Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

Dear John,

I am getting married on 5 October and your article regarding matte foundation was very helpful for me, so thank you. I too have greasy skin and sometimes even greasy eyelids as well! I was wondering what eye shadow you would recommend that would last all day and stay put for my special day? Kind Regards,

Jin

 

Hi Jin,

You would have couple of different options here. You could try an eye base under your current shadows to help blot the shine and extend staying power. Have a look at Laura Mercier Eye Basic-ics or Bobbi Brown Creamy Eyeshadows (used as a base). They also make terrific shadows themselves and really do give lasting results. Shu Uemura Creamy Eyeshadows are also really easy to use and are completely waterproof, making them ideal for extended wear and as a base underneath. But I am always concerned when people say they get greasy eyelids, as this is an area on the skin that doesn't really produce much oil. That is why it the first place that shows age. Make certain you are using a proper eye makeup remover that doesn't isn't leaving a residue on the eye. Also, make sure you are not using a facial moisturiser around the eye area. These are weighted to penetrate the thicker skin on the face and would leave a fine film on the lids that would disallow the shadows to hold properly. It may also be that the shape of your lid and socket leave the lid resting on itself and therefore generates heat and perspiration on the lid. Without seeing you it would be hard to say. Whichever the case, using a base should solve the problem for you. I hope your plans are proceeding without much palaver and I wish you a wonderful wedding day. Don't forget to enjoy yourself!

Congratulations,

John

 
For more wedding ideas, check out You and Your Wedding.

Dear John

I'm a new mum and I'm having sleepless nights due to my new baby - as most mums do! Would you be kind enough to tell me how to do the lymphatic drainage for my eyes as they are puffy in the mornings and it would be really helpful?

Thank you so much,

Yvonne

 

Yvonne,

I want a baby! I don't sleep that well at night so I wouldn't even miss that! Anyway, I would be delighted to walk you through a quick lymphatic drainage technique. Cross your middle finger over the top of your ring finger. You are doing this as the ring finger is not quite strong enough to produce the pressure and the middle finger is too strong. Start at the bridge of your nose - between your eyes. Press firmly for the count of two or three and release. If you have the right place you should feel this in your sinus cavity. Move along the puffy bit under your eyes, following the socket underneath. Every half centimetre or so repeat this pressure. Keep moving toward the outside corners of the eyes. Once you have reached the outer corner, extend toward the temples. You will find a little "dip" in the bone structure on the temple maybe an inch from the outer corner of your eyes. This is the sort of place you might massage if you had a tension headache. Press this point and release. This is the drainage point that will release the fluids you have shifted from the inner part of the eyes. Now go back to your starting point and repeat the journey along the upper socket of the eye. Continue to that same release point on the temple. If you do the lower lid you need to do the upper lid or you are going to move the pocket of fluid up there. Yuck! LOL. Repeat as often as you want/need. You can do this while you are in traffic, while you are applying eye cream, while lying in bed - anywhere and at any time. It is easy and makes such a huge difference. I wish you all the best and I am so jealous. If you need a free baby-sitter...

Take care,

John

 

 

Dear John

 

I used the lovely Lancôme waterproof mascara in brown for years, then it was discontinued so I used similar one (Lancôme Hypnose) - also waterproof in brown.  It's no longer available in brown!  Seems all Lancôme waterproofs are only available in black and I have now tried 5 different mascaras (Estee Lauder, Lancôme, and YSL).  Okay they're not waterproof but the biggest problem is they make my already straight lashes flop downwards.  I've tried all the ones that say 'curling' and use lash curlers before applying and apply single thin coat but still have the same problem.  I found only waterproof seems to keep the curl.  Is there a waterproof mascara out there in BROWN please?

Many many thanks,

Susan Harris

 

Susan,

Sure there are waterproofs in brown, but I am also going to tell you about a major curling mascara that is water resistant rather than waterproof. I love love love it. It is the new Guerlain le 2. Two brushes. One a rubber brush that is nearly impossible to clog. Every stroke through them builds and curls to an quite astounding degree. Then the little brush on the other end allows you to get all of the fine inner and out corner lashes, as well as the bottom lashline. Did I say that I love it? If you want a proper waterproof in brown, try the Paul & Joe waterproof, but make sure you buy the remover as well, since it is the only thing that will shift it. All of Shiseido's mascaras are waterproof, and they have a curling and lengthening formula. Let's see...how about the Clarins one? That is really nice as well. That should give you some to test out. But if it were me? I would have a go with the Guerlain. Truly amazing!

Cheers,

John

 

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