I have been a fan of this product and I have been using this since they introduced it in the Philippine market.  Check out my detailed blog post about Hydro Boost here.

On the launch, friends from the online community joined us in witnessing the superior moisturizing power and light aesthetics of Hydro Boost Water Gel.  It is a dream come true for all of us who search for a moisturizer that is not sticky and greasy.  Best of all, this moisturizer works wonders and you have to try it for yourself. 

HYDRO BOOST Water Gel is a water-based moisturizer that boosts dry skin with 200%.

*I put the contrast on higher settings just so that you can see better…

I wish you could touch my hand too so that you can feel the difference

Anyway, it feels great that my left hand feels more moisturized without feeling oily.

“We conducted in-depth discussions with many women and learned their current choices feel to heavy and greasy on their skin. Thus, they compromise on their moisturizer use such as applying only at night or waiting for their moisturizer to dry before applying makeup.”

РVia Aba̱o, Johnson & Johnson Senior Brand Manager

As Via mentioned, many of us are not satisfied with some of the moisturizers we have already tried. 

Hydro Boost has the moisturizing properties of Hyaluronic Acid and Olive Extract, which boosts the skin’s natural ability to  hold moisture.  It also acts like a virtual skin reservoir that progressively releases moisture to dry cells for up to 12 hours, keeping skin softer and suppler with a healthy glow all day.  We no longer need to compromise!

To demonstrate Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel’s moisturizing superiority, gel balls representing skin cells were immersed in Neutrogena’s product and in competitive products.  After two hours, we witnessed how the balls immersed in Neutrogena Hydro Boost grew to almost twice the size versus untreated gel balls and significantly larger than those soaked in competitive products.

Hydro Boost is also light and non-greasy on the face and allows for quicker absorption that leaves the skin feeling refreshed and nourished.

Stick-Me-Not experiments

To demonstrate the product’s light, non-greasy properties, guests participated in a “Stick-Me-Not” experiment.  After applying Neutrogena Hydro Boost on their faces, they were asked to do four tests:

1. Pose cheek-to-cheek with one another

I never really thought about this but yeah, I don’t want other experience to share my “oil”

2. Test if Styrofoam balls would stick on their skin

This test is the crowd favorite.  You could really tell how “sticky” other moisturizers are.  I didn’t really test it this way when I started using Hydro Boost but I could feel the difference when I put it on my face for the very first time.  It feels very light, yet moisturizes my skin effectively!

The hand with the many styro balls is applied with Brand X and the one without any styro balls is applied with Neutrogena Hydro Boost

3.  Blog with an oil-blotting film

This is what amazed me the most.  To me this is the ultimate test of oiliness and greasiness especially that I have a very oily, I’m obsessed about taking oil out of my skin all the time!

4.  Test the product’s lightness under makeup.

Unlike other moisturizers, Hydro Boost is light, thus, allowing the skin to absorb faster.  Some moisturizes take a while to dry and thus, you either just put it at night or wait for a while to let it dry.

I was going around to test the experiment for myself and I must say, in all instances, Hydro Boost proved to be true to its “light and non-greasy” promise.

The bottle lasted me 2-3 months for its price of P830 so it’s definitely value for your money for the many benefits this moisturizer has to offer.

NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST GEL SPF 30 PA++

It’s the first of its kind – a sunscreen in GEL form! 

As we live our lives with the tropical weather, we find it more bothersome to wear different products to keep our skin moisturized without making it oily.  At the same time, we need to protect our skin from harmful rays of the sun and sometimes, we just have to compromise that little “sticky” feeling we get when we apply additional sunscreen on our face.

I admire the research team behind Neutrogena and I commend them for making a product that solves this problem!  They created the new Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel SPF 30 PA++.  It combines the superior yet light-feeling moisture offered by the Hydro Boost line with sun protection.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansers

I love using these cleansers! They smell good, they don’t have any traces of harmful alcohol or chemicals.  You’ll just feel good using it.

Deep Clean Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam Cleanser

The formula effectively removes 99% of dullness-causing dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells from the skin with a velvety fine foam, and the proven Whitening Efficacy of Mulberry Extracts that are rich in Vitamins B3 and C to help visibly brighten skin.

Deep Clean Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser

The formula effectively removes 99% of dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells from the skin with velvety fine foam as well as Anti-Oxidant Pink Grapefruit Extracts that stimulate healthy cell renewal.

You can find Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and the rest of the Hydro Boost range in Watsons stores. 

