Monday, May 18, 2026
There’s something about skincare that changes when you become a mom. Before, I could experiment with complicated 10-step routines and stay up late applying masks while binge-watching dramas. Now? I just want products that actually work, feel luxurious, and fit into my very busy schedule.
That’s why I got curious about the new products from POND'S Skin Institute — especially their Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Hexyl-Retinol line. The bright red packaging immediately caught my attention, but what made me more interested was the promise of smoother, brighter, youthful-looking skin without needing an overly complicated routine.
After using these products consistently, here’s my honest and personal review.
First Impressions: Luxe Yet Practical
The entire line looks elegant and premium. The signature red packaging gives that “serious skincare” feel while still being affordable and accessible. I also appreciate that the products don’t feel intimidating even though they contain retinol-inspired ingredients.
The lineup I tried includes:
- Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Day Cream
- Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Night Cream
- Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Eye Cream
What stood out to me most is that the formulas are designed for anti-aging concerns while still being beginner-friendly.
1. Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Day Cream
This became my everyday morning moisturizer surprisingly fast.
The texture is lightweight and creamy without feeling greasy. On humid days here in the Philippines, I hate heavy creams that make my face look oily after an hour. Thankfully, this one absorbs nicely into the skin and layers well under makeup.
What I personally noticed after around two weeks:
- My skin looked more refreshed even with lack of sleep
- Dry patches around my nose became smoother
- My complexion appeared brighter and healthier
- Makeup sat better on my skin
I also love that it already has SPF 18 PA++, which gives added daytime protection. Of course, I still use extra sunscreen, but having SPF in the cream itself is a nice bonus.
The formula contains:
- Hexylresorcinol
- Retinol-C
- Niacinamide
This combination helps target dullness, uneven texture, and early signs of aging. I honestly felt like my skin looked more “alive” and less tired.
For busy moms or working women who want an easy anti-aging moisturizer, this one is genuinely convenient.
2. Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Night Cream
This might actually be my favorite from the entire line.
The night cream has a richer texture compared to the day cream, but it still doesn’t feel too heavy. It gives that comforting “sealed-in moisture” feeling that my skin badly needs after long days exposed to air conditioning, makeup, and stress.
The first thing I noticed was how soft my skin felt the next morning. Not just moisturized — actually smoother.
After continuous use:
- Fine lines looked less noticeable
- My skin felt firmer and plumper
- I woke up with a healthy glow
- My face looked less dull even on stressful days
What I appreciate most is that it delivers the benefits of retinol-inspired skincare without making my skin feel irritated or overly dry.
As someone who sometimes has sensitive skin reactions, I was honestly relieved that this felt gentle while still being effective.
I now look forward to my nighttime skincare routine because of this cream. It feels relaxing and pampering after a tiring day.
3. Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Eye Cream
As a mom, dark circles and tired eyes are practically part of life. So I was very excited to test this one.
The eye cream has a lightweight consistency that spreads easily around the delicate under-eye area. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a sticky feeling.
After regular use, I noticed:
- My under-eye area looked more hydrated
- Concealer stopped creasing as much
- Puffiness looked reduced in the mornings
- My eyes appeared more awake and refreshed
No eye cream can magically erase sleepless nights, but this definitely helped make me look less exhausted.
I also appreciate that it didn’t sting my eyes — something I’m very careful about when trying new eye products.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Trying?
Honestly, yes.
What I like most about the POND’S Skin Institute Hexyl-Retinol line is that it makes anti-aging skincare feel simple, approachable, and realistic for everyday women — especially moms who don’t have time for complicated routines.
The products feel luxurious without being intimidating, and they work well together as a complete routine.
What I personally loved:
✔ Lightweight yet nourishing textures
✔ Skin looked brighter and healthier
✔ Gentle enough for regular use
✔ Beginner-friendly anti-aging products
✔ Affordable compared to high-end skincare
Who I would recommend this to:
- Busy moms
- Working women
- Beginners in anti-aging skincare
- Anyone dealing with dull or tired-looking skin
- Those wanting a simple but effective routine
Will these products instantly erase wrinkles overnight? Of course not. But with consistent use, I genuinely noticed smoother, more radiant, healthier-looking skin — and that’s exactly what I look for in skincare nowadays.
Sometimes self-care doesn’t need to be extravagant. Sometimes it’s simply taking a few minutes at night to apply a good moisturizer and remind yourself that you deserve care too.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Honestly, I am planning to get a pair of reading eyeglasses and viola I was invited by PREP Davao for the opening of Owndays first store in Davao.
OWNDAYS a fast-growing chain optical shops from Japan, known for its all-in-one pricing system and quick 20-minute processing time.
Walking into the store, OWNDAYS gives you the liberty to try on all frames with its open modules to infuse more fun and convenience into the process of buying your glasses. With the help of their Licensed Optometrists who will facilitate the eye exams with the state of the art equipment in refraction and with the technical know-how of their Optical Technicians to ensure that you're given lenses that are perfect for you.
I really had a hard time choosing the right frame for me, so the staff advice me to get my prescription lenses. You can have lenses made in any of these three ways:
(1) Have you current lenses copied, (2) get a free in-store eye check up , or (3) bring your doctor's prescription.
In my case, I forget to bring my old eyeglasses for astigmatism that's why they have my eye check first.
We went inside a Refraction Room and Doc Althea a licensed Optometrist facilitate me.
After a thorough eye checking, she advice me to use a reading glasses because I am suffering from a farsightedness and digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. She suggests using a pair of reading glasses that use specifically treated lenses that are ergonomically suited for reading both on papers, books, magazines, newspaper and on the computer and smartphone too!
And because it took me too long to browse through their frame selections, one staff suggest the AIR Ultem frame.
