L’Oreal to drop words such as ‘whitening’ from skin products

LONDON —L'Oreal, the world's biggest cosmetics company, will remove words referencing "white", "fair" and "light" from its skin-evening products, a spokeswoman said on Friday, a day after Unilever made a similar announcement in the face of growing social media criticism.

Unilever and L'Oreal are two big players in the global market for skin whitening creams used in many Asian, African and Caribbean countries where fair skin is often considered desirable.

Unilever, in particular, came under fire for its "Fair & Lovely" brand at a time of worldwide focus on racial injustice following weeks of protests sparked by the May death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody in the United States.

L'Oreal's products include Garnier Skin Naturals White Complete Multi Action Fairness Cream.

"The L'Oreal Group has decided to remove the words white/whitening, fair/fairness, light/lightening from all its skin evening products," the company said in a statement.

L'Oreal's announcement follows Thursday's decision by the Indian and Bangladeshi arms of Unilever to rename their locally marketed "Fair & Lovely" skin-lightening cream for the same reason.

Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever — which reportedly raked in some $500 million in revenue from the product in India last year — said it would stop using the word "Fair" in the name as the brand was "committed to celebrating all skin tones".

Several companies, including L'Oreal, have been criticized recently for skin-lightening products after the global rise of the Black Lives Matter movement following the police killing in the US of African-American George Floyd last month.

Johnson & Johnson said last week it would stop selling some Neutrogena and Clean & Clear products, advertised as dark-spot reducers in Asia and the Middle East.

Several American groups have said they would to change their visual identity, such as Mars, which says it plans to develop its famous Uncle Ben's brand, which uses a caricature of an African American as its logo. 

-reuters— 

With a report from Agence France-Presse

Japan's Shiseido launches local unit to grow market reach in PH

MANILA - Japanese personal care company Shiseido cemented its operations in the Philippines with the launch of its local arm in a bid to expand market reach, one of its officials said on Thursday. 

The company, which has less than 10-percent market share here with 27 stand-alone stores operated through Singapore-based Luxasia and local firm SSI Group, expects to see "double-digit" growth with the launch of its local unit, Shiseido Philippines managing director Koji Nakata said.

"At this point, we don't have a significant market share in the Philippines so one of our objectives of launching the company is to accelerate the business and expand our market share in the country," he said. 

The cosmetics or make-up segment is likely to drive sales in the populous southeast Asian nation, Nakata added.

Along with its popular Shiseido products, the company will also sell its affordable facial care brand "Senka" in a bid to tap a bigger slice of the local market, he said. 

The Japanese firm will partner with Watsons to distribute its products, leveraging the retailer's over 800 branches nationwide, Nakata said. 

The Philippines is among Shiseido's 3 major growth markets in Southeast Asia along with Vietnam and Indonesia, Shiseido Asia Pacific president and CEO Jean-Philippe Charrier said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

South Korean cosmetics firm boss quits over YouTube praising Japan

SEOUL, South Korea - The head of a major South Korean cosmetics firm resigned Sunday after facing heavy backlash for forcing his staff to watch a YouTube video praising Japan during a raging trade war between the two nations.

The clip, played at a monthly meeting of some 700 employees of Kolmar Korea last week, slams President Moon Jae-in's response to Japan's trade regulations and praises Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for "not punching Moon in the face".

The video also refers to Venezuela's crippling economy, where "women are going into prostitution for mere seven dollars", and adds that South Korea is not far from meeting a similar fate.

The incident triggered massive public fury and mounted calls to boycott the company, which supplies dozens of cosmetics brands worldwide.

Yoon Dong-han, chairman of Kolmar Korea, apologized on Sunday for "stirring up trouble" and said he will step down from his post.

"I apologize to the consumers and the Korean people who trusted and loved our products," he said, adding: "I would particularly like to offer my sincere apologies to women."

Seoul and Tokyo are embroiled in a bitter trade and diplomatic dispute over a series of South Korean court rulings ordering Japanese firms to pay for forced labour during Tokyo's colonisation of the peninsula.

The feud has seen Japan impose new export restrictions crucial to South Korean tech giants in July and led to the two neighbours removing each other from their lists of trusted trade partners earlier this month.

South Koreans have launched a widespread boycott of Japanese goods since July, which saw sales of Japanese cars drop more than 30 percent and forced several airlines to suspend routes to their neighbour because of falling demand.

The company issued a separate apology last week saying only part of the video was shown with the intention to train its staff to "have a correct sense of history rather than reacting emotionally".

sh/ind/fox

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Amazon bets on cosmetics with Lady Gaga beauty line

Pop star Lady Gaga on Tuesday announced a line of beauty products exclusively for sale on Amazon in a boost to the online retailer's cosmetics business.

