Wanted: Workout clothes that work, eye-popping shadows and shades

Dear Lucy,

Where do I get nice workout clothes? The ones I have are regular jogging pants with an elastic waist that I pair with a tank top. I look so dated, I must admit that much. Are nice workout clothes very expensive?

Also, I need to update my eye makeup. I recently cleaned my makeup box and all I saw were safe shades of brown. Is there a pop of color I can use that you can recommend?

And lastly, where do you buy your shades? I need sporty but very fashionable shades.        Alfa

For great workout clothes, go to Aura Athletica in Rockwell or Karma in Greenbelt 3. They’re not exactly cheap, but considering their quality, they’re inexpensive. The ones I bought from Karma four years ago still look good as new. The fit really flatters the body.

For eye shadow that flatters, why don’t you go green? You can use green eye shadow as liner instead of the usual and predictable brown. I am loving the Five Colour Harmony for eyes from YSL in number 6 (YSL products are available at Rustan’s). It is a palette of nice green eye shadows in various subdued but very flattering shades. Try it. You can start using it as eyeliner first and when you are more comfortable, you can use it as eye shadow. Just be sure to blend very well.

To answer your last question, the shades I always use are from Rudy Project. My favorite for the moment has a purple frame. They have such a nice collection, you are sure to find one that will fit your face shape and your lifestyle.

Hope all my tips help, Alfa!     Lucy

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Shoe good for your feet

Dear Rissa,

I just bought a new pair of shoes. I’d been saving up for this pair and was so excited about them that I wore them every day for a week! Problem is, they felt a little too snug at first. Although the shoes are in my size, they weren’t very comfortable during the first few days I used them. I decided to give my new shoes (and feet) a rest because I now have blisters on the heel of my foot and some calluses on my toes. I feel so terrible because I have to settle for wearing sandals and slippers so my calluses and blisters don’t hurt. How can I treat them ASAP? Can you also please recommend an affordable and effective whitening soap?          Cristina 

I know how it feels when you’ve got a new pair of shoes — you love them to death that you want to wear them every day. But what really spoils the excitement is when your feet no longer look and feel beautiful in those lovely shoes. When your shoes are tight, your skin’s natural defense is to thicken in reaction to the friction. What you can do is to try having your shoes stretched (provided that they’re made of leather) at Mr. Quickie or Heel Sew Quick. It costs around less than P100. Since you have to leave your shoes there for stretching, it’ll take around three days before you can slip into those shoes again. With the various shoe sizing systems, perhaps you miscalculated and bought a pair that was half a size smaller. Then again, it could be your correct shoe size, but the width or the shape of the shoe might be a little narrow for your feet. Most people’s feet aren’t exactly the same size, so always ensure that your shoes fit the larger one of the two. Also keep in mind that it’s always best to buy shoes in the afternoon or evening because the feet naturally swell during the course of the day. I myself have bought shoes that were in my perfect size, but the shoe shape, stitching or material would rub my feet the wrong way. I was able to buy Scholl Party Feet Invisible Gel Heel Shields (found mine in Shopwise, but they’re also available in leading supermarkets and drugstores). I really like them because they protect my heels and prevent shoes from rubbing and cutting the skin. They’re made of a slim clear gel so when you put them in the heel area of your shoes, they’re hardly noticeable. The best thing about them is they’re washable and reusable so you can easily transfer them from one pair to another. They’re so ideal for closed-back styles of shoes but also work great to cushion the inside top of mules. In the meantime, treat your blisters by applying a Band-aid. This will protect them from further friction. You can pop your blister using a sterile needle, but don’t peel off the skin. Simply place a Band-aid over the affected area to protect it and allow it to heal. Stockings and foot powder can also help lessen friction on your feet. As for your calluses, go get yourself over-the-counter corn and callus removers at the drugstore. But since these products are acidic, using too much than needed can cause wounds. That’s why you should always read the instructions and follow them correctly. And when your feet are healed and happy already, keep them soft and smooth by moisturizing them, too.

As for whitening soaps, I’m more than happy with my morena color. I love the skin I’m in and am proud to be brown. Since I don’t use whitening products, the most I can do is recommend a soap a friend of mine has tried. She’s fair in color and uses whitening soaps to maintain her porcelain skin. She’s been raving about Mestiza Complete Herbal Soap (available at all Mercury Drug branches nationwide). She has tried a lot of products here and abroad, but she was so happy with Mestiza soap because it costs only P40! She told me that it has done more than just whiten her skin. She has sensitive skin and she explained it solved other skin problems — the soap cleared up her long-time problem of back pimples and even relieved her skin allergy. Intrigued, I checked out the website www.mestiza.ph. This soap is of export quality, purely organic, and has no allergic effects. Its active ingredients include papaya extract to whiten and moisturize, carrot extract and vitamin A to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, banana extract to clear out skin disorders, virgin coconut oil to battle skin bacteria, and calamansi extract to tone the skin. The site also explains that the soap is more than a just whitening soap — it is also used for blisters, dark spots, hemorrhoids, body odor, psoriasis, and even baldness. Worth checking out are the testimonials of real people with real skin problems. I hope this product will work for you the same way it has worked for my friend.       Rissa

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TLC For Lingerie

Dear Ms. Tingting,  

How do I care for lingerie?               Liz

For starters, keep your underpinnings away from the dryer. After handwashing lingerie with a mild soap or friendly detergent, lay pieces flat to dry. If you must machine wash, make sure to fasten closures and place garments in a zippered mesh bag. It’s important to rotate lingerie.

Wear Lycra pieces only once every three to four days so they have time to revert to their original shape.

Silk lingerie should be squeezed gently when washing and laid flat to dry.           Tingting

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