L’Oréal and Shopee Bring Beauty and Skincare partnership to life in Southeast Asia with AI and AR powered tools

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• L’Oréal’s AI and AR powered tools, Shopee BeautyCam by ModiFace and Effaclar Spotscan by La Roche-Posay on Shopee’s platform will provide digitally-savvy consumers convenience, as well as an interactive and personalised shopping experience
• Partnership blends digital innovation with e-commerce in response to increasing demand for mobile self-diagnostic tools to help shoppers discover their individual beauty and skincare needs

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan has teamed up with L’Oréal the world leader in beauty and skincare to roll out artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) powered tools on Shopee’s platform. The joint partnership demonstrates both Shopee’s and L’Oréal’s commitment to continuously innovate and power Southeast Asia’s beauty and skincare categories into the future, and to provide shoppers a convenient and personalised online shopping experience. The AI and AR powered tools will also benefit millions of users across Southeast Asia, especially digitally-savvy millennials who are drawn to innovation, creativity and a sense of self-discovery.

With L’Oréal’s AI and AR powered tools, Shopee BeautyCam by ModiFace and the Effaclar Spotscan by La Roche-Posay, Shopee users are able to digitally try on different shades of L’Oréal’s lipsticks as well as receive personalised advice on the best L’Oréal skincare treatments to tackle acne. Users only need Shopee’s app and a front-facing camera on a mobile device to access these tools. The partnership also sees L’Oréal tapping into Shopee’s key interactive entertainment features such as Shopee LIVE and Shopee Slice to deepen consumer engagement.

Ian Ho, Regional Managing Director, Shopee said, “We are excited to partner L’Oréal to bring these AI and AR powered tools to our platform. This partnership demonstrates our joint commitment to transform Southeast Asia’s beauty and skincare market with innovation and technology. With more consumers purchasing their beauty and skincare essentials with Shopee, we are confident that shoppers will enjoy a more personalised and seamless shopping experience with these digital innovation tools.”

AI and AR powered tools for the empowered online shopper

With more consumers entrusting mobile self-diagnostic tools to help uncover what best suits them1, the digital innovation tools, Shopee BeautyCam and Effaclar Spotscan on Shopee, will help consumers better understand their individual beauty and skincare needs as they shop online. With more than 95% of Shopee’s transactions occurring on mobile across the region, the partnership promises shoppers a seamless mobile shopping experience, from the use of L’Oréal’s mobile AI and AR powered tools to discover products, to delivering the products right to their doorstep. The launch of these digital innovation tools is done in collaboration with both of L’Oréal’s make-up and skincare divisions.

The Shopee BeautyCam employs AR simulation to allow Shopee users to try different shades of makeup, resulting in photo-realistic results in the form of a video or a selfie. To achieve this, ModiFace by L’Oréal uses AI-enabled shade calibration, AI-powered analysis of information provided by makeup brands, as well as images and descriptions available on social media. The Shopee BeautyCam will launch on Shopee Singapore during L’Oréal’s campaign, ‘International Lipstick Day’, from 27 to 29 July and in conjunction with International Lipstick Day on 29 July. Shopee users will be able to try the feature first with L’Oréal lipsticks. The proprietary technology will eventually be extended across other L’Oréal make-up products in the future across Southeast Asia.

L’Oréal’s other AI-powered digital innovation tool, Effaclar Spotscan, harnesses artificial intelligence technology to offer users instant, personalised and professional acne analyses. Users are awarded an acne score and are given a personalised Effaclar routine with specific skin care tips to best tackle their acne spots. Featured during selected campaigns, the tool was launched in conjunction with other in-app activations such as in-app dermatologist consultations. Effaclar Spotscan was launched successfully on Shopee Singapore in March this year, and will be incorporated in the upcoming L’Oréal campaign, ‘Your Best Skin Yet’, from 12 to 15 August.

