Beauty: Pond's Flawless White Unbeaten Challenge | Week 1: Lace and Earth

I am asked to join the Ponds Flawless White (PFW) Challenge and try at least one PFW product. And because my face suffers from acne scars and blemishes, my weapon of choice is going to be the Ponds Flawless White day cream.


My bare face after applying PFW for the first time. Note the acne scars and blemishes on the cheek.

I am doing this with my blogger friend Earth, whose "flawless white" progress I will also journal.

Both of us passed the patch skin test which is important if you are to try a new product on your skin. It's been four (4) days since I used the day cream and here is my morning/day regimen.

1. Wash face with medicated soap
2. Toner
3. Ponds Flawless White Visible Lightening Day Cream

From the TV ads of Pond's, my expectations is for the product to lighten my acne scars (as shown above) and minimize appearance of new blemishes. Skin scientists have revealed that Ponds Flawless White visibly lightens skin in 4 weeks and is more effective than more prestigious brands. It has VAO-B3 complex which offers multiple UV protection. I normally use parsol gel as my daily sunblock so I am now replacing it with Pond's for this challenge. Let's wait and see if Pond's is truly unbeaten and if it can beat my skin problems!

First week notes:

1. I like the subtle smell of this day cream, though it is not my first time to use this product (used it in college). Worried if the scent can cause reactions to my sensitive skin.

2. Applying only a thin layer, the product gives an instant matte finish (thanks to its optics system) which made my skin instantly lighter. But of course, truth will come out after washing. Cream is pinkish so I guess it helps give a pinkish white glow?

"Try the effect of the optics system on yourself, on your hand to be exact. Notice how one hand is visibly lighter instantly after applying PFW Visible Lightening Day Cream." - Lace

3. The day cream helps my skin to be less oily throughout the day. I re-apply it when going outdoors because its sunblock component is not that high (hence it's lightweight)and so far, no ill side-effects.


Ashton says "please support my mommy on her quest to flawless skin by leaving your comments"

4. No visible effects so far but I like how this product feels. Wearing it everyday and everywhere. Because it leaves my skin looking brighter (yes its the optic system and not yet the "real" skin deep result) and protects me from the sun, I catch myself playing outdoors even more :)



First week notes:

1. Earth has used all Pond's Flawless White products including the cleanser, serum, eye cream, day cream and night cream, and sunblock. Noted how this controversial blogger is very picky when it comes to skin care, Earth likes the PFW products so far. *whew!*

2. Compared to her usual skincare products, Earth says Pond's Flawless White products are more lightweight.



3. We agree how the day cream visibly and instantly lightens the skin but after washing, the effect is gone.

4. The sunblock is also good according to Earth and effective in keeping her face matte and less shiny.


Both of us hope to see visible effects at least two weeks of using PFW.

Our team will also be up on Pond's Flawless White microsite where you can vote for us and our honest to goodness reviews. I will announce the URL this week. People not blessed with great skin, represent! :)

Fanny Serrano Professionals | DIY Hair Spa in 3 Easy Steps!

After the success of local makeup brand Fashion 21 also known as F21, Fanny Serrano dibs into having his own hair care label too.

Watsons was having a sale last week and I figured I never had a complete regimen for my hair. I made my own "set" with Fanny Serrano Professionals. It's color coded and green is for nourishing.



My set includes a Fanny Serrano Nourishing Shampoo, Conditioner, and Replenishing Hair and Scalp Treatment.

Right after purchase, I treated my hair to a DIY hair spa with the products. First, the Fanny Serrano Nourishing Shampoo.

This product (Nourishing Shampoo) prevents hair damage, improves hair luster, dissolves dead skin cells and stimulates circulation for a healthier scalp. It contains revitalizing and nourishing complex of Aloe Vera extract, Papaya extract and Vitamin PRO B5 for long lasting moisture.

Like any naturals shampoo, the product weighed light and was thinner in consistency than what I'm used to. It was really soft to the hair though, used two pumps of the product to make sure everything is covered ;)

Second, the Fanny Serrano Professionals Nourishing Conditioner. Uniquely formulated to help protect and condition hair for a long lasting moisture. It also improves hair’s luster and sheen.

Surpisingly, the conditioner was easy to spread and unlike the shampoo - I only used one pump of the product and easily worked it on my hair. At this point, my hair felt softer and cleaner than before, just like what you'll notice after a hair spa from the salon.



I believed my hair was ready to absorb even more nourishment from my next and final step.

