Not too long ago, I was rolling around the pure white sand beaches of Amanpulo for three days. I had just signed on as one of the new brand ambassadors of Kérastase. To relaunch the brand and new lines, Kérastase flew me, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, and Amanda Griffin-Jacob to Palawan together with our special guests and members of lifestyle press. Amina and Amanda brought their husbands. I brought my mom. My parents were visiting us at the time, and Patrick and I had just had our JUNK trip (Just Us, No Kids) so I felt that my mom would really love the tropical island treat and the whole luxurious experience. And she did.

A week before our trip, I had the most amazing salon experience at the Kérastase Institute in 6750 Makati. I used to just use shampoo and conditioner for semi-oily hair. I had no idea that hair has individual issues and needs that can be specifically addressed via a scientific hair diagnosis. At the Kérastase Institute they had all the instruments to determine your hair’s needs. It truly is very personal care, which coincidentally is the campaign’s message. They had 10 color-coded hair-care ranges, and mine was the Discipline line. More on that in a future post. Check out the video of my Kérastase Institute experience.

The salon experience was an indication that we were in for some very personal care in the island paradise of Amanpulo. There were some very special, personalized touches from the moment we boarded the chartered plane to the island, to the lovely gifts in our rooms, to the engraved crystal glasses at our last dinner.

The experience was unforgettable, and I am so grateful I got to share these gifts with my mom. Let me tell this story via photos…

I won’t dwell on how small planes scare me. But we flew to Amanpulo and back in great comfort (and safety, thank God).

Pamalican Island, Palawan better known as Amanpulo.

Me and my mom.

Loved the personal pillow.

We were all picked up in golf carts. And driven to our own casitas.

After which the golf cart was turned over to me and mom. I was to be her designated driver for the whole stay.

Bedroom

Someone was very happy.

There was a wrap around porch.

The bathroom. Spot the Kérastase surprises.

Kérastase Discipline for me. This line is for unruly curly hair. But because my hair isn’t technically curly, it just gets frizzy whenever it feels like it, I just needed smoothness. For that my routine calls for Bain Fluidéaliste sans Sulfate (sulfate-free shampoo to smoothen and rid hair of frizz), Maskératine (a mask to leave hair soft, smooth, and with weightless fluidity), and Keratine Thermique (a pre-styling cream to protect hair before blow-drying and use of heat styling tools, leaving hair smooth and shiny).

My mom had to answer a series of questions, and based on those she was given the Spécifique line which focuses on scalp-related issues like itchiness, dandruff, hair loss and oily roots. Her shampoo is the Spécifique Bain Vital Dermo-Calm to moisturize and purify her scalp to calm irritation and inflammation. She also has the Cure Apaisante, a concentrated 4-week treatment to sooth her scalp.

Right after we settled in, we hit the beach. The casitas are all behind the bushes, so they are not visible from the beach.

I parked myself in one of the lounge chairs.

Drove to the clubhouse to check it out.

Dress code for dinner was Moroccan.

But first, the sunset.

The evening was Moroccan-themed for the launch of Kérastase Aura Botanica.

Kérastase Aura Botanica is made of 96% natural origin ingredients with handpicked and responsibly-sourced Samoan coconut & Moroccan Argan oils. It contains no silicones, no sulfates, and no parabens.

The AURA BOTANICA Concentre Essentiel Aromatic Nourishing Oil Blend. It is a multipurpose oil, comprised of 99% natural origin ingredients. Renewable avocado oil, rich in Omegas 6 and 9, and jojoba oil add softness and shine to hair, while the rosemary extract helps preserve the oils. It is highlighted by an aromated fragrance of sweet orange essential oil.

Despite the Moroccan theme, we had Filipino food.

Loved everything!

Ferdie Salvador, Javi Martinez, Rafa Alunan, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Tim Yap, Amanda Griffin, me and my mom.

With Amina and Amanda, video by Pam Quinones, editor in chief of L’Oficiel Philippines

The next morning we hit the beach and went snorkeling.

Editors in kaftans and big hats. Inquirer’s Cheche Moral, Town & Country’s Yvette Fernandez, and Philippine Star’s Therese Garceau.

Took a break from snorkeling and soaked up some sun.

