Shut Up & Kiss Me moisturizing lippie from Happy Skin

I’m so glad I got to attend the launch of Happy Skin, a new local brand of cosmetics. This is the brainchild of Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez, known to beauty insiders because of her many years of working in a multinational beauty brand. She recently left her corporate job and set up her own baby — a line of cosmetics that multitask to keep skin happy, thus the name.  While the product was being formulated in Japan, Jacqe approached model Rissa Mananquil-Trillo to try some samples. Rissa loved the products so much that she asked to invest in the company.

Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo

The first thing I tried were the lippies. I’m a fan of this type of formulation of fat crayons like Clinique’s Chubby Stick and Revlon’s Just Bitten balm stain. I was pleasantly surprised to find more pigmentation on Happy Skin’s Shut Up & Kiss Me lippies. And despite the opaque colours, it is still very moisturizing. Apparently is loaded with Shea Butter plus vitamins A and E.

From my instagram a couple of weeks ago. I had to post this photo from when I was stuck in traffic at the Skyway and Makati and I would have been late for a live TV guesting at Mornings at ANC. I ended up getting off my car and taking the MRT. I had used Happy Skin’s powder foundation and lippie. I didn’t even have time to retouch makeup and went straight to the set of the morning show. I believe I still looked human.

Happy Skin’s skin-loving products were designed to be fuss-free, easy-to-apply, and come in shades specifically formulated to complement Filipina skintones. According to Jacqe, “all Happy Skin products are infused with special skincare ingredients, such as Japanese tea leaf, cherry blossom, hyaluronic acid, and Argan oil, to name a few. All our key products are sourced and made in Japan because we recognize the importance of skincare in this beauty capital.”

Eye Need a Miracle concealer. This goes on smoothly and is not cakey at all.

Dont Get Mad, Get Even hydrating makeup

Pretty packaging with witty names.

The event fell on the week before our UNICEF Auction for Action so I wore one of my UNICEF Tshirts.  Dress code said “happy colours” anyway.

Always such a pleasure bumping into Lucy Torres Gomez

Jacque and Rissa with model friends Phoemela Baranda, Bubbles Paraiso and Valerie delos Santos

With Ces Drilon.

With Ruby Gan, Lourd Ramos and Apples Aberin. We all came solo.

With Agoo Bengzon and Pauline Juan

At the time of launch, Happy Skin was only available at select Plains & Prints boutiques. But today, Jacque announced that they will be sold at Beauty Bar! Congrats ladies!!!

For more information www.happyskincosmetics.com

Those of you who’ve been reading me for a while know that Lily had some mild eczema as a toddler. We were able to control some of the inflammation by using Mustela Stelatopia. Now she’s fine and hasn’t had any outbreaks the past year. I hope she’s over it. For maintenance and minor irritation we still keep Stelatria in our stash. I also use it for minor burns and irritation. If you think your child has atopic dermatitis please see a pediatrician first. There are times when our doctor prescribed corticosteroid creams and antibiotics. So please see a doctor first.

Back to Mustela… they recently launched its new formulation for the Mustela Bebe line with Avocado Perseose as the new active ingredient. “To make baby’s skin less vulnerable while protecting this unsuspected wealth of stem cells, the Mustela scientific team at Expanscience Laboratories found that this active ingredient is capable of both supporting the development of the barrier function and, even more importantly, protecting the reserve of cells against day-to-day stresses. Safely preserved, this cellular resource can continue to play its role of restoring and maintaining the overall balance in the skin throughout life.”

Mustela has four product ranges. The Mustela Bebe range are products formulated for everyday skincare needs from newborn onwards. The Mustela Dermo-Paediatrics range gives solutions to specific skin problems like eczema, nappy rash, cradle cap and intolerant skin. But please check the ingredients if your child has allergies. My nephew who is allergic to nuts and dairy couldn’t use this. Mustela 9 Months range is formulated for mothers who are expecting. And Mustela Sun Protection protects the delicate, fragile or intolerant skin (atopic, hypersensitive, reactive, etc) of babies and children.

Here are some products we are using from the Bebe line…

This Foam Shampoo is for newborns but I also like using these on my Stella and Lily. It’s quite mild and its got a lovely baby scent that smells like their natural scent.

This Face Cream is wonderful for all kids. Confession, I use it too sometimes.

Mustela Dermo Cleansing Gel gently cleanses your baby’s skin and hair thoroughly yet delicately and respects delicate skin and scalp with its soap-free formula.
Mustela in the Philippines is exclusively distributed by PHARMASAFE, INC. and is available in the following branches: Stand Alone Kiosks: Ayala Trinoma, Robinson’s Ermita, Glorietta 4, Shangrila Mall, Megamall A, Greenhills, The Shops, Alabang Town Center, and Mall of Asia. Shop-In-Shop: Rustan’s and Landmark Department Stores, Mothercare, Pure Beauty, Numa Eco Baby Store, Medela House, & Chimes Department Store, Davao.

For regular updates and promos, check out  Mustela Philippines on Facebook.

This season Viva Glam The Original is back in stores. This was the first bullet lipstick that created ripples of change and ignited a global charity campaign for HIV/AIDS. The fabulous RuPaul was the first face of VIVA GLAM in 1994. Ru Paul returns with her outspoken burgundy red Lipstick – now also available as a Lipglass. Every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM – The Original goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Viva Glam The Original lipstick and lipglass

Pro-Longwear

Pro Longwear for eyes returns in seven new shades. From creamy beige to brilliant blue-green and shimmering silver, Pro Longwear Paint Pots deliver highly dimensional colour with a luxurious finish. They apply smoothly and dry with vibrant intensity.

