The little black dress will be big in 2009

Dear Tingting,

This year — 2009 — what style or fashion would you recommend?

Joana Ruiz

Dear Joana,

I’ve always liked the little black dress — all-black clothes, pants, and tops included. They can be worn from morning to night, never dirtying like white. Black is mysterious and chic, understated and provocative. In its simplicity, it makes you look effortlessly stylish. In its sophistication, it makes you look endlessly elegant. The little black dress is the dress that is going to let you shine — it will flatter you, but it will not detract from the rest of you. It lets your hair, your accessories, and your personality take center stage. And the slimming effect — let’s not forget the slimming effect.

The classic white shirt is as key to American style as blue jeans. It is chic and simple, practical and unpretentious. It can be paired with jeans, black pants, a long skirt, or a gown. It is also useful for covering up a bad outfit when entering a good hotel.

Women’s watches tend to change according to trends, but a classic men’s watch is timeless. It makes a statement and breaks the rules in an unexpected but subtle way. It’s another great item to borrow from a boyfriend/husband/father/friend.

The bag, like the shoe, is a great place to have fun and play with colors, textures, and shapes. But, as with the shoe, you should have at least one classic bag (okay, maybe three) that will go with you anywhere: A tote or shoulder bag for daytime and for carrying around almost everything; a clutch for nighttime and for carrying around almost nothing; a medium-size handbag with a chain-link strap for those times in between.

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Passion For Fashion

Dear Lucy,

I am 28 years old, and totally in love with fashion. My passion is different from others because I was fat all my life and it wasn’t until last year that I lost all the flab. Worked on it slowly and surely for tired years, through healthy diet and exercise. Now I can wear what I want. The problem is not every area I have all figured out. Can you please help me figure out and solve the following:

1) Really do not have stick-straight hair. But it is not curly, either. Buhaghag is more like it. I cannot afford to go to the salon every day but I really like the effect of a blowout or two-day-old hair. What home remedy can I do to achieve that?

2) Shorts and short skirts are so in fashion now. How can I make my legs look longer?

3) I have tiny little bumps on my arms and legs. They are not pimples but they feel rough and look unsightly upon close inspection. The doctor says scrubs and fancy lotions will do me no good. What product can I use?

4) What is a mascara brand that really works? I have most of the top brands, but they do not keep my lashes curled and up.

5) Where can I buy hotel-quality towels? I just want plush white ones. How about lace panties that are pretty, comfortable and affordable?

Lalou

Congratulations on finally losing all the weight. I can just imagine how great you look, and more importantly, feel.

1) Here’s a little trick Jas, the one who cuts my hair, taught me. Especially if you did not use any product on your hair, you can use conditioner first. Comb it through the strands, avoiding your roots, otherwise it will weight your hair down. Let conditioner stay on for a bit, then rinse off with your regular shampoo. Your hair will be so soft and smooth, you’ll see. Not buhaghag at all.

2) The fastest way to make your legs look great is to use platform shoes. They instantly make you look taller, leaner, sexier.

3) A cousin of mine had a similar condition. Once that happened to me, too. I think I developed a reaction to some fancy lotion I sued. Go to Mercury Drug and get Nutraplus lotion. It is an emollient lotion; it renders optimum moisture without a greasy of heavy feel. In time the bumps will disappear and your skin will never be so smooth.

4) Mascara that really works are those from Awake (their Roll Curl mascara), and Clarins. Currently, these are my favorites.

5) Go to Debenhams, S&R, or look up Versia in the directory. They all have hotel-quality towels. Debanhams has Egyptian cotton towels. S&R has the line of towels by Martha Stewart, while Versia has the generic white ones that hotels use. For panties, check out the women’s line of Lesley Mobo for Bench. So, so nice and so, so comfortable!

Lucy

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Must-Have Swimsuit Cover-Ups, Waterproof Makeup

Dear Rissa,

I read your Style SOS column all the time to pick up helpful tips on makeup and fashion. I am writing now to ask for your advice.  I am a 50-year-old mother of two.  My family will be going to Palawan in two weeks and I would like to ask two things: One, where can I buy nice but inexpensive swimsuit cover-ups? Two, what is a really good brand of waterproof eye and lip makeup?

Thank you and keep up the good work!

Liza

I was in SM Makati just over the weekend to claim my Advantage Card. On my way to the customer service area, I passed by the ladies’ section and the brand Cococabaña caught my eye (the salesgirl said the brand is available in all SM branches). Wow, they offer such gorgeous dresses, blouses and caftans! Their collection showcased the colors of summer 2009 and the designs will definitely appeal to women of all ages. What will make you fall in love with it the most are the prices! I couldn’t resist this lovely halter dress in the fresh shade of grass green, which costs just P499.75! I also liked so much this bold blue light knit top with caftan sleeves (which I can also wear as a minidress!) that costs only P599.75. Lastly, this charming cotton dress in lemon yellow was calling out to me — with its long flowy length and flattering cut, I had to get it at just P649.75! For your trip, you have to check out the pretty cotton caftans in vibrant summer hues, pastels, and striking prints. The prices are in the same affordable range. These will be great swimsuit cover-ups! If you want to lounge about and look good during the breezy evenings of your vacation, must-haves are the beautiful satin caftans in jewel tones.

When it comes to waterproof makeup, I recommend Make Up For Ever’s waterproof makeup collection (stores located at Shangri-La Mall, SM The Block, Watson’s Mall of Asia, and Bonifacio High Street). They offer all kinds of waterproof makeup: foundation for the face and body, eye makeup and lip products. The Aqua Waterproof Lip Pencil is long-wearing and sweat-resistant. Even as I drank from a glass, the lip pencil didn’t transfer or leave unsightly stains and marks. Another way I like wearing it is by using it on the entire lip so it doubles as a long-lasting lip color. I’ve also tried Make Up For Ever’s Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils and I must say the color really stays in place even in the most extreme conditions — underwater, while sweating and yes, even in our humid climate. Unlike other eyeliner pencils, this one glides smoothly on your lids without any tugging or pulling. Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils are dermatologically and opthalmologically tested so it’s safe to use even for contact lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes. 

For mascara, Maybelline and L’Oreal (available in all leading department stores, supermarkets and personal care stores) are affordable options and have a great selection of waterproof mascaras. Many makeup artists equip themselves with these mascara brands because it’s waterproof, smudge-proof and lasts long! If it can withstand the endless outfit changes and the humid backstage a model goes through at a fashion show, there’s no need to doubt that it can make your lovely lashes last all day and night. I also recommend Shu Uemura Precise Volume Mascara (exclusively available at Rustan’s). Get it in waterproof! It gives long, thick, defined lashes as if lashes were hand-drawn one by one. It can even do wonders on short and fine lashes.    

Rissa

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