The brand, Haus Laboratories, will launch in September for shoppers in nearly a dozen countries, including the United States, Germany and Japan, Amazon said.

The move underscores how the world's biggest online retailer is increasing competition with traditional cosmetics sellers like Ulta Beauty and Sephora-parent LVMH, which recently launched a beauty brand by singer Rihanna.

Lady Gaga, who shared an Academy Award this year for the original song "Shallow," said Amazon was the right partner because it embraced her message of self-acceptance.

"There are companies that see me and what I stand for and the way that I view the world, and if it's not perfectly in line with what they do ... they'll be like, 'Can you just change half of the equation?'" the singer told publication The Business of Fashion, which reported the news earlier Tuesday. "The answer is no. No deal."

Amazon's push into cosmetics includes a private label skin care brand called Belei.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Rihanna sues dad to keep hands off her Fenty trademark

LOS ANGELES - Rihanna has sued her father for trading on her Fenty brand name and suggesting that a business venture he set up in 2017 is associated with her.

The "Diamonds" singer, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, filed a lawsuit in US federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday accusing Ronald Fenty and 2 business partners of fraud and false advertising over his Fenty Entertainment talent and production company.

The Barbados-born Rihanna, who uses the Fenty trademark to sell cosmetics, lingerie and sneakers, asked the court for an injunction to stop her father using the Fenty name, and an unspecified amount of damages.

The lawsuit said Rihanna had "absolutely no affiliation" with Fenty Entertainment and yet the company was misappropriating her name and misrepresenting itself as being affiliated with her.

In one instance, Fenty Entertainment accepted a 2017 offer by a third party for Rihanna to perform 15 shows in Latin America for $15 million, the lawsuit said. In another, Fenty Entertainment falsely implied that the singer was involved in a boutique hotels project, it added.

The lawsuit said that despite having repeatedly been told they have no authority to use her name, the Fenty trademark or speak on Rihanna's behalf, Ronald Fenty and his business partners had continued to misrepresent an affiliation with her.

Fenty Entertainment could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Lip gloss boss: Kylie Jenner to be youngest self-made billionaire

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Reality TV star Kylie Jenner is on track to become the youngest self-made billionaire in the United States thanks to the booming cosmetics company she launched two years ago, Forbes magazine reported on Wednesday.

Jenner, 20, half-sister of Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, debuted Kylie Cosmetics in 2016 with $29 lip kits containing matching lipstick and lip liner, and has since sold more than $630 million worth of makeup.

Forbes said it valued her company at nearly $800 million and that Jenner owns 100 percent of it.

Adding millions from TV programs, endorsements and after-tax dividends from her company, Forbes said Jenner was “conservatively” worth $900 million. Another year of growth would make her the youngest-self made billionaire ever, male or female, the magazine said.

Jenner first grabbed the spotlight as part of the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” reality TV show with her mother and siblings. Forbes estimated that Kim Kardashian, who has her own cosmetics, clothing and mobile games lines, is worth $350 million.

In an interview with Forbes, Jenner credited social media for helping drive her success.

“Social media is an amazing platform,” she said. “I have such easy access to my fans and my customers.”

Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Tom Brown

source: news.abs-cbn.com

What to expect from Nadine Lustre's makeup line

MANILA – In less than a month, Nadine Lustre will launch her makeup line in collaboration with the Australian brand BYS Cosmetics.

The 12-piece collection is called Lustrous and consists of eyeshadow palettes, bronzers, lip and cheek tints, mascaras, eyebrow pencils, and eyeliners in various shades.

The actress gave a sneak peek of Lustrous via an Instagram Stories post on Tuesday, and has since been re-posted by her fans online.

In an exclusive interview with the local fashion magazine Mega, Lustre described her collection as “makeup for the beach.”

“It’s summer so we wanted a beach-ready makeup collection. Kasi ako, I love going to the beach so I like it when my makeup is waterproof and it doesn’t melt easily, especially with the heat of the sun,” she said. 

“I’m very hands-on with the collection, from the packaging to the colors, the shades of makeup. Talagang it’s all my concept and ideas,” she added.

Lustrous will be available starting April 15.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Plastic surgery booms in China amid new wealth

SHANGHAI - Chen Yan is 35 and fears middle age is upon her, so like all of her friends she sees cosmetic surgery as the solution: time to get a new nose.

Plastic surgery is booming in China, fueled by rising incomes, growing Western influences, and the imperative of looking good on social media.

Some parents are even paying for teenage children to get work done to help their employment prospects.

"We Chinese think that after you've married, given birth to a kid and you’re past 30, they call you a middle-aged woman," said Chen.

"I don’t want to be a middle-aged woman that early."

