These shoes can take you from work to a night out

Dear Rissa, 

Can you recommend fashionable but comfortable shoes for the office? Better if I can also wear them going out after work.

Carol Rivera

Comfortable shoes are a big must in the workplace. Admit it, when your feet are in pain, it affects your entire well-being the whole day. I myself am always on the lookout for shoes that do not only look great but feel great, too. After modeling for over a decade already, my feet have tried (and endured) countless pairs of shoes of all kinds. Funny thing is, I experienced my first blisters, calluses, and cuts not when I was dancing ballet for five years but when I started modeling! 

This has also happened to me too many times — I buy a pretty pair of shoes and they fit fine at the store, but the day I decide to use them, they don’t fit great after all. The insides would be rubbing my toes the wrong way, or even the stitching or edges of the heel area would cause blisters. Sometimes, the shoes are perfectly my size, but because they are made poorly, my feet just end up in pain (and my pocket in regret). 

Perfect for the workplace are the shoes of Stella Luna (boutiques are located at Rockwell Mall, Shangri-La Plaza, Glorietta 4, and Adora Greenbelt 5.  You can also find them on Facebook at Stella Luna Philippines and contact them at 09175874033). Their designs are some of the most sought after by Manila’s most fashionable. But apart from their great style, their shoes are one of the most comfortable my feet have ever tried — no matter the heel height! The secret lies in their lining. Unlike other shoes, which make use of PVC (which doesn’t allow the feet to breathe) or fake leather, Stella Luna makes use of Italian calf skin for the inner lining — your feet are always cradled by the softest leather! With Stella Luna shoes, your shoes will never rub your feet the wrong way. Construction is superb and will last you many years. 

My most recent pairs include their grey textured heels made of cow leather with snake lines on the surface. I’ve worn them on one of my busiest days and until the wee hours of a night out — my feet never felt so grateful! I’m also currently eyeing their patent heels — they are must-have office staples, which can take you from day to night! Plus they’re the perfect way to look fashionably fierce despite the rainy weather. For those who prefer a lower heel height, their patent sling-backs are selling like crazy! Even with the low-heel, the pointed toe design instantly makes your legs look longer. Lastly, every girl should always own a pair of pretty flats. The metallic flats of Stella Luna are perfect not just for the work weekdays but will also allow you to step into style even on weekends.

Rissa

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Mat-have: Mat Velvet by Make Up For Ever is a shine-controlling, water-resistant complete-coverage foundation that evens out skin tone.

Wanted: Shine-Control Foundation

Dear Lucy,

I have oily skin and the foundation I use, although really nice, cannot control the shine. Can you share a good one with me?

I am also in search of a bubblegum pink glossy lipstick. I know you like pink, what is your current favorite?

Mitos

Do try Mat Velvet by Make Up For Ever. I love it so much I bought two tubes of it just yesterday. It makes the skin look flawless, coverage is good and does not look heavy at all despite that.

Re the pink lipstick, my current favorite is from Shu Uemura’s Super Shine line SS PK number 326. You might just like it as much as I do.

LUCY   

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Bye-bye, blackheads!

Dear Ms. Tingting, 

I am currently working here in Ortigas. 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. Beautiful because they don’t have visible pores.

I need your advice on how to remove the blackheads on my nose.

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

Jean

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 the 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 your 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.