Itchy bottom? Moist Toilet Tissues Can Cause A Rash

Itchy butts are part of my everyday. It shouldn’t be part of yours.

Itching on your bottom is usually a minor annoyance, but it can be debilitating. A patient of mine was unable to work because his derrière itching was so intense. A common cause of itching bottom, called pruritus ani, is allergic contact dermatitis.

Places where your skin transitions from outside to inside, such as lips or anus, are susceptible to dermatitis because your skin’s barrier is limited in these locations. Without a thick layer of keratin, irritants on the outside easily get into your skin. Moist toilet tissues, such as baby wipes or towelettes, might seem to get you cleaner than old-fashioned toilet paper, but chemicals in the wipes cause a rash in some people.

Preservatives such as methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) or kathon CG are often used in packaged toilet wipes and are a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Many patients who have itching on their behinds fear that they are unclean, use more cleaning wipes, worsening their dermatitis. It becomes a vicious cycle. Avoiding all commercial wipes or towelettes usually resolves the rash and itching. If not, then see your dermatologist before you find yourself on extended medical leave.

Have you ever had an itch so bad that you thought you’d go mad?

Photo: RLHyde

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10 Tips to Get The Most From Your Dermatology Visit

Having a high quality doctor’s visit takes effort on my part and on yours. Here are 10 tips to get the most out of your next dermatology visit with me or any other dermatologist.

1. Write down all the questions you have and things you want to discuss with me. Be sure to list any spots you’d like me to check or any moles that have changed. Have a loved one lightly mark spots on your skin they are concerned about.

2. Know your family history: Has anyone in your family had skin cancer? What type? Patients often have no idea if their parents have had melanoma. It matters. If possible, ask before seeing me.

3. Know your history well: Have you had skin cancer? What type? If you have had melanoma, then bring the detailed information about your cancer. Your prognosis depends on how serious the melanoma was, that is its stage, 1-4. You need to know how it was treated, if it had spread, and how deep it was. The answers to these questions determines the risk of your melanoma returning.

4. If you have a rash, there are a few things I’ll need to know: Have you changed any of your medications? Soaps? Moisturizers? Cosmetics? Do you have a history of eczema? Asthma? Hayfever? Does anyone in your family have a skin disease? Take a picture of your rash at its worst with your phone; the rash might be improved by the time you see me.

5. If you are seeing me for acne, come prepared. Keep a journal of when your acne is worse. Is it around your period? When you are stressed? In summer or winter? What products or cosmetics are you using? What treatments have you tried? Have you had dryness or burning with previous treatments?

6. If you are seeing me for hair loss, then collect your hairs that fall out and count how many you lose in one day. It’s normal to lose 100-150 hairs per day. Make a list of other symptoms or health problems that you think might be related to your hair loss.

7. Always be honest with me. I’ll never judge you even if you are an avid tanner or a picker. I’m here to help, and I can only help if I know the whole story.

8. Have you read something online that you’d like to discuss with me? Print it and bring it. Sometimes patients will tell me they saw something about their disease on the web; without knowing the source, I cannot say if the information is valid or helpful.

9. Am I leaving too soon? Stop me. My time with you is yours. If you see me heading for the door, then tell me that you still have things you’d like to cover. If we are out of time, then ask me if you can set up a follow-up appointment to continue the visit.

10. Don’t leave empty handed — I’m not talking about the freebie hand lotion or drug samples. For every doctor’s visit, you should leave with printed or written instructions about what we discussed and what you should do next. Patients who receive hand-outs from their doctor are more likely to have positive outcomes.

Have you had an excellent or not-so-excellent dermatology visit you’d like to share? Do you have any tips for us?

Photo: Maggie Osterberg

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Where Are You More Likely To Sunburn: Beach Or Mountains?

