How to stay pretty & comfy in this heat

Dear Lucy,

I am melting in the heat and I have neither the desire nor the energy to wear heels.  The problem is, I feel so under-dressed when I don’t.  What are my options?

I also cannot wear makeup in this heat!  The powder just melts.  Help! I have been wanting to get a palette of nudes, but the brand Naked is not available here.  What will be a good substitute?  REEMA                                 

How about wedges?  They give height still without compromising comfort.  Choose a pair with pretty and glamorous details — perhaps one in gold or silver, or with metal hardware and chunky jewels.  Flats with kitten heels can also be cute.  When you wear open shoes, make sure your toenails are pretty.  Use some pretty polish if possible.

Yes, it is impossible to wear makeup in this heat, that is why good skin is key so you do not have to conceal anything.  Just use a cream blush and a very light dusting of some finely milled, colorless powder. Refresh with a facial mist from time to time.  Swipe on bright-colored lipstick.  Pull your hair back and up in a ponytail or wear a pretty headband.  Summer is here, we can’t fight it, but we can always find ways to stay pretty under its tormenting heat! If you go out under the sun, please use UV protection.  For this, Lancome UV Expert GN-Shield is a wonderful tinted cream that looks so natural even as it corrects uneven skin.  It has triple potency as it protects, corrects, and covers. Talk about a very good package!

The brand Naked may not be available here, but you may order from Elaine at 09178959516.  Locally, I came across Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess and the palette of nudes and browns for the eyes are sooooo gorgeous.  Definitely a good buy.

LUCY

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Leg support for varicose veins

Dear Rissa, 

I am an avid fan of your column. I have been a regular reader ever since I was in high school. I just want to ask if there are available topical ointments or lotions on the market for varicose veins. I am just a college student, and because of my course, Nursing, I have to stand for eight hours or more. The veins are now noticeable, and I am really scared of having it at a young age.

TISH

Women go to great lengths to achieve beautiful skin, salon-gorgeous hair, and the perfect figure, but we neglect the health of our legs. We often go home with tired, aching, and heavy legs and we rarely do something about it. Fact is, these major leg problems are results of poor blood flow in the legs, which may lead to varicose veins.

Activities like standing too long, crossing your legs, pregnancy, and genetics can all play a role in unwanted varicose veins. When you have to be on your feet the whole day, I suggest you wear support stockings during your nursing duties. Try medically recommended Oro Support Plus Pantyhose (available at SM, Watsons, Robinsons, Mercury Drug, and Gaisano). With its firm leg shape and control, this gives your legs a “lift” to minimize and relieve leg pain. It’s perfect for varicose veins prevention. What support stockings do is exert pressure on the legs to improve circulation, to help blood flow easily back to the heart. For those fitness buffs who love working out and lifting weights, check out the brand’s knee-high support socks — yes, you need them also to prevent varicose veins!

Aside from support stockings, massaging your legs will help. Check out Antistax Double Freshness Cooling Leg Gel (available at Watsons and Mercury Drug stores) which revitalizes your legs when you massage them with it. The cooling and soothing agents stimulate the microcirculation in legs so the gel  not only improves leg blood flow but also tones and refreshes tired legs.

Also try doing this mid-morning and mid-afternoon: Lie down and elevate your legs higher than your head. This will help allow blood to flow back to your heart. After a long day from a night out in killer heels, I always raise my legs to soothe my tired feet and legs. It never fails to make my legs feel better.   RISSA

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Dealing with teenage acne

Hi, Regina!

I’m a 15-year-old guy and I’m dealing with really bad acne and lots of acne marks. How do I make them go away? The marks, especially? I’ve been using kojic soap, but it’s not working.

CARLO

Your body’s going through a lot of hormonal changes right now, which is probably why your acne’s flaring up, and badly. Over-the-counter acne products might not be so effective, precisely because this could be a hormonally-triggered problem. What I can suggest is that you consult a dermatologist. He/she will most likely put you on an oral antibiotic to help control the breakouts, and he/she may or may not also suggest a series of pills or a regimen of products suited to specifically address your problems, because teenage acne is very different from adult acne. Trial and error can do even more damage to your face, and you don’t want that.

The kojic soap you’re using is probably not going to help, unfortunately. If anything, if it’s harsh, it could be making the situation worse by irritating your skin and triggering more breakouts. What you need is something that’s mild, but cleans thoroughly. Also, kojic acid’s purpose — to lighten — is ultimately defeated if you aren’t addressing the core problem: your active acne. What’s the point of trying to brighten dark spots when new ones will only keep popping up with every new pimple? Clear your skin of active acne first, and then address lightening issues.

REGINA

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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.