Finding the perfect travel handbag

DEAR LUCY,

When I travel I lug around my nice designer handbag, but as I go shopping it becomes so inconvenient!  Yeah, it looks nice, but I want something that can carry my stuff but free up my hands.

And how can I wear a leather dress without seeming like I want to project the sex-kitten look?

NADINE

Use a cross-body bag. Oh, they are the best for traveling because, just as you said, they can carry your essentials but free up your hands. But be mindful of editing what you bring. Please do not just stuff it with anything and everything you can; limit it to your cash/credit card, and essential kikay products like lip balm, compact powder with mirror, mints, tissue/wet wipes, and hand sanitizer.  Almost all the brands have their own version of this kind of bag; it is up to you to find one that matches both your taste and budget.

Re the leather dress, make sure the style you choose is elegant (nothing studded, too revealing, distressed, or super-tight). Be mindful of the length, too, and choose neutrals like black, camel, white, and gray.

LUCY

Metallic eye shadow for Pinay skin

DEAR RISSA,

I’m afraid to use metallic or shimmery eye shadow. I’m worried it will look OA. What’s a wearable metallic eye shadow for Pinay skin?

FELICIA

When it comes to shimmer or metallic eye shadow, I’m not a fan of silver. I often feel the icy-cold hue makes my eyes look swollen and my morena skin look tired. I lean towards warm hues such as copper, bronze, champagne, rust or gold. They look great on Pinay skin and give the complexion a moonlit glow.

Try BeYu Color Biggie Long Lasting (available at selected SM Stores and Watsons) in shade 324, a wearable and flattering light cappuccino. I like this color because it instantly perks up tired eyes! This is a creamy eye shadow in a thick pencil format. Pencils are pretty much foolproof even for makeup newbies! You can sweep this jumbo pencil on the eyelid for a wash of color, apply it to contour the eyelids, draw it as a liner for definition, and apply it even as a highlighter under the brow. It’s creamy so it’s easy to blend but does not feel heavy or sticky. It’s long-lasting, too, even in our humid and rainy weather. What makes it so wearable is it has the perfect hint of seamless shimmer — yes, no kiddie glitter here! Most of all, I like this German brand because it’s dermatologically suited even for sensitive eyes, and is paraben- and fragrance-free.

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.