Beauty for a Living

New thing to try this year: Haircuts at home!

2012-01-03T22:46:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year, my dear beauty lovers!

Here's an idea for my Manila readers: Why don't you avoid the horrendous traffic jams and have your hairdresser come to you? That's what Vince and I do!

Vince used to get haircuts twice a year because he can't stand the traffic-and-parking stress. So his hair gets loooong and unruly. And then when I gave birth in 2010 and found absolutely no time to go to the salon, I started looking raggedy myself.

My friend Nikki of The Picky Dresser said I have no excuse to look unkempt just because I'm a mommy since there are so many at-home services available these days. She gave me a list and I was surprised to see "Hairstyling - Michael Morano" on her list.

Michael does everything for your hair--cut, color, blowdry, style for events. He saved our looks! We get regular trims in the comfort of our own home. It's so convenient! Try it this year, beauties!

To set an appointment with Michael, here's his number: 0939.888-7860.

Unarosa's Top 10 fab and fashionable gift suggestions (plus, party dresses, too!)

2011-12-19T01:19:00.000+08:00

We feature fashion boutique Unarosa in OK! magazine all the time. It's not just a Proudly Pinoy brand, the dresses are really actually amazing. The designs are definitely gorgeous, well made, and come in limited stock so you can be sure your pretty party dress won't be on 999 other girls in town!

For their holiday collection, the brand pays homage to film noir femme fatales. Lush textures, dramatic details, sexy silhouettes, rich hues--definitely something you might want to consider for the parties you'll attend!

Here's a peek at the making-of-the-ad-campaign for the Neo Noir Collection:

Unarosa Holiday 2011 from Unarosa on Vimeo.

Now if you're not done with your gift shopping, drop by any of the Unarosa boutiques and grab one or more of their gift suggestions for the stylish people in your life (including yourself!):

Black chain-print scarf, P635

Red handbag with contrast stitching, P1760

Faux croc-skin with gold buckles, P1760

Vintage chain necklace with tribal design pendant, P535

Bib necklace with chains and feathers, P795

Silver-plated earrings, P325

Gold-plated shell earrings, P325

Silver stud ring, P445

Gold snake wrap ring, P445

Brown tribal-print scarf, P635

Trivia: Celebrities like Miriam Quiambao and Empress Shuck love Unarosa.

Unarosa is located at 5/L Shangri-La Plaza, 4/L The Block, SM North Edsa, 2/L Annex II, SM Fairview, 2/L Bldg. A, SM Megamall, G/F Shoppesville, Greenhills, and L/1 Marquee Mall, Pampanga. For more information on Unarosa, log on to www.una-rosa.com. For more updates, like Unarosa on Facebook, www.facebook.com/unarosafashion or follow Unarosa on Twitter, www.twitter.com/UNAROSA_tweets.

I'm baaaaaack!

2011-12-16T23:31:00.000+08:00

Wow. I have been gone from the fashion and beauty blogging world for months!

Will make up for that soon. In fact, I'll give a sneak peek at my makeup kit--something I've never done because I didn't want to give away my tried-and-tested beauty arsenal!

What you see above is my absolute no-fail makeup products. Benefit Benetint, Bobbi Brown bronzer, NARS blush, Body Shop makeup brushes, Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skin Tone Illuminator, Model Co. eyebrow kit, La Mer lip balm, La Mer powder and La Mer concealer.

I have bad skin--years of acne have led to scars and spots. But no one ever notices because of my ever reliable makeup. And I don't even pile them on. So even if the products I use are expensive, because a little goes a long way, they last forever. They end up not costing a lot at all. Try them!

Crazy colorful shades from Emporio Armani

2011-09-13T15:33:00.000+08:00

These are totally insane!

Emporio Armani is celebrating 30 years in the fashion industry with this psychedelic capsule eyewear collection. They are love! So much fun to look at and, I confess, to collect! The oversize round ones are for women and the aviato-style ones are for men. Both are absolutely transparent and come in delicious colors!

These frames will feature "30 Emporio Armani" on the lens. Lest we forget how old the fashion house is. Well, 30 never looked so fun and fashionable! I want this! I want them all!

