12 beyond beauty benefits of collagen

MANILA, Philippines — When it comes to health, the big C’s are usually Vitamin C, cancer and lately, medicinal cannabis.

Often, people forget another important C: collagen.

This summer, increased sun exposure leads to aging and depletion of collagen, the building blocks of protein and the skin’s main structure that is also found in the eyes, heart, kidneys, tendons, ligaments, liver, and even in stomach and hair, said esthetics and rejuvenation expert Dr. Cecilia Catapang.

“At a certain point, the body stops producing collagen,” the doctor warned during the recent launch of food supplement Novuskin Lift, claimed to be the first in the market to have 18 natural ingredients, including marine fish collagen.

Collagen comprises 80 percent of skin, but due to free radicals, when one reaches 20, one loses collagen at the rate of is 1.8 percent per year, and 20 to 25 percent annually by age 30, said Catapang.

If you are feeling sluggish and having many wrinkles by age 40, that is because collagen has rapidly depleted in one's body, she said.

Since collagen is in over 100 parts of the body, 14 of which are the most important. Catapang stressed the value of taking collagen supplements not only for beauty but also for health.

According to her, here are other beyond beauty benefits collagen can give:

    Bone healing
    Anti-aging
    Wound healing
    Increased protein intake
    Antibacterial
    Collagen has aspirin-like properties that can prevent heart attack and stroke
    Marine fish collagen and peptide are widely used as supplements because of their similarity to human collagen. These have a good safety profile and high bioavailability through the gastrointestinal tract, promoting skin repair. The intake of this must be combined with antioxidants.
    Marine fish collagen is absorbed up to 1.5 times more effectively into the body and has superior bioavailability over bovine or porcine collagens, thus, fish collagen is considered the best collagen for medicinal purposes.
    When completely digested, fish collagen stimulates cells in skin, joints and bones, leading to collagen synthesis through cell activation and growth.
    Other fish collagen benefits include anti-aging, bone healing and rejuvenation, wound healing, increased protein intake and antibacterial properties.
    Fish collagen is high in essential and non-essential amino acids.
    Every 10 grams of fish collagen has protein, potassium, sodium and iron

White sugar, said Catapang, weakens collagen, so she suggested using other healthier sweeteners like muscovado or brown sugar.

“To effectively slow down aging, do measures that will have a lasting impact not only to skin but the entire well-being,” she noted.

source: philstar.com

Hotpants show where bad girls go during summer in Europe

HANOVER, Germany--A woman in hotpants with the writing 'Good Girls Go To Heaven Bad Girls Go To Ibiza' climbs her bike during summer.

source: interaksyon.com

Light-skinned beauty and powerful lips

MANILA, Philippines - The story for summer is skin  whether porcelain pale or sun-flecked and freckled.

Sheer finishes, bold lips and equally eye-conic eyewear prove to be the season’s most popular.

Beauty note: At Haider Ackerman, supple, dewy skin — luminescent, really — contrasted against a deep violet lip. Unusual for the season, but the dark-hued lip provides a lush counterpoint to a luminous complexion. Begin with a formula comprised of liquid foundation and moisturizer (50-50 is a good mix), and lightly spread over skin. Pat with a sponge to remove excess. To achieve alabaster skin, makeup artist Lucia Pica says the answer is “highlighting.” Pica, who was the key artist at Peter Pilotto, blended MAC Extra Dimension Skin Finish in Definitely Defined with some moisturizer, applied it with a small contour brush over the high planes of the face, such as forehead, bridge of nose, upper cheekbones, cupid’s bow and inner corner of the eye. Lightly brush some loose powder, like Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Powder, over the sides of the nose, under the eyes and through the middle of the face. To finish, apply a dark violet lipstick. Makeup artist Hanna Pechon used Shu Uemura Artist colour and Black WN 298 to achieve the desired look. If the dark hue is too dramatic, try the Viva Glam Nicki, which resembles a lighter pigment, like lavender.

Accessory note: A dramatic lip deserves a dramatic eye. Opt for some eye-popping spectacles like this House of Holland pair. The Brit label will debut at optical stores everywhere this summer.


Beauty note: A silky red-orange lip for summer, as seen on the runways of Moschino, Paul Smith and Jason Wu, is an ode to classic holiday escapist flicks. Utilizing Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited M RD 165, the hue brightens skin tone and teeth instantly.


