Cheek tricks that will make you blush

Dear Rissa,
I see you in the papers and magazines and I like the way you fix yourself up. I’m on the morena side like you. I’m having a hard time finding a nice shade of blush that looks natural. So I just would like to know what brand or shade of blush you use.
– Chris

No matter what your skin tone is, it’s a bit tricky to find a good shade of blush. The color in the blush compact doesn’t always register the same way once applied on the skin. The intensity of color pigments can vary from brand to brand. That’s why it’s best to always test it, not just by trying out the shade at the makeup store but by trying to wear it throughout the afternoon, too. See how well the color stays and suits your skin tone. Keep in mind also that makeup can look different under fluorescent lights and under daylight. (That’s why whenever models have shoots or pictorials, professional makeup artists always ask photographers what kind of lights they plan to use.) Inside the store, you may look like you’re naturally blushing, but once you step out into the daylight, you may realize your cheeks are as pink as a clown’s.

Consider when and where you’ll be using a particular shade of blush. If you’ll be at work, a matte shade may be more appropriate than those with shimmer. Blushes with an iridescent or shimmer effect tend to make you look oily during the day (or too glittery!). They’re better at night when they make you look like you glow. Also, how much blush you apply is important. Avoid piling it on. More often than not, all you need is a few strokes of blush to achieve a natural look.

When it comes to blush, I have many favorites. During the day, I like using Inouvi’s blush in Silence (available at PCX and First Aid). It’s a natural matte shade of pink that complements my morena skin. It’s such a favorite that I so quickly used up my first one and had to buy a second! On days I want to go peach-y, another favorite is The Face Shop’s Black Label Blusher in the shade of 02 Blooming Peach (The Face Shop stores are located at Glorietta 2, Makati; SM Mall of Asia; and SM North Edsa.) It’s the perfect shade of peach for morenas. But when my fair-skinned kabarkada borrowed it on a night she forgot to bring makeup, it looked really, really good on her, too! This shade just makes you look so fresh! At only P355, it’s one of the best blushes that really give value for your money.

For evenings, I like Smashbox Soft Lights Smashing Tint (exclusively available at Beauty Bar). It’s a subtle iridescent pink that gives a nice warm glow. Another blush to try is Nars in the shade of Sin (available at Rustan’s Essenses). Many people have made Nars’ blush in the shade of Orgasm their staple favorite, but Sin is another must-try shade in Nars’ blush line. It’s a deep warm pink with a subtle sexy glow.

Lately, my most favorite blush that I use both for day and night is Patrick Rosas’ G-Lish in shade number PRG-B 001 (exclusively available at Rustan’s Essenses). When exceptional makeup genius Patrick Rosas launched his own makeup line under G-Lish, I had no doubt it would be very good. Each of his blush compacts comes in three hues that are pressed side by side, from the lightest to the darkest shade. The pink blush palette I really love! During the day, I just use two of the pink shades — the medium and dark pink which are matte. For nights out, I dip my blush brush in all three pinks, including the lightest shade which has a spectacular hint of shimmer — nothing too glittery but very fine and subtle, making you look radiant. With all three pinks blended, my cheeks get a very natural glow that looks great both in person and in pictures. What I love about Patrick Rosas’ G-Lish blush line is that the color fidelity is amazing. I can go through my whole night out without retouching my blush even once.
– Rissa

* * * Looking For The Best Foundation

Dear lucy,
What is the best foundation you’ve tried and can you recommend a blush in the shade of pink that’s perfect for fair complexion? We have the same skin type.
– Clare

Hands down, I would say Bobbi Brown has the best foundation. It gives good coverage and it really just disappears into the skin. I use the stick foundation in Porcelain. I also like the liquid foundation from The Face Shop under the Phytogenic line. It covers well and the effect is seamless and natural. For blush, I know just the perfect one for you. Try the new brand that Essenses carries, Scott Barnes. I got Posh, a palette with a trio of blushes that are in varying shades of pink, all so adorably pretty. You can wear them individually or mixed together. Keep blushing!
– Lucy

* * * The Cold Facts About Dry Skin

Dear tingting,
I have very dry skin, which makes me look much older than my age. Is there a not-too-expensive product I can use to arrest my skin aging?
– Bella

I once went to Mercury Drug and got one of those leaflets being given out for free by some people from the office of Dr. Vermen Verallo. Reading it, I discovered that dry skin is a common plight that suprisingly many know little about. For instance, it is not limited to people who were born with it as dry skin can develop later on in life. It can also be a sign of some health problems.

Why does skin become dry and worsen over time? Skin changes. The cold Christmas season can bring about dry skin. Seasons change. Clear skin can develop acne in the summertime, during the hormone-frenzied teenage years, during pregnancy or during menopause.

You could be traveling by air, spending lots of time in air-conditioned rooms, using the wrong skin products. It could be the sun, the harsh antiseptics you’re using; it could be aging.

The remedy? We must prevent water loss for the skin to stay soft. How? According to Dr. Vermen Verallo, coconut oil prevents water loss by actually replacing the skin’s lost lipids. Plant-derived coconut oil is very safe, pore-friendly, and its fatty acids are a normal component of human skin’s barrier — so instead of just preventing water loss, coconut oil helps replace the skin’s lost lipids, creating an environment for healing and restoring damaged cells.

More, initial studies suggest that coconut oil’s broad- spectrum antiseptic properties may prevent infection. So, in addition to making skin basically softer and more pliable, coconut oil may help keep skin disinfected from micro-organisms that penetrate cracks in dry skin, causing itching and more dryness.
– Tingting

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and rissa_samson@yahoo.com.