You can have glowing skin with barely-there makeup

HELLO, MS. RISSA!

I am an avid reader of your column. I am a journalist based here in Mindanao and because of my work, I am always exposed to the sun. I hate wearing makeup. Would you please recommend some products that would make my face glow without applying makeup? I am already 30.                 AN

Glowing skin means healthy skin not just on the surface but even at the layers beneath. I strongly suggest you start using sunblock NOW. Protecting the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays is one of the best things you can do for your skin. I particularly like Belo Essentials Sun Expert (available at leading department stores, supermarkets, and personal care stores). It’s my choice for truly effective sunblock. It never feels sticky (even when outdoors!), it’s incredibly easy to spread, and best of all, it’s one of the few sunblocks that never leaves an unflattering white film. Make it your beauty mantra: Sunblock is your partner for healthy, glowing skin.

Your 2013 beauty mantra: Sunblock is your partner for healthy, glowing skin. Belo Essentials Sun Expert is available at leading department stores, supermarkets, and personal care stores.

In the meantime, you can achieve glowing skin. We all secretly covet the “lit-from-within” glowing rosy cheeks of artistas. They always seem to possess the most natural pinkish cheeks that look like they have no trace of blush-on (even if they do). Becca Beach Tint (available at Adora, Greenbelt 5, Makati) is a must even for those who loathe wearing makeup. This lightweight barely-there product can be worn both as a blush or as a lip tint! I’ll admit I was never a fan of crème blush. But this one completely changed my mind about everything I disliked about crème blushes. The Becca Beach Tint is surprisingly light, amazingly easy to blend (streak-free even over makeup and powder!), and is never greasy or oily even with our humid Philippine weather. 

When I tried the Becca Beach Tint in the shade Watermelon, it was instant love! This shade of pink gave me the healthiest and prettiest glow to my cheeks. I knew I was wearing blush, but it looked like I wasn’t wearing any. Unlike other cheek tints, the Becca Beach Tint is long-lasting. The color intensity survived kisses from my son and husband, and even white bedsheets (yes, I tried to sleep with it!). If I could only bring one makeup product with me stranded on an island, this would be it. It’s so weightless that I forget I’m wearing any makeup at all. I can also use it on my lips and I only need a tiny amount to look great every day!

RISSA

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Forever young: Dior’s Capture Totale Foundation captures the luminous, radiant look of youth with its blend of antiaging ingredients.

LUCY’S FAVE MAKEUP/SHOE BRANDS

DEAR LUCY,

What is your favorite makeup brand? What about for shoes, what are your favorites?   MICHELLE

For makeup, I really like Dior and Make Up For Ever, especially when it comes to foundation. Dior’s Capture Totale is remarkably good, and Make Up For Ever’s Face and Body Liquid Foundation is great.

For lips, I like the Diorific line, which is matte but not drying, and the Dior Addict Extreme, which works like lipgloss but in really fabulous colors! MAC lipcolor I will always be fond of because of the clever names and the beautiful range.

For pink blush and nudes for contouring, I am partial to Shu Uemura, they have dreamy hues.

For shoes, Repetto for flats (theirs is the most comfortable ever!) and for heels, Prada, Miu Miu, Pedro Garcia, Loubotin.

LUCY

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FOR ACNE, YOUR DERMA’S YOUR BEST BET

HI, REGINA!

Zap those zits: If you have acne, it’s best to go without, or to at least substitute your heavy makeup formulas (like foundation) with lighter ones like BB creams or tinted lotions.

I never used to get acne, but when I hit my 20s, suddenly I started breaking out all the time. It’s been two years and I really don’t want to have to wear makeup every day to cover it up, but I also don’t want to go to the derma. What do I do?           DIA

You’re absolutely right about not wearing makeup. It can aggravate the situation, especially if it’s clogging your pores, so it’s best to go without, or to at least substitute your heavy makeup formulas (like foundation) with lighter ones like BB creams or tinted lotions.

I hate to break it to you, but if you’ve been trying different things for two years and nothing has worked so far to fix your acne, much as you might not want to, you may really need to see the derma. You can try every over-the-counter acne treatment out there, from your salicylic acid to your benzoyl peroxide to your erythromycin to your tea tree oil, and some may help, or provide a quick fix, but if you don’t find out what’s causing your acne, you’re not going to find a long-term solution for your flare-ups.

Please do consider seeing a dermatologist. One trip won’t hurt; he or she will be able to assess your skin and tell you right off the bat what’s going on with it, whether it’s the products you’ve been using, whether it’s hormonal. Then, if necessary, the doctor will be able to prescribe something that will work for you, and will keep working. Consider it a one-time big-time investment in your skin. It’ll be worth it.

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. Send Regina Belmonte your questions at vivatregina.tumblr@gmail.com or tweet her @vivatregina.