The shop owner travelled from the central province of Hunan to pay 52,515 yuan ($8,000) in a quest for the perfect nose at Shanghai's private Huamei Medical Cosmetology Hospital.

Spread over four floors and featuring a peaceful convalescent roof garden complete with tea house, the vast majority going under the knife are young women.

It offers an array of options including breast augmentation, ear shaping, bone shaving, pubic-hair transplants and a procedure that promises to reduce armpit odor.

SUMMER RUSH

Stepping inside the hospital is like entering a five-star hotel.

In the immaculate foyer, patients are greeted by bowing hostesses in striped blouses, short black skirts and high heels as soothing music plays. A sign outside entices teachers and students with a 20-percent summer discount.

The surgeon Li Jian says 90 percent of his patients are women aged 16 to 70.

The under-40s want to look more beautiful, the over-40s want to look younger.

The most requested procedures involve removing bulk from the face and body, and nose jobs -- Chinese women typically seek slimmer, more "Western-looking" noses.

This year 14 million Chinese are expected to have cosmetic surgery, a 42 percent surge from last year, according to SoYoung, a popular app on the industry that used data from several sources including international consultancy Deloitte.

Summers are especially busy at the Shanghai clinic because recent university graduates believe better looks lead to better employment prospects, particularly in the entertainment business.

Increasing numbers seek plastic surgery in their teens, although the hospital does not treat those under 16, while 16 and 17 year olds require parental consent.

"Most Chinese people believe the thinner the face or nose, the more beautiful they look," Li said.

"Some people want to make themselves more beautiful when they take pictures of themselves. So they want themselves to become more European," he added.

"As a plastic surgeon I don't think that is beautiful, at least that is not Chinese style. So I refuse many girls who have that kind of opinion."

BECOMING ADDICTED

Sun Yibing, now 22, had her first procedure at 17 and has since become something of a celebrity after going under the knife 12 more times.

Bullied at school because of her looks and weight, she had operations on her eyes, nose, jaw, temples and elsewhere, and now sports rounder eyes, as well as a sharper nose and jawline.

But as her appearance has morphed, so has her view of surgery.

"I got addicted to surgery and yet was never satisfied with myself. I am not against plastic surgery but you have to be yourself instead of turning into others," Sun, who is from the central province of Henan, told AFP.

Sun partly blames minor celebrities who make their names on the internet in China -- often by live-streaming themselves singing or dancing and boasting about their surgery -- for hastening the stampede.

She now fears that the rush to cash in has brought growing numbers of unscrupulous and poorly trained surgeons into the industry.

"A couple of years ago people still were quite conservative about having cosmetic surgery," she said.

"But I am afraid that the plastic surgery industry is a mess now with good and bad clinics mixed so customers don’t know what is what," she added.

I'M THE LAST ONE

Back at the hospital a woman in a waiting room peers out from beneath her bandaged eyelids. Another, in obvious pain after surgery, appears almost to be trying to hold her head together.

Chen had already done minor work to her nose and had a crease inserted in her eye lids -- so-called double eyelid surgery aimed at creating rounder, more Western-looking eyes is one of the most popular in China.

But it took her six years to summon the courage for a full nose job, finally taking the plunge after all her friends did so.

"I got here later. I’m the last one to come," she said.

Following surgery, she said that the hospital recommended a bone-shaving operation to narrow her jawline using a surgical drill.

Some Chinese women hanker for a more "V-shaped" visage, but the procedure comes with potential complications including infection or even facial paralysis.

"I just want to make myself look more beautiful," said Chen, who is unsure whether to proceed.

She explained: "No matter how old a woman is, she should make herself more and more beautiful."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

How Japan's coconut oil demand improves Filipinos' lives

TOKYO - With the growing popularity of coconut oil health and cosmetic products in Japan, sales are strong at Cocowell Corp., which imports traditionally made coconut oil from the Philippines.

As a way of supporting local communities in the world's largest coconut oil producing country, the Osaka-based company uses part of its sales revenue to donate seedlings and fertilizer back to Filipino villages.

Cocowell President Yu Mizui, 39, went to university in the Philippines in 2002 to study about environmental issues in developing countries.

While there he was shocked by the sight of young children scavenging through mountains of garbage, Mizui said he realized that the issue of poverty must be tackled before talking about environmental problems. He then proceeded to set up Cocowell in 2004.

There are numerous coconut farms in Filipino villages, but income for the farmers was minimal as the fruit was sold as raw ingredients to major corporations overseas. That gave Mizui the idea to add value to the farmers' products by keeping processing in the Philippines.

"Generating a product that can only be produced locally would help increase the farmers' income," Mizui said, recalling the genesis of his idea.

