Ponds Flawless Radiance Cream

 

Update: Facial Skin Alert

An ethnic skincare stalwart gets a facelift. And, no, I’m not talking about a person!

 

Ponds’ highly successful Flawless radiance range is now hitting shelves in much chicer packaging. And very nice it is too!

The Flawless radiance range was launched to help women fight the battle against uneven skin tone. This is caused by an over and uneven production of melanin (the stuff that gives our skin colour). This can create ugly dark marks on the skin, and who wants that?

The Flawless Radiance range contains a specially formulated ingredient designed to work with your genes to decrease the production and dispersion of melanin. Leaving you with gorgeous, radiant skin.

 

 

Imagine my delight when I received a call from MemoryEvergreen Enterprise (the promoters of Toletta) that they had added a new brand to their portfolio. I was curious enough to visit their office to find out what the brand was.

Well it’s none other than the effective Ponds Flawless Radiance Cream which I blogged about some time ago. Read the excerpt from the interview here…

Today’s Naira: Yipeeeeeeeee….you guys finally nailed it. I have been in search for this brand all over Lagos and I have been thinking of asking my sister to buy on her upcoming trip to South Africa in a few days time.

MemoryEvergreen Enterprise: What’s the feedback about the brand? Bearing in mind that we strive to bring effective brands to the Nigerian consumers especially our female folks.

Today’s Naira: I commenced use of this product around July 2009. I had seen the advert on DSTV and it was purported to guarantee flawless skin within 7days. Based on the advert, I decided to try it out since I was heading to South Africa for a much needed vacation. At my first purchase which occurred at Pick ‘n’ Pay stores @ Sandton, I bought 3 sets (Day and Night cream) and while I was paying, the cashiers had asked why I was buying that much if I had never used it before?  I responded that I was willing to take the risk. As at then I had dark acne spots and an uneven skin tone which was also prone to pimples breakout especially during my monthly period (I mean my forehead was way darker than every other part on my face).

I also received the usual flak from my sisters who believed I was just wasting money and will not receive value for what I bought. Did I achieve flawless radiant skin within 7days? Absolutely not considering the state of my facial skin. It took me 2months to achieve a flawless radiant skin. Since then, I have had to send anyone travelling to South Africa to stock up this brand being manufactured by Unilever South Africa. The best thing about this brand is you get real value for money. My sisters have also adopted the brand and use it religiously. For the day and night cream cups, you’ll use it effectively for 4months before buying another set. Can you tell me of any other brand out there like Lancome, Elizabeth Arden, Mary Kay that”s effective without being expensive and delivers what it states on the pack?

MemoryEvergreen Enterprise: Wow that’s the longest consumer review I have ever read concerning a product targeted at females. I can understand your excitement. You’re completely right. Ponds Flawless Radiance is effective and works. It also has effective UVA/UVB sunscreen agents to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Today’s Naira: So how can readers of this blog or any interested individual place an order?

MemoryEvergreen Enterprise: You can place an order by calling this number now: 08051198305/ +2347026364892 (for buyers outside Nigeria) or send an email to: tolettainquiries@hotmail.com

To Migrate or Not?

I watch foreign media news a lot and for some time I’ve been amused at the contrast between what foreign media and its’ print media offers to the world. Last year while I was at the University of Leicester attending sumer school, we had a robust debate about ‘Globalization’. One of the core marketing topics centers around ‘Doing Business Abroad’. It’s an interesting concept if you ever get around to studying it.

From my point of view, I  believe Globalization did not just start at the turn of the 21st century. Globalization began during the era of continental exploration conducted by Christopher Columbus, Mungo Park, Leif Ericson, William .S Bruce, Antonio de Andrade and others. This era was marked by slave trade and massive exploitation of natural and human resources. At that time, Globalization was thrusted upon people who had not desired such. Now it seems the policy guiding Globalization, ensures unwanted people are being kept out of these same countries that demanded their services. During this robust discussions, we were shown what governments around the world were doing to keep Globalization of people at bay. This involves erecting huge fences or walls within the coast of Morocco bordering along the Spaniard coastline. There were some other walls being constructed in other parts of Western Europe and Northern America.

