Shiny, sexy hair at Studio Fix Salon

Dear Rissa, 

I love my hair when it’s blow-dried at the salon, but I know it’s not good to subject hair to so much heat all the time. Is there a product that can make my hair feel like it is newly blow-dried?

Teresa

I recommend you get Thermal Reconditioning at Studio Fix Salon by Alex Carbonell (located at the 4th floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City, telephone numbers 501-3062 and 501-3064). I get this treatment regularly. It makes use of keratin which is natural “hair food,” thus giving your hair all the much-needed nutrients it thirsts for. I always dreamed of waking up with hair that is smooth, sexy, and blow-dried but is wash and wear and this treatment gives me exactly that — and it wonderfully lasts for six months! You get smooth, shiny hair without sacrificing bounce and body. It’s like waking up to perfect hair every day.

Powder power: Lancome UV Expert GN Shield has a patented filtering system that helps improve skin imperfections like dark spots, blemishes, and fine lines. Available at Rustan’s.

 But if you’re the type who enjoys styling her hair often, then try the Kerastase Elixir Ultime (available at the Kerastase Institute at 6750 Ayala Ave., Makati and at leading salons). This beautifying oil boasts argan, camellia, maize, and pracaxi oils, and is suited for all hair types. What I do is apply it to damp hair — remember, a little goes a long way — and then let it dry naturally. It makes my hair shinier and it feels super smooth — yes, like it was newly blow-dried! I can’t help but stroke my hair over and over! I’m sure your better half will love running his fingers through your hair, too.

Rissa

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Let’s Kiss (Keep It Simple & Sharp)

Dear Lucy,

I am an architect and I do a lot of on-site inspection. The heat is terrible on my makeup. Midway through the onsite inspection I feel very sticky already and when I check in the mirror, my foundation is clumping here and there. 

What outfit can I wear that will still make me look polished and fresh? What can I do with my makeup?

I am also slowly collecting good quality makeup brushes and I really am taking very good care of them. The whole trouble is that I cannot seem to come to terms with how expensive the brush cleaner is. Do I really have to buy that? Should there not be a cheaper alternative?

Emily

Regarding your clumpy foundation, the best would really be to use very little of it. I think you will find Lancome UV Expert GN Shield to your liking. It has SPF 50 and once you apply it on your skin, you will notice how even-toned it becomes.  In effect, it really is sunblock camouflaging as foundation, sort of. It gives a very natural-looking fairness and succeeds at covering skin imperfections. Just a little loose powder is needed to set it, if at all. It would be wise to remember that for this, you will need a cream blush because a powder blush might look streaky.

In terms of outfits, I’d say trousers with a sleek cotton top will make you look polished outdoors. Remember to tuck your shirt in, wear a nice belt, nice flats. Always bring a nice scarf so that you can dress up your top once you get back to the office or if you have to go straight to a meeting. Put a huge bottle of baby cologne in the car so that you can freshen up many times even as you do field work. When you do not feel good, that will easily translate outwardly so it is important that you are confident with how you look at all times. Keep it simple, but keep it clean and sharp. Know what works for you and build on that.

Good quality makeup brushes that will last you many years are a good investment. Besides, you really do not need so many of them, just the essentials (which will be around five to seven different kinds). Of course, there is a cheaper alternative when it comes to cleaning makeup brushes and this I got from makeup pros: mild shampoo. After I rinse them thoroughly, I carefully lay each one flat on a towel to dry overnight — that way, they keep their shape. I, however, still buy myself a makeup brush cleaner because it cleans thoroughly minus the need for hours of drying time. After you clean, you can use it again instantly. This is especially handy when the brush falls on dirty surfaces (like the floor) or when you have dipped it in the wrong color and no matter how you try to wipe it off, there are still traces of it. But if waiting for all to dry completely for a good many hours is okay with you, baby shampoo is your best bet.

Lucy

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How To Dress Tall & Slim

Dear Ms. Tingting,

I’ve always wanted to wear a dress, but I have big legs. What type of dress should I wear that would look good on me? I want to look slimmer, too, in a dress because I am not that tall (I’m only 5’2”). 

Agnes

I suggest you wear an ankle-length dress in plain fabric or printed with small designs. Don’t make it body-hugging but something along the bias cut. 

For the top, you can wear a padded or push-up bra and either a round or V-neck spaghetti top with a matching short or till-the-waist shawl.

Tingting

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Send e-mail to Tingting Cojuangco at tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com. E-mail Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.