Frame of AIR Ultem is made of unique and super flexible material called "Ultem", which makes the frames lighter than ever and a pair of Air Ultem only weighs 9.4g.
AIR Ultem "Gentle as Feathers and Light as the Air".
At OWNDAYS their prices are inclusive of the frame, ultra-thin multi-coated lenses and eye exam with no additional charges regardless of the high grade. Prices are very affordable starts from PHp1,990 to PHp6,990.
A simple pricing system means what is printed on the frame is all you have to pay - that is for both the frame and the lenses (regardless of the lens grade).
And with the technical know-how of their Optical Technicians and of the latest technology in lens edging, you can get your glasses in 20-minutes after payment - except for option lenses. On top of that, all frames and lenses covered by their 1-year limited warranty and lifetime maintenance services.
As soon I received my glasses I felt they would suit me. I don't really have a bad eyes but I enjoy wearing glasses as my headband, and AIR Ultem is a great choice because it is flexible, very light and it go well with clothes too!
VIP's during the opening got a customized eyeglasses case.
Watch video here OWNDAYS OPENING at Abreeza
Thursday, June 14, 2018
The Korean skincare and cosmetics store, Tony Moly was established in 2006 with the support of Tae Sung Industry.
Tony Moly means "putting style into packaging".
Tony Moly opened its first store in the Philippines last April 30, 2011 in SM Fairview.
In 2016, with over a total of 825 stores launched in 15 countries, now opened its first storefront in Mindanao last week, June 8, 2018 - right in the heart of Davao City's first SM Branch - SM City Davao.
All in all, Tony Moly has 26 stores in the Philippines:
Special thanks to Ms. Apol Legario, Public Relations Officer of SM City Davao, Ms. Elvie Fernandez, Tony Moly Davao Manager and Ms. Andrea Pamela Amado, President of Tony Moly Philippines.
 |
| Ms. Andrea Pamela Amado, President of Tony Moly Philippines and Ms. Elvie Fernandez, Tony Moly Davao Manager |
Andrea Pamela Amado, AGC (Amado Group Company) CEO and President of Tony Moly Philippines and (Etude House Philippines), told us that "they are planning to open another stores within this year in Davao City, then expand to another place in Mindanao."
The store also offers makeup, palettes, hair care, fragrance, eye care, nose care, skin care with natural derived ingredients and Instagram-worthy personalized makeup.
Monday, December 4, 2017
The main service at Hey Sugar! is waxing. So if you're looking for an experts aestheticians make sure that you'll visit this place. They only use the best, highest quality, all organic natural ingredients.
 |
| They also sell OTC all-organic natural products: SUGAR BODY SCRUB - PHp 450 BODY SCRUB DECADENCE - PHp 295 2 TONE BODY SCRUB - PHp 250 BODY BUTTER - PHp 250 CASTOR OIL - PHp 190 |
- Skip the lotion of the day of your appointment. For best results, we'll need to clean, dry skin.
- Stop shaving at least two weeks before your appointment. Hair needs to be long enough to lie flat on your skin. Those who shave typically have hair grows uneven, which makes it difficult in removing using wax.
- Give your skin some breathing time after you wax. Your skin will be sensitive if exposed.
- Avoid the sun after wax. So don't schedule your appointment on the day before you leave for the beach.
- In general, avoid sun exposure this will also includes sauna, steam rooms and hot showers. GO FOR COLD WATER after waxing!
- Don't wear tight clothing after an appointment, particularly synthetic lycra you usually wear as workout clothes, which is also means this is your best excuse to skip the gym.
- Begin exfoliating a couple days after waxing to make sure that you prevent ingrown hairs.
Aside from waxing, they also have THREADING & EYELASH ENHANCEMENT.
MY EYELASH PERMING EXPERIENCE
My lashes are not that long but they're straight. I always rely on my eyelash curler, so when I got the chance to have a FREE service from Hey Sugar! I was excited.
I've heard about eyelash extensions pros and cons and it sounds icky to me. Eyelash extensions is a big no-no for me. And the fact that you put fake lashes on your own eyelashes well thank you. I'm more safe with eyelash perming.
WHAT IS EYELASH PERMING? Or an eyelash permanent wave or known as the eyelash perm. It is a permanent relaxer that straightens the hair, a cosmetic procedure done by a licensed Aestheticians to flip up eyelashes using hair perming technology.
The aestheticians asked me to lie down then turned on the powerful lamp and start cleaning the oily part around my eyes.
Lashes are treated with perm solutions which is then followed by the neutralizer and sometimes depending on which system you use will have a nourishing oil as the last step, to recondition and strengthen the lashes. Each being left on about 10 minutes.
Once the lashes have been applied by the FDA approved glue 100% safe and stings less, that doesn't hurt the lashes to the perm rod or silicone pad (with sizes S, M, L) the perming solution is applied to the upturned lash and left to set to 30 minutes, followed by a neutralizer which is also left for another 15 minutes. Once the silicone pad is removed the eyelids and lashes are cleansed of any residue. My over all procedure takes almost an hour, that I had to remind myself to not open my eyes or else it won't work. So I was drift off to sleep.
Another thing that convince me to do the eyelash perming is that it last longer compared to eyelash extensions. Eyelash Perming last for about 2 to 3 months, extensions last for 2 weeks.
For the first 3 days, you are not allowed to put mascara on your lashes. And make sure within a week stay away from going to the beach --- avoid sea and rain water.
And I have to tell you this, I don't regret in choosing the eyelash perming. It was perfect and worth it! I was amazed with the result and my eyelashes looks so awesome now.
Avail their 20% OFF to all Regular Services, when you surrender your TWEEZER, DIY BOTTLES or NON-HEYSUGAR RECEIPTS (For First Timers Only!).
Promo runs until January 31, 2018.
Social Media
Search