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!

[Anonymous]

P.S. I am 40 years old & I don't know my colour IQ but I use Maybelline BB Cream 110 (Light Medium) Thank you!!! 😸

[RAWRitsRED]

I'm super interested in trying out the Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® Treatment Serum 1 oz / 30 mL after watching @DavidBD talk about it on the Sephora IGTV.  I've only used a dermatologist prescribed retinol cream with 0.025% retinol for acne spot treatment in the past and I'm not sure if Shani will be too strong even though I don't have sensitive skin.

For context, I'm 25 with oily skin, acne (mostly hormonal), hyperpigmentation from acne, sun spots, large pores and clogged pores, blackheads, and closed comedones.

Other than AHA's what should I not use this product with?

These are the products I'm using right now that I'm not sure will be ok to use with the Shani's Retinol cream:

Day Products:

• OLEHENRIKSEN Balancing Force™ Oil Control Toner 6.5 oz/ 193 mL 
• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum for Oily Skin 1 oz/ 30 mL 
• Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid 2 oz / 59 m... 

Night Products:

• OLEHENRIKSEN Balancing Force™ Oil Control Toner 6.5 oz/ 193 mL 
• Sunday Riley U.F.O. Salicylic Acid BHA Treatment Face Oil 1.18 oz/ 35 mL (really helping to clear most of my acne)
• Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with Ashwagandha + Reishi 
• Algenist SPLASH Absolute Hydration Replenishing Sleeping Pack 

[tjffc]

@RAWRitsRED Wow!  Amazing products you are using for skin care

[DavidBD]

@RAWRitsRED im so happy you got to catch my IG Live !! so i would say you don't have to worry about sensitivity with the Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® Treatment Serum 1 oz / 30 mL , she was very smart in formulating this serum with an encapsulated retinol so it is very gentle acting on skin, plus she added some lactic acid in there and lactic acid is a very slow acting exfoliant so overall the 2 combined create a super gentle yet very effective serum. now i do recommend to start by using it one night only for the first week , then go to 2 nights spread out for the second week, this will allow your skin to avoid reacting which can happen to anyone using any new active ingredients. but i think you will end up loving that serum!!

[NYCVintageLizzy]

Hello, 

I have purchased the Sephora Retractable Brow Pencil in color #05, Neutral Gray Brown.  I came to the site tonight to purchase more, and apparently the color does not exist any more, and # 5 is a different color.

Please, can you tell me which color is closest to the original Neutral Gray Brown?  Btw, I'm heartbroken because this was the best, and only, brow pencil that perfectly matched my coloring.  

Thanks very much!

[Libz22]

I love the finish and coverage of the Fenty Filt'r Pro Matte foundation, but find that it settles into the pores on my nose. This is true with or without primer (Smashbox Vitamin C or Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen as a primer) and when I've applied with a beauty blender or my fingers. Any suggestions for ways to better apply this foundation or recommendations for an alternative foundation? 

[DavidBD]

@ before switching foundations it sound like you need to try to find the right primer. i recommend MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primers - Texture & Redness Correcting Smoothing Primer – For large pores and fine lines this primer is specifically designed to create a smooth skin base so foundations don't settle in lines or pores.

[LLBean93]

I'm looking for some expert advice when it comes to AHA/BHA masks! I'm in my late 20s and have oily/combination skin which in in recent years has skewed towards being acneic, dehydrated and somewhat reactive after bouts of over-exfoliation. After being super gentle with my skin for several months now - cleansing with Province Apothecary's oil cleanser, spritzing with their toner, and following up with The Blue Cocoon (my skin loves blue tansy) I'm feeling like it's time to carefully incorporate an exfoliant again once or twice a week. I have May Lindstom's the clean dirt, which is great for when I really need to renew, but because it lacks BHA I feel like it doesn't cover my bases. In the past I've used both #Herbivore's #BlueTansy mask, and the #TataHarper resurfacing mask and though I like both, I only want to go with one at a time -- given their lack of preservatives I'd rather not have them sitting on a bathroom shelf for 6 months. If anyone can give me a bit of guidance as to which I should purchase this time given the rest of my routine it would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much!!!

Lauren

[DavidBD]

@LLBean93 if you know your skin reacts well to blue tansy i think the answer is clear go with the Herbivore Blue Tansy Invisible Pores Resurfacing Clarity Mask . im a firm believer in listening to your skin and it seems you have so i would advise to make it happy with what it likes ! 

[RAWRitsRED]

What are the best skincare/ complexion products (sunscreen, primer, foundation, concealer) for oily skin?

I tend to oxidize like crazy and my foundation turns pink within 10 minutes of application.  I have light skin with warm, yellow undertones but all foundations look too pink when I use them even when they are made for warm, yellow undertones.  I like to use medium buildable to full coverage foundation to cover blemishes like acne and hyperpigmentation from acne.

Also, my face is a bit darker than my neck.  Is there a way to fix that so my face and neck match?

[DavidBD]

@RAWRitsRED you can try a yellow tinted primer like OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Face Primer 1 oz/ 30 mL , yellow can help neutralize reds so it may offer some help in minimizing the pink. now most everyone has darker face than neck due to neck usually being less exposed to sunlight. to even that out simply bring some of your foundation down onto your neck. this will create a more natural seamless look. 

[tlcookie13]

I am curious about layering serums. Is there a right way to layer them depending on the products?

Does it matter which goes first? Should you allow it to dry and soak in for 5 minutes before applying the next one? 

Do some serums not get along??

