SINGER-ACTRESS NIKKI GIL is a makeup expert.

She began doing her own face for shows on the music channel ?Myx.? ?I had to learn,? said Nikki, who co-hosts ?ASAP XV,? ABS-CBN?s Sunday variety show. ?Whenever a pro was hired to do my face for a photo shoot, I paid careful attention. Even now, I watch makeup tutorials on YouTube and learn some more from magazines.?

She shared these useful tips: ?If you have good skin, there?s no need for a thick layer of foundation. Light powder will do, and a concealer to hide blemishes. When taking pictures outdoors, do not wear shimmer. It reflects light, making you look fat and oily. Indoors, shimmer is fine; it gives the face a dewy look.?

Nikki, also a lead actress in the coming musical ?Legally Blonde,? advises girls to go easy on the nose-line: ?The Michael-Jackson effect is a super-pointed nose. The more subtle the makeup, the better. And when wearing colored contact lenses and false eyelashes, use very light lipstick and no blush.?

Makeup

I?m very picky with foundation. I?m using Mac now. When I was acne-prone, I used Chanel for thicker coverage.

Bags

My boyfriend (Billy Crawford) bought my favorite Gucci bag in Hong Kong. I think it?s lambskin. I went to a Gucci store here and saw how expensive it was.

My other favorite is also a Gucci, from New York. I don?t think they have this anywhere else. When you buy the bag, a portion of the purchase price goes to Unicef. Of course, that was just an afterthought. My first concern was, ?I like the bag!?

Tips to collectors: Don?t carry ballpen in the bag or let lipstick just roll around inside. Don?t discard the dust bag. If you decide to sell, the buyer will look for it. ?Pag walang dust bag, mas mura. From Shaina (Magdayao), I learned that bags should be stuffed with towels or tissue when in storage.

Collections

I collect music boxes or anything that makes a similar sound. The toy carousel is from a fan. In the States I got one that plays ?Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.? Another one is a gift from my mom; it looks simple but plays beautiful music.

I?ve collected 37 pieces in the last two years. I like winding up all of them at the same time. I find it therapeutic.

Footwear

My favorite heels, from Bebe, I?ve worn only twice. I got them in the States, too. They?re nice to look at, but painful to wear. I like my Oxfords, too.

I?m the worst person to ask about comfort?I sacrifice that for beauty (laughs).

Books

?To Become a Better You,? by Joel Osteen is my favorite. I?ve been buying my books online and downloading them?ah the power Kindle! It?s very convenient.

Gadgets

I have an iPod Touch with 500 songs. I also have a Mini or Shuffle.

I have a Flip, an HD video cam, small but powerful. I brought this with me to New York. ?Di halatang tourist ako. It?s like I?m just using my cell phone to text, but I?m actually filming.

I also love my Lady Gaga earphones. She wears a pair of these in her ?Bad Romance? video. They?re actually my sister?s, from Billy. I stole them.

I take my Canon E0S 450D everywhere.

I dropped my MacBook recently and damaged it. I love my Black Berry Onyx because of its BBM feature.

Accessories

I bought a Tiffany necklace at the NY store where Patrick Dempsey proposed to Reese Witherspoon in ?Sweet Home Alabama.? It?s the classic Tiffany heart.

My Russian doll necklace is from H&M. I have only one expensive bracelet; everything else is faux, but only a collector can tell.

I buy accessories in bulk in the States. I hoard, but I don?t buy expensive ones. Style changes every season? sayang lang. Unless you buy the classics, like diamond studs or black pumps. For trendy stuff like platform heels or gladiator sandals, there are always cheaper versions.

I first saw the pink Prada wallet in the States but I wasn?t ready to spend for a wallet. I found one in Hong Kong recently and didn?t let go.

The mirror lights up?very convenient when you need to retouch in dark places. It?s from one of my stylists.

Billy and I bought matching Ray-Bans in Hong Kong.

Dresses

I like wearing dresses, like this one from Space, to the beach. Walking in a bikini doesn?t work for me anymore.

The floral dress is from Iya Villania. We buy stuff for each other when we shop.

Scents

I?ve been wearing Clean for a while; I have 25 empty bottles. It smells like you just stepped out of the shower. My other favorite is Avon?s ?Just Play.?

Bottoms

The pair of American Eagle jeans is my favorite. I read somewhere that finding the perfect jeans is like finding your best friend. It fits me perfectly.