Get Ready for the Holidays with Benefit Cosmetics!

Posted on December 11, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

‘Tis the season to be jolly…and fabulous! For the month of December, I’m sure we all have several events to attend to. There are annual dinners, Christmas parties, holiday dinners and probably weddings. I, for one, have 3 events to prepare for: our company annual dinner tomorrow, family dinner next weekend and a birthday party plus dinner on Christmas day. Parties everywhere. Are you prepared?

Aside from the presents to shop for and the attire to wear, don’t forget to have THE LOOK! Ever since I stepped into College/ University, I always make sure that my face is part of my presentation. At 16, I’m already wearing eyeliner and lipstick as part of my college look. I probably started with eye shadows at a later age of 21 but, hey, not a bad age to start learning makeup!

I’m not really the type who follows color makeup trends and sticks to those colors for my look. I love smoky eyes, neutrals, purples, greens, blues and metallic hues. But one thing is for sure; I must always blend solid black on my eye makeup. Call it boring or typical but I particularly blend black to have a darker, bigger eyes effect.

And what about this holiday season? I’m not recommending particular colors or a specific look but I’m sharing some tips to be gorgeous for the holidays (and for other occasions)!

HOW TO LOOK GORGEOUS FOR THE HOLIDAYS (AND BEYOND):

Tip No. 1 – Get your brows trimmed or waxed by experts!

We sometimes overlook the impact of having nicely-shaped eyebrows. I myself am guilty of forgetting my eyebrows. It seems minimal but those 2 lines of hairs adorn our eyes. When not properly cared for, there will be stray hairs around and it messes up the way you look. Overly thick eyebrows can also look quite messy. Inappropriate shape can totally change your look in a not very nice way.

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar ready to serve you!

Benefit Cosmetics has been famous for its Brow Service. Even if your eyebrows were as hairy as a gorilla, their experts would know what to do. You just need to proceed to this cute Brow Bar and Benefit’s expert will be working on those hairs! For a reasonable cost of RM42 (brow waxing) or RM45 (brow tweezing), you can have gorgeous brows in no time.

On the Brow Bar table, I noticed this cute booklet, which shows every step of the Brow Service, before and after look. I didn’t realize that there are more than 30 steps to get those perfect eyebrows!

Benefit Brow Service with more than 30 steps

Tip No. 2: Prep your face with the right skincare products.

This should actually be a daily routine to follow for years but I’m writing it here as a reminder. Even if we can have the best makeup available, nothing beats a good canvas to put makeup on…your skin. Cleanse, tone, moisturize are just the basic steps in taking care of our face. Breakouts, pimples, discolorations, wrinkles and fine lines at a younger age can damage the way you look.

Benefit Cosmetics skincare collection

Benefit Cosmetics has a good skincare selection ranging from cleansers, to eye creams, to moisturizers and more. Recently, it has been raining quite frequently and temperature in the office can be quite cold, which can make our skin dry and dehydrated. You can check out Benefit’s Total Moisture Facial Cream and other skincare products to take care of your skin. Don’t forget your eye cream!

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream

Tip No. 3: Get a good makeup primer.

Even if you have beautiful skin, it’s great to apply a primer for longer-lasting makeup and conceal some imperfections, too. Benefit’s That Gal, which is one of their best sellers, is a silky pink primer that takes your complexion from dull to darling! Simply blend it on for the look of brighter, smoother skin. Contains light-reflecting pigments to help brighten all skin tones and raspberry & chamomile to soothe skin. Priced at RM115.

Benefit That Gal brightening face primer

I am personally in love with POREfessional, a Benefit best seller, as it conceals my huge pores nicely and evenly. You can quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Just apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals. Priced at RM115.

Benefit POREfessional to minimize the appearance of pores

And do you have problems with eye shadows that don’t stay in place? Creating that unsightly line on your eyelids? Check out Stay Don’t Stray Eye Makeup Primer. A real must-have to combat messy eye shadows, especially for those with oily skin like me.

Benefit STAY Don’t Stray for longer-lasting eye makeup that stays in place!

Tip No. 4: Get a good foundation.

I’m someone who will not get out of the house without applying foundation, except when I’m asked to, like when I attended the Benefit Beauty Bash last Sunday. Although I work hard in having healthy skin, I was not blessed with pore-less face and quite the opposite. My nose, forehead, chin and cheek areas have very visible pores. If those are pockets, I probably don’t need to bring a bag everyday!

Kidding aside, applying good foundation, even on beautiful skin, has its benefit. It creates a luminous, flawless look, making you even more stunning and photo-ready, too!

benefit-cosmetics-hello-flawless-foundation-price

Benefit HELLO Flawless Oxygen Wow

HELLO Flawless Oxygen Wow! by Benefit is a great item to complete your makeup routine. It’s a brightening makeup available in different shades, also contains SPF25, making you sun-protected. And it’s only RM135!

Tip No. 5: Be armed with a good eye makeup set!

The eyes particularly need more attention and items, as these are the windows of our souls! To have a fabulous look for the holidays, arm yourself with good eye shadow colors, at least a black eyeliner, and the right makeup brushes.

Benefit Cosmetics has eye makeup kits that can be a girl’s best friend. It’s very easy to choose as the colors come in lovely combinations. Take this Big Beautiful Eyes set for starters!

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes

I’m not a big fan of mascaras because I often experience smudges but this one’s sure to catch your attention. Now, I am thinking about including mascara in my makeup routine.

Benefit They’re Real Mascara

benefit-cosmetics-theyre-real-mascara-display

See the genius display of Benefit They’re Real Mascara

Tip No. 6: Have kissable lips!

This one’s pretty easy and simple for everyone. I’m sure most of us have several colors of lipsticks and several lip balms, too. Don’t forget to complete your look with a nice lip color or lip gloss. If you like multi-functional products, you’ll love Benefit Lollitint!

