Bogged down by eyebags

Dear Lucy,

Bonjour! I’m a high school student in Manila (now a junior). I’m disturbed by my eyebags. They’re very noticeable. I know that the reason for my eyebags is my study habits which keep me burning the midnight oil. My other problem is that when I don’t have school, I cannot sleep until it’s 12 midnight, which makes my eyebags worse. I’m too young for these, what can I do? Can you recommend anything that would help get rid of my eyebags? Merci!

Aine

Like you mentioned, your eyebags are a consequence of your late-night habit. Fortunately, you will see a significant change that comes with correcting the source of the problem. Sleep is a cycle and you just have to make an effort to adjust your body clock. If milk does not induce sleep for you, try tucking yourself in bed at a specific time every night (say 9 p.m.) and staying there till you eventually fall asleep. At most, read a book to pace you down. You will definitely be prettier without eyebags and dark circles under your peepers.

Lucy

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Scars And Skirts Don’t Mix

Dear Tingting,

After reading your column on scar care in the April 17 issue of Fashion & Beauty, I became hopeful and excited to try the product Contracubex or Mederma that you suggested. Are they suited to all skin types? Where can I buy them? Are they sold over the counter? I’m really hoping my scar would lighten so I could wear skirts ’coz I really envy those who could bare their legs.

Althea

Re Contracubex, you’ll find it in major drug stores in Manila. Mederma is available in Wallgreens in the US and Watsons in Hong Kong. Both are sold over the counter and produce the same results. Apply them consistently and be patient. Incidentally, Vermen Verallo of Makati Medical Center and VMV Cosmetics, who has an excellent daytime moisturizer that keeps skin smooth as silk, recommends: "If your scar is thick and you’re getting impatient, take a piece of cotton and put in on top of the scar after you’ve applied Contracubex. Plaster it firmly in place during the night."

Tingting

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Spot The Difference

Dear Mary,

I’m currently living in the US, where I read the letter of Desperate Girl on the Internet via the philstar.com. I also have the same problem, which is why I got interested in your suggestion to use Clinique Stop. I immediately went to the mall to get one, but they’re giving me a different Clinique Stop that’s for anti-aging. Could you give me more information on Clinique Stop as I’ll be attending a friend’s wedding and I’m really interested in getting this product.

Weng

It is not a Clinique product. Estee Lauder is the distributor of Spot. Chanel also has a similar pimple eraser in stick form.

Mary

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E-mail style_sos@yahoo.com or write to Style SOS, c/o Life Section, The Philippine STAR, 13th and Railroad Sts., Port Area, Manila