Your Makeup And Skincare Questions Answered

[jynxxxedangel]

Most soaps are actually REALLY bad for you, because they contain detergents. They'll dry out your skin.

Not to mention, most commercial soaps will cause your skin's pH to become too alkaline, which leads to acne breakouts.

Try a mild castile soap, such as this, followed with a gentle toner/astringent-- such as witch hazel hydrosol. Also, always wash your face in tepid water! Hot water bad! It may cut the grease at first, but your sebaceous glands will most likely retaliate with an extra-thick dose of oil to compensate.

Rice powder blotting tissues are also very useful. These help to vanquish the oily beast throughout the day. I swear by these things at photo shoots!

No one can ever tell my age by looking at my face, and I've been caring for my skin in this manner ever since I was a teen. I am also blessed/cursed with a very, very oily hide.

BTW-- awesome idea for a thread, Brenda. There are plenty of vain people here.

[Rev.Reverence]

Most soaps are actually REALLY bad for you, because they contain detergents. They'll dry out your skin.

Dr.Bronner's

[jynxxxedangel]

Dr.Bronner's

I absolutely LOVE Dr. Bronner's products (and will shamelessly plug them)!!!!!!

Burt's Bees, too.

[Brenda Starrr]

Not to mention, most commercial soaps will cause your skin's pH to become too alkaline, which leads to acne breakouts.

Try a mild castile soap, such as this, followed with a gentle toner/astringent-- such as witch hazel hydrosol. Also, always wash your face in tepid water! Hot water bad! It may cut the grease at first, but your sebaceous glands will most likely retaliate with an extra-thick dose of oil to compensate.

Rice powder blotting tissues are also very useful. These help to vanquish the oily beast throughout the day. I swear by these things at photo shoots!

No one can ever tell my age by looking at my face, and I've been caring for my skin in this manner ever since I was a teen. I am also blessed/cursed with a very, very oily hide.

BTW-- awesome idea for a thread, Brenda. There are plenty of vain people here.

LOL...with all of my experience, I can help the vain become more so.

[eleven]

So i have extremely sensitive dry skin.... but its always in patches (i do believe i have an extremely mild case of psoriasis) any lotions or skin moisturizers you can suggest? I don't have issues with acne or anything like that just wondering what could help the few dry patches i get.

[Brenda Starrr]

So i have extremely sensitive dry skin.... but its always in patches (i do believe i have an extremely mild case of psoriasis) any lotions or skin moisturizers you can suggest? I don't have issues with acne or anything like that just wondering what could help the few dry patches i get.

My daughter has the same issues. Use products with ginger. Origins has good ones for the body, but check with your local health food store to see if they have any that are specifically designed for the face (if you need it for that area). Ginger has calming properties. My daughter's skin is MUCH smoother now!

[jynxxxedangel]

I've performed the great BareMinerals pigment/lipstick sealer experiment.

This is the product I used, not the topcoat included with the ColorStay. I applied "Socialite" eyeshadow, by BareMinerals to my lips, which is a prismatic teal-- with chocolate, gold, bronze, and plum iridescent tones. When I applied the sealer over the top, it morphed into a really neat deep greyish-chocolate brown, with green and plum iridescence. Very cool! It stayed on for about 18 hours; through lunch, dinner, and even after a night's sleep-- the colour remained quite true and un-flaked!

All I have to say ladies, is BUY this lipstick sealer!!! You can use it over any colour of traditional lipstick, as well as create your own stay-on shades, using mineral pigments. Two thumbs UP!!!!!

Here's the link again: "Lipcote"

[Rev.Reverence]

I absolutely LOVE Dr. Bronner's products (and will shamelessly plug them)!!!!!!

Burt's Bees, too.

...that stuff can make you smell like honey...I like.

[Brenda Starrr]

I've performed the great BareMinerals pigment/lipstick sealer experiment.

This is the product I used, not the topcoat included with the ColorStay. I applied "Socialite" eyeshadow, by BareMinerals to my lips, which is a prismatic teal-- with chocolate, gold, bronze, and plum iridescent tones. When I applied the sealer over the top, it morphed into a really neat deep greyish-chocolate brown, with green and plum iridescence. Very cool! It stayed on for about 18 hours; through lunch, dinner, and even after a night's sleep-- the colour remained quite true and un-flaked!

All I have to say ladies, is BUY this lipstick sealer!!! You can use it over any colour of traditional lipstick, as well as create your own stay-on shades, using mineral pigments. Two thumbs UP!!!!!

