Located less than an hour from Bangkok, Bang Saen and Wonnapa beaches in Chonburi Province have long been popular weekend destinations for the urban crowd. Sadly, they have suffered from their popularity with visitors regularly using them as garbage dumps rather than respecting their natural beauty. Indeed, members of a recent media trip organised by skincare leaders La Mer to Wonnapa beach were horrified to witness the extent of trash littering the beach and the nasty odour given off by rotting food, paper and plastic.

The visit was organised as part of “La Mer’s Blue Heart” project to mark World Oceans Day 2016. La Mer staff and journalists joined up with guests Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, Puri Hiranprueck, Byron and Cindy Bishop, Disaya Koragotchamas, Isawan Sutthinark, Sirachai Arunrugstichai for a massive beach-cleaning session before boarding a Sri Racha Marine Fisheries Research Station’s research vessel to explore the condition of the sea.

The boat took its passengers to the area around Koh Loy and here too they were dismayed at the amount of garbage floating through the water and lying on the seabed.

Tons of water bottles and plastic bags were collected during the trip but despite this effort they will continue to damage our coral reefs and cause the death of several marine animals, especially rare ones close to extinction.

Garbage is not a national-level problem, but an international one, as it affects the ecosystem and the environment as a whole. It is not too late for us to stop damaging activities and realise the importance of the ocean for every life on the planet.

“Several islands in Thailand have been closed down for restoration. It is now time for us to help. First, we have to help spread the message because it is easier to prevent damage than to restore. What we can do is to keep what we have today and minimise the damage. Thailand ranks among the top five countries with the largest amount of plastic garbage per head,” said conservationist and marine expert Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat.”

Free diver Disaya Koragotchamas added: “I love the sea, and diving is an activity that brings me closer to the beauty under the sea. We must conserve and give back to the oceans, which provide us with so much joy.”

Byron Bishop is a keen diver and says he’s saddened by the degradation of coral and other sea creatures he witnesses during his dives. “This is our world,” he stresses, “and if we all help, we can make a big difference.”

On a global scale, La Mer is continuing its partnership with National Geographic Society for the fifth consecutive year to help support the next generation of ocean explorers. Through this partnership, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr Sylvia Earle shares her ocean inspiration and expertise through a short film, which can be viewed shortly at Facebook: La Mer Thailand, Instagram @LaMerThailandOfficial and at http://www.LaMer.co.th/blueheart.

Joining this project are marine conservationists Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau, free diver Tomoka Fukuda, and model and actress Elsa Pataky.

La Mer invites consumers to share their own personal story of the sea through the #LaMerBlueHeart campaign on Instagram. Lucky winners from Thailand can win tickets from Bangkok Airways to explore the seas in Maldives, Phuket and Krabi. To qualify, post a picture at #LaMerBlueHeart and #MyOceanStory.

For more information, visit Facebook: La Mer Thailand.

– In celebration of La Mer’s Blue Heart and World Oceans Day this year, a 100ml jar of Creme de La Mer with a new limited-edition sea-inspired design is available at all La Mer counters through the end of June for Bt18,600.

 

BACK ON THE fashionable French Riviera for the 69th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, Thai actress Araya “Chompoo” A Hargate is turning heads both on and off the red carpet.

Dubbed by the Thai media as the “Queen of Cannes” and at #Mae is Mae” as the fashion queen, Araya is in France for the fourth year running as brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris.

For the “Caf้ Society” premiere and opening ceremony this year, the superstar looked stunning in a dramatic pink ruffled gown by Ralph & Russo and really caught the public’s attention when she changed into a sexy violet Versace gown. For the premiere of “The BFG”, Araya stayed true to her voluminous dressing, opting for a Zuhair Murad organza dress while for the premiere of “From The Land of the Moon”, she opted for a completely different colour palette with a black-and-white gown by Jean Paul Gaultier.

The Thai actress enhanced her outfits with the Red Carpet gems from the main sponsors Chopard High Jewellery Collection.

L’Oreal Paris has kept fans updated throughout the festival with not only shot-by- shot images of Araya on the red carpet, but through a video presentation on its official website that shows how the brand’s international makeup artists created the gorgeous looks. These come courtesy of beauty guru Napassorn “Momay” Buranasiri who joined the trip to Cannes and filmed the makeup inspiration with Araya.

As ever, L’Oreal Paris is making it easy to follow the “Sensual Sophistication” look with its “Cannes 2016 Red Carpet Edition” range, which comprises four makeup items. Infallible 24H Stay Fresh Foundation” (Bt499) is a high- coverage, long-wear foundation that hides fatigue and blemishes; “L’Oreal Paris False Lash Superstar” (Bt449) are super-sized, super-long, lashes; “L’Oreal Paris Super Star Liner” (Bt399) transforms your look in one daring stroke and “Colour Riche L’ Extraordinaire Matte” (Bt459) – lends a sublime velvet lip quality in a multi-dimensional rich colour that’s never flat.

For more, check out http://www.LOrealParisthailand.com/ cannesmunity and http://www.facebook.com/lorealparisthailand.

