Ask Mickey

Q. No matter what I try, my eyeliner and mascara runs within a few hours of putting it on! I've tried everything (or so it seems)! I've given up wearing anything! Any suggestions?

P46017_hero.jpgYes. I suggest Blinc's Kiss Me Mascara and eyeliner. Some Sephoras carry the line but it's probably easier to order online. The formula is water-based, so it dries to a material somewhat like rubber. It's super lightweight and the only way to remove it is with warm water (preferably in the shower). You should definitely read the instructions on their website about maintaining the formula (like not pumping the wand in the container) and about removing it. I love the brush on the eyeliner. It's fool-proof because it's so thin. Good luck.

Ask Mickey: Dry Skin and Breakout Issues

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Q. have really dry skin between my eyebrows and often breakout there as well. Whenever I apply makeup my skin begins to flake. Do you have any skincare recommendations and makeup products that won't irritate and aren't drying?

My suggestion is to make an appointment with a good dermatologist. Sometimes, it's as easy as just switching to a non-soap cleanser or using a cream to treat the area. If you are breaking out and have dry patches, something is happening from your environment or from within your system. Anything cosmetic you put on in the area will probably just increase the irritation.

Ask Mickey: Tips For Applying Concealer to Lips

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Q. I was wondering if concealer works on lips? I've seen people wear it on their lips, and it gives them a lighter, frostier look. What do you think?

I've always stated that there are no rules in makeup. You can double duty most of your cosmetics and concealer has moonlighted as many different things for me. However, our favorite shade of camouflage is meant to hide and blend into the color of your skin tone and not to cover our features. Working it onto your lips can leave you looking a bit washed out or pale, but if this is the look you like, then try it out. Just think - we've seen warm, barely noticeable nudes on lips for three seasons on some of the hottest designers' runways.
Here are a few tips for you when applying:

  • Stick to lightweight cream formulas that are at least a shade darker than your foundation or face color
  • Use a lip liner that is only slightly darker than the color you choose for your lips (too dark of a lip liner will make your style look dated)
  • Make sure lips are exfoliated so flakes and cracks blend and do not draw attention to the drying effects of the concealer
  • Try mixing one part concealer with two parts peachy or bronze gloss with golden undertones

Ask Mickey: How to Apply Makeup Primer

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Q. I was wondering if it is okay to put on makeup primer after I've put on my moisturizer. I was thinking the primer might not work anymore because of the moisturizer underneath. What do you think?

It really depends on how heavy your moisturizer is and how long you wait to use the primer. Most artists only use a primer on dry skin since most primers are silicone based and they sit on top of the skin to provide a smoothing effect. I would recommend a lightweight cream or lotion and applying it while your face is still a bit wet from washing. Let it completely dry and then apply your primer to fresh dewy (not sticky) skin.

Ask Mickey: Looking For The Perfect Pink Blush

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Q. I need help finding the right pretty, pale, pink blush. I am pretty fair skinned, and love a light pink cheek, but the problem is they all have too much shimmer for me. I wear Bare Minerals, with clear radiance mixed in, so that already has a little shimmer to it , and shimmery blushes are just too much on top of that, and I don't want to look like a disco ball. Can you reccommend any light pink blushes that don't have a lot of shimmer to them?

 Kevyn Aucoin's Pure Powder Glow in DollineI completely understand the disco ball effect. I work as an artist in television and film, and shimmer or shine is your enemy in those media. My absolute favorite blush is Kevyn Aucoin's Pure Powder Glow in Dolline. I use it on every single face I work with. Here is the trick to it: throw out the brush it comes with. If you don't already have one, get a soft fan brush. My favorite is benefit's Soft Fantail Brush. You just lightly swipe the fantail brush across the pinky apricot color and apply to the apples of your cheeks back to your hair line in one motion. It sometimes helps to imitate a closed mouth smile when doing this to pop out your cheek apples and get an even application. The color is so soft, but if applied heavier can work with a tan or on darker skin tones. It has absolutely no shine, so I think it's perfect for you. It's pricey, but I use mine everyday and have only had to replace it once. It is a necessity in my field and I'm sure you will love the warm, soft glow it achieves.

Ask Mickey: Products To Even Skin Tone

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Q. I am 53 and am looking for a product to even my skin tone. I don't want to wear liquid foundation. I heard there was a product that you put on like a powder, but it appears to change to a foundation look.... does that make sense to you? Also, I need/want something that is very translucent as I don't like to "look" like I'm wearing makeup on my skin. I was looking at the L'Oreal Translucide powder, but I don't know if that is just a matte finish to wear over foundation, or if it is worn as an evening skin tone powder. Help?

It sounds like you need a little color correcting rather than a mask-like foundation. In order to get this look, you need to color correct first, and then you can put any powder on top, but I do prefer the Translucide's natural finish.

Color correcting is simple: you just need to find a concealer that works well with your skin type and tone. Two great companies to look into for this are Prescriptives and Laura Mercier. You will just dab a bit of camouflage onto any area that appears redder or darker and blend edges into skin surrounding area. You will find this works much easier and looks more natural when applied over your moisturizer right after you've put it on. Then, make sure to apply with a large fluff brush a thin setting powder over area and the rest of your face to get a balanced over all color. This is not a makeup cake-y looking face. It's as natural as it comes.

Ask Mickey: Are Glossy Mascaras For Real?

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Q. Glossy mascara is there REALLY such a thing. I've been disappointed time and lash again.

Yes, but be practical. I was shocked myself about 8 years ago when I first stumbled upon Clinique's Glossy Mascara, and boy have things changed since then. Some tips to follow in order to find the right mascara for you are:

If you want Glossy, you have to go Black, and this does not include anything called soft black.

If it says it has glossing or thickening qualities all in one, this is not possible. The process to thicken mascara usually calls for powders and such which can dull down the shiny effect. Just go for one or the other.

Also, water based mascaras usually keep lashes looking shinier and ironically lasting longer than oil-based. Check out Blinc Kiss Me - the mascaras and liners are rich, stay put and shiny. Also, a tip with Kiss Me is to wait until the third or fourth time using it to base your opinion on it. For some reason, it comes out very thin in the first few uses.

A final tip is to make sure you do not pump the wand like you would oil based mascaras and keep the lid on tightly. Dry mascara will always be dull!

Ask Mickey: Black Nails for Fall?

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Q. I love the look of wearing Black Nail polish! Is it still in to wear and if not what colors are in for the fall?

From New York to Milan, the nails on the runways were dark, but more in a metallic variety. Keep your black as a base coat and then get an oil-slick or shimmer-iridescent sheer color to apply a thin coat on over the top. You can't go wrong.

Q, I am getting married in August and I need a really good makeup with good coverage. What would you suggest?

Giorgio Armani's Silk FoundationI love Giorgio Armani's Silk Foundation. It glides over the toughest of blemishes and dark spots while casting an almost "eggshell" luminosity. The colors are blendable and the longer the foundation wears, the better it looks. If you still see spots after application, dab a bit more foundation or even a bit of matching concealer over them. Make sure you do this after applying the foundation to the whole face and neck rather than before.

200-3I recommend applying loose powder afterwards and my favorite is L'Oreal Translucide. You have to practice before the big day, so get these products now, and try them out daily to see exactly how much you want to apply for the wedding day. You will love your skin! Congratulations and remember to have fun!

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