For specifics: I usually do olehenriksen banana bright vitamin c serum - followed by moon juice plump jelly. Is that order ok? Could i do a hyaluronic acid before vitamin c?

3 serums is the most you should do right? Or should i pick one?

[DavidBD]

@tlcookie13 good question! in truth you can use a basic concept for all skincare , lightest first then progress to heavier. so for example after washing your face you'd want to use a toner or essence next as they are watery and super lightweight, then progress to serum which is slightly heavier etc etc. this same concept can be used when applying multiple serums. so if the serum is very watery and light apply it first. now there are some cases where you would want to think bout what the serum is doing, so if your using a vitamin c serum and an hydrating serum id apply the vitamin c first so it has easiest path to penetrate deeply which we want. in truth tho it would still work either way as these formulas are crafted to penetrate as needed , but sometimes i like to help if i can hahaha!! and as to your specific routine i think you are doing the right order with the Ole Henriksen serum first! 

[flashyashy]

I’m in desperate need of a good skin care regiment. I’ve never had or used anything past facial cleanser and facial lotion. But I’m 36 and I’m skin is no longer as forgiving. I really really need something for old acne scars, skin discoloration, and dry skin. Add anything in there for wrinkles and I’d do cartwheels! My biggest concern is the scarring! What can I do?

[DavidBD]

@flashyashy well its always good to start a proper routine for your skin at any age. so hearing your description and concerns id recommend this - Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser , this will gently exfoliate the surface as well as pores of your skin which will reveal younger fresher skin cells and clear decongested pores. then use a serum OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum 1/1 , vitamin c will brighten your skin and help reverse signs of aging including discoloration. then moisturizer Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Refillable Moisturizer 1.69 oz/ 50 mL , this great moisturizer will hydrate your skin and also supply peptides which are key to helping your skin create those plumping molecules like collagen and elastin which make us look young. finally a key product that i highly advise is a retinol for nighttime use, you would apply it after cleansing. try Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® Treatment Serum 1 oz / 30 mL this incredible serum has encapsulated retinol which is the powerhouse anti-aging  ingredient that helps in cellular renewal which means it helps your skin bring fresh new cells to the surface like it did when you were young. it will create smoother clearer more even skin.

[Anonymous]

About 10 days ago I purchased Herbivore Lapis Oil. I was SO confident in this expensive purchase for 2 reasons:
1) I fell in love with their blue tansy mask
2) everyone has only good reviews to leave about it...
However, after less than 10 days of using this product, I am having the worst break out in 10 years. My ENTIRE chin and jaw line and even my neck broke out in either painful whiteheads or painful cystic pimples. I though at first my face was purging but now I think I have made a huge mistake. Please I need advice from the beauty team what I should do. As of yesterday I stopped using this oil on my face. My chin is in great pain honestly from all these pimples.

[DavidBD]

@Anonymous so sorry to hear about that. in truth , skincare is very personal, and even tho everyone else may rave about a product until we try it ourselves we can't know how it work for each of our uniquely beautiful skins. my recommendation is to stop using the product and let your skin calm itself back down.drink lots of water to help hydrate and flush your skin. 

[KillerBees]

ER nurse here. Since no one has seen anything but my eyes since March...

1) I need an eyeshadow primer that holds like the old Urban Decay.. sweat, fogged up goggles, oily from my hot breath blowing back at me.. and tears. Mostly oil and tears😂

2) since I’m single and surrounded by doctors, medics, firefighters, and a couple salty nurses- I want my hazel eyes to look like golden honey, or laser beams (Depending on what’s what). They change colors- hazel be like that- but lately they are just muddy brown. I need colors that make them pop, but that are work appropriate-ish.

3) having just turned 43 with a need to feel human again, I went and got a blonde balayage. (Former chocolate brunette). It’s currently about a shade lighter than my eyes (going even lighter in about 6 weeks), and I need ways to make my eyes stand out again. Brown made it easy, but midlife crisis Kelly needed to be blonde. My hair is very long and very straight. No bangs, long fringe since I have to keep it pulled back at work. 

if you read through all of this, bless you 🙏

Pictures are literally over the last 4 months. Please help

 

 

 

 

[DavidBD]

@KillerBees well first off thank you for your hard work in these crazy times!! i would say try Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Amplifying Eye Primer 0.27 oz/ 8 mL , it has a great hold!!! also as an option instead of using powder shadows and eye primer you can try a waterproof cream shadow, these can stand up to a hurricane lol !! id say try SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Shadow & Liner 04 Taupe , i chose a neutral shade here but they have a huge assortment. these are great, they apply like a chubby pencil , blend out like a cream shadow and stay put like glue. plus they have a large color assortment. one tip tho with these is i have found they hold best when no primer is used underneath, as these lock onto clean skin best. 

[Ver0x0]

Hi I’m a dental hygienist and work 10 hour shift. I have oily eyelids. For years the thing that has worked for me is Lancôme Aquatique eyeshadow base (it’s in a pot). However at the end of a 10 hour shift a little creasing was to be expected since my eyes are hooded and I wear loupes and faceshield. Now I use KVD lock it spray after I do my makeup and no creasing! Aquatique/ Lock it spray = winning combo

tips for Aquatique- apply very lightly with finger tapping, a little goes a long way. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Do you have any recommendations for a good everyday tinted sunscreen for acne prone skin? I currently use Rodan and fields radiant defense and am looking for something that is less oily and not so heavy looking but still offers some coverage for reddish skin and blemishes. Thanks!