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]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone can help me link my phone number to my points! I’ve been trying to do this for months 😭

[DaneeBT]

Hi @Anonymous! I will send you a private message to help!

Always,
Danee

[danielledanielle]

Hi hi hi @JeffreyBD @DavidBD & @MyieshaBD ! ❤️

Sleeping masks!  I love the idea of masking overnight but hate the idea of a breakout, so I am always a little nervous to incorporate one.  I have combo skin (t-zone) and hormonal acne around the jaw.  Thoughts?

[DavidBD]

@danielledanielle so i understand the fear totally, i have sensitive and reactive skin so skincare for me is always about trial and error and some detective work haha. what i can say is i do find nighttime to be the safest time for anyone to try new skincare, your skin goes into a restorative phase and is more likely to utilize the skincare rather than revolt against it.i would say start with a sleeping mask that is gentle and has less highly active ingredients, this way you can determine how your skin reacts during this time period. i personally started with DR. BRANDT SKINCARE - Hydro Biotic™ Recovery Sleeping Mask . I was dong some micro needling bed and thought it would help with recovery and it did. i have since then used the whole jar and without micro needling . it is a slightly heavier texture than i wear in moisturizer daily which made me nervous because that can break me out but it has never caused a reaction or breakout. its a great hydration mask that also reduces redness and irritation , so it calms the skin which can be helpful for reactive skin types. i now use a bunch of different sleeping masks because my skin loves them. i would recommend also trying GLOW RECIPE - Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask this a great lightweight hydrating sleeping mask that also has a touch of AHA in it so will help to gently resurface your skin. this is one i often recommend to people who have oily, acne prone , or reactive skin. its a great place to start. also side tip- i recommend with any new addition to skincare start using it one night then wait use again 2 night later then wait and use 1 night later so on , this way you ease into a new product . hope this has helped, i highly recommend sleeping masks so lets get you your new favorite so you can enjoy them also!!!

[pinkelmo02]

 Hello! Im age 36, with really oily skin only in my tzone area, and all around sensitive skin. The product I have used and considered my safe zone is the clinique line; the wash, exfoliator, toner, and moisturizer. As Ive gotten older, dark spots (from hormonal acne flares) darkness under my eyes, dull/uneven skin tone, and large pores on my nose have become more of a problem. I’m looking for a light day/night moisturizer, gentle moisturizing cleanser,  a serum to combat the dark spots and under eye circles, and something to reduce my pores. Hopefully nothing that contains alcohols or strong fragrances. Can you recommend any products that will help?

Spoiler

#melaninskin #oily #sensitive 

Thank You!

Nicki

[DavidBD]

@pinkelmo02  hi there! yes i can help you with this. i too have reactive sensitive skin so understand the fear of changing skincare. and with that said i would never recommend changing your entire routine in one day. i believe in slowly replacing products one at a time so your skin doesn't freak out and react. try using a new product one night then 2 night later then every other night etc. for week to let your skin adjust. this can make a big difference and align you for successful transition in your products. that said lets talk product. for a moisturizer id say you want good hydration without oils or heavy weight , so id recommend Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench® Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Refillable Moisturizer 1.7 fl oz /5... or CAUDALIE - Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbetboth are great and i think would work for you. as for a cleanser consider Youth To The People Superfood Hydrating Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser 8 oz / 237 ml or FARMACY - Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser both of these are 'Clean at sephora' and will effectively yet gently remove dirt and debris while adding some hydration and nourishment to the skin. for dark spots some great serums are DR. BRANDT SKINCARE - Dark Spots No More® Triple Acid Spot Minimizing Concentrate this is great spot or all over serum to help minimize dark spots, DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE - C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum this a great vitamin c serum that i went through a whole bottle and absolutely loved , also no reaction from the vitamin c for me which usually happens. vitamin c brightens ,lightens , and tightens skin so its great for all around more youthful looking skin!

 hope this helped!! 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@TeamBIC I have thick hair, but love having it look as flat as possible.  What products are best for decreasing volume, for the sleekest style?

[JeffreyBD]

@greeneyedgirl107  @TeamBIC OOOOOOOoooooooohhhhh This is perfect timing because I'm really seeing "Glass Hair" as a trend really starting to take off! Be on the lookout for this is the near future, as we start to hear more and more about this emerging style.

I feel the best way to keep the hair super-sleek and straight is by smoothing it with a smoothing brush a lot like the one from Amika. This is a quick way to tame fly-aways and get the initial roughness out of the hair. You might also work in a smoothing product into the hair before brushing it through! I love the Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry because it's heat-activated stying balm that helps to enhance the sleekness of a blow-dry, but in this case will give the hair more glide with the teeth of the brush and protect it from the process. If you feel that you need even more smoothing then finish your heat style with a flat iron like the new Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener, but ultimately you should notice you need less passes since you already used the brush. You might hand press a smoothing oil into the hair after everything is said and done to give you that last bit of gloss and finish the look, I love Verb's Ghost Oil! Et Voila, you have smooth, shiny health hair! At least that's how I would do it!

