Do you have a two-toned complexion?

Dear Rissa,

My problem started when a friend asked me to be her bridesmaid. The gown I’m going to wear is the spaghetti type that bares my shoulder up to my cleavage (not that low, anyway). The thing is, my neck and my shoulder (up to the chest) aren’t of the same color maybe because of exposure to the sun. The only I only think of is to use body makeup for the meantime, since I have only exactly two weeks. Can you give me a list of the best brands of body makeup that I can use and where I can buy these? You‘re the only person who comes to my mind whom can help me best, so please, help! Thanks for giving time to read this e-mail.

God bless you always.
Ms. Chel


Dear Ms. Chel,

You aren’t alone. A lot of women have faced at some point the problem of having different skin tones for the face and for the body. Living in a tropical country like ours makes it quite unavoidable.

When I was studying in Ateneo, walking from building to building exposed my arms and face to the suns. So during weekends when I would go out on a gimmick, I would stare at my tan arms and face against a not-so-tan chest. It sure wasn’t a pretty sight especially when wearing a tube top. The difference in color wasn’t very drastic so what I would do was powder the lighter area with a bronzer. It not only evened out my skin tone, it added the perfect shimmer for that night out!

According to Jing Monis, one of the top makeup artists in the country, the best body makeup is from MAC (located in Glorietta in front of Rustan’s Bon Appetit). This expert who has done makeup for the pages of the best fashion magazines, countless TV commercials and print ads advises that although body makeup can be waterproof, when rubbed it can leave a stain on your clothes or on the people you bump into. Just the same way our face foundation stains a blouse when carelessly fitted.

For uneven skin tones, there are two possible scenarios: either your face is darker than your body or your face is lighter than your body.

If your face happens to be a shade darker than your body area, Jing suggests you choose a color in a shade slightly lighter than your face. Choose a face foundation close to your body color. Then apply this shade on the T-zone area, meaning your forehead, nose, chin and the area under your eyes. Having a shade lighter on this T-shaped area will create the illusion of a slimmer face. Your cheek area will be darker resulting in a contoured effect. As they say, dark colors make an area recede.

Now if your face has a color lighter than your body, go for a shade with the same skin tone as your body and use on your face. That way, your face and body color will be even.

Whenever Jing Monis does makeup at his Propaganda Salon in Greenbelt, he observes that one reason why women end up with a lighter colored face is because of how they use their skin whitening products. He advises that if ever you do use a skin whitener, remember to apply the product until the neck area. This will help avoid any sharp demarcation line along the jawline. Jing reminds that it’s the same when we use sunblock. We should never forget to apply on the neck area as well.

Aside from MAC, Jing recommends the body makeup of Makeup Forever (available in Cinderella). But aside from using body makeup, are there alternative solutions? Jing shares this tip: use a cream foundation mixed with moisturizer then apply it on your body. You can also just use a liquid foundation which applies easily on the body too. If you fancy using a bronzing powder, those from Bench and The Body Shop are some of Jing‘s affordable favorites. I use these too so I can’t help but agree.

Dear Rissa,

I have been reading your column for quite sometime now and I have learned a lot of useful tips from you. Now I just have a question about how to conquer blackheads and whiteheads. You see, for about a year my nose and my T-zone area are infested with blackheads and whiteheads. I have tried using pore strips in the past but it just makes them keep growing back faster. I wash my face several times a day and I also use a scrub and a facial mask but they’re still there. I always envy the women with smooth and clear skin in the nose. Please help me. I don’t know what to do. Thanks in advance.

Diana

Dear Diana,

According to top dermatologist Dr. Clare Palabyab of the Medical City, a blackhead is an open comedone; pores obstructed with sebum or dead cells. She says using a pore strip may somehow help the debris come out while pressing it can help only to an extent. The best way to safely get rid of those blackheads is to allow a professional dermatologist to perform acne surgery which will safely press them out.

As for those whiteheads, Dr. Palabyab says you can’t do much. That’s because a whitehead is a closed comedone and the medical term for this is millia. Since there isn’t any opening, the accumulation of oil is encapsulated like a tiny cyst. Unless it is pricked and a hole is made, it won’t come out.

Instead of spending money on products like pore strips and facial scrubs, you can save money by visiting a dermatologist. What they will do is give your skin a good cleaning once a month and prescribe the appropriate medicine targeted to your problem.

I honestly realized the importance of a dermatologist only when I went to one. I used to deal with occasional whiteheads. Whenever I tried to play doctor to myself and pricked it, it just got worse! Sometimes it would turn into a big painful zit! It was a big regret to touch it myself.

Dr. Clare Palabyab explains that for whiteheads and blackheads, she would prescribe tretenoin. When applied to the affected areas, it gently peels the skin so pores don’t have the chance to clog up. This also allows those whiteheads to open up and the accumulated oil gets pushed to the surface. For blackheads, tretenoin pushes the blackhead debris to the surface. She also explains that applying tretenoin is like a cleansing process that happens gradually. The great fact about this product is it helps prevent blackheads and whiteheads too. You eventually see improvement over time.

Which is worse — having whiteheads or blackheads? Dr. Palabyab says blackheads are easier to treat since there’s an opening. When at home, she suggests applying a warm towel over the affected area. This can help loosen up the oil. Rub very gently to remove the dead skin cells. You can also use a steamer as an alternative. But she says the best thing you can do at home is to wash your face often to prevent oil build up.

You can visit Dr. Clare Palabyab at Room 414 of the Medico Building in Medical City. Her clinic hours are 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. everyday except Sundays and Wednesday afternoons. You can also call 631-6961 for an appointment.

For your questions and comments, you can e-mail me at rissa_samson@yahoo.com.