Accessory note: Take on the Mod trend with specs that draw the eye. Le Specs, an affordable Australian label, is debuting this summer. Visit www.facebook.com/lespecsph for the lowdown.


Beauty note: Designer Holly Fulton desired a cool California look. Makeup artist Andrew Gallimore aimed for “’50s girl with a toasted tan, summer freckles and a sunblock-neon lip.” A sheer base allows skin to shine through, while a colorblocked lip provides a pop of summer.

Condition lips, then spread a magenta or fuchsia cream formula along the lips as the base, making sure to leave a gap in the center of both lips. Try Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited M PK 376 or T. LeClerc Rouge Transparent Lipstick in Candeur. Work in an orange, like MAC Morange or Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited M OR570. Set the lip with Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Powder to set.

Accessory note: These are some serious Tom Cruise Top Gun flashback-level aviators, which made their way back to pop culture. Ray-Ban Flash Lens Aviators come in highly reflective finishes including pink (seen here), blue and green.


Beauty note: Spare no expense when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun’s way-harsh rays. Prep skin with Lancome’s new Advanced Genifique formula, which promises to repair and visibly rejuvenate skin. After moisturizing, place a coin-sized amount of Shu Uemura UV Armour SPF 50 Water-Resistant Fluid Sunblock and spread evenly. Top with a light amount of Shu Uemura Stage Performer BB Perfector Skin Smoothing Beauty Cream. Dot over key portions of the face where you most want coverage then blend with fingers or a sponge. High temperatures ensures pouring sweat throughout the day, so best to keep makeup light. Don’t bother with powder, as dewy skin looks fresher.

Condition lips with Shu Uemura Depsea Hydrability Lip Balm. At the Erdem S/S show, makeup artist Andrew Gallimore worked with a retro futuristic look: “’50s/’60s idea of what the future looks like.” He accomplished it with a popular trend: the barely-there lip. In the center, apply MAC Good To Go, a neon orange lip creme with hints of red, with light fingers or a blending brush. Top with lip balm to blend.

Accessory note: The angular lines of Miu Miu’s amethyst sunnies, available at Adora, prove modern shapes don’t have to be minimal.

source: philstar.com

Sizzle in summertime

MANILA, Philippines - In the season of sun, make your fashion world more exciting with your best accessory — your skin!

Jet-off to exciting vacation hubs with summer wear that’s absolutely in style for 2013 and designed to wow even the most discriminating fashionistas and beach junkies! 

For the fashionable Tomato woman and the gorgeous Tomato man, it’s a mix of rich patterns and colors that’s very definitive of this vibrant season of sea, sun and sand. Tomato has swimwear for all body types designed to flatter all kinds of curves. The collection comes in exotic tropical prints, rich hues of tribal patterns, colorful modern paisley shapes, vibrant nautical stripes and chevron that are so fresh and irresistible for this summer.  Tomato’s Summer Escapade Collection is bursting in color palettes of greens, naughty and sweet shades of pinks and reds, pale and vibrant oranges and the delicious tones of mellow yellow!

For women, it’s low cut V-neck swimwear with ruffles and fringes. The swimwear line has subtle ruching, long ties and knots that give a vibe that’s both ethereal and mysterious.

For men, it’s a variety of board shorts that fit any taste and style. From below-knee to sexy shorter lengths to show off toned and tanned thighs, the swimwear collection for the urban guy on vacation snugs comfortably to give him a sexy relaxed fit.

For accessories, it’s about time to make your bold fashion statement with summer timepieces.  An enormous collection of watches to suit any of your summer activities is available in the most exciting styles and colors you can think of.


Tomato designed this amazing Summer Escapade Collection for the young urban guy and gal whose busy schedules deserve one fabulous summer vacay!

(Available in all Tomato stores. Visit www.tomato.ph for more information.)

source: philstar.com

5 tips for planning your summer vacation

Even though the global economy has shaken the travel industry in the last couple of years, many signs signal that there is a recovery trend. People are laying down the fear of uncertainty, and are trying to plan their upcoming vacations and chill-out from the exhausting year.

The recovered economy means that many are ready to spend on summer vacation again. But, that doesn't mean that now people are splashing all their savings on a week of joy and relaxation. More than ever, everybody is trying to save on a great deal. The best value for the money is always the key criteria for a deal.

In this article, we will try to give you some useful tips for planning your great summer vacation, thus not splashing huge on it.