*photos courtesy of J&J

More photos

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When I initially apply it, it looks super wierd becuase my face looks whiter than my normal hue.  Since I was getting my gym clothes ready, I let the cream stay for a while.  After a few minutes, my face looked really good.  Lighter than my natural hue, but this time, it really blends well on my skin!

Patience is a virtue, they say. And most whitening products will test that virtue by having you wait several months before you see your whitening product take effect. But sometimes, you need fairer skin RIGHT NOW and NEUTROGENA is giving you just that.

The new Neutrogena Fine Fairness BB Cream UV provides instant fairness and blemish-free skin through special skintone-matching minerals. Because Neutrogena is a strong advocate of healthy beauty, this BB Cream also contains the science of Fine Fairness to work within your skin and provide continuous whitening from the inside out.

The Fine Fairness BB Cream UV is the final addition to the existing Fine Fairness line, which currently consists of a Cleanser, Toner, Lotion SPF30, Night Cream, UV Sunblock, Serum, and Whitening Mask.

About Fine Fairness

Skin pigmentation takes place on various levels of the skin – from melanin production (the substance responsible for skin color), to melanin transfer, and skin discoloration from UV rays. To effectively address skin pigmentation, it is crucial to tackle it through a multi-dimensional approach.

Stabilized Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant that blocks free radicals and reduces Tyrosinase, an essential enzyme in melanin formation. This stable form of Vitamin C ensures a prolonged release for a long-lasting healthy glow.
Phyto-lily Extract helps inhibit melanin production to prevent skin pigmentation and skin dullness.

Vitamin B3 works from the inside-out to renew cells and inhibit melanin transfer to keratinocytes. This helps make skin appear youthfully radiant and translucent.

By taking the finest ingredients from the latest in skincare research, the Fine Fairness Healthywhite Complex helps to transform skin from the inside-out. This results in a beautiful, fair and even-toned complexion with a healthy, lasting glow.

About BB Cream
BB Cream, which stands for Blemish Balm, is one of the newest skincare phenomena to hit the market. BB Creams began in Germany as a concealer for post-surgery scars. When Korean actresses started to use BB Creams, a revolution in skincare was born. Known to provide excellent coverage that immediately hides blemishes, the BB Cream has become an essential item for instantly smooth and fair skin.

True to the brand’s commitment of providing women with healthy beauty, the FINE FAIRNESS® BB Cream UV contains naturally-occurring minerals, Mica and Titanium Dioxide. When applied to the skin, these minerals match with the skintone to deliver instant blemish coverage.

Fine Fairness BB Cream
Now, combine the immediate fairness of BB Cream and the in-depth whitening powers of FINE FAIRNESS®. The result? A moisturizer that instantly corrects blemishes and works from within to continuously whiten skin. At a special introductory rate of P575 (20% discount from P720) for the month of February, this latest product from Neutrogena is exclusively available at Watsons.

So ladies, those months of waiting for fairer skin are over. With the new Neutrogena Fine Fairness BB Cream UV, you can get that instantly fairer complexion and healthier, continuously whiter skin.

Since I am already in my mid 20s (let’s not be specific), I have been obsessed in staying young!  I can feel many changes since I was 18, and mind you, the earlier you start in taking care of your body, the better.  I’m talking not only about the food you eat, the lifestyle you live, but also that one protective layer of skin that covers your body.

For me, the number one factor in keeping your skin soft and supple is not to dry it!

On my first date ever, I was so conscious of my hands… What if he touches my hand? it felt so rough at that time!  I felt like an old witch and not Snow White!  Then and there, I know I had to keep on paying attention to my skin!  I buy lotions left and right, but the trickier part is the skin on my face!

It’s so sensitive that I can’t just put on anything.  My main problem is that I have a combination skin.  I am very oily on my T-zone especially when I think a lot.  When I work or when I studied for my board exams before.   But outside that, my skin felt so dry…

meeeh…

Women, as a rule will desire soft and smooth skin yet in between facials this is a little difficult to achieve. Keeping skin hydrated is very important as it gives you smooth and supple skin. After all, healthy-looking skin is made up of high percentage of water. Without adequate hydration, your skin will look stressed-out, showing unwanted signs such as excessive shine, fine lines and lack of radiance.

What makes facial skin rough?

The lack of water makes the skin rough and sets the stage for fine lines and wrinkles. But what most people don’t know is that oil and water are two different things when it comes to skin care. We use oil-based moisturizers that only add excess oil to the surface of our skin. What you really need for hydration is to increase the water content in your skin. Water easily evaporates and dries out the skin, leaving it sallow and lifeless. Soft dewy and supple skin is ideal, but how do we get it? First we need to understand why the skin gets rough and what we do on a daily basis to contribute with loss of hydration from our skin.

