Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

Hi John

I am 21 and always seem to have very dark circles under my eyes. I have tried so many concealers and recently bought the Benefit erase paste but found it didn't work well on my skin and although I have found that the Bobbi Brown ones do cover well, once I add the powder on top it just tends to looks very thick and cakey.
Can you recommend any concealers that will cover my dark circles, but at the same time, are light on my skin?

Thank you very much,
Nicola

Nicola,

I look like I have done 5 rounds with Mike Tyson on a good day! I have found the product that covers me up and stays put is Lauder's Maximum Cover. It is a silicone, featherweight waterproof foundation. Use only the smallest amount and avoid powder. If you need a little powder - use the slightest amount. I love this product and it has changed my life. Not sure what I would do without it. You should also try to deal with the problem itself with an eyecream that has clinically proven results on discolouration. Strixaderm S.O.S. is tested and proven by the American Medical Association to reduce darkness by 60% in one month and puffiness by 40%. It really is a result that you can see. Use it twice a day on the entire eye area. Great product. Plus you can mix it with your concealer or pat it over the top if you ever feel it has gone dry looking. Multi use!

Good luck Nicola,
John

Dear John,

Is there any study that shows rainwater in skin care product is more beneficial to skin than normal skin care products?

Thanks,
Shovan

Shovan,

Yikes! None that I could find. Of course you can find/create research to support any theory you want - but I couldn't find anything scientific to support this claim. I found a lot of information on using different sorts of "smart water" by companies like Guerlain and Lauder. These waters are more "organised" in content and delivery. But scientific claims on rainwater? Nope. Even products that are organic cannot claim the water is organic because you never know the origin of water, due to evaporation. Interesting question though...

Regards,
John

John,

I am going on holiday and don't plan to get any colour - I hate being tanned. However, I need a little bit of coverage for slight high colouring. Can I just mix a little of my normal foundation, which I am really happy with, with a little bit of my moisturiser to make it lighter in weight or do I need to buy myself a tinted moisturiser that I will only use for a couple of weeks?

Thanks,
Sue

Sue,

A lot of women mix - even for regular wear. Myself? I don't recommend it. The reason is that moisturisers are designed to penetrate into your skin and deliver skincare benefits. Foundation is a pigment that helps cover flaws and is designed to stay on the surface. If you mix them, the delivery system in the moisturiser will pull the pigments underneath the surface where they could irritate and cause congestion. I say: "could". You may be able to get away with it for those couple of weeks without much trouble. I would rather you applied your moisturiser and then apply a lesser amount of your foundation a few moments afterward. Or cough up the extra little bit of money and get a tinted moisturiser - perhaps in the duty-free when you are on the way to your destination. Maybe you could look at Becca Luminising Skin Tint. This product replaces your daily moisturiser and give sheer cover and an SPF25. 28 shades will ensure a great match and you may even find it a suitable replacement for the summer months.

Happy holiday!
John

Got a beauty question? ASK JOHN

Please note, John's answers will be published on the site weekly as he cannot reply to emails personally.