Beauty solutions to rainy-day problems
Problem: Tired, dehydrated skin that’s as dull as the weather
Solution: Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque
Active ingredients: Calendula extract and petals, aloe vera
What it does: Calendula’s polysaccharides, saponins and flavonoids are known to soothe all skin types — including sensitive skin — and calm inflammation, while aloe vera soothes, heals and hydrates skin.
Why I love it: Fans of Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner, which has been a bestseller since the ’60s, no longer have to resort to using the calendula petals left over as a beauty mask. This honey-like mixture works its mojo even better: within five minutes of application, my skin felt refreshed, hydrated, had the texture of velvet, and looked revitalized.
Available at: Pre-order Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque at www.startitrightwithkiehls.com. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/KiehlsPhilippines and Instagram at @KiehlsPhilippines.
Kiehl’s is available at Greenbelt 5, Mall of Asia, Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Power Plant Mall, Shangri-La, SM Aura, SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Makati, and Ayala Center Cebu.
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Problem: Makeup that melts like tears in rain, Part I.
Solution: Celeteque’s Dual CC matte powder and Blush and Face contour kit
Active ingredients: The powder contains glutathione, arbutin, mulberry, collagen peptide and tocopheryl acetate, while the contour kit has a combination of minerals, vitamins and rosy-white crystals.
What it does: The CC powder inhibits melanin production, promotes collagen formation, and hydrates skin; the contour kit helps revive skin, protects it from irritation and the crystals help the minerals stay on longer.
Why I love it: The CC powder stays dry and holds its matte finish for up to 12 hours despite the rain, color-correcting pigments even out my skin tone while glutathione lightens it and SPF 30 protects it. The contour kit bestows cheeks with a healthy pop of color; those who want an even more sculpted look can use the luminizer to highlight cheekbones, while the contour powder creates selfie-worthy hollows.
Available at: SM Department Stores and stand-alone Watsons branches. You can also get it online at celeteque.clickhealth.com.ph.
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Problem: Flat hair due to high humidity
Solution: Balmain’s Volume Hair Couture line
Products in the line: Shampoo and conditioner, leave-in conditioning spray, texturizing salt spray and Silk perfume
Active ingredients: Silk protein, argan oil, antioxidants
What it does: Harnesses the power of silk (silk protein reportedly contains 17 of the 19 amino acids in hair, making this line highly compatible with our strands) and argan oil to reconstruct damaged hair, smoothen the hair cuticle, and protect against the damage inflicted by styling tools.
Why I love it: Not only is this haircare line sulfate- and paraben-free, it lives up to its promises, leaving hair soft, shiny, and voluminous. The texturizing salt spray is the next best thing to a day at the beach: one spritz instantly gives flat hair volume and texture, while the Silk perfume smells dreamy and is the perfect antidote versus “amoy araw,” hair in between shampoos, and cigarette smoke. Better yet, they’re also available in travel sizes.
Available at: Emphasis Salon Rockwell, Headzone Salon Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Jesi Mendez Salon Alabang Town Center, Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, and Teng Roma Salon.
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Problem: Makeup that melts like tears in rain, Part II.
Solution: K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Lasting Eyebrow Tint
What it does: Brush on this innovative product, wait two hours or better yet, leave on overnight, peel it off and wake up to subtly tinted brows. If you’re not sure how to shape your brows, it comes with cool stencils you can place over your eyebrows and just fill in. Available in three shades: light brown, natural brown or mocha brown, the results last four days up to a week.
Why I love it: It shortens my makeup routine, doesn’t come off in the rain and, at P895, it’s a cheaper alternative to microblading.
Available at: Beauty Bar, Watsons, Zalora, Rustan’s The Beauty Source, The Store, Chimes and Metro Department Store.
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Problem: You don’t see the sun, so you’re too lazy to put on sunscreen.
Solution: L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence City Face Mist
Active ingredients: Mexoryl SX/XL filters and an antioxidant complex with vitamin E and Detoxyl
What it does: In addition to the usual broad-spectrum filters, this sunscreen also blocks the harmful long UVA rays that cause visible damage like darkening, brown spots and premature aging, while Detoxyl helps neutralize free radicals and other urban aggressors.
Why I love it: This mist is so easy to apply it’s a no-brainer. I just spray it all over my face and neck for three seconds and I’m done — no stickiness, greasiness or whitish cast that I have to rub in. The texture is also so light I use it as a makeup base, or as a last step to set my makeup in case I’ve forgotten to apply it first. You definitely can’t do that with regular sunscreen.
Available at: Watsons, Robinsons Department Store and Landmark
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