Ask a Beauty Expert

[TeamBIC]

Ask a Beauty Expert

If you know your way around the Beauty Insider Community, chances are you’ve seen a few of our Sephora Pro Artists sharing their looks on the Gallery and dropping their beauty routines in some of our favorite challenge threads.  @ElizaPRO, @ShawnPRO, and @ProAmy are Makeup Artists with years of industry experience with a bounty of product knowledge to share. These beauty geniuses are subject matter experts and they give life-changing advice on how to build your basket and put your haul to good use!

We've created this thread to allow you all to better connect with our Sephora Pro Artists here in the BIC! This is a place for you to ask them ANYTHING beauty-related. Don't forget to bookmark this thread by clicking the bookmark icon at the top right of this thread. It will come in handy for those moments you wish you had a beauty expert on speed dial for questions like "is it a good idea to layer these skincare products?" or "what's the best brush for my foundation routine?"

Want to ask a question? Click the 'Reply' button below!

[deztinyxx]

I am looking to start doing my eyebrows but I don’t know what color pencil and concealer  I should get. I am a fairly dark skinned woman.

[JeffreyBD]

@deztinyxx 

LOVE Brow Wiz! Excellent suggestion there! Definitely one of the most tried-and-true brow products I've ever used. Anastasia creates a range that goes deep enough for sure, Ebony. But there are also some other options like the Arch Brow Micro Sculpting Pencil from Hourglass in the "Natural Black" tone. I have found this such a great balance of warmth and depth to add intensity to brows on deeper skin tone without looking too "false." I would recommend mixing tones for the most natural effect, start with a little bit lighter shade like the Brow Wiz and then switch to the Hourglass to add a second dimension. Then to conceal, I might try the Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro-Pencil in shade "Base 3." This texture is perfect for masking wild brow hairs and cleaning up the arch and tail of the brow. Also, try using this an eye primer by gently patting the pencil on the lid and smoothing it with your finger. Hope this helps!?!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz® Ultra-Slim Precision Detailing Eyebrow Pencil Taupe

Hourglass Arch Brow Micro Sculpting Pencil Soft Brunette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighting & Concealing Eyebrow Pro Pencil Base 3

[amytat]

Hi, I would recommend Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz, if you want a more natural look and the just use a lighter powder than your regular foundation colour underneath your brow arch. But if you want a more dramatic look go for their brow pomade and just use a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your foundation. If you have near black hair like I do the colour Ebony for both the wiz and the pomade fits me really well! Hope this helps!

[Merccedz]

HII! Recently (I would say I’ve noticed the past 2 weeks) that my cheeks are red and I have little bumps in those areas (looks like congestion). It starts on my cheeks and along my cheekbones to my temples. I have a few scattered on my chin, jawline, and forehead. I’m wondering if it’s dehydration? Or if my products are just too rich? I’ve never had a problem with redness before. I’m using the EVE LOM - Cleanser (which has mineral oil in it) so I may go back to my Farmacy balm. I switched up my second cleansers but always end up going back to my CeraVe cause it I love it and never dries me out and does the job. My A.M. routine is cleanse (CeraVe), acid toner (Lotion P50), hydrating toner (Beauty Water), hyaluronic acid (NIOD MMHC), Eye Cream (testing some out), Vitamin C Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL mixed with The Ordinary Ferulic Acid + Resveratrol. Then I follow up with SUNDAY RILEY - Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil and TATCHA - The Dewy Skin Cream

MY P.M. routine switches up but I always do a double cleanse, followed by a hydrating toner, and hyaluronic acid serum. Eye cream (testing some out). I use The Ordinary Pycnogenol antioxidant. Typically I will follow up with either SUNDAY RILEY - Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil OR  Sunday Riley U.F.O. Salicylic Acid BHA Acne Treatment Face Oil 1.18 oz/ 35 mL (sometimes even a mix of both in different areas of the face). Then I follow this with Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Serum For Dark Spots And Uneven Texture 1.7 oz / 50 ml and a moisturizer (right now EVE LOM - Moisture Cream). 2 x a week I use a prescription tretinoin (Vitamin A) followed by Sunday Riley C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil 15 ml/0.5 oz. And 2 times a week I will do an exfoliating detox mask GLAMGLOW - SUPERMUD® Charcoal Instant Treatment Mask or a peel (right now I’m trying DERMALOGICA - Rapid Reveal Peel but I love my DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE - Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel so I may go back to those once these are done!).