This led us to the main thrust of the discussion “Should globalization be based upon transfer of skills and knowledge with the influx of people? ” or “Should globalization be based upon transfer of skills and knowledge only?”. From what I’ve stated above, you can deduce my answers but I give you room to provide the answers to these questions yourself. This has led me to conduct a research using the foreign print media to track evolving lifestyle attitudes to money, government, social and economic policies of the western world.

Last month, my friends’ husband resigned from Fidelity Bank of Nigeria to pursue a new life in the United Kingdom via the “Highly Skilled Migrant Programme”. He left behind his wife and two kids since he could not come up with the N1.8mn required for the eventual migration of the whole family. Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about the wisdom in doing this. According to my friend, this was the best thing that could have happened since slice bread. It would afford them the opportunity to start afresh and attain a higher standard of life for their kids and it would also afford them the opportunity to give birth to a ‘Britiko’ baby. I don’t have an issue if you’re jobless and decide to seek out better opportunities (i.e. if they exist) in a foreign land. Where I draw the line is dumping a pay packet of $1,500 monthly for supposedly greener pastures. That’s economic slavery to me.

Living abroad might improve your general wellbeing in terms of easier access to basic infrastructure. However, I don’t believe it will make a marginal difference to your financial state. The western world is also grappling with unemployment, credit and mortgage issues, global recession and the gradual erosion of the middle-class. While conducting my research, I have gained deeper insights into financial issues and difficulties faced by the middle-class in these countries. It is not a rosy picture as is often depicted. Life is tough and lonely in the western world due to the individualistic communal nature. I am not judging people who have decided to leave for greener pastures. I am trying to understand the psyche behind economic slavery. Why would I leave a well paying job for uncertainty?

Why is it that for our men (mostly Yoruba),  who could not be seen operating a grocery or vegetable store back home find it easier to do once outside the shores of our land? What is demeaning about selling vegetables or groceries?

“We don’t have to go the 360 degrees cos all you have is within you”- Asa.

Travel Documentary Scholarship 2010 – And the winner is…

Wow!

World Nomads received 178 quality entries for this year’s Documentary Scholarship. Winning stories took us on an exciting journey around the world to places like Africa, India, Alaska, South America, South East Asia and Papua New Guinea. We were also invited into your backyards to learn about the people and communities in your local neighborhood.
But…..we only have one space booked on the amazing adventure to Ecuador, so one winner had to be selected! Thank you to everyone who entered, particularly those who were shortlisted, your stories are very powerful.

A big congratulations to our winner – Mohamed Soliman from Cairo!

Winner: Mohamed Soliman- Forgetting the Past

Judge’s comments: One of the hardest aspects of making a documentary is to get your subjects to open up to you and drop the facade that people often put on in front of camera.  Mohamed did this wonderfully.  His subject David seems honest and sincere as he recalls his tragic story.  The visuals gave a great sense of place and enhanced the tone of the piece without being overly complicated and detracting from the rawness of the story being conveyed.  A great doco that conveys an amazing amount of story and emotion in such a short space of time.

Runners Up (equal placing)

Eliza Capai - African Women

Judge’s comments: African Woman was a visual feast with a clever narrative device that tackled an enormous subject in a clever and engaging style. It was great to see such grand ambitions for such a short amount of screen time.

Tanner Brandt- An Experience with The Bookery

Judge’s comments: An Experience with the Bookery was inspiring short that took an interesting subject and told the story in well paced and visually interesting style.  It was a great effort from a filmmaker with enormous potential.

