Beauty Q&A with John Gustafson

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 of your beauty dilemmas...

 

Hi John
I am 34 years old and go to the gym 3 times a week (when I am being a good girl!). I have recently noticed a slight dimpling on my inner arms (the bingo wing part) and have started some light toning exercises as well. I recently had a sample of ORLANE arm refining/defining cream and thought I might give it a go, but was "a bit taken aback" at the price tag. I was wondering if you could please tell me what your views are on arm creams in general and if you could also list some of the good ones?
Thanks a lot!
Glenda


Glenda,
This is really specific product and there are not any cheaper versions that I can think of. You can try to use some of the firming body moisturisers and they would cost less, but this may be a case of biting the bullet and getting a product that is targeted for your problem. If you use it in conjunction with your toning exercises, the results you will see will help you to mentally justify the cost. I would have liked to tell you about a few mass-market products that you could run and pick up, but to be truthful, this is going to be a case of getting what you paid for!
Grit your teeth and charge it,
John

 

Hi John
I have very dark circles under my eyes.  I have tried a few different airbrush concealers e.g. Body Shop, YSL Touche Eclat, Clinique, etc. Nothing seems to completely cover them. The thicker concealers make the skin under my eyes dry. What do you recommend?
Andrea


Andrea,
The problem with the ones that you have tried is that none of them are really concealers. They are light diffusers that have - in some cases - little or no coverage. They are there to prevent shadowing under bags and in creases. Clinique Air Brush, Lauder Ideal Light, and Dior SkinFlash will give a bit more coverage, but still, if you are in need of coverage you will be disappointed. Lauder has a very moisturising concealer called Disappear that should be a better option. Lancôme Longue Tenue and Prescriptives Camouflage Cream are a couple more. If you have concealers that look too heavy but give you the sort of coverage you are after, try mixing them with a little bit of your eyecream. That takes away the cracked look without diminishing the cover. Plus you turn your concealer into a treatment to get rid of the problem in the first place.
All the best,
John

 
Hi John
Love the Q&A!
I have noticed the skin around my upper lip has a few fine lines. I've heard having a skin peel around this area would be good, but wondered if there are any creams that would help that I could use in the meantime?
Many Thanks
Christina

Christina,
Well thanks! Glad you enjoy them and I hope this will sort out your problem for you. Go have a look at Medik8 Prepout or Lauder Perfectionist Lip Treatment. Both of these work very well without costing you the earth. The Medik8 Prepout will help to soft the existing lines and adds volume to the lip. The Lauder Perfectionist also treats existing lines but will fill them in for the day like a magical polyfiller! You can also do your own little peel by gently buffing the skin around the lips with a gommage type exfoliator. Take a small dab every night when you do your cleansing routine and using small circular motions massage the area around the mouth. At the very end use it over your whole lip area. Gently wipe off the excess with a damp flannel or a piece of cotton wool. Then apply either a good lip balm or your lip treatment product. You should notice and immediate improvement as well as enjoy the fact that your lipsticks apply more smoothly and your pout is more kissable.
See you back soon,
John

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