Recently in Ask Us Category

Question: I love your website, and so thought you might be able to help me with this beauty dilema. I use Stila's Blush Pans ($18, sephora.com) and love them. But I am down to the end of a pan and the circle of powder cracked. So my question is, how can I save and use these last bits? It is too much to want to throw out, but it is now in tiny pieces so very awkward to use.

Answer: It can be frustrating when your compact or pans of makeup break. Thankfully, there is a way to salvage the last of any pressed makeup, icluding blush. Purchase a container for loose powder, like the one pictured (Powder Jar with Sifter, $4, sephora.com) at your local beauty supply. Remove the sifter lid and put the broken bits of blush into the jar. Crush any larger particles so it all becomes a loose powder. Replace the sifter lid, and now you can use your blush in a loose form-- that will still travel well-- until it runs out. Hope this helps!

Question: For the past few months, every time I am about to get a blemish I take the proper steps to prevent it and, instead of fading, it leaves a purple spot on my face. The lower half of my face is covered in what looks like acne scarring but isn't. They eventually fade but this takes at least five months. Do you have any suggestions as how to aid the healing process?

Answer: There is nothing worse than having to be reminded of the blemishes that have happened in life, especially when they are on your face. Since your spots seem to fade during treatment, we suggest that in addition to your treatment you wear sunscreen everyday. It is so important to protect your skin, especially when you're using products that contain ingredients that make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Also know that the sun contributes to making the spots stay around longer since it does produce melanin in the skin. 

For good measure, here are some product suggestions for getting your skin to a flawless state:

Alpha Hydrox Nourishing Cleanser contains Glycolic Acid and micro beads to help slough off dead skin cells and will also keep your skin blemish-free. $8.49, drugstore.com

Bliss Peeling Groovy works to even out skin tone, but is much gentler than traditional fading gels. It's moisturizing as well, so using this with any acne treatments you already use won't contribute to drying out your skin. $65, blissworld.com

DDF Protect and Correct Moisturizer SPF 15 contains a potent micro-radiance complex that diminishes the look of discoloration. Since it also contains SPF 15, it will protect your skin from UVA/UVB damage and future hyperpigmentation. $60, sephora.com

Answer: Thankfully, it really doesn't take a whole lot of makeup to make eyes stand out. We recommend two products: eyeshadow and mascara. With each you can achieve gorgeous results. Shadows in every color look great on brown eyes (can you say lucky?), so while staying with brown tones will always work if you want a neutral look, purples, greens and blues are fantastic if you want to use stand-out colors.

Using an eyeshadow brush to apply your eyeshadow will ensure you'll only apply a sheer wash of color when you don't want to over-do it, but you can continue to layer it until the color effect you desire is achieved. You can also use eyeshadow to line your eyes for a more defined look. Mascara will pump up your lashes to give you a more of a wide-eyed look that always looks pretty. Two coats is usally enough to do the trick. Hope this helps-- best of luck!

Q: What's the best and quickest way to get rid of blackheads? I've already tried many things; salicylic acid does not do anything for my blackheads or whiteheads.

A: Blackheads are little annoying things that aren't the same as typical acne. While salicylic acid can aid in keeping them at bay, it won't get rid of them on its own. You see, blackheads are caused by excess oil that has clogged a pore. This clog occurs when the built-up oil is unable to come up to the surface of the skin because the pore is misshapen or impaired and dead skin cells blocking the way. When the pore is open, the oil is exposed to oxygen, which reacts and turns it a dark color, resulting in a blackhead.

Here's our simple recipe for removing blackheads:

• After cleansing, use a mild scrub or skin exfoliant to remove any dead cells and expose the blackhead. Pat your face dry.
• Place a slightly warm compress on your face for about 8-12 minutes in order to soften the blackhead, making it easier to remove. Pat your face dry again.
• Wrap a piece of tissue on the tip of each index finger to avoid slipping, which could tear the skin and cause damage.
• Gently apply even pressure to both sides of the blackhead by pushing down, then up around the blemish. Think of trying to apply the pressure from "underneath" the blackhead.
• Attempt this no more than twice-- you don't want to bruise your skin or cause damage to your skin.

Allow a couple of days to go by before you attempt to extract again. Between these attempts, try using a clay mask to absorb excess oil. Also, consider visiting a dermatologist, as he or she may be able to prescribe a treatment containing a retinoid to keep pores functioning properly, thus keeping pore blockage to a minimum.

Best of luck.

Q: I am fair skinned, blonde hair (highlighted), blue eyes. I have some pink in my skin. What blush and lip colors are for me? I sometimes feel colors are too bold for me or they wash me out.

A: If you have a natural flush of pink in your cheeks, look for a blush that is the same tone. This is best for daytime when you'll want a more natural look. For evening, use a blush that is about a shade darker than your cheeks, or the color your cheeks might be after a moderate workout. Apply with a light hand to ensure you don't over-do it, and blend until the color you want is acheived.

When it comes to lip color, we suggest the same; look for shades that are in the same color family as your lips. It's best to keep blush and lip color's undertones the same. Once you find one product it will be easy to find the other. Visit your local beauty retailer or department store beauty counter to test out different hues. Best of luck.