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I am getting married at the end of November and I am getting very nervous. I suffer badly from blushing and I don't know how to control it. I really don't want to walk down the aisle looking like a 'blushing bride' and with my white dress it will really show up. I'm worried the photos will look awful and I'll end up totally embarrassed on my big day. Is there any way I can disguise it with make-up?
The blushing you describe could be a form of Rosacea, this is a common skin condition affecting over 50 million people worldwide, 75% of which are women. There is no known cure for rosacea but there are certainly things you can do to lessen the blushing. Things such as smoking and alcohol can aggravate the condition along with sun exposure so no sun beds! I would suggest you start by investing in a good moisturiser with an SPF in it, you should wear this everyday even if its not sunny outside, and stop using any products with alcohol in them on your face. I would also limit the usage of full coverage make-up leading up to the wedding, as this will also irritate the skin.
By the time your big day arrives your skin should be in much better condition. You wont be able to hide the blushing completely but you can certainly reduce it around the forehead, nose, cheek area, try a colour corrective fluid under your base to help counteract the redness. Use an oil free or mineral based foundation, go for a matt foundation rather than dewy effect as this could make you look hot and sweaty. Try a make-up artist brand such as MAC or Laura Mercier for slightly heavier coverage. Ask for help at the counter to select your colour match, as there is a danger your foundation can look like a heavy mask. Set your foundation with a powder to keep you looking matt throughout your day but avoid applying too much as you could end up looking caked. And finally and more importantly try not to put so much pressure on yourself not to blush, relax and enjoy your special day.
I have very sensitive skin and don't usually wear make-up as I find that foundation brings me out in a rash. I'm getting married next year and I want my make-up to look as good as possible, but I'm worried about my skin problems can you help?
Sensitive skin is an ever-increasing problem among both men and women due to our environment. Everyday we have to deal with the elements that can effect and irritate our skin; the only good thing about this is that there are now lots of make-up ranges and skincare to help us with this.
With your wedding next year this is the perfect time to have a skin over haul. I would first recommend changing your daily beauty routine, and avoid soap and water, I would personally recommend Origins Skin Care, they have a great selection of moisturises to heal and protect your skin, try Perfect World Skin Guardian.
You should start to see a noticeable difference in your skin within in 7-10days, after 2-3 months your skin should be in much better shape to experiment with a light foundation to even out your skin tone and give you the perfect look for the day. Start by throwing away all old make up, out of date products can lead to skin problems. Look for a foundation that is silicone or mineral based as these are less likely to irritate the skin, choose earth tone eyeshadows as these have less pigments in and avoid black mascara and eyeliner, go for a brown instead. And when applying make-up use clean make-up brushes to avoid transferring anything that could irritate on to your skin. There are lots of cosmetics available on the market that use simple ingredients, try theorganicskincarecompany.co.uk for more information.
Sophie recommends:
Small Powder brush
£32.00
This is a smaller version of the large powder brush has been made using the same super soft natural hair, its ideal for blending and contouring powder or bronzer on the face. This brush is complimented by a Matt nickel-plated ferrule and features our unique "Soft touch" handle.
Sophie recommends:
Foundation Brush
£22.00
A professional foundation brush designed using top grade synthetic hair creating flawless application of liquid or cream foundations to the face. Our handle features the unique "Soft Feel" coating and is complemented with a matt nickel-plated ferrule.
- It's very important to prep your skin, if you are prone to oily skin use an oil free moisturiser before you apply your foundation.
- Make sure you choose the right foundation; the wrong make-up can give you an ashen or flat complexion. Choose a foundation that complements your skin's undertones. Rich ebony complexions have a cool almost blue undertone. Brown and caramel complexions have a warmer more golden undertone. Find a make-up range that specialises in matching a foundation to your skins undertone.
- Use loose translucent powder with a powder brush to seal your base and to absorb any natural oils to avoid a shiny look throughout your day, it will also help give your skin a flawless look for your photos.
- For eyes avoid light powdery colours, choose warm gold's, dark browns, coppers or plums add dark brown or black liner to define if required and lashings of black mascara and for that special touch try individual lashes on the outer half of the eyelid to make your eyes really stand out.
- For your lips choose berry shades, plums or burgundys to complement your eye colour use a lip liner of the same colour to define and help your lipstick stay put. A matt lipstick will give you a more classic look while a more glossy lipstick will give you more of a sexy pout.
- Finally keep a small bag of essentials close at hand for those all important touch-ups, even the most glamorous bride needs the odd touch-up during her big day.
Sophie recommends:
Large Powder Brush
£45.00
This large powder brush has been made with the finest natural hair to create a soft finish and perfect application of powder on the face and body. Our handle features the unique "Soft Feel" coating and is complemented with a matt nickel-plated ferrule.
My lips have suffered previously during the winter months How can I take better care of them as winter approaches and keep them kissable all winter long?