Emporio Armani is at Greenbelt 4.

Loving Stila's eye defining pens

2011-09-11T15:27:00.003+08:00

Like the new duchess, I like eye liner. I don't have lush lashes, you see, so I rely on eyeliner to define my eyes.

image source

Unlike Catherine, I don't go overboard! Better to keep the eye liner soft since this defines the eyes without making it look smaller, which tons of eye liner tend to do. But don't get me wrong--I love Catherine! She's my hair and style idol!

Anyway, I use Stila liquid eye liner. I love it! It's so easy to use. I never make a mistake when lining my eyes and it stays put all day, despite the heat and humidity. So I got really excited when Stila announced they have new eye liners for their 2011 Fall Collection.

Here's the new Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, P745. It glides on lids and can be applied thinly or boldly!

I love liquid eye liner because it's easy to apply. A lot of girls won't agree with me, though. Liquid means you have to be very precise, with hands that do not shake at all. But I love my Stila liquid liner because the brush point is so thin, I can draw a skinny line first then just build on it. I can do cat's eye easily!

But if you prefer gentler and mistake-proof application but just as impressive results, the Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liners, 895, are fabulous for the job. They're much more fun with lots of shimmery colors to choose from: triggerfish, lionfish, moray, bluefin, stingray, silver dollar, blue ribbon, peacock, purple tang. Personally, I like moray, which is green. Green brings out the brown of my eyes!

Stila is available at Rustan's Essenses.

Check out my gorgeous new hair! My many kinds of hair! (Thanks, Tokyo P.O.S.H.!)

2011-09-08T22:28:00.003+08:00

Having very thin, fine and flat hair, I have never really grown my hair long. Well, maybe once or twice it's grown as far down as my bra strap but by then it looked like a sad skinny sheet. Because of that, I usually keep my hair's length to as short as a bob to as long as just past my shoulders.

A few weeks ago, The Picky Dresser told me, "I think you'll look so much better with long hair." I told her my dilemma. She laughed, "Do hair extensions! Go to Tokyo P.O.S.H.!" And so I Tweeted about it and the owner of the hair boutique, Denise Aquino, just happened to see my Tweet and we arranged to meet.

But first! This is what my hair looks like. This is my hair when it's unstyled--it's messy, wavy and very fine and soft. Like baby hair. I usually pull it up in a bun or pony. For events I have to work in hair thickener, blow dry then put in curlers for about 10-15 minutes, then blast on hairspray for hold. But because of the humidity, my hair still falls flat within an hour or so.

So when I walked into the Tokyo P.O.S.H. salon, I really was open to anything and yet I was also a bit leery. Hair extensions are so... Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears and J.Lo and... Oh, hair extensions are so Hollywood! And as the editor-in-chief of OK! magazine, I really ought to give this a try.

Then I saw this:

I got a bit creeped out. It looks like someone's scalp! But the hair is so soft and silky that I had to ask, "Is this human hair?" Denise Aquino, the super stylish owner of Tokyo P.O.S.H., giggled, "No! It's high quality fiber from Japan!" Then Denise showed off her own gorgeous mane of hair, "This is hair extensions! Semi-permanent so I have them on, wash them with shampoo, style. But for you, let's try clip-on extensions. It's for girls who can't commit!"

Here's what it looks like underneath. Clips! You tie back half of your hair and clip the extensions under your lifted hair. Release your real hair and voila!

Instant long hair that's already curled and styled! Definitely saves you a lot of time in front of the mirror! The great thing about the Tokyo P.O.S.H. (that's Put On Styled Hair) is their extensions aren't woven, braided or sewn into your hair. So if you feel like wavy today, straight tomorrow, shoulder-length for lunch, then cascading mane for dinner, you can! Just snap on, twist in or tie up! Easy! So perfect for lazy me!

Anyway, the next extension I tried was a twisty. I'll confirm the names later on but for now I do remember this is a twisty. It's like a foot-long wire of short waves. Most of us, when we put our hair in a bun, don't have huge masses of tresses to make an impressive bun. Well, the twisty solves that--you twist it around your little bun and... presto!

