Botanical harmony

When it comes to skincare, it’s either you stick to your old regimen or play the field until you get it right. Every month it’s a new cleanser, toner, mask and moisturizer. You are just never satisfied until you find something that is perfect for your skin.

But you know what they say — nothing compares to going back to nature. So, if you want to give your face a rest from all the chemicals, believe in beauty by nature. Mary Kay recently launched its Botanical Customized Skincare Collection. The brand treated guests to a pampering session at Neo Spa, Fort Bonifacio, with Mary Kay products, of course.

Here is a Mary Kay factoid of the day: Mary Kay Ash started her own company Mary Kay Inc., which is one of the largest direct-selling skincare and color cosmetic companies in the world. Her goal was to provide women with an unlimited opportunity for personal and financial success.

"Mary Kay believed in the Golden Rule as her guiding philosophy," says Bernard Mercado, general manager of Mary Kay (Philippines) Inc. "Her mission is still being carried out today because the company encourages employees and sales force members to prioritize their lives according to a simple but empowering motto: God first, family second, career third."

Now, back to the Botanical Customized skincare collection, which is available in three sets for normal to combination skin, oily and dry and each set costs P2,850. This regimen includes a cleanser, toner, mask and moisturizer, which will surely delight the skin in a natural way. All contain the Bio-Enriched complex, which is a blend of ginseng (skin-conditioning), pomegranate (antioxidant against free radicals) and oat (soothes and moisturizes the skin). Plus, each skin type has an additional botanical ingredient as well.

"For Asian women who want skin that is healthy, balanced and beautiful, Mary Kay’s new line is formulated with botanicals specifically chosen to help the skin achieve perfect harmony," says Reena Rodrigo, marketing director of Mary Kay. "Dry skin will no longer be dry, oily skin won’t be oily and normal skin is able to maintain its healthy balance."

If your skin feels uncomfortably tight with red patches, then you have dry skin. Try Formula One, which is infused with hibiscus. With this added ingredient, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits reduce redness. Skin will feel comfortable and soft for a renewed radiance.

For combination and normal skin, Formula Two will work best to keep the skin in beautiful balance. It contains extract of beech tree bud in order to enhance the skin’s natural processes. Expect the skin to be energized and revitalized, showing off the skin’s natural beauty.

Oily skin can be a problem in a tropical country. That is why Formula Three includes witch hazel to clarify the skin. This antioxidant ingredient acts as a mild astringent that controls oil production on the skin’s surface and reduces damage caused by free radicals.

Just don’t forget to use SPF products to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Then you are all set to have beautiful and healthy-looking skin.

"After using Mary Kay Botanical skincare for two weeks, 84 percent of Asian women of all skin types saw enhancements in the overall appearance of their skin," concludes Rodrigo. "Dry skin became supple. Normal skin looked healthier. Oily skin became balanced skin."

Quit searching for botanical harmony in all the wrong places. You can find Mary Kay’s new skincare collection by logging on to www.marykay.com.ph or by calling 859-6211.

Well, it just goes to show that maybe you are ready to settle down after all.

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E-mail love-hate-whatever things to becca_rodriguez@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/beccacrodriguez.