Frances Sales and I were part of the launching editorial team of OK! Magazine back in 2005---she as the managing editor, and I the editorial assistant. Frances eventually took over as the editor-in-chief and helped groom me to become a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle editor. When I left my post to go freelance in 2007, she took OK! to great heights. The magazine became one of the most popular glossies in the country, thanks to their juicy Hollywood tidbits and jam-packed fashion and beauty pages.
Frances' editor-in-chief photo published in OK!'s December 2012 issue. Photo by Sara Black.
When I found out that OK! published its final issue in December, I was among the thousands of loyal readers saddened by the news. I caught up with my former editor to talk about OK!'s glory days and our love affair with all things Hollywood. We also talked about Frances' three popular blogs---Topaz Horizon, Topaz Mommy, and Beauty for a Living.
OK! Magazine's final issue, December 2012
Kate: Like your loyal readers, I, too, was sad when I found out that OK! folded. Where can we Hollywood loyalists get our decent fix of Hollywood fashion, makeup, and gossip now?
Frances: I'm subscribed to the online sites of celebrity style magazines, like InStyle, People Stylewatch, and Glamour. They really have fun stories on the hottest fashion and beauty trends that Hollywood stars love. They give useful advice on how we mortals can wear these trends, too.
Kate: Name 2-3 Hollywood beauty looks that you believe will never go out of style and that every girl should master.
Frances: Every girl should master the cat's eye makeup, the come-hither look of any goddess. Second, any celeb-watcher knows a true Hollywood star does not sport straight hair---it's the tousled waves that rule! From old Hollywood glamour Marceau waves to bed-head hair, waves spell sexy and A-list! Third, always have big sunglasses with you. It may be a fashion accessory but it's the one beauty tool that instantly hides eye bags, tired and red eyes, and transforms you from so-so to a star!
Kate: What are your beauty predictions for 2013?
Frances: Stars may wear the latest fashion trends but when it comes to beauty looks, they usually stick to what works for them. For example, Angelina Jolie always has the smoky eye makeup and nude lips no matter where she is. Jennifer Aniston always has that sun-kissed, girl-next-door look no matter how old she gets. So let's look to the world of fashion (they also dictate what's happening in beauty!). According to New York Fashion Week, the top beauty trends for next year will be blue eye shadow, fun nail polish, and old Hollywood waves.
Kate: Can you tell us what's in your daily kikay kit and why you love them?
Frances: Believe it to not, I don't have a kikay kit! I don't even have a hairbrush in my bag! I usually just do my makeup at home and go out! But if you consider my makeup kit at home as a kikay kit, here's what I use:
Photo courtesy of cremedelamer.com
1. La Mer Concealer, P3,850. I have a lot of acne scars. This totally hides them!
Photo courtesy of cremedelamer.com and shiseido.com
2. La Mer Face Powder, P4,125, and Shiseido Pressed Powder, P1,850. These really control my oiliness without making me look powdery. Everyone says I look so fresh. Believe me, being a mom of two babies, I do not feel or look fresh, but La Mer and Shiseido help a ton!
Photo courtesy of fscosmetics.com
3. Fanny Serrano Eyebrow Powder, P350. I never ever leave the house without fixing my brows. It was the one beauty trick that my beauty editor friends taught me. You instantly look put-together and made-up as long as you do your brows. Your fellow BDJ Beauty Minister Nicole Romero recommended the Fanny Serrano eyebrow palette a few years ago and I've been using it since.
Photo courtesy of narscosmetics.com
4. NARS Blush, P1,350. I have the Orgasm shade. I got it because all the Hollywood celebs---no matter what their skin tone---swear by it. It really is the shade for everyone. It just really makes me glow prettily.
Photo courtesy of Majolica Majorca
5. Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara, P795. Having the sparsest, shortest lashes in the world, I have searched high and low for the best mascara. I have truly tried them all. But it was only this year when I found the best mascara ever. Lash King is the king of mascaras!
At a blogger event with Abe Olandres of yugatech.com, Victor Basa of victorbasa.net, and Noemi Dado of aboutmyrecovery.com.
Kate: I've seen your three blogs evolve throughout the years. How are you able to maintain your blogs, mommyhood, and a journalism career without losing your cool and still looking stylish?
Frances: One task at a time! I tried multi-tasking especially when I was a new mom. But trying to finish an article while trying to send the baby to sleep was impossible and resulted to frustration and tears for both baby and me. Attending a photo shoot with the baby is cute, but it distracts me from my work.
At the photo shoot of Patty Laurel-Filart for Frances' Manila Bulletin column, Behind the Scenes, out every Friday in the lifestyle section.
I really thought I could do it all, but I can't. When I finally accepted that, I understood that to be able to have it all, I have to be extremely efficient and give my 100% to one area at that given time so I finish it faster and I can move on to the next.
Frances Sales' family Christmas card photo. "That's Vince and me with our sons, Vito and Inigo," she said.
I also do know that family comes first. Always. If my kids need me, I drop everything. I feel no guilt at ending meetings or leaving events. So that working-mom guilt people keep groaning about? I don't feel it because I know that even though I have work, blogs, and friends, as soon as my kids say, "Mama!", I'm outta there!
Kate: Who are your beauty icons?
Frances: Kate Beckinsale, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cate Blanchett. I'm about the same age as them---36 to 40----and I love how fabulous they look, from hair and face to body. I love Kate's perfect hair, Cate's perfect skin, and Gwyneth's strong body.
Visit Frances Sales' blogs: topazhorizon.com, mommytopaz.com, and beautyforaliving.com.
Shopping Directory:
Fanny Serrrano Visit fscosmetics.com to view a complete list of branches; fscosmetics.com
La Mer Rustan's Department Stores; rustans-thebeautysource.com; cremedelamer.com; facebook.com/LaMer
Majolica Majorca click here to view a complete list of branches; majolica-majorca.com/ph; facebook.com/majolicamajorca.phil
NARS Rustan's Department Stores; narscosmetics.com; facebook.com/narscosmetics
Shiseido available at leading department stores nationwide; 2/L, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati; Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati; R1/L Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City; 3/L, TriNoma Mall, EDSA cor. North Ave., Quezon City; G/L, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City; Upper G/F Alabang Town Center Muntinlupa; www. facebook.com/ShiseidoPH.
Photos courtesy of Frances Sales. Product photos from cremedelamer.com, fscosmetics.com, narscosmetics.com, and shiseido.com.
