Wearing lace that’s right for your age

DEAR LUCY,

How do I wear lace dresses without looking like a debutante? I like embellished dresses, in sweet fabrics like eyelet and lace, but I am no longer a teenager and I do not aspire to look like one.

I also have this really slinky and fully beaded top that I am unsure of how to wear. How would you wear it?

PAMELA

I would wear eyelet or lace with shoes in a bold color, and accessories that are not dainty at all. The cut of the dress will be very important as well. If you are working with fabric, have it interpreted or executed by a designer known for sharp and tailored design aesthetics. That way, there will be no danger of a cloying or debutante-like look that will not fit your age.

 Regarding your beaded top, I would happily wear something like that with skinny denims in a dark wash, and the sexiest pair of heels I own. That way, the beaded top is demystified and will look current. In terms of makeup, I would play up my eyes but keep all else simple.

LUCY

* * *

Be beyond beautiful this summer

DEAR RISSA,

Is conditioner necessary in my shower routine? Sometimes I feel like it just makes my hair limp and lifeless.

JILLIAN

Conditioner is a huge part of my beauty routine. I condition my hair every single day and no bath is complete without it. To me, conditioners are a big beauty essential. Just the same way I moisturize my face, I diligently moisturize and care for my hair with conditioners. With the intense summer sun, drying salt water, and chlorine-filled pool water, now is not the time to skip hair conditioner. Your hair needs the extra care now more than ever because hair is also susceptible to UV damage.

My personal favorite is Cream Silk Standout Straight Daily Treatment Conditioner (available at leading supermarkets, drugstores, and personal care stores nationwide). The right conditioner can make a huge difference to your hair — and even to how beautiful you feel! Unlike other conditioners that merely condition, this combines hair conditioner and treatment in one fantastic product. You no longer need to make a monthly trip to the salon for special hair treatments because you can care for your hair every day with this daily treatment conditioner. You’ll really see the difference one wash can give to your hair. 

“Some women complain that a product isn’t nice or it doesn’t work for them, but it actually boils down to how we apply it,” explains hair expert, celebrity hairstylist Lourd Ramos. 

“A spoonful is all you really need,” says Lourd. “You only apply conditioner to the scalp if it’s an anti-hair fall treatment. Otherwise, it will make your scalp unnecessarily oily.” An oily scalp weighs down hair at the roots, making hair look limp and heavy.

The correct way to condition is to apply it on the middle section to the tips. “Twist the bottom half of your hair at the nape of your neck. Apply conditioner on the twisted hair. Then with a wide-toothed wooden or plastic comb, comb out your hair and product,” Lourd points out. I tried this at home as soon as he explained it and it immediately made a fantastic difference to how my hair felt! Conditioner really penetrates better with the correct application and will not weigh hair down. Best of all, I noticed less hair fall with this proper application.

RISSA

* * *

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.