Everyone’s No. 1 New Year’s resolution is to look better, whether it’s to lose weight or to get that makeover that will finally embody “the real you.” The Podium’s plethora of cosmetic outlets offers beauty for every budget, from low to luxe. What’s more, many are on sale right now, so there’s no better time to restock your makeup bag.
Those serious about a new top-to-bottom look should start at the top, by getting a new ’do. Whether your hair is long or short, curly or straight, highlighted or not, The Podium has salons that specialize in men, women and children boasting state-of-the-art technology and skilled stylists who are all on top of the latest trends.
For the looks-conscious it may be better to look good than to feel good, but The Podium’s diverse array of beauty offerings guarantees that you’ll be looking and feeling good in 2008.
The Face Shop: Beauty blowout sale
For major cheap thrills or if I’m stuck in a makeup rut, I head to The Face Shop. Their shade range and packaging echo a certain revered Japanese cosmetics brand, but without the sting of high-end prices. I can experiment with as many blue eye shadows, orange blushes and red lipsticks as I want, without fear of repercussions from my bank manager. And when people complain to me about large pores, cellulite or dull skin, I can tell them that The Face Shop carries literally everything to address any beauty dilemma, made from natural ingredients and in super-cute packaging, besides.
From now to Jan. 20, The Face Shop’s mid-range prices will be slashed a further 30 percent on makeup, nail, body, hair and skincare products, according to brand manager Maureen Abenoja. Puffy from too much partying? The natural ingredients in the Rose Caviar Mask Sheet will deflate the most stubborn bloat. Feet dragging from all that shopping? TFS’s Peppermint Foot Scrub will smooth while the Peppermint Heel Lotion will soothe. Flake sufferers looking for a natural alternative will want to try the Tangerine Anti-Dandruff Scalp Massage Essence, while makeup junkies will revel in all the discounted booty (nail polishes are just P66.50 each!). Not even the most loaded glam divas can say no to that. —TJG
The Face Shop is located on the 3rd level of The Podium.
Beauty Bar: Treats for the beauty gourmet
Dessert-aholics who love non-caloric treats gravitate to Beauty Bar for its myriad brands offering gourmand cosmetics. Foremost among the deliverers of delicious goods is Philosophy, with its bath-product line based on pastries. Burt’s Bees and Bloom also whip up mouthwatering treats from natural ingredients, while models and makeup artists in the know seek out Smashbox and ModelCo for their professional yet fun-to-use makeup. Beauty Bar’s latest addition is J.R. Watkins Apothecary, an American brand that has been dispensing natural remedies and organic kitchen spices since 1868. Today they specialize in plant-based personal-care products that are biodegradable, non-toxic, and “flavored” with a gourmet twist. Beauty editors are already raving about Watkins’s Lemon Cream Shea Butter, a lemon cake-scented super moisturizer that smells so yummy you’ll want to spoon it into your mouth. But believe me, it’ll do a lot more good if you slather it all over your body. —TJG
Beauty Bar is located on the ground level of The Podium.
The Body Shop: Butter is better
While the rest of the world goes green only now, visionary company The Body Shop has been promoting ethical, eco-friendly beauty for over 30 years. But instead of resting easy on moral high ground, the company forges on, innovating natural products that raise the bar so high the rest of the industry can only follow.
“For January The Body Shop is going back to basics,” says product manager Keti Maderazo.
Buy a top-selling Body Butter individually and get P100 off; buy it bundled with a scrub or dry-oil mist and get P400 off. Also on sale are the popular All-in-One Face Base (P200 off), Hair Masks and limited-edition Green Tea and Ginger Shower Gels.
“Very popular among young students and working ladies is our best-selling Lip and Cheek Stain,” says head of product and marketing Edwina Guiyab. “In interviews Marimar says, ‘This is only product I carry.’” Other multi-functional must-haves include Shimmer Waves, a bronzing brick for eyes, cheeks and body; Stay-On Lip Color, which is matte on one end and glossy on the other; and the soft makeup brushes, which are synthetic and don’t use animal hair.
