THE word “drugstore” in the Philippines is synonymous with medication. But in other countries, like the US and France, it is a health and beauty destination where you can get everything from multivitamins to body lotion. In France women buy dry shampoo, face cream and body oil from the drugstore.
I’ve always been fascinated by drugstores and not because of the pharmacy side of the business. I remember going to CVS in Rhode Island with my parents and buying L’Oreal nail polish, Revlon shampoo and lipstick that turned out to be either too magenta or too orange.
Drugstore shopping, US style, finally came to the Philippines, thanks to Watsons, which finally opened in the country after A.S. Watson Group teamed up with SM Prime Holdings Inc. in 1992. It is present in all SM Malls. There are also stand-alone Watsons stores in key areas in key cities throughout the country.
The highlight of drugstore shopping for me is going through the sections where they have face cleansers and eyeliners. Can I just say that drugstore eyeliners are the best?
But being at Watsons also means hoarding on their wet wipes, tissue, hand wash and deep conditioners for the hair.
My ideal mall would always have to include a drugstore, preferably Watsons, since we are in the Philippines. For me, a trip to the mall will not be complete without a visit to Watsons, where I buy most of my personal-care stuff from multivitamins to face mists.
So what are my favorite brands at Watsons? They include Maybelline, Kate, Bioderma, Avene, BYS, Holika Holika and the house brand Watsons Label, of course. I used to hoard Avene Thermal Spring Water during trips abroad because we didn’t have it here. This is a spray that you can use as a face toner. It also works for skin irritations.
Last week my friends at Watsons told me some good news: you can actually win cool stuff like cash, gadgets, luxury bags and vacations when you buy Watsons-branded merchandise.
For example, a couple buying wet wipes (great for wiping food stains from your clothes) was told they had won a flatscreen TV.
A balikbayan who had bought generic ascorbic acid tablets won a Boracay vacation.
The best part? It was actress Lorna Tolentino, who endorses Watsons Generics, who presented them with their prizes during the launch of the promo at Watsons in Mall of Asia.
“Loyal shoppers who purchase Watsons Label products are used to getting cute items and tokens. This year, we decided to up the stakes,” said Karen Fabres, group marketing manager at Watsons. Fabres explained that their customers buy Watsons Label products and Watsons Generics because they want quality products at good prices. The “Switchers’ Surprise,” as the new promo is called, rewards shoppers with items they’re probably saving up for. The promo is also in conjunction with the Buy Two Take One offer on selected products.
Among the items included in the promo are Watsons Glutathione (a best seller), Argan Oil Hair Conditioner, Body Scrub, Breath Strips and many others. During designated hours of the day, shoppers who pick up especially marked Watsons Label products get the chance to win prizes like airline tickets, a Macbook Air and other cool stuff.
So what are your favorite drugstore products?
- E-mail me at luckydinna@gmail.com.