While vacationing in Idaho and Montana last week (blissfully off the grid), I experienced something beautiful: altitude. At 6,260 feet Stanley, Idaho is a mile higher than my home in San Diego. The skies there were a brilliant blue. There was daylight well after 10 PM. The mornings were a chilly 35 degrees. And I got sunburned.
How can this be? Montana is over 1,000 miles north of San Diego. Shouldn’t the sun be stronger down here?
Several things determine the sun’s intensity. The closer to the equator you are, the more intense the sun’s rays. But also, the higher up you are, the more intense the sun’s rays. Your UV exposure increases by 10% for every 3,280 feet in altitude; at 6,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation, you’re exposed to 25% more ultraviolet radiation than at sea level.
Also, snow (which fell during our mid-June trip) is an efficient reflector of sunlight. When skiing or hiking in snow, 80-90% of UV light is reflected at you, dramatically increasing your sun exposure. Grass in comparison reflects only about 3% of sunlight.

5 Things You Should Know About Organic Beauty Products

“All natural. Certified organic. Made from natural ingredients. Pure botanicals. Chemical free.”
You might guess I’m standing in the farmers market. Nope. I’m in the health and beauty aisle at Target. The ubiquitous all-things-natural trend has overtaken the cosmetic industry. How do you know what is real and what is marketing hype? Here are 5 things you should know about organic beauty product labels:
1 – Labels that say “natural ingredients” or “botanicals” are not certified organic. These statements are not regulated. Most natural ingredients used in beauty products are actually modified in a lab. Truly botanical ingredients, like you’d pick in your garden, are usually unstable and would spoil like food.
2 – Natural doesn’t always mean better. Would you buy: Poison Ivy Eye-Cream? Stinging Nettles Anti-Itch Gel? The most toxic and allergy-inducing ingredients are naturally occurring substances, not manufactured ones.
3 – There are many standards of “organic.” USDA Certified Organic is the gold standard. Products with this label must be at least 95% organic and must not contain toxic ingredients. Products that are less than 95% but at least 75% can be labelled “made with organic ingredients.” If your product is not certified by the USDA, then inquire who certified it — some businesses will certify a product for a fee, which some people find improper.
4 – Organic products can still contain non-organic ingredients that are harmful. Your shampoo might be mostly organic, but it can still contain preservatives or fragrances that can cause a rash.
5 – All natural and organic beauty products are not necessarily more effective. The most potent skin care ingredients are prescription products, which are not organic.
There is value to choosing beauty products that are labelled organic — they may be better for you, and they’re probably better for the planet. Ultimately, the choice is yours. So now that you know what “organic” means on a label, at least it will be an informed choice.
Which of your products are organic? Do you think they are better? Why?
Photo: Rick Harrison
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There Are No Toxins in Cellulite

Last week a popular TV talk show featuring a bunch of doctors (I’m not naming names) discussed how coffee grounds can improve cellulite. They explained how rubbing coffee grounds into your skin imparts caffeine into the cellulite thereby improving the circulation and drawing the toxins out.
This is a great tip except that rubbing coffee grounds on your skin does not impart any caffeine into it, and .
Cellulite is a normal secondary sex characteristic of women. It is the result of thin connective tissue in women’s skin. Massaging the cellulite (with coffee, tea, grapes, cream cheese, or chocolate frosting) pushes the fat back into the skin, temporarly improving the appearance. There is no science behind using coffee to treat this normal condition.
Scientific studies have shown, however, that carrying a wet coffee filter filled with grounds into your bathroom will burn more calories because you’ll spend 20 minutes later cleaning up the mess in your shower.

Mineral Foundation Makeup

WHAT IS IT?


...what exactly IS it, anyways?

is a loose powder version of makeup. It covers better than other types of makeup (liquid, stick, etc), while being natural and containing no irritating or pore-clogging ingredients. It stays smooth and creamy-looking all day,without settling into your lines and creases.

It can also come in pressed form and a few companies even have a liquid version. I prefer the loose powder version or an all-naturalform of the pressed version, if you can find one.

Normally applied with a kabuki brush for maximum coverage, this powder is easy and quick to apply, requiring no touchups throughout the day.

It is virtually water and sweat-proof, which is great for active people who swim, workout, dance, etc. Yes, it lasts even throughswimming.

It gives a very high sunscreen effect too.

