Makeup tricks: A glow-by-glow account

DEAR LUCY,

We’ve just begun a new year. And this year, I want to give my lackluster skin a little glow. What makeup trick can I do to make my skin glow?

Also, I’m suddenly loving perfume! I prefer clean scents though I’m slowly investing in more seductive ones I can use for evening. Any brands you care to share with me?

BEA

To get that inner glow, do these:

1) Exfoliate! Your skin will only look lit from within if you do not have layers of dead skin cells. Try to exfoliate twice a week.

2) If you use a makeup base, thin it out with a few drops of moisturizer so it does not look cakey.

3) Dab illuminating lotion on the upper corners of the cheekbones, brow bones, and the inner corner of the eyes. Get Nars Illuminator in Orgasm. It will look great on anyone!

As for scents, I really like clean ones, too, that is why I love, love, love Jo Malone. Their citrus line is fool-proof. If you want a daily splash, go for Bench Bubblegum or a Spanish cologne like Nenuco, Chispas, and Bien Etre.

For men who have an aversion for perfume, Spanish colognes are the way to go. Try Royal Ambree for him. It is difficult to find so when you see it, buy it. Spanish colognes are available at Khanserey, 4th floor of Shangri-La Mall.

For night fragrances, get an enduring brand like Chanel, Anick Goutal, and Prada. Look for spicy, floral mixes that make people around you wonder what mysterious combination you are wearing.

LUCY

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Heel ye, heel ye!

To the rescue: The Body Shop’s Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue contains cocoa butter, peppermint oil, and grape acids to soften hard skin and help prevent dry, cracked heels.

DEAR RISSA,

I have ugly dry, cracked skin on the heels of my feet. I think this is a result of too much partying in my stilettos over the holidays. What can I do to get them back to normal? Please help.

MICA V.

You aren’t alone. Cracked heels are a common problem many women have. They arise from pressure put on the foot, which causes the fat under the heel to expand and tear the skin. Prolonged standing and wearing open-backed shoes are the main culprits. I see cracked heels in many women, but I never thought I’d get them, too! My feet suffered from cracked heels for the first time several months ago. To treat your feet, wash them first, then make it a habit to exfoliate the heel area with a pumice stone to remove any hard, thick skin deposits. What worked wonders for me was The Body Shop’s Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue. It contains cocoa butter, peppermint oil, and grape acids to soften hard skin and help prevent dry, cracked heels. After slathering this on religiously for a few nights, I swear the heels of my feet were like brand-new! I occasionally still massage this on my feet at night when they feel rough, dry, and very abused. I’m happy to report that I’ve never gotten dry, cracked heels again. Hope this will work for you, too.

RISSA

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Eye Shadow: The Shades of Things to Come

Dream eye cream: Lancome eye shadow cream comes in deep burgundy, soft taupe brown, and milky pale pink.

DEAR MS. TINGTING,

Choosing an eye shadow is a tricky business. Kindly share your thoughts on this.

SHANE

Don’t try matching a shadow with your eye color — it’s a contrasting, not a similar, shade that will make your eyes stand out. And whatever color you choose, think in terms of three: a dark shade to line and define the crease, a medium shade for the lid, and a light one to highlight brow and inner eye.

You also have to choose between cream and powder. Creams come in jars, wands, tubes, and pencils, and give a wash of moist color like Lancome and Revlon. Use over foundation to avoid creasing.

Powder comes in more color choices and is easier to use. A little face powder on your eyelids first will help it stick.

If you have oily skin or oily eyelids, use powder. It will cake less or not at all.

TINGTING

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