Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

Hi John,
I am 66 and extremely active and healthy.  I use some DHC products including their sunblock while I'm outside. I have been wearing Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation for some time because it seems to stay on well but need help with eye makeup.  In the spring and fall my eyes tear and cause my eye makeup to smear.  I have also been wearing shadow with shimmer in it and have been told that is not a good look for aging skin.

I need suggestions...

Peggy 

 

Peggy,

Well it seems as though you are nearly sorted! Teary eyes are a pretty common problem, and there are a couple of ways we could tackle it. Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Chanel, L'Oreal, Shu Uemura, and Lauder all have creamy and/or liquid shadows that are completely waterproof. The creamy ones can even be applied with you normal brush technique - they are not at all like creamy shadows used to be. Clarins, Clinique, and Lancôme have waterproof eye pencils that will solve THAT problem. Bobbi Brown also has an incredible gel liner. I have even been known to use those like a waterproof shadow over a more neutral base for a great smudged effect around the lashline. You could also try a shadow base like the Laura Mercier Eye Basics, but to be truthful, I am not convinced that this will solve the problem. As for the shimmery shadow? You will know if it becomes inappropriate. I like a little shimmer in shadow. If your lids are becoming more crepey, matte is not your friend! Matte will accentuate every crinkle. Beware of frosted shadows as they WILL show crepey lids, but the subtle sheen that many companies use now is extremely flattering. Like I said, if you have to ask yourself if it is too shiny? It probably is! Go with your gut.

All the best,

John

 

Hi John,

I have blonde hair, blue eyes and very pale skin with an oily t-zone. I really struggle to find foundation that's pale enough for me, even when I go to make-up counters, when I get home the foundation still looks too dark. Please can you advise where I would be able to find a good foundation which will stop any shine breakouts but also be pale enough to suit me, and also if there are any good blushers out there for pale skin, whenever I've tried to use blusher it just looks silly!

Many thanks,

Vicki

 

Vicki,

My first stop would be the Prescriptives counter. This is what they have built their reputation on. The range is vast and has been broken up into colour families to make things as easy as they can possibly be. The oil-free formulation is very nice and if that doesn't work out for you, they can mix a foundation that is uniquely yours. Next would most likely be Clinique. Again a very large range, and there are a couple of suitable formulations depending on the coverage you want. My only slight hesitation here is that the shades constantly change around - they get rid of ones that don't sell internationally and add others. But if you happen to be that unusual pale shade...you might find yourself hunting again before too long. Chantecaille is another make that has paler shades and the Future Skin foundation is a lovely adjustable coverage gel base. You can get matching concealers to all of the shades as well. As far as the pale blusher goes, I adore the new Guerlain compacts. There is one particular one called Tendre Aurore that is the slightest hint of colour. Virtually foolproof! Shu Uemura also has a good selection of barely there colours. I have also been found to use deeper rose shadows as blushers for paler skins. You know the sort of weird colours that you suspect would make you look like you had conjunctivitis if you put them around your eyes? LOL. Chantecaille Myrrh is a good example. It is nearly identical to a blusher they did called Whisper, which was the best blusher for pale skins I have ever seen. Why did they discontinue it? You tell me. Happy hunting Vicki and if you don't have any joy come back and hit me up again.

Regards,

John

 

Dear John
As you appear to have tried every type of moisturiser under the sun could you tell me which all round miracle skin cream you would recommend to get my skin in shape in time for my wedding in August 2009? Is there a particular anti ageing one that refines pores softens lines etc and will basically make my skin look fab? Price is not really an issue; I just want to look radiant on the day! I am 36 have okay skin, a bit on the combination side but just recently in the last month I have noticed several fine lines appearing around my eyes. I am considering taking Imedeen tablets as well as I have heard they are good. Would you recommend them? Also, last but not least, is there a primer you can recommend to wear under my foundation on the day? There are so many on the market and all seem to promise much but I am not sure which to try!

Thanks very much,

Miss Leigh Dawkins

 

Leigh,

You have a lot of questions there...I will do my best to answer them without writing a novel here. If you really pressed me to choose a single cream and not give a list as long as my arm of possible suggestions, I would have you go and look at Natura Bisse Diamond. A lower/expensive cream at £170, but one that has been clinically trialed on all 10 points of the aging process from lines to elasticity, firmness to radiance, moisture, appearance, and more. The lowest result in a month of use was an 80% improvement. Most things showed 100%. Better still, you can use them around the eye area. There are three versions depending on the condition of your skin. I really rate this product highly and it wins Best Luxury Cream right, left, and centre both here and in the USA. Imedeen? Really like this too. Start on the basic one and see how you get on. It can't hurt - it simply provides the skin with the nutrients it needs to be healthy from within. Last but not least, your primer. If you are combination and the wedding is going to be in the warmer weather, I would look at the new Guerlain Meteorite Primer. It is a silky matte gel with crushed pearl so you get a radiant matte finish that is stunning under makeup, or even alone if you skin is good. Another radiant matte is La Prairie Rose Illusion Line Filler. That one has the advantage of filling pesky lines at the same time as smoothing skin and holding foundation. I tell you those two as you say price is not an object - mind you; I think you are getting what you pay for with both. Good luck with your plans for the big day and if you need any further suggestions...you know where you can find me.

Best,

John

 

 

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