V-day survival guide

I am a non-traditional woman who gets bored with receiving flowers, stuffed toys and chocolates for most occasions and especially on Valentine’s Day. Don’t get me wrong, I love romance, but the Feb. 14th ritual seems so been there and done that. Besides, don’t you want to get something that you actually like? Enough said.

Today, I am going to make it easier for everyone. So, here are my hot picks. This ultimate V-Day survival guide will surely dazzle your loved ones’ hearts.

Dad

If your dad is a fan of Shaquille O’ Neal, then he will surely love his fragrance of choice, which is Gendarme (P1,750 for 60ml and P2,450 for 120ml). This clean, classic green, fresh scent has a citrus twist. Made for a man because women love it, Gendarme’s subtle hint of musk and herbal dry-down creates a blend so refined and masculine. The great thing about this fragrance is that it blends uniquely with the wearer’s musk, which creates his/her own signature scent.

Available at: Rustan’s Essenses Makati, Shangri-la Plaza, Alabang, Gateway and Cebu.

Mom

Make your mama proud and give her the Glytone glow. With a Step-Up Skin System Kit (P8,580) for normal-to-dry or normal-to-oily skin, this four-step regimen helps achieve a healthy looking and revitalized complexion. It comes with a Mild Cream Wash, Rejuvenate Facial Cream and Exfoliating Lotion and Boost Mini Peel Gel that works to visibly diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving the tone and texture of the skin.

Available at: Dermatologists nationwide. For more information, call 815-2524 or log on to www.glytone.com.

Boyfriend/ Husband

Treat your beau to rest and relaxation at Ki Spa, a no-frills boutique spa that is like a tranquil garden and modern escape. Choose the couple’s room and enjoy Ki’s spa package that includes a body treatment and massage for 135 minutes. Make your darling try the Ginger Body Scrub to relieve muscular aches and pains while you try the Wasabi Body Polish to eliminate toxins and reduce skin puffiness. The best thing about this package is the signature massage, which makes use of oshiboris or Japanese hot towels that regulate the body’s energy flow. If not, try the Ingham method of Reflexology that will encourage the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Available at: 35 Wilson Street corner Washington Street, Greenhills West, San Juan. For inquiries and reservations, call 725-6789 or log on to www.neo.ph.

Best-Friend/Sister

Your BFL (best friend for life) or wicked sister would surely love Lancôme’s Pop Cherub eye shadow palette (P3,495). For the spring collection, artistic makeup director Gucci Westman Neville was inspired by ice cream colors like strawberry, pistachio, aniseed and chocolate. For the look, think romantic, avant garde with a hint of pop like a celestial cherub.

Available at: Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La, Alabang Town Center, Gateway Mall and Robinsons Place, Ermita.

Brother

For the longest time, men did not really care about personal care products. Their mantra was: Use whatever is there. Now, they can finally indulge in hair care products made especially for them like VitaMan. The Australian line makes shampoo (P895) for every hair type from volumizing, moisturizing to anti-dandruff. The VitaMan conditioners (P895) have unique plant extracts that strengthen, nourish and condition all hair types. Perfect for your bro on the go.

Available at: Rustan’s Essenses Makati, Shangri-La Mall, Alabang Town Center and Ayala Cebu.

Single Friend

For singletons or single and fabulous friends, give them the unisex Single Ring. Sweden-based Singelringen designed a silver ring with an azure acrylic outer band that is engraved with a unique code, which allows those who wear it to register online and communicate with other singles. Celebs like Naomi Campbell, Juliette Lewis and Natalie Portman are into this craze. Who knows? You might find your true love wearing the exact same ring.

Available at: Beauty Bar Glorietta, Rockwell, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 3, Alabang Town Center, Galleria and SM Mall of Asia. For more information on where Singelringen is available in the country, e-mail singelringenph @gmail.com or text 0918-9244621.

So, yeah, for what it’s worth, Happy Valentines Day — love one another and let love be your energy.

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E-mail love-hate whatever things to becca_rodriguez@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/beccacrodriguez.