Category: Beauty

Three Extraordinary Women, One Extraordinary Moisturizer – Physiogel

Posted on by jane

One of the side effects of having cancer is the drying up of skin. I was told this during the time hubby was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo oral chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Radiation, in particular, was what tended to have an immediate drying effect on his skin. Our doctors told us that this would happen specifically in some areas of the body like the extremities and in the area that is irradiated.

But Physiogel, a leading dermatologist-prescribed moisturizer from GlaxoSmithKline, is what three extraordinary women turned to when they were going through their cancer journey. One of these beautiful survivors is a SoMoms friend of mine, Patty B. Balquiedra, 44 years of age, a mommy blogger, online entrepreneur and a loving mom of 2 beautiful girls. Two other cancer survivors also used Physiogel. One is Alya B. Honasan, a veteran editor and writer for newspapers, magazines and books, a certified Iyengar yoga teacher, avid scuba diver, occasional theater actress and doting mom to her dog Kikay. The other is Michee Cadhit, head of customer service and international relations department of The Medical City, a mother of three.

(L-R) Patty Balquiedra, Michee Cadhit, Alya Honasan

Each one had her own extraordinary story.

Patty Balquiedra

My friend Patty just discovered her cancer last year, went through chemotherapy, and ‘graduated’ just February of 2013. Asked how she felt after first being diagnosed, Patty says:

“Each day is a gift –  I don’t remind myself about my breast cancer when I wake up each day. It’s something that stays with you forever and it’s like a thought that’s always in the back of your head. Since that’s the case, I now wake up each day, thankful for the chance to get out of bed and do what I need to do. Every day that I’m alive is a chance for me to do right, serve and please God, take care of my family, love myself, show people how much I appreciate them. I’m 10 times more thankful for every little thing that happens and I now want to make the most of every single day, as a way to show my thanks to God for this second chance at life.”

If you see Patty these days, you won’t even recognize her as a cancer survivor. She is always bubbly, positive and never fails to thank God for each day that she wakes up. Her shoe business is what’s keeping her busy besides attending SoMoms events with us.

Alya Honasan

At the Makati Shangri-la function room, I spotted Alya and immediately sensed a ‘naughty’ streak in her. She was vibrant and cracked jokes with Patty and Michee. I struck up a conversation with her. Not long after, we drifted to discussions about yoga and while we were chatting, I could not help but think how amazingly brave she is to face her cancer while still doing everything she loves – yoga, sports, acting, etc. Alya, who still has another round of chemotherapy to face, jokes about dreading the loss of her eyebrows but ends by shrugging it off. Here is her brave testimony:

“I can already say, unequivocally, that cancer is one of the best things that ever happened to me. Really. It has taught me to take it easy and live again, in the true sense of the word. Although I ate healthy and exercised, my stress levels before I got diagnosed were bordering on the insane. There never seemed to be enough time to do the things that had to be done. Cancer gave me the gift of perspective, and realizing that some things are just more important than money and achievement It gave me the gift of humility to realize that I cannot always be in complete control of my life and my future, and that’s fine. And it gave me the gift of gratitude, really, for all the love that has been shown me, for the good things I have, and for knowing with renewed certainty that God has been holding my hand throughout all this.”

Michee Cadhit

Michee considers herself lucky that she works at The Medical City. Somehow, being in a hospital environment made it easier for her to handle the loss of her hair because she was not the only one who would be seen around her place of work with a bandana on her head.

“Cancer taught me the value of life in its simplest and most beautiful form. It taught me to appreciate the simplest blessings each day brings. That family, friends and relationships are the most important in one’s life. Hence, we should treasure as many fond memories and fruitful relationships with them.”

The 3 Physiogel brand ambassadors with GSK executives including my friend, Cathy Babao (2nd from left)

All three said that they use Physiogel for their dry skin. Patty has been a Physiogel user long before she started chemotherapy. Alya says it was endorsed by her personal surgeon and she attests to its efficiency. Michee said Physiogel eased her scars and rashes from radiation. Being the 3 beautiful and strong brand ambassadors for Physiogel during this month celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness is most fitting for these brave women warriors.

