MANILA, Philippines - It was that time of the decade 1996 when skirts were floor-length, shoes were chunky, and Alicia Silverstone’s Clueless, the year before, made huge automated closets and computer mixing-and-matching cool.
Over at the cosmetics, skincare and fragrance counter, the look was leaving the 1980s style of makeup and moving towards more neutral palettes and natural skincare. There was also an editing of colors for some cosmetic brands with better skin-tone groups to enhance a woman’s beauty rather than mask it with layers of makeup.
Matte was the new look on runways and ordinary streets around the world. And even as the eyes were made to look sexy and smoky for night affairs, it was strongly au naturelle for the day.
In terms of skincare, science was playing a bigger role in the development of products — and so was nature.
Skincare companies were beefing up their research laboratories, searching for what nature had to offer to help combat aging. Natural ingredients — plant and flower extracts — were now being used to aggressively fight fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. No longer was there one formula for all skin types, but now came specific skincare formulations for specific problems.
Almost two decades later, we are still benefitting from the evolution of skincare and makeup in the 1990s. Rustan’s The Beauty Source presents 17 products that we have loved for the past 17 years and continue to keep on our dressers, and some exciting new brands.
Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilée: A walk under the perfumed stars
What it is: With a name like “Starry Night,†this dreamy scent was inspired by nightly escapades in enchanted forests with majestic waterfalls under a blanket of stars. Annick Goutal’s traditional ribbed bottle is in icy blue.
What’s in it: Essences of citron, sweet orange, peppermint, Siberian pine. Balsam fir. everlasting absolutes and Angelica seeds.
Why you need it: It’s the perfect scent for day and evenings with its fresh, crisp and green woody scent.
Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control: Skin that’s firmer and more comfortable
What it is: A new formula for body lift and to reduce existing cellulite.
What’s in it: Plant extracts with proven effectiveness in slowing the activities of progenitor cells and prevent the hypertrophy of adipocytes. They include baccharis, cangzhu, celosia, geranium, aquatic and wild mint, horse chestnut, hazel and sunflower.
Why you need it: It fights cellulite, skin slackening and — as they found in tests — over 70 percent of women found Body Lift Cellulite Control more effective than their regular contouring product.
All products are available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
Clean Start by Dermalogica: Clean feeling from morning to bedtime
What it is: A collection of cleaner (P1,150), mist (P995) , scrub (P1,150), lotion (P1,150), night and breakout creams (P1,150 each), and lip shield (P595).
What’s in it: For the Clean Start Wash off: salicylic acid for clearing trapped oils and wiping out breakout-causing bacteria, botanical extracts help regulate oil production, orange peel to energize and refreshes. All Over Clear: sesame seed, licorice, burdock and argan extracts and lemongrass for hydration and shield. Ready, Set, Scrub: purifying clays, cooling menthol, silica. Welcome Matte: oil controllers, salicylic acid, sunscreens. Brighten Up: birch leaf, willow bark, sunscreens. Bedtime for Breakouts: salicylic acid, cooling cucumber, licorice and plant extracts. Hit the Spot: benzoyl peroxide, plant extracts and zinc sulfate. Smart Mouth Lip Shine: vitamin E, cocoa seed butter and shea butter.
Why you need it: Because the range leaves your skin smooth, blemish-free and protected.
L’eté Papillon de Chanel: Summer’s makeup collection
What it is: A collection inspired by the dazzling colors of butterflies.
What’s in it: Eyeshadow, mascara, nail polish, lipstick and lipgloss.
Why you need it: Because the collection inspires a joyful look — lashes flutter in electric shades of mascara and eyelids are adorned with gleaming colors, while nails and lips complete the effect with shades of sunlit brilliance.
Absolute Legende by Dessange Paris: Luxury hair care for color-treated hair
What it is: A leave-on dry-feel oil before blow-drying or finishing touch after styling.
What’s in it: Rare ingredients with antioxidant elements.
Why you need it: For maximum gloss, hydration, preservation of color, suppleness and velvety feel of hair
Diptyque: Scents to evoke the imagination
What it is: Diptyque’s line of fragrances
What’s in it: Depending on the scent, ingredients are combination of blackcurrant, tuberose, orange lead, pink peppercorn, musk, spices, honey, iris and styrax.
Why you need it: Long known for its awesome candles (everybody from musicians to designers use the candles to inspire them when creating their art) and room sprays, Diptyque’s fragrances are rich, fresh and they capture one’s imagination they might as well be your muse.
L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening: Complete face care expertise
What it is: A complete skincare ritual for skin that glows with youth.
What’s in it: To cleanse, there’s the Brightening Foaming Cleanser to remove makeup and impurities, and Brightening Mist to soften and brighten complexion. To moisturize, Brightening Moisture Cream, that reduces surface area of dark spots by 30 percent. To correct, Brightening Essence for instant smoothing and brightening effect and Brightening Shield SPF40 to protect skin against UV rays.
Why you need it: It’s a simple skincare regimen that brightens and protects the skin.
La Prairie Cellular Power Serum: Daily energy and defense for your skin
What it is: The latest member of La Prairie’s Power line combines a revolutionary new Defense Fortifying Complex with the acclaimed Cellular Power Complex.
What’s in it: Defense-Fortifying Complex including thioredoxins, SOD and peroxidases, known to be the most elaborate protection agents ever created, and supports the functionality of skins oxidation sensor. Blue Microalgae to stimulate key enzymes in skin’s anti-oxidant network. Heart Leaf Globe Daisy to stimulate glutathione and anti-oxidant enzymes. Blue Lotus t protect from UVB damage and Resveratrol to support skin’s oxidation sensors.
