Posts Tagged ‘foundation’
Help For Acne Prone Skin
Written by Kimberly in: Skin Care
27 Dec 2011
How do you deal with putting on makeup with oily, acne prone skin? Those of you out there that deal with this problem every day know what a challenge this is. Do you need to moisturize? If so, then how do you do that with out feeling like you have an oil slick on your face? And what about foundation? You want to cover up the blemishes with makeup, but somehow doing so just seems to be making things worse!
I know how difficult and frustrating it is but don’t worry, I’m here to guide you in the right direction. Having oily, acne prone skin can be tricky business, but I can help you to have beautiful, healthy, glowing skin.
First of all, to help battle this problem, we need to know a little more about it… like, what causes skin to become acne prone? And how many different kinds of acne are there? I’m not a Dermatologist, but I can give you a very broad explanation of the types of acne and what causes them. There are four basic kinds of acne:
- blackheads,
- whiteheads,
- pimples, and
- cysts
Acne is created when your skin produces too much oil, or sebum, and the pores of your skin become clogged. Sebum is always in our skin and is actually something your skin needs, but when your hormones surge (like during “that time of the month”, being a teenager, or sometimes menopausal women), your body increases the sebum production which can cause the pores to clog. Most forms of acne can be treated by practicing good skin care habits and using the right products, but others might need the help of a Dermatologist and prescription skincare.
I’m not a doctor, but I do know about taking care of your skin, so today I’m going to go over a few important tips on how to care for your acne prone skin.
- Wash your face:
It’s so important to keep your skin fresh and clean! This is true for anyone, but especially those with oily skin. You want to cleanse the skin, but not strip it. Remember, your skin needs oil, you’re just trying to keep the excess oil at bay as well as removing dirt and other impurities.
I recommend using a cleansing gel, or foam for oily skin, a cream cleansers can feel too heavy and may leave behind a residue as can bar soaps. If you’re oily/acne prone, you need to cleanse your skin twice a day. No exceptions!
- Use the right products:
This is essential! Since you already have oily skin, you don’t need any extra oil in the products you use. Doing so can cause even more breakouts. To prevent this from happening, you’ll need to check the ingredients… anything that’s oil free, water based and non-comedogenic should be fine.
Be extra careful in checking ingredients on your foundation. I know your first instinct is to cover the blemishes, but doing so with a heavy foundation (especially one that has oil in it) will only make matters worse. Instead, go for an oil free foundation that you can layer for more coverage if you need to. Another thing to consider is to check out the ingredients in your hair care products, pomades and gels containing oils can drip onto your skin and cause breakouts. Also, using products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help treat acne and breakouts.
- Matte it up:
There are a lot of great oil mattifying, or anti-shine products out there. What that means is that they can actually help control the excess oil through out the day as well as help to prevent unwanted shine, giving a “matte” finish. There are matte moisture lotions, mattifying foundations and powders and even toners that have mattifying properties to help keep your skin free from shine and excess oil.
Tip To help maintain a clear complexion, it’s important to keep excess oil and bacteria off the surface of the skin. You can help by trying not to touch your face, cleaning and disinfecting your phone regularly, as well as using blotting papers to help absorb the excess oil. Blotting papers are portable, light weight sheets of paper (usually rice paper) often coated with powder, that you lightly press against your skin to remove the extra sebum and shine without messing up your makeup. They’re amazing! A definite must have for an oily skin.
If you have oily &/or acne prone skin, then hopefully following these tips will help to clear things up for you… remember, it’s all about keeping your skin as clean and clear as possible. You have to keep it up, too! A good skincare regime is very important to maintain and prevent breakouts. However, I must stress the importance of seeing a Dermatologist if these tips don’t work. With today’s modern medicine, there’s no reason for you to feel helpless about your skin. All you need to do is remember that you’re worth it! You’re worth taking the time to take care of your skin. I promise, you won’t be disappointed with the results.
Keeping Your Makeup Looking Fresh In the Summer Heat
Written by Kimberly in: Makeup
6 Jul 2011
It’s officially summertime, hooray! Time for fun in the sun! There’s just one problem… how do you keep your freshly applied Summer makeup from melting off your face when the sun is shining bright? Also, how do you keep your makeup looking good when you’re all sweaty?
I get asked questions about Summer beauty tips a lot this time of year. No doubt it can be frustrating, but there is hope! I just so happen to have some suggestions that will make a big difference. 
First of all, let me say that less is best when it comes to Summer makeup! When it’s hot and/or sticky outside, you want to put on as little makeup as possible. Avoid heavy foundations and concealers all together; the heavier and thicker the foundation, the more it will cake and separate in the heat. You’ll also sweat more since you’re skin won’t be able to breath as well. My suggestion is to either go without foundation and spot cover with a light weight, waterproof concealer (my favorite is Lancome’s Effacernes) or use a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation.
Also, and probably most importantly, stay away from powders! Powder makeup is not your friend in the heat and humidity! It won’t stick on your face, it gets cakey when you perspire, and looks all blotchy and uneven. If you’re oily and need to absorb excess oil, then try oil blotting sheets (Shisiedo’s are awesome) to actually remove the extra oil from your face instead of adding powder to a sweaty, oily face.
