Fashion News: Dorothy Perkins Launch Autumn-Winter Collection

Let me just say how happy I am that Dorothy Perkins nudged me about their new Autumn-Winter collection. So far, I only got a bag but I'm saving up for the other pieces. Here's their official statement:

For Autumn/Winter 2012 Dorothy Perkins offers great key fashion pieces, that will ensure you can create the most flattering and easy to wear looks.

Rock Luxe; is glam with an edge. Leather looks, fur, chiffon, brocade and shimmer are key. A palette of black, winter white and saturated darks and metallics keep this collection dramatic.

Charlie Girl; is a casual heritage trend that mixes tweed and denim with printed silky satins in blush, cream and chocolate shades. Animal motifs from birds to horses keep the collection fun and playful.

Mademoiselle; epitomises Parisian chic and is elegant with cute details. Nude tones are set against black, while texture can be found in faux fur, bouclé and chiffon. The ultimate new season silhouettes are prom, lampshade and peplum.

Whether you are after that “must have” coat or essential winter boot, there are three great collections to kick start the new season.

Robinsons Specialty Stores, Inc. (RSSI) is the exclusive franchisee of Dorothy Perkins in the Philippines. Get the latest Spring-Summer Collection 2012 at Dorothy Perkins stores located at Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Power Plant Mall, Glorietta 3, TriNoma, Eastwood Mall, The Podium, SM Mall of Asia and Abreeza Mall, Davao.

And here are my personal favorites:

Yes, I am basic-black-and-white like that. How about you? :)

When Bored, Moisturize

I always tell my friends this: aside from not using sunblock, the worst thing that you can do to your skin is to NOT moisturize. And I mean everyday.

Know for a fact that soap is made of harsh chemicals (yes, no matter how "gentle" they claim to be) because they're meant to clean. Just like detergents. That is why everytime we use soap, we strip off layers of moisture from our skin. Yes, even the natural ones. ESPECIALLY the natural ones. 

That is why one has to work double time to retain moisture and to keep one's skin looking young and blooming.

Here are tips:

1. Use lotion with at least SPF 20 in the daytime. And use hydrating lotion for nighttime. (Same rule applies to face creams.) When we sleep, that's the time when our skin cells rejuvenate and recover so it's best to cheer them on with a moisture boost from a hydrating lotion. Trust me, make it a daily habit and one week you'll see awesome results.

2. Use hand cream. I know I've already nagged you into using hand creams through THIS BLOG ENTRY, but I still can't emphasize further. Hand creams are salvation to our hardworking souls.

3. Use a dollop for your skin. Never, ever scrimp on moisturization. If you only apply a little for the sake of "moisturization", it will only evaporate faster than a Kardashian marriage and will be deemed useless. See, lotion only works best if you use it generously. That's how the actual nutrients seep through our multi-layered dermis and eventually, reveal a healthy exposure.

4. Moisturize everything. A lot of people think that the only parts worth moisturizing are the parts that are always exposed (arms, legs) but seriously, it's always better if everything is even. Think about your naked self...in daytime. Moisturize your neck, the back of your knees, your elbows, your tummy and your chests. Everything. 

5. When bored, moisturize.

Here is my trustworthy army of moisturization:

For nighttime moisturization, Watsons Rosefairy hydrating lotion. Super hydrating, and you'll smell like a wedding afterwards. 

Left: Avon Silicone Glove protective hand cream - daytime use. To the right, Watsons Olive Hazel hand cream for nighttime use. It has a thicker consistency than the daytime one and it smells nice too!

The Nivea Express Hydration lotion is my daytime lotion. I doesn't have SPF so I mix it with sunblock. Makes for a better consistency too because this one is more liquid-ey. Sunblocks have richer, thicker consistency in comparison, so it's the perfect duo.

For nights out, I use Victoria's Secret Shimmer lotion. Smells as great as first love and leaves a veil of shimmer on your skin. Get ready to party!

Insomnia never occurred to me but for nights when I need to feel like I'm sleeping in a spa, I pop out my scented candles and apply this all over. This Spa Essentials Body lotion has a relaxing peppermint-may chang-lemongrass scent that makes you think of all the vacations you should have had. Got this for a little over P100 at Watsons too.

THE  BEST PART? THIS ARMY IS REALLY AFFORDABLE. CHECK THEM OUT.

Care to tell me your favorite lotion/ moisturizer? Come on, don't be selfish. Moisturized skin is a basic human right.

Best Beauty Tips: How to Have Gorgeous hands

Even if you have a wrinkle-free face and firm skin around your neck, there is another body part that (almost) never lies about our real age: the hands.