Ninell Sobiecka, Vice President, Active Cosmetics Division, APAC said, “We are pleased to partner Shopee to make our first acne diagnostics tool, the Effaclar Spotscan by La Roche-Posay, available to users across Southeast Asia. This AI-powered tool helps users make more educated skin care choices based on their own unique skin type, all in the comfort of their own homes with the Shopee app. Together with Shopee, we are committed to empowering users and making lives better with innovative technology.”

Chris Driver, Commercial General Manager, Consumer Products Division, APAC adds, “We are thrilled to partner Shopee to bring the Shopee BeautyCam by ModiFace to millions of users across the region and to reinvent the beauty industry. This technological innovation gives consumers the freedom and creativity to explore L’Oréal’s wide array of lipsticks and helps users learn more about which lipstick suits them best. All done within Shopee’s app, this provides users a convenient, effective and simple way to discover more make-up products as they make their next make-up purchase online.”

Interactive entertainment for a personalised online retail experience

Coupled with L’Oréal’s digital innovation tools, the partnership sees L’Oréal tapping into Shopee’s key interactive entertainment features such as Shopee LIVE, Shopee’s in-app live streaming feature, and Shopee Slice, a popular in-app game, to deepen engagement with consumers for a more personalised online retail experience. Through this, Shopee and L’Oréal are able to provide users higher entertainment value and benefits, as they learn more about L’Oréal’s extensive array of products, digital innovation tools, as well as make-up and skincare tips.

Shoppers can watchout for amazing deals and discounts up to 50% on L’Oréal foundations and other products  during the L’Oréal Brand Day on August 10. 

All L’Oréal , Maybelline and Garnier make-up and skincare products can be found via their respective official stores on Shopee, under Shopee Mall, which offers 7-days returns, 100% authenticity, and free shipping2.

Download the Shopee app for free on the App Store or Google Play Store

Federal Land extends to Cebu legacy of personifying cities

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Towering over any key city across the country are standout structures that embody its personality—emphasizing the city’s profile, reshaping its skyline, while hinting at its strong economic potential.

For Federal Land Inc. General Manager Thomas Mirasol, the presence of diverse architectural structures in booming cities across the country not only serve to beautify, but also represent what their cities are like and what they have to offer.

“Aesthetic variety among city buildings are proof of the economic progress and the modernity of this country’s best urban areas,” said Mirasol. “Most importantly, distinct structures can serve as new landmarks that capture the essence of their respective cities.”

In a survey conducted by global property portal, Lamudi, western respondents named the Makati Central Business District’s (CBD) skyline as the most recognizable across emerging markets. The Makati CBD, after all, is punctuated by Federal Land’s iconic architectural marvel, GT Tower International with its distinct blade-like apex and eye-catching streamline lights.

Driven by an industrial intuition sharpened through its 47 years of expertise, the premier real estate giant has built a reputation of personifying rising metropolises with their prominent developments.

According to Mirasol, “Luxury residential properties showcase the changing lifestyles of today’s more affluent consumers by harmonizing a cosmopolitan city life with the comfort, and privacy of a suburban home.”

The premier real estate developer, also known for collaborating with reputed global partners and bringing world-class hospitality brands to the Philippines, possesses a portfolio of impressive residential projects. Its iconic award-winning skyscraper, Grand Hyatt Manila and the anticipated $400-million The Seasons Residencesin Bonifacio Global City are just some of Federal Land’s landmark structures.

While cities in the country’s National Capital Region continue to flourish with consistent modernization, Mirasol noted that many factors are now driving strong interest and urbanization to regional metropolises like Cebu.

Crowning the Queen City of the South

Consistently marked as one of the country’s top cities, Cebu retains its position as one of the preferred investment destinations outside of Luzon, according to Colliers International’s first quarter report for 2019.

