Three wardrobe must-haves

DEAR LUCY,

What three items can I get now that will give me a lot of mileage?

JENNIFER

1. A silky tunic in plain color — this you can wear by itself with flats or tucked into jeans or a pencil skirt finished off with heels. With a change of accessories, each will look different!

2. Chunky earrings in icy color — because they go beautifully with most everything!

3. Skinny or straight pants that just skim the ankles — these are sexy anytime, most especially when worn with heels and are just gorgeously chic worn with ballerina flats, too! When you find one in a fit you love, get them in multiples! If not, find a good tailor and have a few pairs made.

I know you only asked for three, but can I add a fourth?  Do revisit the button-front shirt. It is a classic that is always fresh and youthful. Get them in silk and very soft faded blue. Blue has a way of looking good on most everyone.

LUCY

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Packing tips: What and wear

HEY, REGINA!

When packing for a long trip, it helps to know in advance exactly what kind of weather you’ll be working with. Photo from www.goodhousekeeping.com

I’m going on my first long trip ever; two weeks! Any tips for packing?

ERIN

I tend to err on the side of excess when I pack for long vacations (the best kind!), but it helps to know in advance exactly what kind of weather you’ll be working with. If you’re heading to a country with a colder climate, will you be catching the tail end of winter? Or will you get there early springtime, end of spring? Do you have friends or family who can tell you what the weather will be like? It’ll make a world of difference in your suitcase if you can pack just a few jackets instead of a heavier winter coat. If you guys have a set itinerary already, that’s even better, so you can plan outfits according to activity.

One trick my mom and I always use when we pack for trips is to pull out everything that we’ll be able to wear in the country we’re visiting. (18 degrees Centigrade and below? Bye-bye, shorts and sleeveless. Haha!) I’ll lay out all the pairs of pants (usually five, just don’t wear them on consecutive days so you have time to air them out or launder them) I’m planning to bring on my bed, and then I’ll start matching shirts with them. (That way, you also won’t have to think about putting outfits together when you’re on your trip, since you planned ahead. If you’re extra obsessive-compulsive and you already have a set itinerary, you can even decide in advance which outfits to wear on which days. Definitely saves prep time in the morning!) Don’t worry if your shirts, even the long-sleeved ones, are made of light fabric. It just means they’ll be comfortable in any weather; just bring a few jackets to mix and match if it gets colder. Always pack a few extra shirts (accidents happen), throw in some nicer outfits for evening, and maybe even a dress if you think you’ll be attending a fancier function. (Cruises, if you’re going on a cruise, always have a formal dinner.) And don’t forget to accessorize!

Don’t load your luggage down with shoes; bring a few (or so, haha!) pairs that are cute but okay for walking. (I always pack a pair of black Chucks, which go with anything; a nice pair or two of comfy flats that’ll go with anything; maybe my Dr. Martens, which go with anything; and a pair of basic emergency heels, which go with anything. Keyword is: Go with anything!)

Take your usual toiletries with you, but if you have the huge sizes at home, consider transferring them into smaller containers from Beabi or Muji to save space in your luggage. (Especially for shorter trips!) It depends on where you’re going, of course, but toiletries usually aren’t hard to find if you forget anything. (Sunblock is a must, no matter where you go.)

And of course, remember to leave some room for shopping! Bon voyage!

REGINA

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What a difference a concealer makes

DEAR RISSA, 

My face has been looking tired lately. How can I instantly achieve a more made-up appearance without having to apply full makeup?  Thanks!                        AMANDAH

Concealer can make a huge difference to your appearance. And with the right one, you only need a little to go from blah to tada! It’s important to conceal areas of the face which show fatigue, such as under the eyes. But most women neglect other important areas, too — the eyelids and around the corners of the nose need some help, too! These two spots show redness or broken capillaries. Covering up these neglected trouble areas can help you achieve the illusion of perfection. Don’t forget to blend well! Do try the L’Oreal Lucent Magique Concealer Pen (P545, available at leading department stores nationwide). This touch-up pen corrects and illuminates problem spots of the face. I like how handy and hygienic it is. It wonderfully fits in even the tiniest purse plus you’ll never have to constantly dip your fingers in a concealer pot. It’s easy to whip out and achieve an effortless but flawless look.                                 Rissa

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil. Send Regina Belmonte your questions at vivatregina.tumblr@gmail.com or tweet her @vivatregina.