Skip the middleman. Reaching the travel agencies is a classic approach for finding a place to rent a property for your vacation. Leaving aside all the advantages of this approach, if you want to find a nice deal, you got to skip the middleman and cut its margin in the value chain. Agencies are taking their margins for matching you as a traveler with the vacation property owners. There are plenty of online portals that will help you find your ideal destination, or wanted place at an affordable price. You can find homes, condominiums, villas, cabins, bed and breakfasts, all-inclusive resorts by reviewing the property costs and rental agreement quickly and easily prior to the booking.

Explore hidden gems. Sumner vacations in destinations such as Barbados, Fiji, and Hawaii etc. tend to cost a lot. Non-celebrities who are looking to avoid those crowds and get better deals should consider places often overlooked by most, such as Southern and Central Europe, Australia, Oceania, Africa etc. Places like Greece, Croatia, and Bulgaria are awesome for a classic summer vacation in a wonderful resort near the beach. Places like Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia are great for a late summer vacation for good prices. And cities like Nice, Barcelona, Venice, Cannes are fantastic for an early fall vacation and shopping.

Plan early but wait on deals. If you are planning a honeymoon trip, waiting is a risky strategy. Otherwise, booking the lowest-price room or vehicle and then upgrading on the spot can lead to better deals. Also, If you're expecting for a payout from your credit card issuer in the form of cash back, gift cards, or airline miles, that payout can be used to fund your summer vacation.

Group with friends. Gathering with your friends for the summer vacation can bring you extra fun and extra cost savings. Besides the wonderful time with your beloved ones, you can look for a vacation rental property from the owners for rent, like a villa, cabin, apartment or a hotel and share the costs. You will have the all privacy and convenience that a property would bring, and will save agreeing terms with the owner itself and bypass the agencies' fees.

Bring "everything". Packing your own stuff, like food, clothes and accessories is a job for the ladies, I guess. Nevertheless, note that there always will be something that is missing. But the most important thing is to pack the right attitude. Let the "what if" and live the adventure. If this is a vacation to get away and relax, then focus on activities and thoughts that will be relaxing. If your goal is to reconnect with family and build memories together, that can be done regardless of circumstances. If your goal is to sight-see and take in some special attractions or shows, then plan ahead and make the reservations needed and make sure you are all set for the challenges.

So if you are looking for value, by renting directly from property owners, here are a couple of sites: Holiday Rent Club , Rentalo , etc.

Article Source:
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051581463-1-5-tips-for-planning-your-summer-vacation/

Memorial Day: Cat Cora, Padma Lakshmi Share Healthy Eating Tips for Summer

Memorial Day marks the start of the summer grilling season, and what better way to spend the holiday that with your family and friends – outside.

Celebrity chef Cat Cora – and star Bravo's Around the World in 80 Plates – says including your children in your meal planning can lead to fun and, most importantly, healthy dining experiences.

In Smart Chefs Stay Slim: Lessons in Eating and Living from America's Best Chefs, by PEOPLE senior editor Allison Adato, Cora is just one of many celebrity chefs (including Tom Colicchio, Wolfgang Puck, Rick Bayless) with nutritious tips to share.

Cora's big suggestion? Eat with your kids outside!

The Iron Chef and wife Jennifer are outnumbered by their four young sons. But the grown-ups still eat the healthy dinners they enjoy – and refuse to cave to kiddie food like buttered noodles or chicken fingers. At their home they'll grill fish, chicken and vegetables, appealing to the boys by making skewered versions.

Anything on a stick, says Cora, "the kids love it. We'll do a salmon skewer and romesco sauce [nuts, garlic, olive oil and peppers] or lamb with a mint-yogurt sauce and pita bread."

Looking for more ideas? PEOPLE recently surveyed many more chefs for their best healthy summer eating tips and tricks. Here is some more creative advice:

• "Make coconut water into ice cubes for drinks, or just suck on them like mini popsicles." – Melissa d'Arabian, host of Food Network's Ten Dollar Dinners

• "Slice chilled cucumbers, leave the skin on and sprinkle them with sea salt. They're a great potato chip alternative." – Geoffrey Zakarian, judge on Food Network's Chopped

• "Try mango chutney with apple and cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches." – Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef

• "Agave nectar is perfect to add to sweet tea or a cocktail!" – Patrick and Gina Neely, hosts of Food Network's Down Home with the Neelys (Agave nectar is natural syrup from the agave plant, which is sweeter than sugar.)

source: people.com

Summer Skincare Tips

The summer is right around the corner. That means longer days and more time spent outside. Summer is indeed a lot of fun, but people should make sure that they take the steps necessary to protect their skin from the harsh summer sun. Below are five of the most important summer skin care tips:

Avoid sun during its peak hours

Many people enjoy spending time outside, but the harsh ultraviolent rays from the sun can do serious damage to the skin. People who spend too much time in the sun also have a tendency to age more quickly. Studies have also shown that exposure to ultraviolent rays can also make a person more susceptible to developing skin cancer. The sun is at its peak during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sun exposure should be limited during those times.

