I’m excited to present a new column on Style Context entitled Makeup for Dummies, a Q&A session inspired by my friend Marie who is new to makeup and eager to learn more about it. This is a space where both makeup newbies and aficionados come together to ask their most challenging beauty questions. This week the questions range from how to cover up veins to preventing eye makeup from running. In turn, I’ll dish on my beauty tips, including the products I use and love most that will help solve your beauty woes. If you’d like to submit a question, leave a comment below or tweet me.
Q1. How do you keep makeup from coming off (like lip gloss on straws and cups, or eye makeup when you rub your eyes because you’re tired)? – Marie, friend.
A: To keep eye makeup from running I use a waterproof mascara (although I don’t wear it daily because it takes forever to come off!), like Maybelline’s Volum’Express The Rocket. For long lasting lipstick, one trick I’ve tried is blotting with tissue to wipe off any excess, as lipstick is more likely to smudge if you’re wearing a thick layer. To prevent foundation or BB/CC cream from wearing off, I recommend a primer, such as LAFACE Laboratories PROTÉGÉR Age Defying Primer, which also helps smooth fine lines.
Q2. How do I get uber long and defined lashes? Lisa, Los Angeles Mamma Blog
A: First, I like to gently brush my eyelashes with an eyebrow comb to separate them. I use one that I’ve had from Clinique for years, though it doesn’t seem like they sell it anymore. However, any eyebrow comb will do. Then, I use Rimmel’s Lash Accelerator, which gives me sky-high lashes without the clumps. If you do find clumps, you can redefine your lashes with the eyebrow comb.
Q3. I have dark blue/green veins that run under my eyes, and I am constantly at war with them. I have tried products like the Bobbi Brown Corrector and other salmon colored concealers, but I’m still searching for that “holy grail” product that can make them vanish, and stay put all day. – Samantha, Play Dates and Pearls.
A: As someone who has bluish-green veins under my eyes, I feel your pain , best pain medicine tramadol . I would suggest using any concealer or CC cream that has brightening properties (i.e.: yellow or orange undertones) to neutralize the veins, such as Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream.
Q4. Have you found the best mattifying powder yet? – Piper, Piper Dixon.
A: I’ve heard great things about BareMinerals Matte Foundation, though I’ve never tried it. I personally prefer to use liquid foundations over powders. I found that Benefit’s Oxygen Wow foundation helps give me a matte finish so I don’t look shiny.
Q5. What is your favorite concealer or one that you know that lasts the longest? – Holly, HolsNicole
A: I don’t use concealer much anymore because I prefer a BB cream that has optimal coverage (I’m all about minimizing my makeup routine), but occasionally I’ll wear Dior SkinFlash, which is effective for concealing blemishes.
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Leave your pressing beauty questions in the comments and they just might make the next Q&A round.
[Image credit: Kyle Ericksen, WWD]