Here's the link again: "Lipcote"

Ooooh!! Fun!

[jynxxxedangel]

I have one thing to say--

Real Life brand glue-on toenails RAWKKKKKK!!!!!! You can get 'em at Walmart, ladies, for about five bucks. Don't they look nice (aside from my pruny, hammer-toed feet)?!

[SpidersMoment]

i'm sorry if this has come up already, but i have a headache so i didnt feel like reading everything.

I didnt think this was much until my fiance mentioned something, and if he notices it then everyone else notices.

But I've been having really dry skin, mostly in my "T Zone" brow and nose and a bit on the cheeks. But the rest of my skin is oily. I use clearasil pads and have used it for YEARS, and think that may be the reason why. What do you suggest as a mosturizer/exfoliator/acne cleanser?

Oh and also, do you have any DIY tips for removing black heads? (other then the dreaded squeezing)

[Rev.Reverence]

I have one thing to say--

Real Life brand glue-on toenails RAWKKKKKK!!!!!! You can get 'em at Walmart, ladies, for about five bucks. Don't they look nice (aside from my pruny, hammer-toed feet)?!

DUDE.....those toes TOTALLY match YOU! {totally being weird I know..but I see shit sometimes}

[Brenda Starrr]

i'm sorry if this has come up already, but i have a headache so i didnt feel like reading everything.

I didnt think this was much until my fiance mentioned something, and if he notices it then everyone else notices.

But I've been having really dry skin, mostly in my "T Zone" brow and nose and a bit on the cheeks. But the rest of my skin is oily. I use clearasil pads and have used it for YEARS, and think that may be the reason why. What do you suggest as a mosturizer/exfoliator/acne cleanser?

Oh and also, do you have any DIY tips for removing black heads? (other then the dreaded squeezing)

Ahhh, fun...

Ty the Neutrogena acne products for cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. ONLY exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week. Any more than that, and you're aggravating the situation.

For blackheads, I love the Biore' Porestrips.

[Rev.Reverence]

For blackheads, I love the Biore' Porestrips.

I used those once....felt weird...but I should get some soon...I haves a picture day soon

[SpidersMoment]

i've done the pore strips....they take out some...but not all...it's kind of annoying becuase THEY WONT GO AWAY grrrrr

[wormsinwombs]

Is palmer's coco butter a good enough moserizer (and is it ok to use as a facial mosterizer)? Are there any good self tanners out there?

[bean]

MMkay..I had really good skin until I started taking a bunch of different medications (1 to sleep, 3 to keep me sane, and 1 to keep me not pregnant). Now my skin is awful. I've been breaking out like crazy! I never had problem with acne before, so I'm not even sure what to use. Can I even fight medication influenced acne?

I'm Italian, but not all of my face is oily. Most of my breakouts are on my cheeks and between my eyebrows. I also get a few chin ones once in awhile. My skin is oily in the summer and dry in the winter.

I was washing my face with soap (I know, bad bad bad!), but I just bought neutragena gel some crap or another face wash.

I rarely use foundation, but I am sure to take it off before I go to bed when I do use it.

Is there a temperature of water that should be used to wash the face? I use lukewarm water.

Halp!

[pomba gira]

i'm sorry if this has come up already, but i have a headache so i didnt feel like reading everything.

I didnt think this was much until my fiance mentioned something, and if he notices it then everyone else notices.

But I've been having really dry skin, mostly in my "T Zone" brow and nose and a bit on the cheeks. But the rest of my skin is oily. I use clearasil pads and have used it for YEARS, and think that may be the reason why. What do you suggest as a mosturizer/exfoliator/acne cleanser?

Oh and also, do you have any DIY tips for removing black heads? (other then the dreaded squeezing)

Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Soap worked wonders to clear up my skin and doesn't dry at all. Really good stuff.

I also recommend Dudu Osun African black soap for all kinds of skin issues... truly wondrous soap. Just make sure you get the Dudu Osun brand, it contains stuff that most "black soaps" don't... a lot of 'em now are just plain soap with iron oxide or burnt banana peels added for coloring.

I have a little tool for pressing out blackheads/zits, basically a little stick with a flat metal loop at each end. The smaller loop is for blackheads. You center the loop over the blackhead and press... doesn't damage the skin like squeezing. Think I got it at Sally Beauty. Works even better if you steam your face first... sometimes just the steaming will get rid of blackheads. Adding some herbs is good, too... elderflower and chamomile are the standards; peppermint, rosemary, lavender and thyme are recommended for oily skin.

