Beauty… naturally

It’s been said that cosmetics sales shoot up during hard times. It could be a quirk in human behavior or a powerful coping mechanism – take your pick. Fact is, people want to look – and therefore, feel – good during dire straits. And when they feel good, it’s easier to look beyond what is and be filled with hope for a brighter future.

What could be a better timing than now for BeautiControl to enter the competitive market of skincare products? Launched by Tupperware, BeautiControl is an international skincare and beauty wellness company that has been in the industry for the past 25 years. It began in the US and has since then gained fame in Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia and Venezuela. Now it’s poised to charm stressed-out Filipinos looking for an ultimate spa experience – right in their own homes.

"BeautiControl is anchored on nature-inspired beauty solutions and supports Tupperware’s Total Life Concept philosophy. Our formula for skin wellness includes a three-tiered approach, which are maintenance, repair and prevention," says Connie Tang, BeautiControl USA vice president for special markets, before proceeding to demonstrate the various products that Tupperware clients are raving about.

The idea is, says Tang, for people to experience BeautiControl products a la those famous Tupperware parties. It can either stand alone or be an extension of a Tupperware party where friends and family members are treated to a relaxing spa experience. Aptly called the Spa Escape Experience, the session is conducted by trained staff that assists in the demonstration of the products.

Among the more remarkable products introduced to the curious bunch of media people was the Herbal Serenity Show of Hands Instant Manicure. Containing Dead Sea salts and five natural oils – macadamia, avocado, safflower, oranges and tea tree – the product guarantees you baby soft hands. After only one application, hands certainly feel so soft and smooth, no kidding. Apart from its exfoliation and moisturizing qualities, it also protects the hands and nails from the elements. The baby- soft feeling lasts for several hours and it can be used daily or as needed. Its perfect partner is the fragrance-free Extreme Repair Hand Therapy for Dry and Damaged Skin, which can also be used for the elbows and the heels.

Meanwhile, the Skinlogics Lip Apeel is a two-step therapy that revitalizes and restores moisture to dry, chapped lips. The Line Peel has paraffin that gently exfoliates dead surface cells and removes lipstick buildup. Plus, it has anti-inflammatory allantoin that heals and soothes dry and flaky skin on the lips. The process is really simple and is similar to applying a face mask. Just spread a thin layer of the Line Peel on the lips and let dry. Once dry, gently rub the lips and wipe off any residue with damp cotton or a washcloth. Easy does it, although don’t be surprised if, while waiting for the Line Peel to dry on your lips, you look like you ate cream or confectionery sugar with gusto. After this, the Lip Balm, made from candelila wax, beeswax, wheat germ oil, castor oil, petrolatum and lanolin, as well as vitamin E and sweet orange oil, should give your now luscious lips proper protection from harmful elements.

Staying true to its MRP (maintenance, repair and prevention) formula, BeautiControl has various products to meet Filipinos’ specific needs. For maintenance, Tang recommends the Skinlogics line. Divided into the Basic, Platinum and Gold for various skin conditions, Skinlogics includes such products as foaming gel, cleansing foam, facial scrub, tonic and moisturizer. For repair, there’s the Regeneration Gold consisting of a rejuvenating face and neck lotion and eye repair cream. If you want a non-invasive facelift, this is the dynamic duo that will hold the fort against premature skin aging. Then there’s prevention, probably the most important of all, which is found in one powerful formulation – the New Cell Protection with Vitamin C and SPF 20. Fortified with antioxidants such as vitamin C, green tea and algae extracts, Cellblock C promises to "protect what you have repaired and stop skin aging before it even begins." With a recent Discovery Channel feature on Magnetic Storms – or how the earth is slowly losing its magnetic field and, in the process, losing our protective barrier against radiation from outer space and solar winds – we should start somewhere and protect our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Two other products that BeautiControl is proud to have are the Spa Warming Trend Green Tea Masque and the Tight Fix Facial Firming Complex. As the name implies, the former feels warm upon contact with damp skin. With vitamins C and D, as well as minerals and botanical extracts, the mask, says Tang, is a "self-heating mask that thoroughly cleanses the skin, leaving it soft, smooth and radiant."

The latter, meanwhile, promises immediate results, which include the lifting and tightening of the skin, as well as smooth and young-looking skin. This is good news especially for those who want to minimize their laugh lines and crow’s feet, and have that delightful glow.

According to Tang, Filipino women are more flexible and open when it comes to trying out new things. In contrast to Malaysia or Singapore, she says the color choices of Pinays are more vibrant. As far as fragrances are concerned, Filipino women would rather stay away from vanilla and focus on the lighter, more refreshing scents. Thus, Dreams – a fascinating bouquet of ivy, cassis, jasmine, rose and muguet waft from a bed of cedarwood, musk and a hint of vanilla – is the perfect finishing touch to a day of pampering with BeautiControl’s Specialty-at-Home Spa.

According to Tupperware Phils. Inc. president Jose de Jesus Buenrostro, the leading houseware company is passionate about changing lives, which is why it prides itself on supporting 25,000 families through its direct-selling scheme. With the entry of BeautiControl in the scene, Buenrostro is positive that they will be able to reach out to more Filipinos. "The beauty business is recession-resistant. It’s been proven that people are not willing to give up beauty products in times of difficulty. With BeautiControl, we’d like to offer people a way to de-stress and relax amid hard times, in a very affordable way," he says.

In this time of sky-rocketing prices, BeautiControl is a breath of fresh air coming our way. Non-pretentious, no elaborate trappings, just a direct, no-nonsense (not to mention, affordable) approach to well-being. Simply beautiful.