Here are a few other suggestions I have to keep your makeup looking fresh in the summer heat:
- Cream it up:
You already know how much I adore cream blush, and it is perfect for Summer weather! It will stay on all day and not cake or streak when you and the temperature heat up. There are also tons of cream eye shadows out there! A crease-less cream eye shadow is the perfect solution for fading and/or creasing. You can layer most formulas, but I would go with no more then two shades, one light highlighter for the brow and one mid tone for the crease and lid. Or keep it super simple with one light, neutral all over shade with an eyeliner and mascara and call it good.
- Stain power:
Cheek and lip stains are a great alternative to using creams and powders. They can seem a bit intimidating at first, I know, but trust me when I say they are very user friendly and usually apply very sheer so you can build up the color to what’s comfortable for you. They’re also perfect for the beach since most of them are water resistant!
- Get waterproofed:
As you know, there are many cosmetic companies out there that make a multitude of products that are waterproof ranging everywhere from cream eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara to even lipstick and foundation. The most common, and one I think every woman should have for Summer, is a waterproof mascara. I know it can be tricky to remove, but a good eye makeup remover will take care of that. I also find a good waterproof eyeliner can also come in handy. Whether I’m headed to the beach or pool, or it’s just a super hot day, it’s nice to have an eyeliner that will stay in place all day.
Tip To avoid unwanted eye makeup smudging under your eyes, apply eyeliner and mascara to only the upper lid. You can have some fun by playing up a little winged eyeliner for a bit of a classic, retro look. Not putting anything on the bottom lashes will eliminate the possibility of it smudging and smearing in the heat!
To me, the Summertime look is as natural as possible. Of course you still want to play up your best features, but let your skin breathe! Show off your freckles… they’re adorable! Keep the eye makeup minimal and go for a bold, bright lip. It should look and feel as care free as possible.
So remember my darlings, keep things simple, stay away from powders and maybe look into getting a few key waterproof items. Following these few suggestions will keep you looking flawless, fresh and fabulous all Summer long!
Top 3 Beauty Blunders
Written by Kimberly in: Makeup
21 Mar 2011
I’ve seen it so many times working behind the counter… beauty blunders done by smart, intelligent, beautiful women! I look at them and wonder what they’re thinking. Do they not know how they look when they look in the mirror? Will no one tell them the truth??
Well, the truth is it’s not always easy to tell someone that they’re doing something wrong. I don’t enjoy it either, but I always think it’s better to be honest and tell the truth (The truth shall set you free!) no matter what. So I’m going to do the dirty work for you and let everyone know the most frequent 3 beauty blunders I see.
- Wrong color foundation:
I see this one almost every day! Whether it’s too light or too dark, if it doesn’t match your natural skin color then it’s just wrong! When you put your foundation on, it should still look like YOU… just a more evened out you. Too light will wash you out and too dark will leave a line and/or look dirty. You also want to make sure your face matches your neck and decolletage (the base of your throat and chest area). It looks silly if your face is white and your chest is tan, or the other way around. When purchasing your foundation, go with the color that disappears. Be careful with liquid formulas because they can tend to dry down a shade darker than when they first go on. You can always ask for a sample to wear for a day or two to see how you like it. You can do this, ladies! I know you can!
- Too much powder:
I’ve noticed this on so many women that l think are attempting to be natural and wear some sort of powder foundation. Their foundation tends to be cakey looking and will sometimes even start to separate on the skin. I get so distracted by it, I have a hard time focusing on anything else. I’ve also seen a perfectly gorgeous foundation finish completely obliterated by powder. Don’t get me wrong, powder definitely has it’s place in the beauty world, but I find that nowadays you just don’t need a lot of it. Most foundations will wear beautifully with out one. I’m not saying to never wear powder, I’m saying to use it sparingly. Lightly dust it, don’t pack it on. Please!
- Too neutral:
I know, I know… you don’t like to wear a lot of color. It makes you feel uncomfortable and you like to stay as natural as possible. OK, I get it, but sometimes when you wear too many nudes and/or neutrals, you wind up looking more washed out. Isn’t the intent to make yourself look better when wearing makeup? Well, don’t be afraid of a little color! Pink is a very natural color and can be very soft. Sometimes you need to add a little life and color to your “natural” makeup look. Otherwise, you wind up looking very UN-natural.
Please know that I’m not trying to be negative, I’m only trying to help. I just want everyone to look and feel their best! I hope it helps to shed some light if you were questioning something, and that it gives you courage to pass along some kind words of advice if you know someone that needs some loving words like, “Honey, what’s going on with your foundation?” I know it’s not pleasant, but wouldn’t you want someone to tell you?! I know I would!
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- Tags: foundation, makeup
Valentine’s Day Makeup – Romance In Pink
Written by Kimberly in: Makeup
11 Feb 2011
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought I’d show you how to do a really soft and romantic look. Think feminine and pretty while still being alluring and sexy. It’s very natural and will work for either day or night and is super quick and easy.
