Got a beauty problem that needs solving pronto? Call upon handbag.com's very own beauty guru, celebrity make-up artist John Gustafson, to help solve all your beauty dilemmas...
Hi John,
I am getting married very soon and am doing my own make-up. I’d like to try false eyelashes – but I’m not sure how to apply them. Do you apply before or after eye make-up?
Thanks,
Esther
Esther,
It is a matter of personal preference. I myself always do them the same way, though. I apply all of the eye make-up first. I get the shadows and the liner underneath the eyes done. Then, if you are adding individual lashes, apply your mascara and comb it through. Now curl your lashes with a heated lash curler. This gives them a bend and lets you see where the individual lashes go. Apply your lashes and then you can add a line to the top if you want one. I prefer to line the inside of the upper lid so I get the definition without losing lid space. Great for your wedding photos. If you are doing a full line of lashes, start as before but leave out the mascara. Try to choose a set of lashes that has a thin black or brown line as the strip that holds the lashes. Eyelure Naturalites are my favourite because the fibre is curved to the same shape as the lid. Once the lashes are in place, use your mascara to seal the real and the false lashes together and lift your natural lashes to the same curl as the false ones. Then you can finish with the heated lash curler again. This is really a lot easier than you may think, but give yourself a couple of goes as a practice and have a fresh set for the wedding day. If it all starts going pear-shaped, just give up and don’t stress yourself out. They look great in the pictures, but they are not worth ruining your day over! (Note: There is also a Tricks of The Trade in the archive on applying false eyelashes if you want a few more tips!)
Congratulations Esther and good luck,
John
[quote]Hi John,
Although I’ve tried waxing before, I can never seem to get into the habit of having it done regularly and always go back to my razor. Lately, my bikini line has been very prone to ingrown hairs and I can’t seem to get rid of them. I’ve tried plucking, but it’s too painful and now they are looking like very big and angry red spots! What should I do?! Did my razor cause this? Can you recommend any products or creams that will bring the swelling down and rid my bikini line of these unsightly spots!?
Maria
Maria,
Oh no! Isn’t being a girl a drag? Do you think a bloke would go through all of this pain and misery? No. Part of the problem is shaving against the growth of the hair. If you do that, you are cutting the hair under the surface of the skin – and since the hair down there is usually curly, it grows back in on itself. Do your shave at the end of your bath or shower so the skin and hair are nice and soft. Apply a shaving oil so you can see the hair really well. And then get it off in a single stroke of the blade. The more times you go aver an area, the more likely you are to irritate the skin. As for getting rid of the irritation once you have it, try Clinique Men’s Razor Burn Relief. It is an excellent product and it will calm the skin and take down the redness. Aloe vera gel will soothe as well, but it can be a little bit sticky. Do not pluck the hairs once you get them to clear the surface of the skin. Shave them off so the little buggers stay on the right side of your body! If you pluck a hair, that same hair will keep on growing in for the rest of your life. It is tempting, but you have to resist…
Best regards,
John
Hi John,
Although I’d love a regular facial, I just don’t have the funds available to treat myself as often as I’d like. What is the correct procedure for a home facial? Do you recommend any particular products, and is it right to put a face mask on after you have steamed your face?
Nandi
Nandi,
Truthfully there is no real right or wrong, nor should you feel guilty for not going and having a facial regularly. What I would do is get a hydrating mask and a cleansing mask that is within the budget you have at any particular time. You can alternate the way you use them by applying one or the other while your bath or shower is running as an alternative to your regular morning cleanse. Then simply rinse it off while you are getting cleaned up and follow with your skincare as usual. Or if you want to pamper yourself, you can steam or use your cleansing mask and then follow that with your hydrating mask. If I am doing a hydrating mask I always prepare my skin by exfoliating first. That ensures my skin will make the most of my time and effort. Steaming is really good if you are going to deep cleanse as it will soften the skin and make sure you get deep down into the pores. But let your skin guide you. If it feels uncomfortable or if you get breakout for the next few days, you need to examine the means and the method. I hope that helped, Nandi.
Best,
John