Lips are often forgotten in your normal daily routine and its only when they are chapped and sore that they are given some attention. Lips lack natural oils needed to protect them against the dry winter weather and don't contain melanin making them vulnerable to the sun causing them to burn easily especially on the ski slopes, so it is important that you use lip products that contain a high SPF.
Moisturise and protect your lips every day as part of your daily routine. Try using Orgins Lip therapy to moisturise or Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protect Stick a moisturising lipstick that contains a SPF with a sheer colour for everyday use, and use something with a total sun block in it if you are exposing your lips to direct sunlight like sunbathing or skiing.
Sophie recommends:
Lip Brush
£8.00
Made with Kolinsky sable this is the ideal shape for precision lipstick application. Our handle features the unique "Soft Feel" coating and is complemented with a matt nickel-plated ferrule.
I have dark circles under my eyes, can you tell me how to cover them without looking tired or too caked in make-up?
Dark circles can be caused by lack of sleep, poor diet, or dehydration, too much alcohol and not enough water, however some people no matter what just have dark circles, I would recommend that if you haven't already take a look at your diet and drinking habits, start by upping your intake of water the recommend daily intake is 2.5 litres a day, this will certainly improve your dark circles making them easier to cover.
The eye area is very delicate and can be sensitive and dry so invest in a good eye cream, one that is light and moisturising. Use a yellow tone concealer to counteract the dark, dot the concealer gently with your fore finger or brush around the eye and then blend without dragging, as this is not good for the delicate skin in around the eye area and can remove some of the product you have just applied. Take the concealer over the eye lid and into the inter corner socket as this is often dark too. Try Make-up Forever concealer in liquid or crème form, Touché Éclat is a big favourite and I recently discovered Ariane Poole's Concealer Compact with three colours you can mix together to create the perfect colour for you.
I have quite oily skin, I usually use a cream blusher but it slides off within a few hours, can you recommend a blusher and give me any other tips that will help my make-up last so I don't look a mess by the middle of day and can look fresh faced for my afternoon power meetings?.
For oily skin try an oil free moisturiser, take note of what areas on you face are oily and which aren't, a good moisturiser can keep the oily areas oil-free and dry areas moisturised so its important to take the time to get the right product for you. Blusher is a key element to any make-up, it can finish off your face beautifully by defining your cheekbones. Blusher is available in several different forms: powder, cream, gel and liquid, and all come in a great range of colours.
Gel blusher can be applied with your fingers and gives a sheer look on the skin, this may not be ideal if you are prone to oily skin, the same goes for a cream blusher which gives a dewy look to the skin. Liquid blusher is more of a stain but needs precision application as it can be hard to blend, but will last all day. For your skin type I would suggest a powder blusher, which is ideal for oily skin and is applied using a powder or blusher brush. Finish your make-up off with a translucent powder and your make-up should last perfectly all day.
I'm very pale-skinned with auburn hair and green eyes. Is there any advice you can give me on how to achieve a healthy glow instead of looking deathly pale but without looking like I've been tangoed! Can you also advise me on what sort of eyeshadows and lipstick colours would suit me?
Green eyes and pale skin tone with auburn hair is a stunning combination and I first and most strongly advise you embrace your skin tone and don't try and change it, use foundations to even out skin tone and not change your skin colour to a darker shade. MAC cosmetics have a great selection of bases for paler skin tones.
When applying foundation remember to blend, pay special attention around the jaw line and your neck as these areas will really show up on pale skin if you get it wrong. To create that healthy glow introduce a healthy eating plan, vitamins, water and exercise all aid in creating glowing skin. For the day use bronzers with a gold and copper undertones, dust a small amount on areas that would catch the sun naturally, like your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, but don't go mad.
Green eyes look stunning using warm colours, try looking at greens, chocolate tones, coppers and gold's, but avoid blue and silvers or any pinks with blue undertones.
Avoid harsh black liners and mascaras and opt for a dark grey or brown instead, Lips and cheeks need to have hints of colour as your eyes will be your strong area, and dark lips with pale skin can look heavy, try a simple stain or sheer lipstick.
Sophie recommends:
Concealer brush
£9.00
This smooth yet firm brush is perfect shape for concealer application. This brush is made with high-grade natural hair and is complimented by a Matt nickel-plated ferrule and our unique "Soft touch" handle.
Sophie recommends:
Contour Blusher
£28.00
Racoon hair has been used for this brush and has been designed with an angle that allows perfect application of colour to the cheek. Our handle features the unique "Soft Feel" coating and is complimented with a matt nickel-plated ferrule.
Sophie recommends:
Flat Blender
£16.00
Made with Kolinsky sable this brush has a rounded edge ideal for shading and blending. Our handle features the unique "Soft Feel" coating and is complimented with a Matt nickel-plated ferrule.
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