Get your bloom on

A serum that gives you a rosy glow, a gel that turns into a lotion and makes you feel instantly chill? Only Kanebo could come up with such beauty innovations.

The Japanese brand, which released its basic skincare line last year, researched further into women’s biological beauty rhythms — you know, how you can wake up looking pretty good one day and feel like the Bride of Frankenstein the next. Or, if it’s your “time of the month,” how hormonal changes can make for dull skin and pretty bad beauty days.

So, to address those “chrono” beauty concerns that rear their ugly heads once in a while, Kanebo has released special “tuning” items — products you can use on a monthly and even yearly basis, though they’re so likable and fragrant (their proprietary fruity-floral Teatopia scent is heavenly) you’ll probably want to use them every day.

Kanebo’s spring-summer 2017 makeup collection is also about blooms — the floral kind you can put on your lips, cheeks and eyes. They don’t just come up with random colors, either, but also put careful study into what shades most flatter Asian skin tones. What they found was that 5R colors, which center on the color red, are the best for making Asian complexions look vibrant, glowing and healthy.

Ready to get your bloom on? Here’s how:

Daily Skincare

Kanebo Fresh Day Cream Light

What it is: Made for those living in hot, humid countries, this lighter version of Kanebo’s popular Fresh Day Cream has a higher SPF (30) and refreshing morning-garden fragrance.

Ingredients: Althaea root extract, golden chamomile extract, fucus serratus extract

What it does: Moisturizes and protects skin from UV rays, leaves skin smooth and ready for base makeup.

When to use it: Daily, in the morning.

Clear Cleansing Toner

What it is: A rinse-free, wipe-off toner

Ingredient: Rosehip oil

What it does: Removes makeup, dirt and impurities.

When to use it: Every morning and evening after washing your face.

Monthly Skincare

Bloom On Serum

What it is: A light-textured serum that gives your skin a rosy glow.

Ingredients: Althaea root extract, Poria Cocos extract and a licorice derivative

What it does: Improves blood circulation, fills your skin with moisture, brightens dullness, deflates puffiness, and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

When to use it: Once a month, during your period or whenever your skin looks lackluster.

Relaxing Brume

What it is: A hydrating, cooling fragrant mist

Ingredients: Rosewater, rose fruit extract and glycerin

What it does: Delivers intense hydration, refreshes skin and even sets makeup.

When to use it: Though designed to cool your skin during summer and “that” time of the month, this can actually be sprayed daily, as often as you like.

Yearly Skincare

Frosty Gelee Lotion

What it is: A gel-lotion that cools skin down for instant refreshment

Ingredients: Loquat leaf extract, aqua glucoside, watercress extract, glycerin, sweet tea extract

What it does: When massaged in, the gel turns into a liquid that melts into your skin, brings down skin temperature, controls overactive sebum production while also providing moisture. Talk about instant chill.

When to use it: Once a year, during summer or when your skin feels hot and dry.

Makeup

Light Glow Primer

What it is: A lightweight makeup base that makes the complexion look luminous and dewy.

What it does: Creates a smooth, radiant canvas for foundation to adhere to your skin.

How to use it: Apply it as the first step in your makeup routine, before you use foundation.

Dual Radiance Foundation

What it is: A double-effect powder foundation that comes in eight shades

What it does: Two kinds of powder create both radiance and depth — your makeup won’t look masklike and flat.

How to use it: Each compact is divided into Soft Proof powder, which veils the skin with soft light; and Luster Fit powder, which has a moister texture and a radiant glow. You can use each individually or slide a sponge over both to mix them, giving you flawless coverage with a diffused-light effect.

Wearing Keep Rouge

What it is: Six creamy-matte lipsticks in Smart Red, Warm Coral, Vibrant Red, Flores Pink, Fuchsia Rose, and Smoky Red

What it does: These highly pigmented, long-lasting lipsticks saturate your lips with brilliant color with only one stroke. The carefully curated 5R colors ensure all tones match and flatter Asian skin.

How to use it: Glide it on top and bottom.

Natural Framing Mascara

What it is: A smudge-free, moisturizing black mascara resistant to sweat, sebum and cold water.

What it does: The wand, shaped like a samurai sword to fit the curve of the eyelid, is designed to build up every lash separately without clumping. It reaches even the tiniest lashes in the corners of your eyes.

How to use it: Jiggle the wand at the roots of your lashes to thicken, then sweep up from root to tip. Use the small tip to thicken small, hard-to-reach lashes, and also sweep through your lower lashes. Remove with lukewarm water.

Powder Eyebrow

What it is: An eyebrow palette with three different colors to create a natural gradation.

What it does: Lets you shape and define your brows naturally so they form a flattering frame for your face.

How to use it: Use the screw brush to comb your eyebrows. Apply the lightest color on the inner edge of the eyebrows using a large brush. Outline the whole brow by blending the light and medium shades with the large brush. Use the narrow brush to apply the darkest color to the core of the eyebrow and fill, darkening the inside of the brow.

Kanebo Selection Colors Eyeshadow

What it is: Five-pan eyeshadow palettes in Refreshing Blue and Lively Coral

How to use it: Put the middle white shade on your brow bone. Choose from the three medium shades and sweep on your lid, defining the crease. Use the darkest shade to line the eyes.

Variant Brosse

What it is: A blush compact with shimmer powder and blush in Red Petal.

How to use it: Smile and apply blush in a circular blending motion to the apples of your cheeks. Sweep the shimmer powder on your cheekbones to highlight.

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Kanebo skincare and makeup are available at Kanebo counters in Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Plaza and Cebu.

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