Young star Janella Salvador says she has been portraying Nikki in the ABS-CBN series “Be Careful With My Heart” for a long time that she sometimes catches herself mimicking her character off-camera.
“She’s more kikay than I,” the 15-year-old actress tells Living Stars during a visit to her home in San Juan. “Some people find this lovable. When I hear myself talk like Nikki off-cam, I stop myself.”
They also have different fashion tastes, she says. “Nikki wears super-girly dresses while I prefer shorts and T-shirts. I’m more laid-back and fascinated with animal prints. Every time I see something in leopard print, I get it!”
Luckily, Janella says her mom, singer-actress Jenine Desiderio, supports her obsession with faux animal fabrics. “She gives gifts and allows me to wear her leopard print clothes.”
Her mom helped shape her fashion sense, Janella adds. “She’d give me tips, until one day I realized that I’ve started to develop my own taste. I still listen to her… sometimes!”
Clothes
Janella is into maxi dresses—in leopard print, of course. “I recently got two pieces from Forever 21. I wore one when ‘Be Careful’ taped episodes in Subic.”
She advises girls her age, “Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. Find out what really suits you. Don’t be affected by what people say.”
Shoes
Janella says she and her mom have the same shoe size and that they share footwear. “This pair of ballet flats is my mom’s… She also got me a pair of sandals in the style that I love.”
She points out that teenage girls shouldn’t “force themselves to wear high-heeled shoes. If they need to, use wedges. It’s better to just go with flats or rubber shoes.”
Bags
Jenine bought Janella a makeup bag for the young actress’ 13th birthday. “It was meant to be mine. It was still there when we came back to the shop,” the teener recalls. “For hand bags, I prefer the basic styles—like this one from Secosana in pink leather and leopard.”
Cosmetics
Janella says she hardly wears any makeup when she isn’t working. “For my lips, I just use gloss or light tint, unless it’s a formal event. I usually don’t put on eye color—just pink or light brown to bring life to my face.”
“I like Maybelline’s Baby Skin, an ‘instant pore eraser,’” she says. “I also love this balm from Etude House that I put under my eyes before sleeping. When I wake up my eye bags are gone.”
Janella shares a skincare tip. “Remember to remove your makeup before going to bed,” she says. “If you don’t, it will ruin your skin and cause pimples.”
Gadgets
Gadgets are “super-important” to Janella. “When I go out and don’t have my iPhone with me, I feel as if I’m not connected to the world. I used to play with my iPad2 to kill time, but now, it’s with my baby brother.”
Scents
Janella advises girls to pick scents that match their personalities. “Buy something because you really like it. I prefer sweet-smelling scents. One favorite is Tease from Justin Bieber’s perfume line. Another is Vanilla Lace by Victoria’s Secret.”
For lotions, Janella picks those that complement her perfumes. “My favorites are coconut and vanilla scents from Victoria’s Secret. And I have this cream given by my mom’s doctor friend; it lightens dark parts like the knees.
Eyewear
Janella says she buys shades that complement the shape of her face. “I have a pair of Aviators. I also have the round-lensed ‘John Lennon’ shades. But my favorite is this cute one from Penshoppe that looks like a ribbon! I also have a heart-shaped pair, which was a gift.”
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)