Happiness by the sea. Always. I wanted to remember this moment because I used to go scuba diving every weekend. It was one of the reasons I stayed in the Philippines for an extended period. Had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I always feel God’s presence when I am underwater, even if I’m just snorkeling.

We had a nice light lunch back at the beach.

Salad and antipasti

Those artichokes.

After lunch, back to the beach.

The rest of the group went out on the boat again while I stayed behind and went paddle boarding by myself.

Then the boat came to my direction and suddenly I had everyone taking photos of me. Yay. Photo by Pam Quinones.

The reason the boat came my way, it turned out that a resident pawikan (sea turtle) was a spotted near me. So some of the people in our group jumped into the water to look for the turtle. Photo by Pierra Calasanz Labrador

And there he was, the lovely giant sea turtle (pawikan) as captured on video by ABS-CBN’s Marie Lozano. And how’s that for a money shot? That’s me!

Amanpulo is completely surrounded by fine white sand. You can walk around the island!

Even birds leave their footsteps on the sand.

On the night of the relaunch of Kérastase, we were all asked to wear white. The set up was so lovely.

Mom loved all the pretty details…

…beautiful orchids…

And this lovely souvenir. We all got engraved crystal wine glasses.

It was  magical.

Kaila Nicdao of Kérastase

My video campaign was first shown.

It was so lovely being with Amina and my fellow F girl, Amanda.

All of us.

The Kérastase team.

With Nik Pedro and Janlee Dungca

More handwritten notes and special gifts from Kaila Nicdao of Kérastase.

We wrote postcards to home.

It was hard to say goodbye.

On our last morning before we flew back home, my mom woke me up while it was still dark. She said, “Do you want to see the sunrise?” I dragged myself out of bed and went walking with her in the dark. I have photos and videos, and they were pitch black. There was nobody in the beach except us. We didn’t really talk. It was too early. Neither of us had coffee yet. But we just walked side by side until the sun went up. By this time we saw an Amanpulo staff working on a docked boat. And I asked him to take our picture. This has got to be one of my most memorable moments with my mom.

I’m so glad I had spent this time with my mom. In all the years I’ve been living and working in the Philippines, my family rarely gets to see my work. This time, not only did my mom get to come with me to Amanpulo, she saw the relaunch of Kérastase with my video, and experience Kérastase Very Personal Care with me. Photo by Cholo de la Vega

Not too long ago, I was whisked off to a lovely tropical destination for two days by MAC Cosmetics. They’ve done something similar before, a couple of years ago. They brought us (editors and bloggers) to Shangri-la Boracay. This time, we were invited to Shangri-la Mactan.

I love flying over our islands.

Welcome gifts in our room. The MAC Strobe Cream has become my daily pick-me-upper. Just dab a little bit on upper corner of cheekbones and you instantly look like you have inner glow and radiance.

First stop, lunch at Cowrie Cove. Here with Geolette Esguerra of ABS-CBN publishing.

Our first event was for the launch of MAC Shadescents.

Six new scents were launched. Each represented a cult-favourite lipstick colour — Creme d’Nude, Velvet Teddy, Candy Yum-Yum, Lady Danger, Ruby Woo, and My Heroine.

My Heroine is described as “an intoxicating and totally unexpected fragrance composed of rich and primal Cordovan leather.”

The room was set up with six long tables. Each table represented a scent, which was interpreted with floral settings.

The cocktail reception during sunset was so pretty, I forgot to take pictures. Each scent was also interpreted into cocktail drinks.

MAC Shadescent ambassadors – Megan Young, Karylle, Stephanie Zubiri, and Tessa Prieto.

With the editors – Liza Ilarde, Mia Borromeo, Raul Manzano, and Tessa Prieto.

The lovely guests.

On the second day, MAC provided us with makeup services in the comforts of our own rooms. My regular makeup artist, Ria Aquino, did an express 30-minute face for me. I love it. That lip colour!

She did a quick set up in my room. For those of you who want makeup services, they do this as a package in all MAC counters — for P3,000 or P5,000 all consumable, you get free makeup services.

For the SS 2017 trend report, MAC set up at the tent in Shangrila Mactan. In photo with Vicky Abary, Tessa, Mia, and Liza.

So in love with the setting… our prints weren’t so bad either. My shoes are from Melissa.

