance set in Stimulating (P360, Zen Zest)

when you need a pick-me-upper.

Fresh and Clean body wash and hand sanitizer (P99, Zen Zest)

is a great gift set for just about anyone.

Hope this post helped you with your shopping :D I still can't believe we only have 9 more days until Christmas :o Waaaahhhh!!!!

Korean Wave

I've been meaning to write about my experience with Park Jun salon, but I couldn't bring myself to do so.

This post was supposed to be up around the time Typhoon Ondoy arrived.

Went with my mom (who else?! ;D) for some bonding time.

Left her at the private room, while Stacey toured me around.

The private room is the first thing you see after the reception area. The next thing would be this hallway...

that leads to a makeup room and to this set of stairs going down the basement.

A small kitchen area where they make their drinks for customers

A nail salon

the actual salon area

the shampoo area. Love the seats... aaahhhh...

feels like I can just fall asleep there (matched with the wonderful scalp massage)

went back to the private room and I was given this coat, instead of the usual cape—cute!

The personnel gave me a bunch of clearbooks with tear sheets of hairstyles

that I can show the stylists, too!

Since I wanted to grow my hair, I opted for a Kerastase treatment. Park Jun boasts of high-tech stuff, one of which is a steamer that uses ions and mineral water—said to help open up our pores and are good for our scalp and hair, too!

Our overall experience was just lovely, that my mom and I went back for another visit. I personally find the staff very efficient, nice, and accommodating. Below is a photo of our stylist Jinny Kim with Stacey. Stacey can speak really good English and acts as the interpreter for you/clients and their team of stylists. Apparently, she graduated high school here in Manila, and went to Australia for college. No wonder her English is good!

For prices, click on the photos below. Other must-tries are Volume Rebonding

(straight hair that still has volume) and Volume Magic Wave (perm)

Park Jun Salon

Ground Level, Glorietta 3

Ayala Center, Makati City

Tel nos. 819-3001/3002