?Amp?-ing the wow factor

By Dinna Chan Vasquez

Avon has risen to the top makeup and beauty brand in the Philippines by using a tried-and-tested formula of offering technology-based products at affordable prices. The company has been successful in marketing itself as a brand that?s within every woman?s reach without sacrificing excellence and quality.

Among other products that enjoy outstanding sales, Avon?s Anew line has enjoyed a phenomenal following because of its fabulous anti-aging properties while its Glazewear Lipstick truly delivers on the promise of combining color and gloss.

Its effort to help fight breast cancer has brought hope to Filipino women suffering from the disease, which is one of the leading causes of death in the country.

Avon representatives also benefit from earning opportunities presented by selling the company?s products.

?As a global leader in direct selling and beauty products, Avon takes pride in providing women worldwide with innovative products that deliver great benefits and respond to their needs and are offered at great value. That?s our commitment?a commitment we?ve embraced throughout our 30 years in the country,? says Avon Philippines president and general manager Bob Briddon.

Avon?s product lines include Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Avon Naturals, Avon Fashions, and Avon Wellness.

The company has unveiled new breakthroughs in skin care, color, and fragrance during a media launch dubbed ?Avon Laboratory of Beauty Discoveries? at The Conservatory of The Peninsula Manila.

Event host Angel Aquino led guests to three different rooms that served as laboratories for each new product introduction.

The first laboratory was for the Anew Clinical skin care line, which are targeted treatments that resurface, lift, plump, and de-age skin with near-surgical precision. Dmitri Ptchelinsev, strategic alliance and new technology senior manager from Avon?s research and development facility in New York, revealed the latest Anew Clinical innovation?the Retexturizing Peel?which allows women to enjoy the benefits of a dermatologist?s 35-percent glycolic peel at home and without pain and unsightly peeling. The Retexturizing Peel is used every other day and guarantees results in seven weeks.

The second laboratory was all about colors with bars of Avon?s complete makeup line, which guests got to try. Makeup artist Lala Flores also presented a gorgeous summer look on Avon endorser Angel Locsin as Avon unveiled its latest product, the Ultra Moisture Rich 24K Gold Lipsticks, which are enhanced with pure 24K gold and long-lasting moisturization to make the color glide across the lips, leaving a lustrous and shimmery flecks.

The 24K Gold Lipsticks will be available in May 2009 and are the perfect finish for summer?s ?It? look.

?It will be all about radiant beauty,? says Flores, who shared tricks on how to perfect the metallic look.

?Our makeup line always keeps up with the trends, if not set it,? says Mari Ann Soliven, Southeast East Asia category head for colors.

The company?s research and development team in New York, says Soliven, works hand in hand with global creative director Jillian Dempsey in coming up with products that fuse technology with eye-catching style. The appeal of Avon?s makeup is carried well by its global celebrity endorser Reese Witherspoon and in the Philippines by Locsin.

The last stop was a laboratory set-up done in playful colors with Barbs Aguirre, Southeast Asia cluster category head for fragrance, and two mysterious-looking scientists with crazy hair, showing guests the anatomy of a fragrance.

It turns out that the ?scientists? were celebrities Nikki Gil and Luis Manzano, endorsers of Avon?s new fragrance Just Play.

Just Play for Him is an energetic blend of fresh fruits, crisp greens and zesty spices while Just Play for Her has hints of sparkling tea notes blended with fresh floral and sandalwood.

?The two fragrances capture the fun-loving spirit of the young,? says Aguirre.

To complete the launch?s surprises, Avon presented each guest with a big black and pink carryall that housed three smaller bags. The small bags contained Avon makeup, Anew Clinical products, including the Retexturizing Peel, and Just Play samples.