The method Cocowell chose was the locals' traditional way of producing coconut oil -- fermenting raw coconut juice at room temperature for two to three days and then separating the water, milk and oil contents. Compared with the method commonly used at large-scale plants and other producers, such as using centrifuges or pressing oil from dried coconut flesh, the traditional way better preserves both the coconut's taste and nutritional value.

After many visits to the Philippine Coconut Authority for negotiations, the company began selling its cosmetic and edible products in 2005, with the cooperation of local farmers.

Business was slow to start, but Cocowell's sales shot up to 200 million yen in 2014 -- up from a mere 30 million yen the previous year -- and are projected to hit 1 billion yen ($8.3 million) this year.

In addition to online sales, the company also broadened its distribution network by selling at major supermarkets and department stores.

Aside from coconut oil, Cocowell also offers cosmetics and soap, as well as accessories made from coconut trees. It has four contracted factories in the Philippines, and Mizui visits the country at least once every two months.

"I don't want this to be just a temporary boom," he said. "I want to make coconut oil a part of the Japanese people's lifestyle and also contribute to the development of villages in the Philippines."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to keep your hair healthy

MANILA -- Frequent styling and treatments can damage your hair. Here are some tips to take care of your crowning glory.

According to Dr. Michelle Manuel, a dermatologist, having healthy hair means keeping the scalp healthy.

In an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Manuel compared the scalp to soil, noting that the plant's growth is directly related to the quality of the soil.

She also shared some tips on how to take care of one's hair.

* Do not abuse hair treatments (i.e. rebonding, perming)

According to Manuel, frequent hair treatments like rebonding, perming and coloring can cause severe damage to the hair.

"'Yung mga cosmetic that we put on our hair, nakaka-dry din kasi nasi-strip off 'yung oil," she said, adding that chemicals often used in salons can sometimes be too strong for the hair and scalp.

"Ang hair natin can take a lot of abuse. Medyo matibay ang buhok. Kaya lang, kung every day mo inaabuso, rurupok at rurupok din siya."

* Do not use shampoo every day

Shampooing can strip the scalp and the hair of natural oils.

"Ang advice is not to wash your hair every day. Ang pagsa-shampoo, every other day, that is, kung hindi naman masyado ikaw nasa labas nagta-trabaho, mga field work, hindi naman masyadong nadudumihan buhok mo, okay lang na every other day mo i-wash," Manuel said.

* Do not apply conditioner on the scalp

According to Manuel, applying hair conditioner on the scalp can cause hair fall.

"Don't condition every day and don't condition up to the roots because that will soften the roots and it will make the hair fall."

She also advised using conditioner only on the tips of the hair.

* Consult specialists before using any medicine for the scalp.

Different people have different hair and scalp quality, and using medicines may do more harm than good.

Manuel advised those who are interested in using medicines on their scalp to consult a doctor or hair specialist first before doing so.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Korean cosmetics makers are star stocks

SEOUL - A surge of Chinese tourists into South Korea eager to snap up chic but relatively inexpensive make-up brands has helped shares of the nation's cosmetic firms rally to stratospheric levels.

Shares in Amorepacific Corp, South Korea's biggest cosmetics maker, have more than doubled this year while some smaller firms have done even better with Sansung Life & Science Co Ltd jumping seven times in value and Hankook Cosmetics up nearly four times.

The cachet commanded by South Korean cosmetics among Chinese consumers has only gone from strength to strength, helped in part by the growing popularity of Korean pop music, movies and TV shows.

One show, "My Love from the Star", a romance about a human-like alien which aired between December and February, was a smash hit in China and featured product placements of Laneige cosmetics, which are owned by Amorepacific.

"Entertainment has certainly helped because when people see something nice on television, they become curious and want to see and experience it in person," said Kim Sung-eun, a director at the Korea Tourism Organisation.

At the same time, a toughening of laws late last year to protect visitors from being fleeced has encouraged Chinese tourists and they now throng duty-free shops and cosmetic stores, often buying in bulk to take goods home for friends.

Cosmetic purchases by Chinese customers at Lotte Duty Free, have jumped 90 percent in the year to end-October, driven by Korean brands, the country's biggest duty-free chain store operator said.

STRETCHED VALUATIONS
Tourism data also shows some 4.7 million Chinese have visited South Korea so far this year, up from 4.3 million for all of 2013. By comparison, fewer than 2 million Chinese visited South Korea in 2010.

Sansung said it has seen sales climb 139 percent to 28.7 billion won ($26.6 million) for January-June on the strength of its hit facial sheet masks, 80 percent of which are sold to Chinese consumers, both tourists and in China.

"From the Chinese perspective, Koreans are always dressed up and their makeup is immaculate - and they want to look like that," Daniel Park, CEO of Sansung's cosmetics arm, called Leaders, told Reuters.