1. In the morning, rushing out without sun block will contribute to all sorts of short and long- term skin problems. The sun is the primary cause of premature aging and exposure to the sun contributes to fine lines and dehydrated skin.
2. Your daily dose of caffeine sucks moisture out of your skin.
3. Aircon dehydrates your skin. Spending long periods of time in an air-conditioned room or environment dries out and stresses your delicate facial skin.
4. Stress, overwork and sleep deprivation causes the skin to be unbalanced. The result is dry, dull and dehydrated skin.
5. Drink lots of water. Juices and teas are not substitutes for water. Take water to replenish water loss from your skin and your system. Remember that water is the key to hydration.

The solution:

The solution can be summed up in one word, WATER! Oil and water are two essential elements to make your skin soft, smooth and supple. Yet, most women shy away from moisturizers because it makes their skin oily. True, most moisturizers contain oil that adds even more oil to your face, which you are trying to lessen in the first place. Again, the answer is water! Dehydrated skin is dry, sallow and lifeless because it lacks water. Water will add plum, glow and radiance to the skin’s overall appearance and make it softer, smoother and more supple. Ideal skin is hydrated skin.

Hydro Boost!

Neutrogena recently came out with a product that would solve this, and I had to test it myself!

I tested this on my left hand… leaving my right hand as is…  It’s usually for the face, but I don’t have fine wrinkles yet 😛 so my hand is perfect for this…

and this is the result

 

*I put the contrast on higher settings just so that you can see better…

I wish you could touch my hand too so that you can feel the difference 😛

Anyway, it feels great that my left hand feels more moisturized without feeling oily.

 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mousse Cleanser

Cleanses and balances the skin’s moisture level. The rich lather foams away impurities, while a

special hydrating agent restores skin’s natural moisture balance. For day and night use.

150ml / P445.50

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Clear Lotion (Toner)

Immediately tones and refines skin without causing tightness. It gives a shower of fresh hydration for a dewy complexion. Use after cleansing, for day and night. 150ml/P458.00

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Its purified Hyaluronic Acid and Olive Extract continuously release moisture to the skin’s surface while boosting skin cell’s ability to retain water. For day and night use after clear lotion or essence. 50 g/P 830.00

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Essence

Intensely moisturizing and deeply revitalizing, this rich essence has powerful hydration properties to keep skin plump, bouncy and supple. For day and night use, for intense hydration. After using the clear lotion, and before using the water gel, massage evenly to the face. 30 ml/ P999.00

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mask

Boosts skin’s moisture level 14 times. It is made with smart-fit fabric with 14,000 micro-holes to deeply infuse 25% more hydrating essence. Use as needed, at least once a week for deep and immediate hydration results. May also be used in the evening after cleansing and toning. Apply the mask and leave on for 15 minutes. Remove the mask and massage the remaining essence into your facial and neck area. Do not rinse, sleep with the essence. No need to apply water gel after using the mask. 1 pc/P198.00

 

GIVE-AWAY!

Another good news guys!  Neutrogena is sponsoring this contest and I am giving away one Hydroboost kit for one lucky reader so that you too can try the power of hydro boost!

Simply answer the question:  How do you keep yourself young?

Be creative!

 

Guidelines:

1. Answer in the comment question below.

2. Make sure you leave your valid email address in the comment section below. (Your email won’t be visible to others)

3. Only open to Metro Manila residents.

4. Contest ends on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 (11:59pm)

5. Winner is announced on June 16

6. Don’t forget to add me on Facebook and Twitter!

http://facebook.com/flaircandy

http://twitter.com/flaircandy

good luck and happy day to everyone!

 

UPDATE:

We have a winner!

Congratulations Indi for winning your own set of Neutrogena Hydroboost kit. I will email you privately on how you’d get the prize.

Thanks to all who joined.. just a simple reminder to everyone to love and take care of yourselves yah? Stay pretty inside and out! Keep smiling and stay happy! 🙂 <3

 

Last December 16, 2010, Neutrogena officially launched the new Neutrogena Fine Fairness line in relation to the Start the Year Light campaign.  This campaign highlights 8 synergistic ways to give you fair and radiant skin enhancing the best in you: Protect, Shield, Lighten, Renew, Block, Calm, Prevent and Restore.  I have been using the fine fairness range for days now and I really feel that I am getting ready to face a new year – radiant and glowing!  I receive comments from people saying that lately I look “blooming.”  It is also my goal to take care not only of my skin, but my whole being.  I have been taking yoga classes ever since we had the yoga class in Tagaytay.  I have been eating healthier and trying the Detox program of Dr. Jason Peñaranda of Aesthetic Science.