What, exactly, is inside Physiogel? It is made by Stiefel, a GSK company. Formulated with Derma Membrane Structure (DMS) Technology, Physiogel closely resembles the natural building blocks of the skin. Moisture on the skin easily evaporates with both heat and in airconditioned areas, leading to try, dehydrated skin. But because it has natural lipids similar to the skin’s physiological lipids, Physiogel effectively helps repair the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.

I never had very dry skin but as I grew older, I noticed that my skin would flake if I did not apply lotion right after taking a bath. Many skin care products simply apply a superficial, oily layer on top of skin without really working on it deep down to repair damaged skin. Physiogel is one of the few brands that actually make me feel like I can walk around the whole day, exposed to sun and airconditioning, without losing my skin’s natural moisture.

At the Physiogel event celebrating the stories of these 3 breast cancer survivors, the SoMoms showed up in full force to support Patty and her friends. But of course!

Physiogel is available in leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. It also comes in handy 10ml sachets – perfect for short trips, handy to store in women’s bags, and for traveling.

For more information about Physiogel, visit www.physiogel.ph/ or www.facebook.com/PhysiogelPH

New Human Nature Products: Clarifying Shampoo, Peppermint Strengthening Conditioner and Pocket Hand Soap!

Posted on by jane

Recently, I received samples of 3 new products from Human Nature.

100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo

Even if you love a particular shampoo brand, hair experts have always recommended the use of an anti-residue or clarifying shampoo which scrubs out all the residue on your scalp from chemica shampoos, styling products, environmental pollution and the effects of stress. The Human Nature 100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo, as its name suggests, is 100% natural — made of natural fruit acids, betaine, and aloe vera.

PhP 149.75, 200ml; PhP 319.75, 500ml

Most anti-residue shampoo products can only be used around twice a week because the chemicals, while great for stripping away impurities and build-up on the hair, are quite strong that they also strip away the hair’s natural oils. But since Human Nature 100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo is entirely natural, it is safe to use daily without damaging hair or overdrying the scalp.

The Green Apple scent is very pleasant and makes hair smell really fresh. What you will find surprising with this shampoo is that it actually is very foamy. We know that the foamy lather in cleaning products, like shampoos and laundry detergents, is chemically induced by the ingredients sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). But the researchers of Human Nature have discovered that coco fatty acid sulfates are able to create that very same foamy lather WITHOUT the harmful chemicals. Not only are the coco fatty acid sulfates non-toxic but they are also fully biodegradable. And of course, they are sourced totally in the Philippines.

Watch this video.

Peppermint Strengthening Conditioner

If you loved the Peppermint Strengthening Shampoo, then you’ll welcome its partner, the Peppermint Strengthening Conditioner.

PhP 49.75, 50ml; PhP 144.75, 200ml; PhP  299.75, 500ml

Soybean, avocado and sunflower oil combine to nourish hair from roots to tips. Topped with hydrolyzed wheat protein, the potent combination is meant to protect the hair from hair fall. I’m excited to try this variant out since I already use Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner of a different variant.

Natural Pocket Hand Soap

This one I have been waiting for. Because I’m frequently out of the house, I always bring Human Nature’s hand sanitizer. Now they have a Natural Pocket Hand Soap which is a great addition for me because not all restrooms are equipped with soap.

PhP 59.75, 50ml; PhP 139.75, 200ml

What makes the Natural Pocket Hand Soap natural is the absence of chemical-based hand soaps. Most anti-bacterial soaps likely contain Triclosan, which independent studies have reportedly linked to endocrinal and reproductive malfunctions. The Natural Pocket Hand Soap has none of those. Instead, it contains natural glycerin (to protect hands from drying), a naturally derived surfactant that cleans hands, and is environmentally friendly. It comes in an Energizing Citrus scent, just like the hand sanitizer that I like.

Skin Care Talk with Celeteque Dermoscience’s Brand Ambassador, Dr. Eric Schweiger

Posted on by jane

Celeteque is a household name in my home. I use it. My girls use it. I’ve been with the brand since they were first introduced in the market years ago. Back then, I attended a blogger event for this still unknown brand that was supposed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I tried the product sample and since then was hooked.