The Shortlist (in alphabetical order)

Paul Bischoff – Violin to Ehru

Angela Buhr

Ryan Chapman – A Game of Two Halves

David Elkins – Anaktuvuk

Francesca Gentile – Female Genital Mutilation in Sierra Leone

Nicia Griljava – Lost Mexico

Rob Henry

Elyse Hickey- Beyond Smiles

Alice Holden – Jacob’s Ankylosing Spondylitis Documentary

Riley Hooper – Seed to Plate- A Garden Story

Niall Johansson – The Fisherman

Belle Keynes – Yam I Am

Daniel Mandic – Bangladesh

Qween Martins – Spoons

Victor Ponce – Respira

Saleem Reshamwala – Cell Phone Silk Road

Aaron Rockett – Thug Life

Diego Tipacti – Left Ashore

Amber Todd – Local Encounters

Andres Toro – Dying Currents

Derek Turner – Local Encounters

Chris Stone – Where the Clouds Come From

Paulette Waltz – Romansi and his Boat

Louie Young – A Film Inspired by Home

Wei Zheng- Nguni Cattle Farming in South Africa

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Congratulations to you all, and thank you for sharing your important stories with us. We look forward to seeing your entries next year!

Travel Photography Scholarship 2010 Application-Kingdom of Bhutan

This is a gentle reminder regarding the above named post. I want you to dust off your ass and get cracking right now. For every budding and aspiring photographer out there, this is a lifetime opportunity to hone your skills.

Applications are welcome from everywhere on this planet. What are you waiting for? Get out there, snap some fantastic pictures and apply today. Your basic digital camera can do the job.

Apply today!!! Right now….I’m off to snap my own pictures.

Lagos 108

Hi Peeps. How has your week been? Trust it has been fruitful. Mine has been hectic. However, for all readers of this blog, I’ve gone ahead by creating a radio station dedicated totally to you and you.

I would like you to visit us online and make a request of songs you’d love to listen to while at work or studying through this link – Lagos 108 .You can also give us feedbacks on songs you’d like to listen to. We’re at your service.

I gotta stop…visit us now @ Lagos 108.

One Thing to Do With Your Money Right Now

While we may not be able to tell how long the lull in the stock market will last, there are some things you can do to protect your financial future.

Hold More Cash

As always, when things get nutty in the markets cash is king. A healthy cushion in bank commercial deposits or money market funds will let you ride out the slump without having to sells assets at fire-sale prices. A cushion will also put you in position to invest when the downturn’s bottom is in sight — and that could come sooner than you expect.  Tread slowly if you do jump back in, though, and before you go bargain hunting first build your cash position to at least a year’s worth of living expenses, longer if you are retired.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1856339_1856284_1856261,00.html#ixzz0w9MFuYEM

2010 Travel Photography Scholarship – Kingdom of Bhutan

Last time I posted a Travel Scholarship opportunity from World Nomads, I’m not sure if you (yes, I mean you reading this post right now) applied. However if you did apply, let me know. This is another opportunity for budding and professional photographers out there.  We have so many picturesque spots within the African continent. I’m hoping someone reads this, applies and hopefully win. Goodluck peeps.

Photo by Christopher Potter

Join an on-assignment National Geographic photographer in Bhutan!

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Applications close October 17, 2010

Worldnomads.com, National Geographic Channel & JoJo’s Adventures Bhutan are giving one exceptional individual the chance to go on assignment with renowned wildlife photographer Jason Edwards to The Kingdom of Bhutan – land of the Thunderdragon!

This your chance to photograph the deeply spiritual and mystical Bhutan as it slowly opens up to the modern world, maintaining a strong balance with its ancient traditions. Nestled in the Himalayas, bordering India and China, 65% of Bhutan is under forest cover, making its pristine ecology home to rare and endangered flora and fauna.

To help you take the best photos, the scholarship recipient will receive AU$2000 worth of Pentax photographic equipment of your choice.

Your best photos will be published on the National Geographic Channel’s websitewhere they will be viewed by thousands of travellers worldwide, offering you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get your foot in the door of one of the most revered exploration organisations in the world!

