Beauty tips from top models and sports stars

Believe it or not, Unilever can be found in just about every Filipino household here in the Philippines, from the northernmost tip of Batanes to the southernmost island of Tawi-Tawi. In our family alone, between my daughter Riana and I and my son Sebi, we use the following Unilever products — Pond’s, Dove, Clear, Tresemmé, Vaseline and Axe. Undoubtedly, Unilever is the pioneering and number one personal care brand locally, enhancing Filipino lives for the past 86 years.

“Unilever Personal Care has the widest reach and greatest depth of brands that reach Filipinos from all walks of life; as such, it is our responsibility to come up with products that can positively impact Filipino lives. At Unilever Personal Care, we aim to put people first,” shares Gina Lorenzana, vice president for Personal Care of Unilever-Philippines, with a sense of Pinoy pride.

“How do we make sure that we keep our commitment to give only the best to Filipinos in personal care? By treating our personal care business very personally,” added Apples Aberin, head for PR of Unilever-Philippines Personal Care during her opening remarks at the recently held Unilever Personal Care Summit in Palawan.

In line with this vision centered on health, hygiene, beauty and self-esteem, Unilever unveiled at the Summit their first-ever Personal Care Brand Council, a group of successful, trendsetting and influential personalities from fashion, entertainment, sports and social media who inspire and touch many Filipino lives. “People look up to and want to relate to them. As such, they serve as the perfect touch points through which Unilever Personal Care can reach out and connect,” explains Aberin of their selection.

Indeed, the Unilever Personal Care Brand Council lineup is impressive — from former fashion models and style icons, savvy entrepreneurs to popular bloggers and social media darlings; from basketball stars and football sensations to revered actors, actresses and budding artists, the Brand Council is the embodiment of everything current and relevant in today’s beauty- and health-conscious, socially-connected world.

Topping the list are model turned accessories and clothing designer Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales and lifestyle columnist and model Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, both perennial favorites of Unilever and Pond’s endorsers for several years; face-to-watch model and soulful singer Catriona Gray, girl-next-door turned model now blogger Kelly Misa-Fernandez, fresh-faced blogger with an eye for style Laureen Uy, first runner-up for Miss Universe 2013 Janine Tugonon, bright young star Julia Baretto, makeup artists extraordinaire, beauty experts and master stylists Jing Monis, Jigs Mayuga and Lourd Ramos, Esquire’s fashion guru and man-about-town Raymond Gutierrez, sportsmen, achievers off the field and the court, class acts all the way Phil Younghusband and Chris Tiu and finally much-admired actor Jericho Rosales.

Guests at the event were treated to a series of surreal sensory experiences aimed at highlighting all of Unilever personal care products’ unique characteristics — Dove celebrated women at the “Between Us Girls” lounge with a witty and honest duo act entitled “TLC: A Dove Dialogue,” a portrayal of women’s top beauty woes, focusing on the “underarm situation.” Dove brand manager Carlo Isla delved into the brand’s thrust to offer women hypoallergenic superior care and moisturization for the hair, skin and whole self, allowing them to discover just how truly beautiful they are.

At the Rexona pavilion I went up against Phil Younghusband in a friendly match of who gets to say as many words as possible starting with the letter “R” in one minute. I was hoping for a more physical match-up, like an abdominal crunch contest, but that was not to be. His good looks threw me off balance but my “ricochet” bought me extra points to even the score. The very competitive exercise was aimed at raising awareness of Rexona’s Do: More philosophy — to stretch yourself, take a leap, turn your dreams into reality and have the confidence to take action.

Vaseline, with skin expertise for over 140 years, was all about “Summer Skin and Style” and how having SPF-protected skin is the best summer accessory ever. The Vaseline Healthy White SPF 24 lotion was the “belle of lotion-dom” with its three-in-one protective, whitening and moisturizing actions to protect the skin from the sun all day long. I used it for the first time in Palawan and I must say I am now officially a fan; there is much to love about the deep-penetrating, non-sticky, light and subtly fragrant formulation.

At the Close-Up Fresh Lounge, we were led down memory lane with a video presentation of Close-Up TV commercials that have become iconic symbols of teenage crushes, first loves and youthful exuberance. I recalled some from when I was growing up and even caught myself humming to some of the theme songs. Close-Up, the world’s first gel toothpaste, hits the mark with its promise of 12-hour nonstop fresh breath, a certified dealmaker during Close-Up confidence encounters.

On our first night, during Pond’s seaside dinner, guests got up-close and personal with the “real beauties” of Pond’s Beauty Council—Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Laureen Uy and Catriona Gray. They candidly shared personal anecdotes about how Pond’s and feeling good about themselves have made them successful in their craft and allowed them to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The winsome Catriona Gray entertained us with her Adele-like renditions of some popular songs and DJ Mars brought the house down with his dance mix.

The next day, we were ushered to the exclusive cluster of Kalaw Villas converted into Cream Silk Hair Reborn Studios for the brand’s latest hair conditioning innovation and technology presentation; Anna Mangilin, Unilever’s marketing director for Hair Care, gave a demonstration using several types of hair to show the immediate and powerful effect of Cream Silk’s Hair Reborn technology; I was impressed with the result of the Cream Silkified hair. Afterwards, renowned hairstylist and Unilever Brand Council member Lourd Ramos and his team treated and styled some of us using the latest Cream Silk products. Later that evening, we made our way to the pool area for a candlelit Cream Silk affair hosted by the Filipina Morena standout, actress Heart Evangelista.