Not to mention the price... the normal size jarof mineral foundation (10 grams by weight in a 30 gram jar

Acne Prone Skin Can Benefit From Mineral Makeup

Acne prone skin is embarrassing. It can be helped, though, and even covered completely with mineral makeup...
I know from personal experience the pain associated with acne.
I have had it since I was a child and it really affects your self-esteem.
You get up in the morning and discover yet another obnoxious red bulb on your face, staring back at you as if to say, "Whatcha gonna do about it, punk?"
UG.
You try acne cream, acne ointment, acne serum, acne masks, etc.
Nothing seems to help!
The good news is, there is hope.
Acne can be reduced and completely covered up so nobody sees it. YIPPEE!
Even guys can use mineral makeup to cover up acne, because it looks SO natural.
And there is nothing in mineral makeup that will aggravate your acne worse, so you don't have to worry about nasty ingredients breaking you out more. Thank GOD! :)
Check out our Mineral Foundation page and our Concealer/Corrector page to learn tips and tricks on choosing and applying mineral makeup for your skin type. Or you can go straight to our product site and purchase mineral foundation and mineral concealer.
Mineral foundation makeup is great for a smooth, all over coverage.
Mineral concealer is great for really severe acne, and/or to touch up specific acne spots. It usually gives thicker, fuller coverage than the foundation alone.
Experiment with both types to see which you prefer. I personally use both.
I like to start with mineral concealer just on the bad spots, then go all over with the mineral foundation.
And remember to do the basics for acne prone skin:
-eat healthy meals (checkout www.mercola.comfor info).

Anti Aging Makeup - Learn The Best Type.

Home Free Makeup Course What's New? Retail Wholesale About Us Contact Us  Anti Aging Makeup - Hide Those Wrinkles!

I bet you have always wished for a perfect anti aging makeup to help cover all those flaws that timehas so generously adorned you with!

Mineral makeup is your ideal choice, once you know the best way to apply it for your skin type.

1. You want to begin with a moisturizing cleanser.

2. Apply a rich cream or oil to your skin. I suggest Emu Oil.

3. Allow that to soak in for a few minutes. Your face should feel supple and smooth.

4. Begin buffing on your mineral makeup. Start at the outer edges of your face where fine lines and wrinklesare less prominant. This way you won't clump a bunch of powder right in the middle of your face.

5. Buff, buff, buff. Swirl your brush around and around to create a smooth look. I recommend using a creamy, high-qualitykabuki brush.