Benefit Lollitint for lips and cheeks

And lastly, Tip No. 7: Smell amazingly good.

Take your fabulous look to the next level; make your impact stand out and unforgettable by even smelling good! I never noticed this before but Benefit has a lovely collection of EDTs (eau de toilette). I sampled a few and they smell damn great. So add 1 or 2 to your collection and spray some fragrance before your dinner. You’ll be surprised at how much good vibes you’ll get!

Check out this beautiful set of 4 Benefit fragrances. Perfect as a gift and perfect for the season!

Adorable set of fragrances from Benefit

This is how Benefit Cosmetics transformed me that day! Take note, I only applied everything on my own. That’s how easy it is to use Benefit products!

Before and After using Benefit Cosmetics!

To find out more about Benefit Cosmetics, visit their FB page at:

http://www.facebook.com/BenefitCosmeticsMalaysia

Or visit Benefit boutiques at:

1 Utama Shopping Centre

Starhill

Or visit a Benefit counter in:

Parkson KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, Pavilion, Gurney Plaza

Robinsons The Gardens

Sephora Starhill, KLCC, Paradigm Mall

Metrojaya Mid Valley

Colours & Fragrances, KLIA

Have a Merrier Christmas with www.hermo.com.my

Posted on December 2, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… And what better way to celebrate the season than loads and loads of gifts! It’s the season of giving and it can sometimes be challenging when we run out of gift ideas.

Well, I’m here to give you more ideas as I have started last month. Now that we’re officially in the month of December, Christmas shopping is already in a rush. We’re just left with 23 days! Don’t panic; I have great news!

At www.hermo.com.my you can enjoy easy Christmas shopping and you can spin & win for some awesome prizes! There are amazing deals and a lot of products to choose from: beauty, skincare, bath and body, make-up, masks and gift sets. What’s even better? They deliver straight to your doorstep! So you can actually escape the mad rush, long queue and traffic jams this time around!

When I was still in Philippines, our Christmas shopping starts as early as October, yes, October! Malls will be dressed up in holiday theme, playing Christmas songs and everyone is just in the holiday season mood. So, naturally, everybody is also shopping for gifts! But going through traffic jams and long queues can sometimes dampen good spirits.

Why not try an easier and rewarding way? Hermo Beauty Collection at www.hermo.com.my has launched Christmas Specials for beauty addicts like me. Are you ready for Christmas with Hermo?

Check out these Hermo Christmas promotions:

1) Christmas e-Gift Card

If you are not sure what to give your loved one or, better yet, if you think your loved ones will be happier choosing their own gifts, send them a Christmas e-Gift Card! You can choose from denominations of RM50, RM100 or RM200. Find out more by clicking here.

2) Holiday Shop

Find really irresistible gift sets for your loved ones or for yourself! Great savings and great combinations, too! They have skincare sets, makeup sets, fragrance sets and more. Check out and grab the limited gift sets by clicking here.

3) Stocking Stuffers

Here you’ll find value buys with up to 70% discount. Stocks are limited so better grab the things you want soon. Click here to see more.

4) Spin and Win

Now, this is very interesting. Take note carefully, you can win prizes EVERYDAY. Simply login or sign up and visit www.hermo.com.myor click here for your daily spin. There are several prizes such as RM50, 500 credits and cash voucher. Come, let’s all drop by the website for a free spin!

5) Being in Love

Do you have very close friends, boyfriends, sisters or loved ones whom you think love you enough to pay for what you want to receive this Christmas? At Hermo, you can easily choose the things you like and ask for your friend/s to pay for you! Isn’t that cool? This saves your loved ones the trouble of figuring out what you’d want and it makes your Christmas even wonderful. Wouldn’t it be a merrier Christmas if all of us receive what we want or pick for ourselves? Check out how it works by clicking here.

6) Season’s Greetings with Bloop

Here you get a chance to win an exclusive Christmas Gift Set from Bloop! You just need to share your Christmas greetings using Hermo greeting cards on Facebook, tag your friends in your greeting and that’s it! Just wait for Hermo to announce winners on 26^th December 2013. Start your way to the prizes by clicking here.

Christmas won’t be complete without a wish list. I still remember the days when I really list down all the names of my godchildren (in Philippines, we don’t just have 1 but probably 10 children to prepare gifts for), my close friends and, of course, my family then plan for the gifts to buy for them. Aside from that, I definitely have a wish list for myself. You know what, at Hermo, you can easily create your wish list!

There are so many lovely products to choose from. I had a tough time just choosing at a total cost of RM80. Let’s see some of the ‘runner-ups’ for my choice:

But then again, I think I really need a new moisturizer as I’m about to finish my current one. So the winner of my wish list is…

The Centella Cream by Pure Heal’s

Centella 70 Cream 50ml

The functional cream that contains 70% Centella Asiatica extracts–the mystical plant regenerating damaged and tired skin.

~~RM 159.00~~

RM 79.50

Dear Hermo, I’ve been a good girl this year and please, please grant my wish. My skin is aging fast and I really need a good anti-aging cream. Thank you. Love, Celeste

So go and visit www.hermo.com.my now for great Christmas treats!

http://www.hermo.my/

FREE items to redeem with your copy of Malaysian Women’s Weekly this month!

Posted on December 1, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

It’s the 1^st day of December, everyone! The countdown to Christmas officially kicks in. And what better way to celebrate than start grabbing gifts and freebies!

In this month’s issue of Malaysian Women’s Weekly, you’ll find a lot of timely ideas and suggestions for the holiday season. It comes with booklets of wonderful information, a free body butter and more. With the season of gift-giving just 3 weeks away, the Malaysian Women’s Weekly also bring you irresistible deals from Crabtree & Evelyn!

A booklet aptly titled ‘Experience the Magic of Christmas’ is bundled together with this month’s magazine. First up, and better pay attention, ladies, is (drum roll) FREE Gifts for the first 500 readers of the Malaysian Women’s Weekly! What will you get? Read on!

