‘HM, Siszt?! WW?': Your Lexical Guide to Filipino Online Shopping

The highly anticipated Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week (CIFAW) is set to make its dazzling return for the ninth edition, this time in the heart of Manila. The concept of this year’s event, “Luxuriant Expo,” promises a lavish celebration that blends luxury with abundance. 

Over two days on July 26 and 27, 2025, the Philippines will host this prestigious event at Manila Marriott Hotel, spotlighting everything from weddings and special events to fashion and art.

This year marks a new partnership with top brands in hospitality, weddings, and special events: Marriott Bonvoy, the world-renowned hospitality program; Themes & Motifs, the Philippines' leading bridal fair organizer since 2001; and Canada's dynamic Spotlight Couronne Internationale (SCI).

With its theme “Home,” this year’s CIFAW aims to remind Filipinos of the importance of embracing their roots and celebrating the beauty of the Philippines.

Featured designers include Aurea Vinluan, Jaki Peñalosa, John C. Ablaza, Kenny Ladaga, Maliyah Abenir, Odelon Simpao, and SCI PH. These talented designers represent the caliber of creativity CIFAW strives to promote, highlighting both local and international artistry.

Don't miss the Marriott Moments A-Fair Luxuriant Expo and 9th Annual CIFAW, set to be an unforgettable gathering of elite wedding and event suppliers, alongside a curated display of top-tier fashion designers and visual artists!

For more information, visit Marriott Bonvoy on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Location: Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, 2 Resorts Drive, Newport World Resorts, NCR – 4th District, Barangay 183, Pasay City

The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and with it, the demand for advanced, science-backed aesthetic treatments continues to grow. As a global leader in dermatology and aesthetics, Galderma reaffirms its commitment to innovation and patient care with the Galderma Aesthetics Diamond Awards 2025. 

Now on its second year, the Galderma Aesthetics Diamond Awards is a platform where the brand recognizes its valued partners—key accounts, top injectors, leading institutions, and esteemed societies—and commends their continued commitment to aesthetic excellence and innovation. 

The Galderma Aesthetics Diamond Awards 2025

The momentous occasion took place at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom I and II on April 2, 2025, attended by leading aesthetic clinics, professional societies, and Galderma executives.

Before the ceremony, Galderma’s top executives—Louie Roxas (General Manager, Philippines), Michelle de Jesus (Business Unit Head for Injectables and Aesthetics PH), and Christine Legazpi (Senior Marketing Manager)—sat down with the media to talk about the brand, the Diamond Awards, and emerging trends in the local aesthetics industry.

“We are at the forefront of dermatology—therapeutic, skincare, and injectable aesthetics,” said Louie Roxas, highlighting Galderma’s edge: science-backed, clinically proven products with over two decades of efficacy.

He also emphasized the importance of proper training for their doctors and injectors: “We don’t just allow doctors to use our products without knowledge. There’s a transfer of technology to ensure safety. We conduct workshops and hands-on training so they’re confident in using the product.”

On the global trends shaping the future of beauty, Michelle de Jesus shared six rising movements: cancelling age, pro-aging, beauty fandom, fast aesthetics, mindful aesthetics, and “expressionality.”

As for the Diamond Awards, Christine Legazpi explained that the initiative recognizes Galderma’s partnerships with clinics while strengthening their industry presence. “It’s a win-win. We honor our partners, and they gain awareness for their own brands.”

Galderma takes pride in its science-driven, personalized approach. “It’s very individualized,” said Christine Legazpi. “Our Restylane fillers come in eight types because what works for you might not work for me.” She emphasized the value of patient assessments in choosing the right product.

Louie Roxas echoed this, noting the premium quality of Galderma’s offerings: “We invest in clinical studies—10% of every peso goes back into research. That’s why we’re truly at the forefront of dermatology.”

The Aivee Clinic – Red Diamond Excellence Award Recipient for 2 Years in a Row

All eyes turned to the night’s most distinguished guests of honor, The Aivee Clinic. Known for their innovations in the Philippine aesthetic industry, it was no surprise that The Aivee Clinic once again received the Red Diamond Excellence Award – the highest honor given by Galderma to its partner clinics. 

