Pamper day: 8 beauty trends to complement your regimen

MANILA, Philippines — Before heading out for a weekend away from home or work, it is a must to stay fresh and confident to face what lies ahead.

Applying makeup and other beauty products has become a way of expressing oneself, boosting self-esteem, and promoting wellness. Check out these eight breakthroughs in beauty and makeup.

1. Pocket sunscreen

Even during the rainy season, ultraviolet rays from gadgets and harsh light can still damage the skin and cause premature wrinkles and aging.

As such, it is good to have handy sun protection such as Eres Tu, a brand from Korea that specializes in sunscreen and skincare products with anti-aging benefits, thanks to its peptide and other active ingredients. The products, sold at Watsons, come in cute Korean packaging reminiscent of Korean beauty masks.

Eres Tu

2. Matte lipstick palette

After eyeshadow palettes comes the lipstick palette – not one that comes in small squares, but whole lipstick tubes arranged according to shade and encased in a set box – specifically designed for lipstick junkies and professional makeup artists alike.

A strong and fierce persona unveils from using anything matte. With a whole lot of lipstick sets sprouting in the world of beauty and makeup, matte lipsticks stand out with its mix of retro and trendy.

One of the many benefits of choosing matte colors on your lips is that it tends to last longer than any type of lipsticks. Besides having the power to portray a cool and sophisticated vibe, matte is there to stay, whether after indulging in a full course of meal or drinking any beverage.

Aiming to give just the right hues of matte lipstick, Slay Colors from Nine Universe Health and Beauty Inc. launched a premiere collection of creamy matte lipsticks featuring its 10 shades, aiming to introduce modern Filipinas into a must-have shift in pulling off their makeup game. The matte lip colors set is a pioneer among upcoming cosmetic products to be manufactured by Slay Colors.

The sharp velvet hues of Slay Colors’ newly introduced matte lipsticks are available in shades like Monroe, Antoinette, Boudica, Cleopatra, Mirabai, Sappho, Holiday, Catherine, Razia and Nightingale – named after renowned female icons.

Slay matte lipsticks

3. Hairstyles in trend

Besides a detailed makeup routine, hair care adds up in boosting a lifestyle full of confidence and beauty. Here are the latest hairstyle trends as interpreted by Filipino hair stylists.

Bold twists - Lourd  Ramos  interprets the  look  with  various  renditions  of  the very  wearable  yet chic  modern  twist. Gorgeously  smooth,  straight  hair  is  gathered  and  twisted low on the nape, or on the side to frame the face to create a romantic yet modern look.

City sleek - Top  hair  expert  Victor Ortega  breaks  out  the  flat iron  to  achieve this  look,  which  entails  healthy  and  protected  hair  to  look  great. He worked with the heat of the flat iron in transforming unruly hair into salon-smooth strands.

Modern edge -Inspired by the modern and sleek pompadour that ruled the runways of many a fashion label, top hairstylist  Henri Calayag  works  the  TRESemmé  Keratin  Smooth  Treatment  Mask  on  the  hair  before creating a bit of volume on top on the head, and  TRESemmé Flatiron Smoothing Spray to create gorgeously salon-smooth tresses.

From left: Sarah Lahbati rocking the "bold twists" hairstyle, Joey Mead wearing "modern edge," and Martine Cajucom in "city sleek."

4. Platinum and ash

A hair properly taken cared of can certainly develop into a more stylish look by including one more element – coloring your hair.

Refashioning a hairstyle can reach a whole new level by complementing one’s looks with the right choice of hues.

Watsons exclusively carries the Platinum Beige and Ash Brown shades of hair coloring brand Liese.

Taking hair care from ordinary to an adventure, Liese, available in major retailers nationwide,  offers its Creamy BHC’s foam-type formula for hair coloring, ready to use for first timers and professionals alike. The leading hair coloring brand in Japan invited blooming talent Mika Dela Cruz for her first ever experience in coloring her hair.

Mika Dela Cruz colors her hair for the first time.

5. Serums

There are a lot of dangerous components that damage the skin such as the heat of the sun, pollution, and other harmful substances. This is why taking care of it requires knowledge on how to prevent complexion blemishes.

In maintaining a soft and glowing skin, using skincare products helps in moisturizing and reducing oiliness for a better complexion.

Kiehl’s is aware of these looming possibilities that is why the internationally acclaimed skincare brand introduced the Power Serums available in four types: Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Daily Reviving Concentrate, Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solutions and Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, which individually offers proper skincare regimen suited for the differing lifestyles of women.

Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a leave-on serum to help the skin rejuvenate while one dozes off; Daily Reviving Concentrate is to protect skin from UV rays during the day; Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solutions is for acne- and blemish-prone skin; and Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate is for preventing premature wrinkles.

It is said that the skin absorbs the first skincare product applied to it during the day, and serums are a nutrient-packed regimen that could give your skin the nutrients it needs.

