Defining the new breed of local organic beauty products
MANILA, Philippines - Organic is a byword in the beauty industry. Tossed out like fat-free or low-calorie on potato chip bags and cookie baskets on the grocery store aisle, it’s a term that’s gotten so overused, it’s lost its meaning.
“If a product claims it’s organic, it must contain at least 95 percent of organically-grown produce, which were produced without artificial fertilizers and pesticides. For a product to claim that it has been ‘made with organic ingredients,’ it must contain over 70 percent of organically grown produce,” says Neva Talladen, quoting a website that seeks to define what is and isn’t organic.
“It saddens me to think that companies can go on using the same irritating formula and stamp it with inaccurate labels like ‘all-natural’ or ‘organic.’ Even sadder is that consumers really buy into it,” says Talladen. “I don’t blame the consumers. I was one of the body and skincare junkies, too, who trusted what the salesperson and ads said, but didn’t know how to properly read the label and ingredients list.”
SRache Diaz, Jof Sering, Tweet Sering, Ana Santos and Neva Talladen Talladen, who suffered from skin asthma and backne, decided to start her own line of body and skincare, called Leyende, that stays true to its promise of organic ingredients. “Mostly sourced internationally, our raw ingredients come from ECOCERT-accredited farms and companies,” she says. “However, we also use tried-and-tested local ingredients such as ylang-ylang extract and infusions from the Ilocos region, organic virgin coconut oil, calamansi oil, pili nut oil from Bicol, muscovado sugar, and lemongrass extract from Gold in Grass Corporation.”
“From the very first moment I slathered on body butter made from high-grade shea butter and fresh beeswax, it was clear that in the past I had plunked down my money for very inferior commercial products,” she recalls. “And it was a crime if I didn’t make this product experience available for others who, like me, have been wasting time and money in constant search of products that simply and truly work.”
Since then, Leyende has grown to include shampoos, moisturizers, lip balms, vegan hand sanitizers, shaving creams, massage oils and more. With cheeky monikers like Massage in a Bottle (a mineral oil-free massage oil), Kiss Kiss Balm Balm (lip balm that can be used to heal burns and cuts) and No Rumple Silk Skin Butter (shea butter-based body moisturizer), the line makes a pretty cute addition to everyone’s medicine cabinet.
Leyende Rapunsilk shampoo Making it a success
At Leyende’s recent launch, where they presented guests with their new Lift Off peel-off facial mask (a sugar-based formulation that refreshes and stimulates skin renewal), guests were reveling in the label’s story of success celebrating its story of handmade, organic, home-grown skincare.
“I think Leyende’s secrets to success are the very same things I love about it the story behind the brand, the passion of the people behind it and the personal touch that goes into each product,” says online marketing specialist Rosario Juan. “They’ve identified the real needs of their consumers and created natural/organic products that specifically address those needs.”
“Leyende’s success is due to Neva’s dedication to making a quality, locally-made, world-class product,” adds photographer Miguel Nacianceno.
“I think Leyende products have substance they get the job done! and sex appeal and an infectious sense of humor,” says Cosmo editor in chief Zo Aguila. “In life, aren’t we all just looking for a match with all of those qualities? Providing smart solutions with products headlined by witty names, Leyende reminds us that beauty can be super fun.”
No Rumple Silk Skin Butter The simple life
“The most amazing part about making these organic products was that it was so simple!” says Talladen. “Developing my own product line was as simple as the ingredients were pure. The simplicity of it all is, I think, the key. Each ingredient given the quality and the right, undiluted quantity would do for the skin exactly what Mother Nature had intended.”
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For more info, visit www.leyende.com. Leyende is available at Sesou Nature Source Glorietta, Market! Market!, TriNoma and Alabang Town Center; Crossings Department Store Shangri-La Plaza and Quezon Ave.; and Pulse Yoga Greenhills.