6. Use a concealer brush and touch up any age spots or other areas that need a little more coverage.

Anti Aging Skin Care and Mineral Makeup

Find the anti aging skin care products that will blast those wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and discolorations!'
Mineral makeup is one such product. Without aggravating skin further, it helps to hide imperfections of all sorts. It is like an instant anti wrinkle cream! Only in powder form!
When considering what anti aging skin care to buy, you might not have considered makeup. But it can greatly increase your self-esteem, while smoothing out the appearance of fine lines.
First off, I'd like to start buy saying that you should use a good anti wrinkle cream of some sort. I am a natural ingredient lover, so I recommend simple, natural oils, butters and hydrators. They really work the best. I recommend avoiding the latest and greatest anti aging skin care product as most of them don't do much for the money involved. The companies are selling hope, not results.
Good oils to look for include: emu, coconut, castor, sunflower, squalane, olive oil, nut and seed oils, etc...
Good butters include shea butter, kokum butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, etc...
Hydrators are ingredients like water, aloe vera and vegetable glycerin.
You can buy these combined in a cream form, or just use each ingredient alone. Apply at night after cleansing and lightly in the morning before applying your mineral makeup. Allow to soak in for a few minutes, then buff on your makeup.
Mineral makeup , when worn daily, will be a great skin protector. The delicate skin on your face needs protection against the elements.
For specifics on applying mineral makeup to skin prone to wrinkling, check out our Mineral Foundation page.
Basically, you want to avoid applying TOO much makeup to wrinkly areas... buff it on really well with your kabuki brush until you achieve a smooth look.
Tips for avoiding wrinkles:
-sleep on your back, not your side or stomach. Scrunching your face into your pillow at night will lead to more wrinkles. Avoid 8 hours (daily!) of smooshing your face, by simply sleeping on your back.
-following the same principle, don't squish your face into your hands during the day. Begin to watch how often you rub your face and lay your head onto your desk, etc.
-a favorite trick of mine is to pour a spoonful of powdered milk into a bowl and add just enough water till it forms a milky consistency. Then apply that to clean, dry skin and allow to dry. Your face will be stiff and you will be shocked at how often you make facial expressions. I noticed even while watching tv alone, I was making many facial expressions, which over time will result in wrinkles. I don't recommend walking around with a poker face! That wouldn't be a life at all! This is just a great experiment to show you how often you move your face unnecessarily. Try to then avoid moving your face during those times.
-apply frequent masks to help keep your skin at its optimal moisture balance. You can buy a good, natural mask specifically for mature skin, but make sure all the ingredients are natural. Or you can make your own mask... there are many varieties and combinations. Any ingredient that is rich and creamy and perhaps with good oils in it, will work. Think: avocado, banana, oatmeal, whole milk, etc. Just mush up and apply to skin for about 15 minutes.
- never use drying cleansers. Stick to a good cream-based cleanser if you are not prone to breakouts, or use a good, natural soap if you are prone to breakouts.
-keep your skin moisturized at all times, allowing only a once-per-month skin rest. To do this, simply cleanse your face at night, and then go to bed with nothing on your face. This will allow your skin to breathe and rest. Other than that, though, apply a natural, rich cream, oil or butter to your skin, as mentioned earlier, both morning and night.
-switch your anti aging skin care routine from time to time. I recommend doing this about every month or so. Your skin gets "used to" certain ingredients and benefits from frequent changes.
-avoid tanning your face. I love the sun. I love tanning. I love being a rich, dark, bronzey brown. However, I never tan my face. I simply use a natural sunless tanner on my face, and then tan the rest of my body. This helps to prevent wrinkles on my face, while still allowing my body to get the necessary vitamin D and cancer-fighting properties of the sun. (Remember when tanning, though, to never burn. This is damaging. You can tan either in the real sun (best) or a tanning bed.)
-give yourself frequent, gentle facial massages by tapping onto your skin before falling asleep. This will help to stimulate blood flow to the area, which results in healthier skin.
-never pull, tug or rub your face. Always be very gentle as the skin on your face is delicate, especially around the eye area.
-to make your skin look plumper and smoother, apply a rich oil to your skin after cleansing in the morning. WITHOUT waiting for it to soak in as I usually recommend, immediately apply your loose powder mineral makeup and swirl really well. Set with a mineral makeup finishing powder . This will give a soft, smooth look to your face and help fine lines disappear.
In summary, use only natural ingredients as your anti aging skin care regime. Experiment till you find a product you like and give your skin frequent rests and changes.

Discover the Best Mineral Makeup Look for You!

Learn the best mineral makeup look you can achieve with mineral foundation, blush, bronzer, eye makeup, etc....
It can be confusing trying to choose colors, types and brands of mineral makeup. You buy several colors and HOPE the blush matches the eye makeup, matches the foundation, matches your hair, etc, etc.
AH!
Help is here!
I love the study of color and I enjoy helping others learn which colors look best on them AND best together.
Once you learn the colors and types of colors (muted, clear, strong, soft) that look best on YOU, then everything else falls into place. You will be sporting your best mineral makeup look before you know it!
If you really want to get down to the nitty gritty of it, I highly recommend this book which helped meFINALLY discover what palette I look best in:


I'll start by giving you an example of me.
I've learned that I look best in muted, warm colors. Thus, my entire closet is organized into a few of my best colors (brown, muted greens and blue/greens, warm pinks, raisin/purples and creams). All of my best mineral makeup colors are these same shades. I use a neutral or warm foundation, warm pink or brown blush, raisin eyeliner, brown eyeshadow and warm toned (like peach) lip gloss.
Whenever I shop, I can get it done in about 1/10th the time of most people, because I scan ONLY for my colors, then look. I don't have to look at the black shirt, or white skirt, etc. I just know that I don't want them, as those colors don't look good on me.
All my shoes and clothing accessories are in these same colors too. I stick to brown accessories mainly, never black.
You might think this would get awfully boring. On the contrary, it is liberating. Rather than stressing over what to wear everyday, or what looks best on me, I can pretty much grab any two items out of my closet and know they will match. Most of my shoes will go with any outfit I choose and all my hair and makeup items automatically match. It is SO easy and fun!
And should I ever get bored, I can just add in a new color that I want to try, as long as it is a color I know I look great in.
I will try to make this as simple as possible and break it down into easy, doable steps.
LET'S BEGIN!
In general, there are three types of people: cool, neutral, warm.
Each of those can be broken down into muted or clear.
So you might be cool/muted or warm/clear, etc.
Cool-skinned people will look best in cool colors (blue undertone). Examples include: hot pink, black, white, royal blue, navy, yellow, blue red, etc.
Neutral people look best sticking to neutral colors. Examples include: purple, teal, brown, etc... These are general colors that actually MOST people can wear.
Warm-skinned people come alive in warm shades, like mahogany, peach, jade, sage green, cream, oyster, etc.
Once you know which of those you are, you then need to decide if you are muted or clear.
Muted colors appear soft, sometimes dull, and never harsh.
Clear colors are defined and sometimes bright and powerful.
TO START:
Gather up a bunch of scarves or clothing items and head outdoors with a mirror and a friend. Hold different colors up to your bare skin (no makeup on), with your hair tied back. If your hair is dyed, try to remember your natural color, as changing your hair shade can really confuse the issue.
Write down all the colors that look best on you. Note if they are cool (blue undertone... think of a blue red or mauve), or warm (yellow undertone... think tomato red or rust, as examples.)
Also determine if they are soft and dull colors (muted, like soft butter yellow) or clear and bright shades (like a clear lemon yellow for example).
Then, determine your coloring according to the rules above. You might be warm and muted like me, or the total opposite: cool and clear. Or any mixture in between.
Don't expect to figure it out right away, just begin to notice how you feel in different colors. Pay attention to which outfits you get complimented in.
Over time, you will learn which shades suit you best.
Once you know for sure which main colors you love and just GLOW in, then begin to tailor your entire closet, accessory collection, shoes, and makeup bag to suit your coloring. You don't have to worry about buying something you won't wear. You just know!
OPTIONAL:
You can take this a step further and decide on your exact style.
If you feel you are a dramatic person, go with stronger, bolder colors and patterns.
If you are more subtle and natural like me, then go with soft tones, minimal patterns and easy-to-wear items.
Or find your comfort zone in the middle of those two. Maybe you're sporty, romantic, professional, active, etc.
Remember that the BEST mineral makeup look is what YOU feel good in!
NOW...
Back to choosing the best mineral makeup for you.
Keep in mind all the colors you look best in, and you'll never have a problem choosing your best mineral makeup look.
COOL SKIN: Stick with cool or neutral foundations. Only get a warm foundation if you wish to counter-act a reddish complexion. Your best mineral makeup blushes will be pink, mauve, or berry colored blushes, for example. Eye shades could be cool browns (leaning toward gray or blue, not red or yellow undertones), grays, blues, blue/greens, bold purples, etc. Same goes for lip colors... use hot pink, mauve, berry, wine, or nude shades.

Bismuth Oxychloride Finally Explained

Bismuth Oxychloride is quite controversial. Most people don't understand what it is or what it does in makeup.
There are two "camps" of mineral foundation manufacturers...
1. Those that include it for its seemingly creamy, shimmery feel
and
2. Those who don't include it NO MATTER WHAT, due to its reputation as an itchy, irritating ingredient.
So what IS this ingredient:
This is an element (number 83 on the periodic table), with the symbol: Bi. It is a form of metal.
Chemically, it resembles arsenic and antimony. It has a very high shine, thus giving mineral makeup a shimmery effect.
Companies that choose to use it in their makeup do so because it is cheap, makes a great filler, and by refracting light, gives the appearance of fewer fine lines and imperfections.
It also has the ability to cling well to your skin, thus giving great adhesion of the mineral makeup. The buffing method was developed to help buff this ingredient INTO your pores, creating the adhesion effect.
The main downfall of it is that many women itch when sweating, while wearing this ingredient. If you find this is the case, you might wish to switch to a brand of mineral makeup that doesn't include it.
I personally prefer to NOT use this ingredient at all. It really does make my skin itch and many find it is quite irritating on sensitive skin.
The sheen and light-reflective properties can be easily duplicated by a softly-glowing mica.
Try various samples from companies to determine the sheen of the powder.
Mineral makeup ranges from matte to super shiny, so there is something available for every desire...

