Connect with us

Fashion

Beautiful At Every Age

There’s no age limit to being beautiful. This month, we celebrate beauty at every age with four stunning Cebuanas—Jennifer Sarmiento, Vanessa Deen, Iris Arcenas and Alice Woolbright, who share their beauty secrets– and products that addresses specific skin care needs to look gorgeous, no matter what year it says on the birth certificate.

There’s no age limit to being beautiful. This month, we celebrate beauty at every age with four stunning Cebuanas—Jennifer Sarmiento, Vanessa Deen, Iris Arcenas and Alice Woolbright, who share their beauty secrets– and products that addresses specific skin care needs to look gorgeous, no matter what year it says on the birth certificate.

20s: JENNIFER SARMIENTO Founder and CEO of Beauty and Beyond Philippines

In the midst of a busy schedule, it’s important to have a product that serves multiple functions. The CliniqueMoisture Surge CC Cream gives a naturally rosy glow with color-correcting technology that uses light to achieve radiant and healthy-looking skin. It’s infused with key hydrating ingredients to combat the effects of humidity, and prevents environmental damage with UVA/UVB protection and antioxidants.

Give your natural look more oomph with the Balm NudeTude Palette, which features shimmery shades that range from the white Shimmer and the bronze Silly to the deep black Serious. Its ultra-cute packaging doesn’t hurt either.

Cute packaging is always appealing—what’s better than a product that’s effective and looks great? The EOS LipBalms come in pretty round shapes with colors that echo its flavors, like Strawberry Sorbet, Lemon Drop, and Sweet Mint. The same goes for the Dose ColorPills, the fun pharmaceutical-like bottles that make manicures a lot more interesting.

A part of a refreshing new take on the brand’s classic scented collection, the L’Occitane Mint Verbena BodyIce Gel leaves skin with a minty feeling—spearmint and peppermint are mixed in with citrus fruits, lemon zest and verbena. Use with the Exfoliating Shower Gel for something truly refreshing on those humid tropical days.

BEST BEAUTY ADVICE

“My parents told me to keep yourself hydrated at all times and drink lots of water. Water alone gives you so much benefits: detoxifying hydrating, and makes your skin clearer.”

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Rose water. “This is my favorite beauty product, I honestly cannot live without it. You can use it for everything– it’s not just a natural toner, it also helps with skin irritation, hair trouble and eye infections, and it’s very soothing.

30s:VANESSA DEEN, Managing Partner of Bigseed Public Relations Events

Lips can be very sensitive to the elements, and it’s important to pick products with gentle but effective formula. Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Glosses add color and sheen while moisturizing lips with botanical oils and beeswax. For a more dramatic look, though, Vanessa turns to MAC Lipsticks. “The have the most versatile and wearable shades, and I love how they are vanilla-scented too.”

In homage to the iconic New York City graffiti and visual artist, the DKNY Keith Haring Fresh Blossom Art Eau de Toilette is vibrant and fresh. With a colorful palette of lush flowers and fruits, it’s a scent that epitomizes the charismatic and captivating spirit of the Big Apple.

The Bobbi Brown Navy Nude Collection was especially created as its namesake founder’s take on a sexy but fresh-faces summer look– a nude face with a hint of color. the two-level Eye Palette features shades that range from creamy white to a deep royal blue, while the Brightening Brick adds a soft, pearlized glow to create a sun-kissed look.

BEST BEAUTY ADVICE

“It’s from my mom. She always used to tell me to never touch my face with dirty hands and, most importantly, to get atleast eight hours of sleep every night.”

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:

Weleda Rose Day Cream. “Since our skin is our largest organ and comprises 70% of our body, I try not to put anything with harmful chemicals on it. I found this line of products called Weleda and I swear by their rose day cream—it’s light, nongreasy and the only thing I put on my face.”

40s:IRIS ARCENAS, President of Ferimar Import-Export Incorporated

As the season shifts into colder weather, take on darker and more mysterious beauty looks with the Laura MercierDark Spell collection. Start off with the Face Illuminator to highlight with its soft rose gold shimmer, then add some eye drama with the Satin Matte Eye Color and Kohl Liner Extreme.

Twelve weeks of using the Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle UV Damage Corrector is a potent serum that promises visible wrinkle-reducing power that rivals that of a dermatological laser procedure.

