A reader recently sent us the following question:

We went to our friend, renowned makeup artist and TLC's What Not To Wear makeover specialist Carmindy, to see if she could give us some expert insight. Here's what she said:

"The reason why foundations and powders are highlighting the "fuzzies" is because the formulas are too dry or chalky and the skin is not hydrated enough. Try this- First, apply moisturizer to the face. Second, when the skin is still damp blend on a liquid foundation like Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation; this foundation mimics the skins natural texture. Third, swirl on cream blush like Revlon Skinlights. Last, dust on a sheer translucent powder like Mac Blot to the T-zone area only. This will give you a fuzz free-flawless finish."

You can find out more about PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) here and here.

technorati tags: PCOS, Carmindy, makeup tips

We received an excellent question from Brandi last week that I thought I would share with our lovely DeLush readers. If you have a beauty-related question, please email us at support@delush.com!

I have combination skin but when I start having PMS symptoms the oily goes into overdrive and I break out like crazy. Have you found any type of product that can control this without having to switch to something else each time it happens? I would like to find just one product I can use all the time and have it work for both periods.

- Brandi

Brandi,

I've had this same exact problem for years. I've had a lot of improvement just over the past year, and I wanted to share with you some of the things that I've been doing that I think have really helped the monthly battles.

Avoid Deep Cleansers
I know this probably sounds unintuitive, but I think a large part of the breakouts are due to your skin being more sensitive during bouts of PMS. I stop using grainy exfoliators, peels, and masks for a week to a week and a half before my period. I still make sure I clean my face really well before I go to bed, of course, I just leave off anything that might irritate my face.

Preventative Medicine
If you're having breakouts, I assume that somewhere in your medicine cabinet there's some acne medication. Before the breakouts start happening, start putting some acne treatment in the areas where your breakouts usually occur. You only need to do this at night, and you may only need it once or twice during the week. I use Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment, but anything that is for adult acne or for sensitive skin will work here.

You Are What You Eat
There's a really interesting article in the August issue of Elle called "Eating Pretty" that discusses the effect of food on your complexion. I've changed my diet this year to include a lot more fruits and vegetables, healthy oils, dark chocolate and water, just as it spells out in the article. And the results I've experienced are remarkable. I have far fewer breakouts than I ever have before, throughout the entire month, but especially before and during my period.

I believe fried foods are a major source of acne problems. I am not sure if it's from ingesting them or from touching my face during or after my meal. If you're constantly compulsively touching your face like I do, avoid fried foods for the week before your period, or if you can't resist their siren song in your time of need, make sure you wash your hands immediately after your meal.

I really could talk all day about how important eating well is for your skin, but I will leave it at that for now. Feel free to email me if you want any more details.

One Product You Might Want To Think About
I admit, I haven't tried it, but I've been reading a lot of good stuff about Feverfew's calming effect on the skin. I know Aveeno makes a new face cream that incorporates it, and it is recommended for PMS breakouts in particular. So that's something you might want to consider as well.

I think period-related breakouts are a problem for just about everyone, so I hope some of these suggestions are a help to all our DeLush readers. If anyone has any additional tips to share, feel free to leave a comment!

Jen

Question: When it comes to hair care I have a pretty big dilemma. I have fine thin hair and I definitely need to use product in my hair, but I also have horrible finicky skin and any time I use anthing it cause my skin to break out and my pores to get really clogged and swollen. I am searching for hair products that are non-comedogenic. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Christian

Answer: Well Christian, this one was a little tough! And I really wanted to get this question answered because I'm sure there are a lot of people out there with this same problem. For me, I have learned that if I get ANY hairspray on my face, I'd better watch out...and cleanse that spot fast!

First of all, I would suggest consulting a dermatologist about non-comodegenic hair products if you can't find ones that don't irritate your skin on your own. However, here is some more information I came across while researching the answer to this question, followed by some product suggestions I've found for you! Because wow...from looking for this info I've realized how hard it might be for some of you who have troubles with normal haircare products. It took me hours to locate products specifically labeled "oil-free" or "non-comedogenic" online. I've only been able to locate a few, and this info below is just a start, but you can take this advice and try to make some changes and see if you get some positive results! Also, if a product line has one product you can use, they may have more. When you go to your salon, ask the professionals there to also let you know about any non-comedogenic/oil-free hair products.