Analysts warn, however, that the rally in Korean cosmetics shares could peak soon, given stretched valuations.

Sansung trades at 192 times earnings for the past year and fellow Kosdaq board member Coreana Cosmetics Co Ltd, which has more than doubled in value this year, trades at 390 times. While investors have been less frenzied about Amorepacific, it still trades at a multiple of 57 times.

By contrast, the main Kospi index has an average price-to-earnings ratio of 10.3 and the Kosdaq trades at 15.3.

"The prices are so high already and they are bound to meet restraints somewhere down the road. That timing is likely to be in the fourth quarter of this year," said Ahn Ji-young, an analyst at IBK Securities in Seoul.

Even so, some firms are eager to join the gold rush.

YG Entertainment Inc, which manages South Korean rap sensation Psy, is planning a venture into the beauty market while Korea Castiron Pipe Ind Co Ltd has sought to diversify by buying local cosmetics brand Enprani.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Kris allowed son Joshua to get Botox

MANILA -- Although Botox is usually given to older patients who want to get rid of signs of aging like wrinkles, actress-host Kris Aquino admitted on Wednesday that her eldest son Joshua got injections of the drug.

Botox is a drug commonly used cosmetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles.

But in the case of Aquino's 19-year-old son with veteran actor Philip Salvador, the Botox injections were for his armpits as this reportedly helps control excessive sweating.



"Oh my God, nagwo-work talaga 'yung Botox sa kili-kili kay Josh. It really stopped," Aquino told her guest co-hosts KC Concepcion and Karla Estrada on her morning show "Kris TV "aired on Wednesday.

According to the actress-host, it was her "The Buzz" co-host Toni Gonzaga who told her about this little-known effect of Botox.

"And it really helped Josh dati ang dami niyang sweat stains," Aquino said. "Now his kili-kilio is not pawis-pawis anymore."

According to celebrity dermatologist Dr. Vicki Belo, injecting Botox in the armpits can stop sweating and also whiten the area.




Botox of the armpit is a short procedure and only uses cream anesthesia for zero pain. The procedure takes one hour, while the effects of the procedure last for six months.

"The Botox stops the sweat glands from secreting the sweat by paralyzing temporarily the muscles around the sweat glands that causes the sweat glands to be squeeze and release the perspiration," Belo explained.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons: What's the difference?

MANILA - The term "cosmetic surgeons" or "cosmetic doctors" have become so popular, sometimes even more popular than plastic surgeons.

Now, the Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS) wants to educate the public about the difference between a cosmetic and a plastic surgeon.

"Plastic surgeons specialize in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. When I reconstruct a burn patient's face, there is a cosmetic angle to it," said Dr. Carlos Lasa, president, PAPRAS.

Lasa lamented that many don't want to undergo rigorous training to become a plastic surgeon, which requires another 3 years of general surgery and another 5 years of plastic and reconstructive surgery for a total of 8 years on top of a medical degree.

PAPRAS reminded the public to do their research well when they want to undergo cosmetic enhancements. Instead of going through the tough training of becoming a plastic surgeon, others get certificate courses abroad and then become cosmetic surgeons.

"Some doctors would take short cuts. That's where the problem lies. We're not saying we're free of complications. We are board- certified plastic surgeons. We underwent full rigorous training and we are members of the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery," said Dr. JJ Cruz, VP of PAPRAS.

PAPRAS is pushing for regulations so that government will recognize who are the specialists in the field.

Lasa said, under the old Medical Act of 1959, any doctor who passed the board exams can do any kind of treatment of surgery in the Philippines even without proper training.

"This is advantageous in rural areas where there are very few doctors but Metro Manila is highly urbanized. There is no reason why surgeons who do not specialize in cosmetic plastic surgery in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao can do plastic surgery," he added.

He appealed to doctors to train to be able to do a kind of specialty. Otherwise, they should leave the plastic surgery to plastic surgeons.

"What business do you have doing boobs when you are an EENT (Eye, ear, nose, throat doctor)? Respect our specialties. We have been abused. Our specialty is from head to foot. We overlap with certain specialists but stick to our anatomic boundary."

Former PAPRAS president and now national secretary of the international society of aesthetic plastic surgery (ISAPS) Dr. Florencio Lucero clarified that cosmetic surgery is not a specialty.

"It is a small aspect of the specialty of plastic surgery. It is not a simple procedure like going to a beauty parlor. It's a surgical procedure. Cosmetic surgery is something to be done by a surgeon that is familiar with wound healing."

The plastic surgeons made the statements at a press conference during the first international conference and instructional course for plastic surgeons sponsored by ISAPS.