Younger-looking skin might just come overnight with the Estee LauderAdvanced Time Zone Night Cream. The brand’s revolutionary formula boosts the skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid to fight fine lines and a nightime amino acid complex to optimize collagen replacement—resulting in plumper skin in just three days

Stay fresh with the elegant scent of the Givenchy Dahlia NoirL’Eau. A fuller version of its original composition, the perfume has top notes of citron and neroil, and rose petal middle notes for a subtle but sensual fragrance.

BEST BEAUTY ADVICE

“Drink lots of water, exfoliate, and stay happy.”

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

“I use Argan Oil for my hair, body and face. It’s really a great product, it’s natural and has a lot of benefits– from fighting frizzy hair to moisturizing your skin.”

50s: ALICE WOOLBRIGHT, Managing Partner of the Beverly Hotel

Signs of aging are more prominent in the eye area so make sure to give some extra TLC. The Benefit Erase Paste instantly brightens the eyes and reduces signs of fatigue with a quick sweep before putting on concealer. Finish off with the Elizabeth Arden CeramideLash Extending Mascara, a special no smudge formula engineered to revitalize and protect lashes to make them fuller and longer.

An inspired blend of artistry and advanced biotechnology, the La Prairie White CaviarIlluminating Système offers lightening and lifting benefits in a luxurious formulation. The three-part system is composed of a cream and two concentrated serums, each offering anti-wrinkle, illuminating and hydrating effects.

Dubbed the age-defying foundation, the Lancome Renergie Lift Makeup SPF 20 blurs lines and wrinkles for up to 12 hours, with Micro-Lift technology that makes skin look flawlessly even, luminous and younger than ever.

Add drama to your look with the ShiseidoLacquer Rouge, inspired by Japanese lacquer artistry to produce intense color and luster.

BEST BEAUTY ADVICE

“Make a habit of cleansing your face every morning and before bedtime. It’s important to find the right cleansing cream (never soap), then use a warm washcloth to gently remove. Follow up with icy cold water to close pores then dab on some moisturizer. This gives skin a smooth radiant glow. These are the basic skin care steps I learned in my teens as a beauty consultant.”

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:

“Mary Kay Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser and Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. I have tried so many products in the market, but I always go back to these these favorites, which I have been using since I was 16.”

  • photography Dan Douglas Ong
  • makeup Jomer Arances and Emi Ayag

Fashion

Cloud Dancer: The Resonant Reset of 2026

by OJ HOFER

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026, Cloud Dancer, signals a deliberate shift toward clarity and restraint. This off-white hue—balanced, soft, and lightly luminous—emerges in response to visual saturation and constant acceleration. Rather than competing for attention, Cloud Dancer provides a neutral foundation, allowing design and intention to take precedence over excess.

Its relevance is underscored by the Year of the Fire Horse, which officially begins on February 17. Traditionally associated with momentum, decisiveness, and forward motion, the Fire Horse introduces an energetic rhythm that benefits from focus. Cloud Dancer offers that counterbalance. It tempers intensity without diminishing drive, creating space for action guided by intention. In this context, color operates not as decoration, but as a framework for decision-making.

RESTORATIVE SPACE. Natural tones set the calm, while subtle touches of black, deep brown, navy, or olive add quiet contrast—bringing depth and character to Wabi-Sabi spaces without disturbing their sense of balance.

In interiors, Cloud Dancer supports environments shaped by longevity and ease. Applied to walls, ceilings, and architectural surfaces, it reflects light with subtlety, enhancing spatial clarity without austerity. The hue pairs naturally with wood, stone, linen, and ceramic, reinforcing a preference for tactile materials and functional design. Homes become spaces for restoration and daily living, rather than display.

EFFORTLESS POISE. Louise Trotter’s Spring 2026 ready-to-wear for Bottega Veneta pairs a billowing jupe-culotte cotton trouser, anchored low on the hip, with an ultra-stretch silk tank for quiet, modern ease.

Fashion adopts Cloud Dancer as a study in form and construction. The color allows silhouette, proportion, and movement to take the lead. Tailored separates, fluid dresses, and layered essentials in this off-white tone read as considered and adaptable. It aligns with a continued shift toward wardrobe longevity and thoughtful repetition, where garments are designed to endure.

MODERN EASE. The white Chanel 19 brings relaxed refinement to your wardrobe with its soft, slouchy shape, oversized quilting, and mixed-metal chain hardware for a quietly chic finish.

