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MANILA, Philippines—Four days ago, I opened my Inquirer e-mail and realized I should’ve deleted old e-mails. Some people have been telling me their mails have been bouncing back because I don’t clean my mail.

Anyway, thank you for all the suggestions and super-helpful beauty tips, which I particularly love. Here are some frequently asked beauty questions—the top six, I would think. I hope I can be of help to everyone.

What is the proper way to clean makeup brushes?

Most makeup brands that sell makeup brushes, like MAC and Shu Uemura, also carry brush-cleaning liquids. You can also use dishwashing liquid. Get a clear cup and half-fill with water. Add about two drops of dishwashing liquid soap. Dunk the used brush in the water and twirl it around; you will see the makeup separating from the brush. Rinse the brush with tap water afterward, then place on top of a small towel to dry. I do this, and believe me, it works!

When should mascara be thrown away?

Your mascara’s wand is a breeding ground for bacteria. Most mascaras with a tube and wand have an antibacterial agent that is only good for six weeks. You may ditch your mascara in four months, but three months or even shorter is better. If your mascara starts smelling funny, don’t even risk using it again.

I’m dark-skinned. What type of red nail polish should I use?

Dark-skinned women who want to go for red nails should look for shades that have purple or berry undertones. This way, the color will sort of work with your skin tone. However, fair-skinned women should look for brighter shades with pink undertones.

Go to a reputable nail salon and ask the aesthetician for recommendations. Ask for at least three shades to try on your nails, and make a decision from there. Since salons go through so many clients in a day, they should know what would look good on your skin tone, and given the length of your nails.

What’s the latest hairstyle trend?

Believe it or not, it is having your hair in just one shade. No to highlights! When I went to Emphasis recently, my hairstylist told me I should stick to just one color, and I did. So there. Say bye-bye to highlights for now.

What’s the one beauty product everyone should have?

I would say petroleum jelly. It moisturizes the lips and can be used on every dry spot on your body. Some girl friends suggest tweezers. Well, that, too—since it is not recommended to share any tool for hygienic purposes, and unwanted hair is always a turnoff. You decide.

How should one choose the right scent?

First, get to know the scent you love on yourself. Is it floral, woody, citrus-based? That should narrow your choices and make picking easier.

Then, take into consideration when you want to use the scent. For day, opt for colognes, but for evening events, use perfumes.

Test the scent on your skin. Spray on wrist and smell in 15 minutes to know the chemical reaction the scent has had with your skin. Ask the opinion of close friends.

• Updating the Filipiniana
• Perfect escape from city living
• Moisturize, hydrate and nourish skin

• Seeing a bright future amid crisis
• ‘Plate it’ for women’s health
• Changing the way we regard our bread
• Building walls and walks
• Gastronomic treats from the north
• Free will
• Carbon footprint
• Showrooms at LRI
• Charms for the good life
• Amazing lace
• Practical gift suggestions
• Beat water-retention weight gain
• On men, street games and ‘Kulasa’
• Sweet, hip gifts and the perfect pasta
• Culture tour of Macau
• Not so friendly to differently-abled
• Wellness not only proper diet, exercise
• Lecture on karma at 33,000 feet
• Art of the scenographer
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• Food and wine galore at 'Harvest Moon'
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• Street Smart :  Showrooms at LRI / Mandy Navasero
• Lotus Pond - Bismark :  Free will / S. Bismark
• Discovery :  Building walls and walks / Massie Santos Ballon
• Medical Files :  ‘Plate it’ for women’s health / Rafael Castillo, MD
• Without Batting An Eyelash :  On men, street games and ‘Kulasa’ / Maurice Arcache
• Makeover 911 :  Beat water-retention weight gain / Kinny Salas
• Knockout! :  Practical gift suggestions / Ria Francisco-Prieto