Mineral Blush Techniques and Looks

Tricks for Applying Mineral Blush for a Natural or Dramatic Look...
You gotta love cheek color!
It is so easy to apply, and yet gives such a great result.
It perks up the look of your skin for a healthy glow!
I recommend at least some form of color on your cheeks. If you have rosacea or a sunburn, then you have built in color. Simply apply less foundation to your cheeks and voila...beautiful, colorful cheeks! (aren't you special? :) )
Choosing Colors:
With the multitude of colors available today, you might be hesitant to buy a rouge color. If you simply can't decide, go with a pinky/peach in a medium tone (not too dark, not too light). That type of shade works on just about everybody.
Now, if you know you have cooler, pinker skin, I recommend a pink , mauve, raspberry, cocoa brown, red, or plum color. Anything that has cool, rosy undertones will work. Stay away from strong peachy or orange tones. And don't even look at warm, golden browns. They will look dull on you.
If you have more yellowish or peachy skin, go with a warmer blush, such as peach, golden brown, mango, tangerine, or warm pink. Warm pinks just have more of a peachy hint to them. Stay away from cooler pinks (these can have almost a blue undertone when very cool.) Colder shades will look stark and harsh on you.
It is simply best to try many samples till you find the color you love. And feel free to switch around!
I do all the time.
I rarely stay with the same cheek color for more than a few weeks. I love to try out new shades!!!
I get bored easily. Can you tell?
:)
TO APPLY:
I like to start at the temple (by the hairline, next to the outside corner of your eye). Using a large, fluffy, loose-bristled powder brush (meaning that the bristles are NOT densely packed), pick up a TINY amount of mineral blush.
Swirl it around in your makeup jar lid till distributed evenly on the bristles. Then tap the brush on the lid, with the bristles pointing toward the ceiling. This settles the powder deep into the brush for a more even application.
Now, sweep or tap or do little circle movements with your brush, beginning at your temple and ending about an inch and a half from your nose. Don't get too close to your nose. You'll look like Raggedy Ann.
And please... please... don't apply TOO much blush and especially not in little cute circles just on the cheeks... Unless you want to look like you're a clown, of course. But that is a whole other topic!!!
Apply thin layers till you achieve the look you like. It is better to start with too little and build up, then to apply too much and have to correct it.
BUT....if you do apply too much, you can fix it.
Just apply more foundation or concealer on top and buff till smooth.
Sometimes if you apply way too much and keep buffing with your powder brush, it will just be a lost cause. You'll need to wash your face and reapply everything. It is better to do that than to go all day feeling like a rosy posy.
I've done that and it is so embarrassing! Chances are, nobody noticed, but I knew and I felt ridiculous!
Natural or Dramatic?
99% of the time, I say go with a sheer, natural look. You want your rouge to simply accentuate your natural cheekbones, not appear garish.
There are a few times when you might need to apply a little more or apply in more of a slanted angle...

Cat Eye Makeup

is so awesome! It can completely change your look!
You can use various colors and eye shadow shapes.
The general characteristic that makes eye shadow a cat eye, is the slight flare you create with your upper-lid eyeliner.
Here are the basic instructions:
1. Prime the entire eye area with foundation.
2. Apply your lighter color to brow bone and eye lid.
3. Apply your darker eye shadow color in the crease of your eye and blend down onto the eye lid if desired. You can really have free reign here... Use sparkly colors or matte shades. Either is fine. Use bright, bold colors or subtle, soft shades. Go for a natural look or a more intense appearance. Apply the classic eye shadow look of a shaded color in your crease, OR go wild and crazy and apply streaks and patterns!
4. Now for the actual cat eye look. Take a thick, dark eyeliner. You can use powdered, pressed, pencil, gel, liquid... whichever type you choose. The liquid and gel versions will give a more defined look, which you might prefer for this.
Apply liner very softly to lower lash line. Then apply the liner to the upper lash line: Begin at the INNER corner of the eye with a thin, delicate line, and build the line thickness as you reach the other corner of the eye. At the outer corner of the eye, sweep the eyeliner up and out. This mimics long, gorgeous lashes.
5. Finish with black or brown mascara.