I feel honored to be one of the 8 brand ambassadors for Neutrogena alongside Manila’s beauty icons: Solenn Heussaff, Patty Laurel, Isabel Roces, Georgia Schulze-del Rosario and fellow beauty bloggers: Phoebe Ann Ramos, Jane Kingsu-Cheng, and Earth Rullan. All of us are very different in many ways – we pursue different careers and we have different interests.  The one thing we all have in common is that we excel in our own different fields.  Despite whatever challenges each of us may face, we stand strong to achieve our goals and we stay confident no matter what.  This is what we are hoping to share to all of you, that our confidence is contagious.  We had a head start in  starting our year light, now it’s your turn

This year has been really awesome for me.  It went beyond what I even hoped it to be.   I guess a positive outlook helped me lot and it attracted a lot of opportunities for me.  Blocking all the negativity is the  key to keep going despite challenges.  Our day trip in Nurture Spa Tagaytay helped me realize how my attitude towards life helped me to be where I am now.

To know more about Neutrogena’s Fine Fairness Line, check out the Neutrogena Facebook Page and you might just win for yourself a Fine Fairness range too!

*Neutrogena Fine Fairness products are out nationwide in Watsons stores

[flickr album=72157625510158095 num=53 size=Square]

Photo credits to Vince for taking these photos.

Luckily, I got invited the following day after my flight to a very relaxing retreat  at Nurture Spa in Tagaytay with Neutrogena and its Fine Fairness Ambassadors.   That means I am one too, because I am a believer of beauty inside and out.  Beauty has many definitions, but in my book, it is more than just the physical.  Beauty is also how you glow within yourself and how others get enlightened by you.  True beauty means nurturing your soul, body and mind and enhancing your body’s natural features with products that truly complement and enhance the natural you.  This is the promise of Neutrogena Fine Fairness products that I am yet to try.

I have heard so many good things about Neutrogena Fine Fairness from other beauty bloggers, and I am very excited to try it and tell you more about it.  I am always out in search for my next travels and adventures, that I sometimes forget how to take care of my skin.  I’m facing the fact that I am not as young and carefree as I used to be and I need to take a closer look at my skin as early as now.  My surfing, travels and all the studio lights from my TV show and other photo shoots is making my face grumpy.  I don’t usually get pimples either, but with my hectic schedule, one pops out after another.  (See Hong Kong photos and you’ll find remnants of my horrible acne scars).

This day was a break for me – a moment of Zen.  I slept through the entire trip from Manila to Tagaytay because I only had an hour and a half’s sleep from my Hong Kong flight.  When I opened my eyes, we were already at Nurture Spa.  A breath of cool mountain air welcomed me as I stepped out of the van.  I was glad it was cold – like the weather in Hong Kong.  At this time, my body still hadn’t adjusted to the hot weather in Manila.

We had a quick breakfast of fruits and bread in a very serene setting.  I was very honored and glad to be sitting beside great ladies who have already achieved so much.  I had to catch up with the rest of the girls since I was not present at their first meeting.  They told me everything that I missed, from the food to their awesome experience with the Neutrogena Fine Fairness line that Protects, Shields, Lightens, Renews, Blocks, Calms, Prevents and Restores your skin.

It’s a small world because I found out that one of their speakers was Dr. Jason Penaranda, one of the doctors of Aesthetic Science, a skin clinic I usually visit for my facials and tummy tightening.   I am supposed to take his 2-day detox program (which I really need) but I had to postpone because of my Hong Kong trip.  I will let you know how it is when I finish doing it.

This day, we aimed to restore, renew, and calm ourselves with the help of Neutrogena fine fairness that also protects, shields, blocks harmful UV rays and lightens and our skin bringing a much brighter glow.  We started the day with a photo shoot.  Who can resist a pictorial on such a beautiful place like this?

—

While waiting for our turns for the shoot, they gave us a room to rest.  I’m room mates with Phoebe and this is our relaxing room.  I slept again

—

After the shoot, we had another healthy meal for lunch.  We got pampered after that by a massage session.  Nurture spa used hot water with Tea tree leaf to clean our feet, grinded corn to exfoliate our feet and hot banana leaves on our back encouraging a healthier circulation of blood.