Recently, I was invited to meet Celeteque’s brand ambassador. The surprise we all got was finding out that their brand ambassador was not a local showbiz celebrity at all. In fact, the ambassador was not a she but a HE! And a US-based dermatologist at that!

Meet Dr. Eric Schweiger, a Certified Board Dermatologist and owner of Schweiger Dermatology NYC (as in New York City)! Dr. Eric has a private practice in Manhattan and take note, he has celebrity clients (which he could not name, of course). Dr. Eric said that he was very careful about product endorsements and has actually turned away many offers. According to him, there are things he looks for in a product. The ingredients should be dermo-grade (medically active derma ingredients) and the label should specifically say that the product was tested and proven through a clinical study because for him, it is the gold standard.
When Celeteque contacted him, he had them send over to him the entire product line to test. It took a while for him to try the products but in the end, he was satisfied with the dermoscience claims of the product and agreed to be its brand ambassador. That says a lot about Celeteque and actually makes the product lines very credible because it’s a real-life dermatologist talking, not just some pretty face.
Dr. Eric differentiated cosmetic skincare products from Dermo-Cosmetics, which started as a specialized skin care category in Europe. Dermo-Cosmetic products combine the efficacy of derma-grade ingredients with dermatologists’ expertise in skin care. Many cosmetic products simply conceal cosmetically while products incorporating dermoscience actually work on rejuvenating, repairing and restoring skin.
Celeteque had set up an area where skin analysis could be done. Bloggers could peer into a device with very bright lights so that the skin and pores were magnified and could be properly analyzed by skin consultants. I did not bother to have my skin analyzed as I knew already that I badly needed restorative and anti-aging treatment so instead, I decided to take a look-see where the product lines were all displayed.Wow, I did not know that Celeteque already had 6 different product lines: Hydration, Sun Care, Acne Solutions, Brightening, Advanced Anti-aging and Restorative. 

A nice take-off from Dr. Eric’s interview with Angel Jacob was a demonstration of how dermoscience instantly works on skin. The skin consultants came over to our tables and asked volunteers for a before-and-after skin analysis.


I volunteered to have my skin analyzed. They had this device which they pressed on my skin to determine its moisture level.
Here’s my hand being analyzed by the device

My face was tested too!
Before applying Celeteque moisturizer, my moisture level was 43.7

After applying Celeteque moisturizer, it read 57.2

In the coming months, I will be trying out the Restorative and Anti-aging product lines of Celeteque because these are the most appropriate at my age. Exciting to see what it will do to my skin, fine lines and wrinkles!
Advanced Anti-aging

Advanced Anti-aging

Restorative

Restorative

Have you ever tried Celeteque? Which one did you love the most?

Human Nature’s Berry Bliss Lotion

Posted on by jane

I use lotion a lot. At this age, I have to make sure that my skin is always hydrated and protected from drying and shriveling up in this heat. My lotion was down to just a few more applications when I received a sample of Human Nature‘s Berry Bliss lotion to try. Speaking of good timing!

This newly launched lotion variant has a strong but pleasant berry scent the moment you pop open the lid, which I immediately did. I guess that made a first good impression because I really love berry scent anyway.

As with all other Human Nature products, this Berry Bliss lotion is what they call healthy lotion. Why? Because it is made without all the chemicals that go into other commercially made lotions. It’s free of parabens that could bring on all kinds of health disorders including cancer.

Reading the ingredients on the label, I noticed also that they had infused the lotion with their sunflower seed oil. I have the sunflower oil of Human Nature as well and it is very popular because it helps to moisturize hair, give shine under the eyes, and moisturize skin but I noticed that when used solely, it tended to be thick and gooey — and oily. Surprisingly, as I poured out the Berry Bliss lotion and rubbed it into my skin, there was no physical trace of the oily sunflower oil. Looks like Human Nature put in just enough of it to work without getting too oily. I could feel my skin feeling all smooth and moisturized and smelling berry, berry nice.

