What do women do when it’s “that time of the month?” Naturally, we want a well-meaning pad that will give us the liberty to move without worrying about displacement or “leaks.”

Libresse feminine pads are specially designed to move along with our routine activities. They are equipped with the revolutionary Secure Fit ™ feature, which provides superior dryness and ultimate comfort fit. It allows for unconstrained freedom for movement without the insecure feeling of leakage and discomfort.

The Body Designed Front secures the pad in place to prevent leakage. Its Narrow Neck fits comfortably between the thighs preventing the pad from squishing and being dislodged when walking. To ensure that nothing seeps between the cracks, Libresse’ uniquely designed Split Rear at the backside of the pad is outlined for a close fit to the buttocks. Libresse has Deep Flow Channels ™ (DFC) that channel wetness quickly into the pad, preventing it from flowing back into the surface, saving you from the icky feeling of discomfort from wetness. These channels also act as strategic fold lines that follow your every move, therefore keeping the pad in place at all times.

Libresse pads has four quality variants; Maxi Wings and Ultra Thin Wings for regular red days, Maxi Overnight Wings that is specially-shaped for longer nights and Libresse Super Slim Pantyliner , a stretchable liner that is flexible as your undergarment to give you absolute comfort in movement, it has a breathable back sheet and soft cottony surface which keeps skin fresh, dry and comfortable.

With its quality features and outstanding performance, Libresse lets you move at your own pace to do all that you’re meant to without worry, therefore elevating your passions at every turn. Behind every successful woman is herself and Libresse. Libresse is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide.

Note: from the official press release

Am glad that Avon, one of the most trusted beauty brands for women, now has a range of pediatrician-tested, mother-approved baby care line. Among their products are the Avon Baby Moisturizing Lotion, Avon Baby Tear-Free Head-to-Toe Wash and Shampoo, and Avon Baby’s Soothing Oil.

Most recently, they introduced the Avon Baby Shampoo in a 200 ml bottle that has a mild easy-rinse, tear-free formula. It gently cleanses to leave baby’s hair soft, shining and sweet-smelling without drying baby’s delicate scalp. It is free of dyes and parabens—ensuring suitability to baby’s sensitive skin and for everyday use. It even comes in an ergonomic, mom-friendly package for easy handling.

Now that I’ve been informed about this product, am willing to give it a try. As a mother of an almost two years old, am always on the lookout for products with natural ingredients that won’t harm my baby.

The shampoo is available for P240 through Avon Representatives nationwide. Visit www.avon.com.ph for more details on Avon’s baby-care line. Don’t have an Avon Lady yet? Call the Avon Customer Hotline 8642900 or log on to www.avon.com.ph to find out how you can get in touch with an Avon Lady.

Shown in photo are the celebrity ambassadors who graced the launch. From left: Iza Calzado for Myra E, Maricar Reyes for Met Tathione, event host Cheska Litton, Cristalle Henares for Belo and Melissa Ricks for Cosmo Skin.

Having a day-to-day skin regimen and exercise routine are already a great way to enhance a woman’s holistic beauty. However, topical products can only go to a certain depth into the skin’s layer. But with beauty ingestives, the necessary nutrients are reaching the skin from within, making the transformation faster and more noticeable.

This is affirmed by Dr. Angel Tomacruz- Cumagun, dermatologist and beauty expert — “Ingestives are beauty supplements. By taking supplements orally, the necessary nutrients reach into the inner as well as outer skin layers from within. Thus, the expected outcomes like renewing cells, fighting free radicals as well as boosting the immune system can be felt and seen”.

Here’s a look at some of the top brands that are on spotlight at SM’s Beauty Within:

Mosbeau – With key Ingredients like Placental protein, Asparagus Extract , Vitamin C, Collagen and Glutathione, Mosbeau whitens skin while rejuvenating skin cells and removing harmful toxins from the body.

Belo Nutraceuticals- This latest offering from the powerhouse brand harnesses whitening and anti-ageing in one capsule. It’s infused with glutathione and collagen precursors and provides an added bonus: a healthy dose of Vitamin C.

Cosmo Skin – Contains Primeform Glutathione which effectively inhibits formation of eumelanin (dark melanin) and synthesizes Phaeomelanin (light melanin).

Met Tathione – A certified Japanese treasure, Met helps strengthen the immune system, removes toxins from the liver and protects the body from free radical damage.

Other skin whitening options include Vita Pack, KB Kyusoku and Slim & White.

Myra E Capsule – An antioxidant that protects and fights against free radicals that damage skin, Myra E capsules promise healthy skin and eyes for an overall youthful glow.

Other vitamins and supplements available are Gloww, Pynocare and IVI Premium Collagen Drink.

Xenical – blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body. It is used together with a reduced-calorie diet and weight maintenance to treat obesity in people with certain risk factors (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol or triglycerides).

Other slimming formulation options are Lesofat, ATC Redoxfat, Biguerlai, Cosmo Body, Kankura Herbal Tea, Kankunis Herbal Tea and Biofitea.