Crabtree & Evelyn has several home gift ideas. In the section ‘Come Home to Chritsmas’, you’ll find the Noël Porcelain Diffuser 180ml at RM175, Noël Fragranced Botanical at RM155, Noël Home Fragrance Spray 100ml at RM60, Noël Home Fragrance Oil 10ml at RM40 and Noël Small Fragranced Candle at RM60.

‘A Little Something for Everyone’ has great ideas for our loved ones. For colleagues, there’s Deluxe Hand Therapy Sampler that contains 12 variants of hand creams, at RM178. This is a good idea for those hand cream addicts. For our sisters, there’s Rosewater Great Escape at RM88, which contains a Bath & Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Hand Therapy. For mothers, there’s Lily Ultimate Luxury at RM308, which contains a Bath & Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hand Therapy and an EDT fragrance packed together in a golden vanity case. That’s something I would want for myself; hey, I’m a mummy! For your best friend, there’s Somerset Meadow Vanity Case at RM298, which contains a Bath & Shower Gel, Scented Body Lotion, Hand Therapy and and EDT fragrance packed in a oval golden vanity case.

And for you, there’s Tarocco Orange Perfect Pair at RM130, which contains a Bath & Shower Gel and a Body Lotion with Tarocco orange, eucalyptus and sage.

‘Eat and Be Merry’ features tempting delights for those with “sweet teeth”. There’s Festive Bauble at RM65 that contains 150g of creamy, indulgent fudge-flavoured chocolates. There’s Musical Tin with Jelly Babies at RM80 that contains 300g of naturally-coloured and –flavoured jelly candies. For biscuit lovers, there’s Assorted Biscuits at RM45 that come in three flavours: Spiced Ginger (165g), Triple Chocolate Chunk (190g) and Christmas Pudding (195g). And who can resist ginger bread? There’s the Gingerbread Men Tin at RM65 that contains 60g of lovely ginger bread in adorable shapes. For the sweet stuff addict, there’s the Collectable Design Tin at RM155 that contains Wild Blueberry Preserve, Lemon Preserve, White Chocolate Biscuits, Raspberry Biscuits, White Chocolate and English Breakfast Tea. That’s simply perfect for a beautiful and delicious breakfast for the holiday!

And the moment you’ve been waiting for, here are some exclusive deals for the Malaysian Women’s Weekly readers until 31^st December 2013!

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE when you purchase any Assorted Biscuits at RM45 (coupon from the booklet required to present upon purchase)

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE when you purchase any Great Escape Travel Pack at RM88 (coupon from the booklet required to present upon purchase)

FREE GIFT: a limited edition Hand Therapy 25g worth RM30 for the first 500 readers to flash this coupon at any Crabtree & Evelyn retail store!

Terms and conditions to take note:

Original coupon is required to enjoy the freebies
Coupons are valid for one-time redemption only
Coupons cannot be combined with any other promotion

So grab your copy of the Malaysian Women’s Weekly now and enjoy these exclusive offers!

For more information about Crabtree & Evelyn, visit www.crabtree-evelyn.com.my or be a fan of their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CrabtreeEvelyn.my

Chic Chloé Gift Sets that Ladies will Surely Love!

Posted on November 25, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

Come on, who hasn’t caught a glimpse of that stylish and ultimately chic bottle simply embellished with a ribbon? I still remember selling a few bottles of this lovely fragrance to guys who get easily swooned by the fact that it’s so feminine and classy, which makes it a great gift for their girlfriends.

Chloé has been popular for decades, from bags to fashion to fragrances, and continues to captivate a lot of women including hot celebrities.

Chloé is founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, an Egyptian-born Parisienne with a dark beauty and a bohemian spirit. Rejecting the stiff formality of the 50’s fashion, she creates soft, body conscious clothes from fine fabrics and called them “luxury prêt-à-porter”. Unique for their time, they are beautifully made clothes available off the rack.

And this holiday season, Chloé has launched limited edition gift sets, perfect for sweet, beautiful ladies who just love to smell great and elegant. And you’ll fall in love with these sets; adorable and chic packaging that matches the chic and sophisticated fragrance!

Capturing the spirit of women, the Chloé vision is not about one singular woman, but rather about the rich and varied personalities of all Chloé women. This fresh, smooth floral fragrance evokes sublime powdery rose. The effect is chic, comfortable, and entirely addictive. Top notes of pink peony, freesia, and lychee embody subtle freshness. At the heart, midnotes of magnolia flower, lily of the valley, and rose rise to sublimated femininity. A base of velvety elegance comes to fruition through cedarwood, amber, and honey.

Inspired by the details in Chloé’s fashion, the flacon’s heavy but softly curved and grooved glass reflects femininity and strength. The plated-silver top is embossed with the Chloé mark and adorned with a hand-tied ribbon.

Chloé EDP Premium Set

Eau de Parfum 50ml

Body Lotion 100ml

Price: RM326

Chloé EDP Prestige Set

Eau de Parfum 75ml

Body Lotion 100ml

Miniature 5ml

Price: RM400

Roses De Chloé is an invitation to tenderness. The rose immediately exudes incredible freshness. A sensation derived from the bergamot, which is gradually joined by a heart of damascena rose essence, modernised with a magnolia accord. Then, on the skin, the trail of white musk and amber, signature of the Chloé house.

Roses by Chloé Premium Set

Eau de Toilette 50ml

Body Lotion 75ml

Price: RM293

Roses by Chloé Prestige Set

Eau de Toilette 75ml

Body Lotion 75ml

Shower Gel 75ml

Price: RM360

See By Chloé embodies femininity while blending masculine codes in an urban-chic way. This fragrance captures the audaciousness and strong personality of the Chloé woman. An addictive floral fruity fragrance, it captures the irresistible and playful personality of a young woman fully embracing life. The fusing top of juicy bergamot and apple translate her energy and her urban edginess. Her natural femininity is conveyed through a beautiful floral bouquet of jasmine and ylang ylang that grows into a sexy veil of vanilla and addictive musks.