I’m going for the Berry Bliss next time I need to buy lotion. Just one thing, I hope their improved version of this down the road comes with some sunscreen protection.
Berry Bliss lotion comes in two sizes: the 50ml bottle costs PhP 65.75 while the 200ml bottle goes for PhP 199.75.

Human Nature now has a flagship store!

Posted on by jane

My family is slowly but surely moving out of a chemical-filled lifestyle into one that incorporates organic and natural products and this includes the consumer products we use. We’re not at 100%, maybe not even at 50%, but my kids and I are becoming more conscious about the choices we make.

One brand that is very much present at home is Human Nature. My daughters and I have been using Human Nature products in place of some of our usual cosmetics. Recently, my daughter and I got the chance to visit the Human Nature Flagship Store – their very first concept store – in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

Anna Meloto-Wilk, President of Human Nature, welcomed us and gave a brief background on how Human Nature came about.

Designed by two young and talented Filipina architects (Mau Adraneda and Joyce Angara), the interiors were made to look like an enchanted forest in the midst of a concrete jungle.

Forest ambience, beautiful layout, warm lights

Products laid out around the trunk of the “tree”
Nice idea! Products arranged in heart shapes!

A dedicated kiddie corner while Mom and Dad shop

What impressed me about the Human Nature Flagship Store was their willingness to support and host other world-class Filipino Social Enterprises to showcase the different ways our local materials can be transformed into world-class products.

In one corner of the store was a beautifully lighted wooden and bamboo display area that showcased non-Human Nature items. It allows people shopping at Human Nature to support these other 100% Filipino social enterprises as well.

This corner showcases non-Human Nature items. See those 2 cream chairs?
They are made of Kraft carton boards only!

Cafe de Sug: Gawad Kalinga’s famous coffee from Sulu

Jacinto & Lirio: recycling the lowly hyacinth (water lilies) into luxury leather bags

Rattan Man: Dumagat Niete plates
Rags2Riches: eco-ethical fashion and and home accessories
made from scrap cloth and organic materials
Enchantea: healthy iced tea from the GK Enchanted Farm
Golden Eggs: salted duck eggs without the toxic food color (they use turmeric!)

Theo & Philo: the only 100% bean-to-bar Filipino artisan chocolates

Bambrew: food that contains bamboo
Whoa, a Bambike (bamboo bike)!!!

After the main blogger event, my girl and I had a great time shopping and bonding, checking out new stuff, discussing the products, testing some of them. She actually ended up buying more than me (she said she might as well shop for her stuff while she was there).

The concept store is quite a-ways from where I live but I think we would love to come visit every so often and shop in comfort in this green, beautifully designed, cozy store. Now if only they could find an ideal spot where I live – that would be perfect!

Human Nature Flagship Store
460 Commonwealth Avenue
Quezon City
Tel (02) 931-5787

My new facial love – Pond’s Deep Cleansing Facial Foam

Posted on by jane

A few months back, I won blogger friend Rowena‘s blog contest and the prize I got was several pieces of Pond’s Deep Cleansing Facial Foam. Rowena herself swears by it and she has been telling me that she loves its feel on her face.

(photo courtesy of Pond’s Philippines site)
I gave some away to family to try but kept about six for myself. At that time, I still had half of another facial foam cleanser so I did not get a chance to use Pond’s Deep Cleansing Facial Foam till last week. Here’s what happened…
Two weeks ago, two pimples suddenly appeared on my nose. Now this was very unusual. I have not had pimples in years! But these two were bright red and looked really awful. I applied skin antibiotic ointment and in the next few days, the pimples subsided. But one flared up again and worse, a third pimple on the side of one nostril was beginning. It was like teen-aged nightmare all over again!
I thought I’d stop using my current facial cleanser and look for an alternative. I picked up Pond’s Deep Cleansing Facial Foam to see why Rowena was all praises for it. The ingredient “activated carbon” intrigued me. I know activated carbon is used in many ways to adsorb (not absorb) toxic chemicals and poisons. It’s found in activated carbon filters of air purifiers, is used to adsorb foul smells (like baking soda), used in water purification and many others. Take a look at this article that talks of the benefits of activated carbon. Here’s an excerpt from that article:

Activated charcoal can do these various things because of its ability to attract other substances to its surface and hold them there. This is called “adsorption” (not absorption). Another one of the benefits of activated charcoal is that it can adsorb thousands of times its own weight in harmful substances.

