Four new Pond’s women embrace a beautiful change

This week, Pond’s launched upgrades in their formulations: Acne Clear has anti-bacterial Thymo-T essence for its Lock and Clear technology, Rosy Glow has melanin-blocking vitamin B3, and Age Miracle has wrinkle-reducing retinol.

“Pond’s wants to show the modern-day Filipina that there is no need to be afraid of the ever-changing environment because Pond’s is rising up to the challenge and changing with the times,” assures Unilever head of PR Apples Aberin.

But BGC Arts Center was abuzz not only because of these skincare advancements but also because each member of Pond’s Beauty Council, finally all in one room (almost, with the exception of Julia Barretto), had serious catching up to do. From moving houses to new projects, change is a prevalent theme in their lives now, too.

Four new faces join them. Nadine Lustre welcomed, among them, her contemporary Kathryn Bernardo, but there proves to be no bad blood between the two despite rivalry rumors as each one is already carving out her own path out of tween status as actresses.

Joey Mead-King looks every bit the international top model — you wouldn’t have guessed that she is 40 — and radiates happiness as her other half — racer, entrepreneur, and transwoman Angelina Mead-King — applauds her on; they are each other’s biggest fans.

Toni Gonzaga, who has long been Pond’s White Beauty girl, moves to being the face of the Age Miracle line as she takes on one of the most important roles in her life: becoming a mother — and then she’s off rushing to a Pinoy Big Brother taping.

For breakthrough actress Sofia Andres, being a Pond’s girl is in itself a dream realized. STAR touches base with the four girls.

Toni Gonzaga for Pond’s Age Miracle

Motherhood is the most beautiful change that I’ve ever experienced in my entire existence. I still feel like a work in progress as a mother. Every day I try to prove myself and not only be the best mother, but also be the best wife. I try to devote more of my energy and soul and give it all to my family. Before, I would let work take all of me and not leave a piece of it for myself. Now I’ve learned to find the beauty in balancing work, personal life, and of course, time with my child.

It’s important to give yourself time to heal. I learned that me-time is important for new moms, especially new mothers and working mothers like myself. Pamper and love yourself because you won’t have any love to give if there is no love left inside of you. Do not forget yourself in the whole process of portraying all these roles in your life.

I love having a regimen. It begins in the banyo. When I shut the door, it’s all about me. I take off all my makeup, take the best bath, and use the best products. I never really realized how important it is to take care of your skin now and get the benefits later on. The demands of my job and being a mother, the stress and being haggard show on your skin. It’s not just the youthful glow but when you’re happy, you also want it to show.

Kathryn Bernardo for Pond’s White Beauty

I am braver now. I am accepting mature roles and soon, action roles. I didn’t have the courage to accept these roles before kasi akala ko hindi ko kaya. Dapat hindi pilitin ang isang bagay kapag you’re not yet ready. Now I am turning 21, so yun, from here, dahan-dahan lang.

Some things must stay the same. l already love my light makeup look. I trust my makeup artist Denise Go-Ochoa for that. For skincare, the change is that I put more moisturizer now than before. Lagi na nag-dry yung skin ko dahil sa mga makeup. I’m more conscious about applying moisturizer after cleansing every night, and not just on the face but up to my neck as well. I want my skin to stay moisturized and evenly toned.

Change is never a bad thing. When people say “nagbago ka na,” like it’s a bad thing, I don’t get it. It is challenging, yes. It’s not easy, but it can be a good thing. Feeling ko kasi yung isang tao kaya gusto niya mag-change, it will always be for the better because it is an opportunity to improve yourself.

Sofia Andres for Pond’s Acne Clear

Being here is the biggest change of my life! It has always been my dream to become a part of the Pond’s family. When I was a kid, I always dreamed of becoming a celebrity and I worked so hard for this, so I think I deserve this. I looked up to Heart Evangelista the most and she’s a Pond’s girl. When I watched Pond’s girls on TV, I thought they were the entire package — beautiful and talented — and wished I could be like them, but now I’m here. I’m so thankful.

Adjusting is everything. I just pray for the blessings I’m getting every day. I included Pond’s Acne Clear in my regimen, before I sleep and first thing in the morning. It reduced my pimples. It cleared my skin so much. I was filming Pwera Usog, two more movies, and a teleserye out sana this year na talaga. I’m working for 24 hours, my pores covered in heavy makeup, so I got breakouts and hindi pantay na skin tone because of the UV rays and lights.

My dream role is Darna (laughs). A girl can dream!

Joey Mead-King for Pond’s Age Miracle

Change is inevitable, change is a necessity, but change can also mean staying the same. As husband and wife, I have unconditional love for Angelina, period, but when it comes to them changing into who they want to be, that love is just more enhanced and their perspective is changed and you realize that there’s no change after all.

I am one of the best voyeurs to this life experience. It was destiny; this is one of my life’s paths. We had a beginning of hardships — what doesn’t? — but to be able to soar from each hump we had because I understood how resilient I could be, it made me look at life that everything is possible. Sometimes people don’t have that opportunity, so it’s great that Pond’s has this campaign because it opens a conversation where women across ages realize that they don’t have to stay a certain way.

If there’s a wrinkle, embrace it, but don’t let it go any further. As I turn 40 and, starting in the beauty industry young, you get amazing advice from your peers, a lot of pegs to look up to. I would watch Tweetie de Leon and Apples Aberin. It’s all about maintenance and you find out what maintenance works for you. I don’t do Botox or any of those. I’m a firm believer in discipline and keeping it simple. Pond’s Age Miracle has retinol, which is an ingredient I have been using since my late 30s.

On discovering beauty with Angelina Mead-King: When she sees beauty, she sees an extreme femininity. I tell her, “Sweetheart, don’t stay there, beauty is so much broader.” I show her that it isn’t just that, that we can go past the boundaries of being feminine — we can be androgynous, sassy, fierce, and still be a woman.