Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

Dear John

I'm 57 and menopausal. I'm attending a family wedding soon and am desperate to find something that will help with my "tropical surge". The dreaded "sweats" are so embarrassing in public. I also have open pores and have tried minimizing creams with some success e.g. Estee Lauder and L'Oreal products. Are there any other products out there with good results? I would be grateful for any advice you can give me.

Carmel
PS I'm so pleased to have found your website - keep up the good work.

Carmel,

I hope this gets published in time to help you out! In all honesty, the "hot flushes" will get through anything. They are a body temperature control thing. Matte primers like Becca or Laura Mercier might help a little bit...but I wouldn't hold my breath. Get a pretty fan and start waving it about at the first sign of a "power surge". Try to stay dry. Then use a blotting paper to limit the damage. I love the Suqqu ones, as they are a huge 8-inch square. As discreet as a blotting paper can be since you cover the entire face at one time. Plus they come with a small card envelope that you can fold a few into quarters into to carry around. I use these on the Underground nearly every day. When I start to get those little beads of moisture, they sheets blot them dry and make me feel cool and matte again. And I seem to stay cooler afterward as well - though that may only be wishful thinking! I am glad you have found us here at handbag as well and hope you continue to enjoy visiting us often.

Good luck hot stuff,
John

Hi John

I am considering using the Imedeen time delay tablets and wanted your opinion on whether or not they really work.

I have read the 21st Century beauty bible and the girls say yes but it takes at least 4 months to work and then I have read studies on the Internet which just say no.

I am 34 and although I haven't sunbathed in over 12 years I was silly when I was young, I am pale skinned auburn haired person so sunbathing was a bad idea (hindsight is a wonderful thing) But I really take care of my skin now apart from the odd glass of wine too many!!! Should I try it??

Thank you,
Ann-Marie

Ann-Marie,

I would say yes...absolutely. I have heard so many amazing testimonials about Imedeen products that I have a hard time ignoring them. And all of the women I have recommended them to (for various reasons) have come back to me with raves. I don't even think it really takes four months to see the results: you should start to see a difference within a couple of body cycles. They are not cheap, but Boots frequently does a three-for-two on them. Ask at the chemist desk and they are usually more than happy to let you know when that will be - I have even heard from a few women that they will give it to you at that special price occasionally anyway. Always worth a shot...if you don't ask, you don't get. But do give them a try, you can find information that will both support and reject nearly anything - don't you think it is worth a try yourself?

Thanks for writing in,
John

Dear John,

I am in my early thirties and I am pretty good at looking after my skin. So far, this seems to have paid off because my skin is healthy and I have very few lines. However, the skin on my eyelids has become saggy which is more noticeable when I apply eye shadow. Is there a product that you could recommend that might help counteract this?

Many thanks.
Rachel

Rachel,

I would make sure I was using a really good eyecream. Often gels have an immediate tightening effect that will smooth the lids and leave them less creased for makeup application. But don't be fooled - that doesn't mean they are necessarily better or worse. You need to decide if you want a permanent or cosmetic benefit...or both. Strixaderm Eyecream is clinically proven by the American Medical Association to decrease lines in the eye area in only one week and can be applied to the entire lid. Chanel Eyelift has an immediate tightening effect and Clinique All About Eyes is actually designed to be used as a shadow base, as well as dealing with shadows and puffiness. I find that a lot of shadow bases can make the lid look more creased because of the added weight, but it WILL keep them from creasing throughout the day. Mind you, it sounds more like a firming product that is needed so have a look at the three I have listed. They range from £20-£49 so you should hopefully find something to suit your wallet as well as your skin.

Keep up the battle,
John

Got a beauty question? ASK JOHN

Do you have a hair dilemma you want to put to the experts? Then click HERE to email us your hair questions

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