Holiday gift ideas for beauty fanatics

Christmas is fast approaching, and beauty companies are releasing prettily packaged gift sets, specially priced holiday bundles and limited-edition exclusives. Best of all, more and more big corporations and brands are going sustainable, and giving the best gift of all to Mother Earth.

LUMINISCE: Medical-grade home beauty kits

Beauty doctor Kaycee Reyes founded Luminisce in 2012, an aesthetic clinic that specializes in lasers, beauty therapies and alternative medicine. “She has been on a quest to redefine beauty through a holistic approach,” says Marriot marketing communications director Michelle Garcia.

With its signature Coquille Peel, a gentle peel using alpha hydroxy acids that fades acne scars and renews dull skin, Luminisce had expanded to three branches when the pandemic happened. Like other doctors Reyes switched to online consultations, but her patients were clamoring for the results they got at her clinic, which they just weren’t getting from commercial products.

“So we tried sending our signature Coquille Peel to patients who were suffering from acne or melasma, and we had an overwhelming response,” Reyes says. “They were really happy with the results.”

Dr. Reyes was inspired to create At-Home Kits, a range of medical-grade skincare in boxes to treat different needs. Her bestsellers during the quarantine include the Luxury Facial Kit, which comes with the Luminisce Una device that uses Iontophoresis to infuse anti-aging creams into the skin. “Since it also has anti-inflammatories, this is really good for patients with atopic dermatitis and eczema,” notes Reyes.

Another bestseller is the Acne Drying System, which contains glycolic and salicylic acid peels for clients with moderate to severe acne. “It promotes removal of the dead skin cells, dries up pimples, evens out discoloration, brightens the skin, and improves skin texture, especially if you use it more often,” she says.

To see the full range of 11 kits, visit the website at www.luminisce.com , Instagram @luminisce_official and Facebook: Luminisce. The official hotline is 0915-979-4661 and official email is [email protected]

ELLANA MINERAL COSMETICS: Korea-made serums & sprays

Homegrown mineral cosmetic brand Ellana has harnessed K-beauty expertise by making its new line of serums and sprays in Korea with Korean ingredients.

To battle “maskne,” Clear Skin Clarifying Serum is powered by Korean Phyto Mayu to regulate oil production, refresh and brighten skin. Follow it with Unwind Clarifying Serum Spray to keep breakouts at bay with antioxidant green tea, tea tree, aloe and Korean Retinispora extracts.

To get your glow on, Glass-C Skin Brightening Serum has Sea Berry extracts and vitamin C to lighten, exfoliate, firm and plump skin.

To dew-ify dry skin, Cream Skin Hydrating Serum is made of Korean wild yam extract, the vegan alternative to snail mucin, to promote natural healing and keep skin hydrated and soothed.

To refine pores, Uplift Hydrating Serum Spray is made with Korean Bokbunja and various plant extracts to brighten, refine pores, and soothe irritation.

Ellana is available at www.ellanacosmetics.com.

GARNIER: The gift of Green Beauty

Garnier is leading L’Oreal’s Green Beauty initiative by taking an end-to-end sustainable approach, from its ingredients to its ecommerce packaging. “We’re transforming every stage of Garnier’s value chain,” said Garnier marketing director Isabel Falco.

The natural brand, famed for its brightening vitamin C products and micellar waters, is fulfilling its mission through “Green Parcel, Green Education and Green Spaces.”

In partnership with Shopee, EcoNest and SainBags, Garnier is packaging its orders in biodegradable and compostable parcels made from cassava starch, honeycomb paper and recyclable cartons.

Green Spaces means they’re replacing plastic in-store modules with merchandising materials using recycled and recyclable materials. Sachets will be collected in drop boxes before they’re taken to eco-plants that build shelters from calamities.

For Green Education, Garnier is collaborating with educational institutions to teach students the basics of sustainability and empower them to make more informed choices.

“Our key mission in the Philippines is to ignite long-term change,” said L’Oreal Philippines country managing director Supriya Singh.

Garnier is available at Shopee.

MOMO PURI: For peachy-plump skin

Japanese women are known for their flawless, plump and peachy skin, and that’s the kind of skin Momo Puri promises. Japanese beauty company BCL manufactures the popular skincare brand’s cleansing wash, moisture lotion, gel cream (which also come in concentrated form) and jelly mask, which are all pink and peach-themed, super-kawaii and even smell like fresh peaches.