You know what they say: that if someone is stressed, overworked or (worse!) poor, one will have ugly, coarse hands. But seriously, you can be all three and still have gorgeous hands! Here are some beauty tips on how I keep mine from telling the truth:

1. If your job/ pastime entails typing for more than 2 hours a day, and with the massive texting that we Filipinos are used to, rest your hands for a little while before you wash them. This is done so that your nerves are more relaxed, so the veins won't be "shocked" by the coolness of water. If you're washing with warm water, then it's fine. 

2. Scrub your hands at least once a week. You have probably heard it from beauty gurus all over the world: always exfoliate. Slough off dead skin by using a body scrub, salt scrub or loofah. Once a week will do. This is done so that the younger, fresher skin underneath will surface more evenly. That way, you'll have smoother hands too!

3. Moisturize EVERYDAY. It is a mortal sin to not moisturize your skin everyday, and an even bigger one to make up excuses for not doing so. Before you head out for school or work, put lotion on them and make sure every millimeter is covered. What's even better, use a protective hand cream. I am currently loving Avon's Silicone Hands Hand Cream. At night, for the time when our skin rejuvenates, boost moisture and softness by using a nighttime hand cream. I use Watson's Overnight Repair Hand Cream. Both hand creams cost less than P200 only. What a steal!

4. Apply it right. When you apply hand cream or lotion to your hands, massage lightly and make sure the entire area is covered. Use a vertical motion when applying to your individual fingers, and stretch your hands to mold them into that coveted candle-like shape. 

Remember those 4 tips and keep in mind that doing those religiously are the ONLY WAYS to rock that manicure right...or enchant whoever it is you wanna hold hands with! :-)

Nail Bar Review: Nail-a-holics

Nail-a-holics SM Branch Rating: 5.5/10

Yesterday, I went on a Sundate with my bessie, Pamela. There are just times when I think that she's all I have in the world. Anyway, it wasn't really one of those days...those days are for breakups and heartaches. That day, we just wanted to catch up on each other's lives.

We went to SM, had a hearty lunch at Piyesta and then walked around SM for a while. We talked about how an Ipad will make our lives complete and how we must have one before our birthdays. In between muted sighs,  I looked down at my feet and saw that they needed serious pampering.

Whenever I needed to be pampered, I always go to upscale spas and salons. I know they're charging me a hefty amount for a service that costs very little...although the value of these services are high. I just want to feel REALLY pampered and luxurious, that's why! :-) So I went to Nail-a-holics and had my first pedicure there.

They had a lovely beach theme that sets your mood to a peaceful, vacation state right after you go inside. There were plush, bright blue seats, and cabanas. Pam found it especially adorable that even though she was just there to accompany me, she ended up getting a manicure herself. 100 points for set-up.

Even though the prices were a little steep (cheapest pedicure is P220), the service wasn't up to par with  my expectations. For one, the nail attendant commented how I should get a leg wax because my skin at my lower leg was stubby. I usually wax, you know, but when I'm in a hurry, of course I'd just shave. I knew she was just trying to sell me another service but she sounded offensive with the tone that she used. Moreover, as Pam and I were talking, she made comments and acted as if she was an actual part of the conversation. Sometimes this is adorable but it just wasn't, for her. Lastly, I didn't want to pay an extra P40 for Orly so when I asked if it was only Orly that we needed to pay the extra P40 for, and they agreed, I picked the non-Orly polish. I mean, I'm going to change the color in a week anyway. Orly or no orly. When I got to the counter, they charged me the extra P40. I asked them why. They said, I picked a "premium polish" anyway. God, if that wasn't deception, what was it? That was the part when I felt a little iffy and so the entire experience was ruined. What's more, they didn't even offer a drink or a magazine. They waited for me to ask them to bring me a magazine...and no, no drinks.

One last thing: I expected them to have a credit/debit card machine since they're in a mall. And most of the treatments cost more than P50 anyway!

Anyway, I had an eyelash perm a few months ago at Nail-a-holics Abreeza and my experience was good. Now I know where to go for my next (pricey) pedicure. IF I ever decide to have one again. I mean, there are other salons that go for just half the price and the service, really good. Examples include Pink and Gold Salon, Hair Zone and Harold's.You can find them at my salon directory. Ta ta! :-)

PS 24 hours after pedicure and the color faded already. Boo.

Eat Your Way to Healthier Hair

(pic from healthcare365days.com)

You learned from grade school that all parts of your body are interconnected. You also learned from grade school that you are what you eat. When you combine these two foundations of your learning, you’ll deduce the idea that your diet essentially affects other parts of your body. It’s no surprise that what you eat affects your physique and looks. However, one of the most neglected facts about your diet is how it affects your hair. It is because of excessive hair care products on the market that people already forget the importance of supporting your hair with vitamins and nutrients essential for its condition.

