Turning a half-century old is truly an important milestone. I seem to be in celebrations this whole month—launches and openings all happening at the same time.
The day after my big Balesin weekend bash, gracious Nikki Tang, managing director of D Mark Multisales Corporation, hosted an intimate tea party at the Peninsula Manila. Nikki wanted to celebrate another edition of “50 Shades of Tessa.”
Since anti-aging agents, skin blemishes and wrinkles are major concerns at my age, Nikki thought it would be fitting to host a beauty party to launch D Mark’s latest products. Getting guests to come was a breeze, since women of a certain age can certainly use all the beauty help they can get.
The latest product for radiant beauty is called NeoStrata Enlighten Trio. It is a daily skincare regimen to brighten, illuminate and help control pigments, consisting of three potent cosmeceutical formulations that work together to promote a bright, even skin tone.
NeoStrata Enlighten Trio is a three-step process consisting of NeoStrata Enlighten Ultra Brightening Cleanser, NeoStrata Enlighten Illuminating Serum and NeoStrata Enlighten Pigment Controller. The Trio originates from Princeton, New Jersey, where NeoStrata has been developing skincare products for years, including the Alpha Hydroxy Acid range.
Mark Steele, CEO of NeoStrata, came to the intimate launch and explained that the products are backed by science and research. With him were Leigh Ann Catlin, VP of international business development, and Catherine Mueller, executive director of international markets, who noted that info on NeoStrata can be found at www.dmark.ph or @neostrataph on Twitter and Instagram.
Kaye Tinga, co-chair of the Red Charity Gala this October, was accompanied by designer Michael Cinco, who was delighted to receive a NeoStrata Trio set to sample at home. Kaye was happy to hear that Nikki will be supporting the Red Charity Gala this year.
‘Sparty’
One fellow birthday celebrator this month was former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo, who put together a fantastic bash for her 60th natal day at Whitespace. Margie’s disco-themed party was filled with dancing and wonderful friends.
Margie and her close friend Lucille Carlos also came to another of my mini birthday celebrations, “50 Shades of Tessa Party No. 4” at Salon Privat Manila. Salon owner Digzy Umali hosted a private, beauty pampering party for a select group of friends. (Salon Privat is at Unit 105, G/F, The Infinity Tower, 25th St., Bonifacio Global City; tel. 8281888.)
Salon Privat is an exquisitely designed shop, using Paris as its main design theme. Our little shindig was a “sparty,” with many of our friends enjoying the unique twist of pampering and relaxation in the luxuriously enjoyable way that Salon Privat offers. Digzy and I have become fast friends as we seem to be partying a lot together this year.
Among the guests were my Assumption high-school classmates and running buddies. We enjoyed an extensive beauty menu, including Hair Color by L’Oreal, Fusio Dose Hair Treatment by Kerastase, and haircut and mani-pedi with foot spa. Sporty mommy Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan even had extra time to get her legs waxed.
While being attended to by the salon’s expert stylists and staff, we were served food and drinks at personally labeled seats by VS&F Classic Food and Sophie’s Mom and Elation Mobile Bar.
Live entertainment added a musical touch as singer Mae Banawa soothed our senses with her songs. The Picture Perfect crew took photos as I hopped from one seat to another to check on the services the guests were enjoying.
According to Salon manager Erika Generoso, private salon parties can be done for wedding showers or birthday parties. The salon can connect the party hostess with Events Manila to provide a hassle-free celebration.
Our salon party lasted till almost dawn, when everyone sang while I blew the candles on my cake from M and M Cakes and Desserts. Guests were further treated with giveaways from Claire’s and Gardenia.
Luxury cognac
As the time comes for the fifth Red Charity Gala, I am thrilled to once again have the support of Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac. The ultra exclusive cognac brand from the House of Remy Martin recently feted cognac enthusiasts to a dinner party held at the Presidential Salon of historic Manila Hotel.
The dinner replicated the original inaugural menu from 1912, prepared by chef Konrad Walter. Of course, the pièce de résistance was the Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac, a special blend in a handcrafted Baccarat crystal bottle.
Christophe Bourrie, regional director for Louis XIII, regaled the crowd with the finer points of luxury cognacs. The inaugural bottle was opened by Manila Hotel president Joey Lina.
Among the guests were Xavier Desaulles of Remy Cointreau; Wellington Soong of Autostrada Motore; Elvin Ong of Wine Century Brothers; James Du Vivier and Noel Sebastian of Future Trade International; and Su Chen of Louis XIII.
David Celdran, the event’s dapper host, pointed out that Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac takes a century to perfect as it is blended by three generations of cellar masters, and, serendipitously, coincides with the Manila Hotel’s 101st anniversary.
For streetchildren
In closing, let me just plug a charity project by good friend Akiko Thomson, noted swimmer and current director of the Philippine Sports Commission. Akiko and her husband Chips are helping out Childhope, which educates streetchildren (www.childhope.hope.org.ph), by having a fun swim on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Malabrigo Lighthouse in Calatagan, Batangas. Those interested to support the project can sign up at kikomnl@gmail.com.
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