The next thing I tried on was the wrappy. It's basically a sheet of hair that you wrap around your ponytail. Yes, so that instead of your scraggly pony, you have a fountain of lustrous thick locks. See below? That's my real ponytail. It's pathetic.

But with the wrappy, my pony can look this amazing!

There's sleek and straight.

There's sexy and wavy.

I liked the sleek one. Just look at that tail!!! It's amazing! In fact, this was the extension I loved best and took home (thanks, Denise!). I walked around Power Plant and, I swear to you, people treated me better! So that's what having long, thick hair feels like! And when I got home, my husband was just bowled over. It was a ponytail! I think it's the sexiest ponytail ever!

Anyway, I did get to try out one last look--the super long waves-tumbling-down-your-back extensions. I kinda felt weird with such long hair and so much of it, too.

But after staring and staring at myself in the mirror and then later at these photos, I think this is the next style I'm getting. Just look at how much younger I look!

This is me with the utterly fab Denise. She got the idea of hair extensions from her days as a fashion student at Tokyo's premier fashion school Bunka Fashion College. She said that in Japan, fashion isn't just clothes and accessories--the Japanese really literally plan their look from hair and makeup down to their nail polish and shoes. And hair is just a fashion accessory, too. They don't get limited by what they were born with; they just collect hair in all sorts of lengths, textures and colors!

Denise figured that we fashionable Pinays can benefit from this trick. I certainly did! I can't wait for the Kate Middleton waves coming this November. I'm definitely getting myself that. I also want blunt bangs, a twisty and that looooong wavy mass of gorgeousness above. Tokyo P.O.S.H., you just changed my life!

Tokyo P.O.S.H. has a salon at Power Plant Mall, right beside Kabisera. There's also Extensions by Tokyo P.O.S.H. at the third floor of SM North EDSA's main mall. For more info, here's their Facebook page. Girls, go get hair extensions now!

How I care for my leather bags. Thanks, Apple Brand!

2011-08-31T22:34:00.001+08:00

I sell these fabulous bags. They're bespoke leather satchels. The whole story is here--yes, go and read it because it's quite romantic! And if you want to get yourself your own bag, click here!

Anyway, this post is for all of you who love their leather bags but are now lamenting the rainy weather. What is up with this weather?! I love the rain, the gloom, the gray. But even this more than a week-long storminess has gotten to me... and my bags and shoes! So how do I protect my precious leather loves? With the Apple Brand Purse Priming Set!

First thing I do is wipe my bags with a dry soft cloth, like an old sock. I use a slightly damp cloth for areas like the bottom part and the handles. I wait to dry. Then I lovingly apply leather conditioner all over the bag. Just enough to keep the leather supple but not so much that the leather gets wet.

Then I buff away with the dry soft cloth. When the leather is nice and shiny, I spray it with protectant. This seals in the conditioner and seals out moisture!

My bags are now safe from the humidity and rain! Also from the sweat and oils of my hands, my lotions and perfume. Now, don't they look nice and pretty?

I got my leather care set from Purse Prime. An 8oz bottle of Apple Leather Conditioner costs P1,399. It's not wax so your leather can breathe. It can clean, condition and protect your skins--cow, pig, snake, ostrich, faux! I like that even when I use it on my untanned satchel (that's the pinkish one above), it doesn't stain or darken the leather. Plus, it makes the leather sooooft and smooth.

The can of Apple Garde Rain & Stain Repellent is P1,199. This one you can spray on anything--not just leather but suede, nubuck, satin, fabric as well. It's wax-free, too, so your leather stuff can breathe. And it also doesn't stain light-colored skins. So perfect!

So now you know how I keep my bags safe and pretty. I highly recommend Purse Prime's products! The people behind it are super nice, too!

Furla's handbags are the ultimate in contemporary yet classic style

2011-08-22T17:18:00.000+08:00

Okay, okay, so I've been obsessing about the Tod's D Bag but Furla's been tempting me lately with their F/W collection. Specifically, the handbags.

As with all the fashion houses, the trend now is retro, mid-century, and lady-like. So if you had thrown away your mommy's handbags, you may find yourself regretting them as hobo is out and handbags are in. Furla's bags show off classic lines and yet, because of the sleek design and sumptuous materials, they are just oozing modern style.

