WIN this Kérastase Oléo Relax Set!

You know you want this: Kérastase's Oléo Relax Set

If you’re constantly singing “Frizz, release me, let me go…” (to the tune of Englebert Humperdink’s 1967 hit song “Release Me”), you can find comfort in Kérastase’s Oléo Relax Set, your instant solution to rebellious hair.

The line is not cheap (the three basic products cost P4,730), BUT you CAN WIN the whole set if you join Hair in Manila’s contest! Send a stylish self-portrait/snapshot (get ideas from here), and if your photo gets chosen, you take home the Oléo Relax Set. Read up on full details of the contest here. So go ahead, style yourself, take a snapshot, and submit your work to win the solution to defiant ‘dos.

Come experience barre3 FOR FREE!

There's such a thing as a free workout!

Apart from being a makeup artist, beauty writer, and motivational speaker, I teach a fitness class called barre3, a new group class that utilizes the grace of the ballet barre, the wisdom of yoga, and the strength of Pilates. Held at  The Spa Wellness at The Fort and The Spa Alabang, each class offers a 60-minute workout that lengthens muscles, strengthens the core, and improves your balance.

The best part is anyone can try this class FOR FREE until January 31 (pay no attention to the dates on the poster, attached here). If you’re in any of the areas, drop by and experience this fun, fulfilling class! Soon to open are the barre3 studios in Rockwell and Eastwood.

Beauty Resolution #1: Get Organized

Another role for your roll: Give your paper towel roll a second lease on life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Beauty Coach readers!

If you’re like most people, you’ve arranged your closet, organized your shoe rack, and given your makeup kit a makeover. I cleaned my apartment corner by corner, starting with the easiest articles: my hair accessories. I used to keep my ponytail holders in a tray, but was never satisfied because the little multi-colored elastic rings still looked scattered, so I took my cue from a recycling tip and used a paper towel roll to hold all my clips and elastics.

What’s your neat beauty trick to get organized?

Fill up your Christmas booties with beauty

Philosophy's Holiday 2009 collection is good enough to eat

The Christmas countdown starts today! I was invited to a preview of the Holiday 2009 Collection of Philosophy, which highlights the cozy Christmas spirit. The event took place in Enderun College , inside a room that was filled with delicious scents of baked goodies. We were surprised to find out that we were going to take part in a cupcake decorating session featuring Sonja’s cupcakes. The theme coincided with Philosophy’s warm and toasty celebration of the holidays—complete with shower gels and body scrubs smelling of sweet cakes, frosting, and gingerbread.

Dynamic duo: The Recipe Box

My favorites: The Recipe Box, two classic recipe shower gels snuggled up in a cozy recipe box. Not only do the shower gels have a sumptuous scent, I can fulfill my Christmas resolution is to channel Nigella Lawson. The box, you see, is meant to be reused as a kitchen recipe container. I can start by storing kitchen recipes in here. In fact, two recipes are already included—mine is of a Red Velvet Cake and Sweet Creamy Frosting. Yum! The Gingerbread Man is another favorite because this scented hot salt body scrub smells deeeelicious! It’s also perfect for pre-shaving or pre-self-tanning use.

Beauty Bar’s Chie Gatchalian hosted the intimate party and proposed a cupcake decorating contest, with Philosophy’s Holiday 2009 as our theme. I was grouped with Rorie Carlos, Town and Country fashion and beauty director; Joanna Manalastas, Spot.ph managing editor, and Betty Tianco, Female Network and Shop Crazy managing editor. Our cupcake designs were judged by no less than Sonja Ocampo herself, the genius behind Sonja’s Cupcakes. Guess whose group won best prize?

Sweet victory: Rorie Carlos, myself, Joanna Manalastas, and Betty Tianco pose with our winning cupcakes

Philosophy Holiday Collection 2009 starts at P995, available at Beauty Bar. Photographs courtesy of Philosophy and Beauty Bar

My favorite wedding of 2009

I had the privilege of doing the makeup of my dear, dear friend Lissa Lesaca-Moti on her wedding day early this year. Lissa showed up for her makeup trial with camera on hand to capture her look in all angles, and took pictures flash and without (to ensure that her foundation matched her perfectly). She took note of how long the makeup stayed and if there were any reactions with her skin—texting me throughout the day for up-to-the-minute report. Unlike other brides, however, she didn’t bring any photos of the look she wanted. Instead, she fully trusted me to give her the look which would fit her. Thank you, Lissa for this wonderful chance to work with you!

