First for the year, Marie Claire Philippines presents its first "Prix d’Excellence de la Beauté, a 20-year old tradition in the magazine, which convenes an international panel of beauty journalists and professionals to choose the best cosmetics products launched during the past 24 months.

The Prix d’Excellence International Jury raves about the user-friendliness of this liquid self-tanning lotion, which is also impressively quick-drying despite the new texture of in-between milk and water. They also loved that it has no odor, which usually takes the fun out of the fake-tan. As a tip, they recommend using a cotton wool pad when applying this to the face and décolleté. The cotton wool is good for two reasons, to allow a good visual of the application, and for blending to avoid unwanted streaking in usually difficult areas like the neck. ( P1,150, Rustan’s)

Another sexy innovation encasing another beauty must-have—a 30-shade lip color range by Guerlain, inside a beautiful sculptural gilded metal casing. It’s very true to the jury’s comments about the sexy gold casing being a work of art, designed by Hervé Van Der Straeten. I might actually be persuaded to buy it, so I can confidently apply lipstick in public. To be fair, the judges also enjoyed the three formats of velvety cream, pearlized and sparkling shades. (P1,550, My Beauty Hub).

The undeniable stamp of designer elegance attributed to the classic cool case of this lipstick seemed to be the most voted reason why it is a must-buy for every woman.

Apart from its high-glossing lip color quality, lip-plumping and moisturizing ingredients and the SPF 15 filters, the jury spoke about the new "beauty gesture" incorporated by YSL in opening a classic cosmetics product like lipstick—"push with your thumb and the tube glides downwards to reveal the color." (P1150, Rustan’s)

This product requires no further endorsement or testament because I have yet to meet anyone who has not bought it and loved it and is still loving it. The jury confirms its long-lasting quality, in addition, of course to the fabulously matte-finish it promises on its label. This foundation is very affordable and it would be a sin not to have it, considering that make-up foundation is really the key to a long-lasting made-up face. (P629, everywhere)

Nivea is reputed for its "low-in-price but highly effective product range," and new this alcohol-free innovation for sensitive skin is no different. This range, which includes the Sensitive Calming Day Cream (shown in picture) and Sensitive Calming Cleansing Milk has neutral pH and contains natural plant ingredients to protect, moisturize and reduce redness and irritations. This cream also builds up all-weather skin resistance like "snow, wind, sun, pollution," offers a juror, vouching for a reliable long-term relief for those with sensitive skin. Unfortunately, release of this range to Philippine retail is still currently under study.

The most exciting comment about this upcoming product is, "the duo works!" They both contain highly effective anti-ageing ingredients—combination of hyaluronic acid fragments and Retinadehyde to battle against ageing skin. While the latter is already a well-known ingredient to treat ageing skin, it was discovered recently that applying hyaluronic acid fragments topically enhances its production in the skin, improving elasticity. They have proven, according to the jury, to work on wrinkles and frown lines. So wait for the anti-ageing duo due out on September.

Lancome has gone where others dared not go. "We now have creams we can use from 0 to 77," say one jury, who professes deep admiration for Lancome’s high priest of dermatology, Professor Peter M. Elias.

Designed for sixtysomething women, it contains a form of calcium that can be assimilated by the skin. Just like the bones, ageing skin has to combat its own ageing disease—dermoporosis, a reduction in calcium that makes it weaker and prone to damage. This product promises a tall order, and that is to rebuild the structure of a fragile epidermis. This magic cream will be available July 2007, a much-awaited Mother’s Day gift next year, I suppose.

If you want fringe similar to false eyelashes, this is the product for you, says the jury, but you’re going to have to wait for two more months. This breakthrough mascara is yet to be available by July. But while waiting, know that according to the jury, "This product is a sex toy. First, you prime, thicken and condition lashes. Then you use the mini-comb to give them the Pilates-work-out to curl and lengthen them. You end up so alluring." I didn’t get it, but you might. There’s a warning, though—it is troublesome to apply, but apparently it gives fantastic results—I say, what’s new?