Hi!
I'm a makeup artist, manager and trainer for a major cosmetics company. I love answering questions about makeup and skin care, so ask away!
Gender: Female
Location: The Midwest
Occupation: Makeup Artist
Age: 30
Member Since: September 7, 2006
Answers: 15
Last Update: November 27, 2006
Visitors: 1488
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Is hot water and hand/body soap enough to kill nasty bacteria living on my makeup brushes, sponges, and mascara wands? If not, does anyone have any suggestions on what IS good enough? (link)
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First--You should be putting your makeup onto you face only when it's clean, therefore, you shouldn't have that much bacteria on your brushes to begin with. You only need to wash powder, blush and eyeshadow brushes every few weeks. Otherwise they will fall apart. Foundation, concealer and eyeliner brushes can be washed every 2 weeks or so, depending on how much build up you have on them.
If you have good makeup brushes I would invest a few bucks in some makeup brush cleaner. You can get it at a beauty supply store like Sally's if you're in the United States. It's cheap and it will really be a lot better than hand soap, which is not pH balanced for natural hair, which is what good brushes are made of.
Also, sponges are totally worthless. They suck up most of your liquid foundation so you end up wasting about 80% of it. They are Ok for cream foundations, and should be washed weekly.
You also don't have to wash mascara wands. Getting water in your mascara tube ruins it and you should only be keeping mascara for no more than 6 months anyway, although 3 months is really the longest you can hope for mascara to still look good.
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I am 15 years old and i have really dark circles under my eyes and fine lines. i didnt have them during the summer but when school started i must be stressed because all of a sudden they showed up. Does any know any products to help this? most concealer dont work too good and they give me fine lines. any help? thanks (link)
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I've answered this question before so here is the advice I've given to someone your age:
There is no way you are getting wrinkles at 15. Your skin is still producing collagen and elastin at a high rate. Elastin is what makes your skin bounce back into place every time you make a facial expression. Your skin goes through a process called cell renewal, which is basically your skin's natural way of exfoliating, and at 15, that process is still going strong. Signs of aging, especially around the eye is just not possible for a 15 year old. As you age collagen and elastin production reduces and cell renewal slows, and that is what causes wrinkles.
The lines you see are probably from a lack of hydration. You need to drink a lot of water and make sure your skin is hydrated if it's usually dry. And if you are really concerned about wrinkles make sure you stay out of the sun and don't smoke.
As for the dark circles, more water may help but overall there is nothing you can do to get rid of them. You can cover them up with concealer but you have to be willing to spend about $20 for it. Cheap makeup doesn't work.
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Okay anyways.
Every once in a while, I get pimples,
not like acne, but like with its the time of the month or something, I'll get a really bad pimple that almost looks like a boil or something on my face ( I know its not, its just really bad ) I'm wondering how I can stop that from happening, or atleast becoming so big.
And maybe how I can make them go away when I have them, because its really embarssing.
I try to use cover up, but during the day the makeup like comes off, and you can see bits of the makeup outlining the area, its pretty gross.
Anything I can do to reduce the redness? (link)
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Hi!
If the pimple is deep in your skin and painfull you probably have cystic acne. Regular pimples are caused by oil and bacteria that are clogging pores and trapped by dead skin. Cystic acne is different though, because it's a build up of fluid under the skin. Try not to touch it too much, as it will scar badly if you pop it.
It's very common for the breakout to happen around your period and around times of stress. It's usually caused by hormones. I have the same thing and the only over-the-counter treatment I've found is something called Super Line Preventor from a company called Prescriptives. I've been using it for months and I haven't had 1 cystic breakout, which is amazing because I've had at least 1 a month for the past 10 years.
Another option is getting a shot of cortizone from the dermatologist when you have a breakout. Birth control pills also help because they control your hormones, but that may not be an option for someone who is younger.
As far as covering it up, you'll need to find a good concealer. Dot it on the breakout and use a Q-Tip to blend the outer edges in a circular motion. If you use foundation apply the foundation over the concealer and make sure you pat it on the breakout instead of rubbing so that the concealer doesn't get rubbed off. After the foundation use your finger to pat powder on top of it to set it. Remember not to rub.
Hope that helps!
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Ok im not sure if this is under the right catergory but I want some tips on how to put eye shadow on. Because every single time i put eyeshadow on after a few hours it starts 2 disappear or something. It doesnt last so long. & I always see people how there eye shadow lasts perfect all day like from how it looks when I put it on. So what im asking is, do you have any tips on how to apply the eye shadow where it doesnt like fade away some how ? & Get the fresh applied eye shadow look all day ? Thanks for the help (link)
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Use an eyeshadow primer made specifically to go on your eyelids. Don't use foundation, moisturizer, or concealer. Most people have eyelids that are somewhat oily. Eyeshadow primers are designed to resist that oil and keep shadow on all day-foundations and concealers are not made for the same purpose so they don't work in the same way. Clinique makes something called Touch Base which is excellent.
