Beauty Picks

Gilty pleasures

MANILA, Philippines - We all want a taste of the 1% life, but let’s be honest, the only remotely designer-related things that most of us can afford on our own dime are the clothing collaborations — and barely at that, in my case, because my eye is inexplicably drawn to the most expensive item on the rack every single time — and cosmetics. So while we may not be summering at the Hamptons, cruising the Mediterranean on Daddy’s yacht, or taking a weekend trip to our private islands on the family jet, we can at least coat our lips in luxe, designer-approved lipstick, rocking the runway, not on our backs, but on our faces.

Perhaps the most luxurious designer cosmetics collaboration to date is the one MAC is releasing with Prabal Gurung. The beauty brand has been working with the Singapore-born, Nepal-raised designer on his Fashion Week shows from the start of his career, and finally, after two years in the making, they’ve come up with a collection that screams glamour with every glint off each gilded item.

“I always feel, whether it’s getting dressed or putting on makeup, it’s ritualistic, a very spiritual process that a woman has… I wanted that moment to really be something that makes a woman feel beautiful,” he told WWD. The 14-piece collection is in part inspired by his mother and her own beauty rituals, something all of us can likely relate to. (Personally, it’s my perfectly coiffed and forever-lipsticked lola who laid the foundation for my beauty obsession, but we all have that one glamorous woman in our lives who gave us a glimpse into the possibility of a fabulous future.)

At a glance, you can tell that this is not your average MAC collaboration collection (though none of them have ever been average). The packaging, artistically inspired by Sylvie Fleury, Damien Hirst and Nick Knight, is rich gold. Lipsticks come in a luxe-looking rectangular shape rather than the traditional MAC bullet, with colors that are equally rich, but totally wearable: vivid matte red, edgy (but flattering!) dirty violet, and sheer go-to nude. The collection also includes three palettes of neutral eye duos to choose from, in warm white gold-coral, cool gray-charcoal, and universal beige-brown; bronzing powder, rich black kohl liner, and a cream color base in coral, just to list a few.

It hits shelves this December, perfect for the holidays. (As for me, of course I’m already wearing Carmine Rouge.)

Countdown to Christmas

Carols may have been blaring obnoxiously from speakers all over the country from the moment mall hours began on Sept. 1, but it’s only when this weekend ends that we can truly say the Christmas season is upon us. “OMG, it’s December!” “OMG, where has the year gone?” “OMG, I can’t believe I gained weight before the holidays!” and “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” are just some of the Facebook statuses I’m already predicting you’re going to see all over your Timelines in the next few days. (Still, none as predictable as “Wake me up when September ends,” of course. Gag me. “All I want for Christmas is you” gets a free pass because it is the greatest Christmas song ever written. Also, #Mariah.)

If you’re feeling more Scrooge than Santa, well, Grinch Girl, there are ways to wake up on the right side of bed as Christmastime creeps up on us. One of them is a good cup of strong coffee. Another is bacon. And another is to treat yourself to a pleasant little surprise every day with what is probably the best Advent calendar ever.

I remember having a felt Advent calendar hanging from my door as a child, shaped like a fir tree, and being so excited to add a felt Christmas ornament to the appropriate slot every morning until Christmas Day — and Santa and presents — finally came. It was a fun way to count down to the most awaited holiday of the year.

It’s been well over two decades since then, but the thrill of the Advent calendar never got old — it just got better.

On Monday, I’m going to open the door labeled “1” on my The Best of the Body Shop Advent Calendar. The front says “24 Days of Joy,” appropriate, because beauty products make me — and most other girls — incandescently happy. There’s a special beauty treat tucked away for each of the 24 days leading up to Christmas, and it’s going to take all the EQ I admittedly do not possess to not open them all at once. Behind the doors? A surprise, but among the products in the calendar are classic Body Shop faves, like body butter, lip butter, and their yummy-smelling shower gels.

The calendars come in limited quantities, so snap one up ASAP — they’re P5,995, but the contents are valued at P7,435 — and treat yourself. After a long year of ups and downs, what girl doesn’t deserve that, right?