Mineral Makeup Concealer and Corrector

How to use a concealer to cover YOUR specific problems, including acne, under-eye circles, fine lines, age spots, large pores, etc...
You are a rare lucky duck indeed if you have no problems to cover.
Most of us have something. Common complaints that need covering include: acne, under-eye circles, spots and splotches, liver/sun/age spots, rosacea, sunburn, wrinkles and fine lines, brown spots, white spots, etc.
I'll talk about how to conceal first, then later, get into correctors (yes, they are two totally different things).
TO CONCEAL:
I recommend a loose powder mineral makeup cover-up. They cover and last well, without piling junky chemicals on your skin that most cream-based cover-ups can contain. They come in various colors, to match your skin tone.
I normally recommend choosing a shade that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. This way you don't end up with brown spots on your face.
Remember that mineral makeup can deepen just slightly after mixing with the oils on your skin (this happens about 30 minutes to an hour after applying). So choose a shade that is just slightly lighter than your mineral foundation color.
Experiment to find the best way for you to apply. I recommend applying it before your mineral foundation. But some apply it after. Sometimes I will do both.
Acne
Just call me the Acne Queen. I have had acne for years and years and thank goodness it has finally cleared up for the most part.
But I have learned many secrets and tricks for covering it.
I recommend a small, pointed brush. Pick up a small amount of powder on your brush and dab in the jar lid to pack the powders into the bristles.
Dab onto acne, but don't blend. You will now have a bunch of pale round circles all over your face.
Touch up any other areas that need help (under your eyes, for example) and then apply your mineral foundation.
If you find you are wiping off the initial powder with your mineral foundation, just TAP ON your mineral foundation, instead of swirling. This is an EXCELLENT tip that I use every day. It allows you to achieve greater coverage.
Apply everything else, then if you still have a blemish or two poking out, just dab a little bit of powder on them with a q-tip to cover them up.
If you are headed to a special event that you MUST look fabulous for, then take a little bit of mineral makeup with you, along with a q-tip to touch up, should you need it. You never know! You'll feel better having it, anyways.
Another tip is to apply your concealing powder underneath the blemish... Pimples can stand out from your face, causing a slight shadow under them. When you conceal under them as well as on them, you help to eliminate that shadow, thus disguising the pimple better.
Baggy, Puffy, Gray Eyes
Pick up some cover-up powder on a concealing brush and beginning at the inner corner of the lower eyelid, sweep your brush outward toward the outer corner of the eye.
Try to not apply much powder around the crow's feet area, or you'll accentuate wrinkles.
Keep applying a few layers till you achieve the proper amount of coverage.
Dab some of the powder on the inner corner of your eye for a brightening effect.
Sweep a slight amount on your upper eye lid, up to the brow bone, for an excellent eye shadow primer.
Finally, take a small amount of powder and sweep underneath the bag (on the SHADOW of the bag) if your eyes have a puff. This extra step can make all the difference in hiding that baggy eye. I use it every day!
Age Spots
And other blemishes...
Simply apply your concealing powder to desired areas, and top with mineral foundation.Follow the directions for acne above.
Rosacea, Sunburn, and Other Large-Area Problems
If you have a large area that needs covering, like your cheeks and nose, I recommend simply using your kabuki brush for this. Apply as you would mineral foundation.
You can leave it as is, if the color matches your skin tone well, or top with mineral foundation. This is your choice.
CORRECTORS
Now, correctors are different. They are not meant to match your skin tone, but rather correct certain discolorations.
Green correctors help to cancel out redness.
Yellow correctors help to cover up blue/gray circles under your eyes.
Lavender is great for yellowish bruising or correcting olive skin.
Pink brightens dull, sallow skin.
Apricot is nice for warming up olive skin tones and giving a punch of color.
Blue covers up that orange color you can get from sunless tanning.
Green and yellow are the most popular.
So how do know whether to use a corrector or a regular concealing powder that matches your skin tone?
It's simply personal preference.
I recommend the correctors for helping out large areas of your face and extreme conditions. (for example, if you have severely red skin and need to tone it down, then a green corrector would work well for you).
If you are mainly trying to cover small blemishes, then I would say a regular concealer is fine.

