Experts share beauty tips

These women wouldn’t be called “experts” for nothing. The following individuals have developed, maintained, enhanced, and tweaked beauty and self-care routines to determine which works best for them. 

And they are here to share their tried and tested tips for looking and feeling better, pandemic notwithstanding. 

What’s your quarantine beauty routine?

Agoo Bengzon: I’ve maintained pretty much the same routine for my skin care, making sure I still wear SPF with UVA protection at home since skin is still exposed to aging UVA rays from the light emitted by gadgets and indoor lighting. What has changed is that I don’t wear makeup as often as I used to since I’m just home most of the time now.

Dinna Vasquez: I had more time in quarantine for more steps in my beauty routine. It used to be just 2-3 steps for me, excluding cleansing. But being quarantined has given me more time to experiment with new products and textures.

Kate Paras-Santiago: I’ve undergone many changes in terms of my skin care routine. The basics are still there though, such as cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and SPF. I make it a point to give myself a “mini-facial” every week, and that includes exfoliating, putting on a mud mask, and using a toning device to help the skincare products get absorbed better into my skin. 

Kim Reyes-Palanca: My quarantine skin care is focused on exfoliation, microcirculation, lymphatic drainage, and lifting. To avoid any flare-ups or breakouts, I always stick to gentle, sulfate- and fragrance-free, non-comedogenic cleansers. If I put on any makeup, I make sure to use cleansing wipes and a good makeup remover (like Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water or Evoluderm Makeup Remover for Sensitive Skin) before washing it off. 

Nicole Limos-Morales: My quarantine beauty routine now involves a stricter regimen and more hardworking skincare products to make up for missed derma treatments. I [put on] mask twice a week and apply products for every concern. I also get derma-grade products from the clinic. As for makeup, I’m down to a bare minimum for daily wear: tinted moisturizer, eyebrow mascara, blush, and lip balm or tint. 

What is/are your favorite hacks you’ve recently discovered?

Bengzon: Micellar water is something that I’ve really grown to love. I used to triple cleanse with a makeup remover, exfoliating cleanser, and foaming cleanser but nowadays, I can actually cleanse with micellar water alone, and it does the job just as well. 

Vasquez: Wash your face mid-day even if you’re just at home, and always re-apply sunscreen. Look at the ingredient list of the products you use. If you want to try new skincare, buy the trial packs so that you won’t regret it if the products don’t work on you. Wait a few minutes between applying products. Always warm products on the palm of your hand before application.

Paras-Santiago: Being at home has helped me regulate my diet—I get to eat way more home-cooked meals, and my water intake has been off the charts! Getting enough sleep is also a tip I live by. I really see the effects of lack of ZZZs on my face, so I make sure to get enough of it. If a zit pops up, use a pimple patch—CosRx has one that I absolutely swear by.

Reyes-Palanca: Using skin refiners like Clinique ID Dramatically Different Moisturizing Tone-Up Gel, Lush bath bombs and bubble bars for me and the kids. Adding sheen on skin through shimmer like NARS Afterglow Eyeshadow Pallete, Smashbox Crystalized Shimmer Drops, The Balm Lou-Manizer’s Quad. Lighting my precious Diptyque Baies and Jo Malone Dark Amber and Ginger Lily candles for scent serenity.  

Limos-Morales: I learned how acids and maybe a great mask can really replicate a treatment or a facial at the derma. You can get a gorgeous foot peel and spa right at home too with just a foot soak (Patchology, for instance). 

What are your tips for doing a virtual meeting makeup look?

Bengzon: I think it’s best to lay off the highlighting products because there’s a tendency for skin to register as oily on-cam when there’s too much highlighting going on. A matte t-zone will make you look presentable so invest in a translucent powder that you can pat on prior to a virtual meeting. It’s also a good idea to use concealer on dark areas like under your eyes so that you look refreshed and well-rested. 

Vasquez: If you want your blush to show on the screen, you need to apply it with a heavy hand. It has to look very intense in person. The lipstick you wear has to have a tinge of red so you don’t look washed out. I normally just use any brow gel I have, a blush (NARS Orgasm or Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek), and lip product (current favorites are Benefit ColorBalm in Berry or Tom Ford in Casablanca).

Paras-Santiago: I say pick a good blush (one with shimmer is usually great for creating a glow), groom your brows, curl your lashes (add mascara if you must), then pick a face-brightening shade of lipstick to top off the look! 

Reyes-Palanca: Nothing wrong with doing a full-on makeup routine. Conceal only where it’s needed, groom brows, add color to your face by wearing blush and lipstick. Use cream or liquid bases that blend easily. When pressed for time I find cushion compacts like Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation can do a great job at evening out skin. It’s easy to look pale and ashy on-cam so make sure to use shades that make you look awake, healthy, and glowing. 

Limos-Morales: The computer light or ring lights can make your face look rounder on video, so it’s nice to blush and contour where you need it.