The bags come in pony skin, Mongolian sheepskin, ostrick leather and deerskin. I'm not a fan of ostrich (although I do enjoy the meat!), but when the skin peeks out just like so, it's lovely, like classic polka-dots.

The best thing I like about this bag? That F.

Discreet and simple yet bold. Like me!

In the Philippines, Furla is available at Greenbelt 5, Rustan's Makati and Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Forever 21's awesome August sale!

2011-08-18T11:42:00.000+08:00

My friend, the fabulous Jane Kingsu-Cheng of Forever 21 (and wife, mommy, writer and blogger!) sent me exciting news:

There’s just so much to look forward to at the Forever 21 3 Day Sale at SM Makati from August 19 to 21!

• Aug 19 10AM-12nn:

10% off on regular priced items when you use your SM Advantage Card/BDO Rewards/SM Prestige Card

20% off on regular priced items when you use both your F21 Mastercard and SM Advantage Card/BDO Rewards/SM Prestige Card, with min purchase of P5K net of discounts

• Aug 19-21: 10% off on regular priced items when you use your F21 Mastercard, with min purchase of P5K net of discounts

• Aug 19-21: 5% rebate when you use any BDO credit card, with min purchase of P5K net of discounts

• Forever 21 Mastercard holders can get in as early as 8:30am. Just present 1 valid I.D. to enter. One entry per card.

Forever 21 stores are located at the Second Level of SM Megamall A and at the Ground Floor of SM Makati in the Central Business District. You can also follow Forever 21 on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/forever21ph) andtwitter (http://www.twitter.com/forever21ph) Check out their sneak preview album of the items for the 3-day sale :)

Want a Forever 21 Mastercard, visit http://www.bdo.com.ph and apply now.

Have a happy shopping weekend!

Why I'm beautiful

2011-08-17T23:36:00.001+08:00

I've been a magazine editor for 6 years and one of the fabulous perks of the job is getting free products and treatments from beauty brands, spas and clinics. But when people ask me if it gets to my head, all the perks and how people treat me with adoration, I just laugh and say, "If you only knew!"

Here are just some of the stuff I've been told:

"You don't need breast enhancement. You need liposuction. Two lipos actually--upper and lower abdomens."
"Ang nipis ng buhok mo, teh. Kalbo ka na nga halos! Try mo yung treatment namin!"
"Your dark eye circles are so bad. May wrinkles pa! This cream will fix that."
"Wow. I can count your lashes. They're so few and sparse. Try this mascara!"
"You seriously need our slimming treatments. Mommies really get so fat!"
"Kelan ka huling nagpa-foot spa? Kasi parang pang-kabayo na yung heels mo. Try our paraffin treatment."
"Manage your acne? Actually, you need Botox."
"You look good in that dress but better if you use Spank." (I think she meant Spanx)
"You gained so much weight na! Hirap to lose the pregnancy pounds, no? Want to try our new gym classes?"
"Yes, the treatment can even your skin tone but I suggest this other treatment kasi uka-uka na ang mukha mo."

Now tell me, seriously, with all that thrown at your face on a regular basis, do you think I can possibly think I'm perfect?!

My family is my beauty secret!

It's a good thing I don't have low self-esteem. Imagine having to hear those awful things regularly! It's no wonder a lot of girls are spending obscene amounts of money and time "perfecting" themselves! Now, I have no issues with using products and getting treatments. I have no problem with cosmetic surgery either. But I do believe that these should be done for fun and out of self-love, not self-loathing.

I think I'm a pretty girl. Above average, sure, but nothing special, looks-wise. But I'm aware that a lot of people think I'm beautiful despite the big tummy, thin hair, dark eye circles, sparse lashes, flab, zits, and acne scars. I believe the beauty that people see in me is the happiness, confidence and peace I radiate. I may not be physically perfect but my life is pretty darn close to perfect. I work hard on my relationships, my career and my mind, and the work paid off. My life is beyond beautiful. And no beauty product or procedure did that!

Sock bun--the easy way to big sexy waves!