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I am 16 years old and got my driver's permit a few months ago. I really do try to be a good driver- I don't use my cell phone, I focus on the road, heck, I don't even turn on the radio! But it's hopeless- no matter how hard I try, I am a TERRIBLE driver, a threat to myself and others on the road. You see, I'm a pretty good student, I mostly get A's- but I'm a very slow thinker. I'm always the last one to hand in my test; I think about all my decisions carefully and thoroughly. The main problem is that I can't think at 55 mph (heck, even 30 mph!) and it's ESPECIALLY hard to focus with my dad, whom you'll read about below.
My dad takes me to practice every week. However, while I am admittedly a bad driver to begin with, his lessons really aren't helpful at all. I know parents are supposed to give constructive criticism while driving- that's expected. However, he critiques EVERY SINGLE MOVE I MAKE-and that's no exaggeration at all, I swear- every time I press the gas pedal, tap the brake, or move the steering wheel, he criticizes me. Not nicely, either. This makes me extremely tense throughout the whole nightmare of a lesson, and it's very difficult for me to focus on his yelling and the road at the same time.
A typical excerpt from our lessons:
(Red light at an intersection, in the right-turn lane)
Dad (rushed, aggrevated tone): You can make a right on red, go!
Me: (turns, doesn't notice other car going straight)
Dad: STOP!!
Me: (slams on brake)
Dad: *(&#@^%!
Now, I freely admit that it was my fault for not seeing the other car, but as you can see it was rather difficult to focus and our lessons really aren't very productive at all. I HATE driving and sometimes after our lessons I just go to my room and cry. Driving is terrifying, and at this rate I'll never get my license. Heck, I don't even WANT a license at the moment- I'm sure I'll die in a crash.
The problem is, my dad is the only available teacher- I don't know anyone else nearby who has their license and is over 21 who could help me drive. However, my dad is the big, scary, "don't-mess-with-me" type, and if I told him to calm down and not criticize me as much, this would surely be seen as 'talking back' and he would have a FIT.
I know the old saying- "practice makes perfect". This makes sense when playing an instrument, learning to tie your shoes, or just about anything else. However, with driving, you basically risk your life every time you practice! That's a huge difference!
I wish I could just give up on driving and rely on public transportation the rest of my life, but when I grow up I want to be independent and go where I want, when I want. Any tips on being a better driver and not letting my dad's yelling break my focus? Thanks!
PS: Sorry for such a long letter, I just wanted to explain the situation as thoroughly as possible for the best advice. Thanks again. (link)
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Hmm..The language in this question seems pretty advanced for a 16 year old.
In any event it comes down to this: If you can't learn to drive well you could kill yourself or someone else, and if you can learn to drive under intense pressure (your dad screaming at you) the chance of you committing manslaughter is a little less likely. My dad did the exact same thing to me, and I haven't ever had an accident in the 15 years that I've been driving.
If you are not sure about driving right now then stop. Give it a few years if you can. I know a lot of people who waited and started driving when they were a bit older. Your independence and freedom to drive to the mall whenever you want isn't worth your or someone else's life.
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i have a couple of red marks on my face and arms..they're little red dots..i gotten them about four years ago, and more and more keep developing...theyre not pimples or not anything i think i seen on anyone..i dont know what they are, but they wont go away..i cover them up with makeup every day. can any one tell me what they are and how to get rid of them..i really hate them, they make me look flawed and ugly..help please! ♥ (link)
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They may be broken blood vessels, if they are under the skin and not on top. If the spots are on the surface of your skin (like you can feel them when you touch them) go see a dermatologist as soon as you can.
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I'm thinking of going natural. No makeup or lots of hairspray.
-Would that make my skin texture better? [My pores look huge around my nose, not on my nose.]
-Would it make my acne go away? [My old acne]
For some reason I'm not getting new acne, it's just these red bumps on my face that have been there..for weeks. Anything I can do to get them to go away? [No proactive, please.]
I also want healthier hair. It's damaged I'm sure. It was bleached. I use "Pantene Pro-V Restoratives." Does it really work? Any products or any tips for anything will be helpful.
I won't rate low because you didn't answer all my little questions in here.
I just want healthier looking skin and hair. :]
Thankssss. (link)
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Hi!
I can't help with the hair issue. My hair is in great shape and I believe that it's because I never put any styling products in it while it's wet and blow dry it. I used to do this when I was younger and my hair was very dry and brittle. Now I just blow it dry for a few minutes and use a bit of hairspray.
I can be more helpful when it comes to skin. First, there is no way to "shrink" pores. A lot of products make this claim and it's just not possible. The best thing to do is to make sure you keep your pores clean so that dirt and oil don't make them appear larger. Clogging your pores can also actually make them bigger, because the cell wall can stretch if it's continually clogged.
