HI, REGINA,
I want to practice having the perfect winged tip! What eyeliner is easy to use for this?
VANESSA
It really depends on your level of eyeliner application proficiency. If you’re new to precision eyeliner application, then a liquid eyeliner pen will be the easiest to start with, because it’s designed to draw on a crisp line. However, you might find -— like I do — that you don’t like the shiny finish or the liner’s occasional tendency to flake off.
I personally prefer to use either a creamy kohl pencil liner, or a gel liner to do my winged liner. You’ll get more precision with a gel liner because you need to apply it with a brush, but the hassle with gel liner is exactly that it typically requires the use of a brush, so it’s not the most portable of options. However, gel liner has the strongest staying power, so chances that you’ll need to reapply at all are slim to none.
Once you’ve got a steadier hand, though, pencil liners are just as good for doing wings. I do my winged liner with a kohl or gel pencil, or anything labeled long-wearing, pretty much. If the wing’s not as crisp as I would like (though it usually is because I’m used to applying it with pencil liner), I clean it up with a Q-tip that’s slightly saturated with makeup remover, and then dab the excess away with a square of tissue. Pencils can occasionally have the tendency to smudge a bit, but I personally like the effect — I feel like it looks a little more punk rock. (Laughs.)
Best of luck with your liner. REGINA
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Lip tips for the hot summer
DEAR RISSA,
Do I need to moisturize my lips even during summer?
ELLA
Yes, it’s a must to moisturize your lips even during summer. The skin on the lips is one of the thinnest. It is one of the most neglected, too. It’s a must to keep your lips nourished and moisturized, most especially during summer when the heat can dehydrate and we do a lot of traveling, too. Also keep in mind that the skin on the lips does not secrete natural oils, so it doesn’t have the ability to keep itself moisturized. Try Juice Beauty SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers (available at Beauty Bar). Known for its organic products, Juice Beauty boasts lip balms that offer chemical-free broad-spectrum sun protection for the lips. They hydrate the lips with organic sunflowers and coconut, and help heal chapped lips with vitamin E. The set comes in three colors for your different moods: Naturally Clear; Joyful, a pinkish nude; and Playful, a pretty berry hue.
RISSA
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Fly high in comfort and style
DEAR LUCY,
Is it okay to wear sweats and sneakers or rubber slippers in the plane? I know it’s a no-no in the days of old, but now anything goes, right? It should be okay?
And must I succumb to the call of Botox? I am nearing my 40s and my friends say that at 35, I should have started looking into it. What do you think? KYLA
Personally, I would not point you in the direction of sweats and sneakers for the plane. Instead, please go for polished separates that are undeniably comfortable, like relaxed pants and a cozy turtleneck. Don’t use sneakers, wear flats. Bring a soft cashmere wrap. Always look polished, there are many ways to marry comfort and style.
Regarding Botox, let no one tell you you should have succumbed to it at age 35. There are a lot of women who have hit 45, 50 even, and look just fine with no Botox at all. It is a choice, and there are always non-surgical routes to consider in terms of keeping skin young — take care of your skin with a morning and evening regimen, eat well, exercise. Drink lots of water. Water is very good for the skin. And there are lovely lasers and non-invasive treatments like Thermage, Ultherapy, RevLite and Picosure. I love what they do to my skin. I get those treatments at the Belo Medical Group. LUCY
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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.