Make-up, make-up, make-up. It’s a love hate relationship. On one end it covers up our imperfections, yet on the other it can exacerbate them. Huffpost cites “A new study by the Harris poll shows that 44% of women feel unattractive without any makeup on. The study also found that one-quarter of women started wearing make-up at age 13 or younger.”
My main concern as an aesthetician when it comes to make-up is foundation, and just like bra size, most of us are not wearing the right one! There are so many foundation options: Liquid, pressed powder, loose powder, full coverage, BB cream, drug store, department store, mineral. You could literally spend a lifetime trying them all and still never quite feel satisfied.
Most women who are wearing make-up are trying to either cover up acne, wrinkles, or skin discoloration.
Problems with traditional make-up:
Wrinkles: Powders either make your skin look dry and dehydrated or if you’re using a liquid it’ll cake up in your lines. Not pretty.
Skin discoloration: If you’re not taking proper care of your skin chances are you have sun damage and your skin tone is uneven. This will lead to packing on the make-up to make it look more even. Also, not so pretty.
Acne: Now this is a big one. So many women, and young girls especially, are trying to cover up those pesky little acne bumps. The problem is a lot of the time the make-up they are using is comedogenic (clogs pores). I’m especially seeing a lot of this right now with this “full coverage” trend.
Okay, so what’s the answer?
Make-up, specifically foundation, should be considered an extension of your skin care regimen. You cleanse, tone, serum, moisturize, SPF, then MAKE-UP! It is the last step in your regimen and should be considered as such.
My recommendation: MINERAL MAKE-UP!
I’ve been using, and carrying in office, mineral makeup for over 10 years and I love it!
So what exactly is mineral make-up? And what makes it the better option?
Mineral make-up is made up of minerals such as iron oxides, talc, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They are ground and milled or broken into very tiny particles to create the make-up. Traditional make-up uses preservatives like parabens, chemical dyes and fragrances.
Mineral make-up has a lot less irritants than traditional make-ups so it is a lot gentler for even the most sensitive skin types. Pure mineral make-up (such as Colorescience, my fave) binds to oils not water. This gives the makeup a natural water resistance and is much better for your skin then conventional cosmetics. Watch this video below courtesy of my Colorescience rep!
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See that? The minerals will not mix with water! This means the make-up does not get absorbed by the skin and instead gently sits on the surface. No irritation, no clogged pores, no caked on look. Just a light layer of minerals to give the skin a nice, even glow.
Most pure mineral make-up lines will offer either a pressed or loose powder, cream or whipped foundation, and a primer. The products you choose will depend on the level of coverage you are looking for.
Mineral make-up and SPF: Minerals have a natural SPF. All make-up with mineral particles provides some sun protection since mineral particles are the active ingredients in mineral sunscreens. It doesn’t replace your SPF but it will give you an added layer of protection.
Which mineral lines do I recommend: I have used both Jane Iredale and Colorescience, both of which are considered pure, high end mineral make-up lines. Personally I love the Colorescience line and have been carrying and recommending it to patients for years!
As an aesthetician who works in a medical office my main purpose is to treat and correct the skin. My goal is to make the skin as healthy and beautiful as possible. If you are taking good care of your skin and using an appropriate skin care regimen there should not be the need for a lot of make-up. Always remember make-up should be an extension of you skincare and enhance your natural beauty!
Does the colorscience pressed powder provide coverage? And, Would u recommend it for sensitive rosacea skin and skin prone to breakouts? Thx!!
Hi! Yes, the Colorescience does provide a nice amount of coverage. We give it to patients post facial procedures to cover redness. I am very acne prone and it is the only makeup I can use!
Hi! It is great for sensitive skin! It can provide a good amount of coverage. We often use it post laser to cover the red!
Hi Gail! Yes and yes! I personally have very acne prone skin and have never broken out from the Colorescience make-up. I use their calming primer and pressed powder.
It is also excellent for sensitive skin. We often give it to patients post j-plasma laser peel to help cover their redness. Works beautifully and covers great. I’m telling you minerals are the way to go!
Do you sell colorscience or know where to buy it? Also, for sensitive acne prone skin what foundation or line of products do you recommend?
Yes we sell Colorescience at our office. If you’d like to discuss skin care products I would love for you to come in for a complimentary consultation.
Hi! We do sell Colorescience at our office. In fact we are having a big makeup event May 9th where we will be color matching. I recommend Colorescience for acne prone skin. It’s the best!
I currently use Bare Minerals and I have for years but I’m afraid the dog isn’t high enough. Any Thoughts about Revision Intellishade for all in one moisturizer makeup and spf? In very prone to breakouts but need spf because I’m on retin-a.
The Intellishade is a great product. I personally hasn’t used it. Any traditional spf’s make me break out. You can give it a try and see!