To cop a line from our favorite queen of talk: "You gotta learn to love yourself." And Oprah’s done it the best way possible, gifting herself with gorgeous designer goods and pampering herself with the best the beauty industry has to offer all the while making sure to include the less fortunate. Which is why we congratulate people who have made it a point to include the needy in their holiday plans, whether it’s bazaars with a cause (the Bar Bazaar in Fiama last Monday) or TV shows plugging donations for children with special needs (
Rated Oh on ETC channel). So while you’re purchasing pretty purses and fine fragrances, make a little room on your gift list for someone less fortunate – for kids at the orphanage or maybe a poor writer like me. (Kidding. Although I am all about the freebies.) Here’s a rundown of fine products to help make the Christmas season a little less stressful and the people around you a lot prettier – all that without a single bottle of booze.
If style could be measured in degrees, Ralph Lauren’s would be off the charts. The denim tastemaker’s world just got a bit bigger with Ralph Lauren Style, a fragrance collection that includes perfume, body lotion and bath and shower gel. A modern floral blend that combines suede, sensual musk and sleek woods, it’s classic Lauren. Available at leading department stores.
There’s something really irritating about preppy kids. No matter how much they run around the court in their crisp tennis whites, they always look so clean and put together. Like there’s not a strand out of place. When I play tennis, you can sense the sweat dripping down my pits a mile away. That’s neither here nor there – I just felt like sharing. But for people like me, with secret yearnings to look like one of those Lacoste catalog models, the future looks mighty pink. The latest scent from Lacoste, called Touch of Pink, radiates preppy coolness with its notes of coriander, jasmine and violet with just a hint of vanilla. Perfect for wannabe preps like me. Available at leading department stores.
According to SK-II brand manager Pauline Png, the brand’s success is due to its unique ingredient, SK-II Pitera, an all-natural yeast derivative that has been scientifically proven to increase the metabolism of skin cells by up to 70 percent, thereby regulating the skin renewal cycle and giving skin a radiant and youthful glow. "SK-II Pitera represents a coming together of the best in nature and science. Originating from a chance observation in a saké brewery, it has gone on to become a brand loved by women across Asia," she said. The discovery of Pitera led to the creation of SK-II’s first skincare product, Facial Treatment Essence. With more than 90 percent pure Pitera, Essence helps keep skin radiant and smooth. Affectionately known as "miracle water" to Asian women and celebrities such as Stella Tennant, the Facial Treatment Essence keeps skin youthful and beautiful.
| Chanel your inner princess |
Regular glosses not doing it for you lately? Chanel’s liquid creme lip tint works like a painter’s palette. With its innovative tri-color combo, it's a snap to apply. Simply use the attached brush, dip in your selected shade (or try mixing colors like a true artist) and paint on. The anhydrous gel provides high-coating power while the crème tint delivers rich, deep tones. You’ll be personalizing your lip colors in no time – like a true high-maintenance princess. Available at Rustan’s Essenses and Rustan’s Department Stores.
Scrambling for a little luck on the party floor? Dior’s witty take on the glittery world of Vegas is sure to make you a winner. Dior Play makes lip gloss roulette-ready with its die-shaped containers cast in a heavy silvery case and embellished with diamante dots representing numbers. The die may be cast, but with these hot numbers, your luck is only just beginning. Available at Rustan’s Essenses and Rustan’s Department Stores.
Hypnose mascara is a volumizer that extends lashes up to six times its length. Swipe once and you get natural, beautiful lashes. Add several more layers and you’ve got thicker, more dramatic eye wipers. Perfect for framing the windows to the soul. The Christmas set consists of a Hypnose mascara (in black), a bi-facial eye makeup remover (perfect even for sensitive eyes) and a crayon kohl eyeliner in black. Available at leading department stores.
Credited as the father of modern makeup, Max Factor is responsible for inventing many key cosmetic products and is still the inspiration behind beauty trends and innovations today. Lipfinity, the lipstick that changed the face – and color – of the industry is known for its long-lasting shine power. No other lipstick lasts longer. The rich, reliable formula provides incredible semi-permanent color by evenly attaching color pigments to your lips. Add the moisturizing top coat for instant shine. Your lip color will last for up to 10 hours with no need for touchups. Use topcoat throughout the day to refresh shine and feel. Available at leading department stores
| Check out the rocks that I got |
To get some attention at a glittery, fabulously-attended party, attaching a pair of glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs to your face might do the trick (direct but effective) but using Awake’s Jewel Dazzle Eye Color Collection (not as direct but just as effective) may get a more positive reaction. An eye color compact packed with powerful shades to get you shining like a star on the red carpet, it comes in three color combinations: diamond, star ruby and black pearl. Depending on your plans for the evening, simply select your favorite collection and be prepared for some paparazzi-worthy attention. Available at Rustan’s Essenses and Rustan’s Department Stores.
Nothing spells two-in-one like this inventive little product. An eyelash curler and mascara in one, Awake’s Roll Curl Mascara Stardom makes gorgeous curly lashes a snap. Water and humidity-proof, this wonder of a mascara curls lashes just like a hair iron. The slim-barrel brush curls lashes from root to tip creating longer, curly lashes and just in one step. Available at Rustan’s Essenses and Rustan’s Department Stores.
Rub it the right way and you’ve got three wishes in the making. The simpler route is simply to spritz on Miracle So Magic. Lancome’s best-selling fragrance, it’s a spicy floral scent that’s energetic and light-filled for the radiant modern woman. With top notes of lychee and freesia, middle notes of magnolia and ginger and base notes of jasmine and musky amber, the fragrance boasts depths that are bound to add a spring to your step. The Christmas set consists of a 30 ml fragrance, 50 ml body lotion and 50 ml shower gel. Layer products for a scent that lasts all day. Available at leading department stores.
If only your purse were the size of the Adirondacks, you could pile on all your lipsticks and change lip color whenever you fancied. Clarins Color Tale compacts make life – and your makeup kit – much simpler. This limited-edition lip palette, called A Lip Tale, combines four of your favorite lip glosses in pretty pinks so you won’t be lugging around a sack of products like the Cinderella you really are. Available at Rustan’s Essenses and Rustan’s Department Stores.