Brazilian beauty basics

In anticipation of the hot sunny months ahead, Uptown/Downtown interviewed three popular Manila-based Brazilian fashion models Marianna Henud, Jaque Borges and Luane De Lima to find out their tips on how to look and feel gorgeous this summer.

Luane De Lima

• Apart from making sure that my face is totally clean at the end of the day, I apply moisturizer on my face. This helps my skin remain supple.

(Uptown/Downtown suggests using VMV’s Creammmy-Rich Intensive Moisture Milk for Dry Skin.)

• When I’m not at work, I give my face and skin a chance to rest. My non-working days are no-makeup days! I just make it a point to keep my skin protected with a reliable sunblock.

• I cannot stress enough the importance of adequate sleep! Lack of sleep, according to some studies, affects your metabolism and immune function; it also causes hypertension and a host of other diseases. Lack of sleep also slows down your metabolism and promotes weight gain.

• I feel more confident when I wear perfume. One should not just be attractive visually but should be pleasing to the other senses as well. My favorite scent is Miss Dior.

Marianna Henud

• Having perfect skin is so important! Apart from using sunblock every day, I make it a point to have regular facial treatments. I go to Facial Care Centre and it does a pretty good job at keeping my skin in top shape.

• I have a very busy schedule but I make it a priority to consistently work out. I do both weight-training and cardiovascular activities. I try to go to the gym at least three times a week.

• I watch what I eat. I take a lot of salads and protein. When I eat carbohydrates, I make sure that they are the healthy kind like brown rice and multigrain bread.

Jaque Borges

• Always make sure that your skin is clean before you sleep. Wipe your makeup off and use a gentle but effective cleanser to make sure that all impurities are gone.

(Uptown/Downtown likes Etude House’s Eraser Show Cleansing Serum (makeup remover) and  Happy Teatime Cleansing Foam.)

• Use sunblock on your face and all exposed parts of your body. I use a broad-spectrum sunblock that protects me from both UVA and UVB rays. I also make sure that I apply the product every day, even when I am not out in the sun. Make sure to apply the sunblock on your face before the makeup.

(Uptown/Downtown suggests Belo Essentials’ Sun Expert SPF60 Body.)

• My work requires me to have my hair undergo a lot of blow drying, flat ironing and curl ironing. Because of the potential damage these heating appliances may cause, I frequently condition my hair (an intensive conditioning treatment is a must for chemically-treated hair).

(Uptown/Downtown  suggests L’Oréal Hair Spa.)

• Pretty nails make a woman feel pretty and sexy. Take time out to indulge in a manicure and pedicure once a week.

(Uptown/Downtown suggests China Glaze, Sally Hansen and OPI nail polishes.)

Photography by JOANNE ZAPANTA-ANDRADA