What are your favorite denim jeans brands? I’m looking for a pair of denim jeans that will "lift" the butt area. I have a pretty flat butt and any help in that area would be awesome.
Jean Lover
Favorite jeans: Skinny jeans from Bench fit very well, especially in the butt area, and for imported brands, my favorites include Paige denim, Seven, Rock and Republic, Earl. They all hug the butt very nicely.
Lucy
I’m having a hard time finding the right foundation. Whenever I buy one, it doesn’t seem to match my skin tone. My friend uses a yellow-based foundation and she says I should use the same. I have oily skin and some pimple scars so I need a foundation with good coverage that won’t make me look and feel greasy, too. I also very much want to avoid the thick, cakey look. How do I choose foundation and is there one that suits my concerns?
Lora
Foundation is the most individualized makeup we wear. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t share it with a friend. Skin color, skin type, and skin needs dictate choice. Just because yellow-based foundation works well for your friend doesn’t necessarily mean it should on you, too.
When it comes to choosing your foundation color, the goal is to match your skin as closely as possible. Once blended in, it should literally disappear into your skin. If it disappears, you know it’s the right color.
Always test it on your face, not on your hands. The best color test is to see it under daylight. After trying the foundation in the store, take time to walk outside. Natural light will immediately tell you if it’s a match or not.
Foundation comes in many forms: liquid, cream, wet/dry, and tinted moisturizers. Liquid foundations are most popular and user-friendly. It can come in oil and water-based formulas. Cream foundations are thicker and more opaque, offering a flawless look. Because of its density, it can often double as a concealer. Cream foundations are especially good for mature or problem skin. The wet/dry foundation is also known as dual-finish powder. It can be applied either dry like a powder or with a damp sponge. Tinted moisturizers are the sheerest of all. It’s a moisturizer and color in one. It’s perfect for women with active lifestyles or for those who don’t need a lot of coverage.
Since you have oily skin, a water-based liquid foundation will work well for you. I recommend Sue Devitt Triple Seaweed Gel Foundation (exclusively available at Beauty Bar). It’s an oil-free foundation that contains three types of seaweed, vitamin C, and chamomile oil, making your skin nice and supple with a smooth finish. I’ve tried this and I really enjoyed how the gel-based formula soothes my skin when I apply it. It makes my skin feel refreshed.
Another must-try is Make Up Forever Mat Velvet. It’s oil-free with a sun protection factor of 20. I discovered this from a shoot I did before with one of my favorite makeup artists, Patrick Rosas. He used it on my face for a shoot with Jun de Leon. I was impressed with the way it gave me flawless coverage without the need for a concealer. Plus it’s long-lasting but ensures a matte coverage for oily and combination skin types. I had to travel abroad before just to be able to find this. But now, I’m happy they’ve finally opened their own boutique at Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
A wet/dry foundation is a great alternative for oily skin. There are two products I love when it comes to wet/dry foundations: MAC Studio Fix and Shu Uemura Velvet Perfect.
MAC Studio Fix is a favorite among many models. Check their makeup kits and you’re sure to find a MAC foundation. Even in my kikay kit, this is a staple. Even if I can use it wet for more coverage, using it dry gives me enough coverage already. When we have fashion shows where we have to do our own makeup, I use the sponge to apply it on my face. But for every day, I use a powder brush and dust it on my face – even without concealer. When I don’t get enough sleep and my eyebags are dark and puffy, I pick up my powder brush and dust MAC Studio Fix under my eyes. MAC is available at Glorietta and Rustan’s Department Stores.
My other favorite for wet/dry foundations is Shu Uemura Velvet Perfect. Most matte finish foundations have a tendency to be flat and erase your features. Since you desire maximum coverage without the cakey look, Velvet Perfect should suit you. It delivers a naturally translucent matte finish that covers pores and dullness. The foundation creates a smooth velvety finish with a pre-adjusted matte level according to your skin tone. Another reason to praise this product: It has a dual-sided sponge. When you want full makeup application and extra coverage, use the sponge side. For lighter coverage and touch-ups, use the puff side. Here’s another plus: It contains SPF 14 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. This is one of Shu Uemura’s best-selling products. Shu Uemura is exclusively available at Rustan‘s.
If you’re on a budget, The Face Shop is one of the best places to buy good makeup. For your concerns, try their Phytogenic Powder Foundation SPF 20 (only P695). It really feels light on the skin but provides excellent coverage. When I told my friends about it, they went out to buy one in their own shade. Their feedback? It was a foundation that looked natural and controlled the shine on their face. The Face Shop is located at Glorietta 2, Makati; SM Mall of Asia; and SM Department Stores.
Rissa
I’m writing on behalf of my mother who has some concerns regarding her eyebrows. Several years ago, she had her eyebrows tattooed permanently (as was the fad at the time). Unfortunately, as time passed, the color of the tattoo faded. My mother is always bothered about this every time she does her makeup. She is thinking of having her eyebrows redone.
Could you recommend somebody who can do an eyebrow job professionally? I have seen some advertisements on this, but I’m not sure if they are competent enough to do the job.
My Mother’s Daughter
I know a girl who does it professionally; she goes from house to house. Her name is Emy and her contact number is 0919-3460192. It’s ideal for your mom to stay home and maintain her privacy during her beauty session.
Tingting