Sweat-proof travel makeup

HI, REGINA!

My family’s going on vacation somewhere hot, and I’m sure I’m going to get sweaty while I’m on tour. What makeup should I wear? Would you suggest foundation, or should I stick to sunscreen and just a light powder to keep from getting oily?

MELANIE

Been there, definitely done that! Even when the country you’re visiting isn’t in the throes of a sweltering summer, you can still easily get sweaty from exertion. I would definitely pass on foundation. If you don’t need that level of coverage and can get through with just concealer, on key areas (like if you have any blemishes to cover up, or dark circles), then definitely do just that. Sunscreen is a must, regardless of the time of year. Even in countries where it’s wintertime and the sun’s only out for four hours of the day — you still need protection in those four hours.

Apply powder only where you need it — in the T-zone. A little shine on your cheeks is actually not a bad thing; dewy skin looks youthful and healthy. Don’t pile on the powder if you want to touch up or soak up sweat and oil. Keep oil-absorbent sheets and/or a pack of facial tissue in your bag. The tissue will soak up sweat, the sheets will cover sebum, but if you don’t have blotting sheets, then separate the tissue and use one ply to absorb the oil on your face.

As for the rest of your makeup, get your brows shaped before you leave, and bring a brow definer with you — a dark ash brown pencil should suffice. A lash curler and mascara (waterproof is best because it won’t budge even if you sweat; just make sure to have a small bottle of eye makeup remover in your suitcase) should be enough to define your eyes and make you look awake, but you can also opt to use a pencil liner in black or brown along your upper lashline for further definition.

I would strongly suggest sticking to a lip-and-cheek tint rather than powder blush (which you will sweat off), and lipstick, which can be a bit much. (But of course you can wear lipstick if you want to.) Tints are so much easier to apply on the fly; you don’t even need to look in the mirror. So convenient!

Bon voyage!

REGINA

* * *

What to give someone who has everything

DEAR LUCY,

What kikay product can I give someone who already has everything? She travels constantly, can afford all the brands, has impeccable taste. I want to give her something that she will still appreciate.

HELEN

Give her something proudly Filipino. We have excellent local designers. I am a fan of the minaudieres of Emi Jorge and Amina Aranaz — they embrace very Filipino raw materials, but the craftsmanship is so nice and the quality so good that it can stand on its own alongside the foreign friends.

For fine jewellery, there is Jul B. Dizon Jewellery Salon with a gorgeous selection. Cura V and AC+632 have a nice selection of semi-precious jewellery (in silver, gold-filled).

For makeup, there is my favorite Happy Skin. I have given this brand as presents to my friends abroad and they unanimously love it.

Keep your eyes open, there are a lot of choices out there. And it is always nice to promote Filipino craftsmanship every chance we get. After all, there is much about it to be proud of.

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.