Check out the behind the scenes photos of Lissa’s bridal glow. (Photography courtesy of Mimi and Karl of Fotogra Weddings).

I don’t remember what I was laughing at. I think I was amused at how fidgety Lissa was.

Filling in the bride’s brows. Hairstylist Ney Guese set Lissa’s locks in big curls for va-va-voom volume.

Makeup artists ask their models to smile in order to locate the cheekbones. I had it easy with Lissa. She was all smiles!

The bride’s hair and makeup team. Ney and I pose beside Lissa in her Muslim-inspired wedding gown (made by my lovely sister Michi Calica-Sotto).

Ready for her close-up! We share one last hug before Lissa marches off into the sunset with her groom, Acmad Moti.

Yet another Pink thing

As I survey my apartment, through my bag, workout wardrobe, even my underwear drawer, I realize that I have a lot of pink things. Which is why it wasn’t difficult for me to find a pink thing to wear to last week’s Estée Lauder’s Health and Wellness Weekend.

Cool tool kit: My Japonesque Manicure Set is the perfect emergency kit for makeup jobs

Right now I’m loving the Japonesque Manicure set (P1,600, Beauty Bar) a cute little hard case that houses a pair of tweezers, nail clipper, nail nippers, nail & cuticle scissors, combination nail file, nail grooming tool, and nail scoop. I put this set to the test with my manicurist, who was pretty impressed with the features of all the nail tools. In between mani and pedis, I’ve made it a habit to use these gizmos to nip, clip, and upkeep my digits. The very first time I brought this to a magazine makeup job, it addressed all the talents’ needs: the female model’s ungroomed brows, to the male model’s unkempt arches, and the child model’s unclipped finger nails.

Precise. Pretty. Practical. Pink. Perfect.

Estée Lauder: Beautiful inside and out

I’ve been having a hard time finding the drive to blog about anything lately, what with the tragedy brought about by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Mentioning anything about makeup or skincare in the middle of this turmoil didn’t feel right.

Time to wear pink! Estée Lauder celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

But my hope in beauty was quickly restored when I came across Estée Lauder’s Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. The Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) campaign started in 1992 by Evelyn H. Lauder and SELF Magazine’s then editor-in-chief Alexandra Penney, when the two launched the Pink Ribbon, now known worldwide as the symbol of breast health. The campaigns have raised millions in educating women that early detection can help fight breast cancer.

Happy to support: Estée Lauder Group of Companies Ina Casas, Gay Lao, myself (representing Women’s Health and The Beauty Coach), OK Magazine’s Frances Amper and Kristine Ching, and Estée Lauder’s big boss Mel Lerma

Here in the Philippines, the Estée Lauder Group of Companies (comprised ofEstée Lauder, Aramis Fragrances, La Mer, Bobbi Brown and Clinique) take part in the BCA by holding a Health and Wellness Weekend at the Fifth Level of Rustan’s Makati. I attended this event-packed gathering last Friday, together with breast cancer survivors and members of the icanserve foundation. All of us attendees excitedly lined up at the different booths sponsored by the companies mentioned above.

Tired eyes be gone! My eyes got some pampering courtesy of La Mer

I had a soothing eye massage from the La Merbooth and still wanted to get my skin analyzed at the Estée Lauder booth, as well as skin treat from Clinique, find a fragrance that fit me at Aramis Designer Fragrances, and a makeover from Bobbi Brown, but it was time for the Iyengar Yoga session held by Rina Ortiz.

If you want to take part in this packed event, it’s not too late. Today is the last day of the Health and Wellness event (click here for a schedule of today’s events). Explore the pinkribbon.com.ph website and see how you can take home special treats from today’s event, while supporting the cause of breast cancer awareness. Now that’s what I call good news.

