HI, REGINA!
I have long but straight lashes, and I haven’t found a curler that doesn’t pinch my skin when I try to crimp. Any suggestions? CHARISSE
I inherited a Shu Uemura eyelash curler from my mom at some point in high school and have never looked for another one to try. It may seem a bit pricey at P1,000 (when others cost just a couple hundred pesos), but nothing beats the curl it creates, and no matter how closely to my roots I crimp, it’s never pinched my skin. (You’re supposed to crimp at three places for a natural-looking curl: the roots, the middle, and the tips.)
That said, I may be still pinch-free because I have really big eyes. It might not be as easy for girls with smaller peepers, or for girls who don’t use crimpers on a regular basis. For them, I’d suggest Shu Uemura’s new S Curler. It’s narrower than the traditional curler, so you can curl your lashes in sections (giving you more control), the rubber on the upper portion rests against your lid for more stability (and also makes sure that the crimping end is a decent distance away from your skin), and it’s open at the sides so it’s easier to manipulate.
Honestly, most days, I’m too lazy to do more than conceal my dark circles, fill in my brows, and swipe on some lipstick, so a lasting curl really makes a difference, and Shu’s curler continues to create (at least for me and my mom) one of the best. REGINA
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Fashion for ‘women of substance’
DEAR LUCY,
I am a plus-sized woman and I have been told to avoid leggings, stilettos, horizontal stripes, color, and denims. That sounds like most everything. What am I allowed to wear then? JEN-JEN
You can wear leggings, but find one in a good material that does not seem too casual. Pair this with a top that will balance your proportions, one that hits mid or upper thigh (nothing shorter than that please). Stilettos are a go, don’t believe those who say otherwise. Stilettos elongate, especially if they are nude (if you go bare-legged) or monochromatic (match tights with the color of your shoes for an uninterrupted line). Stay away from ankle straps if you can. Horizontal lines are okay, but avoid very thin ones in the same way you should avoid very large ones — contrary to popular belief close-set stripes can have an enlarging effect! Embrace color if you wish, but choose the darker shades (think navy, burgundy) and have fun with your accessories. You can make things really pop in that department. Lastly, of course you need not stay away from denims! Choose a boyfriend cut, so that it skims your figure, and wear it with a tailored top for some structure.
LUCY
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Eye-opening mascara tips
DEAR RISSA,
Please recommend a good brand of mascara that is waterproof but easy to wash off. Other brands are nice but are just so hard to take off! ELENA C.
No matter what the makeup trends are, beautiful lashes will always be the ultimate eye-opener. I’ve tried so many brands and nothing frustrates me the most than mascara that is just so darn hard to take off. There are countless brands that deliver their promise for long, thick, and waterproof lashes, but removing them at the end of the day just brings me to tears. No matter what eye makeup remover I use, I end up tugging my lashes, with a cotton swab just to remove the stubborn waterproof mascara, and of course some lashes fall off along the way.
A kikay kit staple right now is Fairy Drops Platinum Mascara T2 Film Type (available at Beauty Bar stores). This is a magical wand that truly makes the most out of every lash. It gives long, thick, defined lashes as if lashes were hand drawn one by one. It can even do wonders even on short and fine lashes and gives a long-lasting curl. But the biggest reason why I love it? It’s a water-resistant mascara that can last all day and withstand our topical weather but removes so easily with just your favorite facial wash and water. For those who have lash extensions on, this is the perfect mascara you can use that will not damage those extensions. Say goodbye to painful pulling or tugging, and lost lashes! This is really the mascara that delivers beautiful lashes without robbing you of your own natural lashes. 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.