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!

[Autumn12]

Hi! I am looking for a product to clear up my dark marks. Vitamin C is great but sometimes it irritates my skin. I am not sure if the products that I have been using have too much vitamin C in it or if my irritation is being caused by something else. What would you recommend?

[DavidBD]

@Autumn12 so Vitamin C can be a reactive ingredient for alot of people, myself included. sometimes its just the formula that does it so it may take some trial and error to see what works best for you. but i may be able to help guide you. so for vitamin c products i personally had great luck using DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE - C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum, i loooove this serum. it works beautifully  plus i had zero skin breakout or reactions. Also i was able to use Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 1 oz/ 30 mLwith great results as well!! 

 now there are alternatives to vitamin c to lighten dark spots. you could try retinol which can help as well, something like DRUNK ELEPHANT - A-Passioni™ Retinol Creamcan really help boost cell turnover which reduces the look of dark spots as well as revealing youhtful skin. 

 then of course there is Hydroquinone which is one of the top ingredients used to combat dark spots. MURAD - Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is an incredible product with a long history of success at diminishing dark spots. 

hope this helps!! 

[Nickelliebear1]

Hey @Autumn12 what Vitamin Cs have you been using?  It might be a secondary ingredient causing you irritation.  One of the most popular vitamin c's that comes to mind is the OLEHENRIKSEN - Truth Serum® Mini which is actually not that high of a concentration of vitamin c but there are two-four different elements of essential oils and fragrance added to it.  

[Anonymous]

Hi! I’m an ER nurse, and we’re getting slammed with covid at my hospital. I have to wear a full on respirator at work because we don’t have enough n95 masks. The skin on my nose and cheeks is breaking down from wearing such a large device for 10+ hours at a time. I put bandages as a barrier while I have the respirator on during work, but I wanted to know if you could recommend anything to help my skin be as healthy and hydrated (I don’t eat or drink on shift because I don’t want to take my mask off inside the building so we’re all pretty dehydrated). All I need is an open wound on my face while caring for patients, and I’d love a recommendation or two to pass on to the rest of work. 

thanks!

[DavidBD]

@WCTM first id like to say Thank You for all you are doing to help others during this crisis!! the conditions your describing can definitely wear on your skin. id recommend taking a look at a brand called Skinfix. Their products are directed to help with skin concerns like lipid barrier breakdown , eczema, dermatitis etc. SKINFIX - Eczema+ Dermatitis Face Balm and SKINFIX - Remedy+ 911 Ointmentare both extremely good for skin that is dehydrated and chapping from either skin conditions or external factors. you can use a little where needed to help protect and heal the skin. i would also recommend using Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream Refillable Barrier Moisturizer with Ceramides 1.7 oz/50 mLas a moisturizer first before the ointment or balm , this moisturizer hydrates and helps boost the skins natural lipid barrier which is what breaks down in this conditions. hope this helps!! stay safe!! and again Thank You!! 

[curlychiquita]

@WCTM, I don't know your price point.  You're going to need something heavy under the respirator to help protect your skin.  If price is no object, I recommend using La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizer for Anti-Aging and Barrier Repair 1 oz/ 30 mL.  On a budget I would use CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream.  The La Mer has some skin benefits to heal the damage that's already happened to your skin, but the CeraVe will help, too.  Thank you for continuing your work helping people! ♥️

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much! I’m gonna give the CeraVe a try. I can’t wear anything too heavy under the respirator as it will prevent a proper seal on my face. So hopefully post shift tlc can keep me going! Stay home and stay safe!

[makeuplover2199]

Hello my name is Nicole! I love makeup and I’m starting to expand my collection!! I’m looking for a new skin care routine. I came across the ordinary which I want to try. I’m looking for a new routine to help get rid of my acne. Which order or products do you recommend for a simple everyday skincare routine from the ordinary? Thanks😊

[DavidBD]

@makeuplover2199 i love The Ordinary and this they have some great products! for a basic skin care routine i'd suggest THE ORDINARY - Squalane Cleanser, then The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating and Brightening Daily Toner 8 oz/ 240 mL( love this stuff ,great for resurfacing the skin) , then THE ORDINARY - Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5( gotta be sure to get hydration) , The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum for Oily Skin 1 oz/ 30 mL( this is key for helping to control oil production and fight blemishes) . then finally THE ORDINARY - Natural Moisturizing Factors + HAto fully hydrate and restore your skin. 