The British medical journal, Lancet, discusses the amazing ability of the human skin to allow transfer of liquids, gases, and even micro-particles through its permeable membrane and pores, by the application of a moist, activated charcoal poultice and compress which actually draw bacteria and poisons through the skin and into the poultice or compress!

I was hoping the activated carbon in Pond’s Deep Cleansing Facial Foam would draw out whatever was infecting my pimples.

On my first use, I think I overdid it. I was used to other facial cleansers where I had to put a lot on the palm of my hand. I put as much of Pond’s facial foam on my palm and the lather it made was just so thick! So, next time around, I only used a pea size of the foam and it was good enough to work up a very good lather to cover my entire face. Very economical!

This is all you need to lather up your entire face!
True enough, after using it twice a day (morning and night) for several days, all my pimples began subsiding and now, it’s almost gone from my face. After every use, my face also feels so extra squeaky clean too. The activated carbon must be drawing out all the toxins and grime from my face!
I’m loving the feel and effectiveness of Pond’s Deep Cleansing Facial Foam! For now, this is my skin care partner!

Human Nature’s Feminine Wash and Deodorant

Posted on by jane

I recently went to an intimate dinner with the Human Nature team, including Camille Meloto (daughter of Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto).

Human Nature was a natural discovery by Anna Meloto-Wilk, her husband Dylan Wilk and Camille on a trip to the U.S. where they saw how natural and ethical beauty products were penetrating the market and they wondered how the Philippines’ rich, natural resources could produce such beauty products but at a much lower cost.

The story of Human Nature is, in itself, something amazing. The people behind it emphasize that its goal is not simply profit since they are a social enterprise. They live by 3 principles: PRO-PHILIPPINES, PRO-POOR AND PRO-ENVIRONMENT.

Those 3 principles are strictly observed in the development of new products. All Human Nature products are 100% sourced in the Philippines unless there is no availability of certain required raw materials. Gawad Kalinga residents and communities are the targets of livelihood by Human Nature. Where the raw materials are available, communities are taught how to extract these for production and these are bought at fair prices (sometimes, even above market price) by Human Nature in order to encourage the residents to continue providing their raw materials. And lastly, being aware that they are stewards also of this planet, Human Nature products from the raw materials to the packaging are closely researched and examined to ensure that at every step of production, the materials are naturally derived and do not cause environmental toxins in the different processes. Recyclable bottles are used for packaging.

You probably know already about their very popular and always-out-of-stock Citronella Bug Spray which is DEET-free and very effective as far as keeping those nasty mosquitoes off you. And friends have recommended their Hand Sanitizer to me so much so that on my next shopping day, I bought a couple of bottles to start off.

Two new products were introduced to us: Human Nature Feminine Wash and Human Nature Deodorant.

Human Nature Feminine Wash

I am very particular about what feminine wash I use and get for my girls. And why not? it cleanses a very private part of yourself. I want to be sure that I am not introducing toxins into my body when using this. This is why I was happy to find out that Human Nature had come up with their own feminine wash product.


At Php 59.75 for a 50 ml bottle, the Human Nature feminine wash is definitely affordable and competitively priced compared to chemical-based feminine washes in the market today. Many feminine washes contain triclosan, parabens and SLS/SLES which are considered harmful chemicals. Human Nature’s feminine wash has none of those chemicals. Its natural ingredients only contain the following: aloe leaf extract and chamomile essential oil (both known for their anti-bacterial, soothing, calming and aromatic properties), coconut and sunflower oils, natural cleansing agents, and rice and anise extracts that work as natural preservatives. Because it is gentle and mild and all-natural as well, it does not significantly alter the pH balance of a woman’s flora as is prone to happen when frequently washing with  scented soaps and perfumed feminine hygiene products.

