With this unisex skin cleanser, you don't need a toner

Dear Rissa, 

Is a toner necessary in one’s skincare routine?

MHC

Personally, I don’t use a toner. Even dermatologists and magazines like InStyle and Allure agree that toners aren’t always necessary. Also called astringents, skin purifiers, balancers or clarifying lotions, toners act as a backup in removing any residual dirt, oil, and makeup after cleansing. But if you have a truly thorough and effective cleanser, you don’t need a toner. If you’re addicted to toners for the tight and taut feeling they give your skin after, think twice — this actually dehydrates and strips the skin of its natural moisturizers. Keep in mind that dry skin sets the stage for wrinkles. 

With the right kind of cleanser, you save your wallet from unnecessary expenses. Instead of paying extra dough for a pricey broth of water, color, preservatives, and alcohol, invest in quality cleansers for the face. The Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser is something you should try. This cleanser does such a great job, it eliminates the need for a toner. It effectively removes makeup, excess oil, and dirt without stripping the skin of essential moisturizers. Because the founders of the brand have sensitive skin themselves, their products are never harsh and are suited for all skin types. This cleanser hydrates dry skin to the right pH balance while oily skin benefits from the antibacterial properties of grapefruit extract which help control acne. Even men benefit from this unisex cleanser — it leaves the skin clean without irritation and preps the skin for shaving.

Rissa

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Lights, camera, eye drama!

You and eye: Maybelline’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner glides on with ease and makes eyes look really great.

Dear Lucy,

I love the effect of black liner on the eyes, but my eye pencil tugs on the skin and I get a blotchy line. What do you use? And does the same rule still apply — dark eyes, neutral lips and vice versa? What is a nice lip gloss for neutral eyes?

Also, I remember you mentioned in an interview that the most comfortable flats ever are Repetto. Where can I buy this?

Digna

Where black liner is concerned, practice really makes perfect. I only learned to use liquid liner when I discovered Maybelline’s hyper sharp liner, which is just so easy to use. Now that I am so comfortable with it, I am also loving Maybelline’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner. It glides on with ease and makes eyes look really great.

For neutral lips, I like patting on a pinkish beige color and then topping it with MAC Dazzleglass in Bare Necessity.

As for Repetto, yes, it is a must-have. The ballerina flats are just so comfortable you can run in them! I am amazed at how comfort is not compromised for beauty and vice versa. Repetto is very chic, very comfortable, and kind to the feet, and they look lovely with pants or a dress. It’s available at Greenbelt 3, go now as fast as you can because I hear stocks are flying off the shelves like there’s no tomorrow! I will see you there! Oh, by the way, size runs small so ask for a size or two up your usual. Every girl must have a Repetto!

Lucy

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Lip Tips And Eye Do’s

Hi, Regina!

Smudge-free lipstick: The best way to minimize smudges is to apply your lipstick with a lip brush. Photo from www.shebytes.com

How do you apply lipstick without smudges, and how do you apply wings using liquid eyeliner?

Jennica

I’m a lipstick junkie, so I can swipe it on in total darkness straight out of the tube without smudging, but it can be a little challenging for a lipstick newbie. The best way to minimize smudges is to apply your lipstick with a lip brush. Whether you’re using a brush or applying from the tube, always draw in the bow of your lips first (the little V right in the center of your top lip), then along the upper edges. Then, apply along the edges of your lower lip, and then fill in everything you’ve missed. You can also use a lip liner (in the same shade as your lipstick, or as close as you can get) and outline your lips before applying lipstick. This helps define the shape of your lip (and you can even use it to cheat your way to fuller-looking lips, but that’s a trick for the more experienced), and it prevents your lipstick from feathering or bleeding, if you’re using a glossier formula.

As for winged eyeliner, to get a symmetrical wing, determine where along your eyelid you want the wing to start flaring out and where you want it to end before you even start drawing. This is how I do it: Hold your eyeliner pen along the tip of your eyebrow and the outer corner of your eye; this is usually a diagonal line. Then, pick a point along that line where you want your wing tip, and draw a little dot with liquid liner. Draw a similar dot along your lash line to mark where you want your eyeliner to start flaring upwards, then carefully draw in the wing. Once you’re satisfied with how the wings look, draw in the rest of the line along your upper lash line, and wait for it to dry.

Regina

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil. E-mail Regina Belmonte at vivatregina.tumblr@gmail.com.