MANILA, Philippines?Some brides bloom and lose weight without even trying, but not in my case! My last gown-fitting saw me bawling out in tears. Stress had caused me to gain weight since the first fitting so my gown did not zip up above the waist. My lower stomach had that pooch and my back fat was overflowing like lava from a volcano.

Skin-wise, I found I had two holes on the right side of my face, courtesy of cystic acne that no amount of skincare and exfoliation could stop from breaking. I had the deep lesions injected holes would deflate.

Dark marks from late October?s wart cautery were still there as well. There is so much work to do that there literally is no time for treatments and work outs.

My solution: I escaped to Hong Kong for a full week with products to road-test (I did not activate roaming so I wouldn?t be distracted).

Skin marks

Based on my experience, the hole on my cheek and jaw will fill out by the wedding so nothing left to do but wait. As for the marks, Obagi Clear 3 lotion erased most of my marks and faded the rest to the point of near invisibility.

Diamond Peels with Vitamin C at Godiva and Obagi Oxygen Facials at Belo evened out my skin tone and made the pores shrink.

Jet Peel at Belo is a form of Microdermabrasion that uses a spray of water and oxygen with Vitamin C solution to exfoliate dead cells, hydrate skin and treat skin damage. You end up with baby skin and it helps the holes become shallower.

Weight loss, body sculpting

Here are some Christmas gift ideas:

1. Pedometer (P180 at Outdoor store in Park Square Makati)?It takes 10,000 steps a day to maintain one?s weight and 12,500 to 15,000 steps to lose weight.

For the whole week, we walked a minimum of 27,000 and a maximum of 42,900 steps, uphill and downhill.

Downside: Swollen muscles weigh more than fat so your weight will not go down, which is really discouraging. So do not judge weight loss by how clothes fit.

2. Cleanse Smart 30-day Program?Internal Body Cleansing tablets with all-natural minerals and herbs to regulate digestion and bathroom habits. It also clears out backlog that causes bloating, acne and extra weight.

I went on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet, which quickly sheds fat and inches. But it gave me bad breath and impaired bathroom habits. I started it a week before the trip, so there were no breakouts, bloating and lost almost four inches on the waist and thighs combined.

3. Massages on cellulite and flab-ridden area with Life-Flo CelluSolve Plus Maximum Strength, (P999) at Health Express.

One pump is perfect for the problem area?from buttocks to thighs. The delivery system is such that the molecules are so small that they can penetrate the pores.

A three-minute massage is enough to improve circulation and boost skin firmness and look. (Had a masseuse apply it on me three times a week for more intensity.)

Breakthrough present

Mikaela Eyelash Growth Conditioner at P1,350 is a remarkable breakthrough that addresses the appearance of thinning and brittle eyelashes.

Now you can dramatically enhance the appearance of your eyelashes and promote a fuller, thicker, lush-looking fringe. The counterparts in the US cost $250 or P10,000.

Mikaela Eyelash Growth Conditioner?Apply once per day in the evening to upper lash line.

Keep in mind that only a small amount of product is necessary for each application, so please use sparingly. Apply gel with applicator brush in a thin line along upper lash line at the root area (as though you are applying eyeliner). Results are seen after 4 to 8 weeks. Call 8187469 (Makati branch) or 8561925 (Fort)

Warning: Do not get into the eye. If eye is touched, rinse immediately with water. Discontinue use if redness or irritation occurs.