A strong and feminine bottle that revisits the Chloé codes combining high-end perfumery with modern details. The multi-faceted bottle with its silver ring, glass pleats and three adorable feet make the precious juice sparkle.

See by Chloé Premium Set

Eau de Parfum 50ml

Body Lotion 75ml

Price: RM245

See by Chloé Prestige Set

Eau de Parfum 75ml

Body Lotion 75ml

Shower Gel 75ml

Price: RM300

Chloé is available at leading department stores.

Gifts Made Easy: Eye-Candy Gift Sets from Marc Jacobs, Issey Miyake and Taylor Swift

Posted on November 21, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

One of the things I like about giving or receiving gift sets is that a lot of those available in stores nowadays also make the box or packaging itself look like it’s already a gift even without gift wrapper. You can normally see this in perfumes or body care items by designer brands and celebrities. And today, I’m sharing some eye-popping, eye-candy gift sets that are here for the holidays!

Marc Jacobs has been so famous for the past years and this designer has been synonymous with unique and classy style. The launch of the ‘DOT’ perfume collection has captured a lot of ladies, both young and young-at-heart. The combination of butterfly theme and the dots seemed simple but it was very catchy. Those black dots have become iconic of this designer’s style.

Marc Jacobs Dot Collection

EDP 100ml + Miniature 4ml + Body Lotion 150ml

DOT by Marc Jacobs is an alluring scent of a delectable blend of red berries, succulent dragon fruit, and sweet honeysuckle. The lush floral heart of the fragrance blooms with the addictive beautiful jasmine, mingled with energizing notes of coconut water and orange blossom. The scent rounds out with a feminine dry down of creamy vanilla, driftwood, and sensual musks.

The dotted bottle with butterflies is such an eye-candy and definitely a great gift idea whether for Christmas, birthday, Chinese New Year and even Valentine’s Day! This red and black combination is such a creative and practical choice.

Marc Jacobs Honey Collection

EDP 100ml + Body Lotion 150ml

Retail Price: RM361 (around USD112)

Honey by Marc Jacobs is a delicious scent of buzzing fragrance that energizes with the freshness of green pear and a bright splash of fruity punch and juicy mandarin. Orange blossom resides at the heart of the fragrance and mingles with the nectars of honeysuckle and peach for a note of sparkling femininity. Honey, vanilla, and smooth woods dry down to a warm, golden base.

The yellow and orange combination makes a fresh and lovable appeal. I think this is a great gift for ladies who love elegant, sweet scents that just exude cheerfulness.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Collection

EDT 125ml + Miniature 4ml + Body Lotion 150ml

Retail Price: RM360 (around USD112)

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs is a whimsical interpretation of the original Daisy fragrance; this scent is fruitier, bubblier, and more fun. Open the bottle and you’ll be transported to a field of sunshine that bursts with the flirty scent of flowers and the cheerful sweetness of fruits. Its light, woody base infuses a subtle but sharp glimmer of musk for an unexpected twist of radiance. The eau de toilette bottle is probably one of the most iconic signatures of this designer fragrance brand. Those sweet flowers that adorn the cap is recognizable anywhere! Daisy by MJ is perfect for that sweet lady who exudes classic beauty and finesse.

Another designer label that has launched eye-candy collections is Issey Miyake. Famous for the classic scent, Issey Miyake, this brand has recently launched an edgy collection, Pleats Please.

Pleats Please Set by Issey Miyake

EDT 100ml + Prestige Spray 10ml + Body Lotion 75ml

Pleats Please is a joyful, optimistic and exuberant fragrance of “vertically pleated” flowery, fruity and woody structure signed by perfumer Aurelien Guichard. Its opening splashes with Asian hybrid fruit Nashi, generated by crossing apples and pears. The heart symbolizes femininity with floral accords of peony and sweet pea, while Indole molecule provides freshness and vigor to the composition. The base is generous with intensive accords of patchouli, cedar, vanilla absolute and white musk.The color play of red, orange and pink bands makes a fashion statement that reflects the runway collection from this designer.

Being a lover of florale scents, I can’t help but notice this elegant, pink set — L’Eau D Issey Florale. Similar to Pleats Please, this floral scent collection uses soft pink-colored bands that embellish the box design.

L’Eau D Issey Florale Set

EDT 90ml + Body Lotion 75ml + Shower Gel 30ml

L’Eau D Issey is an aquatic floral scent with transparent notes of lotus, freesia and cyclamen and juicy melon. The middle note of peony, lily and carnation reveals the perfume’s character. The end note is a refined woody scent with the notes of cedar, sandal, musk and amber.

And lastly for this eye-candy gift sets feature is Taylor Swift collection! Colorful, fun and simply perfect for Christmas, the Wonderstruck and Enchanted Wonderstruck sets are so adorable with these enchanting, magical themes. The colors are gorgeous and the patterns immediately give a feel of the season.

taylor-swift-wonderstruck-perfume-set-gift

Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift

Wonderstruck Taylor Swift fragrance + Scented Bath Gel + Scented Body Lotion

This fragrance exudes a charming gourmand – floral with sparkling fruity tones on a wooden background. The top notes are raspberry, dewberry, green tea, freesia and apple blossom. The heart features sweet vanilla along with sundrenched honeysuckle and white hibiscus. Notes of golden amber, musk, sandalwood and peach are in the base. The charms on the bottle are very lovely and youthful.

taylor-swift-enchanted-wonderstruck-gift-set

Enchanted Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift

Enchanted Wonderstruck fragrance + Miniature + Scented Body Lotion

This fragrance opens with notes of wild berries, pink poppy and passion fruit. Heart notes include peony blossoms, sugar-glazed champaca petals and white freesia. White musk, hypnotic vanilla and blonde woods construct the perfume’s found.

