I’m a college student and we are required to wear a skirt for our on the job training (OJT). My problem is my hips and legs are big. Can you imagine my vital statistics: 34-26-40? Big, isn’t it? Can you give me tips on how to reduce my hip size? An exercise maybe, but how? – Hippy Lady
What is your weight? You are in the best position to tell if your wide hips and heavy legs are an offshoot of excess body weight (in which case you can adopt an exercise regimen and a sensible diet to shed off unwanted pounds) or if they are simply attributable to your genes. If it is the latter, then your best weapon would be to camouflage your figure flaw creatively. Based on your vital statistics, you seem to have a small waist so you can play that up by wearing tailored shirts with pretty details that fit close to the body. Pair those with skirts in solid colors that are streamlined and fit really well. Avoid too many details, especially around the hip area (like pleats and drapings), and experiment with the length. You can wear a mid-length or ankle-length skirt with a slit either at the side or back. You can also get away with those feminine circular skirts that fall softly against the body. To give it a more corporate touch, pair a printed skirt in that particular cut with a solid-colored top and close-toed pumps or flats. Speaking of shoes, the most common mistake of women with heavy legs is wearing shoes that are chunky – nothing will emphasize the heaviness more than that. Instead, try to balance your image by wearing shoes that are sturdy, yes, but have pretty, delicate details like pointy or softly rounded toes, kitten heels, and thin straps. – Lucy
I’m depressed about my age and wrinkles. What can I do? – Ana
They say you should not count the years – rather, you should make the years count. What counts is how young you feel. I myself see my hair whitening and for most women, they see their waists expanding, while horizontal lines appear on one’s forehead. For others, it’s the wrinkling lips.There’s a pill (alpha lipoic acid) for cell protection and rejuvenation. Ask your doctor. I saw it selling in the US, but I didn’t buy it. Try Tretinoin A nightly. Restilane and botox work, too. Obagi (available at the Belo Medical Group with main clinic in Makati; call tel. nos. 817-7178 and 817-9283) has been good for me as well as the Sisley age-defying product and AHA.
And remember the good old remedy? But of course, makeup! In the meantime, it’s good to remember that faces tell us the drama of our lives. Faces with creases can be attractive because of the maturity that comes with aging. If you’ll notice, you have photos taken in college that aren’t as appealing as your photos taken years later, when your character is etched on your face. It is then that one sees the imprints of your soul. Truly, the face just becomes more interesting as we age. – Tingting
May I ask what Fine-O-Xina, which you mentioned in your April 27 column, is? – Mary Grace
It seems that Fine-O-Xina was phased out some years ago. It was a liquid that cleansed the face, closed the pores, and lightened the skin. The substitute that I can find is Eskinol facial cleanser and skin whitener. There’s also a moisturizer and a pimple fighter. Eskinol is available at Mercury Drug and department stores. – Mary