Event: Pond's launches new and improved Age Miracle and Flawless White skincare lines

I knoooooow. I've been gone forever! And what's a great post to come back with than a super fabulous glamorous and sumptuously romantic event hosted by Pond's?

The mega beauty brand invited select media to a "stay-cation" at the Midas Hotel along Roxas Blvd. After we freshened up in our individual rooms, we had high tea with scrumptious hors d'oeuvres (I ate a LOT) as the Pond's team outlined what to expect in our two-day stay. With the help of this iPad!

Each guest had an iPad, which was to announce what will happen next. That's Jacqe Yuengtian of Unilever. She was the host of the affair and so appeared on the iPads every so often to tell us what to do. Well, we were told to dress up in red and proceed to the special Pond's bus.

This TwitPic was taken by Style Bible's Isha Andaya-Valles. From left, that's Divine Lee, Preview's Pauline Juan, me, Pond's Age Miracle spokesperson Rissa Mananquil Trillo and Tim Yap.

As we were driven to the mysterious location, everyone seated at the back Tweeted. Well, everyone except Pauline and me.

There was videoke on the bus so Isha, Phil. Star columnist Zo Aguila (pictured) and Saga Events' Robby Carmona entertained everyone on the bus with the cheesiest songs ever. After winding about Manila and Makati, we found ourselves in Top Shelf at Fully Booked, which was decorated in the color of the season--red (the event was held just before Valentine's Day).

That's former model now Unilever's Global PR Manager for Pond's Apples Aberin. She told us all about the new and very much improved Age Miracle because now it's called Cell ReGEN. As in, this new formulation is called the Intelligent Pro-Cell Complex which promises to regenerate your cells!

I've actually tried Age Miracle but the old formulation, which said my skin would be changed in 7 days. Y'all remember that campaign? Well, on the fourth day of use, my husband stared at me and then said, "You look really good. Like you're well rested." O, diba?! That's just the fourth day!

Anyway, after our skincare seminar, we were treated to a delicious dinner. I think it was catered by Cibo but I'll have to confirm. Even though I was still full from all the canapes and mini desserts from the afternoon tea, I forced myself to eat because the spread was just so good!

Oh, this is me. Yes, look at my big tummy. BURP! Joke, joke. That's my almost-7-months-pregnant tummy! I tell ya, my baby Wiggle was super happy that night from all the rich food Pond's served us!

After dinner, I went home because I wanted to be with my husband and baby boy. But the rest of the media invited went back to Midas and continued the party there.

The next morning, my darling husband braved the traffic to drive me all the way to Pasay for the second launch--the new Pond's Flawless White with GenActiv Formula.

Now this one is really exciting, folks. I didn't get to take photos of the skincare seminar (which everyone attended clothed in various shades of pink) but I was very impressed. Pond's announced that after 10 years of research, they found a way to manipulate the gene that caused skin color so that you lighten and brighten naturally.

I especially like that the new formula does NOT mess with our melanin. Melanin is the skin's primary protection against the sun's harmful rays. Basically, it's why we darken when we're exposed to the sun. Melanin increases its production of pigment much like little umbrellas that open to shield our skin. Of course that means you darken. Most whitening products lighten our skin by destroying melanin. The problem with that is, sure, you look white but your skin's defense against the sun's rays is gone.

The new Flawless White line whitens safely and naturally and your melanin stays put. Basically, it undoes years and years of skin damage so that your skin becomes as fair as it once was when it never felt the sun (yep, the day you were born!).

Anyway, after the very informative talk, we all had a lovely lunch at Midas.

Below is very pregnant me with Good Housekeeping's Tisha Alvarez Angluben and Inquirer's Cit-Cit Sioson.

I'll talk more about Pond's Age Miracle Cell ReGEN with Intelligent Pro-Cell Complex and Pond's Flawless White with GenActiv Formula after I tested them. For now, I hope you enjoyed this beauty event!

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge: Day 6

It's been almost a week since I started applying the elixir, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and so far, I like what I feel.

To those who just dropped by this blog, I've agreed to take on the Midnight Recovery Diaries of Kiehl's, which is to sleep well and to apply this oil on my face and neck for 15 days. Unfortunately, due to my schedule and my pregnancy, I can't really sleep that well. But that doesn't mean I don't feel and see any good changes to my skin!