The clinic also took home the Sculptra Breakthrough Award and the Restylane Breakthrough Award, cementing their place as industry leaders and their unwavering commitment to excellence. 

Founders Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo and Dr. Z’Shen Teo sat down with members of the media soon after the ceremony and shared their thoughts on their recognition, the Aivee Clinic’s procedures, and what’s next for them. 

Dr. Aivee Teo began by thanking Galderma for awarding them the Red Diamond Excellence Award for the second consecutive year, calling it a validation of their passion and hard work.

Known for being one of the best in the industry and for their pioneering treatments, The Aivee Clinic is deeply focused on clinical safety when introducing new offerings to their patients. “It’s very important that we introduce products and injectables to our patients that have very good clinical studies,” said Dr. Z. “With the myriad of products that we have flooding the market right now, it’s important that we are able to select premium quality products that we are going to put into our patients’ faces and bodies.” 

Dr. Z also emphasized how the Aivee Clinic always wants their patients to “come out feeling naturally refreshed.” Dr. Aivee echoed this, saying “it has to be the results.” “The patients come to us because they want to see good results from their treatment, and of course, in the Aivee Group we’re very particular about safety and effectivity.” 

She also shared how their reputation as pioneers in the field has kept them on their toes. The team invests in extensive research and travels multiple times a year to stay ahead and bring world-class treatments to their clients. 

As for current trends, Dr. Aivee says that there is a growing interest in preventive treatments. “A lot of patients now come to the clinic because they want to start early, and sometimes when they’re starting late. Even worldwide, the trend is collagen banking—stimulating collagen even before the [visible] aging process starts.” 

She also mentioned how people nowadays are looking towards more natural-looking results, with a focus turning towards overall skin health. 

Even as aesthetic treatments are becoming more accessible and normalized, some people still hesitate to take that first step. Dr. Aivee cites social media as an important factor to bridge this gap. 

“A lot of our patients openly show and talk about their treatments, and I think that influence is important,” she said. “When they come in and see familiar faces, they would say “if she can do it, so can I.” We’re very candid and raw with our treatment, we show it as it is so you can see if it’s painful or uncomfortable and you can really see the effect right after the treatment.” 

She shared that most of their treatments have little to no downtime, allowing patients to drop by the clinic, do their treatment, and head straight to their social activities without a sweat. 

“When they come to the clinic,” she added. “It’s important to have a very good consultation and assessment with your patient, and it’s important that you have a lot of experience with these treatments because that will give you the wisdom to have a good consultation and to assess which treatments are good for certain regions.” 

An Innovator in Science-Based Aesthetics

Galderma’s extensive range of aesthetic injectables is built on the foundation of science and safety, ensuring that every treatment delivers subtle, effective, and long-lasting results. They currently have five new injectables, all meaningfully designed to give 100% natural-looking results – Restylane, Restylane Kysse, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Skin boosters, and Sculptra. 

As the leader in dermatology and aesthetics, Galderma is steadfast in its mission to provide cutting-edge treatments that meet the evolving aspirations of beauty-conscious consumers and industry professionals. 

Echoing the words of Christine Legazpi, the Galderma Aesthetics Diamond Awards 2025 is not just a celebration of achievement—it is honoring the partnerships they have made, strengthening the brand’s presence in the industry, and advocating for aesthetic excellence. 

Learn more about Galderma Aesthetics through their website and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Mathematics isn’t just limited to boring equations anymore. 

For decades, scientists and mathematicians have always been seen as the ones who see the world through a series of sleek equations. Italian fashion house Max Mara switches this around and turns mathematical concepts into fashionably functional pieces for their Spring/Summer 2025 Collection. 

Max Mara’s Spring/Summer 2025 Collection, aptly themed “Science and Magic,” continues to champion pioneering women from history and highlights Hypatia, a 4th-century mathematician, philosopher, astronomer, and teacher from Alexandria, and her legacy of elegant precision.

Inspired by Hypatia’s work on slicing through cones at different angles, mathematically plotted elliptical curves created intriguing constructions revealing a segment of the abdomen, a sliver of shoulder, or a whole back — making it look sexy and sophisticated. The sleek silhouette hinges on jackets with a new shoulder shape: sharp, square, and narrow. 

