Sexy does not always mean showing skin

DEAR LUCY,

I have a cocktail event and I want to shy away from my regular tight, little dresses that show some skin. What can I wear?     KATE

Although you can wear a sleek pantsuit (think ankle-length slim trousers in a silk fabric matched with a blazer in the same color and material, worn with pointy pumps and bold accessories), nothing quite beats the timeless elegance of a dress. Choose a solid color, in a gorgeous cut that showcases a full skirt. Think old Hollywood glamour. Wear with pearls and a nice brooch, matte lipstick in a bold color.

Sexy does not always mean showing skin. Sexy is also a lot about quiet confidence and a look that is clean and very well put together.

If you plan to update your wardrobe with full skirts, invest in square toe pumps with stacked heels. Gorgeous!        LUCY

B beautiful: Pick a mattifying foundation or a BB cream that settles into a powder finish. Pond’s just launched two new BB creams, one each for Flawless White and Age Miracle, both with SPF30/PA++.

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To BB or not to BB

DEAR REGINA,

What’s better, BB cream or foundation?

CARMELA

It really depends on what your purpose is for wearing either one, and what your base needs are.

Foundation is typically a little heavier than BB cream, with more pigmentation and better coverage. BB cream is more lightweight, with a sheer finish that usually evens out uneven tone (like if you’re a little prone to redness), but its subtle veil of color (akin to a tinted moisturizer, except BB creams contain other skincare properties) won’t be enough to cover up major blemishes.

I personally only wear foundation when I have to, which means only to major functions. For an everyday look, I prefer to wear BB cream (a shade that’s a little bit darker to give my skin a tan hint of warmth; I haven’t had a tan in a year so I’m deathly pale), or no liquid base at all (just moisturizer, sunscreen, and a light dusting of pressed powder on my T-zone to soak up unwanted shine), because it feels so much lighter. Any remaining spots can be covered up with concealer.

The formula you pick for either foundation or BB cream will also depend on your personal preference when it comes to finish. If you want a matte look, pick a mattifying foundation or a BB cream that settles into a powder finish (Pond’s just launched two new BB creams, one each for Flawless White and Age Miracle, both with SPF30/PA++). If you prefer looking dewy (like me), pick bases with a more luminous, hydrated finish (MAC Studio Sculpt foundation gives just the right hint of dewiness, and Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream is delightfully sheer, with SPF35/PA+++).

REGINA

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Curls and cares: Prostyle Fuwarie Hair Styling Mist sets the hair and keeps it curled longer. Enhanced with amino acids, it also repairs damaged cuticles for beautiful, shiny hair. Available at Beauty Bar  

Curls just wanna have fun

DEAR RISSA,

What’s a good product to use so that the curls on my hair last all day? I curl them in the morning, but they always become limp in the afternoon.       JESSICA

I’m not a fan of using hair products when curling My hair. More often than not, they just tend to weigh the hair down. Even the top hairstylists I work with tell me that the secret to long-lasting curls is to use minimal hair products.

But I’ve recently made an exception. I tried the Prostyle Puwarie Hair Styling Mist (P450, available at Beauty Bar). This Japanese brand not only curls but also cares for the hair. Its formulation prevents hair burn and the cuticles from the heat of styling products. It also prevents hair breakage and hair discoloration caused by heat. Best of all, it protects the hair even from harmful UV rays. All you need to do is spray it onto the hair and just style it as usual with your curling iron. I decided to try it on a full, busy day. I just misted it onto my hair and instead of using a curling iron, I decided to merely tie my hair in a bun. I couldn’t believe I got glorious curls when I let my hair loose! Yes, my paper straight limp hair became bouncy and curly! And they wonderfully survived all day, even through an afternoon playing in Gymboree with my baby. Unlike other styling products that make the hair feel dry and stiff, this product gives natural looking curls that are soft and sexy to the touch.

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.