Readers, have any suggestions? Post them in the comments section of this entry!

Your DeLush Diva,
Melissa

****************************************************************

(from acne.com)
"Style your hair with care. Most hair products are full of the ingredients we’d like to keep away from our skin: alcohol, adhesives and oils. So if you’re prone to acne, use care when styling your hair — cover your skin when you spray, and try to keep oils, mousses, gels and pomades away from the skin at the hairline. And don’t use hair products when you exercise; perspiration from your scalp can carry styling products onto your skin, contributing to new breakouts."

(from Retin-A-Micro site)
"You might not think of your hair as contributing to acne, but it can. The oil in your hair products—from shampoo and conditioner to hair gel—can migrate onto your face when your hair rubs against your complexion during the day or while you sleep. Try to find products that are oil-free or keep your hair away from your face as much as possible."

(from Cosmo Girl article)
"...Most hair sprays, leave in conditioners, and spray gels contain oils that clog spores when they're sitting on your skin. ...When you're spraying, use the hand you're not spritzing with to shield your face from wayward mist (or cover your face with a paper towel, then spray) Also, do your hair before applying makeup. That way, when you're done styling, you can give your skin wipe down with toner (without messing up your makeup.)"

(from Vegetarian Times article)
"...Bank believes that even leave-in hair products like conditioners, mousses and gels can block the pores. 'The oil from them may trigger outbreaks along your hairline," he explains. His advice: If you're breaking out, skip the leave-in products and make sure to thoroughly rinse out conditioner while in the shower. And in general, when it comes to beauty products, chose ones specifically labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic.'"

Some Oil Free/Non-Comedogenic Products to try:

Kenra Detangler for fine | thin hair

* Cross-link Polymer promotes body and volume
* Botanical blend for healthy, shiny hair
* Lightweight, oil-free leave-in treatment
* Alleviates static and frizz
* 2-Part Color Lock

Retail Price: $17.00 (salons)

Redken Solve Purifying Shampoo
"...cleanses to help control oily hair and scalp and leave hair full, fresh and oil-free. It restores control to hair so it's healthy, shiny and manageable."

*Available in salons






Mastey Frehair Light
"Frehair light daily conditioner for fine and delicate hair instantly eliminate tangles and flyaways. Thickens the hair and adds fullness without weighing it down. Its ultra-light system smoothes and softens hair for easy combing and styling. Controls static charges, and provides markedly improved texture. Leaves hair feeling light, supple and manageable. Oil free."

Retail Price: $10-25.00 (mastey.com)

L'anza Urban Elements Shine Gel
"Shine Gel is a lightweight, non-oily glossifier that provides maximum shine while leaving the hair feeling smooth and soft. Controls split and frizzy ends without making the hair sticky."

*available at Trade Secret and salons

Dear Delush Divas!

Help me!! I need a daytime moisturiser which meets the following criteria:
1. Lightly tinted
2. At least SPF 15
3. Light yet with enough "kick" to keep my combination, 30-something skin supple through the day

What do you suggest?

Much obliged!
Polina

Excellent Question!  Now that winter is coming to an end and spring is just around the corner, it's time to replace our thick moisturizers and foundations with something lighter and more breathable when we are outside playing.

It's been a few years since I've used a product like what you're describing, but the one that I used then is still on the market, and it's just right for the criteria you've provided.

Clinique's Almost Makeup SPF 15 is a moisturizer that wants to be a foundation.  It feels light and breathes well, but still has decent coverage.  I wore it on vacation in Hawaii and didn't wear additional SPF on my face and didn't get scorched -- it has great staying power.  I used to even wear it to my kickboxing classes.  It will provide a decent amount of moisture for normal skin, but don't expect to achieve the "dewy" look with this moisturizer.

There are some other recent entries into the tinted moisturizer market.  I know Revlon just debuted their Age Defying Makeup With Botafirm for Every Skin and Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer looks fantastic.  But alas, I have not tried these newcomers.  So I have to recommend to you the only product I know in this category.  Luckily, I think it is a terrific product, and I am happy to offer it up as a suggestion.

Jen

Have a question?  Email Us!

