Beauty Box: La Prairie and the illuminating powers of caviar

MANILA, Philippines - The products: La Prarie Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask and Skin Caviar Luxe Soufflé Body Cream

What they do: Firms, lifts and smoothens skin

The secret ingredient: Skin Caviar dermo beads — highly concentrated natural skin protectors, nutrients and conditioners encapsulated in tiny “caviar pearls” afloat in the sea of nature’s own replenishers. La Prairie pioneered this concept and created the Caviar Collection in 1987, which has since expanded to include a complete offering of products that enhance the skin’s firmness, using the benefits of caviar extracts.

How it works: The Caviar Collection continues with a pair of age-defying, firming treatments formulated to deliver transformative beauty, night into day.  The first, Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask, is a nightly treatment formulated to rescue your skin with the concentrated benefits of a mask and restorative benefits of a night cream, reversing damage and allowing you to wake up revitalized and refreshed.  Brush on just before bedtime with the accompanying applicator, and allow the luxurious cream texture to instantly melt into skin where it works its magic overnight.  At night, your skin is at its peak for absorption, during “resting status” and gravity is finally on your side.  Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask boosts skin’s natural nocturnal renewal taking advantage to repair while you relax and recharge.  Wake up, and you’ll see time is on your side as this luxurious mask will have performed its transformative work, reversing damage from the sun’s rays and the city’s assaults.

The second, bringing firming and rehydration to every inch of your body through the potent nectars of caviar and the silky, sensual textures of soufflé, is Skin Caviar Luxe Soufflé Body Cream. Rich, sea-borne, firming Caviar Extracts are coupled with a new active three-in-one ingredient, designed to reinforce the skin’s barrier function and regulate moisture.

Where to get it: Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask (P15,950), Skin Caviar Luxe Soufflé Body Cream (P15,950) and Limited Edition Skin Caviar Luxe Cream 30mL (P14,200) are available at Rustan’s.

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A Kérastase regimen for your hair care needs

The product: Kérastase 3-steo Coffret

What it is: The Kérastase Holiday 3-step Coffret are sets that address the needs and concerns of different hair types. Each coffret contains three products that are packaged in a luxurious pouch. For every treatment mask and texturizer purchased, you get one complimentary bain and the pouch.

The Holiday 3-step Coffret is available in three variants: Oleo Relax (Orange) for dry and frizzy hair, Age Recharge (Green) for weakened scalp and hair, and Chroma Captive (Fuchsia) for colour-perfection.

Where to get it: Kérastase is available at Kérastase salons.

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Bobbi Brown’s glamorous gifts

The product: Twilight Pink Lip and Eye Palette from Bobbi’s Holiday 2013 Gift Giving Collection

What it is: A double-decker compact that includes everything you need to play up your eyes and lips all party season long. This palette offers 10 gorgeous eye shadows in a variety of textures, from metallic to sparkle to shimmer-and four pretty lip shades, plus a mini lip and mini eye shadow brush.

What it does: “This holiday is all about unexpected glamour,” says Bobbi Brown. This lip and eye palette is a quick and easy way to surprise everyone with glamorous lips and eyes.

Where to get it: Available at Bobbi Brown counters in Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La Mall, Essences Rockwell, Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu, SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall

A deliciously creamy pressed powder from Max Factor

The product: Max Factor Crème Puff Pressed Powder

What it does: Hides imperfections and gives the face a luminous glow

About the product: Max Factor Crème Puff celebrates its 60th anniversary. It was created for movie stars to hide spots and imperfections with perfect coverage and a natural finish. This year, it gets a makeover with a new golden case, and is fronted by Max Factor beauty inspiration Gwyneth Paltrow.

Max Factor Crème Puff is available in seven shades: translucent, medium beige, nouveau beige, truly fair, tempting touch, natural and golden.

Where to get it: Max Factor Crème Puff (P575) is available at department stores.

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Blake Lively is the new L’Oreal Paris spokesperson

Who she is: Hollywood rising star Blake Lively is 26 years old and is known for her beauty and glamorous sense of style.

Why they chose her: “Blake embodies all the modern codes of Hollywood glamour. She is flashing a substantial swath of upper elegance and sensuality. She has become a beauty icon for a whole generation with her gorgeous gold-dipped hair, luminous gaze and drop-dead smile,” says Cyril Chapuy, president of L’Oréal Paris International.

What Blake says: “I grew up with the inspiration of their message, “We’re worth it”. What an important value to instill in women. That beauty is rooted in confidence. That is key. That is why I’m so proud to be a L’Oreal Paris woman.”

Her L’Oreal Paris possé: As new L’Oreal Paris spokesperson, Blake joins Julianne Moore, Freida Pinto, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Beyoncé Knowles, Lara Stone, Hugh Laurie, Laetitia Casta and Jane Fonda.

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How to get timeless hairstyles with Denman

The hairstyle: The sleek pony

What to use: Denman Ultimate Natural Bristle D82 Brush

How to do it: After washing and drying your hair completely, brush all of your hair back with Denman Ultimate Natural Bristle D82 Brush. It smoothens out any bumps on your hair while creating that glossy effect. The bristles of this brush conditions the hair, adding a natural shine. After gathering your hair in a ponytail, leave a small section of hair at the nape, then secure with an elastic. Wrap the small section of hair around the elastic, fastening it with a bobby pin.

What makes it unique: Denman, the iconic hairdressing brand, is guided by the philosophy of designing and producing hairbrushes that make hair look and feel amazing every day. Visit www.denmanbrushes.com/ownyourstyle for more up-to-date hairstyles and instructions on how to recreate them.

Where to get it: Denman Hairbrushes are available in leading department stores and is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by RPG Distribution Services, Inc.