2011-08-17T13:50:00.000+08:00

I love this big waves secret! It's so easy!

I'm going to try it out tonight. If you've tried this out, send me photos and other tips so I can post it on my blog!

See you next week!

2011-08-12T23:40:00.000+08:00

My dearest readers, I'm taking a break because it's my darling boy's first birthday weekend celebration. We have costumes and cakes and cookies to pick up, a kiddie fashion boutique event to attend, families to see, then the birthday bash to throw. It's so busy busy busy and we're so happy happy happy!

Yes, it's been a year! Thank you all for loving me, my son and even my husband. Your warm wishes, your gentle advice, the lovely presents and your friendship have made this incredible year even more fantastic. God bless you and have a great weekend, everyone!

Burberry Prorsum's F/W 2011 bag collection is so luxe!

2011-08-10T19:11:00.000+08:00

I can't stand the cold so I never really get interested when the fashion world rolls out the fall/winter collection. But when I saw the bags that accompanied Burberry Prorsum's clothes, I fell in love. The bags are so rich!

The bowling bags in alligator skin are just oozing with style and OTT-ness. Observe!

And you don't need cold weather to tote these beauties around. They're all perfection!

In the Philippines, Burberry is available at Greenbelt 5, Rustan's Makati and Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Make-Up Designory slashes price for their personal makeup classes this August!

2011-08-10T19:00:00.000+08:00

At just P3,000, it's practically free! Sign up, sign up! Slots are limited!

I'd have loved up to sign for MUD's class but since it's only offered on Sundays, no can do. Sundays are family days!

You can get free--really free--makeup classes from Bobbi Brown makeup counters. It's just brisk five-minute pep classes. If you go every day, then hey!

But if you want a real class, you can get one but you'll have to buy P5,000 worth of Bobbi Brown products. Still a good deal if you compare it with MUD's. MUD's is 3K but no products. Bobbi Brown's comes with 5K worth of products and you can go to the counter anytime of the day, any day of the week. Plus, it's personalized and customized--just you and the makeup artist.

Will talk more about Bobbi Brown's classes in another post. For now, MUD's offer is a really great deal so enroll soonest!

Furla's tarot bags predict one sure future: Shopping!

2011-08-09T18:42:00.001+08:00

And that's shopping in style, too!

The Leitmotiv for Furla Talent Hub (I didn't even know Furla had such a hub!) is a collection inspired by tarot cards. This is for the F/W 2011-2012 season but just look at how colorful these bags are--definitely bags you'll be carrying till the summer!

I love how surreal and fantastical the bags are! I had my fortune told once. I was told that I'll have the thing I want most but I'll work loooong and hard for it. Gee, isn't that true for everything? So I never put much stock in fortune-telling. These Furla bags also predict a sure future for whoever's toting them: ease and style and shopping!

In the Philippines, Furla is available at Greenbelt 5, Rustan's Makati and Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Cut and color at Louis Phillip Kee again!

2011-07-31T22:45:00.001+08:00

I visited my hairstylist of five years, Louis Phillip Kee, at his posh Bonifacio Global City salon some time ago for a trim and a color.

A salon session can take a long while, about 4-5 hours. That's a long time to be away from my baby boy. And I'm a breastfeeding momma. But I have to be a gorgeous breastfeeding mommy so I sacrificed an afternoon to have my hair done.

Told ya it takes forever. By this time, I had already finished a stack of magazines. Louis's salon has free Wi-Fi, a fact that I forgot. I wish I had brought the iPad. Grr!

It truly does take a long time! That's because I have several colors done. So it's color, wash, dry, color, wash, dry then color, wash, dry. In the days when I didn't have a child, I'd even get a mani-pedi, hair treatment and massage done. That's an entire day spent at the salon! (Yes, Louis offers a ton of fab services to meet all your beauty needs). Now? I rush home to the baby soonest!

Trim, trim! Louis is known for his precision cuts, which my fluffy hair badly needs. My hair isn't straight and sleek. It's kinda wavy and soft and fine--like baby hair. It's not as nice as it sounds. My hair's so thin and fine, it dries up in five minutes and can get really messy because the slightest breath of air makes it fly about my head. So I love Louis's precision cuts because my hair behaves!

