I love experimenting with beauty products. That’s how I differentiate the breakthroughs from the blunders, and separate truth from hype. In the process, I have made the most wonderful discoveries and realized which products are worth keeping. Like many women, I am tired of having a drawer full of expensive mistakes. Here are the ultimate winners in my beauty book that are not only worth every centavo; these are worth buying over and over again.
• The Face Shop Illuminating Cushion Blusher — Every single person who has seen me pregnant thinks I’m having a girl because I’m “glowing.” Now you know my secret! I own this in two shades: pink (a lovely pink that gives a natural flush to the cheeks) and orange (a pretty peachy hue that gives a lit-from-within glow). I absolutely love how it instantly gives even the most tired complexion a beautiful glow! Here’s another secret: this blush also contains sebum-control powder so you can bid oiliness goodbye. Available at The Face Shop stores nationwide.
• Becca Boudoir Skin Collection Mineral Powder Foundation — If there’s any makeup that can make your skin really look like skin while providing ample coverage, this would be it. Results are so natural-looking that you can wear it to bed to mimic smooth, perfect skin around the clock. It feels and looks like you have nothing on. Yes, even he won’t be able to tell! I myself had to use a magnifying mirror to see actual evidence that I was wearing powder foundation. Suitable for all ages and skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin, this non-irritating powder is safe to use even after cosmetic procedures and facials. Unlike other mineral powders that come in pots, this is packaged in a portable pressed formulation in a handy compact with a built-in mirror — it will never be a mess to apply and you can have beautifully flawless yet natural-looking coverage everywhere you go! Don’t forget your kabuki brush. Available at Adora in Greenbelt 5, Makati.
• K-Palette Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow Liner — I’ve tried a lot of eyebrow products but this one made my heart beat differently. This beauty tool makes grooming the eyebrows a breeze. The fine tip of the micro-fiber brush gives the most natural-looking feathery strokes, mimicking your real eyebrow hair. The powder tip is perfect for grooming the inner brows. It’s pretty hard to make a mistake with this — it will make even makeup newbies feel like a pro! With this product, your eyebrows will never look fake or overdrawn. Smudge-proof and water-resistant, it gives you perfect eyebrows for 24 hours. I love it in Honey Brown for a natural, everyday look. But if you want strong, well-defined, artista-looking eyebrows, get it in Chocolate Brown. Available at Beauty Bar.
• Charm Luxe Flat Top Brush — I can lose any of my makeup brushes but not this! Its performance surpasses all of my pricey branded brushes. The Charm Luxe Flat Top brush is like Photoshop at your fingertips! It literally creates a flawless face right before your eyes. With just a moisturized face, I simply use this brush with my regular pressed powder and apply my powder in circular motions. It gives a lightweight, seamless, and practically poreless layer to the face while covering imperfections wonderfully. I swear, this magically “Photoshops” blemishes away. Available at www.beautyandminerals.com.
• Becca’s The Ultimate Mascara — The mascara that lives up to its name: it lengthens and thickens lashes and provides long-lasting power in our country’s hot and humid weather but feels light and weightless. Its conical-shaped brush curls, lifts and separates lashes and picks up the perfect amount of mascara every single time. It makes application a breeze — you get evenly coated lashes in a single swipe! It’s also your perfect ally in our hot, humid weather — its water-resistant formula repels water, sweat and tears. It dries fast before you can even sweat in this heat. It promises easy removal with warm water, no makeup remover required! It also repairs and conditions lashes plus prevents lash loss. Suitable for sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers and all skin types, it’s available at Adora in Greenbelt 5, Makati.
• The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder Foundation — This is what converted me into a fan of mineral makeup. It provides good coverage for imperfections, redness, blemishes and even the spider veins on my cheeks. No yucky metal smell. No unsightly shine (which makes it perfect for oily skin). No cracks and creases even when you smile. And no fake powdery trace of makeup up close or in photos. Even if you zoom in, it simply looks like real skin! Pores are minimized and the powder is so finely milled that it sits so smoothly on skin with a barely-there feel. It’s so weightless you’ll forget you’re wearing it. Available at The Body Shop stores nationwide.
