After spending a great week in the snow I'm now back and focused on a new piece for the blog. It's a bit of a shame that despite all my good advice I'm now sitting behind my computer with two big white eyes (from my enormous sunglasses)... seven days of sun at 2000 metres altitude with reflecting snow; there you can never apply enough sun cream! And yet next week I need to have a photo taken for a magazine ....Long live photo shop and camouflaging make-up!

A few tips

More about the latter today. I only usually write about skincare products, but obviously it is crazy if you are so conscious about looking after your skin to go and spoil it by then using the wrong make-up. And actually the people with problem skin often use more make-up to cover up redness and spots. So it is especially important that people with sensitive skin make the right choice. A few tips for all these people:

1. If you react easily to make-up then the preferred choice would be a powder foundation. It generally contains very little preserving agents and irritants. You are more likely to be allergic to liquid foundation. If you have dry skin a powder foundation doesn't usually give such a good result. In this instance choose a silicone based foundation. This usually causes less problems and when applied it looks and feels nice.
2. It is preferable not to use waterproof make-up products. Most make-up removers used to remove waterproof make-up contain solvents which can harm the natural oily layer of the skin. Water soluble make-up is easier to remove than water proof make-up and the skin barrier remains intact.
3. Use black eyeliner instead of a coloured one such as dark blue. There is less chance of an allergy with black. Preferably buy pencil eyeliners instead of liquid eyeliners. The latter contains preserving agents and often latex. There are enough people who are allergic to these.
4. Eye shadow with lighter natural shades causes less problems than a darker colour such as dark blue. So go for the "natural" look.
5. And last but not least; be aware of the 'best before' date. This is shorter than you may think. Keeping products for too long or forgetting to clean the brushes or make-up sponges is definitely asking for problems. Throw your foundation away after one year, your eye shadow after two and your mascara after three or four months! You can then buy new again without feeling guilty....

Regards Jetske

(Dr. Jetske Ultee-Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)

You can also read:
'large pores stay large pores'
'Natural cosmetics, safe or not?'
'Is there a cure for bags?'
'Addicted to lip balm!'
'Hypo- allergenic or dermatologically tested?'