June 3, 2013

On my last full day in Kohler Village, Wisconsin I was given a wonderful treat at the American Club’s Kohler Waters Spa, a recipient of the 2012 Forbes Five-Star award. There are only 31 spas worldwide with this Five-Star distinction.

My treatment, the Hollycock Ritual, was a 3-hour pampering session that included full-body exfoliation, body wrap with foot and scalp massage, a 50-minute massage and pedicure.

It started with gentle cleansing exfoliation with a KOHLER Custom Vichy hydro-massage. This was so relaxing. I need to experience this again.

After my hydro-massage, I had a 20 minute relaxing bath in this KOHLER tub with jacuzzi bubbles. Notice the water source coming from the ceiling. Nice touch.

Kohler Waters Spa uses the gently scented Hollycock products. The story behind hollycock dates back to decades before Kohler Waters Spa even opened. The scent of hollyhocks filled the Village of Kohler. In the 1920s, a garden society founded by Marie, Evangeline and Lillie Kohler chose the statuesque, colorful hollyhock as the official village flower. Each spring the society presented a packet of seeds to families throughout the village, beautifying neighborhoods with this stunning perennial. (Source, KOHLER Waters Spa menu).

The warm relaxation pool separates the treatment rooms from the locker rooms.

This is the lounge where I waited between my body treatments and nail treatment. It was my first time to be in a co-ed spa lounge.

My therapist was kind enough to snap this photo before my wet treatments.

I had the nicest and most gentle pedicure here. They used Deborah Lippmann nail products.

For more information, visit Kohler Waters Spa website. The Hollycock Ritual lasts 3 hours and costs $395.

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May 26, 2013

It has been the coldest spring in Toronto. Just last night it went down to 4°C. Unbelievable. It was wonderful spending the whole season with my family here. I was also able to see and experience the actual Spring/Summer 2013 beauty and fashion forecasts come alive. Because where I live, we just have two seasons — hot and hotter.

A few months ago I was able to attend P&G Beauty’s Vision House in Bangkok as one of the Philippines’ P&G Beauty brand ambassadors. It was a wonderful two-day event that not simply presented trends per se, it drew inspiration from across the planet in the fields of art, architecture, design, technology, and music to identify the global trends that would define the beauty landscape over the upcoming year. I will highlight some of the trends that resonated with me in a series of posts.

Here’s a quick recap of what it was like surrounded by beauty and inspiration in a beautiful hotel So Bangkok designed by Christian Lacroix.

At the executive lounge at So Bangkok while waiting for my exclusive interview with Liv Tyler. I love this room. That tapestry was designed and created by Christian Lacroix.

Liv Tyler’s appearance on the Pantene Goddess. Photo courtesy P&G Vision House.

Liv with Pantene Regional Creative Director Duffy and P&G Beauty’s Dr. Steve Shiel.

With co P&G Beauty Brand Ambassador Tim Yap.

Most of the sessions took place at the grand ballroom of So Bangkok.

The rooms were all worth a story. Floors were divided into elements – water, metal, wood, earth. I got earth.

Very whimsical bathroom.

Stunning view from the roofdeck of the So Bangkok.

With P&G’s Anna Legarda, dermatologist Dr. Emily Soriano, MEGA’s Suki Salvador, P&G’s Dierdre de Padua, Cosmo’s Regina Belmonte and fellow P&G Beauty Ambassador Tim Yap.

Picture, picture.

With Creative Directors of Wella Professionals Eugene Souleiman and Josh Wood.

Olay scientist David Khoo and Cris Horwang, Thailand’s Olay Ambassador

Day two of VisionHouse started off on a high note with the launch of the first global hair care forum, the Pantene Hair Research Alliance.

More P&G Vision House beauty stories… coming soon.

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April 30, 2013

Nicki Minaj continues her reign as the hip-hop queen of M·A·C VIVA GLAM!
The Lipstick-loving diva is back to serve up a delectable duo of Lipstick
and Lipglass in an all-new shade of pastel lavender pink. Every cent of the
selling price goes toward helping women, men and children living with and
affected by HIV/AIDS. Limited edition.