Dramatic Eye Makeup

can be so much fun!
There are SOOOO many options with eye makeup!
Let's break it down:
OCCASION:
Determining when it is appropriate to wear dramatic makeup will be up to you. If you work in a tattoo shop, then wearing intense eye shadow will be perfectly fine and actually expected.
If you work in a bank, however, you might want to consider a natural look for day and keep the drama for night time or special events!
Clubs, parties, and most nighttime events are great occasions to wear your more dramatic looks!
COLORS:
With dramatic makeup, you really can do just about anything you like. I do recommend sticking to YOUR colors... if you have warm coloring, then stay with warm shades. If you have cool coloring, stay with cool shades.
For more of an explanation on this see our Best Mineral Makeup Look page.
You don't have to stick to the traditional brown in the crease, and cream on the lid and brow bone. You can use multiple colors, loads of shimmer and sparkle, layers upon layers of glorious shades... SO EXCITING!!!

Eye Brows - Shape and Color

Perfect eye brows are easy to create and maintain if you know the tricks! Find the best shape and color for you...

Each person has a slightly different face shape, skin tone, hair color and eye shape. You need to coordinate all the different factors in order to create the best look for you.

Eye brows are meant to define the shape of your face, and bring attention to your eyes. They shouldn't alone draw attention, but merely be a help to your beautiful eye shape and color.

SHAPE:

How do you determine the perfect shape for you?

It is really SO easy.

There are several methods to doing this:

1. Follow your natural shape and simply pluck side-line hairs.

2. Wing it! Ignore all rules and pluck away! (I'm kidding, of course!)

3. Follow the pencil method:

Mineral Makeup Ingredient Question?

by Amanda
(England)

Hi, I have noticed that once i have made the mineral eyeshadow, it doesn't stick too well to the upper eyelid and the powder slides off making the coverage not fantastic, what causes this and is there any ingredient i can add to stop this, other than the mica, that also won't change the colour? ?
Thank-you ! - Amanda


Hi, Amanda...

Certain ingredients do adhere better to the skin than others.

Boron Nitride
Magnesium Stearate
Kaolin Clay
Titanium Dioxide
Zinc Oxide...

Try adding one or more of those ingredients in and see if the powders adhere better...

:)

Chandi

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So is Mineral Makeup REALLY Healthy?

Mineral makeup – those cosmetic products made of finely ground minerals straight from the earth, without any of the chemicals, dyes, perfumes, or preservatives often found in makeup – so popular, but are they really better than “regular” makeup?
Common sense would say “yes” – however there are several things to consider, such as your choice of mineral makeup, your skin type, any skin problems you may have and which products you are currently using. First, your choice – not all brands are created equal – check the ingredients. Second – everyone has different skin types and makeup preferences, so what may work well for one person, may not work as well for another.
What mineral makeup has going for it is its lack of irritants, such as chemicals, dyes, fillers, fragrances and preservatives. To those individuals with sensitive skin, mineral makeup’s gentleness can be the answer to their problems.
In addition, the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide found in some mineral makeups have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help those who suffer from inflammatory conditions, like acne or rosacea. Mineral makeup does not clog pores, so it certainly won’t aggravate any existing acne condition, or cause break-outs like regular makeup.
Finally, the SPF claims of some brands offer another layer of protection, though we all know that it should not be relied upon as the sole method of sunscreen.

Does Foundation Look Orange on Your Skin?

If you have oily skin, then you have probably encountered the orange-tinted side effect of wearing some foundations. Personally, I have combination skin and have had this problem with both liquid foundations and some powder mineral foundations.
Basically it starts out fine, the foundation color perfectly matches my skin tone, and then an hour or so later the color looks darker and is an unattractive shade of orange! My search for the answer to this problem has led me to believe that it is a combination of things that cause this color reaction.
It seems that the oily areas of the skin (the t-zone) can affect the pigments in the foundation, causing it to appear darker on your face than in the container.