Certified Organic Pulpe de Vie at Rustan's Beauty Source

If I were to judge a skincare product solely by its packaging, then I can almost taste the freshness of French skincare brand Pulpe de Vie. One look and I get images of bright Provençal sun-ripened fruits and an overall wholesome, all-natural appeal.

I kind of want to flip open a cap and squirt the Luscious Glow Body Milk straight into my mouth, then chase it down with a tube of Kiss Me lip gloss.

But more than bright, cheerful, almost scrumptious packaging, Pulpe de Vie's face and body products really do deliver the goods, in all its certified organic goodness.

• Fresh. All Pulpe de Vie products are made from fresh and organic fruit and vegetables from the Mediterranean area and directly purchased from local producers. Which means, less carbon footprint as no fruits were transported from afar  
• Allergen-Free. Formulated with fruit water, which is full of active ingredients and whose flavoring properties make it possible to replace the use of essential oils, Pulpe de Vie's formulation is soft on the skin and free of allergy risks. And yes! Safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women!
• Natural. Coloring agents are natural ochres from the villages of Luberon, also in the South of France
• ECOCERT Certified. Not tested on animals, no GMO, no silicones, no parabens, no fragrances or synthetic coloring agents, no phenoxyethanols, no PEG.  

In true MFO fashion, I tried on three of Pulpe de Vie's nine products myself, and they are nothing short of delightful.

The Kiss Me Lipgloss, made with prickly pears, lavander honey, bee's wax, olive oil and vitamin E, tastes like fruit-flavored olive oil. It truly feels all-natural, and not sticky, as most lip glosses tend to feel like fly paper on my lips. The color is as natural as can be. It looks dark in the tube but comes out to just enhance the natural color of my lips.

The citrus-y, berry delicious grapefruit/blackcurrant scent of the Luscious Glow Moisturizing Body Milk can really perk up your day. I suggest you save your thicker body creams for evening, and just slather this on in the morning after a shower. It's a very light, milky lotion. I like using it as a hand moisturizer too. I'd rub my hands together with it, and then cup my face to take in the scent. Transports me to a happy, sunshine-y place everytime, I swear.

Anti-ageing need not be so serious with Amant de Soir/Love Me Tonight Anti-Ageing Night Cream. 99% natural and 56.2% organic, it is made with a fruit cocktail of raspberry, fig water, blackcurrant, lime-tree leaves and prickly pear oil. It also contains 3 anti-ageing ingredients: beech buds (anti-wrinkle), hyaluronic acid (moisturizing) and hydroxyproline (restructuring). While I was initially put off by the thick, rich consistency (I've stopped using La Mer in Manila because it was too thick) and would only apply it on my neck and jaw area, since I figured these were safe zones that would benefit from a rich cream, I decided to try it on my face, and OMG, it just seemed to melt into my face. It was not greasy at all. It does have a slightly spicy scent, but hello, I've happily used Dr. Perricone on my face, which smells like fish. Fishy vs. Spicy? I have no complaints.

About Pulpe de Vie:

Pulpe de Vie was started in 2009 by a then 33 year old Julie Ducret, whose love for adventure and enthusiasm for life took her all over the world. She eventually went back home and moved to the South of France to do what she always wanted - start a business which reflected her own values: respect, quality, joy, simplicity and sustainable living. The result as we know, is Pulpe de Vie.

Today, Pulpe de Vie is available across France, and at select beauty shops in the US, Japan and the Philippines and remains a 100% French firm, where everything from production to packaging is still done in France.

In the Philippines, Pulpe de Vie is available at Rustan's, The Beauty Source.

New from Palmer's: Olive Butter & Oil Formulas

From L to R: Body Butter, Concentrated Cream for Hand, Elbows & Feet, Smoothing Shampoo, Replenishing Conditioner, Cream Oil, Body Lotion and Spray Oil 

I've been a huge fan of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula ever since I got pregnant with Berry, so I have always associated the brand with Cocoa Butter.  Apart from their Coconut Milk and Shea Butter Formulas, Palmer's has again expanded to another brand range: Palmer's Olive Butter Formula and Olive Oil Formula which come in distinctive green bottles, tubes and tubs.

Before imagining you'd smell like a Mediterranean dish after, I promise you, you won't. I've tried on the Olive Butter shampoo and conditioner and they just smell so good! 

