Remember the Pond’s Beauty Powder? A Look Back at the Y2K Kikay Kit Staple
It featured an immersive campaign with Karel Marquez that had people hooked on the “secret admirer” storyline.
by Kyla Villena
Published on Mar 4, 2026
In the beauty industry, many products come—and just as many go. Founded in the 1800s, Pond’s has released a wide range of items over the years for every beauty kit. But like many legacy brands, some of its products were eventually discontinued due to limited sales or retail distribution.
Still, some of these releases also left a mark in pop culture. Take a trip down memory lane and look back at one of the brand’s now-retired releases: Pond’s Beauty Powder.
The Iconic Pond’s Beauty Powder from the Early 2000s
The Beauty Powder was certainly ahead of the game. Initially housed in a distinctive sifter bottle, this was first dispensed onto the palms, then applied on high points or all over the face for a luminous complexion.
Three variants were available. “Blue Sprinkle” was designed to neutralize redness, boosting the skin’s fairness. “Peach Glow,” meanwhile, served as a subtle bronzer that enhances a natural tan and gives the face a sunkissed radiance. Last but not the least, “Pink Blush” provided a rosy finish for that natural flush, even without layers of makeup.
Each of them was formulated to various skin concerns such as acne and rough or uneven skin, the brand claimed.
Pond’s introduced a puff-set packaging in 2004, making the Beauty Powder more travel-friendly. Girls could finally bring it everywhere without worrying about accidentally spilling their favorite product.
The launch came hand in hand with a campaign that kept beauty enthusiasts guessing. It starred actress and model Karel Marquez and followed her as she received love letters from a secret admirer. The audience’s task? To guess the man who was falling for her effortless beauty.
Each guy was represented by a color that corresponded to a Beauty Powder variant.
Lee, associated with pink, was a budding artist who believed Karel was “a work of art all by herself.” Representing the blue team was Diego, a soccer player who found the tables turning—from being admired by girls on campus to helplessly admiring Karel and her glow. Finally, Francis was linked to the peach variant. He and Karel had been friends for years, though he had long wanted to take their relationship to the next level.
To join, participants had to write down their answer and submit it along with a proof of purchase. A raffle draw offered the chance to win a P10,000 shopping spree, a Nokia 7250, a domestic trip for two, or the grand prize of a staggering P1,000,000.
The three-month rollout, planned by global advertising company Ogilvy, had people forming theories, gathering clues, and rooting for their chosen characters.
When thinking of the Beauty Powder, the pink variant likely comes to mind first. It may be because of its distinctive scent, smooth texture, or the fact that Lee won. He confessed his love to Karel at a party by presenting her with a painting he made.
The Beauty Powder may no longer be available today, but the BB Magic Powder could be worth exploring. Similar to the OG, it’s a translucent powder that aims to give the pores a blurred appearance, while brightening and smoothening the skin.
What discontinued beauty product do you miss?
Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.