You’d never realize this, up until reading this article, that natural antioxidants do wonders for your hair. Vitamins A, C and E are natural antioxidants that do not only support your daily bodily functions, but also great looking hair. Vitamin A and E are natural scalp-maintenance vitamins which in effect enhance the beauty of your hair. Vitamin A aids in the production of sebum in the scalp which is the natural oil that your hair needs in order to keep it looking naturally great. Vitamin E on the other hand helps scalp circulation for a healthier scalp which allows it for more conducive hair growth. Vitamin C, on the other hand, aids in the growth of naturally strong and thick strands of hair.

There are also nutrients that can aid you with your current hair problems. Biotin is a nutrient that you can get from protein-rich food which aids in the production of protein and keratin. If you supply enough of the recommended amount on a daily basis, this helps you in preventing hair loss and your hair from turning gray. The same effect can be reached with Vitamin B5 & B12. On the other hand, Inositol is a nutrient that you hair needs in order to maintain hair follicles in the best condition that they can be. The reason behind this is that this nutrients aids with hair growth on a cellular level for better-looking, and better-growing hair.

Lastly, maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating well, exercising daily, getting the right amount of fluids and sleep in your system can induce the best conditions for hair growth. Not only are you more oxygenated by doing all those things, it helps your system process all the vitamins and nutrients that it can. In the process, you hair also gets the best treatment it can get in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Bloom Facial and Spa Opens 2nd Branch in Davao

Bloom Proprietress Golda cuts the ribbon with DOT Regional Director Art Boncato and Former Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta.

With 7 years and counting, Bloom Facial and Spa remains at the top tier of the fastest-rising, homegrown brands in facial, slimming and spa services here in Davao city. Their pilot branch, located at Iron Horse, Rizal street, Davao city, started out with only a few services but now they’re on to 30!

Just last April 9, 2012, Bloom Facial and Spa conquered another business milestone by opening their second branch in the city. It is located at Jetti Business Center, Lanang, Davao city, across the new SM Mall. They offer the same line of services as their main branch except for the Radio Frequency (RF) and the Cavitation slimming treatments, with the machines still on their way from overseas.

The proprietress, Ms. Golda Divinagracia, said that she finally decided to open a branch up North because she has one loyal customer who told her that the commute was quite a hassle (she lives somewhere in the Lanang-Sasa area). This customer also promised to bring all her amigas there if the plan actually came to fruition. Ms. Golda thought about this and scouted for places near her salon in the same area. Luckily, there was an open spot just a few meters away from the salon and she decided to open the spa there. Being a self-confessed metikulosa, she admits that the most challenging part of her opening her 2^nd branch is the fact that she has to do everything alone---from the machine orders, handpicking of the furniture pieces and the determination of the opening event menu.

Ms. Golda is one of the most renowned names in the field of beauty and wellness here in Davao city. In fact, she is constantly being invited to deliver inspirational messages for the youth and is a mainstay judge in a couple of pageants. Her faith for this industry is high and that’s what’s keeping her inspired in delivering the best facial, slimming and spa services at the best prices possible, to keep Davao city look “as blooming as possible”.

Bloom Facial and Spa is looking at more business expansion for the rest of the year. More power to Bloom and to you, Miss Golda!

The newly opened Bloom Facial and Spa branch is located at Jetti Business Center, Lanang, Davao city, across SM Lanang.The opening event was organized by PREP (PR, Events and Promotions).

Hair Care Tip: Care for Your Permed Hair

After the perming process, wait for at least 72 hours before you wash your hair. This is to ensure that the medicine used for your hair will have enough time to work its wonders before getting interrupted by shampoo.

NEVER EVER comb your curls. After washing your hair, just pat it dry and then let it air dry. Style it later using your fingers when it's totally dry. You will lose your curls sooner if you keep on combing your hair.

Use extra moisturizing/ conditioning products for your hair. If you ask me, I heart L'oreal's Re-nutrition range. Moreover, if you find curl enhancing products on the store, buy them and use them instead of the generic ones. I used L'oreal Re-nutrition for my hair before I found Suave's Curl Enhancing conditioner on the Gaisano mall's grocery store. I still use a L'oreal shampoo, though. :)

After shampooing and conditioning, squeeze the water out and towel dry your curls softly. Work upwards by "crumpling" your curls using the towel so you're sure they're dried at the right direction. Avoid rubbing the towel all over your scalp and hair as this disrupts the arrangement of your curls.

Usually, permed hair ends up drier than usual. (Or versus rebonded hair.) Make up for it by indulging in a weekly deep conditioning/ repair treatment. I am currently loving Watsons Hair Spa and L'oreal's Total Repair 5 treatment mask. This must be done regularly to maintain shine and manageability.

Here's a picture of my permed hair 6 months after going through the process:

Here's another one, a year after the treatment:

See how proper care pays off? :-)