Taylor By Taylor Swift

EDP 30ml + Scented Bath Gel 50ml + Scented Body Lotion 50ml

This set has a fun, modern look against the Wonderstruck sets. The color combination on the packaging is fresh and trendy.

Taylor is a sweet, floral-fruity fragrance with a woody base. It opens with alluring aromas of lychee, tangerine and magnolia petals, with peony, hydrangea and vanilla orchid in the heart and a base made of sandalwood, apricot nectar, cashmere musk and soft woods.

Taylor Swift’s collection somehow gives a feeling of sweetness, fun and magic. Similar to designer brands, Taylor Swift fragrance is quite reflective of her character and her music.

So go and check out these limited collections from Marc Jacobs, Issey Miyake and Taylor Swift at major department stores while they are still available! This is the perfect time to do some shopping for your loved ones and to reward yourself! You’ve been working hard this year and you deserve a wonderful treat!

Gifts Made Easy – Acqua di Parma Holiday Collection 2013

Posted on November 18, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

Let’s continue with the holiday season and gifts theme! This round, I am sharing about a very elegant, exclusive brand that has captured the hearts of men and women who truly appreciate classic culture and style.

Acqua di Parma arrived in Malaysian shores through its flagship store in Parkson Pavilion in 2011. If you’re a fan of unique and sophisticated brands, you will definitely love the collections from this brand. Classical-themed but modern products characterize this historic Italian brand.

Acqua di Parma has a wide range of products including extended line of handcrafted leather goods, aromatherapy products, candles, linens and terrycloth bathrobes, and new perfumes. The brand also offers candles that perfume and decorate the home, and room sprays to give a special touch even to drawers and cupboards.

Since 1916, Acqua di Parma has embodied the essence of Italian elegance and savoir vivre, delivering a universe of taste and quality, whilst being an expression of subtle and timeless sophistication. Acqua di Parma offers an unparalleled selection of prestigious products for the personal toilette, for moments of relaxation, for a place where style is an essential part of living.

To complement the existing classic collections, Acqua di Parma is offering a unique selection of limited edition gift sets, exclusively for the holiday season 2013.

Here are some great gifts for loved ones and perfect gifts for yourself! My recent visit to Pavilion has awaken some gift ideas with fragrances and body care sets. And for those who are looking for classy gifts for the husband, boyfriend or simply for the important man of your life, Acqua di Parma also has gift sets for men.

COLONIAS

COLONIA. A true classic

Created almost a century ago, Colonia perfectly embodies the sophistication of Acqua di Parma. Produced with the finest craftsmanship, it blends pure and traditional ingredients to express the freshness of a classic Eau de Cologne with a distinctive hint of citrus. Colonia offers a complete range of perfumed products for the bath and body: Bath and Shower Gel, Powder Soap, Bath Oil, Body Cream, Talcum Powder and Deodorants.

COLONIA ESSENZA. The purest expression of Colonia

A refined fragrance that captures all the emblematic characteristics of Colonia, made from the finest carefully selected ingredients. The freshness of classic Italian citrus fruits, becomes more lively and vibrant with the presence of grapefruit, tangerine and petitgrain. The heart is a blend of aromatic notes and floral accord. The fragrance closes with the strong and intense scent of pure patchouli which enhances the woody base.

COLONIA ASSOLUTA. Contemporary and sophisticated

The contemporary, vibrant and sensual interpretation of the classic Eau de Cologne. The sparkling freshness of Italian citrus fruits is enriched with warm spices and refined floral tones, laid on an enveloping base of white woods and amber notes. Colonia Assoluta is also available in a range of delicately scented products for the bath and body: Bath and Shower Gel, Aftershave Balm, Deodorants.

COLONIA INTENSA. Intensely masculine

An Eau de Cologne of great quality for the refined man. A unique composition, combining the traditional citrus notes of Eau de Cologne with an innovative leather accord, enshrouded by the spicy and smoky wood tones. Available also in the exclusive 500ml size, ideal for a prestigious gift and for anyone who loves to splash on this exclusive fragrance. Colonia Intensa offers a complete range of perfumed products: Hair and Shower Gel, Aftershave Balm, Aftershave Lotion, Deodorants.

COLONIA Limited Edition Set

Contains: Eau de Cologne 100ml spray, Bath and Shower Gel and Body Cream 75ml.

Retail Price RM455 (around USD141)

COLONIA ESSENZA Limited Edition Set

Contains: Eau de Cologne 100ml spray, Face Emulsion 50ml, Hair and Shower Gel 50ml

Retail Price RM455 (around USD141)

COLONIA ASSOLUTA Limited Edition Set

Contains: Eau de Cologne 100ml spray, Bath and Shower Gel and After Shave Balm 75ml.

Retail Price RM455 (around USD141)

COLONIA INTENSA Limited Edition Set

Contains: Eau de Cologne 100ml spray, Bath and Shower Gel and Aftershave Balm 75ml.

Retail Price RM455 (around USD141)

LE NOBILI – my personal favorite in this holiday collection

GELSOMINO NOBILE. Refined femininity

A noble interpretation of Calabrian Jasmine, an Eau de Parfum extraordinarily rich and elegant. A gentle, yet intense fragrance, in a spontaneous and harmonious alternation of luminous, sensual, delicate and encompassing tones.

A rich bouquet, where Calabrian Jasmine blends with precious notes in an intense, unforgettable creation. An elegant Coffret in a fabric like effect printed in the signature pastel green colour of Gelsomino Nobile line. Decorated with a refined and feminine satin ribbon. The Gelsomino Nobile logo is printed in gold.

Completing the line is a Radiant Bath and Showe Gel 50ml and Radiant Body Cream 50ml.

Retail Price RM415 (around USD129)

MAGNOLIA NOBILE. Elegant femininity

A refined interpretation of the magnolia flower, which reveals its most precious and unmistakable allure in this fragrance. A vibrant and sophisticated Eau de Parfum, which opens with crystal-clear citrus notes and develops into a majestic bouquet of tuberose, rose, jasmine and magnolia.

