The Face Shop knows what’s best for Asian skin

Dear Rissa,

I saw that you are now part of the Style SOS column in the Philippine Star. Hence, I’m writing to you. I have freckles on my face and I sometimes feel conscious about them. What do you think should I do?

– Jan

If you were born with a freckly complexion, it will be with you for life, although freckles fade with age. Freckles are tiny marks formed where there is an excess of melanin on the skin. They’re harmless and generally considered to be a very appealing feature. They tend to deepen in color in summer and increase in number, too.

Fair, freckled skin is usually susceptible to sunburn; so always use a very high SPF. Use a moisturizer with built-in ultra violet filters. Olive freckled skin tends to be less susceptible to burning, but nevertheless, be careful in the sun.

If you feel conscious about your freckles, consider using foundation. What foundation you use depends very much on you and how dark your freckles are. Freckles tend to look best when well-moisturized and covered only with a tinted gel foundation or even just a tinted moisturizer. Avoid heavy foundation to even out your complexion. Use the lightest liquid foundation in your basic skin color. But always go for one with SPF.

The Face Shop recently opened at Glorietta 2, SM Mall of Asia, and SM North Edsa. I got really excited to hear that this brand is finally here. Inspired by the simplicity of nature, The Face Shop is known for its "simple desire to keep skin healthy through the innocence of natural ingredients at prices that are highly attractive and affordable to all ages and genders." It started in 2003 and is now a phenomenal success that it recently came out on the cover of BusinessWeek, leading the pack of "Asia’s Hot Growth Companies."

The Face Shop is Korea’s number one cosmetics brand in makeup, skincare, and body care, and I have no doubt it will earn a loyal fan base among Filipinos. It offers Filipinos the best cosmetic products for Asian skin and hair.

With your concern about freckles, you should really try The Face Shop’s Phytogenic makeup. It’s a line of natural looking makeup that allows the skin to breathe. Formulated with persimmon leaf and green tea extracts, this refreshingly light base makeup line comforts and protects skin against harmful pollutants and UV rays. I’ve tried the Phytogenic Foundation SPF 10 and I really love the way this liquid foundation doesn’t feel too thick or heavy, but at the same time gives good coverage without the need for a concealer. If your freckles aren’t that visible, you can opt for the Phytogenic All Day Control Pressed Powder SPF 10 PA+. It goes on smooth while giving ample coverage. The best thing about it is that it effectively removes sebum for a long-lasting clean. I also really appreciate how they packaged the powder puff in the compact to be in a separate compartment, keeping everything clean and hygienic.

When it comes to makeup, MAC has also been one of my favorites. Try the MAC Select SPF 15 Foundation. If you’re more comfortable with powder, MAC’s Studio Fix line (also available with SPF) is one of the best. For light coverage, simply use a powder brush to dust it all over your face. For more coverage, use the sponge to apply it on your face. Either way you apply it, MAC Studio Fix provides good coverage, feels invisible, and stays well on for a long time.

Yet at the end of the day, don’t let your freckles get in the way of your self-esteem. Freckles are to be celebrated, not hidden. A crooked nose can add distinction. Look what a mole did for Cindy Crawford. Or how thick eyebrows made a statement for Brooke Shields. Find beauty in flaws. Just because you think something is ugly doesn’t mean the rest of the world agrees with you.

The Face Shop is available at Glorietta 2, Makati; SM Mall of Asia; and SM North Edsa. MAC is available at Glorietta and Rustan’s Department Stores.

– Rissa

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Treating A Dark Spot

Dear Lucy,

I have a round dark spot (a little bigger than a mongo seed) on my left cheek below my left eye. I didn’t have this before. But 10 years ago, I used a #2 astringent, which I bought from a facial clinic where I used to have my facials done. It started as just a small dot, but it grew bigger and became visible in pictures taken of me. I tried using whitening products but to no avail. Is it advisable to have it cauterized or scraped? Can you suggest any product that I can apply?

– Sussie

Before you take it upon yourself to treat that dark spot some more, I strongly suggest that you go to Dr. Sylvia Huang (telephone number 722-2660) so she can assess your problem from a dermatological point of view. The face is a risky part of the body to mess with, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. You can think over your options from that point on and rest assured that the choices you will be making are educated ones.

– Lucy

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Here’s To Drinking!

Dear Tingting,

Do you think girls should drink?

– Eliza

I don’t drink, but I don’t mind men and women drinking. Girls drinking at 25, that’s fine. Drinkers can be fun, more than irritating to me. Either way, they say what’s on their minds. I know drinkers take alcohol to relax or de-stress, help overcome shyness, or to put them to sleep.

There have been warnings re alcohol abuse like the risk of a stroke, breast cancer, cancer of the liver (cirrrhosis), heart disease, and neurological impairments. All are deeply disturbing, with cirrhosis being the 11th leading cause of death in America. But on the other hand, some who never drank get liver cancer.

As long as a woman drinks less than her doctor, she should be fine. Health authorities say that we should not exceed one drink per day, like one glass of wine with dinner – no more than that.

– Tingting

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and rissa_samson@yahoo.com.