Press Release – In 1994, with the prevalence of AIDS exponentially spreading across the globe, M·A·C’s co-founders searched for a way to respond to the epidemic. Encouraged by input from employees, they decided to create the M·A·C AIDS Fund and make HIV/AIDS organizations the beneficiaries of the company’s charitable focus. To date, through various fundraising initiatives such as VIVA GLAM, Kids Helping Kids Greeting Cards and with the help of celebrity spokespeople from the entertainment and fashion industries, the M·A·C AIDS Fund has raised over $300 million.

The untimely death of Frank Angelo in 1997 set the stage for a new chapter in M·A·C’s history. In 1998 Estée Lauder Companies acquired the remaining shares of the company, and John Demsey was named president of M·A·C. Under his leadership, the link between fashion, beauty and culture has strengthened, allowing M·A·C to stay on the cutting edge. He has been instrumental in initiating collaborations with celebrities such as Linda Evangelista, Liza Minnelli, Pamela Anderson, Catherine Deneuve and others, and to endorse the M·A·C VIVA GLAM and Beauty Icon programs.

Moving forward, M·A·C continues to satisfy the needs of its customers, constantly developing existing and new categories, each of which grows out of a demand from M·A·C’s ultimate ambassadors – professional makeup artists. Equally important as the growth of its worldwide business is the company’s commitment to the M·A·C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of the brand.

LIPSTICK VIVA GLAM Nicki 2 Pastel lavender pink (amplified) Php 1,000 and LIPGLASS VIVA GLAM Nicki 2 Pastel lavender pink Php 950. Available since April 2013

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April 8, 2013

I’m still here.

Just living real life. I’ve been trying to find time to blog but… you know how it is on vacations.

This cold Canadian weather, though a lot of fun for the kids, has caused a lot of skin problems for my girls (and me). Lily has tendency to get eczema, so she was the first one to get dry skin irritation. I came prepared though. I brought our stash of Mustela® — both the Stelatopia range from the Dermo-Pediatrics line and regular moisturizers from the Bebe line.

Stelatopia® Baume Relipidant/Lipid-replenishing  Balm is new. This has helped Lily’s cheeks. We used it as a preventive cream and avoided a full-blown eczema attack. With this Lily also bathes with Stelatopia Milky Bath Oil instead of regular soap.

This is pretty much what my domestic life looks like in my mother’s house. A few magazines, Olay moisturizers and an attempt to finish Grace, A Memoir… and an even more serious attempt to do my nails with some cheap Joe Fresh nail polish.

The magazines have been with me for a week. I haven’t even opened them. The nails are all bare. My hair hasn’t been touched by a brush. And never mind the book.

It is crazy busy for us, but we’re not complaining. Just getting the kids dressed for “winter” is a major task. It’s actually finally spring today. All skin flare ups are under control. One day, I’ll get to brush my hair.

More updates soon! For real-time drama, follow me on Instagram @DaphneOP.

For more info on Mustela and where to buy in the Philippines, please check out their Facebook page.

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March 26, 2013

Here’s a collaboration I’m excited about. RiRi <Hearts> MAC.

Specifically the signature piece of the collection, a lipstick called Riri Woo (inspired by the cult favourite MAC Red Ruby Woo).

I can’t say I’m a Rihanna fan. But this line that she’s developing for MAC looks so promising!

Rihanna. Photo by Mary Brownfeld. Source, WWD.

MAC has collaborated with a few brands and celebrities in the past, but this is the first time MAC is working with a celebrity for more than just one project. This is a “long-term relationship” that will see four distinct colour collections.

RiRi Woo will be exclusively sold online beginning May 2013 at www.maccosmetics.com and at Rihanna’s Diamonds Tour concerts.

A summer collection will follow, which includes two more lipstics, a Lustre Drops shade and a powder blush duo. This will also be sold online. A third set, which will be sold in stores for Fall, include four lipsticks, a deeply pigmented Lipglass version of RiRi Woo, two multishade eye shadow palettes and false lashes. The fourth collection will be released just in time for Holiday season – 10 pieces which include nail polish, makeup bags and additional lipsticks. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I find out if MAC Philippines brings these in.

Here is MAC’s Riri Woo.

Can’t wait.

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