Coming from a family of dermatologists, I’m a sucker for derm-developed cosmeceuticals. Dr. Howard Murad’s line is one of the best — I never leave the house without applying his Intensive Moisture SPF 30.
Though I’m not a huge fan of the whole whitening craze, I do see the need for battling the pigmentation and dark spots that crop up with age and sun damage. Again, Murad’s White Brilliance is the line I’m loving. It’s so easy to use, with only three steps, and I started seeing more translucent skin in less than a month.
The three products in the line all contain 3xWhite Technology, which works in three ways to lighten and even your complexion: sodium PCA improves the skin’s moisture balance; a gentle exfoliator promotes the turnover of dark, damaged cells for better skin clarity; and advanced vitamin C technology plus additional skin brighteners attack dark spots and inhibit melanin production.
The Gentle Cleanser is fragrance-free and cleans without drying to prepare the skin for the maximum penetration of brightening agents to follow.
The Wrinkle and Pore Refining Treatment is a high-performance serum that brightens while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Lentil-seed extract tightens and reduces the appearance of pores by 62 percent.
For day, Illuminating Day Moisture SPF 30/PA+++ is my new super moisturizer: this light lotion not only hydrates and protects but also luminizes with pearl powder, which bestows an instant, ethereal glow.
Look well-rested in 5 minutes: Bobbi Brown Makeup Face Lift Collection
The main side effect of these stressful times is waking up looking haggard or hung-over in the morning, even if you didn’t go drinking the night before. That’s why Bobbi Brown designed this collection, “to give women all the tools they need to look well-rested and bright-eyed in five minutes.”
First dab on the Extra Eye Repair Cream, packed with peptides, natural plant oils and humectants that target fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and dryness.
Then wield the Tinted Eye Brightener twist-and-click pen, which is so portable you can apply it in the back of the car on the way to work. It dispenses a lightweight concealer to instantly brighten under-eye circles and refresh your makeup. Better yet, it helps reduce under-eye circles over time.
Then deploy the brow pencils. What you didn’t know that defined eyebrows instantly give your eyes a lift? Makeup artists like Brown do, and these creamy, blendable pencils give you the natural look of eyebrow powder with the precision of a pencil. They even come with their own sharpener.
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Bobbi Brown is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati (813-3739 loc. 225) and Rustan’s Shangri-La Mall (633-4636).
Going Gaga for cool makeup: MAC Viva Glam Gaga, Disney Venomous Villains Collection
MAC’s latest collections not only emphasize the neo-luxury of red lips, satin eyes and cash-mink, they also boast the glamour of icons past and present.
Already out is the limited-edition Viva Glam lipstick and Lipglass by celeb spokesperson Lady Gaga. Not only do you get the high-luster finish of this surprisingly soft and pretty, cool blue-pink shade, every cent peso you pay goes to the MAC AIDS Fund to help fight HIV and AIDS.
Coming soon is makeup of a darker stripe. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the most villainous of them all? In collaboration with Disney, MAC’s Venomous Villains for fall 2010 includes four makeup collections inspired by Disney villains Cruella de Vil, the Evil Queen from Snow White, Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog.
Darkly My Dear blush will make your cheeks look as hollow as Cruella’s; Strange Potion Lip Glass is a soft coral-pink as tempting as Snow White’s apple; My Dark Magic Mineralize eye shadow is a pearly deep plum as dark as Maleficent’s soul; while Magically Cool Liquid Powder from the Dr. Facilier collection is a sheer shimmer that reflects silver and pink in the light.
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MAC is available at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Tower Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
It’s the balm: Carmex Lip Balm
The lip secret of makeup artists and celebrities is out, it’s here and it’s affordable. Carmex Lip Balm has been around since the ’30s and it’s still one of the most popular lip balms in the world, probably because its inventor suffered from chapped lips himself. American Alfred Woelbing formulated Carmex in the early 1930s with natural moisturizers like cocoa butter, lanolin and beeswax, and cooling camphor and menthol to soothe rough, dry lips.
He carefully hand-poured his special formula into small glass pots, which he sold to pharmacists from the trunk of his car. Since then Carmex has become an international favorite, with more than 130 Carmex products sold every minute worldwide. In fact, Woelbing’s family still runs the business today.
Now with salicylic acid to further smooth lips, Carmex is available in distinct yellow-and-red click sticks (in original, cherry and strawberry flavors), tube and pot forms. Carmex in a pot is actually recommended for healing cold sores and fever blisters in addition to chapped lips.
I like the broad-spectrum SPF 15 in the stick. I use it to prep my lips before applying lipstick, and afterward I slick on the gel Carmex from the tube for a moisturizing, glossy effect. In effect, I’ve joined the Carmex cult.
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Carmex is available at PCX outlets in Robinsons Place Manila, Rockwell Power Plant, Festival Mall Alabang and Alabang Town Center; First Aid in Greenbelt 3; Robinsons Department Stores nationwide and Felcris Chimes Davao.
From astringent to anti-aging: Eskinol Ageless
The Philippines’ most famous astringent brand has gone into skincare. Eskinol, which refreshed, toned and cleansed our greasy visages growing up, recently released Eskinol ageless, a three-step skincare routine to lessen the visible signs of aging.
I’m most partial to the Facial Toner, which deep-cleanses, minimizes pores and prepares skin for Eskinol Ageless Day Cream or Night Cream.
Both day and night creams help firm skin with Peptide Plus and soy protein to prevent skin sagging, with an extra SPF 18 for protection during the day and amino acids to repair while you sleep. Fine lines are reduced in as little as one week, and deeper wrinkles in as little as four weeks, with collagen, pro-retinol and minerals to stimulate skin cell regeneration.
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Eskinol Ageless is available at department stores, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.
Breakthrough foundation: L’oreal Revitalift Serum Inside Liquid Foundation SPF 20
While makeup-cum-skincare is not new, this foundation claims to be the first to incorporate an anti-aging serum inside it. In terms of texture, coverage and anti-aging benefits, it may very well be one of the best. The serum includes pro-retinol, a well-known anti-wrinkle ingredient derived from vitamin A that reduces the appearance of fine lines; and elastin, which is essential to skin firmness. Want the look of flawless skin? Apply Revitalift and your fine lines immediately fade out, facial contours look more sculpted, skin becomes more radiant and poreless. Plus it promises to reduce fine lines day after day, and firm skin within a month. I can’t think of anything I’d want more from a liquid foundation.
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L’Oreal Revitalift is available at department stores, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.
Beauty that counts: Mary Kay Inspiration lipstick
Every year, Mary Kay embarks on a CSR (corporate social responsibility) campaign that’s called “Beauty That Counts.” One product is chosen and sold worldwide, and a certain amount is donated to a local charitable institution per country.
On Mary Kay’s 10th-year anniversary, they’ve started selling the Beauty That Counts Mary Kay Crème Lipstick in Inspiration Pink, with unique packaging that says “Thank You” written in 13 different languages. In the Philippines, P45 from every sale of the lipstick will be donated to the Welcome House of Good Shepherd.
So not only are you shopping for the common good, you’ll look pretty in pearly pink as well.
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Inspiration Pink is available from a Mary Kay sales force member near you.