WITH AN increasing number of women reporting allergies, no matter how slight, to the chemicals contained in beauty products, it’s not surprising that organic skincare brands are grabbing a growing |portion of the market.

The latest to arrive in Thailand is Neal’s Yard Remedies, a British brand with a strong ingredients policy that follows specific criteria for safety, sustainability and efficacy. The brand recently launched at Siam Paragon.

A firm believer in the dictum that holistic health brings out the beauty from within, owner Peter Kindersley, who acquired the brand from its founder Romy Fraser in 2005, points out that plants grown in their natural ecosystem are the healthiest and most vibrant of ingredients.

A small shop opened in 1981 by Fraser in Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden in the very heart of London, Neal’s Yard Remedies today has more than 50 branches throughout the UK, and has expanded to 21 countries on five continents. Its success has been guaranteed by more than 50 awards from leading organisations and publications.

Fran Johnson, manager of natural health for Neal’s Yard Remedies, was in Bangkok for the grand opening and celebrated the event by holding a workshop on the brand’s highly reputed essential oil.

Since joining the company at its factory in Dorset 11 years ago, Johnson has been responsible for developing new products, and told XP that she particularly enjoys the challenge and limitations that using essential oils can bring/

“Not many people realise we smell all the time and the sense of smell is strongly linked to our memory. For example, vanilla reminds many of us of the kitchen, taking us back to the days when our mothers baked cakes at home.

“So essentials oil not only work physically on the skin but the fragrances themselves have emotional effects. So when you use an essential oil product, you get double the treatment,” she says.

Essential oils contain volatile aroma compounds from plants and are extracted from the flowers, the leaf, the stem and the root. Each essential oil is made of hundreds of natural chemical constitutions. Each constitution has the smell of the oil and one or more specific activities. Frankincense, for example, has fantastic constitutions that rejuvenate and tone the skin, while rose extract helps to nourish and reduce inflammation.

“Essential oils have been used medicinally for centuries, More recently, they have become part of the pharmacopoeia for wellbeing and wellness because they work in many different ways and have different benefits as well. So you can use essential oil for treating everyday wellness as well as long-term illnesses. You can use them in the bath or in a diffuser. You don’t need a degree to be able to use them, though you must study their safety background,” Johnson explains.

“Ethics are the very foundation of the brand and our focus on essential oils and herbs has not changed. While we do update our formulations in term of texture, we don’t need to alter fragrances.”

In comparison to other natural derivatives, organic vegetable sources are not processed. “Certain processing can release toxins and at Neal’s Yard we don’t follow any of those processes,” Johnson says.

“Products still work even when they are processed. It’s all down to personal ethics. We choose to use organic raw materials where we can because of the lack of chemicals. We choose to support a non-toxic lifestyle. That’s who we are and organic certification is the way we ensure and prove what we are doing.”

Neil’s Yard Remedies already had a following among Thais. Lifestyle guru Ploy Chariyaves fell in love with the products – as well as the brand’s vibrant deep blue bottles – during a visit to Covent Garden in the late ’80s.

“Personally, I like everything that is organic. Most people think that it takes a long time to see the results of using organic products but that’s not true. I’m very impressed with the Rose toner, the smell is just like fresh roses and feels very clean too,” Ploy says.

Young celebrity Anutara Kiengsiri says she likes the gentleness of the Frankincense collection to protect and tone her skin. “I’ve been a fan since my days studying in England,” she says.

 

LOS ANGELES-BASED makeup brand NYX is about to make a splash here with L’Oreal (Thailand) importing the affordable products, as recently unveiled at an event at the EmQuartier humorously titled “Sorry I’m Not Sorry”.

No apologies were necessary, though, as NYX paired a fantastic presentation of its makeup with a fashion show featuring the “Myth Universe” SS16 collection by celebrated Thai designer Milin Yuvacharuskul.

On hand for the face-painting and the fun were Jularak Piyasombatkul, Pavenelak Limpichart, MR Mannarumas Yukol, Sonya and Piraya Singha, Pimlerd Baiyoke, Art Araya, Nontaporn Teerawatanasuk, Natthapa Kamolsawedkun, Saruntorn Techapaiboon, Cris and Ploy Horwang, Amata “Pearypie” Chittasenee, Pakorn Chatborirak, Pitt Karchai, Piyawat Kempetch, Laknara Piatha, Chicha Amattayakul, Patcharawalai Pongpamorn, Preeyakarn Jaikanta, Parva Nakasai and many more.

NYX has achieved almost cult-like appeal since its introduction in 1999 at makeup trade-shows, where the pros readily acknowledged that these products of Los Angeles – home to the Hollywood dream factory, after all – were among the best on the market.

LA is nothing if not colourful, of course, a city where creative dreams are pursued every day, where diversity is the norm and where self-expression is celebrated. The sprawling metropolis has television and movies in its blood, and behind every great actor there’s a team of dedicated, innovative and usually award-winning makeup artists.