“Cebu’s enduring economic growth has strengthened its market for upscale residential properties,” Mirasol said. “The city’s natural beauty contributes to its effortless tourist appeal, while its skilled workforce continually influences various businesses, including multi-national companies, to set up operations there. This spurs the migration and local settlement of their executives and high-ranking officers.”

With its four-tower Marco Polo Residences atop the exclusive Nivel Hills district in Cebu, Federal Land personifies the city by marrying its classic culture of history and tradition with its chic urbanity. This year, Federal Land will be launching Parkplace, the fifth tower in this luxury condo township backed by the five-star Marco Polo Hotel brand.

“The residences parallel Cebu’s heritage through the Marco Polo brand, fusing Asian hospitality with Western innovations,” said Mirasol.

Architecturally designed to resemble two connecting pearls, Park Place is unique in its visual fluidity and structural integrity. With this design, residential units are strategically arranged to take advantage of the property’s hilltop location, providing a visual sampler of Cebu by framing the panoramic view of the sea, sky, and city. With only 14 units per floor, residents are given a sense of personal space while having access to hotel services for utmost comfort.

Parkplace makes use of the expansive property to provide residents the freedom of space and openness to experience an extensive set of amenities within the Marco Polo Residences township. Within Parkplace, residents have access to fitness facilities such as Circuit Training, Yoga Studio, and Golf Simulation. Recreational areas such as the Art Room, KTV Room, and the Mini Theater also provide families more spaces to connect within the comfort and convenience of their own homes. They also have access to facilities and amenities of the four existing towers and outdoor amenities including three swimming pools, play areas, co-working spaces, function halls, a spa pavilion, and a day care center.

Driven by the growing appeal of Cebu, Mirasol considers Parkplace an expansion of the township, adding another dimension to the city’s persona and fortifying its identity further. “Federal Land is poised to continue developing Marco Polo Residences, precisely reflecting Cebu as it advances and evolves.”

Making life easier through digital transactions: Posible!

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With today’s fast-paced lifestyle, many Filipinos are left with little time to do small but important errands, such as paying utility bills or sending money to loved ones. However, thanks to the wonders of financial technology or “fintech,” it is now possible to accomplish such everyday tasks with ease, immediacy, and convenience.

Digital solutions platform Posible revolutionizes the way ordinary Filipinos live their daily lives. Through mobile communications and digital technology, more people can easily avail of financial transactions such as bills payment, money remittance, buying prepaid load, and withdrawing cash without even stepping far from home.

Not only does Posible make life easier for customers, it also offers additional livelihood for small to medium entrepreneurs. From bakeries and pawnshops to Internet cafes and laundry shops—any enterprise can earn additional income by becoming a Posible operator. 

Posible’s network of Android-based digital devices empower friendly neighborhood stores to accept and accomplish various financial transactions. Whether as a main service offering or a complementary side business, Posible offers opportunities for entrepreneurs to expand their products and services and cater to the needs of unbanked and underbanked Filipinos. 

All these fintech innovations power local communities to the future of digital finances. More features and services, such as buying tickets, mobile app pins, and even microinsurance will be made possible soon on the Posible platform. Posible devices are also equipped with a magnetic stripe, as well as QR code reader, making it adaptive to developments in digital financial transactions. 

Now, paying bills, sending money, and other digital financial solutions are even more accessible with Posible!

Amaia Land shares why now is the best time to invest in Central Luzon

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For the longest time now, Central Luzon has been consistently growing into one of the most progressive regions in the country. Home to seven provinces—Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales—Region III is called a “super region” for the simple reason that, apart from boasting a rich cultural heritage, it has a flourishing business environment that thrives despite the challenges the country constantly faces.

This explains why local and foreign investors are drawn to properties and businesses in Central Luzon provinces—and why Amaia Land, a trusted name in the real estate industry, attests to Region III being an idyllic place for its developments.

The Ayala Land subsidiary reveals the reasons why now is the best time to invest in Central Luzon, may it be in a place of residence or in a small or large business.