Highly regarded for his wildlife and remote landscape photography, Jason Edwards is represented by National Geographic Image Collection.

Your Assignment Brief

* We’ll fly you in from your country of residence to Paro, Bhutan where you will meet your JoJo’s Adventure guide for your 7 day trip. You’ll need to be available to be in Bhutan between December 5 – December 12, 2010.

* On the trip, which has been specifically designed for the assignment,you will work alongside Jason Edwards photographing rare and endangered wildlife in the Phobjikha Valley including the White Bellied Heron(there are only 200 left in the world, and 30 live in this valley)Black Necked Cranes. The trip will also include historical architecture and traditional Bhutanese culture.

* You will gain invaluable mentoring and hands-on experience in everything from shot set up, technique and composition through to insights into his many years of diverse experience as an award winning photographer.

* Your assignment will involve observing and assisting Jason as well as undertaking your own photographic work. This will involve long days chasing the perfect shot!

* You will keep a daily diary about your time on the trip and upload this to a WorldNomads.com travel journal, including pictures you’ve taken.

* On your return you will submit your top photographs to National Geographic Channel for publication on www.natgeotv.com.au.(See Anna Zhu’s photos, our winner from 2009, and her exhibition at Michaels)

* Most of all, you’ll be experiencing what it’s like to be a photographer-on assignment with National Geographic!

Who can apply

* Anyone can apply – this is open to photography students, lovers of photography or anynon-professional trying to kickstart a career in travel photography.

* Minimum age 18 with a good level of fitness as there is trekking involved.

* This is a global opportunity – you may apply from any country.

* You should be an exceptional photographer with a lust for adventure, ambition to grow your photographic skills and forge a career in Travel Photography, and of course a desire to travel to Bhutan.

* Remember this is a scholarship, a learning experience, and therefore will not be suitable for professional or Semi-professional photographers.

* Find out more about eligibility in our FAQ video blog

Apply now

Please look carefully at the 4 steps required to complete your application.
If your photos are not ready, we suggest you come back later to complete this entry.

1. Shoot a series of photos (maximum of 5) that tell a story about a place you have visited. ‘Place’ may be anywhere; somewhere in your own community or much further away. The judges will be looking for:

* originality
* ability to convey a story through photos
* excellent technique

Please see our FAQ video blog about the theme, making digital adjustments and Jason’s judging criteria.

2. Add your photos to worldnomads.com. Firstly create a journal, which is where your photos will be hosted, and fill in the entry form. Upload your photos either as a Flikr set or directly in the journal. (If you are already a member or have a journal, please sign-in.)

3. Tell us in 300 words or less about your photos and why you should be chosen. Your written response will have significant weighting in the judging process, so think carefully about why you should be chosen. Remember this is a learning opportunity, not a junket for professional photographers.

4. Finally the legal bit. You know the Terms and Conditions of entry.

Lagos State Fire Service

I listened to ‘Kubanji Direct’ on 102.3FM (Radio Continental) tonight. I had the pleasure of listening to an interactive interview with the Director of the ‘Lagos Fire Service’. I was impressed with the level of indepth knowledge displayed by the Director. He spent about 15 minutes educating us on fire types and what kind of fire fighting devices most homes in Nigeria require.

For residents of Lagos, the Lagos State Fire Service is just a call away. A house or office complex on fire, please pick up your phone immediately and call the following numbers: 767 or 112. It’s absolutely free and you will not be charged for placing this call. Just in case you’re wondering ‘what if I have zero balance on my phone’ will I be able to make this call? Yes you can, it’s toll free (absolutely free). If you’re also wondering what the charges may be for putting out a fire by the Fire Service? Please note that this organization is a social service firm, and you’re not required to pay for such services. It’s completely free.  So, next time there’s a fire disaster within your neighbourhood, no need to panic. Pick up your phone and call. The Lagos State Fire Service has been overhauled with new equipments.

My people, Eko o ni baje oooo…..