The table above tells you that the ingredients that go into the feminine wash actually cost much more than those that go into the chemically-based feminine wash products but by encouraging GK communities to help in the production and with the help of good marketing strategies and the direct selling network, Human Nature has managed to keep the selling price competitive.

Human Nature Deodorant

What attracted me to the description of Human Nature’s deodorant were the words “natural, non-darkening”.

Human Nature does not tout this deodorant as an anti-perspirant. In fact, it does NOT stop sweating. And I think that is good because we eliminate toxins from our body through our sweat. That is what I learned as a yogini practicing yoga. The more you sweat, the faster you detox. Unfortunately, I myself have resorted to using commercially available anti-perspirant/deodorant combinations because many brands I have tried could not really stop the sweat from being contaminated with bacteria and turning into body odor. The main ingredient in Human Nature’s deodorant which will stop the development of body odor is chitosan, which has a natural, anti-bacterial property. It is 100% naturally-derived from the shells of sea crustaceans. It is also biocompatible, non-toxic and biodegradable.

Chitosan has also been clinically proven to promote wound healing, is anti-itching, anti-microbial and an excellent skin moisturizer. This is probably the answer to one of my girls’ dilemmas. She is allergic to many deodorant brands and these would darken her skin maybe because it causes itching and when she scratches, the aluminum chloride in the deodorant penetrates her skin and causes it to darken. I’m having her try Human Nature’s deodorant now to see if it is effective on her underarms.

Curious, I also asked them if they had plans for alum (tawas) to be incorporated in their deodorant products. I’ve been using tawas products on areas other than my underarms and they have been quite effective. The team of Human Nature however replied that tawas was not in their near future but could be worth looking at.

Next time you’re about to buy feminine wash or deodorant, stop and take a look at Human Nature’s. Not only will you be helping the livelihood of Filipinos but you will also save the environment as well as do your body a favor by using all-natural and organic products.

Check out Human Nature’s website at www.humanheartnature.com. For orders, go to your nearest Human Nature Branch or call (02) 931-5787. You may also visit Rustans & Shopwise for a select line of Human Nature products.

Beach Hut’s SPF covers you 100% this summer!

Posted on by jane

School’s out and summer is in!!!

If you’re hitting the beaches, better be ready for all that sun exposure with a bottle or two of sunblock in your bag.

Me? I’m 100% ready for all that sun because this box brought me all the sun protection that my kids and I will need this summer. And it’s good from face to toe…

I was excited just seeing the Beach Hut box because I knew it would contain sunblock. But what kind of sunblock did they have this time?
Just as a background, I use sunblock every day on top of my facial moisturizer. I am more conscious of applying this because with age, skin gets easily damaged by the sun’s rays and the damage is oftentimes irreversible. When I am indoors, I can go as low as SPF 15 but if I know I will be stepping out of the house, I use my SPF45 sunblock. In fact, I’ve got an unopened sunblock with SPF65. And really, summers these past years have been pretty bad!
Opening the Beach Hut box, I got the biggest surprise because this was what was inside:
Yes, my kids are the ones who will go wild using the frisbee and the waterproof camera. Me? I’m more excited to use the two sunblocks that came with the box. 
Beach Hut Max 100
The highest SPF I have ever seen is SPF 75, which Beach Hut also has. Now, they’re the first to be brave enough to announce an SPF 100! Wow.
This is what Beach Hut’s website says about their SPF 100 product:

It’s here! Experience extreme high spf protection without the messy and oily feel like other lotion sunblock. Beach Hut Max SPF 100++ w/ micronized zinc oxide is uber light on skin, quick drying, and gives you that non messy, non sticky sheer feeling while offering up to 99% maximum protection from UVA/UVB rays that causes sunburn, skin cancer and skin darkening. This summer, don’t settle for anything less than 100, get the new Beach hut Max 100 unbelievably light lotion sunblock.

