Finding luxury down under

It was that time of the year when L’Oreal Philippines rewarded Philippine salon owners who were loyal to the ultimate hair brand, Kerastase.The incentive trip was done in the Gold Coast in Australia where participants attended a seminar called Achieving the Path to Luxury. The seminar covered a presentation called "The Kerastase Technology" by L’Oreal Japan technical manager Patrick Canivet and a presentation on retail sales by the Kerastase Australia GM Debra Moglia. 

Kerastase Philippines business unit manager May Abarquez and technical manager Anna Trinidad also talked about the Kerastase ritual expert program and the mystery client program.

Kerastase is the world’s leading hair care product and it is not surprising because of the amount of research they do for hair. They create 3,000 new formulas a year and participate in over 250 scientific conventions yearly. The Kerastase Research Institute in Paris has deep knowledge of the biology of skin, hair and nail plus they do not perform tests on animals (for the PETA members out there).

It wasn’t all seminars as the participants had fun at the awarding night where they were all asked to dress in "outback chic." Several awards were given and the overall winner was Emphasis Salon (Rockwell). Best in Appointment Setting were Emphasis Salon (Rockwell) and David’s Salon (Jupiter St.).  Best in Client Greeting were Emphasis Salon (Rockwell), Jesi Mendez (Robinsons Galleria), David’s Salon (Robinsons Galleria), Jesi Mendez (Robinsons Metro East), Prive II Salon (West Avenue), Tinette & Co. Salon (Pasong Tamo Ext.), Jesi Mendez (Alabang Town Center) and Piandre Salon (Del Monte, QC).  Best in Consultation and Diagnosis Award were Emphasis Salon (Rockwell) and  Skilz Hair Salon (Wilson, Greenhills). Best in Treatment Process and Homecare Recommendation was David’s Salon (Megamall II). Best in Client Departure were Emphasis Salon (Rockwell), David’s Salon (Sta. Lucia I) and Bench First Aid (Greenbelt 3). Best dressed awards went to Rachelle Aguila and Fred Peñales.

It was certainly a seminar to remember as both work and play, combined by the excellent planning of L’Oreal’s Angelique Villaraza and Marlit Suarez, provided a trip to be long remembered… until the next one of course!

On a rampage!

New York-brand Rampage has conquered Manila as proven by the number of attendees during the grand opening of its flagship store in Glorietta. 

Robbie Carmona directed the show which featured Valerie de los Santos, Bridget Inofreo, Melissa Frye, Romana, Maggie Wilson, Bricia, Michelle Schulte, Ria Bolivar, Manette Mercado and Rachel Piazza – all in their fabulous Rampage outfits. 

The US Embassy’s Michelle Ardelle- Solinsky and Gregory Adam Alms, Honorary Consul to Monaco Fortune Ledesma and bag designer Bea Valdes joined Cinderella’s Richie Santos, Malou de Venecia and Arthur Coronel in unveiling the Rampage window featuring live mannequins. 

Guests then enjoyed cocktails prepared by Katrina Arce Kuhn and Arlene Arce and Gran Piera wine from Tita Nia Wine Cellar as delicious pizzas from California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) were being passed around.

Host for the evening Jenni Epperson announced the official opening of the store as guests flocked in. 

Special discounts were offered for clothes, shoes and accessories for that night as Nympha Yatco, Baby Ignacio, Vicky Estacio, Yolly Ayson and Rosie Go shopped to their heart’s content! Gifts from sponsor Maybelline were raffled off and lucky guests also got Nokia cellphones from Smart, watches from Ariston Commercial Corporation and accommodations at Sea Wind Resort in Boracay.

Others spotted in the event were Cinderella’s Therese Coronel-Santos with daughters Marielle and Michelle Santos-Lim, CPK’s Archie Rodriguez, Luxasia’s Chris Yam, Isha Andaya, Astrud Crisologo, Star’s JR Isaac and Philip Cu-Unjieng, Pauline Juan, TV host and model Phoemela Barranda, Frannie Jacinto, Pepato’s Margarita Fores, L’Oreal’s Angelique Villaraza and former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz.

Rampage is exclusively available in Cinderella-Glorietta and Alabang Town Center.

This one is for men only

Luxasia celebrated the launch of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Tout Beau Tout Propre Mega Handsome with a men’s grooming workshop at My Beauty Hub. Guests were invited to sample the new line of toiletries from Gaultier over cocktails. 

Tout Beau Tout Propre (that’s "Squeaky Clean Totally Gorgeous" in English) is an essential grooming line to cleanse a man’s face and body, deodorize, moisturize and soothe razor burn. The range of products is also designed to enhance masculinity with a bold, virile line of revolutionary seduction tools. Male guests were able to try these products and some were even "madeup" – in a very masculine way.

Gaultier does away with prejudices and transforms every man into a handsome male. The "makeup" line specifically made for men is actually gaining a following in Manila. I personally use the men’s lipstick (clear) and the nail pen (for strengthening the nail enamel). Other saleable items include the men’s concealer and bronzing powder. Tout Beau Tout Propre is exclusively distributed by Luxasia and is available in Rustan’s and My Beauty Hub at 6750 Ayala Avenue.