In this collection founded on geometry, precision, and articulation, there are impeccable linear fabrics, gabardines, drills, and haut de gamme denims that lend themselves to engineering, but there are also crumpled silks permanently crisscrossed with random creases. 

When the aesthetic is inseparable from the detailed technical construction, even the modest poplin shirt can be elevated to a design statement. Max Mara presents a whole sequence to test that hypothesis — what says ‘summer in the city’ better than a crisp cotton shirt or a wrapped shirt dress, right? 

Max Mara buzzes with sartorial alchemy for the Spring/Summer 2025 Collection, with colors mirrored from the phials in the lab: crystalline white, copper oxide as black as brown can be, deep delphinium blue, and silver nitrate. 

This collection, despite being at odds with its scientific premise, affirms Kurt Vonnegut when he wrote, “Science is magic that works.” 

Max Mara in the Philippines Partners with U-GO for Women’s Month

In an intimate event held at the Max Mara Greenbelt 3 Store last Mar. 26, 2025, Max Mara presented the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, “Science and Magic,” complete with six looks from the Runway Show. 

Present at the event were U-GO’s Mariana Zobel and Ariana Kader-Cu, who explained U-GO’s rationale and what it means to partner with Max Mara. 

“It’s such an honor to be partnering with such a fantastic, female-led brand, and to be able to take that and multiply the effect on so many women we are hoping to educate this year and the years to come,” said Mariana Zobel.  

U-GO is founded on two principles: first, that talent is universal, opportunity is not, and second, if you empower a woman, it has a multiplier effect on her family, community, and the economy. 

U-GO has partnered with the Ayala Foundation in the Philippines for their operations in the country, and operates in other countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, and Tanzania.

Max Mara Philippines’ collaboration with U-GO runs until Apr. 30, 2025. 

Take a look at Max Mara’s Spring/Summer 2025 Collection on their website. Follow Max Mara on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram. 

Take a look at U-GO’s activities on their website and Instagram.

Nowadays, people are prioritizing simple skincare routines over having elaborate ones. But simplifying a routine doesn’t mean compromising skin quality; it means learning about the essentials, using what works, and making smart decisions. 

For Barbie Imperial, who juggles a demanding schedule of shoots and other commitments, having a simple skincare routine makes perfect sense. Here’s the secret to her radiant, healthy look, which she confidently shares with the world. 

Belotero® Revive is a first-of-its-kind dermal filler, combining glycerol with cross-linked hyaluronic acid to improve all aspects of skin quality. It enhances skin elasticity and firmness, refines texture, and evens out skin tone. 

Unlike topical skincare, it goes straight into your skin and works from within, ensuring long-lasting hydration for up to 9 months and delivering hydration in a way no other product can. 

Barbie Imperial is the first Philippines ambassador of Belotero® Revive, which launched with the campaign “The Art of Hydration.” She and other Revive Bare Your Glow Beauties emphasized the benefits that come with doing “Step Zero,” which unlocks the true essence of your skin. 

Barbie’s Glow-To Skin Boost

At a media launch event, Barbie Imperial revealed how Belotero® Revive has become her new go-to whenever she’s in need of a skin boost. She recounted how she also struggles with skin imperfections like everyone else, most especially with hormonal acne during the pandemic. 

She also noted how her skin started to look more glowing and hydrated after using Belotero® Revive: “It’s really become the essential step for my skincare. It keeps it hydrated and refreshed from the inside out, and because of it, it’s already simplified my everyday makeup routine. My skin already looks and feels amazing.” 

When asked for some advice to those that want to try Belotero® Revive, Barbie said, “I’m pushing for it [Belotero® Revive] because not only can you see fast results, it’s also effective and long-lasting!” 

Belotero® Revive: The “Step Zero” You Need To Achieve a Youthful Glow

Millennials and Gen Zs are proactively taking steps to prevent visible signs of aging, aiming to stay youthful, with glowing bare skin. With demanding everyday schedules, doing a complicated skincare routine doesn’t seem like the best (and most economical) idea. 

