Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

Our make-up, skincare and beauty guru solves all your beauty dilemmas

Dear John

I wondered if you had any advice for a simple beauty/make up routine.  My 8-year-old son has recently been diagnosed with cancer and I will be spending quite sometime at the hospital including overnight stays.  It isn't really practical to pack all the individual components I usually use to cleanse and moisturise and in the morning I really could do with a routine that makes me look like I've had some sleep (hospitals are not restful places - so far I look dreadful!) but not too dependent on time if such a thing is possible. I know it may seem rather shallow to worry about my appearance at such a time, but well it helps me feel a little more normal.

Thanks for reading

Paula

 

Paula,

If I only answered one single question this month, it would be yours. Honest. You MUST continue to take these few moments out to look after yourself. I cannot even imagine what it must be like for you right now, but you can't forget yourself either. And when you are going through a difficult time and feel all of your attention is focused on such a hard situation, the last thing you need is to be faced with a reflection that doesn't allow you to start each day with your head held high. I think the perfect solution would be to get a pack of really high quality cleansing wipes that will leave you clean and comfortable without any mess or fuss. Shiseido Pureness Wipes and Rodial Glam Wipes would both be lovely. Follow this with one single miracle product - Guerlain Midnight Secret. This product replaces all your other skincare when you really need to look like you have had a full and restful 8 hours...even if you only have 4. It is usually used when you have a late night and still need to look refreshed the following day, but it is perfect for use when you are in need of a very effective shortcut, and can be used for stretches of several weeks at a time. This should be ideal. Two products, and one that is luxurious to boot. You take care of yourself and do not for one moment think that doing it in this situation is in any way shallow. And let me take this opportunity from all of us at handbag to wish you and your entire family well.

My thoughts are with you,

John

 

Hi John,

I hope you can give me some advice on this. I'm 35 and have found over the past year or so my skin has got increasingly problematic - spots under the skin and blotchy/dry areas particularly round my mouth and eye area. I am also concerned about wrinkles now I'm getting into my late 30's and want to do whatever I can now to help combat the signs of ageing on my skin. I've used lots of different regimes and products for this, none of which seem to have had much effect. I went to a Sk:n clinic a few weeks ago and had a skin analysis, the nurse suggested that I really need to get a good regime under way and (naturally) then tried to flog me their own products, which contain fruit acids etc... Anyway I decided to do more research and ended up buying a starter kit of MD Formulations (anti-wrinkle for sensitive skin kit). I've been using a couple of products from this range over the past 2 weeks (as per the beauty therapists instructions) and so far its ok apart from my face does feel a little bit warm and tingly now and then.

 

My questions for you are do you think this is a good range to use and also is it an 'on-going' skincare regime or more of a short-term thing? The reason I ask is that I'm worried that over-use of these strong exfoliating type products could eventually have the reverse effect and make skin look worse and/or older?

Looking forward to your advice!

Thanks

Susan

 

Susan,

Hmmm. I think you have done well to seek out some advice on sorting your skin out and the Sk:n Clinics have a really good reputation. But I can understand your hesitation in using products that can have a thinning effect on the skin. Don't worry about the slight warm and tingly feeling - it is quite normal for this sort of product and usually will wear off within a month or so. Strength-wise, the ones you have been prescribed are fairly low. And so you don't worry too much, the MD products will also be stimulating growth of new cells while they are providing the mild chemical peel. But let your skin be your true guide. Once you are getting toward the end of the starter kit, evaluate your skin and really examine it to see if there has been visible improvement. If you think there has been, rest assured that the MD Formulation products are clinically developed and shouldn't leave you with any long-term adverse effects. But if you haven't seen a difference, then we need to rethink how to best kick-start your skin back into good condition. This might mean a course of facials, or a round of home peels, or maybe even cutting back to the most basic of skincare for a short time so you can really read the condition of your skin and figure out how best to go on. You might benefit from an independent consultation with someone who knows what is on the market but doesn't sell any products. That way you are sure to get unbiased advice on what products stand the best chance of giving you the results you are after.

Hope that helps,

John

 

Dear John,

As a student I always used L'Oreal or Bourjois foundation however now that I have a bit more cash I would love to invest in a really fantastic foundation. My skin is combination but I do get the odd breakout and tend to have red cheeks/nose, which need to be evened out. I have tried the Dior spray foundation and loved it but would rather have something more illuminating as I really like the glowy look. If you could suggest anything, which will give me sufficient coverage without making me look matt or cakey, then that would be wonderful,

Best,

Melanie

 

Melanie,

It was really funny as I started reading your question because I had already started to think about the new Dior foundation before I got to the Dior bit! The new Nude Skin from Dior sounds like it will give you exactly what you are looking for and it is a range you have already had a good experience with. The cover is really natural yet covering and the finish is radiant. Lancôme Photogenic Lumessence is another beautiful smoothing makeup with a glow, as is Chanel Teint Innocence. If you think you could forego some of the coverage for the summer months, Laura Mercier has recently brought out an Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser that is stunning in finish. It does give a light to medium cover, though you would have to try it out to see if it gives you the coverage you require. That should give you a few to check out and these are some of the newest on the market.

Enjoy your summer,

John

 

 

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