"We planned out our program to benefit our practicing plastic surgeons and teach them the current techniques and latest in cosmetic surgery," said Lucero.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Daiana Menezes opens up on breast augmentation

MANILA – Brazilian model Daiana Menezes did not think twice when asked if she indeed had breast augmentation.

In an interview with celebrity doctor Vicki Belo on ANC, Menezes said she is not ashamed of undergoing the procedure since she only wanted to improve a part of herself.

“I think every woman deserves to feel sexy and also enhance themselves. I think putting something that will make you look more curvaceous in any part of your body, if you love it, there’s nothing wrong about it,” she said.

Adding there’s also no point in hiding it, Menezes said: “We don’t need to be hypocrite about what we really like. There’s no such thing as hiya as you would call it in Tagalog. In the first place, you are not changing who you are. You are just making yourself more beautiful.”

For Menezes, the size of her breasts had been a source of insecurity, especially when she does photo shoots or love scenes in her projects.

“For example, you have a movie or a bed scene, sometimes you have a love scene, you can’t make tago that you don’t have big breasts. I wanted it to be the largest possible that it would still look natural,” she said.

Prior to the procedure, Menezes admitted that she resorted to using padding just to make her breasts look bigger.

“I used padding all the time. Nobody knows that there’s the kind of daya like padding or push-up bras. I used to spend too much, going abroad buying those pads,” she explained.

Asked for her advice to women who intend to undergo any form of cosmetic surgery, the FHM babe said: “Just be true to yourself if you really feel like doing it. Just try to think over that it’s just an enhancement. You are not changing who you are. You are just changing a little part of your body that you are not confident about.”

According to Belo, breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic operations in her clinic.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why rice is now a popular ingredient in cosmetics, drinks

TOKYO - Rice has become an increasingly popular ingredient in a variety of cosmetic products and beverages amid a decrease in consumption of what used to be Japan's main staple.

In June 2012, Kose Provision Co. launched lotions and creams containing extracts made by fermenting and maturing rice.

The affiliate of major cosmetics maker Kose Corp. claims that the cosmetics series dubbed "Maihada" are effective in moisturizing skin.

The lineup, which is available only on a mail order basis, has gradually become popular and the number of members who have signed up for the online shop has exceeded 100,000, according to officials of Kose Provision.

The officials also explained that its members include those who shifted from European and U.S. cosmetics brands, believing that the Maihada series made from rice must be safer and better for their skin.

"With more and more consumers pursuing safe cosmetics, we sought to develop unique products made from Japanese materials, which we assumed no rivals would think of," said Yosuke Takahashi, an official in charge of product planning at Kose Provision.

Takahashi said the company has received a number of inquiries about the Maihada series from consumers abroad in English and Chinese.

Kirin Beverage Co., meanwhile, released in May this year a sugar-free tea made 100 percent from domestic rice. By steaming and roasting rice, the tea tastes slightly sweet and has the flavor of roasted rice.

Since it is free of caffeine and sugar, the "Nippon Komecha" has been enjoyed by children and people who drink it before going to bed, according to the major beverage maker.

The tea is the first 100 percent pure rice soft drink, according to Momoko Azuma, a Kirin Beverage official who developed the product.

"Since it has a strong rice flavor, some consumers have told us that they use the beverage when making bread or as soup stock," Azuma said.

In Japan, rice consumption has been diminishing over the years as society is rapidly aging and an increasing number of consumers prefer Western food over traditional Japanese dishes.

A recent survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry showed that single households spent an average 10,367 yen on rice a year, lower than 13,022 yen on bread and even 13,018 yen on supplements.

Against this backdrop, the Prince Park Tower Tokyo hotel in Tokyo's Minato Ward has organized an event to promote rice consumption.

In the event held in early November, about 30 women learned proper ways to wash and boil rice and tasted five different rice brands.

The women kept throwing questions at the instructor, such as, "What kind of water will you recommend when washing rice?" or "How should I preserve rice?"

The participants also enjoyed a buffet of salads and desserts made from rice.

One of the women, a 27-year-old public office worker said, "I often have bread for breakfast, but am now interested in eating the rice brands I especially enjoyed here."

A hotel official, who planned the event, said, "We hope our hotel can serve as a source of information to help people realize the greatness of rice once again."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Makeup tips from the pros

MANILA – Three of the country’s top makeup artists share their secrets to making beauty queens, models and celebrities look good.

On Wednesday’s episode of “Kris TV,” Albert Kurniawan, RB Chanco and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo showed viewers how to achieve different looks using makeup, including the one used by Miss Universe 2013 third-runner up Ariella Arida.

Kurniawan, who is the chief makeup artist of NARS Philippines, is behind the glammed up faces of Arida and her predecessors in the Miss Universe pageant Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon.