Not to be outdone, the male grooming brands had a chance to shine with “Breakfast with the Boys,” on our third and final day on the island. Attended by Phil and James Younghusband and Chris Tiu, the lively téte-a-téte over a lavish breakfast opened with the question, “What makes a guy guapo?”  A rather innocent question, the women in attendance gave a gamut of answers that made the “boys” blush and hold their tongues, sort of.

I had a chance to chat with some of the Brand Council members at the Summit and here are a few of their insights on beauty and their roles as Unilever Ambassadors.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What is your most favorite Unilever product and why?

Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez: I use most of Unilever’s personal care products but I am partial to Pond’s; it is tried and tested, a beauty secret of many, including generations of women in my family.

Rissa Mananquil-Trillo: The Pond’s Age Miracle Serum. It’s the most potent anti-aging product in the line that delivers younger-looking skin without needles or machines.

Kelly Misa-Fernandez: My favorites are the Pond’s Age Miracle line and Tresemmé hair products; I use them without fail, every day.

Catriona Gray: I would have to say the Pond’s White Beauty BB+ Cream. Since I don’t like wearing makeup, this BB+ Cream gives me a natural “made-up” look.

Which beauty product do you carry with you in your purse all the time?

Tweetie: The Pond’s Age Miracle BB+ Cream; it is a quick fixer-upper, especially when I have a long day ahead of me. I can instantly look refreshed with this cream.

Rissa: I love products that multi-task and the Pond’s Age Miracle Anti-Aging Expert BB+ Cream SPF 30 is the mother of all multi-taskers. It’s my sunblock, anti-aging cream and makeup rolled into one!

Kelly: Like Rissa, I always have in my bag the Pond’s Age Miracle Anti-Aging Expert BB+ Cream. It is super lightweight, perfect for the no-makeup look.

Catriona: I bring with me the Pond’s White Beauty BB+ Cream because it comes in a handy and cute packaging. It is my go-to product for the no-makeup look.

Which would you consider your most memorable advertisement for Unilever?

Tweetie: The most memorable for me would be the last TV ad I did for Pond’s Gold Radiance; the tag line “Who would say that I am 44,” stuck like glue.

Rissa: I have a special love for two brands: Vaseline because it was my very first television commercial as a model, and Pond’s because I’ve been with the brand ever since they launched Pond’s Age Miracle in the Philippine market and it wonderfully made my skin look and feel better than when I first started modeling almost 15 years ago.

Kelly: My television commercial for Pond’s would be the most memorable since to this day people still recognize me from it and ask me about it.

Catriona: Well, I just recently became a Unilever endorser so I would have to say the TV commercial for Pond’s White Beauty Cream; it was so much fun filming that, plus I get to sing, which I love to do!

Can you please tell the readers what your daily beauty regimen is like?

Tweetie: I use the Pond’s Gold Radiance Facial Foam Wash when I shower in the morning because that is when skincare begins for me. I use a dermatologist-prescribed toner followed by Pond’s Age Miracle Serum or the Gold Radiance version because both have unique features that keep my skin aglow. I apply the Gold Radiance Day Cream because its gold particles-infusion gives my face a healthy, sun-kissed finish. Lastly, I apply a hardworking sunblock.

Rissa: My daily musts include the Cream Silk Standout Straight conditioner. People think I’m super sipag in getting monthly salon treatments but this is my cheap beauty secret that I use every day. After every shower, I apply Vaseline Perfect 10 Whitening and Anti-Aging Lotion –– it’s an all-in-one product for the body that protects, evens out the skin tone and fights aging. Before going to sleep, I apply the Pond’s Age Miracle Dual Action Eye Cream. This has not only gotten rid of fine lines and wrinkles but prevents them from forming too. When I’m rebounding from a long night, this makes me look like I had eight hours of sleep.

Kelly: I am a creature of habit so every morning, I cleanse with the Pond’s Age Miracle Facial Wash then I moisturize with the Age Miracle Serum and I apply the Age Miracle BB Cream for sun protection. Before I sleep at night, I put on the Age Miracle Overnight Cream.

Catriona: My skin actually used to break out in acne so I went to the dermatologist for some skin care. I don’t break out anymore but I am careful to keep my face smooth and healthy so I make sure I remove all trace of makeup before I sleep. In the mornings, I use the Pond’s Flawless White Whitening Facial Wash, then I moisturize with Pond’s White Beauty Cream. To finish off my morning ritual, I apply Pond’s White Beauty BB+ Cream for protection. I also use organic hip oil on my face from time to time.

What beauty tip would you like to share with our readers?

Tweetie: Get into the skincare habit as young as you can, as you will surely reap the benefits when you get older. And always use sun protection!

Rissa: It’s simple: the better you take care of yourself, the better you look. Also aspire for peace of mind and genuine happiness. The happier you are in life, the more beautiful you are on the outside.

Kelly: Once you have found the beauty regimen that works for you, stick to it; I found mine with Pond’s.

Catriona: Research the products that you would like to use on your face before you try them. Once you have found what suits your skin type, make sure that cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection are part of your daily skincare regimen.

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Unilever is clearly on a roll but it is not resting on its laurels. While it is one and a half times bigger than its next competition in the Philippines, while Cream Silk is the number one in hair-conditioning in the country, while Dove is the biggest personal care brand locally and while its male grooming category is the fastest growing in the country’s personal care industry, it is constantly researching and creating to remain at the top of their game. Taking the personal care business very personally can only mean limitless possibilities for Unilever.

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Unilever’s complete personal care line includes Rexona, Dove and Vaseline for women and men, Tresemme, Cream Silk and Pond’s for women, Clear, Master and Axe for men and Close-up.