I need help with skin care/make up?

Question

Ok, there are a few questions:
Which do u prefer pressed or loose powder and is pressed powder that bad for ur skin because its so much easier to bring along and apply? (like if i wash it off b4 i sleep will it still cause problems?)

How do u get rid of blackheads the type on the nose and cheeks and strips dont work cuz there kinda deep and really small?

Hey yall thx for who ever helps me out and the most and im sure ill giv u 10 points. Oh and btw i really need help bout the powder thing cuz i dont wanna being using something bad but its so so much better for me when i use pressed it also stays on longer.

Answer 1

OK here goes: In order to get your skin to be healthy and look nice, you may want to cut back on wearing makeup until you sort out your skin first. Loose powder is a good base for makeup (you put a little bit of loose powder on your bare face, then put eye shadow, blush on top and they won't run or fade because the powder holds the colour particles on your face -- this is a trick that makeup artists use). But in addition, if you have oily or combination skin, you have to wear pressed powder (in moderation if possible, it clogs pores) for a finished look. Wear foundation only for special occasions. But deal with makeup later - deal with cleansing first. The best makeup artist I've ever read about who worked with celebrities yet wrote good books for people in general was the late Kevyn Aucoin. His books explain a lot about make up, how to experiment with it and how to use it properly and get really great and really different looks.

http://kevynaucoin.com/

Skin care - you have to go to a cosmetician or a salon and get them to assess your skin type if you don't already know it. Different cleansers are aimed to treat different skin types and you have to pick the right type -- also different brands will affect you differently, so you have to experiment. Buy small bottles and try something, and if you don't like it, buy another small bottle or try a sample at a dept store - and figure out what is good for you. Don't be sold on buying super expensive products at the salons. Most women use a mixture of expensive and cheaper products according to what they find works for them as individuals.

The bottom line for daily care is 3 steps: cleanser, toner, moisturizer (sounds like you need a non oily moisturizer). Do that 2-3 times a day. In addition you can exfoliate once a day (use anything based with apricot kernels like Apri Apricot facial scrub -- some people do this only 1-2 times per week not daily) in areas where your skin is oily. The idea with an exfoliator (a scrub) is to gently remove the top layer of dead skin cells that are sitting on your face all the time and help protect it - but they can also clog pores and cause problems.

Older women need heavier moisturizers and mild toners like rosewater to protect their skins, young women often need alcohol-based or witch-hazel based toners to tighten their pores. Be very careful around your eye area -- don't put toner there, no scrubs, no regular moisturizer. If you want to offset future wrinkles around your eyes moisturize with a good, high quality, top brand eye creme - but one suited for your skin type and age - often. Even if you are young, doing this 2-3 times per day will prevent lines caused by dehydration, and whatever your age now, in several years you will look in the mirror and thank yourself for having gone to the trouble. Always use a sunblock with a high spf when you are out in heavy sun, although clean it off when inside, as spf creams are often oily. Be careful to pick hypoallergenic products - check the labels.

But for the other problems you mention, using those strips won't work -- too harsh. You have to treat your skin gently. So in addition to daily care you should once/twice a week (more to start) do a masque. The best ones have kaolin clay or ground oatmeal in them for oily skins. There are also masques for dry skin or dry skin areas which you can buy separately and will moisturize.

To do a masque, steam your face first -- put hot water in a sink or in a bowl (if you use boiling water let it cool a bit), then put your face over the bowl or sink with a towel over your head to keep the steam in. This opens your pores to prepare your skin for the masque which will draw out impurities from your skin like a poultice.

Steam your face for about 10 minutes - if you have blackheads or pimples do it longer, if you can stand it - 15-20 mins. Then put the masque on - St. Ives and Freeman products are good. Wait 10-20 minutes. Then rinse it off, cleanse, tone, moisturize. Some people skip all the steaming and just put a masque on after they shower. It is easier, but is not as in depth a treatment.

It is a lot of work - but that is the answer (I am afraid) to having beautiful skin. If you do it, though, you will not only correct current problems, you will stay young looking until you are in your 80s (I have seen older women who did this all their lives and it makes a real difference once they get pass 50, the trouble they took really shows). There are tonnes of good books about skin care which you can get through amazon. Don't buy them, necessarily, you can go to the bookstore and browse, check the internet read up a bit on it, ask other women you know, and try things out, you will learn a lot. For example there are a lot of traditional herbal formulas that have been used by women as staples for thousands of years - especially olive oil, rosewater and witchhazel. Also, some vitamin supplements can help you - taking Vitamin E regularly is well known; you have to look on the internet. Use tea tree oil for blemishes. There is no quick fix, but if you figure out the right combination, you will look fantastic.

I hope that helps!

Answer 2

I prefer pressed powder because it is portable, but as for pressed versus loose powder, it's just a matter of what you prefer.
I'm over 50 and I've never removed my makeup before sleeping. It's never caused any problems.
Blackheads are actually regular pimples except that part of the matter that's in the pore has been exposed to the air causing it to discolor. The absolutely best way I have found to remove blackheads is to wet a washcloth with the hottest tap water you can tolerate. Apply it to your face and leave it there a minute or two to open your pores. Gently wash your face then rinse it with cold water. If you want to you can followup with a cotton ball saturated in rubbing alcohol, (if you read the ingredients on many products used as skin toners you will notice the main ingredient is alcohol), but be careful not to get it in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you do this once a day, every day, you should see your blackheads disappear. But don't over do it!
Taking care of your skin before you have problems is better than trying to find a cure afterwards. Always use sunblock, (and you can buy foundation with it already mixed in), protect your skin from the cold and the wind, don't touch your face if you don't have to because you introduce germs and bacteria onto your skin, and sleep on your back if possible to slow down the wrinkling and loose skin process.

