Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

John,

I am looking for a wearable red lipstick for a special event. Every one I try makes me look like a hooker! Too bright, too pinkie, too glossy. Does such a lipstick exist or am I stuck with wearing my usual brownie colour with this dress? I want something glamorous and Hollywood.
Challenge thrown down (LOL),

Kate

Kate,

I accept your challenge and give you a single suggestion that I am so confidant of that I challenge you not to fall in love with it! Have a look at a lipstick by Chantecaille called Dahlia. There are only 6 lipsticks in the formulation and it is a beauty. Even women who have never worn a red feel and look fabulous in it. It is a translucent lipstick. Not too sheer - nor too thick. A fairly glossy "cushiony" texture. The shade is a cherry red with a little bit of black in it that prevents it from looking too harsh. I have put this lipstick on at least 150 women of different ages and colourings and it looked amazing on all of them. Fantastic for the end of the summer and going into autumn.

My work here is done,
John

Dear John

I will be 28 in the summer and have started to notice fine lines around my eyes. I have spent ages looking at creams and serums but am unsure what to use in conjunction with my normal day moisturiser. Please could you point me in the right direction as many of the creams on the market use words like 'wrinkle cream' or 'age defining' and all I want is something light and fresh for the very first signs of aging, and something that hopefully won't cost the earth! If it's possible!
Thanks,

Natalie

Natalie,

I congratulate you for entering this so carefully. If I follow your criteria, I would look at Prescriptives Super Line Preventor, Lauder Night Repair, Boots Protect and Perfect, or a new one by Medik8 called Firewall. Choices one and four would be my ideals. The Prescriptives one has been around since the year dot, and should be thought of as an insurance policy for the skin. The Medik8 is brand new and reads like an advert for your letter to me. You may even find you don't need your regular moisturiser at all. You can get a lot of information on this one on their website www.medik8.com. Good luck and let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

Warmest regards,
John

Dear John

I have spotty blemished skin and for this reason I am very dedicated to my beauty routine. I cleanse and moisturise religiously twice a day and always use an SPF 15+. However recently I decided to start using all natural products. I now wash my face with African black soap, use a moisturiser made with natural ingredients, use an olive oil cleanser at night followed by jojoba or coconut oil before bed.

So my question is do I carry on using SPF during the day? I've read that chemical SPFs are bad for the skin and they block out essential vitamin D - is this true? I've conducted research on the Internet but I'm getting mixed messages. On one side experts say chemical SPFs do more bad then good and on the other side I'm being told they are essential!
What is right? And are there any natural organic SPFs available that I could use without it looking like I've rubbed a clay mask on?
Many Thanks in advance,

Amaani

Amaani,

OK, I am going to tell you of a great sunscreen in a minute, but I am going to relate a comment that a scientist said to me only yesterday regarding "natural". I completely respect your decision to stay away from chemical ingredients but when I was speaking with this chap about natural versus chemical ingredients, he said to me, "Cyanide, Uranium, and tobacco are all natural too..."! That really made me think. Whether the ingredient is derived from a natural source or whether it has been purified and made synthetically - your skin doesn't know the difference. It just recognises and uses the ingredient. Interesting, eh? But for the question you posed - you need a sunscreen...so your instinct is 100% right. Heavy chemical sunscreens are more uncomfortable than damaging. But Becca has recently launched an absolutely gorgeous daily wear product called Mineral Primer SPF30. Completely chemical free, oil free, matte, colourless, non-blocking, waterproof, immediate protection for the moment of application, and it can be used on a beach or as a primer underneath makeup. Some UV exposure is essential as it triggers your vitamin D production (you are right) - you need to filter out the damaging UVA rays. Give this product a try and I am sure you will have found the perfect solution to your need.
Be well,

John

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