I love MAC’s Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm. It evens out skin tone, blurs imperfections and enhances skin’s natural luminosity while shielding it from harsh UV rays. Available in an SPF 35 cream and a go-anywhwere SPF 30 solid cream compact.

This mascara is a game changer for me. I’ve stopped wearing mascara because most are clumpy and difficult to remove. I’d been wearing false lashes more, but that looks inappropriate when I’m not on stage or on cam. But since I tried In Extreme Dimension Lash, I’m back to loving mascara again. In Extreme Dimension Lash has a very black formula and is easy to apply. The mega applicator brush has rows of micro fibres weaving in between lashes to define and enhance. It is resistant to clumps, non-flaking, non-smudging. I love this mascara!

Cadentia Nature eau de cologne in Provence Freshness and Lavender Freshness. 250ml each P245

I love this stuff! These huge bottles of light colognes will always remind me of my childhood and my mother. I remember growing up with these Spanish colognes in Manila. Then we moved to Canada and no one cared about baby cologne scents until we all got our first Calvin Klein eau de toilettes. Now that I’m a mother living in Manila, I find that light colognes are the best scents for daily use. My own mother splashes these scents after every bath and even before going to bed. And I have turned into my mother. I still love fancy perfumes. But these light colognes from Spain and France are something I can share with my little girls.

Rica de Jesus of Heart to Heart blog and of the Rustan’s family loved these light colognes so much that she and her husband brought in a few brands to share with the Philippine market. They are sold at very convenient spots like groceries, hospital shops and country clubs. See full listing below. The 750ml bottles are huge but reasonably priced below P300 per bottle. I like transferring them to smaller spray bottles and leave them in the car, bathroom, purse and baon for my kids in their school bags.

Amalfi Fresh Eau de Cologne in Limones de Caribe, Royale, Lavanda, and Baby Fresh (not in photo). 750ml each P245.

From left to right – Cadentia L’eau des Colins eau de cologne in Naturelle scent 50ml glass bottle with spray only P225. This is my favourite of all the light colognes here. It is staying in my purse. Bebe eau de cologne with glycerine 250ml glass bottle P295. And perhaps the most relevant scent for us in the tropics facing the threat of dengue fever, Nature edc AntiMoustiques 125ml spray for P275.

Nature anti-mosquito eau de cologne. This is a refreshing eau de cologne with essences of tea and citronella, enhanced by a strong repellent. Very effective against biting insects and suitable for children from 36 months and above (do a patch test first).

All these scents imported by Jaric Marketing Inc are available at – Rustan’s Supermarket, Shopwise, Robinsons Supermarket, Saddlebrown Manila Polo Club and Rockwell Club, Mpulse Makati Medical Center, Rustan’s Flower Shop and more at St. Lukes Bonifacio Global City and Quezon City.

Do these light colognes bring back some childhood or teenage memories? I’m curious to know what scents you grew up with and what memories do they evoke? Share your stories with me. Leave a comment below.

October is breast cancer awareness month. It’s that time of the year when we remind each other to schedule the annual mammograms (if over 40) and monthly breast self-exams.

Estee Lauder has led the campaign for breast cancer awareness for over 21 years. The 2013 theme is “Let’s Defeat Breast Cancer. We’re Stronger Together.”  The video below shows the global campaign championed by the late Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder.

This year’s It is great to see it getting bigger and reaching more women. This year in the Philippines, Estee Lauder partners with The Peninsula Manila

We’re stronger together. Check out the campaign’s website here. Make your own circle of strength and tag all your female friends. Please send them all a reminder to have their annual mammogram.

Breast Cancer Awareness 2012 Elizabeth Hurley and William P. Lauder

France Human Pink Ribbon Photo by Dominique Faliez

William P. Lauder, Leonard A. Lauder and Fabrizio Freda at 2011 Bradenburg Gate

In the Philippines, Estee Lauder and Rustan’s partners with The Peninsula Manila not only in illuminating this landmark in pink, but in supporting the drive to build a breast cancer ward at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City through the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care.

The Peninsula Manila General Manager Sonja Vodusek, Estee Lauder Country Manager Mel Lerma, Don Jaime Zobel, Dona Bea Zobel and Evelyn Forbes

Here are highlights from the “Peninsula in Pink” fundraising — an auction and cocktail party at The Conservatory. For the entire month, other brands under Estee Lauder in Rustan’s department stores will be distributing pink ribbons and educational brochures.

Cheska Garcia-Kramer

Estee Lauder’s Erika Reyes and Vanessa Matsunaga

Summit Publishing’s Myrza Sison and Tara Santos

Cecille Casas and Patty Betita

W17′s Kaye Tinga and Andy Vasquez-Prada

Sevrine Miahle, Anna Sobrepena, Patsy Zobel

Mel Lerma, Zenaida Tantoco, Sonja Voduskek leading the Illimination

Vanessa Mayuga Santos, Sigrid Villamil, Tim Yap, Chris Daez

Preview EIC Pauline Juan, Mel Lerma, Preview Beauty Director Agoo Bengzon

Macy Yap, Leslie Yap, Gay Chen, Derek Wong, Cindy Tiu Wong, Myra Sy, Farah Sy

Metro Magazine’s Katrina Angco and Geolette Esguerra

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness with the hashtag #bcastrength. For more information, check out www.bca.com