Makeup Mishaps
ask an expert: beauty disasterscanada
(Dec.03.10)
With party season in full swing, we're asking our experts how to deal with last-minute beauty disasters. Check back each week for fresh advice on everything from keeping your hairstyle in place to making your manicure last.
1. I'm going to a big party tonight and woke up with a HUGE pimple this morning. How can I cover it up (and try to reduce the swelling)?
Take a look at the pimple and and see if it has a white tip. If so, it's ready to be popped. That's the best way to relieve the pressure, and going to a professional esthetician is best. You don't want to scratch the skin off, which can result in scabbing and possibly scarring. If you have the patience to wait it out, put a dab of tea tree oil on the pimple. Tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic, so it will help dry out the pimple while relieving any discomfort. Witch hazel is excellent too, and much milder for sensitive skins.
As for covering the pimple with makeup, make sure you use a concealer that is as close a match as possible to your skin colour. It's extremely important not to go a shade lighter: you want to make it recede instead of protrude. After you've dabbed on the correct shade, set it with a powder of your choice. Shine also maximizes the appearance of pimples, and we certainly want to avoid that.
2. I messed up my eye makeup. How can I fix it without having to start over?
If you mess up your eye makeup, a Q-tip and a bit of makeup remover are your best friends. If it's a small mistake, like an eyeliner gone slightly crooked or a mascara smudge, just dampen a Q-tip with eye-makeup remover, erase the spot and apply the eye makeup again. If you need to freshen up eye makeup, take a dry Q-tip and run it over the eyelid to get rid of any excess moisture and to remove any creases that might have gathered. Apply a light dusting of powder and re-apply a small amount of your shadow again. The same technique can be used with a dry Q-tip for any mascara that might have melted off in the corners and/or bottom of the eyes.
3. My foundation and powder are flaking! What can I do to prevent this from happening all winter long?
A great skincare regimen is extremely important. Use a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. I always like a heavier moisturizer in the winter due to my dry skin, but oily skin can dry out on the surface as well.
Exfoliating is also super-important. We must buff off our dead skin cells to allow for our natural oils to reach the surface of our skin. Exfoliating regularly will ensure a smooth, flake-free complexion. My favourite exfoliant is baking soda. It's non-toxic and great for sensitive skin. After washing your face with your usual cleanser, pour a generous amount into the palm of your hand while your face and hands are still wet. Add a bit of water and create a paste, then massage onto the face and you will feel it starting to buff your skin instead of scratching it. Rinse off and continue with your regular skincare regimen. You can mix some of the powder with a tiny bit of your cleanser as well for a milder formula. It works miracles and is very economical. You can use it anywhere on your body.
Hair and makeup artist Susana Hong recognized her fascination with hair and makeup when she started giving her Barbie dolls makeovers with markers and kitchen scissors. Now, with almost ten years of industry experience under her belt, she is considered one of the top hair and makeup artists in the country. She has a huge celebrity clientele and her work has appeared in the pages of fashion magazines, advertising campaigns and runway shows.
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