Hi John,
I have got dark areas of skin at the sides of my mouth and chin area, where I nervously bite the inside of my mouth and have caused long term bruising. I use a liquid foundation and then Touche Eclat to cover this area, but am never quite satisfied! I have tried Benefits Erase paste, and Boiing, but these are too heavy, and the Touche Eclat doesn't quite have the coverage I need. What concealer would you recommend? You always seem to know the best products. I am wasting lots of money here!
Many thanks,
Vicki
Vicki,
I guess I need to stop nibbling at the inside of MY mouth! Yikes. What we need is something fairly fluid so you can blend it on, but something that will stay once it is there. How about looking at Lauder Double Wear? The shade range is pretty good and the concealer is transfer-proof. I would also have a look at Becca Concealers, mainly because of the shade range. There are 34 to choose from but in each compact you have two different versions of the cover. One light and more moisturising and the other heavier and a little more solid. The Laura Mercier Secret Camouflages might also prove to be successful for you as each has a slightly more yellow side that is good for blue areas like bruising and dark shadows. Benefit Just Bluffing stick could also help with its slight yellow tint to conceal bruising. Try the thin one rather than the fat one. That is quite a bit to look at. If you don't have any joy, you know where to find me - hit me up again!
Best,
John
Dear John,
I was interested to read Georgie's letter about wrinkles on the top lip and your suggestions about how to combat them, as I'm 57 and have started to get them too. Another problem is brown spots or "age marks". My skin tone has always been reasonable but is now less even than it was and I have one or two definite light brown marks developing slowly but surely. I'm quite fair skinned and use anti ageing moisturisers night and day. Any ideas?
Thank you.
Gill
Gill,
I am so glad someone has asked about dark marks...I haven't had one of these questions in a while. And usually my reply is the same. I myself have some bad pigmentation damage and I have tried everything from the latest in products to old wives' tales to try to lighten or get rid of them. But recently I have been using a product by Bakel called Malic and have in only two weeks seen about a 30% reduction in the depth of my pigmentation! They recommend using it as a night moisturiser every other night - but I don't. I don't really want to use an acidic product on my entire skin. So what I decided to try was to apply my moisturiser as usual and then apply a small amount of this really slimy serum-y solution over the top. Both day and night. The concern would have been the irritation, but since I have a moisturiser underneath as a buffer, I have had no problem whatsoever. And I am thrilled with the result. The product is £68, and the way I am using it will mean that the bottle will most likely last for at least a year. You can look at their website at www.bakeltechnology.com, but remember, I am suggesting a modified way of usage. I have been recommending it to clients for use since I started seeing what was happening and several have called or written to say that they too are seeing results. What do you have to lose really?
Best regards,
John
Dear John,
Firstly many thanks for the wonderful Q&A's, they keep me entertained at work and solve many of my beauty dilemmas. Now I was wondering if perhaps you could help me with one?
I currently use Max Factor Faceinity compact foundation, I love it and have been using it for years as it provides even coverage that lasts for ages, doesn't cost much and works with my skin; neither oily or dry but occasionally patchy and prone to blushing on account of me being a (proud) pale Irish lady. However, the palest shade has always been too dark for me, I've always put up with it as I like the foundation so much but am now sick of it and want to change. I have been thinking about getting a nice pale mineral foundation, but will this give as good coverage? I love being pale and what something that enhances my colouring rather than trying to mask it.
I was also thinking of trying Nicola from Girls Aloud's new range but am not sure if it's any good.
I look forward to your answer!
Many thanks,
Becky
Becky,
You are most welcome, and if I can help while away the hours when you are meant to be working? It is my pleasure! I think you might find that a mineral foundation is just the ticket. The coverage can be as full as you are willing to build it and you can get them at virtually any and every price now. The slight difficulty will be finding a shade for your pale skin. Prescriptives has recently launched a set and there are a couple very light ones. Jane Iredale does pale and so does Laura Mercier. Bare Minerals and ID might also work, though they may be a bit too yellow. I have found the Max Factor, L'Oreal, and Bourjois ones to be a little to deep as they are made to fit the standard. Getting your coverage is simply a matter of buffing layers of the mineral powder on until you are happy with the result. As far as Nicola's products go, I will be truthful and tell you that I haven't really had a chance to have a proper look at them. I have my doubts. Enough said! LOL. Now shouldn't you be getting back to work?
John
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