An elegant Coffret in a fabric like effect printed in the signature ivory colour of Magnolia Nobile line. Decorated with a refined and feminine satin ribbon. The Magnolia Nobile logo is printed in gold.

Completing the line is a Sublime Body Cream 50ml, a Sublime Bath Gel 50ml.

Retail Price RM415 (around USD129)

IRIS NOBILE. Feminine, aristocratic – and I would personally be so elated if I get this from my husband. The purple box is such an elegant touch to this gift set!

A unique interpretation of the iris flower, revealing all the feminity and fascination of this fragrance. A vibrant and subtly sensual Eau de Parfum, that incorporates the discreet elegance of the flower bouquet into the intensity of the classic chypre accord.

An elegant Coffret in a fabric like effect printed in the signature purple colour of Iris Nobile line. Decorated with a refined and feminine satin ribbon
The Iris Nobile logo is printed in gold.

The range comprises of a Precious Bath Gel 50ml, Luminous Body Cream 50ml and Iris Nobile Eau de Parfum 50ml.

Retail Price RM415 (around USD129)

BLU MEDITERRANEO

Arancia di Capri

Beginning with the orange, which finds its ideal home in the year round blooming gardens, to the charming secluded alleys that have attracted the cultural elite throughout history, to the exclusive venues of the international jet-set. Capri, the island of Sirens; Seducing, enchanting, and conquering. A small rocky jewel, where nature, beauty, and history melt together, and whose essence is evoked by Arancia di Capri.

The coffret comes in the institutional Blu Mediterraneo blue colour, with a design in line with Acqua di Parma classic Christmas Coffret. The hatbox is decorated with a sophisticated blue ribbon with the Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo logo.

The range comprises of Arancia di Capri EDT 150ml spray, Relaxing Shower Gel 75ml tube, Relaxing Body Lotion 75ml tube.

Retail Price RM450 (around USD140)

Fico di Amalfi

Amalfi, the birthplace of all arts, boasts an enchanting landscape that makes it one of the most exclusive resorts in Italy. Breathtaking and enclosed, the island is a small treasure of nature. Famous for its figs, or “Dionysus’ drop” in authentic Italian, the fruit is known as a great source of vitality that gathers in Fico di Amalfi encompassing all the energy of the Mediterranean summer.

The range comprises of Fico di Amalfi EDT 150ml spray, Vitalizing Shower Gel 75ml tube, Vitalizing Body Lotion 75ml tube.

Retail Price RM450 (around USD140)

Acqua di Parma is exclusively available at Parkson Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Guerlain Idylle Duet in Rose & Patchouli EDP

Posted on November 5, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

Guerlain’s Idylle Duet is probably the first eau de parfum that I personally bought for myself. I still recall my gorgeous ex-colleagues who introduced this golden bottle oozing with luscious floral scent at Guerlain’s counter in Isetan KLCC sometime last year. The scent of Rose & Patchouli is captivating and its bottle is undeniably a lovely piece to add on the vanity table so I decided to purchase this EDP. That and the fact that Isetan was having irresistible deals that day (yey!).

Guerlain Idylle Duet in Rose & Patchouli

I’ve been using this for a few months now and it’s such a delightful scent worth talking about. Very elegant, classic and perfect for any occasion. Well, I do wear it to work everyday and sometimes switch with a less luxurious fragrance just because I don’t want to finish it too fast. This Idylle Duet is my choice when attending wedding dinners or hosting wine events. The magic even gets better after a few hours.

Guerlain Idylle Duet comes in this lovely box where the bottle sits like a queen in a specially shaped nook. Not your typical packaging, this box makes presentation of the fragrance more like a jewel rather than a bottle of scented liquid, no? The whole product and packaging is wonderful, which makes it an ideal gift for ladies (attention to boyfriends and husbands there who need gift suggestions!).

Guerlain Idylle Duet in box

My half-finished bottle of Guerlain Idylle…

35ml, purchased at Guerlain counter, Isetan KLCC

About Guerlain Idylle Duet Rose & Patchouli

Inspired by Hector Berlioz’s symphony “The Specter of the Rose”, Guerlain’s perfumer Thierry Wasser revisits the stylistic exercise of “duets”—compositions created from two floral notes, around a unique bouquet. This trail of musky and woody harmonies was designed to be like the ideal music of love, a floral and mysterious olfactory symphony.

Signature of the Guerlain House, the Bulgarian Rose is here combined with Indonesian Patchouli, for a grand duo—a unique fragrance with a carnal and mysterious tempo. This fragrance, with its original harmonies, exists exclusively as an Eau de Parfum, and is enclosed in a femininely curved bottle, released in limited edition.

The Body Shop Sale Malaysia: 18 Oct – 07 Nov 2013

Posted on October 31, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

The holiday season is approaching fast! And now is the perfect time to take advantage of the sale promotions around!

The Body Shop sale with up to 70% off on a lot of items is ongoing until 7th November 2013. That’s seven days left from today! I think the offers and selections are just wonderful. Most items have a discount and you’ll definitely find something to buy.

Body Butter, travel shower gel, sets and lotion

The Satsuma Body Butter

The Body Shop sale wide range of items

The Body Shop Dreams Unlimited EDP at 50% off (normal price: RM95)

4-Step Smoky Eyes Palette

My favorite bath lily is also on sale

Vitamin E Face Mist at 20% off (normal price: RM39)

Love your Body members enjoy 10% off on normal-priced items

Most skincare items have discount as well

Just glad to share these with you, guys, and hope you don’t miss it if you’re a Body Shop fan.

Enjoy!

Photos taken at Mid Valley

You can also visit http://www.thebodyshop.com.my if you prefer to skip the queue.

