Few things in life top the perfect Christmas gift. Sure, an amazing career and maybe a great significant other might be up there on the list of life’s best things, but on Christmas day, surrounded by socks, picture frames and the token mug, a career and hubby don’t seem as fab next to these dismal presents. Not that you can blame your family and friends on their less-than-stellar gift ideas (they probably didn’t read my inexpensive gift story on the next page) – after all, they probably have mortgages, credit card debts and liposuction bills to pay. The solution? Think well and hard about the one thing you’d like to have – a trip to the Bahamas, a pair of to-die-for heels, bigger boobs, whatever – and save up and buy it yourself. Because if you won’t do it for yourself, no one else will. Christmas is the season of giving. So while you’re busy making a list of gifts for your boss’ third cousin or your professor’s best friend, make sure to make room on that list for yourself.
YStyle made the rounds and found the best products to splurge on this Christmas. Don’t worry – the products featured here range from the reasonably priced to the semi-outrageous (that’s P299 and up). There’s something for everyone.
If marathon episodes of
The Swan have been getting you down, all the products featured here are sure to make you feel better about yourself. Whether it’s an amazing new lipstick or a brilliant new moisturizer, each product is going to make you gorgeous come New Year. So don’t be afraid to splurge on yourself this Christmas. If there’s anyone you’ve got to look out for this time of the year, it’s number one.
For those suffering from the morning blues – the depression that comes from having to wake up at 6 a.m. every day – there’s nothing like an electric toothbrush. You just slap on some toothpaste, place the toothbrush in the general direction of your mouth and let the brush do all the work. Oral-B Crossaction Power Whitening combines a clinically-proven rotating power head with crisscross bristles that clean and whiten for naturally-white teeth. The rotating power head loosens plaque from the teeth’s surface, while rubberized bristles help to gently polish teeth and remove stains. Not only is it healthy for your gums, but this efficient teeth-cleaning machine gets the job done while you get a few extra minutes of snooze time. Not bad for a toothbrush.
The king of minimalism, Giorgio Armani, known for his simple, beautifully-structured clothing once said, "I create designs for women that will reveal their character and style, while respecting their choices and aspirations." He lets the woman do the talking; the clothes simply function as a setting, a backdrop to the main star. His latest scent, far from being bland and wallpaper-worthy, does the same thing. "The perfect fragrance should be like a woman who is genuine, elegant, discreet and beautiful; present but never imposing." With Sicilian mandarin and blackcurrant as its top notes, peony, lily of the valley, and magnolia as its heart notes and cedar and musk as its base, the fragrance is pure femininity that’s not without strength – just like label itself.
A daily cleanser gets elevated to elegance with Shu Uemura’s Sakura Fresh Cleansing Oil. Based on the oil-based cleanser Hollywood stars used in the ‘50s then reworked for a better, more efficient formula, the cleansing oil/makeup remover is the makeup label’s star product. No doubt about it, with its Ai Yamaguchi-designed bottle and movie star history, it makes all the other cleansers on the market pale in comparison. Effective but not harsh – the cleanser leaves skin fresh but not dry – it’s one thing every girl needs in her bathroom. And that includes toilet paper.
The technology that went into creating major breakthroughs in science, like the space shuttle, bubble wrap, etc., now helped create something infinitely more useful for modern man – or woman, to be more precise. DreamMatte Mousse Foundation is the first of its kind. Air-whipped to a light consistency, the foundation glides on skin, leaving a soft matte finish. With its elastomer gel, which forms a highly-flexible film that stretches like a second skin, and absorbent micropowders, which provide the airy feel and make blending easy as pie, this patent-pending formula makes bad skin seem like a bad dream. No more ugly bumpy zits or uneven skin color. This is skin-perfecting technology at its best.
While corporate life doesn’t exactly require much physical labor, it does leave its mark on the face. Dull skin tone (from too much time under unhealthy fluorescent lighting), wrinkles and fine lines (from job stress) are just a few signs of job-related effects on the face. One of the best ways to pamper yourself this Christmas is to splurge on a Phytomer facial. The classic Ogenage Phytomer facial begins with a short back massage to relax, followed by the application of a patented Phytomer product called the self-heating mud, made of natural seaweeds, along the spinal area. The facial treatment begins with a cleansing phase to take out dead skin cells and deep-seated dirt, which may clog pores. A replenish mask follows, which lifts the skin to reduce fine lines. The treatment is concluded with the application of a special eye cream, which targets wrinkles and fine lines. The whole process takes only an hour, but you’re sure to feel 10 years younger immediately after.