Question:
Just found your blog and LOVING it! Was wondering what your thoughts were about returning beauty products, in particular drug store type products. Sometimes the items are not significantly cheaper and I hate ending up with a drawer full of lipsticks or foundations that are the wrong color. I have returned stuff to Wal-mart without a problem (and pray that they don't put the stuff back on the shelf...ack!) but what do you guys think?
-Stephanie

DeLush Response:
Excellent question!

Well, Jen and I both see no problem at all with returning makeup or any beauty product, really. I know for certain that most drugstores have a pretty easy policy, and I don't think they return them, I'm pretty sure they tag them and either give them to employees or offer them at a discount.

Even with department stores, where your investment is greater, you should not feel bad at all about returning products. If it didn't work for you the way it is described, or you are allergic to it or break out, etc. and have obviously only used a bit, they should have no problem with a return. If you ask the sales consultant when you purchase the item, they will usually tell you this. I think the only exception could be if you get a really mean salesperson, in which case you can still take it to their manager.

Bottom line: it's your investment, great or small. And you totally deserve to get the best beauty bang for your buck!

The last time I was at the stylist, she said I shouldn't buy the shampoos and conditioners that I find at Wal-Mart because they are full of extra wax and things that your hair doesn't need (brands like Herbal Essences and Pantene).  This was the first time I had ever heard this and I've gone to many different stylists over 20 years.  I know that Pantene does cause lots of buildup on your hair, but I didn't realize that other brands did.  Is that really true, or was she trying to get me to buy some of her shampoo?

- Kate

Kate:

I have some strong opinions on this, which I'll expound on shortly.  Now, I've always heard that drugstore shampoos were worse for your hair because they were harsher, but I've never heard that it was because of buildup.  I've gotten buildup from expensive salon shampoos just as easily as those from the drugstore, and I think that has a lot more to do with whether or not you're using a moisturizing shampoo and/or a deep conditioner.

I called my (absolutely magical) hairstylist, Courtney, from Kemp Hair Studio of Birmingham, AL to see what she thought about it.   In her opinion, there's a huge difference between drug store and salon shampoos.  Drug store shampoos usually have a lot more detergents, which in turn will leave your hair drier and less healthy.  She said that there's less of a difference with conditioners.  You may find that salon conditioners contain more proteins, which do help in keeping your hair more healthy, but getting a salon conditioner is much less important.

This is where we get to my opinions on this.   I've used drug store products for most of my life and I had the driest, most lifeless, boring hair.  About three years ago I had a colorist who recommended Aveda products for my poor, dried out hair.  My hair was a lot healthier after just a couple of months, and I used those products almost exclusively until just recently.  Last summer, I switched to a drug store brand for a few weeks over the summer (save a few bucks, why not?) and I could immediately tell the difference -- my hair looked lifeless after just a couple of washes, not to mention how it made my blonde highlights turn all brassy.  Right now I'm still using the Alterna Caviar products for my primary shampoo and conditioner, and my hair has never looked better.  They say "never say never", but I think I can safely say that I will never go back. 

So, uh, yeah...back to the question.  I found a few references to the surfactants (the soap part) used in major shampoos.  Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate are considered to be the most harsh.  TEA Lauryl Sulfate & TEA Laureth Sulfate are supposed to be the best, with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate somewhere in the middle.  That may be true, but just for the record, my Caviar shampoo contains the harsher of the soaps and it leaves my hair feeling luxurious.  So that's probably something to keep in mind, but it's not the total answer when it comes to which products work best with your own hair.

Something else I thought was interesting: Salon shampoos may contain up to 50% more of the good stuff like moisturizers that help your hair, and less water (a main ingredient in all shampoos), which means that, although you may be paying more, you're also getting more out of every squeeze of the shampoo bottle.  It also means you may be able to use a lot less of them in your daily shower.

So Kate, I do recommend that you try out some salon shampoo and conditioner.  If your stylist is really familiar with your hair, they'll be able to give you a good recommendation for where to start.   I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with how shiny and healthy and bouncy your hair becomes when you find the right products that works with your hair.  If you continue using drugstore brands but are concerned about buildup, you might try a weekly treatment with Aveda Hair Detoxifier or Neutrogena's Anti-Residue Shampoo.   That won't help with the harshness of the drugstore brands, though, so make sure you use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.

Jen

Note:  We'd like the question and answer column to become a regular feature on DeLush.  If there's a question about beauty products that you've been dying to ask, please write to us!