Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

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

I've sent in my problem to many Q&As before and I'm giving it a last attempt. I'm 18, very tall, very thin, have very white skin (no freckles whatsoever), large green eyes and red hair (a nice shade of auburn). Because of my shockingly pale complexion, I cannot find a foundation (sheer or matte) that matches, which is kind of deceiving because my skin tends to get very red in the cold. (I don't really like the Rudolph the reindeer comments).

No makeup professionals have been able to match colours or palettes to my skin and hair - I either looked sick or like a 40 year old. Is there anything I can do or am I doomed forever to using a raisin eyeliner and dark green mascara?

Thanks a lot. You'll be making a 6 feet tall redhead very happy! Roxane

God I wish I could get my hands on you for Handbag TV! If you live in or very near London and wouldn't mind being the model for one of our handbag.com TV clips then please get in touch! 

You have my favourite colouring in the world and I know how desperately hard it is to find makeup. But you have to believe me -  your options are almost limitless! Once you get the foundation thing sorted...the sky is the limit.

Your first stop for foundation should be a Prescriptives counter. They specialise in foundations for pale alabaster skins. Nobody does it like they do for your skintone. Becca Luminising Skin Colour in Porcelain might work too - but I would have to see your skin. After that? Crikey! Deep smoky grey eyes. Sheer vibrant colours to show off your skintone: which you must start looking at as a glorious feature. Plums and violets. I would even like some of the new blues with just a hint of aqua blended into the corners to pull your eye colour back again. And don't even get me started on lip and cheek colours.

It would be easier to tell you the few things you couldn't wear instead of the plethora of things you could. Blend with your porcelain skin with soft roses instead of the expected blending with your hair. Do drama with blackened reds. Vamp it up in rich plum, which again, will not look as dramatic as you think because of your skintone. But you WILL have to be brave about clashing with your hair! Do it! Don't play safe in tawny. Boring. Think Renaissance. Pale skin, russet hair, pinched rose cheeks, baby rose/red lips. I could go on and on.

So do you want to help all of the rest of the redheads who have this same problem? Throw your raisin liner, green mascara, and caution to the wind. I promise to make it an incredibly positive experience and make you feel like a princess. Otherwise I do hope the colour suggestions above will give you some confidence and guidance next time you are skirting the makeup counters. Thanks Roxane...

I'm 30 and I have some small frown lines on my forehead and between my eyes.  What cream should I use bearing in mind my age etc?  I started using Nivea Q10 Plus for my face - is that ok? I also use Vaseline moisturiser as well.  I'm worried about the frown lines and don't want to do any more damage. Please help.

Ain't growing old grand! I really like the Nivea Q10 range. Excellent research and the products feel fairly light and easily absorbed. L'Oreal's new RevitaLift Double Lifting Serum although is for a slightly older woman, the serum could be used once a day in the areas you are concerned about without over-spending. Vaseline however, is not going to help your face. The products, as much as I like them, are formulated for your body, so keep them there.

If you could go slightly higher on your spend, Strixaderm Face is a fantastic product if you are concerned about lines. American Medical Association results, but priced at £59. The other fantastic new product just featured in Go And Get It is Tri-Aktiline. You can use this to target your concerns and then you can still follow-up with your regular Q10 moisturiser, and it is more palatable at £24.99.

Being aware and concerned is the best step in making sure you keep the skin looking its best for the longest time. Just remember, too much worrying about it will give you more frown lines! Thanks, John

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