“Now we have ‘Love Your Body,’ a membership club for loyal customers,” notes marketing manager Ella Bugayong. “You buy the card for P300, get a welcome gift, earn rewards points and special privileges, and get 20 percent off on your birthday month. We launched it three months ago but already have 14,000 members.” Just goes to show that a sound company philosophy can be truly addictive. —TJG
The Body Shop is located on the second level of The Podium.
Watsons: 360-degree facial care
Remember the days when the hallmark of a good Hong Kong stay was dropping by the nearest Watsons? Now that the health and beauty retailer is finally here, we don’t have to travel far to enjoy its ultra-affordable brand of beauty. Watsons’ latest innovation is Water 360, so named because it provides total, 360-degree facial care. This water-based product range is specially formulated with natural spring water, aloe vera extract and vitamin E to promote a clear, healthy, nourished complexion. Dermatologically tested to suit all skin types — particularly Asian — the range includes a facial wash, toner, hydrating gel, and travel kit, each available at an average price of P199.
Watsons also has an incredible haircare range. My favorite quick fix is Silk Secrets’ One-Minute Hot Oil Treatment, and in-house styling products like Watsons Sculpting Lotion and Fixing Spray. —TJG
Watsons is located on the 2nd level of The Podium.
Bench Fix: Quick-fix hair solutions
With 32 branches nationwide, Bench Fix Salon has become an institution in hair styling since 2002. Owner Ben Chan has turned his eye for style and fashion into a quick-fix palace for personal looks. This year, as assistant manager Norelinda Ollesce at The Podium branch notes, change is in the air. “Men go for the ‘Rock fusion’ haircut. It’s Singapore style, a lot of gel with a spiked look on top.” Sure enough, we see a young male getting something that looks like a styled Mohawk during a morning visit to Bench Fix. The Podium’s branch is one of few that combine the Bench store with a salon: customers can shop for clothes and get a haircut or treatment, all in the same outlet.
Bench is known for its artistic stylists — guys and gals who know just what haircut will match your look. They’re all trained for one month at Bench Fix’s own hair training center in Makati, so you’re assured a consistent cut that you’ll be glad to show off, every time.
Most people find themselves gravitating toward a barber or salon in the new year. “It’s for a different look, and for a change,” notes Ollesce. Say goodbye to last year’s cut, and step in for a brave new ‘do. —SG
Bench Fix is at the second level of The Podium.
Hairshaft: Hair today, hip tomorrow
Like the Isaac Hayes song Shaft, this salon overlooking Ortigas on the fifth level of Podium is a hip, cutting-edge number that gets all the chicks. Celebrities, that is, like Pia Guano, Alicia Mariel, Sylvia Sanchez and Alicia Meyer. Hairshaft is also popular with politicians — the occasional senator or congressman comes in for a modern ‘do.
Owner Fred Panales himself sports a mini Mohawk with highlights, and he says this is one of the hottest cuts going. “It’s called a ‘Bias’ cut. It’s a head-hugging haircut. It’s really thin and sleek, basically short at the sides and back, and thin and concentrated at the top. Very easy maintenance. It’s good for the Filipino because Asian hair usually sticks out at the side.”
Women are going for a more layered look, lots of volume, with an up ‘do. Senior stylist KC Macheca calls it the “Edge” or “Octopus” cut.
“For the women, we’re going into a round bob for short hair, and for long hair a combination of short at the top, long at the back,” explains Panales. “It’s an Asian look for hair that’s very straight, very thick,” as worn by local VJ and model Iya Villania.
The look of Hairshaft has changed a bit since opening at Podium in August 2006 — there’s less retro ‘60s furniture and décor, more of a minimalist vibe now, with local-fabric “pods” or hanging enclosures that offer privacy while clients get their ‘dos done.
“It’s kind of a good feeling,” says Panales, on why people flock to hair salons each time January 1 rolls around. “It’s a new year, you can have a good new look. And hair, it’s pretty easy to change, it’s not something drastic. If you don’t like it, it grows back in a few months. Unlike changing your wardrobe, your clothes.
“You can be 10 years younger in an hour or two. Unlike surgery, you know…” Cheaper, too. —SG
Hairshaft is at the fifth level of The Podium.
