Perfecting skin is easier than you’d think. These quick steps will conceal redness, dark circles, pimples, and dry, flaky skin, says SIMONE WU.
Perfecting skin is easier than you’d think. These quick steps will conceal redness, dark circles, pimples, and dry, flaky skin, says SIMONE WU.
CORRECT REDNESS
Whether your skin turns red when it is exposed to heat, allergens in cosmetics or as a reaction to stress, here’s what you can do to conceal a flushed complexion.
#1: Calm & Moisturise
Begin by gently patting on a calming moisturiser to subdue irritated or sensitised skin. Keep a face mist in your office drawer to soothe and relieve redness. And, as it can also be caused by sun exposure, always use sunscreen over moisturiser.
#2: Go Green
To neutralise redness and even out your complexion, makeup artist Larry Yeo says: “Apply a green makeup primer. This anti-redness ally tones down flushed areas of your face. Try NYX Studio Perfect Photo-Loving Primer Anti- Redness.” Follow with a yellow-based foundation that also helps hide redness, and then dust loose powder over the areas that tend to get oily.
#3: Get Instant
Relief If any redness is still visible after primer and foundation, gently dab a yellow-based liquid concealer on.
CONCEAL UNDER-EYE CIRCLES
If you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter, you’d have notice how it can affect the skin under your eyes. Before applying the right concealer for your condition, pat eye cream over the eye area.
Red, Puffy Circles
These could be due to allergies, inflammation, stress, sleep deprivation and fluid retention. If you look carefully, there’s probably a semicircle beneath the eye bags that starts near the inner corner of your eye. Brighten that up by dabbing yellow concealer on the inner eye corners and blending outwards. The area will stand out less as the skin tone will look more uniform.
Greenish-Grey & Blue Circles
Dark circles appear greenish-grey when you have broken capillaries and circulation is poor. Blue circles result from oxygenated blood pooled beneath the under-eye skin. To neutralise the greenish-grey, apply peach concealer and then foundation. Still noticeable? Blend in a thin layer of yellow concealer. Orange or peach will cancel out the blue. Finish with a foundation that matches your skin colour.
Dark, Dull Circles
These are usually hereditary or due to sun damage. Being tired makes them more obvious; so does having a cold. Apply foundation over the discoloured areas to hide the dark circles. If they are still visible, dab a peach liquid concealer on the inner eye corners and blend outwards to cover the whole area.
TIP
ALWAYS BEGIN WITH THE LIGHTEST LAYER OF CONCEALER, SO YOU CAN ADD MORE IF NEEDED. USE TOO MUCH AT THE START, AND YOU’LL END UP EMPHASISING FINE LINES AND WRINKLES.
COVER UP ZITS
You can’t get rid of acne, but you can usually hide it. A light touch is essential when applying makeup. You only want to use just enough to make zits less visible, and remember to remove it every night so they can heal well.
#1: Treat
Apply a lightweight hydrating toner or pre-serum and then acne cream, so your skin continues to heal and makeup can go on smoothly.
#2: Prime
You’ll need a non-drying formula that helps to clear and control blemish-prone skin. Try Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Blemish-Less. It helps to prevent shine, calm redness, reduce irritation, and minimise pores instantly and over time.
#3: Conceal
Dab liquid foundation over the pimple to tone down redness. If it is still visible, add just a dot of concealer and dab it in. Both should match your skin tone. To avoid highlighting the bumpiness of a zit, use concealer sparingly, adds Larry.
TIP
USING YOUR FINGER TO DAB ON AND BLEND IN CONCEALER CAN HAVE THE EFFECT OF REMOVING IT IN THE PROCESS, WHILE A MAKEUP BRUSH MAY LEAVE STREAKS. A FOOLPROOF AND MORE PRECISE WAY TO DAB ON CONCEALER IS WITH A SMALL MAKEUP SPONGE, LIKE THE BEAUTYBLENDER MICRO MINI, $29 (A PACK OF TWO), FROM SEPHORA.
TREAT & HIDE DRY, FLAKY SKIN
The key to overcoming dry, flaky, peeling skin is hydration. Whether you experience temporary dryness from sunburn or have chronically dry skin because of conditions like eczema, here’s what you can do for flake-free skin every day.
#1: Gently Cleanse
Apply a milk cleanser and massage the dry patches first to help soften and slough off flakes before attending to the rest of your face. This will leave your skin smoother to the touch. If there are still some dry flakes, resist the urge to scratch or rub them off as you might end up tearing your skin.
#2: Soften Skin
Apply softening toner over the dry, flaky areas and gently massage with your fingers, says Larry. “However, if you experience a stinging sensation, chances are some of the skin may be damaged. Stop, cleanse it off, and then apply a lightweight face treatment oil all over the face. I highly recommend Tarte Maracuja Oil,” he adds. “Its essential fatty acids are known to recharge and replenish dry skin without leaving it feeling greasy. It also contains linoleic acid which is known to keep acne at bay. Let it sit on your skin for about one minute before applying concealer.”
#3: Conceal
When skin is irritated, it becomes inflamed and produces melanin that tends to darken dry patches. Larry says: “Pick up a high-coverage concealer like Cover FX Custom Cover Drops with a fluffy eyeshadow brush and gently blend it into your skin.” Skip powder altogether as it highlights any flakiness and makes your skin look even drier.
TIP
IF YOUR SKIN IS EASILY IRRITATED, IT’S BEST TO AVOID SKINCARE CONTAINING A FRAGRANCE. IT CAUSES INFLAMMATION AND WEAKENS THE INNER LAYERS OF SKIN.
