How to go baroque without going overboard

DEAR LUCY,

I love trends, but I am concerned about looking as if I tried too hard.  I am especially taken by the baroque trend, but how do I pull it off?

ALICE

I say go for it, if it’s really something you want to try.  Remember, fashion is supposed to be fun.  The baroque trend is all about doing it a little bit more — more sparkle, richer fabrics, ornate accessories.  So you do not go overboard, start with just a touch of baroque in your outfits — a hard-to-miss neckpiece, a simple shift dress in a brocade fabric, pumps or a clutch in velvet.  The trick is to not make your look costume-y; mix an ornamented or luxe piece with something you would use on casual days.  Also, don’t go all regal with your hair and makeup, something has to look just a little bit undone.  Loose hair with smoky eyes or a sleek hairstyle with understated but very pretty makeup.

LUCY

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Lip tip: Wear that bold color you’re in love with. Start with red lips, and then move into the more out-of-the-box shades like orange, violet, fuchsia, and plum.

How to rock a beauty look

HI, REGINA!

Can anyone wear statement-making makeup, or is that reserved for edgier, more fashionable people?

LIZELLE

I believe that anyone can rock a high-impact beauty look, not just the fashionistas. (They’re great to take cues from, though!) The key is confidence. The people I’ve seen who have made borderline outrageous looks look absolutely effortless are the ones who walk around wearing it like it’s just a little tint or a swipe of mascara. Granted, there’s a time and place for statement makeup, but when the occasion arises, the important thing is to feel comfortable in it; then you’ll look comfortable and confident in it, too. Statement looks only look weird when you appear like you aren’t sure about them.

That doesn’t mean you should jump headlong into weird colors, though. You’ll be more comfortable with edgier looks eventually if you work your way up to them. Start small, start subtle. For example, never worn a lip stronger than nude or natural pink before? Why not ease into it by wearing that bold color you’re in love with, but in sheer finishes instead of solid matte? Start with reds, and then move into the more out-of-the-box shades like orange, violet, fuchsia, and plum when you can wear red lipstick pretty much anywhere like it’s lip balm.

Also, remember that balance is important. If you’re going big on lips, keep eyes subtle, and vice versa. Highlight just one feature at a time to keep from looking clown-like.                        REGINA

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Dream cream: Whether you’re back in school, spending late nights at the office, a jetsetter on the go, a nursing or expectant mom, or a health buff who appreciates anything organic, Pulpe de Vie Night Beauty Enhancer Regenerating and Anti-Ageing Face Cream boasts the goodness of organic ingredients and promises that you will not be the only one it will have an effect on! Available at Rustan’s.  

Wanted: Organic anti-aging cream

DEAR RISSA

Can you recommend an anti-aging face cream with natural or organic ingredients? Thank you!       GINGER

It’s great you are going for natural and organic products. Opting to go green is not only good for your personal health but is good for the environment and creates a cleaner, kinder, earth for our children, too. I recently was able to try Pulpe De Vie Night Beauty Enhancer Regenerating and Anti-Ageing Face Cream (available at Rustan’s). The brand Pulpe de Vie is a small French firm whose products are made from fresh and organic fruits and vegetables from small local organic producers in the Mediterranean region. Because they favor local resources and companies, they reduce their carbon footprint. What makes this brand even more amazing is that the formulation of their products contains 50 to 94% organic ingredients. Apart from their high organic content, they also do not test on animals, products do not contain silicones, parabens, fragrances, synthetic coloring agents, genetically modified ingredients, and phenoxyethanols.

So how does Pulpe de Vie Night Beauty Enhancer work? It makes use of raspberry as an antioxidant for regenerating, toning, and restructuring; anti-radical blackcurrant leaves which nourish; and the antioxidant prickly pear which is anti-aging, moisturizing, nourishing, and softening. The product boasts 99% natural ingredients and 56.2% organic ingredients. I love how light it felt on the skin and it was so easy to spread and apply. But don’t let this lightweight product deceive you because it was a heavyweight in making my skin feel so supple and moisturized! Big bonus: The warm natural spicy fragrance is so relaxing — apply it in the evening to help soothe you to sleep!

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.