The highlight is on eye-catching eyes

Dear Rissa, 

My everyday makeup routine is to put concealer under my eyes before powder. But my under-eye concealer is no longer working for me — I’m beginning to find it too thick and heavy. It just makes my eyes look tired. Is there a better product I can use?

Janey L., Pasig

 What I suggest is for you to use a good under-eye primer. This allows your concealer to sit better on your skin, making it seamless and smooth. Additionally, you don’t put your existing concealer products to waste! Please try the new MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter (P1,350). Housed in a click pen-type container with a brush at the tip, it’s a wonderful under-eye highlighter that feels lush and cushiony yet incredibly lightweight. It comes in three shades: Light Boost (soft yellow cream), Bright Forecast (mid-tone peachy coral), and Radiant Rose (light shell pink).

 I’ve been using the MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in the shade Bright Forecast and I like it because it’s an excellent eye primer, an easily accepted concealer, foundation or even just powder resulting in a smooth, crease-free under-eye area. Unlike before, where powder or foundation would “crack” at the end of the day from smiling or laughing, this amazingly makes the eyes look like you just put fresh makeup on. I also loved how this highlighter amazingly brightened the eye area and always made me look like I got a good sleep — even if I didn’t! And here’s the big bonus: It acts like a concealer! The mid-tone peachy coral of the Bright Forecast shade gave me ample coverage for dark under-eye circles — without the thick and heavy feeling. It’s so light, I now use this like a lightweight everyday concealer. After applying the product with its built-in brush, I just use my fingers to pat and blend the MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter under my eyes. Truthfully, I’ve never seen a product work wonders like this — it incredibly looks like second skin!

Rissa

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Amazing Lace

Lacey grace: Lace is beautiful on its own. All you need is a good cut and finish. women.fashionbeans.com

Dear Lucy,

I am 48 years old, quite fit because of Pilates, and I want a lace dress, but I do not want to look like I am a throwback to the olden times. Where can I get nice lace dresses?

Baby

Custom-made is the way to go. And your best bet would be to get your own material. Go to Carolina’s or any other fabric shop here in Manila, you may be surprised at the extensive selection. If you buy black lace, for example, get a lining in nude so it looks more modern together. Please do not scrimp on the designer when it comes to lace, it is not a very forgiving material. Go to someone reputable and known for great designs and excellent workmanship. Because good lace is already beautiful on its own, a good cut and finish is all you need to enhance it.

In terms of accessories, use bold colored stones in contemporary designs. You would not want to limit yourself to pearls, which always seem to be top of mind when it comes to lace.                 Lucy

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Charmed: Charm bracelets make charming gifts, like this Beatles charm bracelet — yeah, yeah, yeah!  beatles-unlimited.com

The many charms of charm bracelets

Dear Ms. Tingting,

I am thinking of giving a charm bracelet as a graduation present for my 16-year-old daughter. Do you think it’s a good gift? Could you give me idea on what motif is okay for a charm bracelet?

Mom Shelly

A charm bracelet makes a beautiful gift. It is a very personal piece of jewelry that you can start at anytime in your daughter’s life. It is wonderful to collect charms and start now when you hit every milestone — graduating high school, entering college, getting married, having a child to remind you of those specific years with a smile.

Consider giving several charm bracelets and giving each one a theme, or have one charm bracelet and gradually build upon it. There are items to shop for in vintage stores. There are gold lightweight, cheaper charms that aren’t heavy or expensive. Some charms should be new and some older.

For the theme, the famous Marlene Dietrich had one made out of poker chips. One charm bracelet can have religious figures or good luck symbols.

Jacqueline Kennedy had hundreds of charms of her travels. Elizabeth Taylor had many — one had all heart charms signifying her love for her children, friends … and husbands.

Mrs. Walt Disney had a charm bracelet from Walt with 22 miniature Oscars, signifying how many Oscars her husband had won.

Tingting

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