Photos by Wacky Gochoco, courtesy of Estée Lauder Group of Companies

I followed Sarah Jessica Parker’s advice

SJP says: In a pinch, use a toilet seat cover to blot unwanted shine. Photo courtesy of www.accidentalsexiness.com

In my effort to pack light for my European holiday, I pared down my makeup kit to the following necessities: Physician’s Formula Mineral Powder Foundation, Bloom Lipgloss, Shu Uemura Liquid Concealer, Za Brow Pencil, and Clarins Blush. I housed these beauty products in a smaller makeup kit, which neatly fit in my carryall.

Then on the plane I realized I left my trusty oil blotters. Fearing that my skin would experience an oil spill at the first sign of heat, I marched to the airplane toilet and allowed the spirit of MacGyver to take over. I looked around the rest room and found my salvation stuck on the bathroom wall.

Toilet seat humor: it may sound funny, but this actually works!

I remember flipping through Hollywood’s Black Book of Secrets (which is quickly becoming a favorite, as you will note in my past entry on Getting Fully Landscaped), on celebrity beauty tips, and came across SJP’s quick solution: use a toilet seat cover to rid your face of unwanted oil. I pulled a sheet out and kept it in my bag (neatly folded, of course!), ready for use should the need arise. When I landed in Oslo, the weather was cold and dry. The next four countries I visited were humid-free, so I didn’t need to use Carrie Bradshaw’s beauty secret. So there, it remained a secret in my bag, until one month later when I was back home. The weather was humid and sticky, and my skin was begging for some blotting, so I pulled out the seat cover (I tore just a small piece—heaven forbid I take out the entire piece of paper in public!) and pressed it against my skin. The oil quickly disappeared and my face was free of shine. Toilet seat covers aren’t popular here in Manila, and oil blotters are cheap, but if you find yourself in a predicament like mine, at least you know that the stuff really does work.

Welcome, MAC!

Beauty junkie's paradise: MAC is finally open!

This morning, MAC opened its doors at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell. Loyal users of this Canadian brand can now get their tubes of lipglass, palettes of eyeshadow, pots of concealer, sticks of bronzers, and other show-stopping makeup—all under one roof. ”We’re thrilled to open our first MAC free standing store. This is a new generation store designed to maximize the customer’s experience,” says Gay Lao, MAC’s sales and marketing manager.

That's me rubbing elbows (well, hips) with Gay Lao, MAC's sales and marketing manager

Another reason to stop by the store is MAC’s latest collection—a showcase of three artists: painter Richard Phillips, illustrator Maira Kalman, and photographer Marilyn Minter. All three provided inspiration for the brand’s latest shades and offerings: a mix of bright, vivid colors and dark, rich hues. I managed to browse through the store this morning but will go back another day (er, actually, tomorrow).

The new MAC store is located at 105b G/F, Lifestyle Wing, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati. Tel # 898-2045

Pass the sugar, pore favor!

Sticky and sweet: I loved the exfoliating power of sugar! Photo courtesty of http://www.bbcgoodfood.com

Mary Poppins knew what she was thinking when she said a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down…in the most delightful way. In my case, it helped me get rid of the dry film of skin that has formed as a result of traveling to much cooler climates. Over the past week I have been visiting family and friends in Holland and Norway, and the change in temperature has taken a toll on my skin. I forgot my trusty facial scrub(s—I have five bottles sitting in my shower rack!), and with the Euro/Norwegian Krone to Peso conversion, I saw it pointless to spend on a 6th bottle. So I decided to go the natural way and get some sugar from the kitchen of my Norwegian hosts Lars and Marie Cecile. I mixed  in two teaspoons with my regular Sekkisei facial cleanser and worked up a thick consistency and massaged it all over my face for about a minute. I pat it try and put on my trusty La Mer The Tonic and Crème de la Mer (Sandra you are a life saver!) and proceeded to get some beauty sleep. I woke up this morning with ultra soft skin. The flakes and rough patches from the day before disappeared, and my clogged pores have been cleaned out. Sweet revenge, I say.