All I want for Christmas: The softest makeup brushes!

DEAR RISSA, 

I’m not a professional makeup artist, but I enjoy putting makeup on myself. That’s why I want my brushes to be ultra soft. What brand do you recommend?

JOYCE

I know how you feel. Since I put on makeup almost every day, it’s very important to me that my makeup brushes feel silky soft (and not prickly!) on my face and skin. Soft brushes can make a huge difference! I’m a firm believer that a woman feels more beautiful when she takes the extra step to pamper and take care of herself, to add luxury to everyday routines. We spend so much on our skincare and makeup but neglect our skin with subpar makeup brushes, which can sometimes be the cause of breakouts. It’s funny how women scrimp on makeup brushes when they’re some of the beauty tools we use almost every single day!

 I was so giddy when I recently discovered Soffia makeup brushes (available at PurBeauty at Serendra, SOFA Retail Lab at Power Plant Mall, and www.beautyandminerals.com). Soffia makeup brushes are some of the lushest, softest, and most luxurious brushes I’ve tried! The velvet-like bristles glide on your skin, resulting in a beautiful, flawless finish. I love them so much that I’ve actually replaced my pricey branded brushes for these. Aside from feeling so incredibly soft and luxurious on the skin, the quality of brushes is so superb that they pick up the right amount of product and blend makeup so flawlessly. 

Soffia features eight kinds of makeup brushes. My personal favorite is the Opulence Soft Focus Brush. This brush is said to be extremely special because it’s made from the most premium grade of goat hair (that rivals an international brand for 1/10th of the price!). It applies blush as if you just saw your crush! It also delivers the most divine soft-focus and flawless look — yes, this is your secret to the “no-makeup” makeup look!

My second favorite is the Opulence Perfect Skin Foundation Brush. This is actually my dream brush! (Yes, I’ve been doing my makeup for the longest time that I actually have a dream brush.) The moment I saw this, I bought it immediately. I’ve always wanted a brush like this but could not find the perfect one. If you want a poreless, flawless complexion, this is the perfect brush to use. Coverage is superb yet unnoticeable. Unlike other brushes that pile on heavy layers of powder just to provide coverage, this magically “Photoshops” blemishes away. I love it because it gives a lightweight, seamless, and practically poreless layer to the face while wonderfully covering imperfections. This is the brush that really makes you look like you were born with perfect skin!                               RISSA

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Gifts to delight a makeup junkie

DEAR LUCY,

What do I give a makeup junkie friend who has everything? What can I give that will still delight her?                   

RONA

The timeless classics will never fail to delight, especially if it is a brand as pedigreed and iconic as Chanel, for instance. I love how consistently wonderful their products always are, and I would like to share some delightful finds with you. If you want to give her a gorgeous red, get Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Precieuse. It is a luminous matte red that is just so beautiful. Chanel Rouge Allure in a shade called Radieuse, on the other hand, is a beautiful intense nude.

Check out also their Illusion D’Ombre, which is so easy to use. I like applying it on the lid for some subtle depth, no technique required, and finishing it off with beautifully curled lashes. My favorite blush now is neither pink nor peach, it is a happy beige that subtly makes the skin look sun-kissed! Especially when I wear very red lips, I want to keep everything else low-key without compromising definition and contour. Chanel never fails, it is everybody’s go-to.         LUCY

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Hot tip: Don’t forget to wear sunscreen

 HI, REGINA!

You always mention how important sunscreen is; I used to think you only needed it when you go to the beach. I want to start using it, but I don’t want to apply lots of products in the morning. Is it enough to use a foundation or BB cream that has SPF?

SUSAN

Sunscreen should be one of the most important steps in your skincare regimen. Lots of young women are worrying about aging and wondering if they should start using anti-aging products, well, sunscreen’s the best for that. Ninety percent of aging is due to the sun.

I’m a big fan of products that multitask, especially since I’m super lazy, so I totally know where you’re coming from. If your BB cream contains at least SPF 30 (though 35 is ideal, I think) and you’re not likely to be outdoors, then you should be fine. (I’d still wear sunscreen under makeup, though, but I’m paranoid like that.)

If you’re going to be outside for a long period of time at some point, use a separate sunscreen, and reapply if you sweat or wipe it off. You won’t see the effects now, but in a decade or two, when the consequences of the sun sins of your youth start to show, you’re going to be glad you took preventive measures.           REGINA

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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.