Dear Lucy,
I am in search of a super product that will lengthen as well as thicken my lashes. I have tried all sorts of advertised products that promise to do just that, but they don’t really work for me. I am also looking for a lipstick that I can apply lightly but will deliver intense color. I am into that look now, just really sparse eye makeup with great lashes and a bitten effect for my lips. Hope you can help me.
– Kirsten
For beautiful lashes, you really must use a good curler. I am devoted to my Japonesque eyelash curler, something I picked up from makeup artist and stylist Chechel Joson. It really creates a beautiful curve, I feel it is the best I have tried so far. There are lengthening mascaras and there are also volumizing ones. One that actually does both is the Awake Stardom All Direction Mascara (available at Rustan’s). Its brush fans out to make sure that every lash is covered.
As far as your wish list for lips goes, I think your best bet would be a lip stain. It offers light texture with optimum color. I like Laura Mercier’s lip stain (available at Rustan’s Essenses). But if you are partial to glosses, I suggest you try Clarins Gloss Appeal (available at Rustan’s), a light formulation that delivers a punch of color. It smoothens, plumps, shines and, of course, gives color with hints of gold and silver. I love how it makes lips look so kissable.
Lucy
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Wanted: Chemical-Free Beauty Products
Hi, Rissa!
I just want to ask if you know a good makeup brand or beauty products that are free from chemicals. I’m looking for a primer and since I’m going to apply it all over my face (and the skin will suck it all in!), I want something, well, organic. I know there are a lot of great makeup brands on the market, but what I’m looking for is quite hard to find. What do you suggest?
– Stephanie C.
I highly recommend a new discovery I stumbled upon just recently — Leyende. Check out http://leyende. pagina.de, or contact through leyendeskin@gmail.com and 0915-6713154. Their products are completely handmade with pure, organic ingredients (95-98 percent organic). They hardly use animal by-products and most of their ingredients are plant-based, tried and tested by the scientific and alternative medicine community. And for the vegans, vegan substitute ingredients are available upon request.
For the primer you’re looking for, try Leyende’s Face Canvas (only P450). This non-greasy moisturizer with organic bearberry extract is perfect for tropical or cold weather. This is a moisture glider and face base that locks moisture in and stays put along with your makeup. I visited their website and they have so much more organic products to offer. For the face, they have the Clean Slate multi-tasking royal jelly cleanser and makeup remover, Face Off shea butter exfoliant with carrot extract, and Skin Butter full service serum with ylang-ylang extract. They offer hair and body products such as the Clean & Present shampoo with pure aloe vera gel and castor oil, Taming of the ‘Do olive butter conditioner with macadamia nut oil, Masquehead intensive cocoa butter hair masque, Smoothie Operator bath and shower gel with calendula extracts, No Rumple Silk Skin Butter whipped shea butter with bearberry extract, and Massage Cocktail extra virgin coconut sweet almond oil with lemon grass essential oil. They even have products for mothers and babies! I’m a lip balm addict so my favorite is the Kiss, Kiss, Balm, Balm made from pure 100 percent, organic grade A beeswax. No parabens, no hardeners, no petroleum-based ingredients. It’s available in apple tea scent, but you can have custom-blend scents! Another irresistible favorite is Leyende’s Once Bitten Chocolate Soap Bar. Did you know that chocolate has a high tannin content that makes it a powerful antioxidant so it naturally moisturizes and nourishes the skin? To make this chocolate soap bar, they make use of Brazil’s rich, organic chocolate extract and raw chocolate.
Rissa
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Food For The Skin
Dear MS. Tingting,
I’m quite certain you can give me good advice on what food and vitamins to take to help my aging skin.
– Rina, 49
What you consume on a daily basis has a major impact on how well your skin regenerates itself. You need to supply your body with vitamins and minerals it needs to develop and maintain healthy glowing skin. Choose foods that are as close as possible to their natural state — fresh and unprocessed.
Here are the vitamins and minerals that can delay skin aging:
• Beta carotene — an antioxidant, it increases cellular regeneration and prevents pre-mature aging of the skin. Food sources: carrot, apricot, and squash.
• Vitamin C — an antioxidant, it is needed for production of elastin and collagen; promotes skin strength and elasticity in blood vessel walls and cell membranes. Food sources: oranges, kiwi, and peppers.
• Vitamin E — an antioxidant, it helps maintain all tissues; believed to slow the aging of cells; may help prevent scar formation. Food sources: cold-pressed vegetable oils, raw nuts and seeds, wheat germ, avocado, egg yolk, liver, and whole grain products
• Selenium — an antioxidant, it protects against UV-induced cell damage; helps preserve skin elasticity. Food sources: tuna, garlic, onions, and broccoli.
• Zinc — an antioxidant, it is essential for normal cell growth and repair. Food sources: whole grains, most seafood, and onions.
• Essential fatty acids — maintain proper function of all tissues and help in tissue repair, especially the skin. Food sources: primrose oil, flaxseed oil, and olive oil.
Taking eight glasses of water a day is still the best way to keep skin healthy. Water acts as an internal moisturizer, keeping the skin moist and supple. To maintain a lovely complexion, reduce alcohol intake, quit smoking, watch those rays — avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. even if you are wearing a sun protector.
Tingting
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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and rissa_samson@yahoo.com.