OK, here we go!
- Foundation:
You want to keep it soft and natural, possibly something that has a little glow, like a tinted moisturizer. This look is not for heavy or matte foundations, so try to keep it light and fresh.
- Eyes:
First, you need to start with an eyeshadow base all over your lid and up to your brow. Then, apply a pinky nude, or champagne color eyeshadow all over your lid and take it all the way up to your brow. (Lorac’s Eye Shadow in Moonstone
is perfect) Next, blend a soft, shimmery taupe into your crease (like Lorac’s Eye Shadow in Spice
). Next, apply a black or dark brown pencil eyeliner to the just the top lid. Now, using a Q-tip, the sponge applicator, or a smudging brush, take the shimmery taupe color and smudge it right on top of the eye liner as well as under your eyes on the bottom lash line. Add a little bit of the lighter champagne color on the inner corner of your eye and two coats of mascara onto curled lashes and viola! A soft, romantic eye!
- Cheeks:
For the cheek color, you want to use a really pretty, pink blush right in the apples of your cheeks and sweep it up your cheekbone, the more shimmer, the better. I have recently fallen in love with Benefit Cosmetics Bella Bamba blush. It’s a gorgeous, shimmery pink blush that really helps accentuate your cheekbones. It’s fabulous!
- Lips:
The lips need to be soft, sensual and seductive, so a lip gloss is definitely in order! You can do a nude liner first if you need a long wear, otherwise, just swipe it on. I think that Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Barely Legal
is perfect for this look. It’s a soft marshmallow pink that gently plumps and cools lips making them perfectly romantic and sexy.
Tip For a little extra shimmer and glow (especially for evening) you can add a little highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bone and collar bone area.
There you have it! It’s a pretty, feminine look that will look good on anyone and is very easy to do. This look also happens to be a very hot look for Spring 2011! Romantic and fashionable? Who could ask for anything more?!
Lady In Red – Spotlight On Red Makeup
Written by Kimberly in: Makeup
9 Feb 2011
Red… passionate, sexy, vibrant, and one of the most popular colors to express love. So, since Valentine’s Day is coming soon, I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk about different ways to wear red makeup.
Wearing red is definitely not for shy, reserved girls. It’s for a strong, confident woman that wants to feel sexy and be noticed. Did you know that studies have shown that just looking at red can raise your blood pressure and speed up your breathing? Whoo! Talk about a hot color! To get hearts beating faster around you, try these three different ways to wear red makeup.
- Lips:
Yes, I know, this is the obvious choice, but it’s a classic. There’s something so wonderfully sexy about a red lip. (If you’re not sure how to choose the right red lipstick for you, then check out my blog “Picking The Best Red Lipstick For Your Skin Color“.) Make sure you exfoliate your lips first since wearing such a bold color will make any dry patches you might have on your lips really noticeable. Also make sure you use a lip liner to prevent feathering and bleeding. One last tip for wearing red lips is to tone down the rest of your makeup so you don’t look too garish.
- Cheeks:
Wearing red blush can be really fabulous, or really scary. You want to use it more as a contour color for your cheekbone and steer clear of applying it in the apple of your cheeks… you don’t want to look like a clown or like you have rosacea, so make sure to use a very light hand when applying.
- Eyes:
That’s right, red makeup isn’t just for lips and cheeks anymore! Red eyeshadow has made a big splash on the runways at Spring shows like Christian Dior and Nina Ricci. As with the red blush, you do need to be a bit careful where and how you apply it. I recommend applying it as a contour color, on the outer corner of the eye and pair it with black eyeliner and mascara. If you have red right next to your eye, then it will make your eyes look bloodshot and tired, so the black liner helps to act as a buffer as well as creates definition. You want to make sure you use an actual eyeshadow, not a blush or lipstick color. Virtually all decent eyeshadows brands are opthamologist tested and are less likely to cause irritation to your eye.
Tip I wouldn’t recommend wearing red makeup on your eyes, cheeks and lips all at once, you don’t want to be compared with a tomato! Instead, choose one and make that a focus, playing everything else down with soft, neutral colors.
As I said before, wearing red is definitely not for the meek. But haven’t you always wanted to try it at least once? Well go for it! You could be that sexy girl in red! Don’t be afraid of people staring… they’re staring because you look hot!
- (1) Comment
- Tags: cheek color, eyeshadow, foundation, lipstick, makeup
- Kimberly: Hi Alyssa!I don't think the undertone of red matters as much as the hue. What I mean is a darker r [...]
- Kimberly: Annabel,First of all, thank you for your comment. Yes, I do see where you're coming from, but I t [...]
- Alyssa: I have narrow lips, so I'm not sure if I can pull off a bright red lipstick (with a more blue under [...]
- Victoria: I think Jennifer should continue doing exactly what she's doing, and I'm really glad she shared her [...]
- Annabel: From the age of about sixteen until quite recently, I wore makeup every day. Concealer, foundation, [...]
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