MANILA, Philippines - Something about April, the air, the heat and promise of adventure, tricks me into feeling younger, invincible enough to wear canary yellow mascara without batting an eyelash, and suddenly so cheery that I’ve substituted my usually somber ensemble of denims and blacks with neons and Aztec-inspired jacquards. I realized that this newfound teenage temperament, though obviously only imagined and probably destined to last no longer than the season, does not match the contents of my vanity pouch. And that just won’t do. A change in outlook calls for a reconsidering of beauty staples, and for those who find themselves impervious to the hallucinogenic April humidity, perhaps a new set of goods from the beauty yard will, by the power of the cast of Spring Breakers, get the party started.
This summer, the matte lipsticks and heavy creams of cooler months take a backseat to the fresh batch, saturated with color, but decidedly light. The idea is to remain fresh from airport to dock to shore and back again, perhaps with a rosy nude lip or a faint shimmer, and a pop of canard on the eyes to honor the season. And then there’s the upkeep, the challenge of preserving a clean countenance despite the heat. Invigorating and hydrating face mists inspired by scents of nature, from the Mediterranean to lavender fields to grassy plains, as well as tinted creams to take the place of foundation, are must-haves, like sun protection and a good summer playlist. Here is YStyle’s own beauty playlist: 17 products laced with the spirit of summer to make you feel, even just for the season, 17 again.
1. Neon threes: Fluorescent tri-color Charles & Keith sling bag
2. Spritz from a rose: L’Occitane Brume Rosee Du Matin Hydration Face Mist, P995
3. Come clean: Pulpe de Vie Fruity Foaming Cleanser, P995
4. Staring at the sun: Le Specs Secret Society sunglasses, P2,690
5. Total eclipse: Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster Broad Spectrum SPF 50, P2,450
6. Roll with it: L’Occitane Lavander Roll-on Relaxant
7. Hand to handle: L’Occitane Cuticle and Nail Cream
8. Compact jazz: T. LeClerc Powder Compact in Poupoupidou
9. Tinted love: Chanel CC Cream SPF 30
10. Boys, don’t fry: Kiehl’s Cross Terrain UV Skin Protector SPF 50, P1,600
11. Block party: Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30, P1,450
12. Shu gazing: Shu Uemura Eye-conic 30th Anniversary Rainbow Sensation false eyelashes, P3,000
13. A certain shade of green: Shu Uemura tri-color eye shadow in Liberty Queen, P1,095
14. Lips like sugar: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Pink Opal, Sandglow and Seashell
15. Brighter than sunshine: Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Bronze, P1,550
16. Canard heat: Laura Mercier Cream Eyeliner in Canard and Violet, P995
17. Paradise city: Marc by Marc Jacobs pouch
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L’Occitane, Pulpe de Vie, T. LeClerc, Chanel, Murad, Laura Mercier, Hierbas de Ibiza, Acca Kappa, Gendarme and Monotheme are available at Rustan’s Makati. Charles & Keith is located at Glorietta 1. Kiehl’s and Marc Jacobs are located at Greenbelt 5. Shu Uemura has branches in Rustam's Shangri-La Mall, Rockwell, TriNoma, ATC and Rustan’s Makati.
Photos by JO ANN BITAGCOL
Shot at EL PINOY (www.elpinoy.com.ph)