Also, if you use a gentle exfoliator you will notice and immediate difference in the apperance of your pores and skin texture. I know a lot of people like to use natural products, but when it comes to an exfoliating scrub, you need something that is man made. Natural scrubs are usually ground up seeds or fruit pits, and their edges are jagged. They are so harsh that they can make your skin worse by aggrivating your skin's natural defense system which will cause redness. Instead, look for something that is a sphere so that you won't irritate your skin further.
Your acne doesn't sound like acne at all. If it's red and mostly on your cheek area it's probably rosacea. Especially the fact that it's not going away. If you can, go see a dermatologist because rocacea is chronic and over time if it's untreated your skin can thicken (mostly on the nose area) and you will be left with thick calloused looking skin.
As for whether or not to wear makeup, that is your personal choice. Makeup today is designed to help your skin. Pollution and the decaying ozone are increasing more rapidly than our bodies can evolve to protect ourselves from it. Most makeups (foundation specifically) contain sunscreen, vitamins and antioxidants which are essential to just be healthy---forget about even preventing wrinkles, which is just an added bonus. SPF and antioxidants are the key to making sure you don't get skin cancer.
That doesn't mean you have to wear makeup to be protected. You can wear a moisturizer with sunscreen and with antioxidents.
Just don't believe the myth that makeup is bad for your skin. The only time it's bad is when you don't take it off at night and when you wear something that is not made for your skin type, like if you have oily skin and you wear something with oil in it. That can cause you to break out. Hormones also cause breakout, and unfortunately there is almost nothing you can do about it without taking a prescription.
I do agree, however, with never using the same dirty washcloth twice, cleaning your pillowcase every few days, and drinking a lot of water. Also, make sure you use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. I would suggest something that is oil free, and if you have oily skin, find something that is oil-controlling.
Hope this helps!
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ok. so i have like greenish hazel eyes.somedays there more hazel but most days there green.but when there hazel there just a really light green liek if you look at them closely or put something green to it you can see. is there anyway i can make them look even more green like with makeup or brand or something or anything doesnt have to be make up? because i LOVE the color of my eyes.
thanks =] (link)
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Plum and gold eyeshadows really enhance the green in eyes. Check out this link and find the duo called "Beach Plum"
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?cm_re=S10501*Grid*P122887&id=P122887&categoryId=S10501&shouldPaginate=true
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13/f
ok so i have freckles pretty much everywhere. all over my face, my arms, legs, everywhere. is there any kind of makeup or anything that could cover them up on my face or even get rid of them?? i really hate them and people make fun of me all the time. any advice would help.
thanks in advance!! (link)
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You can pile on tons of makeup and scrub your face with sour milk or acids and it's not going to do any good. There is no way to get rid of freckles. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something.
Your freckles are a part of who you are, and you need to embrace them. As soon as you stop worrying about them you will have so much more time to do fun things, and you will be a lot happier.
Remember that the models you see in magazines have had a ton of airbrushing. No one's skin really looks that way! I'm a makeup artist so I put makeup on people almost everyday of my life.
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14/f. my mom always told me that it is better for your skin if you don't wear foundation, or any makeup on your skin. so in the summer i dont wear foundation. but normally for school i would wear foundation everyday because i have oily skin, i get a few pimples, and my skintone is uneven (my cheecks are redder then the rest of my face).
is there any foundation out there that you have PERSONALY used and like that won't make me break out, and isn't bad for your skin, and won't clog my pores. i want something that i can buy at CVS, that isn't too expensice, like around $5.
oh and don't tell me to buy the maybelline matte mousse foundation, because i don't like that stuff, i feel like it is too heavy.
THANKS SO MUCH [= (link)
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Makeup is only bad for your skin if you wear something with oil in it, and you don't take it off before you go to sleep--otherwise you can get pimples. Makeup in this day and age however, is perfectly ok for your skin, and most of the better brands put sunscreen, vitamins and antioxidants in the makeup so it's actually better for your skin than going without it.
The makeup I personally use is expensive ($40 a bottle) but I'm a makeup artist so I get it for free. If at all possible, try to save up some money so you can buy something good. You can get good foundation for $17 at a department store. You can also try it on in a department store and make sure it's the right shade and that you like it before you buy it. I know it's more expensive than what you wanted, but with makeup you get what you pay for.
Also, if you find something that looks really good your mom will probably start buying it for you so that you won't go back to crappy makeup.
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i get really bad dark shadows under my eyes, no matter how much sleep i get, and i was wondering if anyone knew a really good, and easy to use coverup that i could use. [i'm not a big make-up person, so simple would be great]
anything that has worked for you personally would be appreciated, but if you just have an idea, or something someone you know has used. that'd be great too.
thanks (link)
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In my experience as a makeup artist I've found that most people who think they have terrible dark circles really do not. I guess that's what happens when you read too many magazine ads for makeup.