Belotero® Revive was made for those who want a simplified skincare routine; this dermal filler replaces the need for many skincare products and even reduces the number of skincare steps for every day. It is also gaining popularity for its ability to provide natural-looking and visible results in hydrating and smoothing the skin. 

Global experts present at the media launch, such as Dr. Ting Song Lim, Medical Director of Cliq Clinic in Malaysia, Dr. Lee Kok Siang, Marketing and Business Director of Dr. Ko Skin Specialist in Malaysia, and Dr. Stephen Claudio, MD MBA, Regional Medical Affairs Manager, OPC, discussed the importance of the ingredients found in Belotero® Revive. 

Dr. Ting Song Lim discussed the benefits of glycerol and hyaluronic acid, the two ingredients present in Belotero® Revive, and how these two, when paired together, benefit the skin. 

“Hyaluronic acid helps because it supports structures, helps the cells grow better, reduces the fatty cells, and helps the cells’ regeneration. While it’s already good, it’s not enough. Glycerol is a humectant; it attracts water and keeps it there. But that’s not the only role of glycerol; it’s a major component of our cell membranes. It’s not only important for hydration, but also for maintaining elasticity. It makes the skin supple; it makes the skin look elastic. Glycerol also reduces inflammation…and makes the fat cells healthier and makes the skin healthier.” 

The Art of Skinimalism and Prejuventaion

Belotero® Revive lies in the heart of the skinimalism and rejuvenation philosophy of Merz Aesthetics®. This treatment is a non-invasive way to achieve a no-filter glow without using elaborate routines, which is how Merz Aesthetics® understands the needs of today’s beauty-conscious consumers, especially Millennials and Gen Zs. 

Dr. Lee Kok Siang said, “What makes Belotero® Revive so effective is that it gives natural-looking results and lays the groundwork for a very simple yet effective skincare routine, all while ensuring a minimal downtime of just five to seven days.” 

With Belotero® Revive, you’ll surely get natural and youthful-looking skin fast and become confident in your own natural and bare self. 

Merz Aesthetics® and Vanguard Aesthetics do not encourage self-medication and encourage you to ask your healthcare professional about Belotero® Revive today.

For more information and details, visit Vanguard Aesthetics on their Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Nothing completes a look quite like good hair does. Do you have that one coworker who always looks put together no matter the time of day or how few hours of sleep they got the previous night?

As a writer, I’ve been privileged enough to have attended some pretty fabulous events, from exclusive restaurant tastings to fashion shows and product launches. Beyond the glitz and glamor of lifestyle journalism, unfortunately, I don’t always feel that way. Despite all my attempts at picking beautiful outfits and doing my makeup, I still somehow feel frumpy standing next to gorgeous models and influencers who have definitely won the genetic lottery.  

So, what have I realized from all this? Well, it’s that hair really does make a difference. I can walk into a room wearing the most beautiful ensemble, with perfect blush and bronzer plastered on my face, but if my hair is stacked up in a bun – which it usually is – then chances are, I won’t look as incredible as I’d hoped. 

Enter: my hairstyling era. I’ve never been one to focus on hair, because as I’d wrongfully thought, it didn’t matter. But it’s true what they say: having beautiful, perfect waves, or a voluminous blowout can complete a look, adding that much more value to one’s carefully thought-out OOTD. So, if you're looking to upgrade your hair life, this is the review for you. 

A Personalized Experience

Of course, when one thinks of perfect hair, their train of thought automatically (or at least eventually) leads to Dyson. Specifically, the Dyson Airwrap, which is something of a holy grail to beauty enthusiasts. This remarkable tool has jokingly been dubbed as the girl version of a PS5 and is a cult favorite at this point. 

The Airwrap’s biggest selling point is that it uses the Coanda effect, a physics phenomenon that shows how a gas passing over a specific surface (particularly a curved or convex surface) will adhere to that shape. Using this principle, engineers at Dyson have figured out a way to style hair without clamping or extreme heat, introducing a tool that helps customers steer clear of heat damage. 

While the Dyson Airwrap first made waves in 2018, the company has constantly been updating their invention, releasing its latest iteration – the Airwrap ID – in 2024. 

