Don’t you wish the shower gel/bar and body lotion that came with your favorite fragrance did a lot more aside from their basic function of cleaning, moisturizing and teaming up with the cologne, EDT or EDP to make the fragrance last longer?
After all, they do not come cheap and can leave quite a dent in your pocket if you keep buying the full set.
Consider this: YSA Papaya and Kojic Acid 2-in-1 Beauty bar cleanses, exfoliates and whitens without drying out your skin, while the matching body lotion moisturizes, exfoliates and whitens without feeling greasy or sticky.
What is their edge over other whitening combos that grace the grocery shelves? They smell very similar to Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom and Honey cologne, and they blend well with the fragrance itself. They also work fast in the whitening department, as a week of use yields softer, smoother satin like skin in touch, as well as appearance. The soap may be used on the face and can prevent acne breakouts, or at least keeps them in control.
Tip: Reserve use of the original full line for hot dates, business meetings and special occasions. For casual or errand days, use the YSA line topped with Bench’s “Wil” cologne; hardly anyone will know the difference.
Those who can’t get enough of the smell wash their delicates and pillow cases with the bar and spray with “Wil” cologne afterward. The downside: The packaging is not “classy” enough for JM fanatics, and the scent is still not as potent as JM’s Shower gel and body crème.
Eyeliner tattoo
It’s easy enough to dab some blush and swipe lipstick for some color if your problem is pallor. If you have oriental eyes, like I do, that tend to puffiness and a blank dazed look in the morning, eye makeup is tons more tricky.
Eyeliner on the upper lids does a world of difference as it gives eyes depth and dimension to make one look sultrier, if not at least “awake.” Problem: Oily skin and sweat make it smear, plus when you open your eyes right after application, it leaves another line on your eyelid like the blank outline of a rainbow.
Solution: Upper eyeliner tattoo in classic black or dark brown. Lining under the eyes is no longer in fashion so you may want to skip that. Upper lids are a classic and can look very understated elegant French beauty.
Unfortunately, the lady I used to go to for organic permanent makeup (lasts three to five years) has gone abroad. Aesthetic Science offers permanent Tattoo eye makeup for brows (P4,000), under-eyes (P3,500) and eyelid liner (P3,500). Upper and lower liner package come at P5,000 and Full Lips lipstick P7,000; lip liner, to correct and change lip shape, is at P5,000. All by appointment, so make sure you call at least a day in advance.
Tip: Those with droopy eyes may opt for slight curve on the end for a more uplifted illusion. Downside: The treatment hurts even with topical anesthetic, but it’s done in 10 minutes max for both eyelids. You will have puffy eyes afterward. Check out www.aestheticscienceclinic.com or call 8993643 (Makati) or 8098021 (Alabang).
Acne solutions
How to make acne, brown spots disappear simultaneously without going broke, and huge pores diminish in size? The fastest way to get rid of an existing huge and/or cystic pimple is to have them injected at a skin clinic! It will take less than six hours to flatten the unsightly bump completely. This is a must for cystic ones with hard nodules inside that leave holes on your skin when left untreated.
For regular pimples, whiteheads and blackheads, the Acne Cure beauty kit from Mariko should do it for you. At P766 for a 60-day supply, this includes miracle soap, facial toner, skin cleansing cream and the Stemcell treatment cream, which is said to address hyperpigmentation due to hormones and extensive sun damage. You may want to try the placenta I.V. if your acne is the adult over-30 variety, to correct skin imbalance and make skin firmer and smoother. For inquiries, call 7259406, Greenhills; Pasay, 5521402; Mandaluyong, 4775736; and Makati, 5532397.