MANILA, Philippines — Breach. Reanimate. Create. This is the mantra behind La Prairie’s Platinum Rare Haute Rejuvenation Protocol, a new anti-aging product that is the Swiss luxury skincare brand’s most groundbreaking innovation yet.
“La Prairie sought to go beyond skin renewal, and for the first time, we will create new skin tissue,” says Dr. Daniel Stangl, La Prairie’s director of innovation.
This ultimate path to rejuvenation has been designed to work in three steps: breach the skin barrier, reanimate cells, and create new skin tissue.
“As the first step, and in analogy to (La Prairie founder) Dr. Paul Niehans’ cellular therapy, the formula temporarily softens the skin barrier in order to optimally deliver the active ingredients into the skin and enhance the full potential,” Stangl says.
“In the second step, Platinum Rare Haute Rejuvenation Protocol reanimates cells in all skin layers, specifically stem cells and differentiated cells, which make up the majority of skin cells.”
To reanimate these cells, the formula of the serum contains an exclusive platinum multi-peptide combined with two essential growth factors and La Prairie’s exclusive Cellular Complex. “These highly potent active ingredients reanimate stem cells to produce new cells and differentiated cells to synthesize a new extracellular matrix, including fibers of collagen and elastin, as well as the hyaluronic acid,” Stangl continues.
Thirdly, as a result of breaching the skin’s barrier and reanimating cells, La Prairie creates new skin tissue. “The creation of new skin tissue in all skin layers is the fundamental process of rejuvenation,” Stangl says. “It literally infuses the skin with youth, improving all signs of aging as never seen before.”
The product is designed as a month-long protocol, consisting of three vials. One vial is used for 10 days, day and night. After this month-long phase of intense rejuvenation, “the skin needs time to re-equilibrate,” notes Stangl. “We therefore recommend using it for one month, four times a year.”
The unique packaging includes a mini pedestal on which you put the jewel-toned vial and twist it, releasing clouds of product that you then shake to mix into a fresh serum. It displays La Prairie’s merging of art and science at its finest, giving its clientele the most luxurious, magical experience.
La Prairie’s Platinum Rare Haute Rejuvenation Protocol will be on counter at Rustan’s The Beauty Source on Feb. 25.
Moisturizer made for our tropical weather
One of Kiehl’s hero products has always been its Ultra Facial moisturizer, which can hydrate even the driest of skins. In the tropical Philippines, however, that formula might be too rich, especially for people with oily, acne-prone skin.
So now Kiehl’s has formulated Ultra Facial as an oil-free gel cream, a lightweight, cooling moisturizer that’s perfect for our humid weather, especially in the coming summer months. Glacial glycoprotein Antarcticine hydrates skin for 24 hours, while Micronized Amino Acid helps regulate excess oil for shine control, so it’s suited to those with oily and combination skin who have a tendency to break out with maskne, like I do. I also love that it’s fragrance-, alcohol- and paraben-free.
Makeup inspired by the artist’s mother
Nars’ limited-edition Claudette Collection is Francois Nars’ tribute to his mother and very first muse, Claudette, and the bohemian spirit of Paris’ Rive Gauche (Left Bank) in the ’70s. The prints on the packaging were inspired by the prints on the dresses his mom used to wear.
Claudette’s eyeshadow palette, St. Germain Des Prés, is filled with six warm, neutral shades in matte, satin and shimmer finishes. You can’t go wrong with the neutrals in this palette, which are so subtle and wearable you’ll always end up with an elegant look, no matter which color or combination you use.
Nars’ cult-favorite satin Audacious lipstick comes in four shades named after his mom — Claudette is a striking rust red — and the other inspiring women in his life, grandmothers Léa and Ginette.
New to Audacious is a Sheer Matte formula with a soft-focus finish and medium-sheer coverage: Sandrine is a scarlet red; Sylvie is a berry red, and they feel so comfy and soft on the lips.
The Claudette Collection is available at Nars boutiques and Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
Iconic lipsticks resurrected
Christian Dior’s most iconic lipsticks have been released in modern, refillable packaging, and ultra-flattering finishes.
Rouge Dior 999 Velvet is a crimson-red born from the first two lipsticks launched by Christian Dior — 9 and 99 — and 100 Nude Look, a reinterpretation of the greige new look of 1947. (The other two icons are 080 Red Smile, one of the first reds Dior created in 1950 that’s been reinvented as an intensely luminous red; and 525 Chérie, a rosewood nude whose name conveys Dior’s love of women and his muses.)
The legendary fashion designer not only wanted to dress women but also their smiles, so he created his first couture lipstick in 1953, eventually releasing it in over a thousand shades. Ever the visionary, Rouge Dior was already sustainable back then, as the lipsticks came in refillable cases.
Today, Peter Philips, the creative and image director for Dior Makeup, has resurrected 75 shades in new, refillable logo cases, and satin, matte, velvet and metallic finishes to flatter all skin tones.
Flowers always inspired Dior, so the formula has been enriched with floral, lip-care ingredients like red peony and pomegranate blossom extract.
Rouge Dior is available at Dior boutiques and SM Makati.
A new beauty mecca online
I love Shopee for its amazing deals and steals, so I was really excited to learn that the e-tailer has launched Shopee Beauty, a one-stop online destination for the best deals from top makeup and skincare brands.
You can find well-established, beloved brands such as Dove, TRESemmé, and Cream Silk, as well as exciting finds from up-and-coming brands like Face Republic, Beauty Avenue, Teviant, and Seoul White Korea.
Brands will curate based on the latest makeup trends, and recommend products based on your needs. You’ll also get fun tutorials from their favorite Shopee KOLs, product reviews, makeup tips, and giveaways on Shopee Live.
But face it: we love the bargains, right? Aside from free shipping vouchers, limited-time deals and exclusive product launches, until March 24 they’re giving discounts of up to 90 percent off on their go-to lippies, mascaras, and skincare brands.