David’s for Rever: Digitize your mane
The mane attraction for 2008 will be waves and soft curls, and there’s no better way to get it than the new Digital Perm, available at David’s Podium branch. “Not all David’s have this,” says salon branch manager Bernadette Buban. “It’s done by machine and is like rebonding but in reverse.”
The hot haircut this year is the Posh Spice bob, according to top stylist Miss Jade. “It’s still diagonal forward, Posh-style, short in back and more on bangs.” For longer hair, curls are still in: “You get more movement and bounce with the Digi-Perm and you can play with it more, unlike with rebounded straight hair.” Hair color is darker this year: no more bright blondes or loud reds. “Fashion in 2008 is more on light colors, so you need contrast with the hair.”
For men, Mohawks are out and GQ style is in: short, clean-cut, and styled but not spiky. “It’s like Jericho’s style, longer in front with subdued color,” adds Bernadette. Highlights are the most in-demand service, with 70 percent of male clients requesting it.
David’s Podium also has a spa within the salon, with three rooms dedicated to facials, massages, and body scrubs capped by a Vichy shower. “We’re known more for hair beautification, but we have all the aesthetic services as well,” notes Bernadette.
The trendiest hairstyling followed by complete spa pampering? David’s Podium has definitely got it going on. —TJG
David’s for Rever is located on the second level of The Podium. Call 633-7892 to book an appointment.
Hugo’s Barbers: Gentlemen prefer Hugo’s
It’s the kind of place gentlemen prefer to frequent: classic wood interiors, a quiet, dignified ambience, and barbers who can not only give you a crisp new trim, but a full half-hour chair massage as well. Hugo’s Barbers calls itself a “full service grooming station,” a place that owner Rodolfo Labos envisioned as a comfortable place where business executives, many of them working in neighboring corporate towers, could slip away for an hour of discrete hair care.
Says Hugo’s receptionist Joanna Rivera, “Most customers work with exclusive companies, so they find the shop relaxing because of the comfortable chairs, the ambience.” Understandably, most male customers are not too concerned about the latest hairstyles: “They’re clients who want to look clean, decent and presentable when they leave the shop,” says Rivera. They also want a little stress relief, so Hugo’s customers are treated to a one-minute massage along with every trim. Prices are very reasonable — cheap, even — though the services run from manicures and pedicures to foot spas. Hair dyeing is popular with older clients, though younger dads often bring their sons in to get a weekend trim.
Sitting in a chair for my own quick trim, I was impressed by the crispness of the styling, and the calm atmosphere of this salon which almost gives off a boardroom feel. Even the little details — the barber politely asking if my unruly eyebrows required trimming — turned me into a believer. —SG
Hugo’s Barbers is at the lower ground floor of Podium.
Kids’s Hair Salon: Where styling is child’s play
It’s never easy getting a kid to relax for their first barber experience. There are all those strangers there, waving around clippers and electric trimmers. It’s natural for kids to freak out.
Enter Kid’s Hair Salon, a popular stop for parents that features barber chairs in the shape of racecars, TV screens showing kid’s fare like Barney and Disney movies, and even games to keep fidgety tots distracted. With six branches open since 1997, Kid’s Hair Salon is the no-brainer choice for cheap, quick and easy haircuts. Owner Vivian O. Uchiumi’s outlet even offers kids little treats like membership cards (with photo IDs) for regular clients, and lollipops and balloons as exit gifts.
Kid’s Hair Salon was the first place we took our daughter, Isobel, when she needed to remove several inches of wayward shag. Her hair was starting to spritz out, to the point where even a hairbrush couldn’t get through the thicket. A visit to Kid’s Hair Salon sorted her out: better yet, she loved the shoulder length bob cut and left the chair with a big smile on her face.
Anyone will tell you, little boys are bigger babies than girls when it comes to getting haircuts; but Kid’s Hair Salon has just the right combination of happy distractions to stop them from squirming in their seats — or screaming bloody murder. —SG
Kid’s Hair Salon is at the lower ground floor of The Podium.