The brand has seen tremendous growth in recent years and now comprises more than 2,000 beauty products in every shade, every tool for every level of makeup artistry, from everyday basics and in-trend shades to special-occasion favourites.

With the rise of the social media, it’s built a global online community of beauty fans who create their own unique digital presentations. Self-taught and proud of it, they love to share their tricks using NYX makeup, all in the name of self-expression. In this way NYX has become one the most influential brands online, with its followers serving as a limitless source of inspiration.

Milin counts herself among those fans, saying she most likes to use pink shades. “Pink is truly feminine and it will never be out of style for makeup,” she said at the launch party. “Personally, I like to use glowing pink on the lips for a simple kind of beauty that’s very charming.”

Paweenalak Limpichart is ready for summer with her favourite shade of shiny brown. “Since I have rather tanned skin I like to make my face brighter, with a healthy tone, so I use the glowing-brown brush on my cheeks,” she said. “It’s a must-have item for me.”

Sisters Sonya and Piraya Singha prefer the nude hues. “We love doing makeup,” said Pariya. “Our rooms at home are covered with cosmetics, and of course we always share everything. I like the orange shade of nude on the cheeks, with just a little highlighting on the eyebrows. And Sonya creates dimension in her face with nude brown, especially on her lips.”

WOMEN AT DIFFERENT ages have different concerns, each requiring its own health regimen, and Dr Thidakarn Rujipattanakul says the chief concern at any stage should be oxidants – the toxins that cause signs of premature ageing in the skin.

Thidakarn, accredited by the American Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine, participated in the recent panel discussion “Bio-Life: Be Forever Young”.

“The trend today is taking care of yourself from inside out,” she said. “The wrinkles that multiply as we get older – the loss of elasticity – is a sign from the inside that we’re ageing, and it’s due to oxidants. To eliminate them we should get enough sleep, avoid sweets and fried food and eat more anti-oxidant foods, such as vegetables, fruit, green tea and tofu.

“Dietary supplements, like Astaxanthin, Astaxanthin Plus Vitamine E, and Astaxanthin Plus Coenzyme Q10 are interesting additional options,” she said.

“We only have one body, and there are no replacement parts, so we have to take good care of the entire body system – the brain, the heart and the eyes. The earlier we start taking care of our health the better.”

Women ranging in age from 25 to 40 years shared their personal experiences, offering the full perspective from the different stages of life.

“I never used to take care of myself at all,” said fashion designer and beauty blogger Jiraporn “Saipan” Buranapong, “and I was not a beautiful person with my rough skin. Then I started taking weight loss seriously and taking better care of myself the natural way.

“I have recipes that use herbs and vegetables from my mother’s garden. I drink tomato juice and lots of water. I was eating clean food long before it became popular – lean meat, vegetables – and I avoid eating too much carbohydrates and sugar and never have large meal portions. I also always do cardio exercise to burn off fat and ride my bike every day. These activities have become routine for me.”

ML Auradis Snidvongs, a senior vice president at Siam Piwat, said that, having raised her children, her aim is restoring balance in life.

“I’ve started working again and I take good care of myself by eating items from all the recommended food groups, especially vegetables, fish and fruit with Vitamin C, like grapes and oranges. I avoid carbohydrates and drink plenty of water. I do a lot of exercise, including swimming and horseback riding, and I use our fitness equipment at home.

“The real secret to maintaining balance once you get older, though, is finding a peaceful spot to sit and relax,” she said. “It’s good for both the mind and the health.”

ML Radeethep Devakula, an assistant vice president at Thai Beverage, is the mother of three young children as well as the wife of an ambassador.

“I’m scared of all the medical equipment they use in the beauty industry, so dietary supplements are the alternative for me.” She too exercises regularly, eats healthy food and takes proper care of her skin, using cream to combat fine lines and dark circles under the eyes.

“To be a woman in 2016, looking beautiful for your age and have your own style,” Radeethep said, “you have to love yourself – doing good things for your own sake, first by taking care of your skin – and love your career, inspiring yourself to be all you can be. Be your own kind of beautiful – that’s the definition of eternal beauty.”

After the discussion, yoga instructor Chatrisa “Noo Lek” Srisarntiwong led a session of “baby face yoga”, designed to “tighten up your facial skin in 30 minutes”.

The participants first sat with backs straight and repeated five times the words “kluay” to pucker the lips, “nam” to compress them, and “wa” to open the mouth and eyes. Next they said “pla” to open the mouth, “too” to protrude the lips, “mod” to pull the chin down, and “kheng” to open the eyes wide without raising the eyebrows.

To reduce sagging neck skin, they said “som” with head straight and lips compressing tightly, and “tum” with a swallow and the breath held for five seconds. This was done facing front, up, down, left and right, changing direction on the count of five.

Finally there was the “super-lift” with head straight and the lips tightly compressed, the saying “pa pa pa pa”, again in different directions.

“You get tired,” Noo Lek said. “It’s like going through intense exercise. If you do baby-face yoga and take dietary supplements, your facial skin will be taut.”