A Few of my Favorite Things

Posted on June 15, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

My Favorite Things by Maria – The Sound of Music 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens 

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens 

Brown paper packages tied up with strings 

These are a few of my favorite things  

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels 

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles 

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings 

These are a few of my favorite things  

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes 

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes 

Silver white winters that melt into springs 

These are a few of my favorite things  

When the dog bites 

When the bee stings 

When I’m feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things 

And then I don’t feel so bad

 (lyrics source: stlyrics.com)

I just celebrated my 33rd birthday a few weeks ago. At times, I still find it hard to believe how far I’ve gone from my life just almost 5 years before. And in celebration of a good and blessed life, I am enumerating the things in my life that I’m thankful for…plus a few of my favorite (material) things.

1) My husband

Wedding in Boracay

Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe that there’s no perfect marriage. It is no fairy tale where the princess marries the prince and they live happily ever after, the end. The truth is, marriage only starts after the wedding and this is where ‘work’ begins. There will be tough times, there will be tougher times. But after everything I’ve gone through, from letting go of everything I have back in my home country, to being in a foreign land with nothing but my clothes (and a few beauty products), no job, no friends…my husband has kept his promise that I will never be hungry.

My husband has been true and loyal after all these years, after all the pregnancy weight and post-pregnancy kilos I’ve never lost. There are times of disappointments but he’s been ever loving and supportive of my decisions. Some wives are tied down with their partners’ manipulation and control while I am blessed to make my own choices and be respected for it. When I arrived in Malaysia more than 4 years back, I had nothing. But now, I am pursuing my aspirations and having a wonderful life. My husband has been strong through it all, and has been my most loyal friend.

2) My son

The breadth and source of my very strength for the past 3 years and for the years to come. Motherhood completely changed my life, the way I look at things, my habits, my choices ad my personality. Before my son came into my life, I was a hot-tempered biatch at work and I can easily raise my voice, bang the table and scold people. Now, I’ve learned how to be patient and more. My priorities and choices revolve around him. I work even harder than before, making tougher decisions and more. But most of all, I aim to be the best person, achieve the highest I can and prepare the best possible future, all for him.

3) My In-Laws
It’s not easy to find couples who can confidently say that they are thankful for their in-laws. In my case, I am very blessed to have in-laws who are very concerned, understanding, supportive and loving. All through these years, they’ve been on my side, always lending a helping hand. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t know how my husband and I could have gone through all the tough times when we first arrived. And now, they are the ones taking care of my son while I work, which is totally priceless. I cannot imagine how our lives would be without my in-laws being there for Aden.

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law have also been there for us. I still recall my pregnancy days and they helped us with things like baby items, food and other things that we might need. Whether small or big stuff, they’ve been generous and always thoughtful. In this time and life, I know that it’s not everyday for anyone to get blessed with a family like this.

4) My parents, sisters and brother, and my relatives back home
Life is never easy but we need to find ways to be happy, find simple joys in everyday life. At a young age, I’ve known what it’s like to have a not-so-easy life, and so I learned to work hard, make better decisions to reach my goals. There were a lot of hard times but these hard times made me a tougher person. I learn how to appreciate good times and other blessings even more because I knew what it’s like to be on the other side.

5) True friends
Good laughs, tears, sweat, tough professors, mean bosses, crushes, shopping…some things are just best shared and appreciated with true friends. Although some of us are very far apart, we still manage to share some laughs, heartaches and all.

6) Tough Bosses who make you learn important things
I’ve been so blessed to have bosses who manage to bring out the best in me, whether intentionally done or not. I know that we all looooove to complain about our bosses but truth is, they make us tougher and do better than our normal, easy-going selves. People tend to find a comfort zone and without those tough (and sometimes heartless) people in our lives, we wouldn’t be challenged and life will just be boring.

7) Photographers, Graphic Designers
Working with professional photographers and very creative graphic designers had been, and still is, a great joy in my career. I actually graduated as an interior designer (huwhat?) so creatives, colors and stuff grab my interest. But there’s something about photography and combining graphic design elements into an artwork that really gives me a sense of fulfillment.

And here are some of my favorite material stuff…not to be mistaken as of equal importance as the above but, nevertheless, these stuff still give a smile on my face:

8) iPhone 5
This is just the best mobile gadget for me. I love the camera, love the speed, love the interface and all. For the past years, I’ve tried different brands, different types…but this, by far, outruns them all. Not everyone will agree but as a personal choice, iPhone 5 works best for me.

iPhone5: One of my Precious-es

9) MacBook Pro
I guess I just have the ‘need for speed’. I hate working on computers that hang on minor applications, especially when you’re shifting from 1 design program to another. I’m not a full-time designer but I occasionally enjoy photo editing and some small artworks every now and then. The Mac’s interface is just superb with its multi-touch trackpad. Swipe and shift programs easily with your fingers. Quick. Easy. Genius.
A few years back when I started working for an international lingerie brand and I saw a Mac for the first time, I was awestruck. Well, I thought, will I ever be able to afford that? Will I even understand how to use one? And, thank God, I was. It was worth every RM.

MacBook Pro: Speed and creativity at my fingertips

10) Kate Spade Red Tote Bag
I’m not really the type who splurges on designer bags, not that I can even afford to. But I saw this bag and it called my name (!). The leather is wonderful, the color is delicious and the design is simple yet classy. At first, I thought that red will be very hard to match with clothes but it just works fine with any color. With the mix-and-match trend in fashion now, sporting a red bag with an attire can make a statement.

Kate Spade Red Leather Bag with Gold Accents

11) Clairol Herbal Essences Coconut Milk
Yes, yes, like most of the other ladies out there, I am hoping that one shampoo or conditioner can solve all my hair problems. Though it doesn’t magically turn my hair into that soft-flowing, captivating bundle of strands like in TV commercials, this Clairol Herbal Essence Coconut Milk keeps my hair more moisturized than other conditioners that I’ve tried. The lasting scent is a definite plus and it’s very affordable if not cheap for most. The shampoo is just as nice because it doesn’t dry my hair out like others. I even explored more expensive brands, salon brands, professional brands but I still go back to Herbal Essences.

