HI, REGINA!
My lips tend to chap and flake easily; I need a good lip moisturizer because I’d like to try matte lipstick. What can you recommend?
CARLA
I would suggest a rich lip moisturizer like Kiehl’s or L’Occitane’s lip balms, or even just petroleum jelly. Apply it liberally before you go to bed, rather than in the day, because while the richer balms will hydrate better, you can’t use them as a lipstick base — especially for matte lipstick — because they’ll create too much slip. Your lipstick won’t adhere to your lips as well as you want. So, heavier lip moisturizer at night.
In the daytime, I would suggest prepping your lips with a swipe of a less goopy lip balm, like Chapstick or Burt’s Bees. Apply that, let it sit for a while, and then press a tissue against your lips to soak up the excess. Then, apply your matte lipstick. Mattes are typically the most drying lipstick formula, so it’s important to prep your lips for them.
It’s also quite crucial to drink a lot of water. Prepping on the outside is one thing, but part of the reason your lips are dry is because you’re dehydrated, so hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. It’s not just good for the lips, it’s good for your entire body, too.
REGINA
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Dressing up for a blind date
DEAR LUCY,
What do I wear to a blind date? It’s not exactly blind, as I kinda see him in the circle (we are both in the financial industry), but he does not know me. A common friend just set it up. The question is, what to wear on that first dinner date? I want to look nice but not look as if I tried too hard. He looks good, fit, and always looks sharp. Should I go all-out fashionable or just dress nice and safe?
CHARMAIGNE
I think there is such a thing as either dressing for your girlfriends (read: being all-out fashionista and dressing in a way that your most fashionable friend would approve of) or dressing for a man (read: not all men agree with or admire the in things girls go gaga over). That said, I suggest you wear something you know you look good in, be that a dress or an outfit that involves pants. If you have a nice shape, then by all means highlight that with a dress that shows that off (but please do not wear anything too skintight all over; too short dresses are a no-no, too). Keep things classy. If you wear pants, choose a skinny silhouette. Always choose to wear heels —high heels that you can still walk in. If your toes show, get a pedicure, wear shiny nude polish. Get a manicure, too. Wear shiny nude polish — hands can be sexy when they are nice and clean, and he will be seeing a lot of them over the dinner table. Put on a hint of jewellery (just something that sparkles here and there when you move) and a hint of perfume, too. Hair should be casually blowdried, no tight curls or anything that screams “I went to the parlor just for you!” Wear powder that makes your skin show still, don”t be too caked with foundation, please. In general, men like natural-looking makeup. But do sexy up your eyes with liner and curl your lashes, play them up with shadow. Bring a nice bag. Enjoy the evening for what it is — a chance to get to know someone who may be potentially interesting and worth a second date, or third, or fourth. Who knows!
LUCY
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Smell great for the holidays
DEAR RISSA,
I want to wear fragrance, but my nose easily gets irritated with perfume when I spray it on myself. How else can I achieve a nice but subtle smell?
MARTHA
Some scents can be overpowering. If it irritates you, then it’s likewise uncomfortable even to people around you. An easy way to smell great without relying on spritzing products on is through mildly scented lotions and bath soaps. When you layer the same scent as you shower and when you moisturize after, you leave a scent that lingers comfortably on the skin. I suggest you try The Body Shop’s Glazed Apple Body Butter. I’ve always liked The Body Shop for their body butters and this latest glazed apple scent is a delicious treat that gives softly sweet skin. Shea butter leaves skin feeling smooth and soft. The rich buttery texture is a great way to pamper yourself, too! You’ll like the glazed apple scent because it’s subtle yet festive because it reminds you of the holidays. Use it with The Body Shop Glazed Apple soap so the layered scents give you an all-day holiday cheer!
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.