Beauty finds you'll Adora

Those who frequent Greenbelt 5 may think it’s all about luxury boutiques, but within the chi-chi array of shops stands an actual department store — albeit a boutique version of one.

Adora is the Philippine equivalent of Barneys New York or Colette Paris — a lifestyle store where you can unearth all manner of cool clothing, accessory and beauty brands you won’t find anywhere else. And, contrary to popular perception, the goods don’t all cost an arm and a leg. Despite the luxe interiors there are many good deals to be had.

Fashionistas can browse through racks of Missoni, D&G and Givenchy, but beauty junkie that I am, I became most excited about Adora’s beauty department, which offers brands that are hard to find even abroad. Here, a quick survey of the skincare, makeup and fragrance lines that make Adora unique.

Stylish Skincare

Malin + Goetz 

What it is: This apothecary brand from New York is the last word in stylish skincare. Founder Matthew Malin is from

Kiehl’s; partner Andrew Goetz is from design company Vitra. Together they’ve produced a simplified skincare line with modern, minimal packaging. The usual three-step routine has been shaved down to two, and since the gentlest natural ingredients are used, free from harsh irritants, Malin + Goetz is ideal for sensitive-skin and allergy sufferers. Travel sizes are available, as well as the hippest candles I’ve ever smelled — fragrances like Dark Rum and Mojito can be combined to turn your home into an after-hours bar or nightclub.

You must try: The Grapefruit Face Cleanser, Detox Face Mask, Acne Treatment and Dark Rum candle.

eShave

What it is: Since most men have to shave every day, might as well make it a pleasurable experience, right? E Shave offers state-of-the-art products, from pre-shave oils to antioxidant shaving creams to after-shave soothers and elegant razor stands meant for displaying on your bathroom sink. (There are even cute pink shaving brushes for women.) Say bye-bye to razor burn, bumps, ingrown hairs and 5 o’clock shadow; eShave promises smooth, hard-not-to-touch skin after every shave.

You must try: Shaving creams like White Tea, which lather up rich and thick.

Fabulous Fragrances

The Different Company

What it is: Jean-Claude Ellena, the genius nose behind L’Artisan Parfumeur’s best creations and now the in-house perfumer of Hermes, started The Different Company so he could be, well… different. How different? Ellena wanted to use the rarest, most prized ingredients in perfumery with no limits set on his art by some profit-conscious CEO. Consequently, TDC’s fragrances revolve around precious flowers like Chinese osmanthus and Damascus rose, despite the fact that 20 to 50 kilos of petals, respectively, go into a single bottle. Now that Ellena is busy with Hermes, he’s passed the torch on to his daughter, Celine, who seems to have inherited every ounce of his talent. She’s come up with ravishingly original fragrances like Sel de Vetiver, a salty, smoky-fresh scent that can be worn by both men and women.

You must try: Osmanthus, Bergamote, Rose Poivree, Sel de Vetiver

Comme des Garçons

What it is: In Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo’s world, weird is wonderful, whether in fashion or in fragrance. Hence, Kawakubo releases perfumes every bit as avant-garde as her “anti-fashions,” where dust on a hot light bulb, flaming rock and ink are employed as actual scent notes. What’s most shocking, though, is how accessible, wearable and yes, beautiful these hypermodern creations really are. The eight unisex “Series” follow themes like Cologne, Sherbet, Synthetic and Sweet, and Adora is the very first store in Asia to carry the complete Comme des Garçons line.

You must try: CdG 2 Man, Odeur 71, Incense Series Avignon, Odeur 53

Marvelous Makeup

Becca

What it is: Australian makeup artist Rebecca Morrice Williams searched high and low for the perfect foundation that would not only conceal blemishes but also look natural, stay on all day and be so weightless it would feel like wearing no makeup at all. Her search proved futile, so she decided to make it herself. After six years of development, Becca was born. This range of skin-perfecting products is so extensive it features no less than 30 foundation colors and 34 concealer colors — no matter how light or dark you are, you’re sure to find your perfect match. Even the color cosmetics are based on the natural shades of your skin so you look radiant, not made up. No wonder Becca’s such a cult favorite in Hollywood.

You must try: Luminous Skin Color, Compact Concealer and the Crème Blush

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Adora is located in Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.