The right base
I am in my 40s, and have a fair complexion with freckles on my cheeks. My skin is neither oily nor dry. Whenever apply foundation, I appear really white and unnatural, especially in photographs. I would like to know what type of foundation suits my skin best so that I will look more natural and hide the freckles as well. Or, should I apply makeup primer before applying my foundation to reduce the whiteness? – Seema ACCORDING to Scott Miselnicky, Clinique vice-president product development make-up, one may appear looking too white in photographs due to two reasons: Wearing the wrong shade of foundation or the photography lighting may be a little too harsh on the skin.
Let’s address the concern based on the wrong foundation shade. As with all our skincare, Clinique’s foundations are prescribed based on skin types and concerns, and with our dermatological heritage, everything we know about skincare goes into our foundations as well.
In finding the perfect foundation shade, the best and correct area to test on is at the jawline where it matches the colour closest to our neck.
Most women make the mistake of trying the shade on their wrist, which is always fairer than our face and neck as it is tucked inward towards the body as opposed to the neck and face areas that are more exposed.
Some women also make the mistake of finding a shade based on what they want the skin colour to be, hence resulting in a “mask” and whitish finish.
At Clinique, our philosophy has always been that “Great Skin Can Be Created”. Although women want to hide their uneven skin tone and skin discoloration, it is important to treat the problem, too.
Hyperpigmentation is a growing concern globally. Clinique’s latest Even Better Makeup SPF 15/PA++ is specifically designed to not just cover up, but also treat the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone caused by pigmentation due to non-hereditary causes such as the sun, environmental aggressors, skin irritation or acne scarring.
It contains a highly active vitamin C complex which is an antioxidant on its own and a melanin suppressant to deter the appearance of brown spots.
Combined with vitamin E, mushroom yeast, grapefruit peel and white birch extracts, these powerful ingredients work together to break up and banish the appearance of uneven skin tone, while helping to prevent future discoloration.
The foundation is a lightweight, oil-free product designed for women to cover up as well as treat the problem.
It provides long wearing, moderate to full coverage, for all skin tones. It also has added broad spectrum SPF 15/PA++ to help protect the skin from UV skin damage, which is one of the main causes of uneven skin tone.
The visible signs of sun damage and dark patches, age spots and anti-blemish scarring are significantly erased, revealing skin with a noticeably improved radiance and clarity.
Available in 10 shades specifically custom-fitted for Asian skins, it creates a newfound evenness on the skin.
And thanks to our dermatologist-developed formula, this make-up will dramatically help to reduce the need for cover up in four to six weeks’ time.
Clinique will be giving Seema a bottle of Even Better Makeup SPF15/PA++ worth RM115, after a skin consultation at the Clinique Pavilion standalone store. I’m really annoyed every time I see blemishes and acne marks on my cheeks and forehead. It seems that whatever cream I put on it, the marks won’t go away. Some of them are a light shade of red and others are brown. My skin type is probably more on the oily side. Please help by recommending something to solve my problem. – LT
According to Lisa Yap, Shu Uemura’s chief make-up artist, acne in adulthood could be due to a number of reasons such as stress, hormonal changes, clogged pores, new products or skin allergy.
This could lead to red or brown blemishes, which are more apparent on oily skin surfaces, or sensitive skin that’s a result of dehydrated skin (even if it looks oily on the surface).
Pigmentation and large visible pores might even occur if one does not use sunblock. For an instant approach to covering acne marks and blemishes, you could apply Shu Uemura’s Pro Gel Cealer on the spots. Unlike other concealers, Shu Uemura’s concealer is a waterproof formula that resists sebum and withstands sweat.
Follow up with applying either loose powder or something from Shu Uemura’s Glow Fit Powder Foundation range to achieve higher coverage.
For a complete regimen, after putting on the toner, apply Shu Uemura’s Depsea Concentrate to achieve an ideal hydration level for the skin, followed by a moisturiser and sun block.
Treat acne marks with Shu Uemura’s Whitefficient Pen 56 to instantly brighten dark spots for a more radiant, illuminated and translucent skin.
This should be applied at the end of your skincare routine.
The breakthrough Pen 56 significantly minimises melanin content in the skin by 56% in four weeks.
Shu Uemura will be giving LT a Whitefficient Pen 56 worth RM150.