Why you need it: To allow your skin to strengthen its natural defenses against free radicals and repair existing damage.
Mario Badescu Skincare: 200 choices for all skin types
What it is: Mario Badescu prevents damage from pollution, aging and harsh climate conditions.
What’s in it: Effective and gentle skincare based on a foundation of fresh fruits, botanicals and other natural ingredients. It make more than 200 products for all skin types including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, exfoliants and treatments such as Drying Lotion (P1,095) and Drying Cream (P795).
Why you need it: Because just as important as a skincare regimen is properly identifying your skin type. Mario Badescu has experts on hand to help determine your skin type and recommend products that will help improve the texture, look and feel of your skin.
Acca Kappa Muschio Bianco: Enchanting woodland fragrance
What it is: The famous White Moss line of Acca Kappa takes you from the shower to the bedroom to work.
What’s in it: The range includes the Acqua di Colonia with notes of amber, light wood and moss, Shower Gel (P995) with wild chamomile and marigold extracts, and the Karite Butter (P1,950) with shea butter and oils from plant extracts.
Why you need it: Because the Muschio Bianco line smells so darn good!
Sisley’s Ecological Compound: Melts like second skin on the face
What it is: Revitalizing, moisturizing and balancing treatment for all skin types.
What’s in it: Ecological Compound (P4,800, 50ml, P8,100, 125ml) is formulated with a synergistic complex of plant extracts (centella Asiatica, ginseng, rosemary, hops, horsetail) selected for their stimulating and revitalizing action.


Why you need it: It moisturizes skin and restores its radiance, fights environmental stress, and prepares skin to receive the benefits of other skincare products (applied subsequently).
Laura Mercier’s Folklore: Rich, earthy, tribal-inspired makeup
What it is: Laura Mercier’s summer Folklore collection is influenced by south and Central American civilizations. Folklore and the Matte Radiance Baked Powder and will be available in June.
What’s in it: The range is composed of Illuminating Eye Color (P995), Faux Lash Mascara (P995), Long Lash Mascara (PP895), Baked Blush Bronze (P1,550), Lip Crayon (P995), Body Bronzing Makeup (P1,550), Eye Basics (P995), Crème Eyeliner ((P995), Angle Eyeliner Brush (P995), and Matte Radiance Baked Powder (P1,650).
Why you need it: The makeup is bronzed and sun-drenched, warmed by natural earthy shades. Plus your skin gets a healthy radiance, eyes glow in earthly prisms, lips are softly crayoned in tones of browns and pinks, and with the Matte Radiance Baked Powder, the skin gets a natural color with the added benefits of vitamin E and jojoba oil.
Nars’ Color Collection and Pierre Hardy: A bold range of shades
What it is: Two new collections — the Nars Color Collection for summer and Pierre Hardy for Nars.
What’s in it: Pierre Hardy’s color palette is inspired by his summer shoe collection including nail polish pairings (P1,550/pair) and blushes (P2,250) in rich hues. The Color Collection is a modern spin on the sexy, futuristic glam of the 1970s, bringing a cool, nonconformist color palette to the warm weather season.
Why you need it: Nars is known for its colors —edgy, glamorous, and undeniably modern.
Opi: From Euro Centrale to Classic Colors
What it is: Classic meets contemporary with Euro Centrale by Opi and its Classic Colors line.
What’s in it: The Euro Centrale line has 12 new nail lacquers in glamorous metallic hues, playful bright shades in periwinkle, aqua and pink, and creamy blues in indigo, midnight and aubergine.
Why you need it: Because summer is the time for flip-flops and there’s no better way to flaunt your toes — and digits — than with a burst of colors.
Murad: Preventing and reversing damage
What it is: Murad’s Essentiel-C, Environmental Shield and Active Radiance lines.
What’s in it: Murad’s family of skincare include Essential-C Cleanser (P1,500) to neutralize environmental aggressors and restore moisture, Toner (P1,450) to hydrate and prepare skin for treatment; Active Radiance Serum (P4,550) to revitalize skin with Murad’s Ressilient-C complex, ectoin, AHAs and myrtle extract; Environmental Shield Day Moisture (P2,950) with skin repair system, ectoin to preserve hydration, and antioxidants and sunscreen, and Eye Cream (P2,500) with shoread stenoptera butter, caffeine, tiger’s herb, light diffusers and sunscreen to hydrate, prevent fine lines and protect skin.
Why you need it: Because every day, your skin is exposed to stresses and aging, and Murad’s powerful nutrients play a significant role in stimulating collagen growth and reducing inflammations and free radicals.
Perricone MD’s Blue Plasma: Luxurious luminosity
What it is: Blue Plasma is a powerful treatment that peels dead skin cells, accelerates cell renewal and gives it nutrients.
What’s in it: Blue Plasma (P4,250) has salmon egg enzyme that acts as peeling agent that tackles only dead skin cells, L-carnitine extracts, pterostilbene for radiance and brightening benefits, extracts of magnolia bark for anti-inflammation, copper to help repair and promote skin health
Why you need it: Ideal for all skin types and skin conditions, even the most sensitive, Blue Plasma is scientifically formulated to deliver the benefits of a more traditional peel without the side effects.
Pulpe de Vie: Organic, natural, French local
What it is: A range of nine products made from fruit and vegetables.
What’s in it: Organic ingredients that include fresh fruits and vegetables.
Why you need it: Because apart from the benefits of its cream and other products, the company buys directly from small, local organic producers — from ingredients to packaging — located in the Mediterranean region. It consciously reduces its carbon footprint and has great respect of the harvest seasons.