Chanco, on the other hand, is a well-known celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Kathryn Bernardo, Erich Gonzales, Bianca Gonzalez and ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio.

Mananquil-Trillo, meanwhile, is a model, beauty columnist and the co-founder of the Happy Skin cosmetics line.

For the beauty queen look

Kurniawan said the first step to achieving a made up look similar to beauty queens is putting a primer, concealer and a tinted moisturizer “to make the skin look more natural instead of having a powder finish.”

Set with translucent powder and add contour to the face. Before doing eye makeup, work on the cheeks first.






“Sometimes, they start with the eyes. But if they start with the eyes strong and apply blush, sometimes we think it’s enough already. Then after a while, it’s kulang pala and then we don’t have the makeup with us,” Kurniawan said.

Using a good makeup brush, apply dark brown eye shadow on the entire lid and blend. Proceed with using eye paint, and then with the eyeliner on the water line.

Curl the eyelashes, and finish with mascara.

For chinitas

Kurniawan suggests starting with eyeliner since the objective is to make the eyes look bigger and the face more “awake.”

“Just a black eyeliner, apply on the outer part of the eye. Blend and then smudge it,” he said. “Kasi for chinita eyes, if you just put a thin liner, it won’t be seen that much.”

Blend with dark brown powder eye shadow, curl the eyelashes, and add mascara to “open” the eyes.

If you want to make your eyes look even bigger, use false lashes. As for the cheeks and lips, just keep it simple.

For the ‘no makeup’ look

Although tricky since “it has to look like there is nothing,” the “no makeup” look is doable, said Chanco.

An easy way to achieve this look is by using airbrush with liquid foundation, followed by blush with a hint of shimmer for that natural glow.

Since you can’t use too much makeup, emphasize the eyebrows by using a dark brown eyebrow pencil, and a pinkish white eye shadow on the eyelids.

The eyeliner should not be too thick, either – just apply black eyeliner on the upper lash and water line, and a soft brown one on the lower lash line.

Complete the look with a soft peach lip cream.

For night makeup

Night makeup is quite similar to the “no makeup look,” except that there is “more intense” contouring on the face.

Chanco said a safe suggestion is to make the eyes look “smoky” with eye shadow, although this still depends on the occasion.

“I-consider more rin kung saan ka pupunta. And the lighting also,” she said.

Apply a more intense pink blush and waterproof eyeliner if you plan on dancing all night so your makeup will last longer.

For job interviews

Mananquil-Trillo said applicants for job interviews should stay away from makeup that glitters or is too bright.

Start with a concealer to brighten the face, correct redness and cover blemishes. Use black eyeliner to define the eyes, and finish the look with peach blush and nude colored lipstick.

For those with blemishes, try a product that will not aggravate the skin, such as a second skin cream with a powder finish.

For holiday makeup

There is no hard and fast rule for holiday makeup, noted Mananquil-Trillo, who said that the idea is to achieve a look that is fun and festive.

The simplest way to do this, she said, is by using bold red lipstick.

“Ano pa ba ang pinaka-festive na color but the color red? It reminds us of Christmas and mas celebratory mood ‘pag bright colors,” she said.

You can also use eyeliner to make the eyes look bigger.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How Pinay ex-house helper became a millionaire

MANILA, Philippines – A former house helper in London who used to get a monthly salary of P7,000 is now earning millions from her cosmetics and soap laboratory in San Pablo, Laguna.

On ABS-CBN’s “My Puhunan”, Dina Dela Paz-Stalder said she started out with almost no capital at all, only relying on her doctor friends to supply her with beauty and cosmetic products to produce and sell.

From there, Stalder saw potential in the venture, highlighting that she immediately found passion in selling make up, soaps, and other beauty products.

“Siguro ito ‘yung trabaho na minahal ko at isina-puso ko. This is the kind of business or job that I really want,” she said.

Working overseas

Stalder, who was born and raised in Laguna, recalled how she struggled to finish school because of financial issues.



“Walang baon, minsan walang shoes. Pero maganda din ang kinalabasan kasi out of that, doon ako naging inspirado na magtapos,” she said.

She earned a degree on medical technology, but will not practice it until years later.

While employed as a domestic helper in London, she also studied facial skin care procedures.

She decided to return to the Philippines in 1986, but did not have any money to put up her own business.

But what she lacked in finance, she made up for in passion.

“’Yun ang dapat gawing inspirasyon ng mga kasambahay na kagaya ko before kasi hindi habang panahon kasambahay ka,” she said.

Stalder Laboratories

From mixing a small pot to make beauty products, Stalder is now running Stalder Laboratories in her hometown of San Pedro.

The name came from her husband, Christopher Stalder, a Swiss foreigner she met through her brother. Unlike other overseas Filipina workers, however, Stalder said she did not meet her partner abroad.