First, the region is evolving into the country’s newest metropolis. With continuous growth of infrastructure in the region, it remains an attractive destination not just to foreign investors who wish to set up facilities in the country but also to locals who want to experience what the region has to offer.

Region III also boasts a significant contribution to economic growth in the Philippines, thanks to the impressive performances of Central Luzon’s emerging cities and special economic zones. Despite the domestic and external challenges that the Philippines has experienced over the past months, Central Luzon has continuously forged economic growth.

The major players in this remarkable scenario are the three freeport zones: Clark Freeport Zone, Bataan Freeport Zone, and Subic Freeport Zone, which have contributed to an improved connectivity within the region, resulting in more investments, more jobs, and increased economic growth.

Also set to drive progress in the region is an up-and-coming development, the new Clark City Government Administrative Center, which will house satellite offices of the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the government, along with their attached agencies.

Central Luzon’s impressive performance is supported by existing developments such as Clark International Airport, which serves as the country’s gateway to Central and Northern Luzon provinces, and is on its way to becoming the Philippines’ aviation hub. To this day, efforts to make Clark airport an “aerotropolis” continue, with the vision of a world-class airport at the center of business clusters surrounded by residential developments.

All these and more are reasons enough to invest in Central Luzon properties.

Amaia Land itself takes pride in several projects in the region, found in progressive towns and cities like San Jose del Monte and Sta. Maria in Bulacan; Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, San Fernando and Mexico in Pampanga; and Capas in Tarlac.

Amaia Scapes Bulacan is strategically located at the heart of Sta.Maria Bulacan. It offers affordable and expandable houses fit for growing family.

Amaia Scapes Cabanatuan promises a thriving community for Filipino families. It is highly accessible through various means of transportation making everything within reach.

Amaia Scapes Pampanga is a sprawling development strategically located in Mexico near NLEX Angeles Exit.

Amaia Scapes San Fernando is a house and land development strategically located in the City of San Fernando.

Amaia Scapes Capas sprawls on a 21.5 hectare land in Capas, Tarlac.

For those who are just looking to invest, an Amaia property in Central Luzon might be a great way to start.

Amaia continues to serve prospective homeowners with affordable and sustainable developments that aim to elevate the Filipino living experience in a well-secured environment.

For inquiries about Amaia properties in Central Luzon and other locations, check out www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook.com/AmaiaLand.

Workbank spearheads free training for Filipinos in partnership with SCALE"

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Essential skills. Employers these days are looking beyond the polished and impressive curriculum vitae. There are skills that enterprises need for better business efficiency. Workbank, a jobs and careers site, believes in investing in Filipino job seekers through free training and seminars, which will allow them to find the right opportunities.

By partnering with SCALE, Workbank is able to further strengthen its efforts by equipping Filipinos with these soft skills that will set them apart from other job candidates. Training and mentorship will scale up their employability.

In a recently concluded training Workbank spearheaded and in collaboration with SCALE, Filipino job seekers were able to elevate their holistic skills increasing their chances of getting employment the soonest possible time through the free training held last month.

The training was divided into two types: SCALE Basics and SCALE Pro.

SCALE Basics is a training program that prepares individuals to build their foundational skills such as Purpose, Values and GRIT. This is geared toward inexperienced job seekers who may have just graduated from college. SCALE Pro, as the name suggests, is intended for working professionals who want to build soft skills such as communication, analytical and critical thinking, and work ethic.

These soft skills are skills not taught in schools or universities. Students buried their noses in books to be able to master their specialization. SCALE focuses on building soft skills, which are a combination of values, people skills, communication skills, social, emotional and digital intelligence.

Workbank, for its part, strengthens the integrity of its pool of talents building credibility among companies and organizations who use the platform to find the right individuals with certain skill sets.

Workbank said this is just a start because it has committed itself to invest in Filipino job seekers so they will be able to tread the right career path and find the right fit for them.

For more information, visit www.workbank.com.