I know I don't blog as much as I'd like to, or as much as you'd like me to, but follow me on Twitter to see what I'm up to on a daily basis on Twitter
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
My Dark Secret
Those of you who know me, know I take my craft, and art of makeup very seriously, and I strive for perfection on my clients, and those close to me know I strive for perfection on myself as well.
As the title of this post alludes to, I am about to share with you a secret I share with very few people, and try to hide from the world.
I suffer from eczema, on my arms, hands and worst of all, around my eyes. I have had eczema for a very long time, and have used anything you can think of to try and cure it, or at least keep it at bay. I have used everything from doctor prescribed steroid creams, creams on the market from $100 per ml. to drugstore vaseline.
I have learned what triggers my flare ups, and I try to avoid them, but I'm human, and sometimes I like to indulge, and I pay for it. I have found my triggers to be, in no particular order, sugar, stress and alcohol.
I am not a doctor, and I have no better solutions on how to treat eczema, I'm still struggling with that on a daily basis.
What I can help with is how to hide it, now I know that putting a whack of makeup on top of the eczema in no way helps heal it, and I'm sure it actually prevents it from fully healing, but somedays you just can't leave the house without covering it up.
Enough of my ramblings, and let me show you how I cover my eczema around my eyes. I am posting a before photo, so you can see how it really is, this is something only my parents have seen while I was growing up. So here it is world, me, without a stitch of makeup... sorry!
^BEFORE^
^AFTER^
What I use to cover is, i start by hydrating the area, that is your personal preferance. currently I use either Eye-C by Quantum Hydrox or Hydreane Rich by La Roche-Posay, sometimes I layer both.
Hydrating the eczema is key. On my days off, all I do is apply eye creams.
The next step is to cover it, conceal it to be more precise, so for that we need a concealer. One that I have been using for years is Boi-ing from Benefit. I find that it has great coverage, is very long lasting, and not drying.
I layer it on, using my fingers, I find that's the best way to apply concealer, eczema or not, the heat from your body helps blend the product nicely, so it looks natural.
Going one shade lighter then your skin tone will help camouflage the redness, and discoloration. It may look like you have reverse racoon eyes at first, but that's why we put foundation on top.
Once all the redness and blotchiness has been covered, and it's blended to look like it's not caked on, I add my foundation. I have oilier skin, so I use a powder foundation, but a liquid foundation is going to do the same trick, When using a liquid foundation, dab it over the concealer, so not to wipe away all the concealer.
I use a powder brush to apply my powder foundation, and the powder helps to set the concealer, so it stays all day.
I have been using Duo Mat from Make Up For Ever, for years, I love it, so of course they have discontinued it. That being said, they have brought in a new product to replace it, Pro Finish Multi Use Powder Foundation. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but once I am out of the Duo Mat I've been hording, I'll try it, and it will give me something to write about, so stay tuned.
Once the foundation is on, I want to make sure it stays put all day, nothing bugs me more than having to touch up throughout the day, an oil blot here and there I can deal with.
In order to keep everything set and hydrated, I mist my face, once it's all done, with Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic by Sjal. It is great to use as a toner after you cleanse, great to set your makeup, and even great as a mid day refresher. (We keep a bottle in the fridge at work during the summer to keep cool and fresh).
So that's my routine. It looks long when you spell it all out, and advertise all the products, but it only takes me about 15 minutes to get my face done, and that includes brushing my teeth. Once you get the hang of a routine, you can bang it out in no time flat.
As the title of this post alludes to, I am about to share with you a secret I share with very few people, and try to hide from the world.
I suffer from eczema, on my arms, hands and worst of all, around my eyes. I have had eczema for a very long time, and have used anything you can think of to try and cure it, or at least keep it at bay. I have used everything from doctor prescribed steroid creams, creams on the market from $100 per ml. to drugstore vaseline.
I have learned what triggers my flare ups, and I try to avoid them, but I'm human, and sometimes I like to indulge, and I pay for it. I have found my triggers to be, in no particular order, sugar, stress and alcohol.
I am not a doctor, and I have no better solutions on how to treat eczema, I'm still struggling with that on a daily basis.
What I can help with is how to hide it, now I know that putting a whack of makeup on top of the eczema in no way helps heal it, and I'm sure it actually prevents it from fully healing, but somedays you just can't leave the house without covering it up.
Enough of my ramblings, and let me show you how I cover my eczema around my eyes. I am posting a before photo, so you can see how it really is, this is something only my parents have seen while I was growing up. So here it is world, me, without a stitch of makeup... sorry!
What I use to cover is, i start by hydrating the area, that is your personal preferance. currently I use either Eye-C by Quantum Hydrox or Hydreane Rich by La Roche-Posay, sometimes I layer both.
Hydrating the eczema is key. On my days off, all I do is apply eye creams.
The next step is to cover it, conceal it to be more precise, so for that we need a concealer. One that I have been using for years is Boi-ing from Benefit. I find that it has great coverage, is very long lasting, and not drying.
I layer it on, using my fingers, I find that's the best way to apply concealer, eczema or not, the heat from your body helps blend the product nicely, so it looks natural.
Going one shade lighter then your skin tone will help camouflage the redness, and discoloration. It may look like you have reverse racoon eyes at first, but that's why we put foundation on top.
Once all the redness and blotchiness has been covered, and it's blended to look like it's not caked on, I add my foundation. I have oilier skin, so I use a powder foundation, but a liquid foundation is going to do the same trick, When using a liquid foundation, dab it over the concealer, so not to wipe away all the concealer.
I use a powder brush to apply my powder foundation, and the powder helps to set the concealer, so it stays all day.
I have been using Duo Mat from Make Up For Ever, for years, I love it, so of course they have discontinued it. That being said, they have brought in a new product to replace it, Pro Finish Multi Use Powder Foundation. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but once I am out of the Duo Mat I've been hording, I'll try it, and it will give me something to write about, so stay tuned.
In order to keep everything set and hydrated, I mist my face, once it's all done, with Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic by Sjal. It is great to use as a toner after you cleanse, great to set your makeup, and even great as a mid day refresher. (We keep a bottle in the fridge at work during the summer to keep cool and fresh).
So that's my routine. It looks long when you spell it all out, and advertise all the products, but it only takes me about 15 minutes to get my face done, and that includes brushing my teeth. Once you get the hang of a routine, you can bang it out in no time flat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)