Forget practicality. Living on a budget may keep you in a comfortable existence, but without a little impulse shopping, it’ll be a very boring existence. Guerlain’s KissKiss lipstick may not have any practical value, but its silky sheen and subtle vanilla-violet perfume will definitely kick up your market value. Long-wearing (up to five hours) and creamy (a creamsoft complex with vitamin A keeps lips supple), this radiant lipstick recreates the pure colors of precious stones in 30 gold-toned shades. The gorgeous gold Hervé Van Der Straeten-designed case makes it worth the price – at least you can tell yourself that when the phone bill arrives.
Nothing beats the real thing. While the saying usually applies to cashmere, the same goes for foundation. The kind that goes on sheer, clean and even – that’s what good foundation is made of. L’Oreal’s Sheer Cashmere, when applied, turns powdery-soft on contact. With its light crème-texture, this powdery melting foundation makeup has a breakthrough liquid-to-powder technology that transforms dull, uneven skin into a beautiful matte glow.
Longer, bigger, thicker! It may sound like an infomercial for penile enlargement but Maybelline’s XXL Mascara – even the name sounds like porn! – works even better. A microfiber system, consisting of a two-step process, guarantees longer lashes. A white microfiber basecoat (step one) dramatically lengthens lashes, while a topcoat (step two) locks on to lashes and adds thickness and color. Bigger and better suddenly has new meaning.
It’s difficult to flutter your eyes at some hottie across the club if your eyes are barer than a baby’s bottom. Shu Uemura’s eye makeup kit makes the job easier with its eyelash curler, sweet lip gloss, Depsea Therapy samples, trio of miniature Cleansing Oils, limited-edition silver mirror compact and limited-edition makeup case. Pair that with the Christmas Moondrops Collection Aurora Pearl Palette, an eyeshadow set that includes four shades in two creamy purple tones and two in gray, and you’ve got enough material to decorate a disco ball.
This mini-arsenal has the goods to make your eyes prettier than a Christmas tree. And that’s a tall order.
| Age ain’t nothin’ but a number |
For Pond’s, age comes with the number eight – that’s the eight signs of aging: wrinkles, large pores, unhealthy skin, dark spots and blemishes, fine lines, rough skin, dull complexion and uneven sun-damaged skin. The Pond’s Age Solution Early Defense System consists of a protective day cream that has an SPF 18 formula, Spirulina extract, a natural seaweed extract rich in protein and vitamin E to nourish skin and make it resistant to skin cell damage and breakdown of collagen; and a nourishing night cream, which combines vitamins A, B and F to reduce the signs of aging while you sleep. The number may pack a punch, but with this little powerhouse package, you’ve got an arsenal of vitamins to fight aging.
CK Euphoria may be a fragrance but it’s just like a Calvin Klein dress: curvy, luxurious and fits like a glove. An oriental fragrance that contrasts exotic fruits and seductive florals, it comes packaged in a design typical of Calvin. Wrapped in an aluminum shell and clear glass, it’s polished yet organic. Fluid sensuality radiates through the sleek contours of the bottle straight through to the sultry fragrance. With top notes of pomegranate and persimmon, middle notes of lotus blossom and black orchid and dry notes of liquid amber and mahogany wood, Euphoria makes seduction look like a snap.
28 Days: it’s the "dramatic" rehab movie starring Sandra Bullock that was more of a snorefest than anything else.
28 Days Later: the zombie movie that catapulted Cillian Murphy to heartthrob status. Twenty-eight days: Loreal’s guarantee. Pure Zone’s Anti-Imperfection Moisturizer is so effective, with its long-term effects on oily skin, that the company is staking a claim: clear and healthy skin in just 28 days. These people get points just for bravado.
The right shoes and the perfect dress still don’t work if the hair looks like something out of a Will Ferrell movie – and we’re referring to
Elf here, his best movie ever, and not the icky
Bewitched. Kerastase’s Nacre Nutri-Sculpt makes sure that won’t be a problem. A supple treatment wax with pearlescent shine, this hair-fixer formula keeps even sensitive and dry hair in whatever shape you want – a Christmas tree, Santa hat, whatever – and moisturizes at the same time. It keeps your hair shiny and stable without looking like it was shellacked to death, which is important when you’re trying to convince the kids next door that you’re Santa’s little helper.
Your favorite fashion section finally has a necklace worthy of its enduring, historic three-year legacy. Made by accessories designer Irene Pineda, this playful necklace mixes rustic elements like hand-beaded balls, crocheted ornaments and felt flowers with bold disco-inspired components like funky chains, metallic accents and silver bells. Funky, fun and brash – just like its namesake – the
YStyle necklace is perfect for the adventurous style-loving girl. That means you.
Get this necklace and other designs through Irene Pineda at 22 Aries St., Bel-air 3 village, Makati City (cell phone no. 0918-9357619) or visit www.irenescloset.com.
