Hi John,

I am a 60 year old and dealing with the ageing process pretty well apart from my open pores on my nose. I keep my skin very clean, always moisturise and normally wear a light foundation, as I prefer the natural look to my skin. However, no matter what foundation I use (I've tried them all) it just tends to 'sit' in the pores on my nose. I not only find this very irritating, but feel it looks unsightly too.

Is there a product that I can use as a filler or base before my foundation that will help this problem?

Jill

Jill,

Ooh...there are quite a lot of them around now that work really well. Strixaderm No Wrinkles Now, Kanebo Wrinkless, Clinique Pore Minimiser, Becca Pore and Line Corrector (really good), LaPrairie Rose Illusion Line Filler, and Steven Victor Miracle Serum to name some of my favourites. I noted the one that I think I would look at first for you based on what you said, but these are all really good products. I apply them after a moisturiser and leave them for a moment or two before applying foundation. When applying your foundation, don't rub too much or you will roll the product back out of the pores again. With the Becca I mentioned, you can also pat this over your makeup carefully if you start to see a problem again in the day. A powder foundation for touching up can also really help to disguise this problem if it really bugs you.

Happy shopping Jill

Hi John

I am a 46 year-old woman who takes a lot of time and effort on her appearance, but I am totally unsettled by this new stage in my life.  I am menopausal and on HRT, suddenly I have teenage skin, which breaks out and is oily in the t-zone, BUT I have dry under eyes and they look wrinkly.  I am stuck as to what make-up to use.  I use the Karen Herzog Kombi Beauty routine, but am lost as to foundation and makeup. Please advise. I have dark hair (coloured), brown eyes and medium skin tone. 

Please help,

Tia

Tia,

I think you have, either wisely or inadvertently, stumbled onto one of the best skincare routines for your skin. But may I make a skin suggestion as well? Consider Imedeen Prime Renewal Capsules. These feed the skin from the inside and are specifically made for menopausal women to replace the skin nutrients that the shift in hormonal balance has created. This should really help to ease the combination factor in your skin and help stop the dryness under your eyes from turning into permanent wrinkles. They are a bit pricey, but Boots often does 3 for 2 on them. Getting through two to three months worth should be long enough to see if you will benefit from them longer term. Anyway, makeup. You will need something that is not too heavy, but will offer coverage when you need it. Superbalanced by Clinique offers a good colour range and is made to help rebalance out-of-balance skins. That could be a good option. Another would be the new liquid mineral foundation by Lauder called Nutritious. Lovely texture, but it will depend on if one of the six shades is right for you. I really like the new LaPrairie Anti-Age Foundation. Again, a bit more costly in the beginning at £56, but you use so little, get great cover, and it is made for your specific skin condition. Really worth it if they have a colour for you. Concealing the odd spot can then be done after the foundation with either Lauder's Double Wear Concealer or Maximum Cover, or the Becca Concealers in 34 shades will give you quite the selection. Bobbi Brown concealers also give really good range in both colours and textures/applications. And then my advice peters out a bit! Once the foundation and canvas is sorted out, you should theoretically be able to wear most anything you would like. You said you like to take care with your appearance, so makeup should still be there for you to play with and enjoy. I know your hair and eye colours, but I don't know your skintone (warm or cool). If it is warmer, the gorgeous corals and salmons this season will be beautiful with brown hair and eyes. So would some of the pinks without too much blue. If you are cooler, the pinks would stand out stunningly, as would softer red and the stronger corals. So colour should still be open to you. Maybe it is time to go and have a colour makeover done? See some new ideas to invigorate your imagination. Perhaps when you are testing out foundations allowing them to apply a partial makeup so you can get ideas. Just don't allow them to pressure into buying things you don't like or need! They smell fear! LOL. Take care Tia and please do let me know if you need any further advice.

All the best,

John

John,

This may seem a bit out of left field, but I need a gift suggestion for someone that absolutely loves beauty stuff and virtually collects it. I don't want to spend the Earth, but this is a potential love interest and I would like to make a good impression and a rather romantic gesture. Since you probably have all of it as well, what would YOU like if someone were to try to get you something that you probably know more about than they do? Does that make any sense?

Thomas

Thomas,

This is actually a great question! This is always sticky territory, but you can narrow things down for yourself fairly quickly. You say she is a beauty junkie? So how do you know that? If you always hear her talking about skincare, or buying the latest and greatest - then maybe get her something from this area. But there are pitfalls. If you get anti-aging and she doesn't feel she needs that, it is the equivalent to buying a wife a dishwasher or appliance! If she is a make-up girl, this is far easier. You can go for a line that she finds aspirational like Chanel, Dior, or whatever, and get her the latest Limited Edition for the season. If she has a favourite scent, get her one of the products that surround the fragrance like the shower gel or body lotion, or go for the gold and buy her a small pure parfum. That will get you in her good books. But if I, myself, were to get a gift - with all of the stuff I may or may not already have - I would always enjoy something from Jo Malone. They are an indulgent luxury. A candle would be romantic, practical, and something we don't often buy for ourselves. The medium ones are around £40, and the larger ones will most likely get you invited to meet the family! The presentation is immaculate. As she peels away the layers of cream and black from the bag and box, it is pure class. It is one of the only items of press that still makes my pulse speed up when it arrives on my desk. The iconic cream and black bag! What is going to be nestled inside? I can't help it. This is a really thoughtful gift, and I can't imagine it wouldn't be successful. Personal, yet not too personal. Good luck mate and thanks for checking us out...

John

And a little thank you from an appreciative reader....

Dear John (the beauty guru)

I wrote to you some time ago asking advice to get rid of a persistent spot which was buried under the skin like a cyst on my left nostril. I had tried several topical treatments including tea tree oil and other well known medicated creams designed for treating acne. Nothing had worked until I tried Philosophy's On a clear Day serum as you recommended. It's a MIRACLE product!!! I applied the clear gel at bedtime for about a week and persevered with the tingling and redness as I thought this was a sign that the product was working. Sure enough the bump was shrinking within a couple of days and now is barely visible. As a dermatologist told me that the only way to remove it was by surgery, you can imagine I am amazed at the effectiveness of this product and I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Much love

Very grateful Alice

Alice,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write and let me know how you got on with the recommendation. I love to hear how the products work and it always makes me feel all warm inside! LOL. Plus, I think it lets other readers know that taking the time to at least ask a question could give you an unbiased solution without relying on people that are trying to sell you a product. I am so happy to hear you like On A Clear Day as much as I do.

From the bottom of mine as well,

John

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