The Fanny Serrano Professionals Replenishing Scalp and Hair Treatment is a mild way treatment for normal hair to keep/retain its good condition and preserve its beauty. Formulated with Synergistic AHA-Complex, it smoothly exfoliates the scalp and helps eliminate dandruff.

I used two dollops of this treatment, massaged it onto my scalp and used a hair cap to seal in the nutrients. After 5 to 10 minutes, it was fairly easy to rinse. At first, I felt like my hair thinned out but after drying, my hair was really softer and smoother. Like it had a facial. Maybe my hair is laden with pollutants and I am surprised I could improve my hair this much and at home!

I'm going to treat my hair with these products weekly. It pays to use products that belong to the same hair care line :)

Fanny Serrano Professionals is exclusively available at Watsons.

Tried and Tested: Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup Foundation

Photoshop in a compact. Price Php 995

Read this: 3D makeup! I swear, new products and innovations are just too cool to ignore and when I chanced upon this "3D" makeup I have been seeing print ads of, I just had to try it just like Halle Berry.


Your makeup is 3D. The Revlon PhotoReady compact has a magic screen that turns cream into liquid foundation.

The reason why many call it 3D makeup is because it catches light in all angles making your face "PhotoReady" at all times. I think PhotoReady is synonymous to Photoshop, as in this product will no longer require pictures to undergo photoshop or photo manipulation to improve people's faces. I am sure many makeup artists use this already especially for weddings and photo shoots.

I tried it for myself and here is my review in bullets:

- the cream turns into liquid

- it is better to use your beauty finger than the sponge

- the product completely disappears or blends with my skin tone, I chose Rich Ginger but I think this is not yet the right shade for me. I will buy another one.

- it completely covers acne scars, blemishes, and uneven skin tone. I skipped applying my Body Shop highlighter/concealer.

- the product evolves from cream -> liquid -> powder = magic! and I do not feel the product on my face at all. Sometimes, I feel the warmth and heaviness of make up but not with this one. Feels like wearing skin, no kidding.

- Although it covers the skin very well and feels and looks natural, I am not used to an un-mattified face so I dusted a bit of mineral powder above the PhotoReady cream/liquid/compact. It looked great!

- Make sure you spread and blend the product evenly :) A little goes a long way when you use your beauty finger :)

I am tempted to use this product everytime I go out. It is just so easy to wear, so far it is friends with my skin but I'll have to see how regular use might affect my sensitive skin. I think it is worth the Php 990 price, considering the time you save from skipping concealer and just using this one product that provides the perfect coverage while looking au naturale.

Revlon PhotoReady Compact is available this November at Watsons, Beauty by SM, Robinsons, Landmark, PCX, Gaisano Metro, Sta. Lucia East, Unimart and other major retailers nationwide.

Tried and Tested: Brazilian Wax @ The House of Glitz

This post has no before and after photo. House of Glitz, tucked inside Eastwood's Beauty and Fashion mall could just be the best, most pain-free waxing service out there for ladies who want to lay bare.



With a few friends, we tried their services and we were surprised they offered brazilian waxing. After all, The House of Glitz is known as a nail spa. Now we know they are more than that and they mean serious expert service.



One thing important in getting a Brazilian Wax (meaning no hair would be left untouched down under) is hygiene. Look how their honey-sugar wax are in little containers. No double dipping in one big pot of wax!



Just look at Jinky (my technician) who appears to be doing surgery with her outfit and tools. All sterilized in front of me.



The House of Glitz utilizes some sort of special paper that sticks towards the wax and makes it easy to pull without so much pain. Seriously, I almost fell as sleep as Jinky does her business. Although, the paper teared a couple of times and the technician had to pull shorter lengths of the pad which were a bit painful but tolerable.

The service lasted for around an hour but I was relaxed and felt safe all throughout. What I wish for though is for The House of Glitz to have their own toilet should clients wish to wash before having a wax. They actually had a feminine wash but no where to use it except for the mall's CR.


Proud owners Raymond and Kristine


Raymond, the store owner produced this Audrey Hepburn wall mosaic on his own.

However, I understand how The House of Glitz's space is a bit small but was creatively designed by one of the partners. Love Audrey Hepburn, she's all over the place. The owners have plans on transferring to a bigger space though *fingers crossed*.



You will be surprised at how affordable and practical their prices are. If I remember right, the brazilian wax costs around Php 380. After getting my lady parts done, I proceeded with an even more relaxing Foot Reflexology massage at just Php 300.