Inside the tent, MAC Artist RB Changco assisted the bloggers and guests in choosing our own makeup shades.

The editor gang.

Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC Cosmetics, Gregory Alt with the four Spring Summer 2017 looks — Warm, Wet, Real, and Free.

REAL
There is an overarching tendency for makeup to lean toward the (apparently) nonchalant this season. This ranges from the literal “bare face” – aptly described by Diane Kendal as “grooming for girls,” and Gordon Espinet as “next to nothing, but not literally nothing” – to stronger looks that are specifically finished to give the impression of belonging to the individual (as opposed to applied by a makeup artist). An essential feature of modern makeup this season is appearing, in some way, “broken down.”

This direction is a direct reference to the real makeup that real women wear: Brazil nut brown or residual black on the eyes, a remnant of lipstick (or at least one that doesn’t look highly perfected), clean, ostensibly bare skin. “Everything feels very easy, unforced,” says Val Garland. “It’s not about being conceptual,” agrees Sam Bryant. “It’s about looking hyper-real.”

Worn-in and worn off: this is makeup that migrates. It is corporeal; it lives and breathes, thanks to what Lyne Desnoyers describes as “malleable textures” – creams and glosses that wrap around and into the features. These finishes have a humanity to them that breaks the powdered and perfected convention of “sophistication.”

Which is all to say that this unstudied effect is the height of modern chic. As Terry Barber perfectly summarizes: “True beauty is all about style, not physical perfection.”

Gregory worked the “Real” trend on Steph.  – the enduring appeal of the real – unfiltered realism to beauty that lives and breathes as women wear it, worn-in and enhancing, never heavy

FREE
Dynamic and vibrant, colour has a free-form feel for SS17. Elated, vivid and always worn against nothing else – so that it feels abstracted and spontaneous – the free spirit of SS17 plays into the movement for “individual” makeup. It ignores any rules on placement, proportion or convention and deliberately declares itself as something singularly adorning. “It is a marking rather than a classic beauty gesture, which enhances the features in a non-traditional sense,” says Alex Box.

“It is playful, not serious,” says Val Garland. “The opposite of taking yourself seriously and filtering your selfies.”

Naïve in effect, if not technique. “Seeming spontaneity is much more difficult to craft than perfection,” points out Terry Barber. Free makeup is about “precision and play in equal measure,” adds Box.

As much as this quality of makeup makes a joyous expressionist statement, they are mesmerically beautifying, too. “These colour accents energize the face,” says Lyne Desnoyers. “They break apart ‘good taste’ to better define it for now.”

The look of Free on Karylle – stamps and slashes of expressionist colour that provide an inspiringly abstract moment in the art of SS17 makeup: energetic, gestural and refreshingly unconventional.

WET

The art of mimicking light on the skin (and replicating a radiance coming from within it) is an enduring preoccupation for makeup artists. The reason is simple: “There is a modern simplicity to shine that is also incredibly flattering,” says Val Garland. This season, artists are captivated with light and reflection in its purest sense – as a texture. “Glosses, oils and shines look authentic, as if they come from within the skin,” continues Garland. “Shimmers and powders always tend to look more like makeup.”

As the fashion industry’s response to the very filtered and tuned approach to mass-culture beauty, this tendency is all about the exploration and celebration of how balm, oil and emollient texture works to enrich and humanize makeup. Gloss can look clean, groomed and pure or equally nod to a sweaty, worn-in urbanism. “Gloss brings out the athleticism in the bone structure but also enhances the individuality of makeup by breaking it down,” explains Lynsey Alexander. “Anti-perfection looks very modern,” adds Tom Pecheux. “Luxury now has real identity to it.”

Congruent with the omnipresence of wet texture is the continuing appeal of “natural” skin in its truest sense: the cliché that “less is more” has never been truer, as the treatment that Gordon Espinet describes as “#nofilter” has become the new fashion standard. In short, concealer where necessary with skincare stepping up as the modern replacement for matte or reflective foundations (Val Garland’s favourite recipe:
Mineralize Timecheck Lotion for a velvet matte finish, Prep + Prime Moisture Infusion to mimic plump hydration, Care Blends Essential Oils on the cheekbones). The role of powder, too, has been given a rethink: today it deliberately enhances and amplifies shine by being placed against it. “Like applying all-over foundation, the idea of homogeneously powdering the entire face is old-fashioned,” confirms Lyne Desnoyers.