See? Perfectly behaved hair! Thanks, Louis! As always, you made me look fabulous. But I have to go back again for a trim. And I think I'm ready to go red again! Let's do this!

To book an appointment at Louis Phillip Kee Salons, click here.

Loving the Tod's D Bag

2011-07-30T10:24:00.000+08:00

I know, I know. I've been gone forever. Lots of stuff happening these past few weeks--details in both my personal and mommy blogs. It's so easy to neglect my fashion and beauty blog! Sooo bad!

But I come back because I just have to ask you this: Should I buy the iconic Tod's D Bag???

Pardon my animal-print dress. I look pregnant in it! But I don't care. Just please look at the bag. That beautiful bag! Does it suit me? Does it look boring? Does it look too blah? Does it look perfect?

I really really really have been wanting the Tod's D Bag for a looooong time (I say so here). But it's about P70,000 minimum. The other styles--in various skins and leathers and sizes--fetch a much higher price. I've been thinking of saving up for it (I actually can, easily) but my conscience won't allow me to buy a bag that expensive!

I think that when I become a millionaire (yes, it's "when", not "if"--positive thinking!), I can buy a Tod's without wincing. But do you also think that, if I really really want it, should I just end my torture and get it???

Sigh. Oh, Tod's D Bag, I will have you sooner or later! How about you? What's your ultimate must-have bag? Do share!

Pond's Flawless White is giving away 300+ tickets to Kylie's concert!!!

2011-06-24T14:32:00.000+08:00

Love Kylie Minogue? Then you're going to love Pond's Flawless White! The whitening range is sponsoring a super easy contest: They're giving away 306 tickets to Kylie's Aphrodite world tour, specifically the Manila concert on July 5! Hooray!

Now before I give you the mechanics, let me tell you why Pond's is so in love with Kylie. Last year, the sexy pop star revealed that her mommy used the classic Pond's Cold Cream and so she uses it, too. She said Pond's is the secret to her flawless skin!

So next week, Pond's Flawless White returns the love to Kylie by inviting more than 300 fans to her concert. It's super easy to be one of these lucky fans! Just follow these steps:

TWITTER
How: Follow @pondsph and RT this: I use the unbeaten power of Pond's Flawless White to whiten every day. Now I can use it to meet Kylie Minogue too! #Ponds_KylieMinogue

Prize: Three winners get 2 lower box tickets plus a chance to meet Kylie!!!

PRODUCT PURCHASE
How: Buy P500 worth of Pond's products in participating supermarkets, department stores and drugstores in Manila. Any kind but at least one must be from the Flawless White range. A Pond's beauty advisor will then give you a raffle form. Fill it up and start praying!

Prize: 150 lucky shoppers will win 2 tickets from either upper A, upper B and lower box sections.

Winners will be announced on Pond's Facebook page (click it now to know more about this exciting contest!).

Good luck!

Press release: Online shop Catalogue 63 hosts first ever trunk show!

2011-06-20T15:19:00.001+08:00

This weekend's going to be a big event for shoppers who love all things Filipino. And if you're one of those who don't, let me try to persuade you otherwise with the fabulous stuff you can find on new online shop, Catalogue 63. Yes, do click on the name and you'll find clothes, shoes and accessories from proudly Pinoy brands like Renegade Folk, Cintura, Two Oranges Bags, Naked Sun and many more.

If you'd rather see and feel and fit the stuff, then this weekend, June 25-26, hie off to Metropolitan Club on Estrella Street, Makati. That's right across Rockwell Center, beside the girls' school. The school's name escapes me but if you're from EDSA, you turn right to Estrella, then it's Palm Village to your right, then the girls' school and then Metropolitan Club.

Here's the official press release:

Catalogue 63 Hosts Multi-Brand Trunk Show

Online retailer Catalogue 63 will host its first Catalogue 63 Trunk Show on June 25-26 from 11 am to 7 pm at Metropolitan Club, Estrella Street, Makati City. Popular local brands such as Renegade Folk, Tala Manila, Two Oranges Bags and Naked Sun, among others, will be available on site. The trunk show coincides with the official launch of the Catalogue 63 website.

