Ask Marissa...Good Full Coverage Foundation and Masks

Jane Doe: Can you recommend a good foundation for covering up redness and acne scars? Another silly question to is about masks I have never used one are they beneficial for my skin what do they do?


Me: As for a foundation, MAC Studio Sculpt ($29.50) would be great for those concerns. It's also oil free and sets itself so you don't need a powder. 

Masks do different things. For a deep cleansing (sucking all the crap out of your pores and preventing acne) I would suggest Clinique Acne Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask ($20). For a moisture boost, I really like Laura Mercier's Intensive moisture mask ($32). It's oil free, so it's safe for acne prone or sensitive skin. If you want to brighten your skin, Clinique Turnaround Instant Facial ($36.50) is amazing! It promotes rapid cell renewal (the birth of new skin cells to replace old dull ones), so your skin will be bright and radiant.

Hope this Helps,
Marissa

Looking Greasy in the Club?

 In the 6 or so years I've maintained social networking profiles, I noticed a horrible epidemic plaguing a lot of young women:  pictures of them in night clubs were REALLY bad. Their heads were whiter than their bodies and their faces were greasy looking. Camera flash is not very generous to our features, but super generous to our flaws. All these pretty girls were looking deathly ill.

I didn't go to school for makeup artistry, so everything I know is basically through trial and error. Here are some things I've learned about flash photography:

DO contour appropriately

DO use a foundation and powder a couple shades darker than your skin tone, or cover your neck and shoulders with your normal foundation

DO use matte finish foundations, concealers and powders. This includes blush. Eye makeup isn't as important to be matte, but it does make a more beautiful picture.

DON'T use shimmery finishes on your face. This will make you look greasy and gross.
DON'T use foundations or concealers with pink undertones. This will make you look pale or ashy.

Here is the difference between a do and a don't:
DO

I used a matte finish foundation, concealer, powder and blush.

A light colored lip gloss with no shimmer and minimal glitter will accentuate you natural lip color.

On my eyes is just a black crayon that I blended upwards. I didn't use a highlighter.

When you contour correctly, there's no need to highlight.

DON'T

I used my normal radiant finish foundation with a satin finish concealer.

I used a shimmery loose powder followed by a sheer coral blush and shimmery highlighter on my cheekbones.

You can see that I look really greasy and my face is lighter than my neck. This makeup is beautiful in person, but doesn't translate well in flash photography. 

Here's what it looks like without flash:

Ask Marissa...Clinique Discontinued Clarifying Makeup!

Jane Doe: Clinique stopped carrying the foundation I use, what do you like as a medium coverage foundation for oily skins? I've been looking around and nothing has jumped out at me yet. I am almost out, so I am going to need to get some soon.


Me: Which foundation did you use? Have you tried their Acne Solutions foundation ($24.50)? It's pretty amazing. I also like Teint Idol Freshwear ($32) by Lancome. I know you don't have a MAC near you, but if you ever make it Louisville, try Studio Fix Liquid foundation ($26). Studio fix controls oil throughout the day and has buildable coverage.


Jane Doe: I can't remember the name of it. It was their last acne one that was in tube. It always separated if it sat for too long. I am sure that's why they got rid of it.


Me: It was either Continuous Coverage Makeup or Clarifying Makeup.

Jane Doe: Clarifying. You are on it!


Me: Some people use their brains for money. I use mine for beauty. It's way less shallow. LOL.
You would love the new Acne Solutions one then. Its not thick. It's actually kind of creamy. It has a natural finish so you don't look all dry and cakey. Plus it controls oil and keeps skin clear with salicylic acid.

Jane Doe: Cool. i will have to check it out. Thanks for the advice!

Me: Clinique gives foundation samples now too. :D

Kitschkween Jewelry

I will be permanently adding my Kitschkween jewelry and accessories to this blog. :D

Ask Marissa...Facial Hair

Jane Doe: When I use foundation, which I have to.. When I apply it under my nose and above the mouth I am left with a darkened area where it sticks to the other wise invisible small hair there all women have it I think, but when I apply foundation it suddenly becomes noticeable and looks like..well like I have the start of a mustache =( How can I prevent the foundation from sticking to the hair and still cover that area of skin up?


Me: The best suggestion I have is hair removal. Either wax or get one of those mini facial hair groomers, such as the Conair 2-in-1 Fine Line Trimmer (drugstores, $8.99). I use the hair groomer b/c wax irritates my skin, and it's expensive to keep up. The hair groomers are very gentle and won't leave bumps. I even use this on the little fuzzies around my eyes so makeup goes on smoother.
If you don't want to do hair removal, stick to powder foundations. They are less likely to give that shadow. My favorite one is Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Powder Foundation ($24).

Ask Marissa...Eye Primer for Red Eyelids

Jane Doe: I'm looking for a good eye primer but can't decide which one to go for. I want something that neutralizes the skin on my eyes (I have a lot of redness) but also gives my shadows mega staying power. 


Me: I have 3 favorite eye primers; M.A.C. Paint Pot in "Soft Ochre" ($16.50), Lancome's Ombre Perfecteur Pen ($23), and Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($18). All have yellow undertones to neutralize redness, and the staying power of shadows are amazing!

 
 

Ask Marissa...Moved to the Desert

Jane Doe: Do you have any recommendations on skincare products. I have been using Clinique, Shiesido, and other stuff, but looking for a good affordable one to try out. The weather here in Vegas is dry so something new will be good. Thanks for your help!

Me: It depends on what your main skin concern is. I like different brands for different things.

Jane Doe: I have sensitive skin but mainly dry out here in the dessert. Funny, my skin was oily in the Bay (Area) haha. Any good suggestion on moisturizer?

Me: For the day time, I would stick with Clinique. I love their Superdefense cream for very dry skin ($42.50). Here's my blog about it:

http://pompsngloss.blogspot.com/2010/07/marissas-pick-of-week-moisturize-your.html

At night, I love Origins Night-A-Mins cream ($36). It's really thick, but it won't break you out.

I know you wanted something less pricey, but you really get what you pay for in a moisturizer. 
Cleansing can be a little cheaper though. I like either Aveeno Positively Radiant cleansing pads (average price, $7) or Oil of Olay Daily Facial Hydrating cleansing cloths (average price, $6). 

Hope this helps.