Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

Dear John

I usually wear black or brown eyeliner but would really love to try some wilder shades but not sure which colours will complement my colouring. I have fair skin and dark blue eyes, with blond and copper hair. I'd love to try a brighter look for nighttime, what products would you suggest?

Many thanks,

Joy

 

Joy,

Boy...this season? The sky is the limit! I have been really enjoying the Bobbi Brown Gel Liner recently and there is a Sapphire Shimmer (mid-jewel blue) and a Bronze Shimmer that would look fab with your skin, hair, and eyes. Very deep violet would also be really fun. If you like pencils better, Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils are really soft and smudgy to apply (but stay on really well), and most of them have a deep metallic finish. ME Blue, ME Purple, and ME Green would all look great. If you have a hard time adjusting to the change at first, add a little of your brown over the top to tamp the colour down. But soon you will be reaching for any and every colour! Have fun and play. It is an eyeliner not a tattoo!

Enjoy,

John

 

Hi John,

Since having my little boy time has become a precious commodity in the morning and my beauty routine needs to be cut to the quick time wise. I absolutely can't live without my blusher as after a late night with the little one blusher makes me look alive again! What all-in-one lips, cheeks and eye product would you suggest for beauty on the run? Really looking forward to your answer as maybe it will give me a few more minutes in bed!

Thanks,

Rachel

 

Rachel,

A bit short on "me time", eh? We recently filmed a handbag TV clip on doing make-up only using this sort of creamy product, so it is really fresh in my mind. I really like the Bobbi Brown Creamy Eyeshadows and you can apply a single colour to the entire lid to lighten and brighten. Then a creamy blusher like the Becca Cream Blush will colour your cheeks and stain your mouth in a matching shade. Then top the lip up with a little clear gloss to give it a shiny finish. Really simple and the best selection of colour. Benefit does a great eye/lip/cheek called 911 (the American version of 999), and though I love the reddy brown colour, it is not very spring/summer. Dior Pro Cheeks and Pro Eyes are a gorgeously mousse-like texture that blends effortlessly on the skin. These are good when you are in a hurry, as they don't stick. I use the cheek to tint the lips again and follow with a gloss. Now hit the snooze button and I will see you in 8 minutes!

Stay well,

John

 

Dear John

I usually wear a light tinted moisturiser during the day but for days when I have work events and meetings I apply a bit more war paint in the form of Dior Nude skin foundation or the lovely Bobbi Brown illuminating foundation but sometimes they look a bit cakey. I have good skin, although it can sometimes be dry and I am a dedicated cleanse and moisturiser but wondered if there was a way to apply the foundation that will take away this cakey look. I usually apply with my fingers but would a brush be better?

I look forward to your reply,

Danielle

 

Danielle,

Both of the proper "foundations" that you are using are state-of-the-art products and should not be making you look caked. I am also a fingertip application fan, so maybe you just need to try to melt the foundation down a bit before applying. Use a single pump of either and spread it between your fingertips. Next, touch it over the entire face to distribute the colour. Now, go back and blend. A brush may give you a hand at sheering the make-up out, but I would want to try that out before investing in a brush. I am about to put up a handbag TV segment on how to do both of these very things, so keep your eyes peeled. I think the best suggestion may come in the form of a primer. Many of these have a slightly silicone feel that helps the make-up to spread more smoothly. I love the Guerlain Meteorites Primer for this. Lancôme as well. I have even been known to mix a bit of the two together (primer and foundation) to lighten the texture of the main foundation. You can always go back with a little extra in areas where you feel you require more coverage. Finally, Paul & Joe do a clever little moisture serum that is applied over the top of your makeup to give back the glow that you lose as the makeup settles during the day. Any and/or all of these should make you look fresh and confidant all day long... whatever the day brings.

Hope that helps,

John

 

 

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