The lotions, oils and creams are worth a try too. Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a unique lipid structure that moisturizes instantly and emulsifies on contact. Just rub it onto skin and once it has sunk in, it shouldn't have a greasy after feel. It is also loaded with antioxidants to keep skin youthful. Palmer's of course took it a step further by adding SPF, Vitamin E and anti-ageing peptides - which makes that bottle of olive oil in your cupboard less appealing.

I know, you might find it strange to have olive oil in your beauty and skincare routine, so in case you didn't know, olive oil apart from being used for food is an ancient beauty secret. It has been used for centuries for cleansing and moisturizing the skin and applied on to scalp and hair to keep it healthy. In Ancient Rome, people even bathed in olive oil, which was considered to be a symbol of power and wealth. 

Sophia Loren, a legendary Italian beauty, once quipped, that the secret to her gorgeousness at 72, was the love of life and olive oil. If that won't convince you, I don't know what else will.

Palmer's is available at Rustan’s Department Stores: Makati, Shangri-la, Alabang Town Center, Robinson’s Place, Gateway Mall, Cebu and all major department stores and supermarkets nationwide, outside of Rustan’s.

MFO's Verdict On: ioECO Monotheme Artichoke Shower Gel

The Product: ioECO Monotheme Artichoke Shower Gel

The Promise: ioECO Monotheme is an innovative line characterized by active ingredients that are  more than 98% vegetable in origin. It is the result of an in-depth scientific research  that has produced a complete line of body care products that are naturally based and respectful of nature due to the low impact level on the environment of their production cycle.

- No SLES/SLS
- No Parabens
- No Artificial colourings
- No petroleum derivatives
- Dermatologically tested

Put to the Test: First thing I noticed about the ioECO Artichoke shower gel (for oily skin) is that it leaves a silky feel to the touch. After you towel off, skin definitely feels moisturized. While it does not smell as good as most shower gels, it has a pleasant scent that my husband likes. I guess that's the trade off given that the product is said to be 98% made from vegetables - yes, NO fruits or flowers. Tell me, is there a vegetable that smells good? Oh my gulay! If you don't like harsh or strong scents, this is the product for you.

A huge plus, given that I have sensitive skin is that I never had a reaction with this product. I use this in conjunction with a hypoallergenic shampoo and I do like the fact that I've never had bouts with zits on my back at all (I am prone to getting zits on my back when I use products not compatible to my skin).

Passing the Verdict: While there are many shower gels out there, there are limited choices when it comes to products that are made solely from vegetable ingredients and do not contain parabens, SLES/SLS and artificial colourings. If you are extra picky with the products you use and are on the lookout for something that is more natural than most, this is a safe bet.

Practical Tip: The ioECO Monotheme line comes in three vegetable variants

- Carrot: ideal for dry skin and hair, with nourishing vitamins

- Cucumber: ideal for sensitive skin, purifying and refreshing

- Artichoke: ideal for oily skin and hair, purifying and antioxidant action.

Because the line is natural and vegetable based, I would think these products are especially great not only for those who are into the green/eco-chic movement but also for pregnant women who want to take extra care in minimizing their exposure to harmful chemicals. 

Price: Prices range from Php325 for the Cucumber facial cleansing gel to Php395 for the full range of shampoos and shower gels. The most expensive product tops at Php445 for the Cucumber body lotion.

Point of Sale: Rustan's Beauty Source

Mommy Potions, Lotions and Creams

When I was pregnant with Berry, my friend Mary Anne gave me a whole year's supply of Palmer's to prevent stretch marks. It could be that, or it could be genetics, but I swear, with Palmer's I never got stretch marks, even just one tiny bit at all. Take note that I started moisturizing as soon as I got pregnant, before my belly even protruded, just to prep my skin for the months of stretching ahead.

This time around, when Denise R. of Rustan's Beauty Source found out I was pregnant, she thoughtfully sent me this whole range of Palmer's and if I wanted to moisturize my entire body, and my whole family, I could! Super thanks for this Denise! I really love Palmer's, I swear by it!

