Olay this and more penny lane

There comes a time in every woman’s life when things must change — Havaianas to Crocs, yoga to Pilates, K-Fed to Fed-Ex, and lipstick to lip gloss.

So, what’s next?

If you have been using the same old facial moisturizer, then it’s time to swap to a simple-to-use product that could combat multiple symptoms of aging skin like Olay Total Effects.

For years, the brand tried to understand the needs of modern women especially when it comes to a fuss-free solution to fight the seven signs of aging (fine lines and wrinkles, improvement of skin texture, skin tone, dullness, visible pores, blotches and age spots and dryness).

"Olay Total Effects is very easy to use," says Anna Legarda, brand PR manager of Procter & Gamble Philippines. "There is the credibility that the product actually works through Olay’s heritage and scientific research on 6,000 women worldwide."

Olay Total Effects will restore the skin’s youthful glow. This mega-moisturizer is packed with glow-giving ingredients like VitaNiacin, a specific formulation of vitamins (vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin B3) that exfoliate the skin and SPF to protect the skin as well. It comes in lotion form, cream and serum.

Olay’s beauty ambassadors like Miriam Quiambao, Dr. Pie Calayan, Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo, Daphne Oseña-Paez and Ines Delgado believe in the amazing results of the product. Now, more women are starting to use it.

"For those who haven’t tried Olay Total Effects yet, we invited people to experience Olay for themselves," says Legarda. "Olay Swap Challenge was held at SM Megamall where mall-goers traded in their empty moisturizers for a free bottle of Olay Total Effects."

Miriam Quiambao, brand ambassador of Olay Total Effects, shared a few words about her Olay experience. She first learned about Olay from her mom back in the Eighties. She says, "When a friend told me about the Olay Total Effects, I tried it and after three weeks, people noticed that my skin improved. It’s just like I got back from the Miss Universe beauty pageant."

Other celebrity swappers also attended the event like TV host Susie Entrata-Abrera, renowned singer and theater performer Agot Isidro, dance diva Regine Tolentino, theater stalwart Pinky Amador and well-known actress Gretchen Barretto. I was able to interview the stars about their beauty secrets and Olay experience as well.

Gretchen Barretto looks absolutely stunning in person. Her beauty secrets are washing the face to remove makeup, and going to the dermatologist for regular facial treatments. She first heard about Olay Total Effects from friends. She noticed that those who used the product looked younger, fresh and had a healthy glow. She even bought all the people in her household Olay Total Effects for them to try. Barretto says, "I am here at Olay’s Swap Challenge because I want to shine."

Agot Isidro has a fuss-free skincare regimen. All she does is wash her face with a cleanser then apply moisturizer. She says, "I am lazy about taking care of my skin. I need an all-in-one product. When I saw Olay Total Effects on TV and heard people talk about it, I became really curious about the product to see if it really works."

Pinky Amador has been using the same skincare brand for a decade already. She believes that glowing skin can be achieved through a lot of physical activity and drinking water. Amador says, "Skin gets used to certain products. I was very curious about Olay Total Effects, which I have been using since August. I noticed that my skin became tighter and more elastic."

Susie Entrata-Abrera is a friend of Dr. Pie Calayan. Susie noticed that Dr. Pie Calayan had a different glow to her face and that pretty much convinced her to try Olay Total Effects. She shares, "Doc Pie also advised me that I should put Olay Total Effects not only on my face but on other dry parts of my body as well."

Regine Tolentino is not fussy about skincare. Although she wears a lot of makeup for work, she is blessed with great skin. She doesn’t go to a dermatologist either. Another friend of Dr. Pie Calayan, she was given Olay Total Effects as a gift. Tolentino enthuses: "Half a pump of Olay Total Effects for my skin works as a perfect makeup base. It is very light and safe for everyday use."

Since the event was so successful, there was a huge turnout of nearly 1,400 people. They got to try Olay’s Beauty Imaging System, a device that tells the real age of the skin and identifies problem areas to improve upon. A dermatologist was also present to give expert advice on anti-aging skincare regimens.

"I have been using Olay Total Effects for a year now and it only takes three to five minutes to incorporate into my beauty routine," concludes Legarda. "Try it for three weeks and notice a significant change in your skin."

So, your next glance in the mirror will leave you perfectly sane and you’ll be thankful for swapping.

* * *

Olay Total Effects is now available at Watson’s, Mercury Drug Store and all leading supermarkets. E-mail love-hate whatever things to becca_rodriguez@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/beccacrodriguez.