—

And alas, the most awaited session of all – our Yoga class!  I was actually dreading the thought of doing my yoga poses and stretching my body with a camera crew around.  But, the teacher was very good that when we started our Yoga session, I just couldn’t care anymore about the cameras and ignored it.  I haven’t gone to any yoga class for a while, and this session made me realize how badly I need to go to Yoga classes again.  The yoga session helped me lighten up both my muscles and my mind.  Stress was relived from both my mind and my muscles releasing tension.

Might I add, we did yoga in a very nice place.  I feel more connected to nature – to the trees, the birds, the ground, the cool wind and the sun.

We think that the sun might harm our skin, but thanks to the SPF 50+ and the PA+++ protection we get from the Fine Fairness UV Brightening Moisture, we can embrace the sun.

The whole trip was definitely something that I need.  For that moment, I think I was in my perfect state of body, mind and soul.  It was a very empowering day indeed and keeping this in mind, with the full protection of Neutrogena Fine Fairness, I believe that I am  ready to greet the new year  with more confidence and promise. 

Get a 50% discount on Neutrogena® Wave’s Deep Clean Foaming Pad Refill pack of thirty (30) foaming pads! Simply purchase a Neutrogena® Wave starter kit from January 28 to February 24, 2010 in all Watson’s and all Beauty by SM outlets.

The Neutrogena® Wave starter kit includes the power cleanser gadget, two-week supply (or 14 pads) of single-use foaming pads and one AA battery. Proven to clean the skin ten times deeper than traditional facial cleansers, the Neutrogena® Wave’s tingly cool foam penetrates deeper into pores while the gentle vibrating motion stimulates and opens the skin’s surface to remove more dirt, oil and make-up. At the same time, the softly textured Deep Clean Foaming Pad sweeps away layers of dead skin cells for visibly softer, smoother skin after just one use.

Avail of the thirty-day (30) refill packs for half the price at Php 200.00, with the Wave starter kit, and experience a deep clean for a refreshed and remarkably softer skin that you will surely love! After all, providing superior cleansing for your skin will help you look your best as you spend Valentine’s with your special someone or your best friends.

 

Black Friday Sales madness are over in the US.  We don’t have that however in the Philippines – well not formally.  You will still feel like Black Friday though (a bit) when stores and brands give you the best bargains on Christmas! It’s Christmas season and it’s time to shop shop shop!  For your own if you are selfish 😛 but it’s usually the time to shop for other people – you loved ones and people that matter to you.  Of course, if you want to give yourself a gift for a job well done either at school or work then shop for yourself as well!  Shopping is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and you know you deserve it. 😀

Neutrogena actually offers great discounts now when you buy Neutrogena’s Fine Fairness UV Compact and Body Oil.

My with my girl friends Mich and Gretch ^_^

I am a Neutrogena user myself ever since I saw my friend Miche using it.  She still uses this compact until now (almost known her for 3 years).  At that time, I just passed my CPA License exam and well, I was not earning much income yet so I thought, I really want that compact powder but it seems too expensive for me.  Well I bought one anyway :P  It was worth it because it really blends evenly with my skin tone always… I wouldn’t look like a ghost or anything.  Technically their price is just right for the protection it gives my skin.  It also makes my skin look less oily (unlike other products that I have tried).  Anyway, I am always a happy user since I often produce oils a lot when I’m thinking too hard (exams, calculating penalties and financial figures and preparing reports).  I wouldn’t “retouch” myself as often.  ^_^

I am so happy to know that they are on sale now for the holidays!  You can actually buy two (2) Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compacts, with the second compact at 50% off (bargain price of PHP 1,063.59)  Also, you can buy one (1) Neutrogena Body Oil an d one (1) Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact (at half its original price) for only Php 939.50!!!  Grab one for yourselves and for your favorite ladies within the promo period of December 1 – 31, 2009.

Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compacts

Available in shades of natural and light beige, the Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact is clinically-formulated to blend evenly with the skin tone and provide beautiful, natural-looking coverage. Its Vitamin C and Licorice Extract plus sunscreen protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, preventing sunspots and premature skin aging. The Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and does not clog pores. It is also resistant to humidity, sweat and oil, thus, giving the skin lasting coverage needed for all the merry-making this season.

Neutrogena Body Oil

With its light sesame formula, the Body Oil is easily absorbed by shower-damp skin, leaving it soft and silky with a radiant and healthy glow. And with Christmas just around the corner, you only need a few drops of the Neutrogena Body Oil to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized amidst the cool holiday breeze.