Hence, the story of gloss this season is super strategic. “It all looks massaged in, not artificial and is very specifically placed,” says Barber of the way that gleam works on the eyes, cheeks, lips and temples. “It’s about exploring different weights and depths
of reflection. Building up considered layers, from skincare glazes to points of vinyl shine.”

The best tool? “Your fingers,” says Alexander. “Their warmth helps gloss become one with the skin.”

Megan sports the Wet trend – the visceral beauty of wet gloss – from sweat to humidity, the perennial fascination with how light fits and flatters a face is explored as a texture, from vinyl shine to emollient sheen.

WARM

This is beauty at its most feminine. Sunned, summery and inspired by the brighter side of nature, artists are pulling from an organic palette, applying these heated shades in soft
washes and tints. “These colours are designed to enhance and mimic really great skin condition,” says Terry Barber, emphasizing that texture is vital to this point: “The modern
way to wear them is in textures that have an affinity with the complexion.”

Which means you should see the skin through them, and give it a bit of a sheen or gloss, as SS17’s preoccupation with shine extends to this tendency in makeup, too.

“These are very classic beautifying tones,” says Lyne Desnoyers of the optimistic, flora-inflected palette. “But what makes them interesting and feel new is all in the finish we give them; most notably, what the application of an oil or gloss does to the way they bring life to the face.”

From a flush to a blush to a bronzed skin and myriad pinkish to peach tints on the eyes and lips, think of these shades as a means to heighten nature rather than cover.

“Peach, pink and tan look alive and fresh when applied with transparency,” says Mark Carrasquillo. “They are what I call very heightening colours.” So while shine textures are the way to update rose and apricot tones for today, there is nothing complex or conceptual about this ultra-feminine leaning in makeup. “It’s not about transforming the face,” explains Tom Pecheux. “It’s simply about making it look more beautiful.”

Gregory works the Warm trend on Bianca Manalo – a palette drawn from the heat of the environment (the sun, the beach, petals, terracotta, crystals, the earth) worn with a simplicity that renders it modern.

The boundaries between the four tendencies are distinctly blurred – characteristics of ease, broken texture and elements of gloss are innate to them all. Which is indicative of the fact that there is no strict prescription to makeup today, no hard and fast rules that delineate one makeup direction from another. Wear them your way.

Magic hour in Mactan

For our last night, there was this fabulous beach party set up.

With Gregory Arlt. A day after this he was back in LA with Gwen Stefani.

White party.

Our MAC loot included a selfie light.

Testing it.

Miss Costa Rica

Have you caught the Miss Universe bug? I have to be honest. I’m not really a fan of beauty pageants. But since Pia Wurtzbach won, I’ve been following her in Instagram. I love what she has done as an advocate of HIV awareness. My knowledge about the pageant has gotten a little deeper since. And because Miss Universe is being held here in the Philippines, I don’t think any of us can escape the excitement.

Miss Universe began last January 12, 2017. The candidates have been doing interviews, preliminaries and shoots. It’ll culminate with a live telecast on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

M·A·C Cosmetics, the official sponsor of the Miss Universe Pageant, met with all 86 candidates and gave each the perfect MISS UNIVERSE KIT that complements her skin tone.

Top-notch artists from M·A·C Cosmetics, have been providing makeup for the contestants. In addition, a special team of makeup artists will also be available for the Miss Universe Organization, current title holder Pia Wurtzbach, VIPs, judges, and hosts.

Friends from M·A·C Cosmetics sent me photos taken from the activities of the past week. This is a photo-heavy blog that I’m sure will make pageant fans happy.

M·A·C Cosmetics, the official sponsor of the Miss Universe Pageant

The official team of makeup artists for the contestants includes Al De Leon, Anacleta Paredes, Angel Manhilot, Apple Fara-on, Byron Velasquez, Don De Jesus, Emer Buenaventura, Emman Concepcion, Gela Laurel, Gery Penaso, Jaycee Matias, Kusie Ho, Leah Casio, Mikee Raymundo, Omar Ermita, Pong Niu, Raf Bardon, RB Chanco, Ria Aquino, and Ryan Wong.