Clairol Herbal Essences Coconut Milk Conditioner

12) Canon EOS100D
I finally got my hands on my very first DSLR! I’ve actually been dreaming of owning one for several years. It’s not cheap and for the past few years, I wasn’t confident enough to invest on one because I rarely have time to just take pictures as I’m so busy with work. It wouldn’t be worth it to buy one and just keep it, right? But the time has come for me to pursue my other passion in life while still maintaining my career in marketing. Thank God for all the blessings. I now have some good regular time for my son and myself.

The Canon EOS 100D was just recently released and in good timing for my decision to buy a DSLR. It is the lightest and smallest DSLR ever launched (for now) and it fits comfortably on a beginner’s hand. And it’s just amazingly light. I’ve been taking photos since I bought it, of course, excitedly, and the results are just so different and a lot better than my normal point-and-shoot digital camera. I can now take photos of Aden even if he moves a lot and take photos for my blogs more beautifully.

My first DSLR: Canon EOS 100D

13) Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer
I had a post about this great product at http://bit.ly/19BZkY6 This pore minimizer gave me visible results and the longer I use it, the more my skin becomes smoother, the smaller my pores become. I just love how my skin’s texture has improved within the past months. I’ll be finishing it soon so gotta buy another one!

14) Biore Pore Strips
Being obsessed with my huge pores, I constantly explore products to reduce their size or at least, keep it free from blackheads and whiteheads. But this is just almost impossible for me so I’ve been regularly cleaning my pores with pore strips. I do this every Saturday and I’m quite addicted to seeing those tiny, icky stuff all stuck to the strip! I’ve tried different brands at different prices. But Biore pore strips at only RM10.80 for 10 strips have been the most effective. Other strips don’t have cuttings on some corners that should adapt to the curves of our nose and cheeks which make it a bit inefficient. Biore has cutting on several corners, making it follow the contour of the nose, especially the fold between the nose and cheeks.

15) Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Milled Soap
Normally, I don’t really use bar soaps but when my sister-in-law gave me an Iris bath set, the scent of the triple milled soap was simply bewitching! So I got another set from Crabtree; there’s no 1-piece for sale so I had to get the 3-piece set… But it’s reasonable at only RM65 per set.

Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Miled Soap set of 3

16) Guerlain Idylle Duet EDP – Rose Patchouli
This is my special occasion fragrance. The floral scent is very classy and smells even lovelier as time wears on. When it comes to fragrance, I go for floral scents, not fruity and not the sporty scent. (Surprisingly, when it comes to skincare products, I have to avoid those with rose and other very floral scents as I tend to get some skin reaction to it.)
I love the sexy bottle, showing very feminine and glamorous curves. I prefer bottles that are transparent where you can see the contents so this makes Guerlain Idylle’s bottle even more attractive to me. Small thing but I don’t like those opaque bottles wherein I need to guess if it’s about to finish or not. And after all, one of the factors that makes a perfume attractive is the packaging. Save, of course, for Chanel No. 5 which has a simple bottle but still remains to be one of the most (if not THE most) popular fragrances in the world.

Guerlain Idylle Duet – Rose Patchouli

17) The Body Shop – White Musk EDT & Moroccan Rose EDT
On normal days, I like to wear these Body Shop EDTs. The famous White Musk has a light, wonderful and simply soothing scent. It has combined notes of jasmine, rose, musk, lily and I guess some other more beautiful floral scents (I am no fragrance expert, haha). At a price of RM59 for 30ml, this EDT is worth to have as a daily part of my body care routine.

I also love the Body Shop’s Moroccan Rose. By now you can tell that I’m quite addicted to rose fragrance (!). This EDT has a romantic, feminine, light and fresh scent. And being named Moroccan, it adds some mystery and uniqueness to it. Very nice for daily wear and special occasions, too.

The Body Shop Moroccan Rose EDT & White Musk EDT

18) Dorothy Perkins Black Belt
For some time, I’ve been looking for a simple but nice black belt. If not expensive, designer type, I can only see very posh and accessorized belt which I don’t really go for. I needed something simple, good enough for corporate wear so it cannot be too stylized with all those shining stones all over it. One fine evening in Mid Valley, I came across this simple, nice belt from Dorothy Perkins and I loved it! If I remember it right, I got this belt for only RM39. Very reasonable price for a belt like this.

19) Monthly Issue of Female & Women’s Weekly Magazines
Every month, I must always have a copy of these 2 magazines. I love the beauty and fashion articles, photos and updates. Presentation is very good, writing style is funky and smart. Female always contains the latest in beauty and fashion while Women’s Weekly has very interesting reads about family and life.

20) Solvil El Titus Purple Watch
I just got this watch last February as a Valentine’s Day present from my hubby. I really love the purple color, the lovely glimmer of stones and the size against my wrist. I like that it has that chronograph style but the extra 3 sets of counters for date, seconds and 24-hour are not too big as the usual chronograph-style watches.

Solvil El Titus Purple Strap Watch

And lastly, my days will not be complete without a few minutes session with my son’s baby feet! I know I’m only left with a short time to enjoy these before they turn into non-baby feet and before he gets old enough not to allow me to play with them…

I have more blessings to be thankful for and a few more favorite things. Sometimes, people, including me, tend to focus on the bad things that happen or those things that cause disappointments. But in life, I should learn how to count my blessings instead, those small things that make me smile or make my life wonderful, even for just a few minutes or seconds in a day. Hope you find your favorite things as well, no matter how big or small they are.

Celeste de Jesus

Beauty, Lifestyle, Health, Fitness and Other Addictive Stuff

Tag Archives: fragrance

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Guerlain Idylle Duet in Rose & Patchouli EDP

The Body Shop Sale Malaysia: 18 Oct – 07 Nov 2013

A Few of my Favorite Things