Put on sunscreen

It is not possible to completely avoid the sun during the wintertime. However, people should always make sure that they apply sunscreen when they go outside. This includes the times before 10 A.M. and after 4 P.M. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from the harsh ultraviolent rays.

Cleanse the skin

This may seem like a given, but it is one of the most important things that people can do to keep their skin healthy during any season. Washing helps remove the toxins that can build up and rob the skin of its beauty. However, people should not bathe or shower more than twice per day. Over washing the skin removes many of its protective oils.

Drink plenty of water

Water also helps flush out toxins in the body and helps keep the complexion smooth and radiant. Drinking water also helps prevent dehydration, which is very common during the hotter months. People should carry a water bottle with them at all times to make sure that they are drinking enough water.

Eat a healthy diet

Eating diet that is filled with fruits and vegetables will allow a person to get plenty of antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that help keep the skin looking youthful. People should also make sure that they get plenty of whole grains and lean protein.

Limiting sun exposure, applying sunscreen, cleansing the skin, drinking water and eating a healthy diet are the keys to keeping the skin healthy during the summer.

Brian Rebula is a skin care writer and Skin Care Center consultant focusing on homeopathic remedies for facial rejuvenation.

Article Source:
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051549487-1-summer-skincare-tips/

Bra with built-in ice packs aims to keep women cool

TOKYO — A bra with built-in ice packs, a wind chime and a sprig of mint that was unveiled in Japan on Wednesday is promising to keep women cool this summer.

In a nearly-naked publicity stunt, underwear firm Triumph Japan had models parading around showing off its “Super Cool Bra,” featuring what appears to be a pair of small fish tanks encompassing the breasts.

These cups are filled with a gel that remains soft and supple even when frozen, giving the wearer “a cool sensation against her skin,” the company said in a statement.

A traditional Japanese wind chime—and a mint leaf—dangle between the cups giving an impression of cooling “by way of its refreshing fragrance and sound.”

The company, which has a long tradition of novelty launches that are never made available for public sale, said it conceived of the bra in response to a need to save energy during the hot summer.

With no working nuclear reactors amid heightened public mistrust over atomic power in post-Fukushima Japan, the country has once again begun its Cool Biz campaign, urging people to dress down for work and avoid the need to crank up the aircon.

source: japantoday.com

Enjoying summer at Tagaytay Highlands

MANILA, Philippines - Raring to escape the summer heat in Metro Manila? No need to travel far as Tagaytay Highlands, located at the southeast of Mount Sungay, is just over 75 minutes’ drive from Manila and has the ambience of a perfect summer destination for the whole family.

Tagaytay Highlands boasts outstanding scenery and cool weather because of its high altitude. The Country Club and Sports Center accentuates the Highlands’ playing and recreational atmosphere. Aside from having a close look at the wonders brought by Mother Nature, you can indulge in various physical, indoor and outdoor activities, and be pampered by numerous relaxation services and facilities.

Golf aficionados will challenge themselves to two-caliber golf courses — the Tagaytay Highlands and Tagaytay Midlands Golf Course, which combine location, landscaping, and a championship layout that sets this destination golf course apart. Tagaytay Highlands boasts Swiss-engineered cable cars to ferry you through its course, and the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club has the country’s only 48-seat funicular system.

The Spa and Lodge, which is luxuriously styled as an authentic log cabin, will pamper moms with its spa facilities including relaxation therapy, administered by excellently trained professional personnel.

Meanwhile, kids and kids-at-heart can explore the wide array of outdoor activities such as paintball, hiking trails, swimming and go-karting or if they prefer to be spared from the sun, there are indoor games like squash, WII sports, billiard, bowling, and indoor swimming.

Families share gastronomic passion and Tagaytay Highlands offers a remarkable culinary journey that allows the family to taste a little bit of almost everything in the world. Each Highlands food and beverage outlet takes pride on its own specialty menu.