All 86 candidates received a personalized Miss Universe M·A·C Cosmetics Kit containing these products – Primer, Skincare, Foundation, Powder, Contour, Highlight, Eyebrows, Eyeliner, Eye Shadow, Lashes, Blush, and Lipstick. Products are available in all M·A·C stores.

Look how happy Miss Colombia is with her MAC loot bag. That’s how I feel too every time I receive gifts from MAC.

My makeup artist Ria Aquino and Miss Namibia

Miss Thailand

Miss Indonesia

Miss Brazil

Our very own. Miss Philippines Maxine Medina

Miss Slovak Republic

Miss Russia

Miss Canada

Miss Kazakhstan

Miss Guatemala

Miss Aruba and her MAC kit

I didn’t see her sash in full. Who is she?

Miss India

Miss Indonesia

Miss Israel

South Africa

Maxine

Miss Puerto Rico

Miss Italy

Miss Peru

Miss France

Miss Mexico and Miss Argentina

Miss Dominican Republic

Miss Sweden

Miss Nigeria

Miss Russia and Miss Honduras

Miss Germany

Miss Switzerland and Miss Austria

Miss Albania and MAC artist Omar Ermita

Miss Albania

Miss Ukraine

Miss Finland

I love these photos back stage. It’s the closest thing we’ll get to seeing the candidates so natural. Miss Colombia.

Miss Argentina

Miss Japan before makeup.

Miss Japan with game face on.

A hairstyle that’s ready for a crown. Miss Iceland.

M·A·C Cosmetics Philippines’ Gay Lao and Miss Tanzania

Miss Sweden, Miss Curacao, and Miss Norway

Miss Spain and MAC artist RB Chanco

Miss Germany pre-makeup

Miss Turkey

Miss Kenya

Miss Kosovo

A couple of days ago, on January 20th, M·A·C hosted the M·A·C AIDS Fund event to raise awareness for the Viva Glam campaign. It was attended by Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach, and select Miss Universe contestants.

The M·A·C AIDS Fund is the leader in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. Each year, they support more than 400 charitable organizations that work to combat the HIV epidemic worldwide. With each purchase of (1) Viva Glam lipstick, MAC provides 10 nutritional meals for someone infected with HIV/AIDS.

A #MACLipsLipsLips Pop-up Store is open to the public at the Main Atrium of S Maison Mall of Asia from January 18 to Febraury 2, 2017. Viva Glam lipsticks can be purchased there.

#MACBackstagePH, #MACLipslipslips

A couple of months ago (yes, months), we received the most wonderful present from a very thoughtful reader, Cheryl Sy. I don’t know her personally but she sent me a private message, either in Facebook or Instagram, I can’t remember now. She asked if she could send my daughters some non-toxic nail polish. I politely declined because my girls are, like me, not into nail polish. So we left it at that.

Cheryl didn’t stop there. She ordered a gift from her crafting friend in Oregon, and promised to send these personalized goodies to my kids. Weeks and probably months later, she contacted me saying the package went to Tel Aviv by mistake and that she was working on getting them to Manila. Cute.

Anyway the package finally got to us. It really brightened up my day. It was the most well-thought of presents. Cheryl also wrote lovely notes for me and my daughters. I just can’t tell you enough how we appreciate this gesture, Cheryl. Thank you!! Stella drew a thank you note. And the girls also recorded a thank you video. I have yet to send them to Cheryl. In the meantime, here is her amazing product…

The three bottles carry the names of my daughters — Rose, Daisy, Lily. (Margarita means daisy.)

Personalized charm bracelets for each girl, with miniature Snails bottles and their flowers! Look at them… so adorable, the lily, the rose, and the daisy.

Each of the bracelets has a little “Strawbunny” charm. Not many know that my daughters have a Facebook page called The Strawbunny where they show some of their art work and creations. The Strawbunny character was designed by Lily.

Snails is a non-toxic and completely water-soluble nail polish meant for children… but also good for adults. According to Cheryl she found this brand while searching for non-toxic nail polish for her own daughter. She would use toxic-free polish but would end up using nail polish remover with harsh chemicals. It also took forever to remove and sometimes damaged her daughter’s nails. With Snails (safe nails), the polish comes off with just water and soap! Perfect for little digits playing fancy dress-up. If you want the colour to last longer, you can use the Snails Top Coat and your polish can stay on for up to two days. It then can be removed by water!

