jergens 7-day challenge (completed)

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Imagine receiving clues and missions daily that will lead you closer to achieving the best skin you've ever had.

That's the Jergens 7-Day Challenge. How can I resist?

Not only is it super exciting to not know what to expect each day but I also get to try their newly formulated moisturizers which according to them is the best Jergens ever created.

The new lotions aren't your run-off-the-mill moisturizers. They feature an illuminating Hydralucence blend which penetrates the skin 5 layers deep, prevents moisture loss and reflects light for flawless skin that glows.

In true James Bond fashion, the challenge began with this mystery box that was sent to my house a day ago:

It came with my first set of instructions and the tools I'll be needing to complete all 7 missions.

1 day = 1 new mission.

And just like clockwork, I got my first mission today at 11:00am:

The objective was to "RADIATE BEAUTY FROM WITHIN" and I was to accomplish this by approaching a complete stranger and gifting her with a bottle of Jergens lotion.

MISSION 1: RADIATE BEAUTY FROM WITHIN

Thing was, by 11am, I was already out of the house working and I didn't have my extra bottle of Jergens with me. 

I set back for home around 4:00pm but then the traffic was crazy with almost zero visibility due to (super) heavy rainfall. I had no way of nabbing a stranger without the risk of getting them drenched along with me so I did the next best possible thing...

Meet Yaya D. Not only is Yaya D the best yaya/assistant ever, she also has the makings of a beauty blogger! Just like me, she has quite an obsession with skincare and I couldn't think of anyone else who would appreciate trying this new line from Jergens more than her. And I was right! My gift of lotion was the perfect ending for a tiring day. Now she can pamper herself before bedtime. 

An unexpected gift from me and seeing her sincere appreciation both brought glowing smiles to our faces. :D

Misson 1: Beauty that radiates from within = accomplished!

MISSION 2: LEFT VS. RIGHT

With work piling up, this 7-day challenge is (really) getting pretty challenging to accomplish but I'm not complaining. Need the extra work to compensate for all my spending this month plus I'm really discovering a lot through these missions.

Just like today...

Again, I received my mission when I was already out so I had to complete it after I was done with my events for the day. Thankfully, I could pretty much do this all by myself...

For Day 2, I was asked to apply the new Jergens lotion on one arm and observe the difference between the two:

For the sake of transparency, I didn't edit this photo. It was shot under the fluorescent light in our bathroom.

Arm with the RAT tattoo has lotion, the one with the cross doesn't. I don't know if it's very noticeable in the photo but in real life,  here's what I noticed:

• my skin appeared fairer immediately after rubbing the lotion onto my skin
• looks more radiant (no kidding :P)
• even skin tone: I have tiny brown spots on my arms (I think they're sun spots) and they evened out after applying the lotion

In all honesty, I have never paid this much attention to the effects of a body lotion on my skin which is wrong. Mission no.2 has taught me to become a more conscious buyer. I should spend my money on products that deliver what they promise and this test proves that the new Jergens Skincare lotions make your skin glow and appear fairer. I guess the new illuminating Hydralucence blend really does work! Then again, they probably wouldn't have made us do this challenge if it didn't. Just glad I discovered it, it's like a BB cream for the entire body. LOVE IT!

MISSION 3: STAY HYDRATED

I can't believe I'm almost halfway through the challenge!

For day 3, my mission was to stay hydrated. Thankfully, I got the sms before leaving home so I was able to take my Jergens tumbler along with me for the day. I had to take a photo of my tumbler with a timestamp each time I had it refilled.

I like water, it's my drink of choice and I usually consume several pitchers at home on a daily basis. But today, my entire day was packed with events and errands so I spent most of it out and about.

I was never really totally conscious of it before but today, I realized what a challenge it is to have enough water to drink when you're out. It's easy to get sidetracked and order soda instead or put off having a glass of water because it's a hassle to get one or it just plain slips your mind.

Having a physical reminder with me allowed me to get more than my prescribed 8 glasses so from now on,  I think I'm gonna make it a habit to take along a tumbler with me when I go out.

My skin and body will love me for it.
Less dullness, less wrinkles, more glow especially when combined with a good rub of lotion ;)

MISSION 4: NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS

My mission for today was to take my mom or best gal pal out to a surprise dinner using the Cabalen gift certificates that were sent to me today:

The objective of this challenge is to nurture relationships because having healthy relationships with your loved ones go a long way in making ourselves feel good and look good.

This can't be any more true. I always feel extra ugly after a big argument or disappointment so I can see how this is essential in the path to having perfect skin.