Answer 3

The most important thing about your powder is the brush- not whether its pressed or loose- that will determine the finish. Also get an oil absorbing powder if you are worried about clogged pores. Mineral powders are great- and now they are available in drugstore brands- just as nice as more expensive brands. I like L'Oreal myself.

As for blackheads- the absolute best thing for blackheads is salicylic acid. Look on the ingredients. Some of the acne pads have this product at 2%, you can do a quick sweep of the pad over your problem areas and you will see a difference within two weeks. PLUS- its cheap. Literally, your skin will just start looking smooth.

Answer 4

As far as powder goes.... i would try Bare Minerals I.D. this stuff actually improves your skin because its all natural. Its super simple to apply and looks great and actually stays on. It also evens out your complection. You can purchase this at the following places:

www.ulta.com or the actual store
www.bareminerals.com
www.bareesentuals.com
www.sephora.com or the actual store
Nordstrom department store

This make up is free of preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance, and other harmful chemicals. It also contains sunscreen which is a bonus as well. This make up is so good that even if you didnt wash your face before you went to sleep it wouldnt hurt your skin.

As far as the blackhead issue...
- Keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. Use natural or chemically prepared cleansers, astringent solutions or masks to accomplish this. Avoid harsh soaps that may irritate the skin or any creams that leave an oily finish.

- Use a gentle exfoliant to keep the dead cells off your skin and away from the pore openings.

- Avoid harsh squeezing or scraping at the blackhead. Excessive squeezing can damage the skin surround the pore and can actually increase the size of the pore leading to more blackheads in the future.

- A warm compress of water applied to the area of the blackhead followed by a very, very gentle pressure can help in clearing the clog from the pore.

- Commercial “blackhead strips” which are basically a tape like substance that is placed over the nose and then pulled off will remove some blackheads that are at the surface. Caution should be used with these products and it is important to read the directions completely before deciding to use the strips or not.

-Use an oatmeal or almond mask throughly to cleanse your face. Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips, paying special attention the problem areas. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water.

-Apply undiluted lemon juice, two to three times a day, on the affected areas.

-A solution made out of one and a half cups of hot water and half a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal concoction for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cottonwool. Pat on an astrigent.

-Warm a little honey and apply on the trouble spots. Wash off after 10-15 minutes.

Try out these home remedies for cleaning out your blackheads yourself or get in touch with a qualified beautician if they get worse or they do not work.

good luck

Answer 5

Loose powder sets your makeup and controls shine through out the day. Just a light dusting in the T-zone should be sufficient. Use a pressed powder compact throughout the day for touch ups. Always Always Always wash your face before you go to bed. Sleeping in make up is one of the quickest ways to age your skin, which for women, starts when were 25.
As far as the blackhead question, look for a gentle scrub cleanser with benzoyl peroxide. It is just as effective as salicylic acid but not as harsh on your skin.
Hope this heps!

Answer 6

I like pressed powder, but i don't wear make up a lot if you look after you skin and tone and cleanse it does reduce pimples and blackheads. Maybe you should try a facial scrub twice a week and see if that helps your skin. If you don't want to buy a scrub try this - mix together 2 tablespoons of fine or caster sugar with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and gently massage into your face avoid your eyes. It is also good with lemon juice mixed in to clean dirty hands and as a body scrub with some essential oils mixed in. Remember to rinse your face after with warm water

Answer 7

I usually use loose powder at home and carry compressed powder with me. I haven't found that either one causes more pimples or break outs. Also I use bioelements makeup. They make both pressed and loose. It's always going to help to wash it off before bed, using an oil free make up remover or somethin mild. I also use the Body Shop's tea tree foaming face wash and tea tree mask. It definately helps the break outs and helps clean out the poors.
Hope I helped some

Answer 8

For your blackheads: Try TimeWise® Microdermabrasion Set. It will refine your pores and you'll achieve beautifully smooth skin immediately. Trust me - this works! Try and incorporate it with the TimeWise Cleanser and Moisturizer for best results.

Order at: http://www.marykay.com/adina_k/skincare/antiaging/default.aspx

About the powder, try Mary Kay® Dual-Coverage Powder Foundation or the Creme-To-Powder Foundation. They're both easy to apply, but if you love powder, stick with the first one.

Order at: http://www.marykay.com/adina_k/color/foundations/default.aspx

Another staple in your pocketbook should be the MK Signature™ Bronze Highlighting Powder. It gives a gorgeous, healthy looking flow and is great for ALL skin types. It's by far the best bronzer I've ever tried!

Order at: http://www.marykay.com/adina_k/color/powders/10743200/10743200/default.aspx

Answer 9

Pressed powder is best then loose powder.But i'd use liquid foundation.And you should wash your face really good before bed or workout or when you get home for the day.The sooner the better. For blackheads use a toolor get a needle and pick it out.

Answer 10

It's okay to use a pressed powder. The only reason you should have problems with your skin is if you DON'T wash it off before you go to sleep. For the blackheads, you need to get a really good cleanser that gets deep beneath the skin. I use Mary Kay's TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser http://www.marykay.com/daryn_anderson/skincare/cleansers/default.aspx and it really helps with my blackheads.

Answer 11

The best I can say is

Bare Essentials!!!

NO skin problems in 2 years and my 14 year old started with it and has NEVER had blackheads or a pimple

Won't use anything else

Use it you won't need all the other stuff

Good luck and happy skin!