Wheatgrass Powder and Organique Acai Juice Supplement on the other hand provide detoxification benefits.

Completing the offer for general wellness are vitamin brands Caltrate Plus, Berroca Performance and Moringana Capsule.

Start your beautiful transformation by visiting the Beauty Within Section in SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Fairview and SM North EDSA. Beauty advisors will be on hand to enlighten you on the best choice.

I couldn’t help but turn around when I saw Filipina model Kelly Misa pitching at a Samsung event. It was a Saturday, and Kelly was effortlessly cool and chic in a casual getup that enabled her to show off her long legs and natural-toned skin. Her style was something I would have worn on a hot summer day when I’d be fit again… LOL. On Kelly, everything looked natural.

here’s how the whole ensemble went:

A dress (cinched with a belt) from Topshop
Longchamp Le Pliage tote

I also took notice of her crystal-like statement necklace and she said it was from H & M:)

Buying medicines can be an expensive proposition. I dread any member of the family getting sick, and I dread visiting drugstores even more. In emergency cases, it’s best to canvass prices because God only knows the leading chain (Mercury Drug!) can get very pricey. It was nice to know all about Generika in this info sheet provided by a publicist. I could consider buying here since am a great believer in generic drugs anyway.

Here are things to know about this growing brand. To quote:

All Generika Drugstore outlets offer free blood pressure monitoring, while blood sugar screening (FBS/RBS) as well as cholesterol screening can be availed for a very minimal fee. Generika Drugstore conducts Libreng Konsulta, Libreng Bunot days as part of its outreach program, while generic awareness presentations are held to educate senior citizens and other groups about generic drugs.

All stores are fully computerized and use a powerful and user-friendly point-of-sale (POS) application that was developed in-house and continues to be enhanced for the benefit of franchisees and their customers.

In addition to quality generic medicines, Generika Drugstore also carries branded medicines, medical supplies, galenicals (or herbal formulations), and selected consumer goods — all at very competitive prices. Thus, Generika Drugstore offers a wider product selection and are more complete compared to similar small outlets.

For added customer convenience, selected Generika Drugstore outlets offer free delivery service for a minimum P300 purchase of generics.

Starting out with a single outlet in Alabang in 2004, Generika Drugstore expanded to 16 company-owned stores with strategic locations in Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna by 2008.

Building on the success of their business model, Generika opened up franchising opportunities to Filipino entrepreneurs in May 2008. Generika now has 170 operational soon-to-open stores all over the country. Many franchise applications are being processed and more locations will be opened as the company is geared to expand more aggressively in the coming months and years.

Its goal is to become the leading national drugstore chain that performs a vital service to the community by providing access to affordable, quality medicines as well as superior service driven by a strong sense of social purpose.

It’s a cultural thing. I’ve noticed that almost all households in the Philippines have a walis tambo. I don’t even know the English translation of the walis tambo but some people call it the “Baguio broom” due to the fact that it’s primarily produced in the mountain city. This is kinda weird since I’ve also lived in the faraway Visayas islands and they also have walis tambo and walis tingting there.

Do you imagine how old the walis tambo is? Am fairly sure it dates back to the Spanish era. That is why am wondering why it exists in this age of smart phones, Facebook and smart TV. Why haven’t we found an alternative to our walis and use vacuum cleaners like our counterparts in the Western world?

As for me, I have little affection left for the native walis, especially since it puts a drain on the family budget. Our trusted helper Dalisay, who works hard at cleaning the house, seems to be buying the broom every month. One of the reasons could be that it’s not of good quality. With time, the broom loses its fiber or its hair and when it goes “bald,” that’s the time to replace it. Not so efficient I must say!

As a busy working mom, I need household gadgets I can rely upon. I believe that with the right gadget or appliance, I can save precious time and money and still be able to focus on other things. The good thing with modernization (and the digital age) is that we can already delegate our important tasks on man-made machines. A good example is our electronic washer where I just set the timer on and it’s ready to wash the whole family’s clothes. No need to hire a labandera or laundrywoman!

So yes,am eyeing on a vacuum cleaner to clean our house without sweat. It would be a welcome treat for dear Dalisay who can then focus focus on taking care of baby Lucy (yes, she’s a great multi-tasker!) On weekends when am free, I can also be more inspired to clean the house. No more bending over and grappling with an almost bald walis tambo.

I’ve set my eyes on the Electrolux Dynamica to do the work for me. It’s a corded stick vacuum cleaner that can effectively clean hard floors, carpets and surfaces with ease. I also like the fact that it’s lightweight and of course easy to use. We’ve always depended on Electrolux as a trusted household appliance brand and I’m glad they’ve got a winner in Dynamica to help us say bye-bye to our old, antiquated broom days.

I need change! I want to start the doom of the broom. I need help!

