The scents of Christmas
The latest holiday scents aren’t what you would expect. Calvin Klein’s newest men’s fragrance, Defy, defies expectation with its woody-fresh scent dedicated to younger, edgier millennial men.
CK chose Richard Madden as the face of Defy, perhaps because the actor’s breakthrough role as the defiant Robb Stark in Game of Thrones made him the ideal personification of a rebel with a cause: “I describe the Defy fragrance as vulnerable,” Madden says. “At the same time it's fresh, but it's woody and it's got a kind of weight to it, but feels young as well.”
What resonated with him about the campaign was the idea of challenging himself, “of accepting these things that we face that are difficult and overcoming them.”
The fragrance is new olfactive territory for Calvin Klein, opening with “a fresh blend of citrus highlighted by sparkling bergamot,” says Luxasia senior training manager Tin Conde. “It’s bright and vulnerable yet our Defy man takes risks, so we layered in lavender absolute, a naturally rough and resilient plant to amplify the freshness and evoke a feeling of authenticity. Last but not least, it has sturdy and rugged vetiver oil, which is the heartbeat of this fragrance and speaks to courage.”
Defy smells so good it would definitely earn any man pogi points, but, like many of Calvin Klein’s fragrances, I think a woman could carry it off as well. Of course, she would need to be a bit of a rebel to wear a gent’s scent, but that would make Defy even more perfect for her.
Adventure in a bottle
Montblanc Explorer Ultra Blue is the newest addition to the Montblanc Explorer line first launched in 2019 as a tribute to the maison’s heritage and passion for exploration. The blue of sky, sea, mountain peaks and lakes also inspired it.
An elegant and masculine blend of citrus, woody and marine notes, Ultra Blue opens with Italian bergamot, fine citrus, and spicy pink peppercorn. A marine accord is the heart of the fragrance, evoking a sea breeze, the blue depths of the ocean and fresh Alpine landscapes.
The final stop on this olfactory journey is the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, where they got the base notes of patchouli, refined woods and leather.
Even the bottle boasts the craftsmanship of Montblanc, assembled by hand in the maison’s pelleteria in Florence with a blue faux-leather sheath printed with the Saffiano motif (used on Montblanc leather since 1926) and decorated with the Montblanc emblem.
Scent of a boss woman
If you’re a boss at home or at work, Hugo Boss Alive eau de parfum is for you. Launched in 2020, it captures the passion and determination of the Boss woman. Composed by perfumer Annick Menardo, top notes are Madagascar vanilla, plum, cinnamon, apple and black currant; middle notes are jasmine Sambac and thyme; base notes are woodsy notes like cedar, sandalwood and olive tree. This sparkling, luscious scent exudes confidence and femininity.
A natural way to freshen the air in your home
You can freshen the air in your home naturally with pure essential oils.
D?Terra, founded in 2008 in Pleasant Grove, Utah, is a trusted name in essential oils, and their Aroma Essentials Kit is an easy way to start eliminating toxins in your home. The collection includes 5 mL bottles of 10 popular D?Terra oils and blends: Wild Orange, Peppermint, Lavender, Lemon, Frankincense, Copaiba, Oregano and three proprietary blends: Aromatouch, Breathe and On Guard, plus a stylish and well-made Laluz diffuser.
* * *
For business opportunities, products and holidays offers, visit www.doterraPHalive.com .
Haircare promos at new salon site
The pandemic really devastated the salon industry last year, so haircare giant L’Oreal pivoted by launching the L’Oreal Salon Shop on Dec. 15, “an innovative social-commerce platform to support its launch partners across the country,” said Cary Co-Choa, L’Oreal Philippines’ general manager of Luxe and Professional Products Division.
Through the website, customers can consult salon experts and favorite hairdressers at partner salons Emphasis and Azta Urban Salon, book in-salon appointments and shop for haircare products from L’Oreal Professionnel, Kerastase, Matrix, and Biolage, and have them delivered straight to your home.
“This commitment by L'Oreal is to help hairdressers and salons in the Philippines to future-proof their businesses if we'll face another lockdown,” Choa said.
To celebrate the launch, L’Oreal Salon Shop is offering the following promotions available only through the site: 30% off a L'Oreal Professionnel Full Color Service with Metal Detox Pre-Treatment from Dec. 13 to 31; P500 off any Fusio-Dose Service from Dec. 13 to Jan. 31; and a complimentary Colorlast Shampoo (200 ml) for every Matrix Socolor colour treatment from December to February 2022.
* * *
Book an appointment now at www.lorealsalonshop.com.ph .
Skincare icons in exquisite packaging
Shiseido has wrapped its bestselling icons like Ultimune Power-Infusing Concentrate and Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream in exquisite boxes perfect for gifting. Sets like the Power Uplifting and Firming Collection are also available, including Ultimune and the Vital Perfection line of radiance serum, cream and express eye masks.