•Pond’s Age Miracle Intensive Cell Regen Super Serum — This is the best anti-aging product that delivers younger-looking skin without needles or machines. I’ve been using Pond’s Age Miracle for the past five years and I’ve been passionate about it simply because it works. My skin looks and feels better than it did 10 years ago. It takes just seven days for this serum to time-travel your skin back to its original youth. It’s no wonder this has garnered countless beauty awards here and across the globe. Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• Pond’s Age Miracle Dual Action Eye Cream — Great skin is pointless if your eyes betray your age. This has not only gotten rid of fine lines and wrinkles but prevents them from forming, too. When I’m rebounding from a long night, this always makes me look like I had eight hours of sleep. Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• MAC Eye Shadow in Jaunty — Ladies, please leave the glitter to the kids. It doesn’t make you look any younger. It just makes you look cheesy. My current favorite, this is a versatile yet natural-looking shade that lends the illusion of youth and perfection. Mimic the youthfulness of children’s eyes by using it to highlight the inner corners of the eyes. Dust it on your nose bridge to give the illusion of a sharper nose or even use it to highlight the brow bone and cheekbones. Sweep it on the entire lid for an easy way to add sparkle to your eyes. Yes, they’ll probably think you took pains to do your eye makeup when all you did was sweep on this great color! Available at MAC Cosmetics, Rustan’s Shangri-La Mall, Glorietta 3, and Power Plant Mall.
• Ever Bilena Eyeliner — An affordable eyeliner I can always rely on. It’s a cheap beauty trick I learned long ago from top makeup artists whenever I’d inspect their tools backstage during a fashion show or shoot. Their eyeliner pencils have great color intensity, deliver a rich black line worthy of the catwalk and cameras, and don’t smudge, even for everyday use. Unlike most eyeliners from foreign cosmetic brands, our very own Ever Bilena eyeliner formulation can wonderfully withstand our humid weather. Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• L’Oreal Color Riche Intense Lipsticks — I’ll confess, I have one tube of every shade. These give your lips an extra boost of color. They instantly brighten the face without overshadowing your other features — perfect for achieving statement lips! And don’t worry, these lipsticks don’t dry out the lips. They glide on smoothly and moisturize with beautiful staying power. Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long-Wear Mascara — This is the third Bobbi Brown mascara I’m a fan of. This latest one is by far their best ever. The formula goes on smoothly and evenly — absolutely no clumping every single time I use it. The brush is perfect for getting in the corners and allows you to get every single lash, even the bottom ones. Unlike other mascara formulas that weigh the lashes down, this magic wand keeps your lashes curled. Even months later, the formula in the tube doesn’t thicken and clump into a mess. This mascara goes on seamlessly, giving the most natural long and lush-looking lashes, as if you were born with them. Available at Rustan’s Makati.
•Make Up For Ever Duo Mat — A big staple in my makeup kit, this strongly rivals the legendary MAC Studio Fix in my beauty book. It gives flawless coverage without the need for using a concealer. I just tap this under my eyes and it transforms tired eyes without settling into fine lines. It superbly conceals dark spots and blemishes while looking completely natural. Don’t be afraid of the word “mat” because this is actually the powder that’s perfect for our humid weather. Available at Make Up For Ever Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Bonifacio High Street.
• Pond’s Flawless White Ultra Luminous Serum — This is a favorite among beauty insiders. The serum has a concentrated formula with 250-percent more lightening power than the day cream. It diminishes both the size and intensity of persistent blemishes, stubborn dark spots and discolorations. And yes, it’s so powerful that it works on scars and stretch marks, too! Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• MAC Mineralized Charged Water Moisture Gel — If there’s a brand that makes sure its skincare line wears well under makeup, it’s MAC. This is an excellent moisturizer that also preps your skin before makeup. It’s gel-like and ultra-light, making it great for our tropical weather. This product is actually a heavyweight in the moisturizing arena — it absorbs quickly but provides intense hydration. It also gives the smoothest base for makeup — even with just face powder on, skin looks ultra-smooth, poreless and well-hydrated. Yup, no thick, heavy, sticky feeling that most primers give. I don’t have super-dry skin, but this has definitely become a staple on my bathroom shelf. Available at MAC Cosmetics, Rustan’s Shangri-La Mall, Glorietta 3, and Power Plant Mall.
• The Face Shop Black Bamboo Deep Clean Lip and Eye Makeup Remover — I swear this is the gentlest yet most powerful eye makeup remover I have ever tried in my life! Thanks to bamboo and oak charcoal, this efficiently gets rid of skin impurities, lip and eye makeup. Perfect for those with sensitive eyes (or contact lens wearers like me), this mild yet effective makeup cleanser does not contain irritants such as artificial coloring, synthetic perfume or alcohol. Your eye area will never sting or feel dry. Unlike other oil makeup removers that irritate the eyes and clog pores, this is a non-oily product that mildly works on the skin for effective cleansing. Eye makeup is gone in one swipe. Available at The Face Shop stores nationwide.
•Malin + Goetz Acne Treatment — One of the best lifesavers as a model, it shrinks that ugly zit overnight while you sleep! With a cotton swab, simply dab one drop on each pimple and it dries up your pimple overnight. It contains salicylic acid and 10-percent active sulfur to dry and medicate acne and pimples. Best of all, its formula incorporates zinc oxide to help prevent scarring. Available at Adora in Greenbelt 5, Makati.