  Beach Hut Face SPF 65

My problem with regular sunblock for the beach is always my face. Many of these products are not only greasy to the touch but when some get in your eyes, they sting like hell! I’m really looking forward to using Beach Hut Face SPF 65 because 2 things caught my eye on the label: “Will not sting eyes” and “Made for sensitive skin”. That’s exactly what I need!
Here’s the official description from the website:

Beach Hut Face is specifically designed for sensitive skin. It is specially formulated with organic zinc oxide for an ultra mild yet complete sun protection that is proven and tested hypoallergenic. It is made with organic sunscreen that keeps the skin moisturized and protected from harmful UVA/UVB rays while still being safe and gentle on skin.

And for the kids, here’s one that didn’t come with the box but which I got earlier from Beach Hut people — Beach Hut Kids SPF 65. It’s hypoallergenic and comes as a spray so it’s easy to apply. I would suggest though that for their face, use the Face SPF 65 rather than this spray so it doesn’t get in their eyes.
Bring that sun on! 
You can find Beach Hut at Robinsons, Landmark, Chris Sports, Olympic Village, R.O.X., Nothing But Water, Stoked Inc., Travel Club, Island Souvenir, PCX and Cash n Carry.
Naturale Labs, Inc.
#73 Scout Fernandez St., Brgy. Laging Handa
Quezon City
(632) 375-6515 loc. 108

Sunsilk’s Co-Creations Shampoo Line

Posted on by jane
Have you gone to the supermarket lately and checked out the shampoo aisle? You probably will notice a whole new line of Sunsilk shampoo products. This is their Co-Creations line.
Why “Co-Creations”? Well, Sunsilk has partnered with some of the best international hair experts to come up with a range of shampoo products that address just about every type of hair concern consumers have. These experts have done the tresses of top models and celebrities in different fields and by partnering with Sunsilk, they bring their expertise and knowledge of hair into each of the products in this Co-Creations line.
Our hair can no longer be handled by just one type of shampoo and conditioner. Situations change. Sometimes, we have hair that is limp and dry due to sun exposure. Other times, we suffer from dandruff. Still other times, hair could become damaged due to color treatments or other hair chemicals applied. In each instance, hair needs a different treatment to squarely address the concern at hand. This is why Sunsilk has this whole range of products, each one with a formulation targeted at a particular need.
Sunsilk sent me their Co-Creations line (plus the complete Creamsilk conditioner line to match as well) to try over the next few months. My kids and I just finished our old bottles of shampoo last night so we are excited to see how this Sunsilk line will work for us.
To help you out with your choice of shampoo next time you’re at the supermarket, let me walk you through a short guide. 
Please note that the shampoo descriptions, representations as to what it can do for the hair, as well as contents of its formulation were lifted from Sunsilk’s press kit.


Damage Repair

Too much styling, too many different products and intense heat from frequent blowdrying can lead to damaged hair. Sunsilk teamed up with Bobsoho Salon of London, founded by Thomas Taw, famous for resuscitating damaged hair, to co-create this formulation to give back extreme smoothness and health to damaged hair. This particular shampoo has Olive Serum Nutri Complex that gently cleanses and gives care to the most damaged hair, while reconstructing beneath the hair surface and filling damaged cracks deep inside – layer by layer, strand by strand.

Hairfall Solution

I use this currently to prevent hairfall since I have long hair. I am happy with how it somehow minimizes breakage and amount of hairfall. Sunsilk teamed up with Dr. Francesca Fusco from NYC, world-class dermatologist and expert at understanding skin and scalp care, to co-create this formulation for visibly less hair fall. Enriched with Soya Vitamin Complex, it gently cleanses weakened, easily-broken hair, while reinforcing hair from roots to tips.

Strong and Long

Sunsilk teamed up with Paris-born Teddy Charles, creator of some of the world’s latest runway and premier fashion magazine looks, to co-create this formulation for strong (against breakage and split ends due to combing) and smoother hair. Enriched with Active Fruitamin Complex, it gently cleanses and refreshes hair, while penetrating it and fortifying hair fibers so it becomes up to 10x stronger and 3x smoother with boosted shine.