* * *
Available at https://shop.shiseido.com.ph .
Are you naughty or nice?
Issy & Company’s new Hydragloss shades have come to town! These hydrating lip treatments are like drinks for your lips.
“Naughty” shades are shimmery nudes like Blow, a frosty pink milkshake; 911, a nude emergency; and Off Duty, a golden mauve moment. All make your lips look plump, shiny, and ready for action.
If you’re of a nicer bent, there’s Punch, a delicious berry pop, H.O.T., a flaming pink fantasy; and Jell-Oh, a bright orange jelly. They’re bright in the tube yet go on sheer and add a nice, healthy tint to your lips.
* * *
Hydragloss is available at issyandcompany.com and the online shops at Lazada and Shopee.
Japan’s no. 1 face cleanser completes line
Japan’s No. 1 facial cleanser for 12 years now has a complete line to suit all skin types. The original Senka Perfect Whip for normal and combination skin has natural silk cocoon essence, double hyaluronic acid and micro-bubbles to clean even the tiniest bits of dirt from your pores.
For oily skin, Senka Perfect White Clay has mineral-rich white clay to exfoliate and deeply cleanse.
For acne-prone skin, Acne Care has salicylic acid and Kyoto chamomile to sweep away dirt, dead skin and makeup.
For dry skin, Collagen-In deeply hydrates, plumps and firms with added collagen and 60% beauty serum.
For dull skin, Berry Bright has cranberries, raspberries, cherries and licorice to energize tired skin, remove blackheads and red beads to provide a pretty flush.
* * *
Senka is available at Watsons, The SM Store, Lazada and Shopee.
Give someone the glow of the season
For Christmas give someone a glow befitting the season with Y.O.U Beauty’s dermatologically tested The Radiance White Nourishing+ Serum, which is chockfull of nine actives to brighten, reduce dark spots and strengthen the skin barrier. Snow mushroom soothes while boosting hydration and collagen production, 50 times the vitamin C brightens and evens out skin tone, 5% niacinamide reduces hyperpigmentation and dull skin, and probiotics improve the skin barrier. For best results use the serum in conjunction with Y.O.U Beauty’s complete Radiance White line.
* * *
Y.O.U Beauty is available at Shopee and Lazada.
The gift of self-care
Give the gift of self-care with Nivea’s beauty essentials. For men there’s Nivea Men White Active Oil Control Anti-Oil & Acne Scrub, Cool Kick Extra Dry deodorant and Active for Men SPF15 lip balm. For everyone in the fam there’s Intensive Moisture Body Milk, Micellar Extra White water, Protect & Moisture SPF50 sunscreen, Extra-Whitening deodorant, and the iconic Nivea Crème.
* * *
Nivea is available at Lazada, Shopee, Beauty MNL, and select Watsons, Puregold and other supermarkets, drug and dep stores.
3 J-beauty steps in one kit
For Christmas, J-beauty brand Hada Labo is offering its two product ranges in convenient three-step trial kits of facial wash, toner and cream: the Goky Jyun line for deep moisture and the Shiro Jyun line for brightening and lightening dark spots.
* * *
Hada Labo is available at Watsons and www.watsons.com.ph .
A balm for every dry pucker
If chapped lips are your concern look no further than Mentholatum Lip Care, which has a balm or stick for any dry pucker. For tinted lip balm fans there’s Magic Color Lip Ice, a color-changing balm that makes lips look brighter and fuller with 10 hours of moisture. For natural peeps, Lip Pure has natural beeswax, botanical oil or fruit extracts and food-grade honey extracts. For lip repair and refreshment there’s Mentholatum gel and balm with SPF15. For kids there’s Baby & Kids Fruity Lip Ice with a gentle formula of food-grade ingredients.
* * *
Visit @mentholatumlipcareph on FB.
Spray on superior sun protection
Sunplay is a line of spray-on sunscreens that provides high-SPF (from 60 to 130!) and –PA (four-plus) protection from UVA and UVB rays, with a light texture good for sports and outdoor activities.
They also offer Skin Aqua water and gel sunscreens ideal for daily use as they not only protect but also brighten and moisturize.
* * *
Check out @sunplayPH on FB.
TLC for your scalp
Just like your skin, your scalp deserves some TLC. Scalp care promotes healthy hair and keeps problems like hair fall, itchiness and dandruff at bay.
Selsun Blue, the trusted line of anti-dandruff shampoos, is formulated with one percent Selenium Sulfide, which is clinically proven to control dandruff and relieve itching and flaking when used twice a week.
* * *
Visit @selsunbluephilippines on FB for more info.
* * *
Follow @thebeautytraveler_ph on Instagram for the latest beauty news.
