How busy are you? Would you agree that with our many responsibilities, we tend to forget giving ourselves some much-needed TLC? Unfortunately, by wanting to accomplish as much as possible, we end up spreading ourselves too thin, which takes a toll on our overall wellbeing.

It’s time to revitalize our youthful vigor and bring back the vitality we need to live life to the fullest! To help us get back on track, Watsons launches the Time to Renew campaign so we could more easily restore our beauty and recharge our health.

Ruffa Gutierrez and Iza Calzado

This campaign focuses on three things that people often set aside when running on tight schedules:

• Restore beauty for proper skin care

• Revitalize hair to bring life back to dull tresses

• Recharge health for a more energized and healthier body

In case you still don’t know, busy schedules leading to poor sleeping habits not only affect the mood but also result in dull skin, making it prone to blemishes, dryness, acne, or oiliness. Combat these with helpful products you can find at Watsons: Pond’s, Olay, L’Oreal, Belo, Celeteque, Neutrogena, Snow, St. Ive’s, Suave, Bellic, Glutamax, Shulammite soap, Cosmo Skin, and Nivea Men crème.

More than the skin, however, we also have to protect our hair. Simply shampooing and conditioning are not enough to prevent greasiness/dryness, hair fall, or graying. Hair needs intensive protection from the sun and heat styling products. So, make it a point to revitalize your hair with products like Tresseme, L’Oreal, Dove, and Moringa.

As to recharging health to achieve a 100% you, make sure to mind your eating and exercise habits because skipping them lead to lack of energy and nutrition. Supplement a healthier life and get in tip-top shape with Watson’s healthy solutions such as Cosmo Cee, Poten-Cee, Met Tathione, IVI Collagen, Myra E, Stresstabs, Belo Glutathione, Snow Caps, and Kilo-off.

During the recent campaign launch in Podium, celebrities Iza Calzado, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Alice Dixson shared their beauty secrets using helpful products available at Watsons. Like them, you can restore your beauty and recharge your health while also enjoying big discounts and great deals at Watsons stores and the SM Store Beauty Section. 

In addition, get a chance to win revitalizing packages when you use your SM Advantage Card, BDO Rewards, or PriMo Card when shopping. Every P500 single-receipt purchase of any participating product entitles shoppers to one raffle entry.

There will be 35 winners of Spa Pampering Packages at The Spa; 10 winners of Full-Year Gym memberships at Fitness First, and 10 winners of Overnight Weekend Wellness Packages at The Farm at San Benito resort.

If you’re not yet an SMAC member, make sure to join now because the “Members Get More” program (read my other blog post about it, here) makes shopping more rewarding than ever before. 

Definitely, it’s Time to Renew at Watsons as well as time to get MORE POINTS, MORE SAVINGS, and MORE VALUE! Visit the store nearest you, now!

I’ve been shopping at Althea Korea since January 2016 and I am always a happy customer each time I receive my pretty box of purchases. Althea is my go-to website when I want to replenish or try new Korean beauty products. It gives me peace of mind knowing I am buying guaranteed authentic items from a reliable source.

Thus, I am very glad to find out that Althea is launching its own product range starting with the Petal Velvet Powder. The pretty pink packaging contains a translucent powder that you can use to set your makeup, leaving behind a silky finish. 

Since the powder is infused with oil from Althea seeds, sebum production is kept at bay without drying out the skin. The result is a radiant, fresh look! Plus, I love its gentle flowery scent and the fact that it’s made using natural and cruelty-free ingredients.

If you are looking for a lightweight setting powder that will keep your makeup looking great all day, try Althea’s Petal Velvet Powder. It is compact enough to carry, even if you have a small bag, and bring along wherever you go so you can dust some on and stay shine-free.

This Petal Velvet Powder weighs only 3g and can be used by all skin types. Simply use a brush or the provided puff and gently sweep onto your skin. If you’re not prone to sneezing, you may also want to inhale the nice scent to instantly boost your mood :)

Inspired by Korean Althea petals, I love how this powder is described “like a flower’s gentle petals dancing on the skin.” The price? It’s Php 210 and is available via http://ph.althea.kr/petal-velvet-powder. Avail of free shipping when you buy items worth Php999 and up.  

Stay confident and beautiful, ladies! 💕

When it comes to the art of applying makeup, I'd be the first to admit that I still have a lot to learn about this craft. But, as a female who has always been fascinated by "girly stuff" and who's very open to trying new things, I do enjoy learning beauty tricks any chance I get.

