Fashionable pieces before, during, and after pregnancy

DEAR RISSA,

I am an avid follower of your column and Instagram account. The products you recommend really work for me. I am now pregnant and will be expecting my first baby this March. I wanted to ask your advice as to the best place to buy maternity wear or breastfeeding-friendly blouses that still look fashionable. The last thing I want now that I’m getting big is to look loshyang! Will really appreciate your advice to a first-time mom like me. Thank you so much!

TEENA G.

Congratulations on your first baby! Such an exciting time for you and your husband! I’m actually four months pregnant and what I’m crazy about right now is this clothing brand called Elin (www.elin.ph). I’m so in love with it and I wish that I discovered it the last time I was pregnant. They offer such comfortable wardrobe essentials. Their philosophy is that every woman should be beautiful throughout all stages of life, which is why many of their pieces are designed to be worn before, during, and after pregnancy.

Their clothes have been my staple pieces right now even while just four months pregnant. The fabric is extremely comfortable, breathable, and soft to the skin — perfect for the sensitive skin of moms-to-be! I’ve tried traveling with Elin pieces as well. They’re perfect for the modern woman — their versatile pieces take you from day to night and can stylishly be dressed up or down.  They have the best looking and most confortable breastfeeding tops I’ve tried. What I really like is how the clothes are made to flatter a woman’s body yet hide little imperfections like the puson, flabby arms, or muffin tops. Looking great is so easy with their stylish pieces! I love how I can wear them whether I’m pregnant or not. Make lots of space for this new clothing brand because you’ll want to have everything in all colors, plus the prices of their clothes are so mommy-friendly, too! Items range only from P495-P1,450.

RISSA

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Lash wish

REGINA, HELP!

I got eyelash extensions a month ago and I loved them, but they’re starting to fall off ... with my real lashes! Should I freak out? What do I do?                                                  JAMIE

Your lashes really do fall out (it’s a cycle, except you don’t notice because they only come out a few at a time), but the weight of the extensions on your real lashes as they’re growing out may be speeding up this process and making you lose more lashes at a faster rate. I know it’s scary; I’ve been there, agonized over my suddenly sparse lash area, but they eventually grew back in. It’ll take some time, though, so wait for about a month or so to see some serious new lash growth.

For now, I’d suggest getting any extensions that are still attached professionally removed at the same place where you got them done (I’m guessing they’re already starting to droop anyway, since your real lashes have grown some), then use a lash serum on whatever lashes you have left to nourish them and the skin on the lash area. I actually use a little castor oil, brushed on lightly with a Q-tip. I know it’s an old wives’ tale, but the extra nourishment has always helped my lashes stay longer and healthier in the root, which meant that they had more time to grow long and thick. They won’t look as lush as extensions, of course, but that’s what mascara and falsies — which you can use in the meantime — are for.   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.