I apply the concentrate on my face, neck and hands. Kiehl's said to just put 2 drops; I like putting 4! I emulsify the oil with my fingers first then when it's nice and warm, I spread it on my face, neck and whatever's left over I rub all over my hands. And now all of those parts mentioned are super supple. I like touching my cheeks and neck and hands now!

Appearance-wise, well, the skin looks very moist, but not oily. I don't know what this elixir is supposed to do actually (whiten? brighten? remove wrinkles? reduce size of pores?) since my skin looks the same, except for the fact that it looks very supple... and young. Well, I guess that's what it's supposed to do! After all, its tag line does say, "One night. Two drops. Younger-looking skin by morning."

And since you're all with me in the middle of this challenge, I am offering one lucky reader the chance to take on the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge, too! Just follow my diaries first--it will be over by next week--and I'll tell you how to get your very own bottle of youth!

 

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge: Day 3

Oh, I'm so sleepy now. Must either be the fact that I'm pregnant or the fact that I'm also doing the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge and today, Thursday, is Day 3.

My observations so far:
My skin doesn't look any better but it does feel softer and smoother. My face and neck really feel moist and supple. Best of all, no greasiness. Yep, even though the Midnight Recovery Concentrate is pure oil, my skin is not so oily anymore. How weird is that?! So my skin's texture has definitely improved but when I look in the mirror, I still look the same!

I do have hope that I'll start to see--not just feel--a change at the end of this challenge (15 days, baby!). Actually, 15 days is quite brief. Studies show that it takes about 6-8 weeks for skin cells to renew themselves. So a slow change is best for our skin.

I'll be offering more updates on Day 6. For now, since it's almost midnight, it's time for my beauty sleep. Good night!

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge: Day 1

So you all know I'm doing this review of the new Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. All I have to do is sleep by midnight, get at least 7 hours of sleep, oh and apply 2-3 drops of the elixir on my face before I nod off. The details of the challenge are here.

So how did I do last night?

Well, I had strawberries and my prenatal milk and also had a nice warm shower before bedtime. Then I put a few drops of the concentrate on my cleansed face. For the purposes of this review, I only used the concentrate and will use just that product at night for the next 15 nights.

This morning, I woke up to... looking okay! No miraculous amazing beautiful skin but I do like the fact that I don't look greasy. The concentrate, you see, is oil, and I was worried that my already oily skin will get even greasier. But the 3 drops I spread all over my face and neck were quickly absorbed and I didn't react negatively to the oil (meaning, no breakouts!) so... So far, so good!

Will update again on the third day!

I'm taking on Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Challenge

Sheena Dy of Kiehl's sent over this beautiful blue bottle of magic, the Midnight Recovery Concentrate. The label says that it's a "replenishing elixir of pure essential oils and distilled botanicals to visibly restore the appearance of skin by morning."

Sheena then invited me to take part in the "Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge." Here's what I have to do:
1. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
2. Drink soothing beverages like herbal infusions or milk before bedtime.
3. Avoid exercise near sleepy time.
4. In the afternoon and early evening, stay away from stimulants like coffee, green tea and colas.
5. Enjoy relaxing activities, like a warm bath, before going to sleep.
6. Shut the TV off when you're ready to sleep.
7. Curb your alcohol consumption.

I'm baaaaaack, beauties!

I haven't blogged here since forever! Beauty blogging is hard, folks. I thought it would be easy, given how many products I get as the editor of OK! Philippines. But the beauty industry is beyond huge! Every week, there's a new product launch, a new innovation, a new technology, new stuff to review... and I just can't keep up. The products and press kits have made mini-mountains at my desk at work and at home. My bosses and my husband are complaining!!!

Here are just some of the lovely boxes I've been getting from...

Olay
the new Regenerist Cream

Lancome
Magnifique perfume and body lotion 
with a tiny tube of mascara

Bobbi Brown
lip glosses and an eye shadow palette
with a personalized pot of lip color

I have a lot more. You won't believe how many more I have--boxes and crates and cabinets of this fabulous stuff! I almost posted photos of my office and my overflowing product cabinet but I got embarrassed at my mess. So I'm finally going to blog about the stuff I've been getting--for the sake of my marriage and my job!

I do want to say that the beauty industry's been pretty exciting this 2010. So many new things for primping and prettification! So do visit this blog soon as I have a lot of things to tell you about--all of them beautiful!