Use a really good under eye moisturizer and then a good concealer. You will need to visit a makeup counter to find the right shade. Poorly matched and applied concealer under the eyes looks worse than no concealer at all. Try to find the lightest textured formula that you can get away with.
And I do honestly believe that you get what you pay for. If you buy a $5 concealer that is exactly what you get.
Also, dark circles are caused by a few different things. Sometimes it's a lack of sleep or water, other times it's heredity. Mostly though it's oxidized blood that is visable because the skin around your eye is much thinner and transparent than on the rest of your face.
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i always seem to get the wrong shade of foundation for my face. The products I buy are always either too light or too dark. Can someone please tell me what shade to buy and can anyone recommend a good foundation for me? Heres what I look like: http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01340oz7.jpg
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Why buy two $9 foundations so that you can mix them when you can go to a department store makeup counter and buy 1 perfectly matched foundation for $18?
You just need to try them on before you buy them. Another good thing about department store makeup is that if you don't like it you can return it and get the right shade. You will save a lot of money and time, and the girls working at the counter are trained to match you to the right shade.
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i have tried every eyeliner from waterproof to smudgeproof but it all comes off! what really works? (link)
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It depends on why it's coming off. Do you rub your eyes? Do they water from allergies? Are your eyelids really oily?
I like liquid or cream eyeliners because they set themselves. Unfortunately you are going to have a hard time finding something that sticks if you rub your eyes all day or if they tear a lot from allergies.
If you have oily eyelids try using an eyeshadow primer in a nude color before lining. Line your eyes and then with an eyelining brush set the liner with eyeshadow in the same color as the liner.
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I use Cover Girl TruBlendliquid foundation which works really good, but it doesn't last long. Half way through school, I look in the mirror and it's all un-even and splotchy looking. I also get very oily on my forehead, nose, and around my nose. I don't think I have an even skin tone either. So does anybody know a toner that will help my skin even out? And what is a long-lasting makeup that will last atleast 7 hours while I'm at school? (link)
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A toner doesn't help even out skin tone. Each brand's toner does something different, but most of them claim to rebalance your skin's natural pH. Some of them help hydrate, and some are exfoliators.
Skin tone is hard to even out. As for the "splotchy" look, it's hard to say what the cure is. If it's redness you may just need something with aloe vera in it. If it's acne, you need an acne remedy. Go to a makeup counter and ask them to help.
A really good foundation for oily skin is Prescriptives Virtual Matte Foundation. It is oil controlling, which is the keyword you need to look for in a foundation-You need something designed to resist breaking down when you start to get oily. An oil controlling moisturizer is also going to help you a lot.
Before you put on your foundation make sure your skin is really clean. Cleanse it well, apply an oil controlling moisturizer and wait until that moisturizer is completely dry before putting on your foundation. If there is any part of your face that is still damp the color in the foundation will grab onto it and get blotchy.
After your foundation is dry, use powder to set it, and carry a pressed powder compact with you to touch up with as needed.
I hope this was helpful. If you have more questions about makeup please let me know!
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I'm only 14 and I'm already getting wrinkles under my eyes and those "crows feet" at the corners of my eyes! Does anyone know any moisturizer or lotion that will prevent those from looking worse or something? (link)
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There is no way you are getting wrinkles at 14. Your skin is still producing collagen and elastin at a high rate. Your skin goes through a process called cell renewal, which is basically your skin's natural way of exfoliating, and at 14, that process is still going strong. Signs of aging, especially around the eye is just not possible for a 14 year old. As you age collagen and elastin production reduces and cell renewal slows, and that is what causes aging. You're not even done growing yet.
The person who said dead skin is the problem and that an astrigent has their facts and skin layers messed up. Collagen strands are located in the basal layer of the skin, beneath the stratum corneum and the epidermis. The base of a wrinkle starts where the ellastin strand breaks and is unable to repaire itself, which happens deeper in the skin.
A feeling of tightness from an alcohol laden astringent is not the same as firming your skin, and actually, people with dry skin (or those who over dry it with harsh astringents) have more wrinkles earlier in life. It is true, however, that a buildup of dead skin cells can make wrinkles look deeper. But again, there is not much chance at all that at 14, you have any actual wrinkles.
It is possible that your skin is very dry, and dehydrated skin doesn't look as smooth as hydrated skin. Try an oil free moisturizer with sunscreen. If you are worried about wrinkles please be aware that 80% of wrinkles come from environmental pollution, the sun, stress, and eating too much sugar, not facial expressions. Wear sunscreen and something with antioxidents *everyday* no matter what and you'll be wrinkle free much longer than your friends who go to the tanning bed.
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