“We’re very excited to hold our first ever trunk show to officially launch Catalogue 63. We want to take this opportunity to showcase our partner brands and at the same time, educate our customers on how easy and convenient it is to shop on our website”, said Martina Gomez, Marketing Manager of Catalogue 63.

The Catalogue 63 website is an online shopping hub that offers women’s clothes, shoes, bags and accessories from independent and up-and-coming Filipino brands. It aims to promote Philippine-made fashion while giving its customers a straightforward, convenient and enjoyable online shopping experience.

“We feel that the Philippine market is ready to embrace e-commerce. Many online stores have sprouted up on various social networking sites and we take this as a sign that Filipinos are now becoming more comfortable with online shopping. Last year, a survey conducted by Grey Group Asia Pacific discovered that the population of Filipino online shoppers is growing, with 46 percent of Filipinos purchasing goods over the Internet. We are optimistic that they will continue their shopping at Catalogue 63”, continued Gomez.

The Catalogue 63 Trunk Show will also feature clothes, bags and accessories by And Apparel, Amaranta, Celline, Cintura Belts, Daley, Shiq Bags, Sienna, Sinta Shoes, and Vel. Email marketing@catalogue63.com or call 433-6918 for more information. Admission is free.

Catalogue 63 Partner Brands as of June 1, 2011:

1) Amaranta (Jewelry)

2) And Apparel (Women’s clothes and footwear)

3) Celline (Women’s clothes)

4) Cintura (Women’s belts)

5) Daley (Women’s casual tops)

6) Naked Sun (Swimwear)

7) Renegade Folk (Women’s footwear)

8) Shiq Bags (Women’s bags)

9) Sienna (Women’s sandals)

10) Sinta (Women’s shoes)

11) Tala Manila (Women’s clothes)

12) Two Oranges (Diaper bags and beach bags)

13) Vel (Accessories)

I'm thinking of checking it out, too, since I want my bag business to be sold on Catalogue 63. I have a bag business? You didn't know?! Click here to find out more! See you at the Catalogue 63 trunk show this weekend!

Love my beauty blog!

2011-06-18T14:00:00.000+08:00

Hi beauty lovers! I just joined Bloglovin' so I can feel more love from you!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin now! Thanks and hope you all have a beautiful weekend!

Event: Pond's launches White Beauty Naturals featuring the pretty Angelica Panganiban

2011-06-17T11:01:00.001+08:00

Pond's is so excited to launch their first natural line called White Beauty Naturals. It's so natural that on the launch this Tuesday, they used the ingredients of the products for our dinner. Seriously!

The face they got to represent the new whitening line is pretty starlet Angelica Panganiban. She's known for wearing no makeup, even for TV interviews because she likes to let her skin breathe. She can do that, of course, because she has perfect skin. So I guess that's why Pond's thinks she's the best girl for their new line!

The event was held at Sofitel, my favorite hotel in the city. The organizers converted the Sunset Pavilion into an indoor garden, complete with trees, shrubs, flowers, climbing ivy and a gazebo.

Lovely models came out to... you know, I really don't know what the models were for.They just strutted about onstage in goddess gowns created by Rhett Eala. They didn't go around the audience showing off the new products or asking us to test them, smell them, etc. They just stood there and looked stern and beautiful. Strange. I think Pond's could've done away with them. Although I did like the gowns!

Anyway, after the models spent a few minutes walking around frowning, they cleared out so that Angelica can own the stage. She's actually prettier in person than I thought. She was tall and slim. On TV, she kinda looks short and chubby. Oh, those dreaded 10 pounds the TV adds!

Then the host interviewed Angelica who said that she really is a low maintenance girl when it comes to her skin and that she's so happy Pond's came out with a product line that she's happy to use.

Then Angelica was whisked off to a table so that the media can interview her. That table was actually next to mine so I got close enough to see that, yes, her skin is absolutely perfect. I was so green with envy! I've always had oily, acne-ridden skin so whenever I see gorgeous skin, I get so envious!