Nike presents LEBRON 8 PS, LeBron James’ first signature shoe featuring Hyperfuse construction. This kind of construction provides strong and lightweight lockdown support with a unique breathable quality difficult to attain in high-performance basketball footwear. It sheds 1.5 ounces from the regular season model (U.S. Men’s Size 9), making a statement as the 82-game season comes to a close and the playoffs begin. By creating a shoe that is lightweight, supportive, breathable and durable, the LEBRON 8 PS is the perfect weapon for the sprint at the end of the marathon, when the smallest detail can make all the difference.

″Heading into the final stretch of the season, the LEBRON 8 PS mirrors my evolving game as
strength and endurance are tested,″ said James. ″The lion symbol on the tongue of all three
versions of my eighth signature shoe keep me hungry and focused each time I lace up.″

Jason Petrie designed the LEBRON 8 series and collaborated closely with LeBron for the three-art series. ″One of the main things LeBron and I talked about early on was how do we develop a series of shoes that syncs with the change in his body and in his game over the course of the season, especially as he moves from the regular season into the intense and critical post-season,″ said Petrie. ″LeBron found success in the first two LEBRON 8 shoes and
we want to make sure we give him every advantage as he enters this intensified last run of the
season.″

The LEBRON 8 PS combines three unique materials together to form the
Hyperfuse constructed upper. The first layer is made of synthetic underlays strategically placed
for support, the second layer is made of single layer mesh for ventilation, and the top layer is
made of a thin layer of TPU that is placed in high-wear areas for durability.

For added lightness, Petrie changed up the Max Air cushioning from the Max Air 360 unit to a
lighter Max Air 180 unit in the heel, Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot and carbon fiber in the arch to
create an evolved cushioning system engineered for LeBron. The full-length Cushlon midsole of
the LEBRON 8 PS provides springy, resilient and durable cushioning and comfort.

The solid rubber outsole’s herringbone pattern and outrigger provide superior traction, quickness
and lateral stability, while the exaggerated flex grooves in the forefoot and heel expose the midsole foam to reduce the overall weight of the shoe.

Like the first LEBRON 8 and V/2, the LEBRON 8 PS visual design was inspired by a lion and
James’ ability to attack from all angels on the basketball court. Distinguishing details such as the
tongue’s depiction of a lion facing his opponents, LeBron’s signature on the heel, plus eyestays
shaped like the number eight in reference to James’ eighth signature shoe, complement a design
personalized to James’ performance. Fans of the shoe will discover the subtle change in the
inner-tongue to reflect the completion of the 82 games regular season, and the start of the 28
game post season.

According to scientific studies, the other factors contributing to hair loss are hereditary disorder, underlying medical illness, major surgery, hormonal problems, stress, air pollutants, exposure to sunlight, medications and infections.

I was glad to be acquainted with this product named Novuhair which has herbal shampoo and topical scalp lotion for problem hair. NOVUHAIR® claims it is the only brand in the market which uses a unique combination of hair growth stimulators such as virgin coconut oil, panax ginseng, centella asiatica, zingiber officinale, aloe barbadensis, biotin, peppermint, lemon grass, rosemary and lavender oils.

According to their official press release. Novuhair accelerates blood circulation in the scalp which helps promote hair growth. By maintaining moisture and providing nourishment to the hair and scalp, it also eliminates dandruff and itchiness.

“In a week’s time, NOVUHAIR® users may already notice a decrease in hair loss. Hair growth becomes evident with regular use of the product. Once desired results are achieved, it may still be used for hair and scalp maintenance.”

A clinical trial conducted last year by renowned hair and scalp expert Dr. Rica Mallari showed a 100% success rate among volunteers who tried the product.. All subjects experienced no progression of hair loss and a decrease in hair shedding. More importantly, no side effects were experienced.

The hair loss solution is currently being exported to Hong Kong and the USA. In the Philippines, it is available in all Cory Quirino World of Wellness stores and Mercury Drug branches nationwide.

Shu Uemura is my fave make up brand. Among their products I have are a variety of eyeshadows, the UV Under Base, blush on and lipsticks. Quality is superb and they never let me down whenever I want to look good.

During my recent trip to Osaka, Japan with the hubby, I figured it was time to replenish my Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. My feet led me again to the Shu Uemura counter and there I saw the brand’s Sakura Collection 2011 featuring the colorful prints of Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa. It’s a total eye candy all right and I didn’t hesitate to tell hubby to buy it for me (tee hee) I figured total price for powder foundation plus the attractve case with the flower prints is US$50. I just love the packaging. It makes me look forward to putting on my make up!

I recently attended a luncheon hosted by The Legend Villas to introduce their new dishes. I couldn’t help but admire the classic style of the hotel’s young (daughter of) owner and executive Ginger King Villavicencio. It was a bright, sunny day in Manila and Ms. Villavicencio was all made up without being overdressed for our afternoon by the pool. The occasion certainly didn’t call for “underdressed” as facing us in a sexy halter top would have been unbecoming too.

Ginger channels my favorite style icons Princess Diana and Audrey Hepburn in the following ensemble: fitted jacket by local clothes retailer K & Company, blue undershirt, white slim pants, an authentic Cartier watch and a knotted Chanel pearl necklace.

Thumbs up!