I think it was just a year or two ago when I started hearing people describing makeup that helps skin look "lit from within." Apparently, there are products that allows one's complexion to look dewy / radiant / glowing and that they only used to be makeup professionals' best kept secrets.    

Nowadays, it's easy to personally try out illuminating and highlighting products because they've been made accessible online. My curiosity to see which products would best suit my skin tone (and if they'd be easy to use by a non-pro) led me to SEPHORA, a globally trusted name that revolutionized the beauty-retail concept.

I am glad that Sephora Philippines has made it possible for Filipinas to be up-to-date on the latest beauty trends by allowing us to purchase products that can be shipped directly to our homes. Here's sharing my highlighter and illuminator finds from Sephora.ph:

1) Sleek Makeup Face Form 20g (P737.00) - This features a contour powder, highlighter, and bronzer. I chose the Light variant because I usually go for a subtle, instead of a dramatic, look. Since they come in powder form, the shades are easier to apply using brushes.

2) Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl (P1800.00) - The product description says one can achieve a sheer appearance with this highlighter with its light-reflecting pigments that help create a lustrous radiance. I love its soft golden-pink shade and wonderful raspberry scent! It's also great to know that with the help of botanicals, my skin will look firmer and smoother with regular use. Girl Meets Pearl has moisturizing sesame seed oil as well as raspberry, chamomile, and sweet almond seed extracts to improve skin elasticity. 

3) BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Prismatic Amethyst (Limited Edition) 7g (P1943.00) - I've read glowing reviews about this product and was intrigued by the description of it being "a creamy, highlighting powder with duo-chrome pigments that capture the light and transform with your every move." 

The product description further adds that this is enriched with color-shifting pigments that reflect and refract light for a multi-faceted, holographic effect and that it's infused with pale gold, violet, and rose pearls. Since its formula blends pigments with liquids, it is able to create an unparalleled creamy feel that applies seamlessly, feels silky on the skin, and never cakes.

With a very pretty packaging, I found this BECCA product impressive but a bit intimidating to use because I was worried about applying too much on my face and looking excessively shimmery for comfort. I'll give myself a few more tries to find the balance I'm aiming for :)

4) Sephora Collection Wonderful Cushion Luminizer (P677.00) - I chose to buy this because I haven't tried using a product yet with a built-in cushion applicator that is said to spread the formula in an ultra-even way through gentle dabbing. I've yet to try opening the tube though so I'll update this part of my writeup in the next few days. I am excited to use it because the unique champagne shade promises to meet the needs of all skin types and tones.

For now, I highly encourage makeup aficionados reading this to explore Sephora.ph and check out the highlighter and illuminator makeup on the site. They have a varied collection and carries different international brands that will help you find the perfect glow with #AllTheRightLights.  

By the way, Sephora.ph offers FREE SHIPPING for orders P1300 and up! Plus, you'll get to choose some free samples depending on the products you buy. I got two! :)

Having healthy skin is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. It takes away the worries, stress, and expenses of treating a lot of skin conditions that are easily prevented with proper care. This 2017, Galderma proudly celebrates Cetaphil's 70th year of helping people have healthy skin through its dermatologically formulated skincare range that is clinically proven to strengthen and protect even the most sensitive skin. 

celebratory toast (from left) event host Suzi Abrera, Jade Ponoc, Raghavendra Sadashiva, and Cathy Dilanco

"We are very glad to be one of the biggest names in skin care in the Philippines," said Galderma General Manager Raghavendra Sadashiva during the 70th year celebrations held at Makati Shangri-La. "We are proud to carry the same formula created by a pioneering Texas pharmacist in 1947. Right now, one bottle of Cetaphil is sold every minute across the globe!"

Presently, Cetaphil is available in more than 70 countries worldwide and offers a wide range of everyday products from cleansers, moisturizers, sun protection to baby products and solutions for sensitive skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea. Since it is specifically formulated to provide effective skincare for a variety of skin types and conditions, Cetaphil is highly recommended by dermatologists and other healthcare professionals across the world. 

"Maintaining healthy skin completes the healthy lifestyle goals," affirmed Jade Silva-Netto Ponoc, Consumer Business Unit Head, who promised that Galderma is committed to conducting more innovative and groundbreaking research.