Soft and Smooth
Sunsilk teamed up once again with Bobsoho Salon, founded by Thomas Taw, famous for resuscitating dry hair, to co-create this formulation to make hair silky soft to the touch. Enriched with Ceramide Macadamia Complex, it gently cleanses and conditions even the driest and roughest hair, while acting as a softening agent to rebalance hair condition. 
Smooth and Manageable

Sunsilk teamed up with Yuko Yamashita from Japan, creator of YUKO Hair Straightening, turning hair from unruly to manageable, to co-create this formulation for extraordinarily smoother hair. Enriched with Keratin Yogurt Nutri-Complex, it gently cleanses and coats hair strands to smoothen fluffy hair.

Anti-Dandruff

Sunsilk teamed up with Dr. Francesca Fusco from NYC, world-class dermatologist and expert at understanding skin and scalp care, to co-create this formulation for a dandruff-free scalp and beautiful hair. Enriched with ZPT Citrus Complex, it thoroughly cleanses and refreshes while purifying your scalp to start eliminatig dandruff from the first wash and protect the hair’s natural condition from dryness.

Straight and Sway

Sunsilk teamed up with Paris-born Teddy Charles, creator of the world’s latest runway and premier fashion magazine looks, to co-create this formulation for straighter hair full of natural movement. Enriched with Amino Collagen Complex, it cleanses your straight hair and gently relaxes your hair bonds, providing softness and suppleness to give it natural movement.

Each Sunsilk Co-Creations shampoo retails at approximately P89.00 per 200ml bottle.

Clinique’s New Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and Photo Damage Corrector

Posted on by jane
When I was a lot younger, I never gave much attention to my skin. I loved sports then like women’s softball and played outdoors a lot with girls and boys alike. Pinoy sports like sipa, siato, patintero and piko were favorites of mine. In fact, looking at my photo albums from that time, I was DARK!
Now that I’m more conscious about aging and keeping a healthy lifestyle, I am learning (a bit too late) that all that sun exposure without the benefit of sunscreen was probably wreaking damage on my skin. In a sense, I still consider myself lucky that I inherited some good genes when it came to skin because I still have fairly good skin up to now. But I really do not know how much damage has been wrought underneath. 
Well, one of my favorite brands is about to launch a product that addresses precisely this kind of concern for women in my age category (and even those who are still a lot younger but want to ensure they adequately protect their skin from sun damage).
Clinique recently announced that by November 2010, they will be launching the new Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & Photo Damage Corrector.

This is a powerful serum that Clinique claims only requires 3 drops, twice a day, for 12 weeks, to achieve a 53% reduction in lines and wrinkles. What exactly does the RepairWear Laser Focus do?
1. It visibly repairs photo damage

Photo damage occurs when harmful rays penetrate deeply into skin not adequately protected with sunscreen. It causes damage to cellular DNA distorts the skin’s regeneration process, and causes indirect damage from the release of free radicals. Clinique says that Repairwear Laser Focus’ potent blend of 3 patented repair enzymes works to help reverse the appearance of photo damage and visibly mends “solar scars”.
2. Its polypeptide technology reduces wrinkles

A high-level peptide complex (consisting of whey protein, Vitamin A and Acetyl Hexapeptide-B) boosts natural collagen production and diminishes the breakdown of existing collagen with essential ingredients. Skin becomes more firm, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles is diminished. Targeted for application on the face and also around the delicate eye area, it works to reverse one of the most visible signs of aging by effectively smoothing and softening eye creases.

3. It protects against free radicals

Repairwear Laser Focus is touted as having a cocktail of ingredients (Vitamins C & E, Ergothioneine, and pomegranate fruit extract) that protect the skin by blocking the release of free radicals from environmental aggressors (sun, pollution, etc) thus preventing damage to the skin’s DNA.

Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & Photo Damage Corrector is allergy tested, 100% fragrance-free, oil-free, dermatologist-tested, opthalmologist-tested, and non-acnegenic. It is suitable for all skin types and ages. 


It will be available at Clinique counters nationwide beginning November 2010 and is expected to retail at P4,500.