Looking good, feeling good

Essenses used to be a bestkept beauty secret among Manila’s power ladies. "Sssh. Do you know that at Essenses you can get those very good beauty products at so much less the price they would cost abroad?" a globetrotting woman of style whispered to her best friend.

Now, the secret is on everybody’s lips. And nails. And hair. And skin. Because even the men, whether they think they’re metrosexuals or not, are going there for their, uh, concealer and lip balm.

Sofia Zobel goes to Essenses Makati. And so does Kitkat Zobel.

"Essenses is a one-stop shop where you can find everything you need to beautify and rejuvenate yourself," says Kit.

"I love the choices of aromatherapy products they have, like L’Occitane. All the basic traveling essentials are here."

Kit says she can’t wait to try Essie nail polish which is finally at Essenses.

Essie is the brand that found its niche when nail salons first flourished around 1983. It was founded by Essie Weingarten, a beauty industry icon with a passion for color and a flair for names. Most people associate Essie with the very popular Ballet Slippers, a cult classic (pinkest pink with white undertones). Her other hits go by names like Hotsee Totsee, Chocolate Kisses and Chip No Potatoes.

Essie’s celebrity clients include Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts and Sharon Stone. Okay, so what if she has celebrity clients? The more important thing is, her nail colors are good and long-lasting.

Before the local political scene became even more chaotic, Senator Loren Legarda used to drop by Essenses to get her favorite stress-busters: candles.

"After a busy day I want to relax and meditate," Loren says. "And candles – whether by L’Occitane or Annick Goutal – help achieve that serene, calming atmosphere."

Publisher-restaurateur-mall owner Irene Martel Francisco likes L’Occitane too. "Of all the candles I’ve tried, it’s L’Occitane that doesn’t give out black smoke." Irene also goes for L’Occitane’s lavender massage balm. "It’s like a very light butter on your skin. It’s not gooey at all."

A big come-on is the cheaper price of cosmetics and toiletries at Essenses. "I found out that even Diptyque candles are cheaper here than in New York or Hong Kong," says Irene.

Irene’s 10-year old daughter Isabel saves up to buy gifts at Essenses. "Only here will you find scented pencils from Provence. And the best suntan lotion for children. And incense at sensible prices."

Even hubby Dr. Randy Francisco is Mr. L’Occitane, smiles Irene. "He loves the tea fragrance. He also likes Verbena, a scent that’s old but not dated, it cuts across time. And Acqua di Parma’s scent. My whole family is an Essenses family."

Irene’s must-haves are the miracle cream La Mer, Murad and Sisley. "I am a Sisley fan," she confesses, referring to the brand founded by Herbert and Isabelle D’Ornano which has produced the amazing Sisleya Elixir for the skin.

Another must-have from Essenses is the Jao hand sanitizer which comes in a sleek, cobalt blue dispenser. "It doesn’t burn your hand, it has that refreshing, relaxing scent, it’s too good to miss. Its scent reminds me of a very relaxing spa in Thailand," says Irene.

For Susan Reyes, shopping at Essenses is a very therapeutic experience. "I’m a cosmetics junkie. I like checking on the latest products and testing these."

Susan’s tried and tested favorites are La Prairie ("I love their eye cream, day and night cream all in one set "), Clarins sunblock and Nars pressed foundation. Susan says the La Prairie caviar foundation is a sunblock, moisturizer, concealer and foundation all in one.

"I buy all my lipsticks at Essenses. My favorites are those by Awake and Bobbi Brown," adds Susan who admits she has a passion for lipsticks, she probably has 20 anytime.

Other women of style seen shopping at Essenses are Gaita Fores, Samantha Eduque, Josine Elizalde and Maimai Cojuangco.

At Essenses, you can feel that all these look good-feel good products sourced from all over the world were put together with a passion.

"Yes, we’re so much in love with what we do, there’s so much heart to it," gushes Rhoda Campos who heads Rustan’s cosmetics and toiletries division. Rhoda searches far and wide in all the beauty nooks of the world to make all the best brands available to Filipino shoppers.

"We have consumers in mind when we price our items. Aside from bringing in the best in the world, we add value by pricing these lower so Filipinos don’t have to travel, pay taxes and handcarry these themselves.

Rhoda is willing to walk the extra mile in search of good products. But sometimes she discovers them accidentally. Like one time as she was walking along Saint Germain in Paris, Rhoda saw Elton John buying Diptyque candles, Princess Dina’s favorite. "He said Bailes was Princess Di’s fave scent, so I tried it myself and I liked it."

Other finds which Rhoda and her team have brought to Essenses are Hairgum gel for hair, Spa Nouveau salt scrub from the Dead Sea, Baby Spa line of toiletries for children (a fave of Cindy Crawford), Badgers balms, Acca Kappa’s line of soaps and scents, Caudalie’s energizing fragrance from grape blossoms, Bottoms Up leave-on conditioner, hailed as the ultimate spray-able conditioner for hair.

"Even our male staffers, who do not have a feminine bone in their body, are enjoying our product launches," explains Rhoda. "We like trying our products. We imbibe the philosophy of each brand, and we have all become so kikay. Our whole being is with the products we are so in love with. This is the life we like."

No wonder we ourselves feel that passion for looking good and feeling good. Such must be the essence of Essenses.