A fresh face is best

DEAR LUCY,

I really want to achieve the no-makeup look. And I have so much makeup that I want to challenge myself and survive on just the basics. I don’t need much, come to think of it.

And how to wear skinny, faded denims? And a little bag?  I am all about big bags! And I cannot fit my things in a smaller bag!

LIZA

Go for it! Makeup enhances your natural look and a fresh face is always a welcome sight.  To begin with, use a tinted moisturizer instead of heavy foundation, especially if you already have beautiful skin to begin with.  Lancome and Clinique have excellent tinted moisturizers/bb creams that blend easily into the skin while evening it out. Plus they already also come with SPF, which is one less thing to worry about.  For your eyes, browns and taupes are practically fail-proof and for your lips, keep them nice and moisturized and unlined.  Happy Skin has a lovely selection, and the colors are so pretty.  Over and above that, the consistency is luscious — it does not dry up your lips and the colors stay true on the lips.  The price is a steal, too!  I have stocked up on all colors, and they will make nice gifts especially this Christmas. 

How do you wear faded skinny denims?  Try this: go for a pale look — a slouchy gray or white sweater, a skinny belt in a color, pointy stilettos, hair nicely blow-dried.  Use your small bag with this look!  It will come out really nice.  Check out LV’s Vivienne.  Or the Celine Nano.  So you feel secure that you still have everything you need at the ready, always carry a bigger tote in your car where you can stuff all your essentials.  And then just transfer what you need to your smaller bag at any given moment.  Hope that helps.                       LUCY

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Concealer or corrector: Which is which?

HI, REGINA!

Is there a difference between a concealer and a corrector? Or are they the same thing? How do you use the weird-colored ones?               ERICA

They’re both used to help cover up stuff you don’t like about your complexion. Concealers, you can use alone, but if you want to step up your beauty game, you can use a corrector prior to concealer and/or foundation to neutralize any redness or sallowness (etcetera) in your skin.

For example, I have really deep-set eyes, so whether or not I sleep all night, I wake up with killer dark circles. I use a yellow corrector to cancel out the purple undertones of my dark circles, and then proceed with concealer. (Some prefer peach for this purpose, though. Some also say that since concealer’s typically yellow-toned already, that yellow corrector should be unnecessary. But my circles are crazy hardcore, so I double up.) I know people who, no matter what they do, are always plagued with redness. A green correcting primer under your base will help neutralize that. (Works well with blemishes, too! Dab and blend a tiny bit on a blemish and follow with your usual concealer.) If you’re sallow or yellowish, a lavender primer will perk up your skin.

If this is all sounding a bit too much for you, though, just using regular concealer and foundation (especially if it’s a formula with coverage that you consider satisfactory) should work perfectly fine! No need to complicate your life unnecessarily, right?                     REGINA

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A Blue-tiful look

DEAR RISSA,

I’m not very daring when it comes to trying new makeup looks, but I feel I need a change. I want something different but not drastic. What do you suggest?                                                 DONNA

I suggest you start with eyeliner. What makes eyeliner so alluring is it can change your face dramatically. It easily transforms the girl-next-door into a glamorous diva. But instead of the traditional black, switch to navy blue. It may be a subtle change, but it will be an intriguing one. I particularly love right now Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in its limited-edition shade called Steel Ink — a rich navy color and a fresh alternative to the typical black. Bobbi Brown’s gel eyeliner is legendary for its long-wearing, water-resistant color that never smears or creases.

The last time I wore a navy eyeliner, a friend even asked if I was wearing colored contact lenses because my eyes looked sparkly and intriguingly different. She commented that I must be really happy and blooming. I was bowled over — imagine what a change in eyeliner color could do!                              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.