The beauty of doing good

I hadn’t quite set out to start Christmas shopping when I visited The Body Shop at SM Megamall just as November kicked in, but I found myself unmistakably in the spirit. The ever-colorful and absolutely gorgeously smelling has gone all-out festive, you see, and let me tell you, it’s ready to save you from the perpetually unavoidable last-minute shopping scramble!

Like all Body shop stores here and all over the world, the Mega Mall branch had it all: Christmas trees decked with adorable miniatures of the brand’s best sellers, stocking stuffers that begin as low as ₱350, and carefully curated sets for every family member, friend, and workmate.

Now, don’t get me started on the length of freshly stocked shelves, perfectly organized as if Santa’s army of beauty expert elves did the job themselves.

Tzone 2 – The store’s freshly stocked shelves, perfectly organized as if Santa’s army of beauty expert elves did the job themselves.

There was truly Christmas magic in the air, for not only can you check off every name on your gift list — stress-free, might I add — as early as now at The Body Shop, but with each product you buy, you’ll also be giving a little something back to the world.

Tzone 3 and 4: Easily pick stocking stuffers or carefully curated sets for loved ones.

So, given how their skin, hair, and body care range to their innovative cosmetics champion ingredients that are all-natural and sourced with care, and how every purchase will benefit community trade partners and environmental initiatives, The Body Shop has chosen the perfect title for their 2024 holiday campaign, which is #GiveGoodGifts with #GiftsThatGiveBack.

Tzone 3 and 4: Easily pick stocking stuffers or carefully curated sets for loved ones.

As for my top picks? Let’s talk essentials. I picked up the Satsuma Body Mist and Body Butter, which delivers a double-dose of freshness from head to toe; the versatile Free Multi-Tasking Matte Colour cream (that’s lids, lips, and cheeks all covered); two shades of the Pep Talk Lip Oil (for sheer and moisturizing perfection); and, a new high-quality spooly (simply because I just lost mine).

Tzone 5: Customers can also personalize their holiday box.

Thanks to the ever-fabulous duo of The Body Shop Philippines, PR Manager Jean Tolentino and Head of Marketing Jun Bernabe, I even got to personalize my own holiday box for my lovely loot. They handed me a decorative sleeve on which I could stick these witty Christmas-themed stickers all around my dry-transferred name. Not only was I in shopping heaven, but my non-crafty self truly experienced a Christmas miracle in one merry afternoon.

So, friends, my advice is simple: beat the Christmas rush once and for all because The Body Shop’s ready-made gift sets and more are just so easy to choose from as you #GiveGoodGifts and #GiftsThatGiveBack.

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From one beautiful source of Christmas magic, I merrily found myself at another one when I attended a rare event for Lay Bare at their Glorietta branch in Makati City.

I’ve long admired this low-key yet na-tionwide chain for all-over body waxing since I truly believe it was Lay Bare that made this must-do beauty routine easily accessible to and affordable for everyone.

Time was when only super high-end salons would offer waxing services — and very few at that — until 18 years ago when Lay Bare opened to hardly any fanfare and became a household name across every city, town and community like Jollibee.

It was therefore a treat to finally meet one of Lay Bare’s founders and business process champion, Fiona Hilario, and hear from her the story of their journey: “My sister Monique and I founded Lay Bare Waxing Salon after experiencing frustrating and subpar waxing services in Metro Manila. We wanted to create a specialized ‘waxing bou-tique model’ that focused on stress-free hair removal using an all-natural sugar, honey, and calamansi formula suitable for all skin types. Now, 18 years later, Lay Bare and its sister brands continue to empower clients of all genders by enhancing their confidence through quality grooming services.” That’s why it’s heartening to see them stepping out with purpose this time, partner-ing with the Kasuso Foundation to launch their “Bare Confidence: Empowering One Another” campaign.

This collaboration is about more than smooth skin; it’s about raising awareness and making a tangible difference for those affected by breast cancer. Through this Wax-for-a-Cause initiative, Lay Bare is turning a routine pam-pering session into an act of generosity. So from now until January 15, 2025, a portion of every Brazilian wax booked will go directly to the well-established Kasuso Foundation, which provides vital support to breast cancer patients and survivors.

Another way to take part in this campaign is by patronizing Lay Bare’s limited edition #BareConfidence tote bag. Beyond being a stylish statement, it is an additional way to contribute to the cause, with part of the pro-ceeds likewise benefiting Kasuso’s programs. As I later met the tireless Chairman of Kasuso Foundation, Malou del Rosario, I told her I loved how Lay Bare is launching a breast cancer fund-raiser even after the global yearly celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness in October.

She joyfully agreed and replied, “I know what you mean. Because breast cancer isn’t just a month-long condition for so many women and we need to help them all year long, every year, like Lay Bare is doing now.” As we ended our chat amid the festive buzz of Glorietta, I couldn’t help but feel the warmth of this meaningful partnership. Just like Christmas, which celebrates giving and togetherness, Lay Bare and Kasuso Foundation remind us that true beauty lies in making a difference for others.