Sorry I know this is a lot. Just a few notes. I’m going to be removing the CEO oil and Eve Lom products because I don’t feel they are right for me.  Maybe a little too heavy? I should have used them at the beginning of the winter rather than near the end. I loved when I first used it so I may be repurchasing that. And I am looking for a good hydrating toner/mist to layer between products (the Beauty Water is lovely but I find it has too much fragrance and alcohol in it). Perhaps the Biossance Squalane + Hyaluronic Toning Mist 2.53 oz / 75 mL  - although it’s out of stock right now :’(

I guess what I’m asking (because this is probably the most confusing post of all times) is what could possibly be causing the redness and comedones on my cheeks. The products I’m using now I’ve been using since the New Year and only recently felt this redness and congestion (I always had congestion here and there but they were starting to clear up in the winter). And what would be a good hydrating mist to replace my Son & Park Beauty Water. I’m in Canada so I had purchased it when I was in Sephora in the States. 

Also. I want to maybe move to a lighter moisturizer especially with spring coming, from the Tatcha Dewy Skin. Do you suggest the TATCHA - The Water Cream or SUNDAY RILEY - Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream? 

Hope at least one of my extreme questions can be answered! LOL 

[JeffreyBD]

@Merccedz 

Hey There,

 Honestly, by the description of the way your skin is behaving, I think you're good for removing the Vitamin C. I have experienced this exact same reaction in the past. A lot of Vitamin C products have a tendency to be pretty active on the skin and it's a very fine balance of how much to use and what form works best. It's a lot like taking vitamins orally, your body can only process so much of a good thing at one time and will purge any excess. I have found Vitamin C to be one of the most volatile and tricky ingredients to work with, so maybe try a product that has a little less concentration. Might I suggest the Vitamin Nectar Glow Juice Antioxidant Face Serum to replace the 2 products you are removing, because it seems to be essentially what you are looking for in just one product, which can also help to minimize the chance of irritation. Also, the Vitamin C in this product is encapsulated so that the ingredient is a bit more stable. Hope this helps, keep me posted on how your skin reacts after deleting those two. I think you'll find this will normalize a bit once you do.

FRESH - Vitamin Nectar Glow Juice Antioxidant Face Serum

[Merccedz]

Thank you thank you! I’ll give it a go and keep you posted! 🙂

[hdoyle]

Hello! I have been looking for something to help with the redness on my skin, I’m not sure if it’s heat damage or what but it isn’t cute. not sure what to use for it? Also have dry skin! Thank you!!

[JeffreyBD]

@hdoyle 

Anything CICA (Centella Asiatica)! I'm obsessed with this ingredient to help soothe and calm the appearance of red, reactive skin. First up I might suggest, daily moisturizer that cosmetically reduces the appearance of redness with a slight tint, much like the Dr Jart+ Cica Rescue Kit that contains the Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment which transforms from green into a custom beige tone that neutralizes redness cosmetically, it's REALLY cool, and I'm so impressed by how well it works. I tend to use it almost like a moisturizing, makeup prep. I'm also really curious about the mist that comes in that kit, might have to pick that up for myself. Second, You might also try a weekly mask to calm like the Laneige Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask to encourage an even complexion. Last up, I take one more opportunity to plug Banana Soufflé Moisture Creme because it contains Magnesium paired with the Cica to give a double dose of calming and soothing. 

DR. JART+ - Cica Rescue Kit

LANEIGE - Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask

GLOW RECIPE - Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream

[megxoxelaine]

[DavidBD]

@megxoxelaine hi there! so lets talk powder first. first with powder foundations be certain you are prepping your skin well. be sure you are using a great moisturizer for your skin and also a great primer . now , what may work for you is a powder foundation you can apply wet. this is an old school thing that alot people don't know about but some powder foundations can be applied with a damp sponge or wet brush which will increase the coverage alot and also allow you apply it more like a liquid even tho it will dry down in moments to a full powder. but you have to be sure the formula is capable of doing this or it won't work. i like LAURA MERCIER - Smooth Finish Foundation Powder because it works this way.  

 now another option is a liquid powder formula. so HOURGLASS - Immaculate® Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil Free has won a ton of awards for its innovation. it is a powder foundation that starts off as a liquid, its kinda incredible. so you can apply it like you would liquid but it turns to full coverage powder. and it is also has a gorgeous matte velvet finish and contains ingredients that help to maintain oil and fight breakouts. overall a great option as well.

hope this helps.

