Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

Dear John,

I'm lucky enough to have pretty good skin, but it's quite sensitive and dry in areas, and there are the odd blemishes and areas of redness I want to hide. But most of the concealers and foundations I try tend to be yellow-based, which don't match my more pinkish-toned skin. Unfortunately, I cannot spend a heck of a lot of money since I'm a student. I don't want to completely mask my face (I hate heavy foundations), and have been toying with the idea of buying a mineral foundation. What products would you recommend?

Thanks,

Rebecca

 

Rebecca,

It sounds like you have a classic English rose complexion, and with those - this will always be a struggle. Most companies start their foundations/powders/concealers with a beige base. But for you: this is already your most contrasting colour. If you want to be sure that you are not wasting cash on the wrong shade, Prescriptives is the only company that produces an entire range of products with a primary blue base. This means they can't go yellow or orange on you. They have a new mineral foundation and mineral powder foundation on the way, but they will still be a few months. In the meantime, Laura Mercier has a couple of mineral foundations that will work (Soft Porcelain and Tender Rose), and Guerlain has a single shade of Parure compact powder foundation called Rose Delicate. Even if you can't splash out a lot of money on other products, the one place to go mad is your base. If this is right...everything else will look fine. Look at these three and you should find something. The prices will run you from around £19-£33 - but at least you will have something you can definitely wear. Best bet? Prescriptives.

Good luck,

John

 

Dear John

I have dark circles under the eyes - and despite plenty of sleep and a good diet, they just won't shift! I have found some great products for concealing them (such as Touche Eclat, and the cheaper No.7 version), but can you recommend any treatments or products that will help to improve them? In particular, do you rate the product Hylexin? In terms of a budget, I'm willing to splash out for something that is likely to work.

Thanks,

Jess

 

Jess,

I also suffer from really dark shadows under my eyes and to be truthful - I didn't find Hylexin to be of much help. Maybe I expected too much after the hype. If you are willing to spend a little bit, I would suggest an eyecream that you will have heard me banging on about before. Strixaderm S.O.S. is made by an American pharmaceutical company and has been trialed by the American Medical Association. It was proven to reduce dark circles by 60% in 4 weeks, as well as puffiness by 40%. I really like that you can apply the eyecream on the entire eye area and right up underneath the lashline. That way you really feel like the affected area is being treated. The price is £51 for 15ml. container, which should last you about 4-5 months if you are using it twice a day. These are really impressive results and they even print the trial photos on the box! It is really putting their money where their mouth is. You can get Strixaderm in better department stores or online at spaandsalon.co.uk, where they offer a slight discount of £47.95.

All the best,

John

 

Dear John,

I would like to get a sun cream for my face and would appreciate some advice!  I have very pale skin so need a high SPF, and I don't want anything that feels sticky or makes me look really shiny- it would be nice to have something that feels more like a moisturiser and just soaks in nicely.  Also I can get spots so it would be good if the cream weren't pore blocking.  And I'm a student so it would be good if you can think of a cream that isn't too expensive!

Thanks for your advice in advance,

Kate

 

Kate,

The problem with the higher SPF's is that they usually feel greasy and gross. Some of the ones for babies and children will come in under your price brief, but not in the texture and sinking in ones! Clinique City Block Sheer SPF25 and Super City Block SPF40 should actually do both. I am also a huge fan of Clarins UV Plus SPF40. This one is really light, has no whiteness, and make-up glides over the top of it. A little more expensive than the Clinique at £25.45, instead of £12.23, but the lotion weight may appeal to you. Another really good product is Shu Uemura XTR50 at £30. I have not had reports of breakout with any of them and all of them have been used by yours truly. You have a good range of prices as well so I hope you find something here to suit you.

Cheers,

John

 

 

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