Kiehl's new "Store of the Future" features a customers' favorites section that includes gel masks and serums.

6. Gel masks

Even during a rainy weather, the skin still needs to be properly hydrated to keep it supple and smooth. Besides giving hydration, gel gives comfort by cooling the skin. Thus, anything in gel form nowadays has become a major trend in makeup and skincare.

Besides the classified Power Serums, Kiehl’s then extends to a skincare applicable for all skin types called the Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque. The gel masque promises to send off a hydrating coolness five minutes upon its application.

Available at Kiehl’s branches located in SM Aura, Greenbelt 5, Mall of Asia, Powerplant Mall, Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, and Shangri-La, Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque has a special ingredient, the oil extracts of calendula or marigold flower, which has been a scientifically proven antiseptic and antimicrobial solution that help speed up wound healing. It also aids relieve acne, insect bites, bed sores, psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis.

7. Non-invasive anti-aging

Collagen and elastin are responsible for the suppleness and overall good condition of the skin, but starting at the age of 20, the production depletes, hence the sign of skin irregularities and aging.

Ozone therapy

A new alternative for treating various diseases such as infections, viruses and other health and beauty conditions was introduced in the field of medicine and it has been used by doctors for decades, dating back to 1800’s.

Per session, Ozone treatment lasts for about 45 minutes and is available at the Ozone Therapy Center, King’s Court Building 1 Ground Floor and Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

Ozone therapy, since its beginning stage, has been used as an anti-aging treatment to increase oxygen content of body cells through the ozone. Nonetheless, the therapy is not known to many and threats from using it make patients worry.

In this light, an internal medicine specialist from Barcelona, Spain visited the Philippines to share his knowledge on the benefits of the Ozone Therapy like lessening chronic pain and serving as an anti-aging treatment for patients. Notable Ozone therapy practitioner Dr. Humberto Loscertales has been providing service of the said therapy in Spain for 16 years.

The famous doctor was also one of the founders of the association Asosacion Espanola de Profesionalesen Ozonoterapia in 2006 along with other physicians which aims to share the correct usage of Ozone therapy to fellow medicine practitioners, opening up doors for the therapy’s recognition.

Sophia Pilapil

Picosecond laser system

With its owner and resident doctor being a key opinion leader for the latest and most advanced skin rejuvenation laser treatment, Clarence Anti-Aging, Slimming and Dermatology Centre is proud to bring to the Philippines the Picoway Laser Skin rejuvenation treatment.

“PicoWay is a 3 wavelength picosecond laser system with both non-fractional and fractional capabilities that enables removal of multi-colored and recalcitrant tattoos and treatment of skin irregularities and signs of aging for all skin types, as well as benign pigmented lesion removal. It treats skin pigmentation such as melasma, freckles, lentigo, birthmark, nevus otta, and scars. It can also resolve skin problems such as fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, acne scars, stretchmarks, and dull skin,” says Dr. Joan Clarence Morallo, head of Clarence.

The USA-made machine, priced at 15 million pesos, is researched, developed, produced, and assembled solely in the USA, from Syneron Candela, the most trusted name in aesthetic lasers. It uses a picosecond photoacoustic laser that stimulates collagen and elastin production. 

Known Clarence clients who have enjoyed the technology are veteran actresses Ms. Vivian Velez, teen star Kyline Alcantara and Sophia Pilapil.

“I first do an initial assessment of the case and sets goals with client, then I clean the area to be treated. A topical anesthesia can be applied, though it is not necessary as the discomfort level is only 3 to 4, on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest. Then I set the parameters to be used and give the shots on the desired areas. Afterwards, a moisturizer and/or sunblock is applied,” says Dr. Morallo, now being recognized as a celebrity doctor and has been guesting in radio and television programs.

The procedure takes less than 10 minutes and results can be easily seen after the first treatment. The only negative effects are the immediate redness which subsides in a few hours; the wheals, a natural detoxification reaction of the skin; and sometimes mild peeling and blisters in cases where higher energy was used, such as in tattoo removal.

Dr. Morallo gives her personal guarantee on the treatment as she has tried it herself. The Clarence owner is a member of the Philippine Medical Association, Fellow of the Philippine Association of Primary Skin Health Physicians, Dermatology Diplomate of Philippine Association of Medical Specialist, Member of Philippine Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Member of Pan Pacific Aesthetic Institute, Member of Dermatologic & Aesthetic Surgery International League and Member of World Society of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Actor Enrique Gil

8. Coffee bean extracts and cooling menthol

Men’s skin is thicker than women’s and it has bigger pores. This gives men more tendency to have oily and acne-prone skin.

Specially designed for men’s skin, Pond’s Men has a unique blend of coffee bean extracts and cooling menthol that removes dirt, grime, and oil without stripping off the skin’s natural lipids, making skin whiter, smoother, and more energized.

A recommended regimen for men starts with cleansing then followed with applying moisturizer.