Drop by the House of Glitz, 3rd Floor, Eastwood Beauty and Fashion Mall beside Jollibee. Perfect for after bar hopping or before your big date at Eastwood! :)

Beauty: Montagne Jeunesse Masks

These masks kept on nudging my curiousity every time I pass them by at Watsons. First, who would miss their fancy packaging with funny photos of models wearing masks. I find them funny :)



Today I tried the Ceramides Montagne Jeunesse Mask for sensitive skin, which is actually a 2-in-1 product! Step 1 is at the bottom which contains the masque. Step 2 is the top part that contains the ceramides serum.



Cut it in half with a pair of scissors to prevent the product from spilling. Remember to use the bottom part first. It's the Zen Flower Sensitive Masque.



The mask was relaxing indeed, it had a minty feel and you can apply a generous amount, as much as you like. Keep it on for 10 minutes or so. The packaging says remove with water, but I would suggest you damp a face towel to wipe the mask off, then rinse with water.

Now onto the ceramides serum, it was very light and I had a good time massaging it lightly onto my skin. The serum was absorbed fast and gave my face a matte finish.

The product gave me a powdery glow and I feel like it also lifted off some dead skin cells. It's perfect for the pockets of time you get from work or traveling. Think of it as a spa in a sachet. There are other variants like the Chocolate Masque I also want to try because it's just so fun and easy unlike factoring polynomials. Do this before an important date, when you feel super stressed out, or just want to be refreshed.



This post is brought to you by math problem solver and college algebra.

The Black Pond's - Pure White Facial Foam with Activated Carbon Review

Tried and tested! I was very curious when I saw this Pond's TVC, right away I wanted to try it. Because I want something that can suck the gunk out of my face: -



I say that this product really sucks, as in suck the impurities off your face. Before trying the product I glanced at the mirror and noted how little blackheads where on my nose. After washing, my face looked brighter and the little devils on my nose have been sucked and destroyed by the activated carbon.


This is hardcore product testing!

Compared to other Pond's facial wash, I think this is the best to use after removing your make up with Pond's Cold Cream which I swear by. I get more pimples when I don't use their cold cream. Back to the Pure White Facial Foam, it feels that all make-up and grime are removed after one wash.

One thing I noticed though is that it doesn't help control the oil and sebum on my face. I regularly use Pond's Clear Solutions Facial Wash which really mattifies my oily skin very well. So I think I can use Clear Solutions in the morning and the Pure White Facial foam during the night. I asked someone from Pond's and he says it is perfectly safe to use and combine all of their products.


Me at the Pond's Institute (not really) trying the activated carbon for myself!

The Pond's Pure White Facial Foam is a winner because of the activated carbon technology. It is basically like charcoal that absorbs impurities but the ingredient used by Pond's is activated carbon which has more absorbing power than regular carbon as seen on a microscope.

You can try Pond's Pure White Facial Foam for yourself, it is available in different sizes and even in sachets. Let me know how you find it :)

Hair Revelation: Sunsilk Co-Creations

Because 'revelations' and 'mysteries' are uso I am just going to hop in this hairy topic :p Guess what these are inside my shower cabinet:



I love the rainbow effect, don't you? It's really no mystery because one look and obviously they are Sunsilk Co-Creations Shampoo. I've been using Yuko Yamashita's pink shampoo called Smooth and Manageable ever since it was revealed and made available on the racks.


Why? Because I love anything Japanese and it makes my hair soft, smooth, and yummy because of it's sweet soft yogurt-y scent. I am not saying these because I've been sent tons of shampoo bottles but because I really use Sunsilk's Smooth & Manageable shampoo. The only thing I haven't tried is the Creamsilk conditioner, I don't know yet which variant matches my shampoo
of choice.

Co-created by Japanese hair expert, Yuko Yamashita

If you've noticed how my hair is freed of chok-choks and pampony these days, it's all thanks to Ms. Yamashita haha :) I haven't tried the new Creamsilk Conditioners but I will soon and I hope it makes my hair even better.

I wonder if Yuko ever came to visit Manila? I want my hair expertly touched by her :p

Tried and Tested: Elianto Eyebrow Oval Pencil

Finally! My husband got this for me while shopping today. I just can't live without an eyebrow pencil, notice how it can make any face look more groomed? Full eyebrows care of eyebrow pencils or powders also make you look younger and fresher. Given that you apply them properly :)



I decided to grab this Elianto Eyebrow Pencil (Oval) because my friend and I tried it two days ago in the department store. I like how light it is and how its brush (available at the other end of the pencil) creates a soft, even more natural look.

My shade of choice is light brown. Compared to the other pencils of Elianto, I think the Oval type is softer in color and texture. Plus, who has time to sharpen their eyebrow pencils these days? I don't! So retractable it is.

Will post pics soon of my eyebrows with and without this product ^^