Makeover 911
How to handle ‘bubble eyes’ and ‘popcorn lips’
By Kinny Salas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:38:00 09/11/2008
Filed Under: Health and Beauty Products, Lifestyle & Leisure
MANILA, Philippines—The fickle weather has taken its toll on a lot of people’s health. Sadly, cough and colds are not considered a good enough reason to take a day off work. And it’s too bad it is serious enough to take its toll on our comfort, skin and face.
Here’s a bunch of products that helped me look presentable when I had colds. Thank you to the brand managers who sent me these get-well and get-comfortable presents.
For puffy eyes due to lack of sleep, coughing fits, salty food and dehydration:
1. Origins No Puffery Cooling Mask for puffy eyes (above P1,000)—When applied generously, it can be left on for five to 10 minutes then tissued off; or applied sparingly to be kept on all day with your favorite eye cream on top of it. Its secret ingredient is yeast extract, which is said to banish puffiness and lighten dark circles. It also has Hoelen mushroom extract to calm skin and keep redness from settling in.
Tip: Use on nose where constant sneezing and blowing on tissue causes red veins to form.
2. Kiehl’s Eye Alert (P995)—The caffeine in this non-greasy eye cream drains the unwanted toxins and excess fluid that cause the eyes to swell. Apply on top or after No Puffery for maximum eye-bags control.
3. Murad Essential C Eye Cream with SPF 15 (above P1,000)—This is for those who are really serious about sun protection and about repairing pigmentation and damage around the eye area caused by environmental exposure. Caffeine and tiger’s herb increase elasticity and firmness while toning down the puffiness Asian eyes are prone to.
4. NV Perricone’s Eye Area Therapy (EAT) is a two-product and -step treatment that extensively combats all cosmetic eye area problems related to aging. The Alpha Lipoic Acid EAT (above P1,000) reduces puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines, while the Vitamin C Ester EAT (above P1,000) firms up the skin and reduces lines around the eyes. This tandem is meant to be mixed together in small amounts as a little goes a very long way.
Warning: As the treatments are very potent, Dr. Perricone recommended a skin-patch test below the ear, especially for the Alpha Lipoic Acid EAT, for three consecutive days before applying to eye area. A slight tingling or warming sensation is normal, but if it is too unbearable it is advisable to skip use of the product altogether.
Lip balm
Popcorn lips pertain to badly chapped and flaking ones caused by coughing and dehydration which hurt when you smile. Here are my top three recent road-tested lip balms.
1. Badger Night-Night Balm for kids (P395)—Its main purpose is to help kids sleep better. It is applied under the nose or chest like vapor rub at night, but I find that applying this to my chapped lips day or night really seals in moisture, smoothes ridges and sloughs off flakes. It also does wonders for dry hands, feet and cuticles. There is lavender and chamomile mixed in to help others relax and sleep easier at night; but it is a bit weak for serious insomniacs.
Warning: Like petroleum jelly, it may cause breakouts on the lip area especially for those who are acne-prone.
2. Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF 15 (P895)—The most sanitary and mess-proof of the selection, as it comes in a tube with a slant-tipped applicator like Lancome’s Juicy Tubes. It has salicylic acid to exfoliate dry dead skin on lips. The SPF protects the lips from both UVA and UVB rays so lips are protected from darkening and wrinkling. Although glossy, it does not feel as sticky as most glosses in tubes.
3. The Body Shop Guarana Lip Butter (P150)—It smells like berry bubble gum. (Part of its proceeds goes to AIDS awareness.) It is the perfect texture for those who prefer cream rather than grease. Initially it gives a white film on lips when used alone and has to be rubbed in to turn invisible. Body Shop has other Lip Butter variants in the store like Melonseed, Papaya or Nut. It’s not moisturizing enough for those who live in very cold places though.
What’s new: The Body Shop has reopened its Glorietta branch at a better location across Landmark department store. Check out its new well-being line that uses aromatherapy for Deep Sleep, Calming and Energizing.
Murad, NV Perricone and Badger are available at Essenses. Origins is available at Rustan’s and Marionnaud.
E-mail kinnysalas@yahoo.com
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