Dear Rissa,
I’m 28 years old. I have dry skin and every time I put on makeup, I look older because of my flaky, dry skin. I’ve tried different moisturizers, but they always still make my skin crack and flake under makeup. Can you recommend a good moisturizer that will also be a good primer for dry skin?
Kat Vargas
Dry skin can instantly age you even if you’re young. Dry dehydrated skin magnifies fine lines and flaky skin — especially with makeup like face powder. I’m not a fan of the skincare products of MAC, but truthfully, I have fallen in love with the MAC Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel (P2,100 at MAC Cosmetics, Rustan’s Shangri-La Mall, Glorietta 3, and Marionnaud, SM Mall of Asia).
If there’s a brand that makes sure its skincare wears well under makeup, it’s MAC. The MAC Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel is an excellent moisturizer that preps your skin before makeup. It’s gel-like and ultra-light, making it great for our tropical weather. But this product is actually a heavyweight in the moisturizing arena. It absorbs quickly but provides intense hydration. I’ve been using it every day for over a week now and I love how its formula leaves the skin super soft and supple. It’s so light it allows my skin to breathe without ever feeling heavy, greasy or oily in our humid weather. This is perfect under makeup for women with dry skin. It gives the smoothest base for makeup — even with just face powder on, skin looks ultra-smooth, poreless, and well-hydrated. Yup, no thick, heavy, sticky feeling that most primers give. This is one product all skin types can easily benefit from. I don’t have super dry skin, but this has definitely become a staple in my bathroom shelf.
Rissa
* * *
Embracing The Filipiniana Dress
Dear Lucy,
We are required to wear Filipiniana at work and whenever our company celebrates a milestone because my boss is all about embracing heritage and culture. The problem is, I cringe at the thought! I am too young to wear Filipiniana, it will make me look old (I am only 28)! How can I get away from it?
Deena
You do not get away from it; instead, you get away with it! Embrace the Filipiniana dress, I think it is beautiful! I also do not subscribe to the idea that Filipiniana is for the old. The idea is to rethink the Filipiniana, do not treat it like a costume. Look at it as a beautiful piece of cloth that can be wonderfully cut and sewn to fit a wide age spectrum. You can have a knee-length terno, for example, or a smart structured dress that will look Filipiniana only because of the material you will use (piña would be beautiful). Do not go for beadwork, make and keep it young and day-friendly by showcasing instead the beautiful embroidery that Filipino artisans are well known for. Bring your tela to young designers who always tend to think out of the box. I know this sounds like such a cliché, but really, the possibilities are endless!
Lucy
* * *
Send e-mail to Tingting Cojuangco at tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com. E-mail Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.