I also have Mustela's 9 Months range of pregnancy creams, and I switch these with Palmer's for this pregnancy. I have creams all over our room, and all over our bath as well, so I never forget to moisturize. Yes, it's a bit indulgent, but when you are pregnant in your 30s, you just cannot afford to be lax with skincare. Ain't as elastic as it used to be, hehe. Tammy T. of Mustela highly recommended the Instant Comfort Cream for Legs, and I find that when I massage my legs with this at night, I don't wake up with painful leg cramps. I also love how it has this cooling effect. Even if you are not pregnant, if you've been up or walking around all day, this is a great thing to massage your legs with before you sleep at night.

Another indulgence and one of the perks of living in Manila, is affordable pampering services. My friend Nina told me about the prenatal massage treatment at Clarins in Rustan's Makati and I always look forward to my twice a month sessions. I just feel so relaxed and refreshed after.

They gave me a sample sized stretch mark cream and treatment oil for toning, but I only opted to buy the toning gel shower cleanser since I could seriously start a mini oil spill with the number of lubricants I have in our bath.

What I like about the pre-natal massage treatment at Clarins is that they really have special procedures for pregnant women in the second trimester, and the third trimester. Every procedure is targeted for a pregnant woman's concerns - ie  2nd Trimester is for exfoliating & toning the body so as to prevent bloating, while 3rd Trimester treatments are meant to combat puffiness on the face, as well as dealing with pregnancy aches and pains.

I have a treatment scheduled at Clarins tomorrow, and as usual, I look forward to it! I cannot wait! =)

Acca Kappa

What you see above is my collection of Acca Kappa brushes. The first one I bought is that wide toothed comb on the left. It's missing a tooth now, but you know, it's practically ten years old, more or less, so it has definitely withstood the test of time. The second one I got is the paddle brush which I purchased a year after I got my comb. I have been happily using these brushes, along with a comb and a boar bristle brush from Mason Pearson the last couple of years. I've realized, since I've invested in nice brushes, they surprisingly don't get lost at all, hehe. Maybe because I end up taking extra good care of them, and make a conscious effort to put them back in place?

A few months ago, Therese of Rustan's sent me the oval brushes - the soft bristle ones for Berry, and the boar and nylon ones for me. Then I bought the roller brush just a month ago. While I only brush my hair after I take a bath or when I blow dry my hair, it makes sense to me to have all these brushes. I guess I just enjoy looking at my collection of pretty brushes. Hee!

So when Therese as well as Jenny from PR invited me to the launch of Acca Kappa's new brush and bath lines at Lourd Ramos's newly opened salon on Arnaiz Avenue, I happily said, "Yes! I'll go!". After all, I am a huge fan of Acca Kappa, and have been so for years now.

If you are not familiar, or if you need a refresher on what Acca Kappa is all about, it is an Italian heritage brand that was established in 1869 near Venice, Italy. The main focus then was to produce quality hairbrushes and accessories. Acca Kappa soon became the official brush supplier to Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family, and today, the company is the largest manufacturer of quality brushes in Italy. They have also since expanded to colognes, as well as bath and body lines.

The latest of which is the Green Mandarin line with purifying properties - composed of the Green Mandarin Purifying Shampoo & Conditioner with Moringa Extracts, Bath and Shower Gel with Rosemary and Yarrow Extracts, Scented Body Water with Rosemary and Yarrow Extracts, and Liquid Hand Soap with Thyme and Echinacea Extracts.

I have the Green Mandarin scented body water and it really does smell citrus-y fresh! A bit thicker and more dense than the finely misting face and body water I am used to, but it does have scenting and moisturizing properties, so that's the trade off. The smell comes off strong at first, but when it tapers off, it leaves a faint, fresh scent. I think this would be nice to use for cooling off when you're out by the pool or the beach on a hot summer day. 

Of course, I became an instant fan of their latest brush - the Acca Kappa Protection brush.

Unlike regular brushes which can feel prickly against your scalp, it has looped bristles that gently massage it - stimulating microcirculation, which is apparently beneficial to the hair follicles. I was also told that the looped bristles make excellent detanglers because it does not damage the hair structure. Since I tend to have tangled hair after I shampoo, I have been using the Protection brush and true enough, it really is a better detangler than my wide toothed comb. It just glides on to the hair, detangling as it goes.

If you are going to invest in a good brush, might as well get this one and only this one. Its great for detangling and for blow drying hair as well! Kind of like an all-in-one!

Hmmm, which makes my collection of brushes redundant in a way. But ok lang, they're pretty nice to look at naman, heehee!

Acca Kappa is exclusively available at all Rustan’s Department Stores.