The Airwrap ID is straightforward and easy to use: there are four “buttons” on it, each of which can be toggled up or down. There is one for heat (users can adjust air temperature to cold, hot, and maximum heat), another for airflow (light, medium, strong), one to unlock and remove the attachments, and one to power the device on and off. 

The Airwrap ID also comes with six attachments, each of which has a specific purpose. 

There is the fast dryer attachment for drying hair, the large volumizing brush for volume, the soft smoothing brush for shine and straightening, the flyaway smoother to tame hair strands, a 40mm barrel attachment for loose, bouncy curls, and a conical barrel for tighter, more defined curls. Unlike previous Airwrap models, the Airwrap ID barrels can now switch between left and right curling directions with the switch of a button found at the top. (Previous models saw users having to remove and reattach barrels to change the direction of the curl.)

With a focus on personalization, the Airwrap ID also allows users to connect the tool to an app on their phone; this allows them access to a library of styling tutorials as well as a “personalized curling sequence” that allows one to curl one’s hair with a click of a button.

 For this, users simply have to download the MyDyson app and register their Airwrap ID onto it (scan the serial number or input it manually). They can then switch on their Airwrap ID and it will automatically connect to the app via Bluetooth. It will take the user to a questionnaire about their hair profile; once answered the app will generate a personalized styling sequence to optimize the time spent wrapping, styling, and cold shot (to set the curl). 

So instead of having to switch between temperatures and air flow strength, all one needs to do to curl their hair is toggle the power on button upwards to “ID Curl” and the machine automatically does the work. Just hold the Airwrap ID in place and relax. Of course, specific timing can be adjusted to your preference. 

My Favorite Parts

Those approaching hairstyling as a complete newbie – with zero experience at all – will find the MyDyson app is something of a godsend. Aside from the personalized curling experience, the MyDyson app also contains a library of tutorials lasting between 1 to 4 minutes on how to achieve specific hairstyles. There are styles for short, medium, and long hair, ranging from Retro Waves to a Slick Back look, and even a K-pop hairstyle for short hair styling. 

It's also helpful that plenty of people love the Airwrap ID. Content creators have already made helpful videos and discovered their own hacks for creating long-lasting styles. 

If you've ever been burned by a hair tool, then you can understand the fear of that happening again. Needless to say, the Airwrap ID takes away all fear of a repeat burn! 

Although the Airwrap ID does heat up to a degree, it does so at a tolerable temperature. In fact, you can bring the device close to your face or to the roots of your hair, and the heat will still feel manageable.

Ultimately, people also love the Airwrap ID for its versatility. Because it comes with so many attachments, styling hair feels less bulky and a lot more streamlined. All you have to do is attach a head to the Airwrap ID body and you can instantly, dry, straighten, or curl your hair. The fact that it even comes with a flyaway smoother shows just how much thought Dyson put into creating a comprehensive hairstyling experience. You’re definitely getting more than one hair tool with the Airwrap ID.  

The Difficulties

Don’t get me wrong though: purchasing a Dyson won’t automatically make you a pro at hairstyling. As it is with anything else, practice makes perfect and even the best tools will fail if you don’t have the skills to use them.

The only other drawback of the Airwrap ID I have observed is that in order to get really beautiful, defined curls on the barrel attachments, you have to take small sections of hair at a time. Taking a big chunk won’t work; the hair simply will not wrap around the barrel. So it’s fairly time-consuming to have to section your hair and do them one at a time, though the payoff is beautiful. 

Is it Worth It?

It all comes down to: is it worth it? Is the Dyson Airwrap ID a good investment? 

Personally, I would say it depends. If you’re someone who’s new to hair or doesn’t take styling too seriously, then getting an Airwrap ID right away might not be your best investment at the moment. 

However, if you are constantly out or under the spotlight, or simply someone who loves to do hair or learn about styling, then the Airwrap ID is definitely your best friend. The tool is versatile, chic, and easy to use. It’s less damaging than a lot of other styling products on the market and its wide array of tutorials and attachments will open you up to plenty of stylish looks. 

Shop the Dyson Airwrap ID here

This is a truthful product review and the opinions expressed within represent the views of the author.