Beauty tip for the loveless: Do whatever feels right for the heart

Dear Lucy,

I am in the mood to indulge in some beauty products to make me feel good. I know it is flimsy, but I need this for myself. I just lost my job and my boyfriend of three years, and I have never felt more relieved or alive! Does that sound crazy or strange? I loved both, but I lost myself in them somehow. I am working on getting me back. What products should I get, if only for fun and to make me feel nice?

Alice

I’m sorry to hear about what you are going through. But I am happy you have the situation under control and that you are taking care of yourself and taking charge of your own happiness! Yes, by all means, take all these baby steps to feel good. From there, you can progress into deeper ways of processing issues in your life. I am happy to suggest fun beauty products that will make you not only look but feel good, too!

Try Laura Mercier’s Crème de Pistache Body Scrub. It is in this delicious green color and the fine-milled pistachio shells exfoliate, leaving your skin glowing. 

For eyeliner, why not try a deep shade of shadow? I love the dark purple that is from Nars, called Daphne and M.A.C.’s Atlantic Blue. If you go for a bare face, just brush on sheer eye shadow in an unexpected shade that will open your eyes. Yellow, when it is applied very sheer, can work wonders. Try Mangrove from Nars for this. Burgundy or wine-colored lipstick will be wonderful especially now that the “ber” months are here. With this, you will not need much more than a flawless complexion and curled lashes. It will look so chic. Chanel also has this purplish nail color called Paradoxal. It looks really chic. All the treatment oils of Clarins are divine, I love how it picks me up when I just had a really long day. Of late, I have been enjoying their Blue Orchid variant. 

Oh, and don’t forget your hair. After you shampoo, you must try L’Oreal’s Serie Masque Richesse because it will fortify your hair. 

While you’re at it, Alice, do take every chance to surrender to little everyday pleasures, like tea or coffee in the nicest cups you have and music you love while you do your household chores, ice cream at midnight! No rules! Just whatever feels right for the heart. I wish you well.

Lucy

All that gloss: Make Up For Ever’s Lab Shine lip glosses are non-sticky glosses that hydrate and ensure optimum hold and extreme shine.

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Footwear to take you from here to maternity

The ultimate outdoor sandal: Comfortable and lightweight, the insoles and straps of Chaski sandals are designed to be interchangeable so you can easily change the look and style depending on your mood. Chaski sandals are available in five colors.

Dear Rissa,

I’m a young mom in my late 20s who is pregnant with my first baby. I can’t wear a lot of my shoes and sandals anymore because my feet are manas already. Can you recommend comfortable but stylish footwear for my expanding feet? Nothing too dressy please — just something casual I can use for everyday errands. Please also recommend a nice lip gloss that doesn’t feel thick and sticky on the lips.

Beatrice 

What I find really cool right now are Chaski sandals (available at all Columbia stores nationwide, R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street, and Res/Toe/Run). Created by Japanese manga artist Tekehiko Inoue, Chaski sandals are a fusion of traditional Japanese culture (originating from the Samurai sandals) and their emerging J-pop fashion. The sandal was inspired by the “Chaski,” an ancient messenger of the Inca Empire. Chaskis were highly-trained runners who delivered messages over long distances within a short period of time. For a preggy mom like you, these sandals are lightweight and the contoured insoles will give your feet the support and comfort they crave. The straps are adjustable so they will always give a perfect fit while pregnant and even after. Here’s the cool part — the insoles and straps of Chaski sandals are designed to be interchangeable so you can easily change the look and style depending on your mood.

As for a non-sticky lip gloss, do try Make Up For Ever’s Lab Shine lip gloss (stores located at Shangri-La Mall and Bonifacio High Street). It gives dazzling shine with a hydrating and comfortable texture. I’m enjoying mine in the shade S26 — an eye-catching pink hue that will instantly revive your dull and tired makeup look at the end of the day.

Rissa

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Bye-Bye blackheads & excessive sweating

Dear Ms. Tingting,

I am currently working in a multinational company in Ortigas and I really need your advice.  I want to boost my self-esteem, but unfortunately, my blackheads don’t help.  I always envy those women who have beautiful skin and a good body.  Beautiful skin because they don’t have visible pores. I need advice on how to remove these blackheads on my nose and my skin. I don’t have enough money to go to an expensive skin clinic. Besides, I would rather give my money to my parents than spend it on a dermatologist, Please help!

I also need help regarding my excessive sweating, especially in my armpits. 

Lia

Get a hot towel.  Put it on your face to open the pores where your blackheads are. Get another towel, but a dry one this time, and gently pass over the area with blackheads in circular movements to encourage release of the blackheads.  Do as often as can be. Put on Retin-A at night to dry up your face, maybe it’s too oily and attracts dirt-causing blackheads.

For excessive sweating, use VMV spray deodorant or rock tawas that you can wet a bit and put on your armpits.

Tingting

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