[Brenda Starrr]

i've done the pore strips....they take out some...but not all...it's kind of annoying becuase THEY WONT GO AWAY grrrrr

That's why I prefer the loop...

Is palmer's coco butter a good enough moserizer (and is it ok to use as a facial mosterizer)? Are there any good self tanners out there?

Great for the body, BAD for the face! As for self tanners...SO not goth!!

Avoid L'Oreal. I just found out that they and their subsidiaries test on animals. I have yet to find any that I like...

MMkay..I had really good skin until I started taking a bunch of different medications (1 to sleep, 3 to keep me sane, and 1 to keep me not pregnant). Now my skin is awful. I've been breaking out like crazy! I never had problem with acne before, so I'm not even sure what to use. Can I even fight medication influenced acne?

I'm Italian, but not all of my face is oily. Most of my breakouts are on my cheeks and between my eyebrows. I also get a few chin ones once in awhile. My skin is oily in the summer and dry in the winter.

I was washing my face with soap (I know, bad bad bad!), but I just bought neutragena gel some crap or another face wash.

I rarely use foundation, but I am sure to take it off before I go to bed when I do use it.

Is there a temperature of water that should be used to wash the face? I use lukewarm water.

Halp!

Lukewarm is the best. See Hille's ideas...they look interesting!

Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Soap worked wonders to clear up my skin and doesn't dry at all. Really good stuff.

I also recommend Dudu Osun African black soap for all kinds of skin issues... truly wondrous soap. Just make sure you get the Dudu Osun brand, it contains stuff that most "black soaps" don't... a lot of 'em now are just plain soap with iron oxide or burnt banana peels added for coloring.

I have a little tool for pressing out blackheads/zits, basically a little stick with a flat metal loop at each end. The smaller loop is for blackheads. You center the loop over the blackhead and press... doesn't damage the skin like squeezing. Think I got it at Sally Beauty. Works even better if you steam your face first... sometimes just the steaming will get rid of blackheads. Adding some herbs is good, too... elderflower and chamomile are the standards; peppermint, rosemary, lavender and thyme are recommended for oily skin.

Mmmm, the loop...

[wormsinwombs]

are there any good drug store mosterizers for the face then (i read through the thread but I forgot most of it lol so sorry if this was answered) And I'm going for the sexy darker skined goth look lol

[Brenda Starrr]

I'm really impressed with Garnier's skin care products. I'm using the Nutritioniste Skin Renew Daily Regenerating Moisture Cream. It's light, but does the trick.

[pomba gira]

MMkay..I had really good skin until I started taking a bunch of different medications (1 to sleep, 3 to keep me sane, and 1 to keep me not pregnant). Now my skin is awful. I've been breaking out like crazy! I never had problem with acne before, so I'm not even sure what to use. Can I even fight medication influenced acne?

I'm Italian, but not all of my face is oily. Most of my breakouts are on my cheeks and between my eyebrows. I also get a few chin ones once in awhile. My skin is oily in the summer and dry in the winter.

I was washing my face with soap (I know, bad bad bad!), but I just bought neutragena gel some crap or another face wash.

I rarely use foundation, but I am sure to take it off before I go to bed when I do use it.

Is there a temperature of water that should be used to wash the face? I use lukewarm water.

Halp!

Drink more water! Lots more! And try the Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Soap. What kind of toner do you use?

[bean]

Drink more water! Lots more! And try the Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Soap. What kind of toner do you use?

Thank you and Brenda

I don't use toner - would that help?

I'll try the tomato soap too

I definitely need to drink more water.

I have the loop - I love that thing!!

[Brenda Starrr]

Thank you and Brenda

I don't use toner - would that help?

I'll try the tomato soap too

I definitely need to drink more water.

I have the loop - I love that thing!!

There has been a HUGE debate in the industry as to whether a toner serves a purpose. Some say it does NOT. Others swear that it balances the PH in the skin, which is what it's designed to do. If you're going to use a toner, use the Dr. Andrew Weil by Origins. That whole egment of the Origins line is amazing.

And the loop is teh shit.

[TitsMcGee]

I apparently need one of those loop things.

So this is more of a nail question so bare with me lol. My nails crack and peel a lot for no apparent reason than just to do it, is there anything I can do to so that they won't do that anymore?