• The Face Shop Mask Sheets — If there’s one thing I hoard, it’s this. Quick and easy to use plus the results are surprisingly instant! The Face Shop’s Mask Sheets come in so many variants that they answer every beauty woe. I really didn’t expect much when I first bought them. At most, I thought they would just hydrate my skin the same way any jar of moisturizer could. But wow, your skin instantly looks so amazing after that you won’t feel the need to put on any makeup after. This has never failed to make tired skin instantly look good! A big must for every woman especially right before a romantic date, a big event or a wedding you have to attend. Available at The Face Shop stores nationwide.
• Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer — When you realize what a good body moisturizer is really supposed to do, you never look back at others you’ve tried. Say goodbye to lotions that are heavy, greasy, would just slide off and give a false sense of moisture to the skin. This gives serious, 24-hour moisturization without the stickiness. Absorbed by the skin upon impact, it is non-greasy and eliminates wait-time for dressing. Best of all, skin feels petal-smooth — yes, the kind of smoothness that is memorable to the touch. The first time I used it, my husband immediately complimented me on my super-smooth skin. It also wiped out stubborn ingrowns and made my legs younger-looking and smoother than they’ve ever been. Available at Adora in Greenbelt 5, Makati.
• Pureology Anti-Fade Hydrate Shampoo — The best in caring for colored hair, sulfate-free and 100- percent vegan. Makes hair so soft, you can practically skip the conditioner. But what amazed me the most was how significantly less hair fall there was in just one wash. Almost every woman I know who has switched to sulfate-free, organic and vegan shampoos confirms the dramatic difference in decreased hair fall. I can imagine how horrible my sulfate-infused shampoos used to be! I’m now a convert. I can’t think of using anything else anymore for my hair. Available at Studio Fix Salon by Alex Carbonell in Greenbelt 5 and other leading salons.
• Pond’s Facial Washes — This is the kind of cleanser that saves you from unnecessary expenses. Truly thorough and effective in deep cleaning, Pond’s Facial Washes do such a great job that they eliminate the need for a toner and makeup remover! The many variants address all kinds of skin concerns yet never strip your skin of its natural moisturizers. It’s no wonder we all grew up with this facial wash and both men and women alike continue to swear by it. Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• Belo Essentials Sun Expert — Your best armor against skin aging! For anyone who wants impressive sun protection, this is a must. On sunnier days when I need extra protection, I use this all over my body from head to toe. It never feels sticky (even when outdoors!), it’s incredibly easy to spread (just like body lotion), and best of all, it’s one of the few sunblocks that never leaves an unflattering white film. If you have a boyfriend or husband who stubbornly resists wearing sunblock because of the greasy feel or unsightly white residue, introduce Belo Essentials Sun Expert to him. Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• Bench Fix Hair Gel — Among all hair products, this has been my absolute favorite for many years — definitely a hall-of-famer in my beauty book! It’s affordable, provides invisible hold without the heaviness, and never, ever flakes even when you brush your hair out! I just put a dollop on my palms, rub them together then smooth the product over my hair. Available at Bench stores and Bench Fix salons nationwide.
• Sunsilk Smooth and Manageable Conditioner — Good habits give great-looking hair. Backstage during fashion shows or photo shoots, hairstylists always compliment my hair for looking so smooth, shiny and healthy. They think I’m super-sipag in getting monthly salon treatments! This is my cheap beauty secret! I use it religiously every day — it’s my favorite supermarket find! Plus, it smells so good that it drives my man crazy. Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• Vaseline Perfect 10 Whitening and Anti-Aging Lotion — I’m sure we all care for our faces but let’s not allow the skin on our body to betray our age. An anti-aging product for the body is a beauty-must! I have always been dreaming of a product like this: an all-in-one product for the body that protects, evens out skin tone and fights aging. Boasting the best proven anti-aging ingredient retinol, AHAs and antioxidants, this wonderfully nourishes the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, treats age spots, blemishes and hyper-pigmentation, boosts radiance, delivers fairer, even-toned skin, and provides UVA/UVB protection from the aging and burning effects of the sun. Yes, now even our bodies can remain forever young! Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, personal care stores.
• Dashing Diva Nail Polish — I have always been very anal about streaky nail polish and watch every application with an eagle eye. A swipe of color isn’t enough for me. It has to be immaculately streak-free and perfectly even in color. But Dashing Diva’s nail polishes are virtually foolproof. They never streak, no matter who applies them. The professional brush in Dashing Diva’s nail polish will make every first-timer feel like a pro! The formula also dries quickly and is formulated with patented ingredients that ensure longwearing and chip-resistant color. For red, I really like Dashing Diva’s New York Slice, which stands out among all reds. I’ve never gotten so many compliments on such a basic color! It’s the perfect shade of red that will flatter all skin tones. Available at Beauty Bar.