In all honesty, my best gal pal right now is my daughter Nikola. She has a way about her that always relaxes me and puts me at ease. She feels like home and despite her young age, she always seems to know the right things to say. I think she's an old soul, wise beyond her years and one of the sweetest and most compassionate people I know and I'm not just saying this because I'm her mom.

This week has been extra busy so I took advantage of this mission to spend some quality time with her and catch up on the things I might have missed.

She filled me in on this hilarious new song and dance number that she and her friends came up with at school called "The Earthquake". It's a sort of rap combined with egyptian style dancing and ample butt shaking.

It's adorable and funny at the same time. I laughed my head off and totally forgot about the stresses of work.

MISSION 5: MAKE SOMEONE SMILE

For today's challenge, I get to share my blessings with you through a giveaway!

One lucky reader will win a JERGENS gift pack so you get to try their new lotions for FREE!

To make it extra special, I've kept the mechanics super simple. All you have to do is fill up the Rafflecopter form below and leave a comment on this post with your name and email address.

Winner will be chosen randomly.

(Prize will be delivered to your address so no need to worry about picking it up!)

Good luck and thank you all for sticking with me through all these years. Hope this giveaway puts a smile on your faces :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MISSION 6: HEALTHY HABITS

I can't believe that I'm on my second to the last mission already! I found myself complaining early on about how tough some of them were to accomplish but now that I'm almost done, I'm gonna miss getting these daily texts from "Diane" who I'm beginning to see as my own personal "Charlie" (from Charlie's Angels :P).

So anyway...back to the task at hand: Mission 6 is all about developing healthy habits and I'm supposed to share a family recipe with you that's good for the skin.

I won't be plastic with you, most, if not all of the recipes that were handed down to me by my ancestors are all about indulgence and not so much about health. They're usually laden with oil and other rich, fatty ingredients (think chorizo and the like :P) 

So for this challenge, I decided to share one of my own instead. 

Even better, it's super easy and quick to do. Even those who don't cook, can do it! It boosts the immune system,  makes for great breakfast on the go or as a post-workout meal but most important of all, it's packed full of ingredients that are good for your skin and prevent anti-aging.

Presenting my GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE!

What you'll need:

• Blender
• Knife
• Half a bag of spinach
• 2 or more bananas
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tbsp of chia seeds (optional)
• 1 small cup of yoghurt (optional)
• ice and water

Procedure:

Roughly chop bananas, cucumbers into manageable-sized pieces, put a little bit of water in the blender (just so you don't burn the engine out, it also helps blend your ingredients more efficiently), chuck in your ingredients a little at a time while blending. Drink and enjoy!

ps. Sounds gross but it isn't. You won't really taste the spinach and cucumbers, it will taste mostly like a banana shake but better! ;P

Why it's good for you:

• It's raw so you don't lose any of the vitamins and minerals you normally would when you apply heat to veggies.
• Spinach - Spinach is loaded with antioxidants which can help reduce the onset of wrinkles making it a good anti-aging product. It also strengthens your skin tissue and has anti-inflammatory properties which helps flush out the toxins.
• Bananas - Aside from numerous other health benefits, Bananas contain significant amounts of vitamin C and B6 which play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and elasticity of the skin. In addition, the large amount of antioxidants and manganese present in banana protect the body from damage caused by oxygen free radicals which lead to premature aging of the skin.
• Cucumbers - Cucumber juice improves the complexion and rejuvenates the skin.

There you go, Mission 6, accomplished! Hope you like!
In the meantime, don't forget to join my giveaway, just scroll up for the Rafflecopter form! :)

MISSION 7: THE FINISH LINE

This is by far the most difficult out of all I've had to accomplish. It wasn't so much the task but more the circumstances I've had to deal with today to finish it.

My maid's been gone a few days so my days are mostly filled with chores, mommy duties and work. I had no event today, no friends to take my photo and no reason to get made up.

I usually shoot my ootd's under natural light with some bit of make up and most importantly, I have my blogger friends take my photos. They're used to doing this and I don't end up looking distorted.

The problem with this mission was that I needed to take a photo of myself on the same day they sent the text replicating a photo of myself taken 3 months ago. The only stock photos I have of myself in full body shot are my #ootd's so they're naturally gonna look better than any photo I'll be able to come up with now and with what I have to work with. (insert crying emoticon here).

It's unfair to the product and unfair to myself because it's an embarassing " 'day day-off photo with bad lighting, bad framing, shadows in all the wrong places and glorified houseclothes".  It does nothing to justify the difference in my skin which is a shame.

So please bear with me :( and just join my giveaway so you get to experience it for yourself :)

I'm glad this is over. (phew, that was tough).

For more info on the new Jergens Skincare lotions, LIKE Jergens Philippines on Facebook and watch this video: Take the Jergens Challenge and see the difference in 7 Days