Rx for sparse eyebrows

HI, RISSA,

My eyebrows are so thin that my face looks bland.  Every time I draw on eyebrows, my face instantly comes alive.  But it is such a hassle to always draw them on and when I exercise or do something that makes me sweat, my drawn eyebrows disappear or get erased. I bought a waterproof eyebrow pencil but it still comes off. I guess when I am exercising the eyebrows come off as I wipe the sweat off my face. So I was thinking of having my eyebrows tattooed. Do you suggest having them tattooed or to forget it?  My mother-in-law says not to do it because the tattoo ink will eventually turn grayish and it will look ugly. My derma also said no because a bad or botched tattoo job will be difficult to fix.  What is your suggestion? If yes, do you have someone in mind who does eyebrow tattoos very well with tattoo ink that doesn’t discolor? If no, do you have a brand of eyebrow pencil that is totally waterproof?

HEIDI

Before you decide on tattooing your eyebrows, there are a lot of important things to consider.

The application of permanent eyebrows is done the same way as regular tattooing. A tattoo gun, which automatically dispenses ink on the area to be tattooed, is used for the procedure. The inks are delivered below the skin. If the work is very meticulous, then the professional applying your new eyebrows might apply the pigment manually with a handheld needle. No matter how the procedure is done, you can expect bruising, swelling and even bleeding.

Before you have your eyebrows tattooed, you need to have an initial consultation with the professional doing the procedure. Make sure you seek a specialist. You may need to take antibiotics beforehand to prevent a bacterial infection. You may also be asked to eliminate the use of aspirin and nicotine before the operation to lessen the chance of swelling or bleeding. There is also the risk of an allergic reaction to the pigments.

And if you think tattooing your brows will forever spare you the trouble of drawing your eyebrows on every morning, they can still fade over time. Beauty products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids can partially remove or dissolve the tattoo. Light of all kinds, but especially sunlight, can play a role in lightening the color of your tattooed eyebrows. Lastly, remember that if the results of the tattoo aren’t good, they can be quite difficult to correct.

 Before you opt for something as permanent as tattooing, I highly encourage you to try other makeup tools and tricks instead. Try ModelCo More Brows (available at Beauty Bar). This cleverly conceived clear gel with tiny microfilaments (I swear, they look like real, natural hairs), when applied, fills out the brow. It’s really an ingenious tool that gives you instant eyebrows. The quick-dry gel formula contains hair-like particles that can be applied to the brows to extend, reshape and thicken. When I met Sophie Baker, ModelCo’s international marketing director, a few years ago, she explained that even cancer patients and burn victims use this wonder product. Here’s another eyebrow-raising surprise: it stays on even under the rain, until removed with a cleanser.

Another product to try is Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector (boutiques are located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, The Block-SM City North Edsa, Bonifacio High Street and Marionnaud on the second floor of SM Mall of Asia). Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector is made up of a tube of corrector and two small tweezers. It allows you to lengthen, redesign and intensify the natural line of your eyebrows. The creamy texture allows you to make natural-looking, discreet corrections. The result remains flawless throughout the day and holds up under all conditions, even through water and heat.

Make Up For Ever also has their Eyebrow Pencil, which is highly concentrated in pigments and ensures a long-lasting hold. It’s perfect for women whose eyebrows are too light-colored, sparse or uneven.

Another must-try eyebrow product is Fasio Waterproof Eyebrow Mascara (available at Rustan’s Essenses). Containing micro multi polymers, this is a perspiration-, water- and sebum-resistant waterproof eyebrow mascara that won’t come off even if rubbed. It comes in different shades to match your brow and hair color. Plus, it has a quick-dry formula that speedily corrects the eyebrow line, giving a natural finish.

One last tip for long-lasting eyebrows: after drawing in your eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil, you can also brush them with a clear, waterproof mascara. This will help keep unruly brow strands in place and make your arches last longer.

RISSA

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EYE CREAM FOR DARK CIRCLES

DEAR TINGTING,

What products work best for dark circles under the eyes? Are eye creams essential? What products would you recommend?

KAT

There is no area of the face more vulnerable to aging than the area around the eyes. So often, fine wrinkles, blotchy skin and discoloration occur around the eyes. Because the area around the eyes is so thin, it’s not only more vulnerable to damage, it’s also the first place we begin to notice changes. As we age, the skin gets dry and wrinkled. The veins in the lower eye area appear more prominent. This results in dark circles under the eyes. There are many factors that lead to dark circles: heredity, lack of sleep, bone structure, sun exposure, medication, nutrition, and hormonal changes.

A high-quality eye cream should be one of the necessary topicals in any anti-aging protocol. The choices in eye creams can be overwhelming, with over 150 products on the market today, and in light of the fact that there are three main problems that these creams work to treat (dark circles, fine lines and puffiness). I recommend you try Kinerase Intensive Kinetin Eye Cream, a highly emollient cream that adds moisture to the skin around the eyes. Kinerase has the highest strength of kinetin (also known as N6-furfuryladenine), an ingredient proven to improve the appearance of skin aging with little or no irritation. It is recommended for all skin types and may be used in combination with microdermabrasion, chemical peels, Botox injections and other treatments. Makeup can be applied immediately after applying Kinerase Eye Cream. Plus, it does not cause sensitivity to the sun. If you want to learn more about it, check out the website www.kinerase.com.

TINGTING

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NO-SEW FASHION

HI, LUCY!

My 10-year-old daughter and I just love fashion and lately we have been playing dress-up in a different way. We challenge our creativity by making clothes that really do not require thread and needle. We just cut collars, sleeves and knot slits, and paint and embellish them, too. What else can you suggest that we do?

FREDA JANE

I am delighted to know that you and your daughter spend a lot of time together. Fashion is always a great way for mothers and daughters to bond. I have just the perfect thing for you. You said you have done everything that does not require a needle and thread. Try using Bostik Sew No More and you will be able to do at least a dozen other things that you thought only sewing could achieve.  As the name suggests, it is an adhesive that does the job of sewing, minus the inconvenience. I always buy it in bulk because it is such a great product and I have made doll’s clothes, crafts and bags with it — I have even packaged presents beautifully using it! I use it all the time to make the handmade little things I love to give as gifts and I have repaired hemlines that have come undone. It is available at hardware stores and bookstores. Bostik is a very inexpensive and effective way to have fun and unleash the Martha Stewart in you.

LUCY

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and rissa_samson@yahoo.com.