Just above the barcode, the Lily. You will also see that the formula is free of harmful chemicals like Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, and Parabens.

Stella agreed to have her cute little nails coloured with polish. I promised her that it would come off easily.

The bunny with orange Snails.

I tried it myself. Two coats of pink. I didn’t seal it with the top coat because I wanted to check if it was really water soluble.

And so I tried washing it off.

Just a little soap and some gentle rubbing, the colour came off.

And there you have it… washable nail polish!

You can find Snails at Bright Brands in Facebook and Instagram.

“I want to make women feel empowered, to feel sexy and confident. This makeup collection does that. I have to make women feel like the best version of themselves.” – Victoria Beckham

The Victoria Beckham Estée Lauder limited edition makeup collection was introduced to the western market in early September. I had the privilege of receiving the highlighter end a lipstick a few weeks ago. I held off on writing about it until I tried it. I have not stopped using the highlighter. I loved the pieces so much, I went to SM Aura to buy more from the collection. It only debuted in the Philippine market yesterday, October 8th. But I am getting ahead of myself.

The VB x Estee Lauder collection is all about sweaty-sexy skin, fiercely lined eyes, nude lips, wet finishes, liquid metals, foil shine. It is sexy, cool with a bit of rawness and edge. It is meant to be worn smudgy with the confidence to be imperfect.

This is the Brazilian Nude lipstick that was sent to me by Estee Lauder. I love how smooth and natural-looking it is. It has tiny specks of shimmer that is almost invisible, so don’t expect sparkle, instead you get a lot of shine. The other lipstick is Chilean Sunset, a bold and bright red, which is packaged in a gold tube.

This is the winning piece of the collection. The Modern Mercury highlighter. I use it everyday. Sometimes I use  it as eyeshadow. I will be very sad when this runs out on me. I checked online and this is pretty much sold out everywhere.

Modern Mercury was a previous limited edition Estée Lauder highlighter that became a favourite of Victoria’s. Naturally, she had to include it in her capsule collection. It comes in a sleek gold compact with ribbed leather pads. So beautiful. You can use it to highlight and contour your the face. I wear it on my cheekbones the way Victoria wears hers, as you’ll see in all her photos that her cheekbones are very sharp and sexy.

The lipgloss in Moroccan Heat is a warm, nude lip gloss that offers high shine for a polished look. Infused with Estée Lauder’s signature fig scent, this lip gloss can be worn alone or over lipstick to give a plump and polished pout.

The eye palette comes in six powder eyeshadow shades that can be applied wet or dry. Innovative dual purpose pearlized pigments have a translucency that allow these eyeshadows to reflect light and pull light into the formula for a more vibrant look. This palette contains: Fired Sapphire, a shocking metallic blue; Blonde Cumin, a soft, gold-hued nude; Metal Saffron, a warm, golden metallic honey; Burnished Sage, a burnt metallic intense green; Grey Amber, a smoky charcoal grey; Black Nutmeg, a shimmery copper.

“I have been collecting makeup for many years. I am always mixing colours to get what I want. With this collection, I believe I have created many of the key pieces that you really need in your makeup kit. As a woman who likes to wear makeup, this is exactly what I want. Not I am excited to share it with women everywhere.”

Eye Foil in Burnt Anise, a strong, rich, charcoal shine. These breakthrough new liquid eye foils deliver intense vinyl-like shine – even after they’ve dried. Sparkling pearl pigments add flecks of blonde gold or silver in this liquid metal-effect formula.

At the Estee Lauder boutique in SM Aura this afternoon, October 9th, they still had a few items available from the collection. I bought the 6-shade eye palette for P4535, and eye foil in Burnt Anise for P1720. I am so in love with them.

If you’re looking for the Morning Aura Illuminating Creme, a moisturizer and primer, they still have it. Hurry!

For more information, visit @victoriabeckham and @esteelauder on Instagram and Twitter. Available exclusively in the Philippines at Estee Lauder SM Aura starting 8 October 2016.