Guerlain's new "hormones of beauty" is the latest in anti-aging

French beauty brand Guerlain has just released a new line targeted to menopausal women. As these women know, when menopause sets in, skin loses its elasticity, firmness and density rapidly. That's because the hormone estrogen, which used to be abundant in all of us women, is now depleted with menopause. If you're one of these women, what can you do then? Well, aside from getting estrogen therapy, you can apply Guerlain's latest skincare system, Success Age Splendid.
Guerlain's research team has discovered that the magnolia plant, specifically the Magnolia Sieboldii mimics estrogen, restoring the skin's balance and structure. Tests say that 80% of their subjects reported less skin slackening, 91% believed their skin was more toned and nourished. Wow!
It's said that life begins at 40 and if you get the complete line (in gorgeous jeweled blue and gold colors), your skin will definitely feel a new beginning!

Guerlain sent me a jar of the Success Age Splendid Deep-Action Day Care Cream (thank you, lovely Luxasia ladies!!!). I'm not using it since I'm far from menopausal but the mom of OK!'s associate fashion and beauty editor Kristine Ching will try it out. Watch this space for the results!

Guerlain Success Age Splendid skincare line (Deep-Action Day Care Cream, P7,850; Deep-Action Night Care Cream, P9,950; Deep-Action Oil Serum, P8,950; Eye Tech Cream, price unavailable) is available at Rustan's Dept Stores.

Pond's Big Beauty Sale now ongoing!

Ladies (and gentlemen), better grab your wallets and stock up on Pond's products! The beauty brand is having a huge sale from August 15 to September 15, and the discounts are fantastic!

I'm a fan of the Age Miracle line. The TV commercial promises younger-looking skin in 7 days, right? Well, I used it and four days after, my husband looked at me appreciatively and said, "Wow, you look nice. Have you been getting more sleep? Your skin looks great." Wow! Not even this anti-aging serum got that response from Vince!

Want that same reaction from the man in your life? Grab a jar (or two or three!) of Pond's Age Miracle now!

For a complete list of the discounted prices and participating stores, click here.

Lancome's Genifique is so good!

So today is the eighth day since I started using Lancome's latest anti-aging serum, Genifique and, as promised, here's my review. Genefique boasts that you'll "See visibly younger skin in 7 days." Now, I really look young for my 32 years (see photo below!) so I thought that if people start asking what college I go to, then Genifique works!

The serum activates our genes to promote the production of certain proteins that will make skin look young again. It's simple to use--just warm a few drops between your fingers then apply to freshly washed skin, then you can follow with your usual skincare regimen. Yes, you won't have to throw the stuff on your dresser! For the purpose of testing Genifique, I used it exclusively this week. I was promised the following results:

• Vibrant with youth, skin looks like it's lit from within, breathtakingly radiant
• Skin is cushiony soft, velvety to the touch
• Skin's tone is astonishingly even; its texture dramatically refined

At the end of 7 days, here are the results I saw:

I'm trying out Lancome Genifique

Whenever I get stuff from beauty brands, I get excited. But when they come in mysterious white boxes, that means the product is so new that only I and a few others have the coveted bottle!

Olay Touch of Foundation needs just a touch more color

I am seriously in love with everything Olay comes out with. After years of acne and dull skin, my skin now looks unbelievably great (yes, despite my flirtation with a not-so-effective skincare line). I owe all this to Olay Total Effects which I started using in 2007 and to Olay Regenerist which I am currently using. So when Proctor & Gamble came out with Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation, I was totally ecstatic.

Now, however, I feel ambivalent. On one hand, it's a fantastic moisturizer--it's still the same 7-in-1 anti-aging cream that made it such a favorite; on the other, it's a mediocre foundation.

I guess it's okay--it's not like they promised coverage since the foundation is just a "touch." If you need more coverage because your skin isn't perfect, then skip this product and grab your trusty concealer and liquid foundation. But, assuming you're a longtime user of Olay and therefore already have flawless skin, then Olay Touch of Foundation has just the right tinge of color to bring a subtle glow to your skin.

Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation is available at all leading department stores and drugstores for P749.

Oh, and I'm giving away a Shu Uemura makeup brush kit, a Jurlique Facial Care set and a Shu Uemura lipstick case! Join now!

UPDATE: Okay, okay... I'm changing my mind on this product. Every time I use it, I get compliments. My mother-in-law thought I was glowing. I gave one to my sister-in-law and she absolutely loves it. So I may not see the effects but since other people do, then it's effective!

The Beauty Writer

*product photo courtesy of BigW