Catherine Palma-Dilanco, Cetaphil Senior Brand Manager, described, "Cetaphil has consistently delivered its promise for 70 years. Its cleansers have pH5.5, making them gentler than water, which has pH6-6.5. Cetaphil also has the most powerful moisturizer that provides skin with 24 hours moisturization." Cetaphil Baby, in addition, also provides a tear-free bath time for babies and their mommies.

Cetaphil endorsers, the beautiful family of Edric and Joy Mendoza, acknowledged how they love Cetaphil's products because there are variants for each of their skin needs. "We represent the average family because we're not celebrities, so we're relatable," reasoned Joy. 

If you're wondering about the brand name's origin, 'Cet' comes from cetyl, the fatty alcohol that is used as an emollient, while 'phil' means love. Thus, Cetaphil basically means the love of softening and soothing skin. 

"With its gentle and clinically proven formulas, Cetaphil reinforces and protects the structure of the skin - even in people with the most sensitive and delicate skin," explained Dr. Eszter Baltas, a dermatologist who contributed to developing Cetaphil products and now Associate Professor at the Department of Dermatoloy and Allergology in Szeged, Hungary. "Thanks to its long heritage, based on in-depth understanding of dermatology, Cetaphil offers reliable, scientifically-tested solutions."

Neil Popplewell, Nestle Skin Health's VP for Consumer Business, pointed out that Cetaphil has been used by people with sensitive skin for more than three generations. "Over the last 70 years, we have worked closely with medical experts to better understand people's skin needs. This has allowed us to provide different solutions adapted to these needs, and to make the Cetaphil range what it is today."

He further illustrated that like regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, maintaining healthy skin is essential for one's overall wellbeing thus Cetaphil completes one's health routine. "We will continue to develop the brand and make it more accessible to consumers worldwide. We look forward to the next 70 years."

As Dr. Baltas concluded, "When you choose Cetaphil, you're choosing the best for your skin."   

It's very common nowadays to see a rainbow of hair colors among a crowd of people. And why not? For many individuals, coloring their hair is one way to stand out or express their uniqueness. Some, on the other hand, go for beautiful hairstyles that make people look their way twice.

The good news is, whatever your hair goals are, Watsons Philippines has got your covered! Gone are the days when you have to go to a salon just to have your hair colored. Now, there are DIY kits that makes it possible to color one's hair at home. Last Christmas, I gave my mom a couple of boxes and she's happy to save a lot on hairdresser fees. The bottom line is to make sure you get the right products for coloring your hair and for maintaining its health afterwards.

However, hair color is not the only way to achieve hair goals. There are now a lot of trendy hair fixing styles that both men and women can experiment with. From a high pony and a deep side part to a short messy shag, undone waves, and messy braids, anybody would definitely find something that would help enhance their features.

Yesterday, Watsons held an event at the SM Mall of Asia Activity Center to encourage shoppers to go out of their hair comfort zones by discovering different hair colors and hair style trends. #Hairgoals aim to introduce a whole new world of color and style options / alternatives through the vast spread of hair products available in-store.

During the event, guests were given a chance to try out new hairstyles and colors at various booths to help each individual uncover a more gorgeous version of themselves by simply doing a few tweaks to how their hair looks. Hair color was provided by L'oreal, Revlon, Kolours, Bigen, Beautylabo, Lolane, Liese, and Revia; styling tools and products were covered by JML, W. Elite, Babybliss, VS Sassoon, Tresemme, Aquanet, Finesse, and Suave; and hair products were taken cared of by Dove, Pantene, and Creamsilk.

If you don't live in Metro Manila, worry not because a Watsons Color Your Hair Day Sale will be happening nationwide! The one-day sale on all hair color products would give shoppers 50% off on many brands. Mark this in your calendar and make sure to visit any Watsons store or the SM Beauty Section on May 27, 2017!

Plus, if you're an SM Advantage Card member, you can go from trendsetter to jetsetter because every P500 single-receipt purchase of participating products entitles an SMAC member to one e-raffle entry that can win you a trip to Bali, Guam, or Sydney as well as snag a free iPhone 7 or an iPad Pro!

In case you're wondering, I honestly haven't attempted to have my locks altered yet as I feel I won't have the luxury of time to properly maintain a healthy colored mane. But, I do plan to start coloring mine when my silver strands start to show more prominently. Until then, I'm content to admire my more daring friends' hairstyle adventures ;-)