You know what else was green? The guests! The theme of the night was green, green, green. Even I burrowed through my closet, looking for green dresses.

Unilever's Jacqe Yuengtian, fashion designer Rhett Eala
and Age Miracle image model Rissa Mananquil

Visions & Expressions Ginggay Joven, Inquirer columnist
Tessa Valdes Prieto and me

For my outfit details, click here. For my review of Pond's White Beauty Naturals, we'll wait for 2 months from now!

The deep rich hues of Marc by Marc Jacobs F/W 2011

2011-06-10T05:32:00.001+08:00

Summer is over, folks! Time to check out the cool weather fashion and you know what? I am totally in love with the 2011 Fall/Winter Collection of Marc by Marc Jacobs! I love the bright reds and vibrant oranges, cool greens and deep purples.

Here are my favorites from the collection:

Who says cold weather means wearing dull gray and black? Marc Jacobs just proclaimed it the season for rich pigment. Just look at those beautiful pieces above! I can wear them all year round!

Marc by Marc Jacobs is available at Greenbelt 5.

The Cartier watches on Monica Belluci's wrists are to die for

2011-06-09T17:32:00.000+08:00

I've been a fan of Monica Bellucci since I first saw her in the 2000 film, Malena. She was just breathtaking in that war movie, where she played a woman who thought she lost her husband to the war. Desperate to survive, she used her beauty to become the town prostitute. It's not as bawdy as it sounds. For one thing, her story is told through the eyes of a young boy so there's no way it gets cheap.

You know what's not cheap at all? Cartier watches. And Monica Bellucci just happens to model some very fine pieces on her pretty slender wrists.

I like these:

They're amazing. I love how the strap is so fine, it looks like ribbon. And that huge watch face! I like the gold one best. Such a perfect watch!

Cartier is available at Greenbelt 5, Makati.

Loving the black and white beauties of Emporio Armani

2011-06-06T17:00:00.001+08:00

There's a new high-fashion house in the city and it's about time it opened here! Just recently, Italian couture brand debuted its first Philippine store at Greenbelt 4 in Makati. There's a bevy of beautiful things in the boutique but I am loving these amazing black-and-white shoes and bags:

Ah, they are totally posh!

Emporio Armani has evening dresses, informal wear and eclectic accessories for the ladies and a luxurious collection of jackets, shirts, trousers and accessories for the men.

Press release: Topshop/Topman re-opens at Robinsons Galleria with a big bang!

2011-05-23T16:11:00.000+08:00

Now here's a press release that's got me all excited! And if you love Topshop, I'm sure you're going bananas, too!

Top Styles and Trends with Topshop and Topman

Catch your favorite celebrities wearing the latest from Topshop and Topman when you hit the big re-opening of the Topshop and Topman flagship store in Robinsons Galleria on May 25th. Doors officially open to the public at 6pm with live DJs and refreshments.

Better be there early because Preview and StyleBible.ph will be in the lookout for 3 early birds in queue wearing their best Topshop outfit and those spotted will each win P10,000 worth of shopping spree at Topshop!

Everyone can enjoy the exclusive 20% discount on the latest collections of the season during the all night long shopping party.

Be among the first 100 Topshop and first 100 Topman shoppers to get a chance to take home a limited edition Topshop and Topman shopper bag when you spend at least P1,500 instore.

Grab a fabulous Topshop purse or a trendy Topman trilby when you spend P3,000 or more. Plus we’ll be giving away premium items from Canon Digital Center, shu uemura and more while you shop the night away!

Join us in the unveiling of the newly fashioned Topshop and restyled Topman in Robinsons Galleria and shop alongside the country’s top celebrities with great music, discounts and freebies exclusive to this event!

Strut in style with the latest in UK high street fashion with Topshop and Topman!

Remember:

Doors open at 6.
But come early because the first 100 shoppers may win a limited edition shopper bag (but you'll have to spend P1,500 first!).
If you're lined up dressed head-to-toe in Topshop/Topman, you may win a 10K shopping spree!
Everything from the Spring-Summer collection is at 20% off.
Spend 3K and you get a free bag!

See you on Wednesday, Topshop-pers!