At the end of the day, families can retire in their desired Tagaytay Highlands homes where they can sit, relax and catch up.

Truly, Tagaytay Highlands is an ideal summer destination for the whole family. Call Belle Corporation at 623-3347 or (63917)55BELLE or visit their office at Unit 2006 East Tower Philippine Stock Exchange Centre, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

article source: philstar.com

The Better Sole This Summer

MANILA, Philippines — High-heels, stilettos, wedges, flats, pumps, rubber and running shoes, sandals, — shoes are a guilty pleasure for most women (even men).

Shoes that are too narrow, too short, too large, or simply ill-fitted can cause discomfort, injury and even permanent deformity.

High-heeled, pointed-toe shoes often cause numerous orthopedic problems, leading to discomfort or injury to the toes, ankles, knees, calves and back. And since most of these shoes have a pointed, narrow toe box that crowds the toes and forces them into an unnatural triangular shape, the body weight is unevenly distributed, placing much stress on the ball of the foot and on the forefoot.

The key is finding the perfect fit, or the perfect shoes.

All these Marcia Kilore, Fitflop founder, know and understand. One fateful afternoon in 2005, when she was attending an uninspiring conference, an inspiration struck her. An idea about a pair of shoes that can keep women in shape despite their busy schedules came to her mind.

At a time when high-heels and stilettos are at their most fashionable, her idea seemed unsustainable. But she knew it was a challenge she wanted to overcome. Kilore knew that to penetrate the market she had to give them more than just boorish footwear. She had to give them something. She looked at what women needed and wanted: they wanted to be healthy but didn’t have time to go to the gym and do workouts.

It led her to walking. And when a woman walks, she needs a sole friend. She then thought: what if she could come up with a shoe that could make women’s walks more effective?

While visiting London South Bank University, she consulted with two biomechanics, Drs. David Cook and Darren James, who surprisingly knew about shoes and immediately understood what Kilore was looking for. Drs. James and Cook created the Microwobbleboard™ midsole technology, a biomechanically optimized triple-density midsole technology.

After two-and-a-half years of research, prototype testing and product trials, Kilgore held in her hands the first pair of Fitflop shoes. In 2007, Fitflops, her footwear brand, made it to the shelves. The footwear essentially promises “a workout while you walk” through its Microwobbleboard™ midsole technology.

“Microwobbleboard™ technology uses triple densities spread on the soles of the shoes. On the toe box comes the middle density, which aims to maintain speed and pace and increase stability. The low density on the midsection increases lower leg activation by up to 11 percent. High density on the heels helps absorb up to 22 percent shock in the lower legs to relieve joint stress,” shares Fitflop International marketing manager Irene Celli.

This year, things got retro as Fitflop introduced its Spring/Summer Collection 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand, with a fashion show in Samed Island. Gracing the launch were Fitflop’s top honchos Irene Celli, Primer’s Mark Chim and Camille Karaan, and Star Fashion Thailand’s Vitoon Tatiyamaneekul and Viphop Tatiyamaneekul, as well as Primer Group of Companies board of directors and the FitFlop brand managers from Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Inspired by the works of a famous 1950s photographer, the whole collection makes the most of the youthful appeal of the 1950s through 1970s. Its 36 new designs (26 for ladies and 10 for men) in various slip-ons, gladiator sandals and colorful sneakers are characterized by clean lines and vibrant shades as well as tribal and retro throwback prints.

Introduced during the regional launch, the women’s category takes in the Core Active styles including the toe-friendly flip-flop Walkstar™ 3 in a more daring strap design, bright patterns, and neutral shades of leather, the Core Classic such as Super T™ Sneaker in crisp white and warm yellow, the Core Pretty’s Fleur™ which is accentuated with dainty flowers, the Core Jeweled styles with its glittering crystals, plush and detailed metallic leather and sparkling resin stones, the Core Contemporary’s Raffia and Glad Pack bearing tribal prints, colorful stones in gladiator sandal profile.

The Men’s range is as polished as the sleek lines of the '70s, and comes in green, red, yellow and blue but complementing the dark and earth tones. The best-selling Supertone™ sneakers are a tad retro, while the groovy high-cut Supertop has comfortably padded collar. Monty™ is Fitflop’s take on the classic moccasin.

FitFlop is exclusively distributed by The Primer Group of Company and is available in selected Res Toe Run, The Travel Club, ROX and Bratpack stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FitFlopPhilippines.

source: mb.com.ph