CELESTIAL RADIANCE.White jade and selenite glow in warm, milky restraint, punctuated by a sculptural gold lotus and a serene Buddha face—an intimate expression of harmony, quietly attuned to the wearer’s birth rhythm. Available by appointment: 0910 418 2028

Accessories extend the narrative. Bags, footwear, and eyewear in Cloud Dancer offer continuity across seasons, while jewelry in pearl, brushed gold, and muted silver finds balance against the softness of the hue. The effect is understated, with design serving function rather than statement.

TIMELESS STRIDE. First unveiled in 2013, the Y-3 Qasa endures as a cult icon—its avant-garde silhouette carrying a vintage pedigree while remaining rooted in present-day wearability and select global availability.

Beyond aesthetics, Cloud Dancer reflects a broader lifestyle orientation toward simplicity and clarity. Its application across tableware, stationery, wellness spaces, and personal objects encourages mindful selection over accumulation. As 2026 unfolds, Cloud Dancer frames the year as one of refinement—supporting forward momentum with focus and restraint. Cloud Dancer is the resonant reset for 2026.

Continue Reading

Fashion

To See and Be Seen: Philippine Terno Gala, A Celebration of Heritage and Couture

by Kingsley Medalla | photography Emmanuele Sawit

The Philippine Terno Gala 2025, curated by Cary Santiago, has evolved into a key feature in the Filipino fashion agenda, highlighting the iconic Terno—a traditional Filipiniana garment that represents a significant part of our cultural legacy. The prestigious fashion event was supported by the Cebu City Government, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Cebu Tourism Commission.

Now on its third edition, the gala fashion show was marked by the creative forces of six highly acclaimed designers: Jun Escario, Edwin Ao, Protacio Empacis, Cary Santiago, Jojie Lloren, and Joey Samson. Their body of work produced a collection that showcased intricate craftsmanship and delicate hand embroidery, enhancing traditional aesthetics.

Maybelle Padillo

Bernie Aboitiz, Jaja Chiongbian-Rama, Pacita Agoncillo Sode, Oj Hofer, and Rose Cayetano-Henessy

Michael Waechter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, Simon Piggot, Margie Moran-Floirendo, and Cary Santiago

Javi Martinez and Daryl Chang

The evening was complemented by a live orchestra, creating an ambiance to match the designers’ reimagining of the Terno. The experience offered sensory stimulation that reflected the harmony between fashion and live music, punctuated by the presence of prominent personalities in the fashion and social circles.

No other fashion garment embodies the richness of Filipino heritage and culture quite like the Terno. The Philippine Terno Gala serves as both a celebration and a tribute to the Filipino identity, reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage in a contemporary context.

Jennifer Helen Weigel Sarmiento, and Mags Cue

Kaye Tinga, Mia Borromeo and Bernie Montinola-Aboitiz

Jennifer Ty and Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Councilors Edu Rama and Joy Pesquera

Mariquita Yeung and Protacio Empacis

Continue Reading

Fashion

Behind the Scenes: Backstage at The Philippine Terno Fashion Show 2025 in the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

By Doro Barandino

What most people attending fashion events don’t realize is that the actual battleground happens backstage. Here’s a peek at the real magic that transpires among fashion designers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, dressers, and ramp models hours before showtime. In the recent Philippine Terno fashion show, a whole team of creatives in the fashion industry produced the most extravagant and whimsical recreation of the celebrated garment in the country’s cultural landscape.

Fabric manipulation simulating bird feathers are the main features in Cary Santiago’s ternos.

Mesh-like sculptural head accessories added to the visual impact of the designer’s collection.

Jun Escario’s relaxed barong tunics are characterized by its fine embroidery on pinya fabric

The modern kimona reinterpreted by Jun Escario.

Edwin Ao’s take on the Barong is both linear and minimalist.

Edwin Ao ‘s modern version of the traditional baro at saya has architectural folds as its signature look.

The classic terno has draping and printed silk fabric on Joji Lloren’s master class look

Joey Samson known for avant-garde designs has assorted neckties as an accessory to complement the color black.

Protacio re-shaped the silhouette of the traditional barong Tagalog.

Joji Lloren added geometric patterns for a more contemporary look on the terno.

 

Unfinished stitches of embroidery leaving loose threads add movement and volume to Edwin Ao’s version of the terno

Continue Reading

Trending