It's not makeup 'that makes the women'

By Christiani S. Tumelap

SINGAPORE (JP): Every woman has at one time or another pored enviously over the impossibly perfect faces of models in advertisements, wondering how they got to be so beautiful.

Never mind that the mannequins have been primped and teased, swathed in a protective layer of makeup, and had every wrinkle and crow's feet airbrushed out of the photograph. Not to mention the gene coup of being blessed with naturally good looks.

For the rest of us, the only resort seems to be makeup in putting our prettiest face forward to the world.

It might come as a surprise to hear the opinion of Cristiana Reali, one of the three beautiful creatures who represent cosmetic giant Lancme's products worldwide.

Put succinctly, Reali believes that its not makeup that makes the woman, but how she feels about herself.

"A woman will look stunning with makeup on her face," she said at a recent press conference here. "But a woman also looks fabulous with a bare face, for it's not the makeup which made her beautiful but herself."

A cliched reply, perhaps, and easy to say when you're ravishingly gorgeous.

To Reali, beauty and makeup are distinctly individual.

She said a woman was free to make her own cosmetic choices, including to be bare of all beauty creams, foundations and powder.

Makeup should be something a woman wears for her own pleasure, she added.

"It's all right if you don't feel like using any makeup at all. Don't push yourself to do something which you are not comfortable with."

Reali's encouraging comments had many of the female visitors at the press conference feeling that beauty is indeed skin deep.

Half Brazilian, half Italian, the 31-year-old brunette has green eyes and a clear complexion. She speaks fluent French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, but her English is not as proficient.

Reali is a stage actress who has also performed in television and films. She will continue to act until she no longer has the desire.

She said family was important to her and she wanted to have a family some day. "And, hopefully, if Lancme's people still want me, I will still be one of Lancme's multi-faces."

Lancme is represented by French actress Juliette Binoche for the perfume Pome, model Ins Sastre for the perfume Trsor, and Reali for its makeup line, including the new Blanc Cristal. She has worked for Lancome since early last year when she replaced long-time model Isabella Rosselini.

Reali is not all upbeat about age, and she confesses to fearing the ravages of time. "I have to admit that, for the time being, I'm afraid of being old."

How does she maintain her looks?

Plenty of sleep and a balanced diet, "and I always spare 15 minutes of my time in the morning, and at night to do the basic beauty routine of cleansing, moisturizing and toning."

She said users of cosmetics should choose those suited to their skin type and tone.

According to Maya KIM, marketing manager for Lancme's products in Indonesia, all of the company's products are the same standard as those marketed internationally.

"There are no modifications in the products to make them specifically suitable to the characteristics of Asian skin," Maya said.

But only products considered compatible with typical Asian skin types are sold in the region.

Women follow their mood when it comes to choosing cosmetics, Maya said.

"We can't classify what is the most suitable color for a woman, say based on age or race, because everybody is an individual who has her own preferences," Maya said.

"You can choose any color you like, the key is choosing the colors which come in the same shades."

Both Maya and Reali declined to disclose Lancme's new color for the coming Autumn - Winter season.

Lancme, a manufacturer of beauty products since 1935, introduced its cosmetic line in Indonesia in the 1970s.

Reali said many people were shocked when they realized she was a famous actress and model, and she ventured a plea of acceptance of many of the world's beautiful people.

"I want people to see me as myself and compliment me on who I am," she said.

What does she like about her features?

"Well, I love my eyelashes," she said. "People see you in different ways, that's why we can't describe one's beauty and have the same answers. Nor can we talk about the standard of beauty, for beauty is everywhere, and it varies from country to country."

She may be plugging a cosmetic line, but Reali maintains that beauty really does come from within.

"Your personality, smile and the way you talk: that's more interesting than all the makeup you put on your face."