[treestar86]

hey @megxoxelaine, I like bm and like it on top of concealer and/or cc cream (instead of foundation).  layering different things often works better if you can't find 1 thing that works...worth a try since you already have it!

[CDubs68]

Hello!  I am requesting your professional advice for minimizing and masking dark circles under my eyes, please!  I am (almost) 52 years of age, with very fair skin, auburn hair, and blue eyes.  Aside from getting enough sleep, staying well hydrated (internally and externally), what products do you recommend to minimize the dark circles?  I am able to hide the rosacea and uneven skin tone with foundation and powder, but nothing works on the dark circles.  Of course, the more concealer, foundation, and/or powder I use, the older I look because it accentuates any lines around my eyes!  PLEASE HELP!  Thank you!  P.S. I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe at this time!

[DavidBD]

@CDubs68 well it sounds like you need a color corrector. dark circles are the result of either shadow from loss of volume, or blood under the skin which creates a purplish circle. if its the latter then no concealer will fully cover it and it will take alot to even try. a color corrector allows you to neutralize that purple tone so then less concealer can hide that darkness. i personally use URBAN DECAY - Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid - Peach or LANCôME - Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Color Corrector.  but choosing the right color corrector shade is based more on the darkness of the circle than skin tone. so to help i made a video a few months ago that may answer alot of your questions . you can go to Sephora's Youtube and look for a video titled "Correct, Conceal, Brighten Under eyes' . ill try and put a link here too , but not sure if that will work haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZxSJT70cKU

[Nat6283]

I just recently bought Double Wear Estee Lauder foundation, and I absolutely love it! It is really working wonders for my extremely oily complexion. My only issue is that the concealer I have been using, IT Bye Bye breakouts, oxidizes horribly with the Double Wear foundation. Can anyone suggest a good concealer that won't oxidize? 

[JuliaYez]

Hi, I love the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, if you haven’t tried it! I hope this helps!

[DavidBD]

@Nat6283 you could try Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Longwear Liquid Concealer 340or PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Concealer M17, both are full coverage high impact concealers that can easily cover any blemishes and they have a similar consistency to Double Wear so they will blend in well to your foundation.

[Nat6283]

Thanks so much DavidBD! I'll give one of those a try. 

[Aleksa1]

what is the best product for hooded eyes in your opinion? and why 
kisses 

[haleyvvvv]

Thank you @TeamBIC and Beauty Directors for this thread!!

My question is about hydrating face masks. I want to use a nice gel or gel/cream one after my weekly to bi-weekly peel, just to cool and calm my skin post peel. I want something that's like a boost of moisture, not something that inspires hydration in my skin (a la the FARMACY - Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask or PETER THOMAS ROTH - Hungarian Thermal Water Mineral-Rich Atomic Heat Mask, both of which I have and love but aren't what I'm looking for on these days). I've been using the Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask Extreme Detoxifying Hydrator 5 oz, but I don't love it. I've used the fresh Rose Face Mask 3.3 oz/ 100 mL and I like the results but the scent is too much for me.

I was thinking maybe the ORIGINS - Drink Up™ 10 Minute Hydrating Mask with Apricot & Swiss Glacier Water but would love to have some other product recommendations. I prefer face masks to sheet masks (they just don't fit my face!). And I'm in Canada btw (just bc there are differences in products between the two).

Thanks!!

[DavidBD]

@haleyvvvv for good ole hydrating face masks id def recommend CAUDALIE - Moisturizing Maskthis is great super hydrating and nourishing face mask that is perfect post peel. also you could try ORIGINS - Drink Up™ 10 Minute Hydrating Mask with Apricot & Swiss Glacier Water. also i really overnight masks especially if its after a procedure , your skin will use it most effectively in the nighttime. i love KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 - Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask and FRESH - Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask

[haleyvvvv]

Thank you, @DavidBD!! I'll definitely check out the Caudalie mask!! I can't believe it wasn't on my radar, I've used all their other masks and they've always performed well.

I'm definitely doing an overnight mask almost everynight, I'm such a fan of SUMMER FRIDAYS - Jet Lag Mask and Origins Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Hydrating Face Mask with Avocado & Hyaluronic Acid 2.5 oz/ 75 mL, but I'll definitely check out Kiehl's and Fresh ones! Thank you so much for the recommendations!!