Makeup trends come and go, but whatever the season, radiantly fair skin is always in. Here’s how to achieve the glow:

Beauty experts often say that the best makeup won’t make much difference if you have dull, uneven skin. While makeup can give the illusion of fair, luminous skin, proper skin care should be your top priority. If you were born with great skin, consider yourself fortunate. But for those who strive for fair, luminous skin, help is on the way.

The causes of skin darkening:

Your skin color depends on the number, size, type, shade and distribution of melanin in your skin. However, exposure to daytime elements, particularly the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, can stimulate the production of melanin, leading to uneven skin and further skin darkening. At night, free radicals in the environment such as pollution, air conditioning and fluorescent light can dull and darken the skin as well.

“Whitening vs Brightening”

While whitening products lighten and even out your skin tone, brightening products bring out the skin’s radiance. Pond’s Double White Day and Night system now combines the two benefits. It lightens the skin, especially the dark spots and blemishes. At the same time, it exfoliates dead skin cells that make the skin look dull.

How it works:

Whitens during the day. It whitens the skin in two ways:

• From within: Vitamin B3 controls the dispersion of melanin so your skin is fairer and more even.
• On the outside: SPF 17 protects you skin against UVA/UVB rays which darken the skin

Brightens at night. It brightens the skin by removing dullness caused by dead skin cells. AHA helps exfoliate dull, dead skin cells to make your skin more radiant.

1. Moisturization. Packed with ingredients such as Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, Collagen, Vitamins B3, A, E and SPF 17, these work day and night to moisturize the skin, speed up skin exfoliation, control melanin dispersion and protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
2. Special care. Used twice a week, concentrated Vitamin B3 and AHA lighten the skin and dark spots intensively, as well as accelerate the removal of dull, dead skin cells. An intensive eye treatment helps lighten those dreaded dark circles. Alpha-Hydroxy Acids gently exfoliate the thin skin around the eyes, while a patented NMF promotes skin circulation and controls melanin dispersion around the eyes.

Sugar-free desserts

The best thing you can do for yourself is cut down on sugar. Not only does it pack in the pounds, research shows that sugar can hamper the immune system, increase risk for yeast and bacteria infections, and leads to a chromium deficiency (chromium regulates the blood sugar).

But it’s hard to say no to dessert, or the occasional cravings for something sweet. Reach for a healthier option: Murray Sugar Free. You can get your favorite treats — chocolate chip cookies, creme sandwich cookies, and vanilla wafers — withoutthe sugar overload. Murray is available at leading supermarkets.

Low-calorie snacks

Instead of reaching for a bag of chips — full of salt, fat, and empty calories that immediately land on your hips — satisfy your craving for something crunchy with popcorn. For almost 4,000 years, people have enjoyed this low-calorie, high-fiber treat. It’s good for the heart and helps reduce the risk of colon cancer. It’s also twice as filling as candy bars and peanuts, so you eat less but still feel satisfied. Popcorn has also been given the stamp of approval by the National Cancer Institute, the American Dental Association, and the American Dietetic Association.

We recommend Orville Redenbacher popcorn. Light, fluffy, and tender, it’s made of 100% whole grains and has zero grams of trans fat per serving. It also leaves the fewest unpopped kernels. Choose fro these variants: Movie Theater Butter, Butter, Butter Light, Smart Pop! 94% Fat Free, Kettle Korn. This is available at leading supermarkets.

Load up on wheat

Wheat breads are high in nutrients and fiber, and are cited by diet experts as a more calorie-friendly alternative to regular white breads. Wheat breads also have a delicious nutty flavor and are packed with energy. The question is, will kids eat them? Yes, with these tips from US Wheats Associates:

• Variety is the “slice” of life. Kids easily get tired of the same sandwich. Alternate different kids of breads.
• Cut sandwiches into different shapes (you can even use cookie cutters). Try making bacon smileys or cheesy eyes (use mayonnaise to attach).
• Combine different healthy fillings such as chicken strip, bacon bits, fisk flakes, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onions, basil leaves, or dried and fresh fruits. These combinations put color into sandwiches and introduce them into different flavors.
• If you have leftover sweet breads, turn it into a yummy pudding sandwich by crushing and combining with milk. Use jams and choco spread as a filling.