[grizzlymaze]

I would really like to see Sephora take a look at the review system currently in place. I feel Sephora reviews are extremely misleading to a great many of your customers, with most not aware just how many are written by people with an agenda. Time and time again I see new products launch and immediately dozens of five star, glowing reviews appear. It doesn't take much research to see these reviewers are new to the site and have no other reviews under their belt. A hair care line just went on sale at Sephora.com. 34 reviews for the conditioner, not a single verified purchase and the vast majority have reviewed nothing at all except this line of products. Then of course you have all the products reviewed by Influenster just swamping out everyone else. I realize you can now search by 'verified purchase' but I don't feel that is going far enough. Sephora reviews are seen as a joke for the most part, not to be trusted, lacking integrity. It wouldnt take much to tackle this Im sure ... and I think you should.

[CoffeeWuff]

@grizzlymaze The review system definitely needs some work, I totally agree on that you with but people should be critical about things they read as well. I think it is no secret that reviews are bought, not just on Sephora, & one should take everything with a grain of salt these days. I think it is up to people too, to do their own research, look at ingredients, other sources & make up their own minds in the end. I admit I do look at the reviews to get an idea, not to decide whether I want to buy something or not. I tend to put more emphasis on the negative review though & for me, that is more helpful than all those glowing reviews anyway.

My main issue with the review system is that one is not allowed to edit or delete one's own review & that is really off-putting imo. There is no way to edit a review & when I want to delete it for whatever reason I have to beg a mod like a little child because I am not allowed to do that myself. Maybe it is so bought reviews can't be easily deleted, I don't know but it just doesn't make sense & keeps me from wanting to write any review in general. This all seems a bit sketchy to me but what do I know.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, we do not always need a verified user? I mean, what exactly is a verified user, someone big and famous? I have had a lot of experience with my own skin. So for some random celebrity star tell me how I should fix my skin better with better makeup because it works for them...? I don’t think I’ll just listen like that? I’m confused 🤷🏻‍♀️

[CoffeeWuff]

@Anonymous "verified purchase" not user- I guess that means someone who actually bought the product on Sephora. 😉

[testyyyi]

Testing purpose

[marymeghan]

Hello. I have a rare condition where my body produces too much collagen... greats for wrinkles, bad for everything else. Women with this condition have great skin in terms of wrinkles, but can get loose skin around the eyes, neck jowels. What kind of products/things can I do for my skin going into my 40’s (I’m 38) that won’t boost collagen, but can help keep skin firm? Products, tools, or beauty routine suggestions please!

[DavidBD]

so firming is definitely what you are looking for in this situation. The NUFACE - Trinity Facial Toning Deviceis probably the best thing you can get next to hiring a personal esthetician lol. This high tech device will easily help tighten and tone your facial muscles and therefore the contours of your face. It's pretty remarkable. In terms of products FARMACY - Sleep Tight Firming Night Balmis a great choice ,its packed with clean ingredients that help to restore and firm skin. 

[JGSFLA]

are u ever going to change the makeup tutorials? same ones for years..ty

[DavidBD]

@JGSFLA I'm not sure what tutorial you are speaking about. this thread is for the Sephora Beauty Directors , we are on the Sephora Youtube channel with new videos weekly. im not sure where you are seeing these old tutorials but id recommend checking the Sephora channel as its updated multiple times a week with new video content.

[Kellsbellzz]

Hello! I have just begun experimenting with AHA’s, and love the Origins Night-A-mins product, however am looking for something with a bit more punch. I have Drunk Elephant in my basket, but am hesitant to pull the trigger. I don’t typically have sensitive skin, but I’m not sure if this is too big of a leap. I know DE is a 12% AHA blend, can’t seem to find where Night-A-mins is on the scale...

Any recommendations?

[Robynlynne]

I have all of the drunk elephant products and they really have transformed my skin. My dry skin is now bright, less sun spots and full of moisture. Pull the trigger you won't be sorry.

[DavidBD]

@Kellsbellzz i love all types of acids and peels for my face so i think i can help lol! if your using the Origins High-Potency Night-a-Mins™ Resurfacing Moisturizer with Fruit-Derived AHAs 1.7 oz/ 50 mLand your skin is handling it fine you can definitely try DRUNK ELEPHANT - T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum. now the difference here is also that the Origins is a moisturizer with AHA's in it , while the Drunk Elephant is a serum you would use underneath your moisturizer. i personally like to have my acids in serum or toner form so i can control the amount i apply then use my moisturizer as needed without worry of over using the acids. hope this helps! also side not you can definitely try Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ AHA + BHA Mask 1.69 oz/ 50 mLwhich is one of my favorite AHA peels ever! soooo good , only use once a week tho this is for deep resurfacing and you only leave it on for 20 min then remove so you can adjust to your skin as needed.