Gilded Guerlain

I’ve noticed that, in typical Jekyll and Hyde fashion, hoards of people turn into total nut cases over holiday events and shopping for gifts while most folks (including me) find the holidays to be a truly exciting time – packed with partygoing and, consequently, vital beautifying. This is when you’re expected to don your best party gear that’s been stashed away and to put your finest face forward. Hopping from one fete to another during this celebration-laden season requires serious consideration of what holiday look to sport. Festive makeup customarily includes elements of sparkle and shine which makes everyone look their optimum whether they’ve been naughty or nice. French über-luxury brand Guerlain’s holiday collection combines these factors while revamping classic faves into the newest beauty booty.

La Poudre C’est Moi Divine pressed powder is one of Guerlain’s legendary powders that has been reintroduced this season. Faceted like a jewel, this silky, translucent compact powder is like no other; it contains white sapphire sparkles that provide for a radiant glow leaving faint traces of silver on the skin. Housed in gorgeous gold and garnet packaging, it comes with an elegant pony-hair brush and a protective flap embossed with the Sun King’s emblem. Back in the day, Louis XIV was also referred to as the Sun King. Sapphires are naturally fab to have but a powder like this will suffice for those who want the bling but don’t have the budget. 

To play up your features and channel your inner diva, Guerlain’s star product, which has become synonymous with the brand, Meteorites, has a new look this season. Six shades of iridescent pearls – garnet, champagne, gold, pink, nude and beige unite to lend delicate, dazzling luminosity to your visage. The pearls are high on the adornment factor and are wonderfully perfumed, too. I love applying this as an end product on my face and d’Collet to give an all over glistening kiss.

On the subject of kisses, four hues of the seductive KissKiss lipsticks are available to indulge your lips. This precious, jewel-encased magic lip wand guarantees extra oomph that’s needed as you pucker up under the mistletoe. How’s that for lip service? If kissing isn’t your thing, how about a wink of the eyelid? It’s captivating, flirty and won’t cost a thing. Brush those lids with Divinora eyeshadow mono in Grenat Taffetas or Satin d’Or for a mysterious and enchanting effect and show them what you’ve got. 

For trimmings on the surface to look top notch, foundations must be primped and primed just as a painter ensures a flawless canvas before starting his strokes. To achieve this, the creme de la creme of cream can be found in Guerlain’s Orchidee Imperiale. Recently launched, this lighter, subtle fluid version of the flagship Guerlain cream is ideal for our tropical climate. It took Guerlain’s lab scientists and orchid experts seven years to zero in on the properties of four particular orchids in a sea of 30,000 species. Think of the countless hours of research! They tested how certain molecules found in the roots of these four orchids work on the cells found in human skin. For those who liked science class, the molecules Guerlain took away from the orchid roots were made into a highly-concentrated "extract." It takes about a kilo of orchid roots to churn out just one gram of this intense extract that is pretty extreme. Essentially, the extract in the moisturizer does exactly the same thing that goes on in orchids with exceptionally long shelf lives – it preserves normal cell life, which fights aging. Back on the techie track, Orchidee Imperiale preserves cell membranes which protect cells, boosts cell regeneration paving the way for youthful skin, promotes the natural DNA process, stimulates a "longevity" gene and combats tissue damage. In a nutshell, this moisturizer for day and night is the ultimate anti-aging potion. If Ponce de Leon were still searching for the Fountain of Youth, he’d find it in Orchidee Imperiale, the essence of youth. Though attached to a hefty price tag, think of it as an all-around investment. It’s suitable for all skin types and also evens out skin tone, makes skin supple, firm and radiant. Fascinating, and it smells wonderful to boot.

Guerlain’s got gifts galore and more at its counters. Elegantly boxed perfume sets of the fragrance L’ Instant for women and L’ Instant Pour Homme are perfect pick-me-ups for sophisticated relatives and friends. Let them smell sublime while exuding sensuality through a quick whiff. They’ll love you for it. If handbags are your fancy, then an opulent limited-edition Aranaz handbag (yes, of Amina Aranaz fame) is up for auction. Inspired by Guerlain’s holiday collection, this wristlet bag showcases the intense and bold precepts of the darling Christmas offerings. Rich red velvet is encrusted with gold beads, mother of pearl and garnet and sapphire semi-precious stones. Only three pieces have been produced and they will be auctioned off at each Guerlain counter starting today. Hurry, hurry! Guerlain is available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la Tower and Marionnaud at the SM Mall of Asia.