Lactobacillus is a trendy ingredient in Japan’s beauty market, promoting skin health by balancing the good and bad bacteria on the surface. Together with peach ceramides they beautify skin to give you that coveted peaches-and-cream complexion. “Peaches in Japan are plump, juicy and pinkish like babies’ cheeks,” notes BCL’s Eri Adachi, “and we can achieve this with Momo Puri.”

Momo Puri is available at shop.beautyboxcorp.com and other ecommerce sites.

SABORINO: Skincare for lazy girls

Whenever she’d go to Tokyo on a business trip, Beauty Box president Cheryl Tan-Chua would buy Saborino facemasks, “the No. 1 morning facemask in Japan” that’s won 70 Best in Beauty awards and sold 400 million sheets, so when Saborino maker BCL approached her for an exclusive partnership, she said yes.

“BCL has skincare for lazy girls and for those who are more meticulous with their skincare, so it was an honor for us to bring them here,” Chua said.

Those who want the whole skincare routine in one step can put on a Saborino mask and get the benefits of face wash, lotion, milk, essence/cream and mask in 60 seconds flat. And there are masks for morning, night, whitening, minty-freshness and rich moisture.

Saborino is available at shop.beautyboxcorp.com and other ecommerce sites.

HIMAWARI: Home hair treatment

Himawari Hair Treatment Oil by Kracie Japan is like getting a salon treatment at home. Great for taming fly-aways and frizz, I apply a few pumps before blow-drying, and if you use a styling iron you can put it on to smooth your hair afterwards.  It’s formulated with premium organic sunflower oil, which targets and repairs damaged hair and coats the strands to lock in moisture.  I also like the subtle floral scent and added UV protection. Himawari’s Out-Bath series also includes a Hair Repair Milk. 

Himawari Hair Treatment Oil is available online at shop.beautyboxcorp.com, Rustan’s The Beauty Source and Beauty Bar.

SHISEIDO:  Holiday editions and sustainable actions

In addition to releasing its stunning holiday editions of Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate and, for me, the best eyelash curler in the world, Shiseido has launched its Sustainable Beauty Actions.  The international campaign has three key goals: Mottainai (recycle and reuse), harmony (with society and the environment), and empathy for all.  For example, Ultimune, their top-selling serum, has a special fountain in the Ginza flagship store to refill empty bottles. 

Also available at the store on Nov. 1 will be the world’s first biodegradable lip palette, Shiseido AquaGel.  By 2025, the 148-year-old Japanese beauty company aims to have sustainable packaging boasting the 5 “Rs”: reduce (less packaging), reuse (refillable containers), recycle, replace (with biodegradable materials) and respect (for the environment).

Through online community #ShiseidoSBAS they also want us to share our thoughts on sustainable beauty and discuss what we can do to make our world a more beautiful place. 

KIEHL’S: Maïté Franchi art on gift sets

Kiehl’s Philippines has released a collection of exclusive, limited-edition gift sets with art designed by Lyon-based illustrator and graphic designer Maïté Franchi. The sets feature enduring customer favorites and are specifically curated to immediately address common skincare concerns, like the Calendula Cleansing Kit (Fresh & Blemish Free Set), Radiant Essentials and Night Recovery Essentials.
Kiehl’s latest pop-up at One Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig, offers customers a number of exclusive deals and promotions this holiday season. Be among the first 50 customers to purchase P5,000 worth of Kiehl’s products and get a free Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream. In addition, the next 150 customers will get a deluxe lotion hand-and-body set featuring Kiehl’s Hand Salve and Body Crème.

For more information, visit Kiehl’s Philippines on Facebook, and online at http://www.kiehls.com.ph.

TEVIANT: A sanitizer made for beauty

A disinfectant made for makeup? Yes, the creative folks at Teviant headed by founder Albert Kurniawan formulated “beauty sanitizers” to disinfect beauty tools and makeup without compromising their formulation, and actually prolonging their shelf life.

You can also use it on personal belongings like masks, eyewear, gadgets, brushes, combs, bags and watches. Not only does it disinfect, it deodorizes and leaves a fresh, pleasant scent. Safe to use every day, Teviant Beauty Sanitizer comes in two sizes: full and travel size.

Teviant is available at www.teviantbeauty.com, Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora.

Photos from brands