“Ang kaibahan lang, dito siya ipinanganak, dito siya nag-aral. Nag-meet lang kami because of my brother, hindi siya ‘yung talagang ‘rich, Swiss guy,’” she said.

The lab, which opened in 1999, is currently earning P20 million to P30 million a month and is one of the biggest skin care manufacturing companies in the country.

Aside from producing 25,000 papaya soaps daily, the lab also manufactures shampoo, hand sanitizer, lotion and other beauty products.

Stalder shared that a 30-milliliter bottle of hand sanitizer that cost P15 to make can sell for P40 to P45.

She attributed her success to the passion she put in the work, saying she herself gives importance to beauty and health.

“Dati kasi overweight ako ng 25 pounds, with my height parang nakaka-insecure when you see people around na healthy and sexy,” she said.

“Dapat magkaroon ng kaunting kaalaman sa gusto nilang buksan na negosyo, hindi ‘yung basta basta ka magbubukas,” she added.

Stalder also opened the facial and skincare clinic Diana Stalder, with branches in Metro Manila, Luzon provinces and Visayas.

Paying it forward

For all her successes, Stalder has remained grounded and always eager to share her blessings.

Stalder helped a headband vendor, Cristeta Sarenio, increase her daily income by supplying her with hand sanitizers and soaps to sell.

She also taught Sarenio how to manufacture hand sanitizers using ingredients that can be purchased from a drugstore.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

The cost of beauty: How much is enough?

MANILA, Philippines -- How much should one spend to make one's self beautiful? Is there a way to gauge if the beautifying efforts you make are already excessive?

"There's always a too much [when you] pay too much for beauty [when] there are also other areas we can spend our money for," Charmagne Garcia-Laconico, beauty editor at Metro Magazine, told ANC's On The Money.

Laconico explained that it is important to cover the "basics" first such as cleansing needs or beauty products before moving on to the more expensive surgical operations like liposuction or lip collagen injections.

"The question of 'what is essential' is very tricky. Some may find it (liposuction) very essential as it adds to their confidence level or they feel better themselves," Laconico noted.

Trying to look good or taking time and effort to present one's self helps us create a good impression in front our co-workers, supervisors or clients.

She advised men and women to carry their own "kikay kits" to work which will include basic products such as a cleanser, toner and a moisturizer.

"First and foremost, it's the skincare that is really important. It doesn't have to be really expensive, just use whatever works for you," Laconico said.

A "decent" kit can cost P1,500 or to more than P3,000 for the basic cleansing products, she noted.

Women, however, should also have their make-up products with them and Laconico shared one should have concealer, foundation, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, blusher, and lipstick.

These make-up products can amount to P3,000 to more than P10,000, depending on the brands you buy, she said.

"But the good thing about this is you don't buy this every month and you shouldn't," Laconico said.

She stressed the products should address one's concerns such as oily skin or flaking.

"You always want to look good. It's not because you want to be pretty or anything like that, it's because you want people to perceive you as someone who is taking care of herself which translates to how you deal with your work, how you attempt the details," Laconico said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Toxic cosmetic products seized in Baclaran

MANILA, Philippines -- Over 100 boxes full of cosmetic products which allegedly contain toxic metals were seized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from Chinese medicine drug stores in Baclaran, Parañaque City on Tuesday.

Members of the environmental watchdog Ecowaste Coalition initially posed as buyers of cosmetic products in drug stores surrounding the Redemptorist Church.

After the items were found to contain toxic metals such as lead and mercury, the FDA immediately confiscated the products.

The seized cosmetic products were not properly labeled, and did not provide understandable and adequate information.

The items are also included in the FDA's list of banned cosmetic products.

The FDA said if the drug stores are caught selling these products again, their business permits may be cancelled. -- Report from Zhander Cayabyab, dzMM

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Katy Perry Launches Colorful Faux Eyelash Line

Envious of Katy Perry's bright-eyed look? Now you, too can cop her sassy style.

The pop singer unveiled a brand-new line of faux eyelashes just in time to dazzle your friends at parties this holiday season. But before you run out to snag some strip lashes of your own, eye the packaging carefully. Not only does it showcase some whimsical pop art with Perry's likeness on it, but the lashes themselves are pretty extraordinary too.


Aptly named Katy Perry Color POP Lashes by Eylure, the products come in bold shades like blue, purple and peacock green with cheeky names like Ka-Pow! and Ka-Boom!, just to name a few.

Color us surprised.

Retailing at $7.99 at Claire's, the strip lashes and one set of individual lashes were personally designed by the star to give fans a jolt of unexpected electric color.

Would you wear colorful faux lashes designed by Katy Perry?

source: eonline.com