HI, REGINA!
I have a bad habit of always ruining a fresh manicure. My nails are never as dry as they appear to be! Are there any products on the market that will help them dry —really dry — faster?
PATTY
Great nails are so essential. Even just a plain coat of polish — nail art, however cute it may be, is often unnecessary and excessive — can be enough to give any outfit that extra oomph. It’s as important an accessory as actual accessories, and can really help pull your look together in a subtle way. I don’t think I’ve seen my bare nails for longer than an hour at a time in, well, years!
I always do my nails as an afterthought, typically less than half an hour before I need to leave the house to go somewhere, so I absolutely need something quick-drying, just like you do. Quick-drying topcoats are, naturally, the first and easiest option. Pick up a bottle of Seche Vite (which is what I use), or Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Top Coat (or any of Sally Hansen’s quick-drying varieties). It’ll have your nails ready to go within five minutes. My only problem with these is that they tend to get a little goopy over time.
You can also opt to use quick-drying drops (like Orly’s) to speed up the process for regular nail polish. Or, use a textured polish (like a matte polish or matte topcoat), something with a sandy finish, or a metallic foil. They dry more quickly than the standard creme. REGINA
* * *
DEAR RISSA,
I’m looking for a fragrance that smells great but is not mainstream. Every time I go out, I always bump into people whom I can smell wear the same perfume as I do! What do you recommend? JOYCE
I highly recommend Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM Pour Femme (available at Adora Greenbelt 5, Makati). Francis Kurkdjian is actually revered as one of the world’s most talented perfumers and worked behind the scenes for many years, creating iconic fragrances for fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier. He later introduced his own fragrance, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and created an alluring collection of luxury scents.
This is my most favorite scent in the world! This scent never fails to remind me of my baby, but my husband finds me irresistibly sexy every time I use it. It’s a bit pricier than your usual perfume but worth every drop. I have not come across any woman who wears the same fragrance and people always ask me about it every time I wear it. It always seems to leave an alluring unforgettable memory.
The only woman I have come across wearing the same fragrance is celebrity stylist Liz Uy. I was seated beside her one time during Philippine Fashion Week and in an instant, I knew what perfume she was wearing. “Is that Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM Pour Femme?†She said it was and smiled with surprise that I knew. We just giggled and I shared that I wear the exact same fragrance. RISSA
* * *
DEAR LUCY,
How do I wear a lingerie top so that it looks classy and not sleazy? What can I wear on a night out that is so not the little black dress? And how do I cover my freckles? I have really good skin, but I want zero freckles, I want it to be flawless. VICKI
Oh, a lingerie top can be quite lovely! Make sure it is not so revealing — what is sexy about it should not come from how much skin you show but how sensual the fabric feels against the skin, how luxurious it seems. It goes without saying that the material used and the way it is sewn should be beautiful and impeccable. Wear it with a slim black skirt that falls mid leg. Then wear skinny heels, a nice clutch, bold earrings or a statement ring. Make sure your hair and makeup look polished, otherwise you will look like you rolled out of bed!
For a night out, how about a white dress? Or one in gray? I love how white is so unexpected at night, and has the power to look innocent yet sexy at the same time. Gray always looks classy also, a pale gray especially, in a luxurious fabric like heavy charmeuse or silk.
Your freckles? Don’t hide them! Celebrate them, especially if you have good skin. Freckles can be very charming. But if you are really dead set on making them disappear, then RevLite is the way to go. It is a non-invasive treatment that zaps spots and makes your skin look clear and flawless. Go to the Belo clinic. The results are almost instant! I think you will love it. RevLite works very well on other problem areas, too, like dark armpits and knees, even the bikini area if it needs some whitening. LUCY
* * *
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.