EVERY year, dozens of new skincare and makeup brands enter the market. Naturally some brands fade into oblivion as other newer brands come in, with each offering new formulations for standard beauty products.

Then there are those brands that last the test of time, managing to get better as the years pass. Avon, a favorite of women worldwide for decades, is one of those lucky brands.

A pioneer in makeup, skincare and fragrances, it recently introduced a fresh batch of products to the market in an event at The Peninsula Manila called ?Avon Laboratory of Beauty Discoveries.? Hosted by Angel Aquino, it led guests on a journey through three different rooms that introduced various products.

First stop was a brief skincare clinic conducted by Dmitri Ptchelintsev, senior manager of Avon?s research and development facility in New York. He taught guests how to use the Anew Clinical Retexturizing Peel, which gives the benefits of a dermatologist?s glycolic peel in the comfort of home.

?The product is designed to banish years from the skin with surgical precision by lifting, firming and plumping skin,? Ptchelintsev said. ?Women often go to the dermatologist for this, but the cost can be prohibitive. This is our solution in a jar.?

Color workshop

The next stop proved to be the favorite of many women, as it involved a color workshop with renowned makeup artist Lala Flores and Avon Color endorser Angel Locsin. Guests were invited to play with lipstick, eye shadow, lip gloss.

The brand unveiled its latest color product, the Ultra Moisture Rich 24K Gold Lipsticks, said to be enhanced with 24-karat gold for a shimmery, sparkling effect (without the disco feel, of course).

?This is a really indulgent treat for your lips,? said Flores as she demonstrated the Summer 2009 makeup trend on Locsin. ?This summer, the look will be all about the indulgence and shimmer of gold. It?s all about radiant beauty.?

The last stop was a visit to the fragrance lab, where Barbs Aguirre, Southeast Asia cluster category head for fragrance, demonstrated the anatomy of a fragrance to introduce their latest scent, Just Play.

?Just Play For Him and For Her capture the fun-loving spirit of the young,? said Aguirre. ?It?s really the essence of fun.?

Luis Manzano and Nikki Gil, who had disguised themselves as mad scientists toying around with various chemicals, were eventually revealed as the celebrity endorsers of the fragrance.

?As a global leader in direct selling and beauty products, Avon provides women worldwide with innovative products that deliver great benefits at great value,? said Avon Philippines president and general manager Bob Briddon.