Get those shiny daytime lips

DEAR LUCY,

I want the look of really shiny lips, but I don’t want the highly pigmented ones that I feel are better suited for evening. Something shiny that is still appropriate for use during the day.

Secondly, should I get a tattoo? I am 21. I think it looks sexy.              

LALAI

Try the Water Drop Tint from Laneige (available at SM Aura). With only a single application, lips look plump, moist, almost as if they were coated with water. The nice thing about it is that it gives lips really pretty color minus the sticky feeling that is almost expected of thick lip lacquers. This is definitely a younger and fresher look.

Regarding getting a tattoo, it can be nice (and yes, quite sexy!), but honestly, I am not so keen about it. But then again, that is just me. I always think ahead — if I get a tattoo, will it look scary when I am 85? Maybe it will just look nice now that I am still young, but what happens when I am all wrinkly, stooped, and antique? Will my tattoo just look plain scary? That said, I would suggest that you listen to your gut. If it’s something you feel strongly about, then make a go for it. It not, maybe you can wait it out a bit, if only to see if it will ever feel really right. Wish you luck!

LUCY

Bye, bye, dry lips!

HI, RISSA!

I love putting on makeup, but my dry lips sometimes get in the way of achieving my overall look.  I do exfoliate my lips once a week, I also put on petroleum jelly every night, and I never miss on lip balms with SPF in the daytime.  I feel like I’m doing the necessary routine and yet, I still don’t have enough moisture on my lips.  I’m also a nonsmoker.                                  

RACQUEL

I’m a believer that the inside will reflect on the outside. You may be doing everything you can to take care of your lips on the outside, but perhaps you could be dehydrated, too. The skin on the lips is one of the thinnest so it easily shows signs of neglect.

“I tell patients with chapped lips that it can also be because of dehydration, so it’s important to drink 10 or more glasses of water a day. Dry, cracked lips can be a sign that they’re not having enough to drink,” explains Dr. Raissa Pasion of SKIN Dermatology and Laser Center.

Care for your body even from the inside and make sure you drink a lot of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated can help you achieve better skin. While drinking water is necessary for our body, remember that too much will also result in bloating and too many trips to the bathroom.

Bad habits may be the culprit, too! Dr. Pasion stresses, “It’s also important not to lick lips as saliva can further dry and irritate chapped lips. Apply a thick coat of petroleum jelly before sleeping and lip balm with SPF liberally throughout the day.”

If the problem persists, it’s always best to consult a board certified dermatologist as it can be a sign of allergies or a more serious skin disease that requires prescription medication.                                        

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.