What are your thoughts on the Dear Diary commercial of Pond's?

This is Nicole Delos Angeles, Nichole Reyes-Mercado and me (looking very pregnant in a gray silk dress by Miu Miu for Prada!) at the launch of the latest TVC of Pond's Flawless White last Friday at the Beauty by SM at SM Makati. The commercial is called "Dear Diary." I can't find the TVC on YouTube yet so I trust you might've seen it on ETC by now.

 

Here's how the story goes... Once upon a time, in a magazine publishing company, an assistant named Carrie has a huge crush on her boss, Jack. Too bad for her, her dark spotty complexion makes her unattractive to Jack. So a friend gives her a pot of Pond's Flawless White, which magically lightens her skin and removes sun spots, acne scars, and all those nasty things in seven days, turning Carrie into a fair maiden. Will Jack notice her now? (Make a wild guess!) Will Carrie find her happily ever after now that her skin is flawlessly white? (Make another wild guess!)

La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is the most expensive face cream on the planet!

... and I have it sitting pretty in my beauty closet!

In the US, the 50 ml jar of this platinum-infused cream costs a whopping $1,000. Here in Rustan's, it costs even more--P56,500 or $1,193. That means you spend about P1,000 each time you dip your finger in the pot! I didn't get that big jar, though (thank goodness because I don't think I'd be able to use it!). Anna Go of Rustan's sent me the 5 ml jar.

I just read the press material and I won't bore you with all the scientific mumbo-jumbo. I'm going to just cut and paste the explanation of La Prairie on why they charge an astronomical amount on this cream: "Platinum is so rare that it requires ten tons of ore to produce a single ounce. La Prairie’s scientists found that platinum, which has the ability to bond with the human skin, exhibited incomparable anti-aging properties. Colloidal Platinum Water – the suspension of particles of platinum in water – establishes an electrical balance in the epidermis, which enables the skin to function at its most efficient level. It does this by creating a buffer zone, similar to that found in young skin, which maintains an optimal moisture level and by enhancing the skin’s ability to take in nourishing minerals, known as electrolytes because they carry an electrical charge, at the height of their efficiency."

Okay, okay... All I need to know is that La Prairie is the cream that Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston use! This particular Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is used by Nicollette Sheridan and she's 45 and she looks damn fine.

I've just started using it. Two days ago in fact. So far, I see no breathtaking changes (well, it has only been two days...) but I will say that this fact amazed me so much that my jaw dropped this morning--the fine lines around my eyes are GONE.

Gone!

Still, it's pricey. It's insanely pricey! La Prairie responds, "The price of platinum itself exceeds that of gold. Then there are the expenses of developing a formula containing the most exotic ingredients from all over the world and utilizing the costliest, most highly advanced biotechnology. Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is designed for the woman who wants the best of everything: the woman who places high value on recharging her skin with youthful beauty."

I'm a woman who wants the best of everything but even I was stunned by the cost. If you're more financially fortunate than me, then this just might be the cream for you. To the rest of us, we'll just have to stay out of the sun, sleep well, eat right and love lots to look good without spending that much!

La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare is available at Rustan's Makati for P56,500 (50ml).

UPDATE: It's been almost a month that I've been using this cream and I have to tell you that I've stopped using it. Little pimples have sprouted all over my face. Rorie Carlos, the fashion and beauty editor of Town & Country and who is a fan of this La Prairie platinum cream, told me that the reason for the breakout is it's too rich for me. Yup, I guess my face is not meant for ultra-expensive creams. My face is quite happy with Olay!

Mixed feelings about Park Jun Salon

When I said I'll never go to another salon again for cut and color, I did mean it. So when I was invited to have a Kerastase treatment at Park Jun salon, of course I said yes.

Park Jun is a huge Korean chain of salons all over the world. This year, a Manila branch finally opened at Glorietta 3. The salon is fantastic--spacious, the decor is cutting-edge, the gadgets they use are out of this world, the service lovely. The shampoo chairs are amazing--they mold themselves to your body!

Anyway, I was so happy with everything (especially my Kerastase treatment!) that when my stylist, the adorable Jinny Kim, said I needed a cut and color and she would like to style my hair, I said... yes.

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

The Face Shop launches Soul fragrances

What: New Soul Fragrances by The Face Shop
Where: Dimensione, Bonifacio High Street
When: April 23, 2009

I wasn't aware that the third level of Dimensione, one of my favorite home stores, had a loft-like space for events. That was the venue for the debut of the new Soul fragrances of Korean beauty brand import The Face Shop.



There are 4 new fragrances to sniff and select:
Secret Blossom - is floral and fruity, with all of these in its brew: lemon tea, green tea, lilac, red peony, peach flower, wisteria, white sandalwood, amber and soft musk. Designed for the carefree and fascinating woman.
Sweet Pleasure - is musky, floral and woodsy. It's supposed to be adored by young women on the cusp of falling in love. And that smells like violet leaf, wild strawberry, grapefruit, violet, jasmine, gardenia, white wood, musk and vanilla.
Wish Upon a Star - is floral and oriental. Quite exotic really, this scent is created for the sophisticated woman. She's enamored with the mixture of mandarin, orange, lime, Bulgarian rose, white jasmine, sandalwood, white musk and vanilla.
Essential for Men - is fresh, aquatic and yet woodsy. Your man will smell so good in this splash of basil, lemon, mint, cider leaf, lotus, amber, precious wood and musk.

Personally, I quite enjoyed the Wish Upon a Star scent--it's quite sensual but not too heavy for the tropical heat. Sweet Pleasure was okay but it smelled kinda generic. I really did like the Gustav Klimt reproduction prints on the boxes, although the brand failed to explain why they chose that particular artist's work.

If you're looking for a perfume, then do know that each 30mL bottle of The Face Shop Soul Fragrance costs P895. Click here for a store near you.

The Beauty Writer

*product photos courtesy of The Face Shop