DEAR LUCY,
I know how to do my own eyes already, although I have not ventured beyond the usual browns and greys. My concern really is how to contour my face the way professional makeup artists do. In this age of Instagram and Twitter where photos are snapped and shared instantly, even if in person my face looks okay, I notice that it looks flat in photos. Could you share what works for you?
GRACE
I understand perfectly what you mean, I had the same dilemma before. I was coming from the viewpoint that since my face is so small to begin with, I had no need for contour. My makeup artist, Jerome Chang, taught me otherwise. He says a little definition makes a huge difference, so instead of just relying on blush for a natural-looking flush, I have since learned to add bronzer to my makeup kit and routine. I apply it from the outside in, on a slant starting by that area near the ears. I use a blush brush for that. I also apply the same bronzer faintly on the temples and under the jawline to finish off the look. Contouring the face is the way to go for nude makeup without looking washed out. Perfected, it can carry you from day to night with just a change of lipstick.
For the eyes, I wouldn’t worry about being a forever fan of brown. Unlike gray which can make the skin look sallow on a bad day, brown is a reliable classic. It is dark enough to enhance the shape of your eyes without making it look overly dramatic and formal. My favorite brown for contouring the crease of my eyes is MAC Wedge. For dressier occasions, you can experiment with blue and burgundy. It is lovely and almost always unexpected.
LUCY
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IF the ring doesn’t fit
DEAR RISSA,
I’ve successfully lost weight, but my problem is most of my accessories, specifically the rings, no longer fit me. They’re a bit loose now. These rings are my favorite fashion accessories! How can I make my big rings fit my fingers now?
ANNE
Congratulations on a healthier and slender new you! I love accessories, too, especially rings. Whenever I fall in love with a one-of-a-kind fashion ring that’s a bit big for me, I don’t let the opportunity escape and I still buy the ring. Here’s my little DIY trick so I can wear them: I cut up those thick padded double-sided tapes to follow the shape of the band and stick them inside the ring. It instantly makes your ring fit your fingers and no one will ever see them! Another super cool item I found at True Value is Ring Snuggies (I think I bought a pack for around P130). I love hanging out at True Value and you can leave me there all afternoon because I discover so many little fashion and beauty-related finds like this! Ring Snuggies instantly gives a snug fit for any ring on your finger. This ring adjuster is made of a hypoallergenic clear PVC band that you can easily attach to the shank of any ring. A pack contains a variety of shapes so it will fit different ring styles. It’s actually perfect for costume jewelry or fashion rings, which cannot be resized.
RISSA
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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.