Espadrilles: Shoe lovely and shoe comfortable

Dear Lucy,

I am obsessed with espadrilles, but it is so hard to find good ones! Everywhere I look, I see stilettos and sandals, beautiful ones, but hardly any of the espadrilles I remember so well from my youth. Would you know if the best ones are only from Spain? Are they still popular now? Not that it matters, really.  I love them all the way.

Shane

I have some news for you that might get you all excited. I just learned that Jacquilou Blanco, along with some partners, is actually opening a store devoted to making available the espadrilles to its many fans. Their shop, called Sueño de Espadrilles, will open sometime mid-August, I am told, at the Podium.

I asked Jacqui and she shared with me this interesting trivia about espadrilles: 

“Espadrilles are traditionally flat shoes produced in natural colors. The soles are usually made out of straw or wood and the tops are made of fabric, usually cotton or canvas. They may be flat, platform or wedge-shaped. The name espadrille comes from esparto, the Spanish name for the plant that the shoe soles are made out of. Because they are made of fabric and plant matter, they are best worn in hot climates such as ours. Because the sole is made of natural fiber, they mold to the contours of the feet, allowing our skin to breathe. A couple who owns a store in Spain says that when customers slip their foot in, they say ‘pure relief.’”

Sophia Loren glamorized it in the ’60s when she posed in glossy magazines with a pair of high-heeled espadrilles with colored ribbons crisscrossing her ankles. Don Johnson’s character in Miami Vice wore them with his suit. Michael Douglas, Jack Nicholson, and even Pope John 11 are aficionados. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Heidi Klum are lovers of the espadrille as well.

So, Shane, I guess you will not have to search too far. Jacqui says that their store will also carry lovely bags that will go well with their shoes. On this page are photos that can start making you drool. 

Lucy

* * *

A peel-good experience

Dear rissa,

I enjoy having diamond peels regularly, but they have become quite a strain on my wallet. Is there anything I can do at home to get the same results without having to spend as much?

Julia Dizon

The diamond peel is a non-chemical and non-surgical method to remove dead skin cells and encourage cell renewal. This treatment uses a pencil-like wand with a tip that contains fine diamond crystals to exfoliate and rub off the top skin layer. The diamond tip head also vacuums away the dirt and dead skin cells. The end result of this procedure is a new healthy layer of skin.

 To allow a new layer of skin to surface, we shed dead skin cells naturally. But as we get older, this process slows down. But the diamond peel isn’t the only way to reveal a new healthy layer of skin. A dermatologist once told me that the diamond peel gives the same results as exfoliating in the convenience of your own home. Simple exfoliation at home is an equally good and effective alternative. It helps remove the old dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface and speeds up the skin’s renewal process.

 A revolutionary new gadget that will shake up every woman’s cleansing and skincare routine is the Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave (available at Watsons). Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave is a power cleanser in a compact vibrating applicator form. Its tingly, cool foam penetrates deep into the pores, cleaning the skin 10 times deeper than traditional facial cleansing methods. The vibrations of the device stimulate the skin’s surface while creating a massaging action that opens pores to remove more dirt, oil, and makeup, leaving the skin softer and smoother after just one use.

 “The Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave is a first-of-its-kind facial cleansing device that provides deep cleaning like no other. It is the only power cleanser that boasts an extreme 10x deep clean for a refreshed feel and remarkably softer skin,” says Gabriel Roxas, Neutrogena brand manager.

“A breakthrough innovation from Neutrogena, the Wave is set to transform the facial cleansing routines of women all over the country to just three easy steps,” adds Roxas.

 With beautiful teen actress Vanessa Hudgens representing this new Neutrogena product, she shares her own deep clean experience. “I really do believe in the product … My skin actually was really soft after I used it … It was so much softer that the next day, I actually didn’t need to even wear makeup ’coz my skin felt so smooth and it was like, very toned … It just looked really good that I didn’t have to wear makeup!”

 The first time I tried this new gadget, I was skeptical about the results it can deliver. I like washing my face and feeling my hands massage away all the dirt, oil, makeup, and dead skin cells. When I tried it, I realized it was such a breeze to use. Simply attach a disposable foaming pad to the head of the Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave power-cleanser and hold the gadget under running water to activate the cleansing pad. Then turn on the Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave and gently massage the face, avoiding the eye area. I enjoyed how the vibrations gave a gentle massaging feeling. The foaming pad also didn’t feel harsh and irritating against the skin unlike some exfoliating scrubs. Although it didn’t foam up as much as I expected, the results were astounding — it immediately gave softer skin with just one use! In fact, it revealed my softest skin ever. I couldn’t keep my hands from touching my skin! Pores are also visibly minimized — my skin felt so clean down to every last pore. I felt like this gadget exfoliated and washed away a month’s worth of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. I’ve tried diamond peels before and I can honestly say that this ultimate power cleanser is better than a diamond peel. You get a remarkably softer, smoother layer of healthy new skin at a fraction of the cost of a diamond peel!

The Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave starter kit includes the power cleansing gadget, a two-week supply of single-use pads and one AA battery for only P575. Thirty-day refill packs are also available for only P400. Every woman’s wallet will gladly wave hello to this new gadget!

Rissa

* * *

Oil Right For The Skin

Dear Ms. Tingting,

My primary concerns are oiliness that leads to acne and facial redness which is embarrassing at my age — I just turned 33. What skincare products best serve my needs?

Chy-Chy

You probably should not try products labeled for “sensitive skin” since these products are usually formulated for dry skin. Due to your skin’s naturally occurring oil, moisturizers may clog your pores and increase oiliness. You may use a light moisturizer that contains ingredients that minimize inflammation and acne like Aveeno Ultra-Calming Moisturizing Cream. But make sure to apply it to the dry areas only.

Masks are helpful when your skin is especially oily. You can use a mask prior to an important event or even daily. Try Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Treatment Mask, it is safe even with frequent application.

Discuss with your dermatologist or aesthetician whether or not you should use peels. I also recommend exfoliation but with caution as it may lead to inflammation.

Always treat your skin as gently as possible using only soft washcloths to wash your face. Avoid facial cleansers such as disposable facial cleansing cloths, they’re designed to be abrasive and are certainly not for you.

Tingting

* * *

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