AMIKA - Polished Perfection Straightening Brush 2.0

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry Styling Cream 5 oz/ 150 mL

DYSON - Corrale™ Hair Straightener

Verb Ghost Weightless Oil to Fight Frizz and Enhance Shine 2 oz/ 60 mL

[greeneyedgirl107]

@JeffreyBD Thanks sooo much for the in-depth response.  I really like the idea of using a straightening brush before a flat iron - I never thought of that!  I will also look into the Verb Ghost Weightless Oil to Fight Frizz and Enhance Shine 2 oz/ 60 mL and the Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry Styling Cream 5 oz/ 150 mL.  Adding them to my loves right now 🙂

[LuxFlora]

In terms of self-care, IV drip bars have caught my attention to supplement my diet but I don't think I am ready for that step or expense. Sephora sells alot of interesting looking powders, liquids, pills, teas, etc. What would be comparable to an IV drip, if any, to try out? Some that interest me are CRUSHED TONIC - Anti-Aging Collagen Elixir or DL.MD - Liquid Multi-Vitamin Supplement. I know diet makes a big difference and I have cut back on my sugar intake. Thanks for any advice beauty advisors!

[DavidBD]

@LuxFlora i have to second Jeffreys recommendation of THE BEAUTY CHEF - COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost, i really like this product!! i also recently started using ALGENIST - Irish Moss Algae - Vitamin C + E SupplementALGENIST - Spirulina Microalgae - Vitamin C Probiotic Supplementand i use them in my daily protein shake and have loved the results plus they taste really good naturally!! 

[LuxFlora]

@DavidBD Thank you for your feedback! The Algenist powder sounds yummy in a shake. 🧉

[JeffreyBD]

@LuxFlora  I think what you already have on this list sounds pretty AWESOME to try and I would love to K.I.T. on how they work out for you? I would also personally extend a recommendation for the Beauty Chef, Hydration Inner-Beauty Boost, it's outstanding. I am since out of it, but while I was trying it out I noticed a certain extra bit of bounciness & suppleness to my skin that I've never really achieved with any topical beauty product. It tastes AMAZING! And honestly around 4:00 or 5:00 my skin usually needs something as a quick pick-me-up; but, by simply mixing the liquid with a glass of water each morning, my skin had a glow and radiance ALL DAY. I REALLY enjoyed it! Adding it into MY cart now, because I'm realizing now I need it back in my life, LOL! Honestly, I know you'll love it! 

THE BEAUTY CHEF - HYDRATION Inner Beauty Boost

[LuxFlora]

@JeffreyBD Perfect! Thanks for your vote of confidence in my picks! I will order them and remember to send an update.🙂. I was also interested in Beauty Chef and yeah, I def am getting that also! Thank you! My cells are already feeling revitalized. P.S., I love watching you and other beauty directors on youtube. 

[ChassB]

I have combination, sensitive skin, fine lines, and uneven skintone/texture (genetics, yay). I'm trying to improve my skincare. Olehenrickson breaks out my skin. I love the eye cream, but it starts to get too oily half way the the bottle. I'm liking the Tatcha Deep Cleaner, but not really wanting to spend that much on a face care routine. Any advice on what I should try/add? Thanks, So Lost 😕

[JeffreyBD]

@ChassB Based on your concerns and request for more affordable options, I would STRONGLY suggest looking into the InkeyList if you haven't already! The have a range of products that are great for almost 'decoding' skincare routines at an approachable price point. I LOVE rotating their products in and out of my regimen because the single-focused ingredient story makes it easy for me to supplement what I need when I need it. for example, I find myself using their hyaluronic acid because I use SO much HYA during dryer months that I don't feel guilty over-applying. (Fun Tip: I actually keep mine in the shower, and apply it once I turn the water off and the steam is still in the air.)

After hearing about YOUR skin, right off the bat I am drawn to suggest their Niacinamide Oil Control Serum focused mainly in areas of excess oil and texture. It's great for the "tone" as you mentioned and also minimizes excess oil in the combination areas. Then I might follow up with either their Turmeric Brightening Moisturizer (Day) or Multi-Biotic Balancing Moisturizer (Night). In the AM the Turmeric is great to give the skin an added boost of radiance when it's a bit lackluster, and the Multi-Biotic at night is almost like a reset button and supports the healthy bacteria found on the surface of the skin! Outside of that, I might suggest something with enzymes to retexturize and smooth the appearance of fine-lines and wrinkles. I've been trying a few different ones in my rotation, like Tatcha and Wishful Skincare, I hope this helps?!? Stay well!

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Hydrating Face Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL

The INKEY List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL

THE INKEY LIST - Turmeric Brightening Moisturizer

THE INKEY LIST - Multi-Biotic Balancing Moisturizer

TATCHA - The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder

WISHFUL - Yo Glow Facial Enzyme Scrub

[ChassB]

Thank you so much!! I'll give some a try!! 🙂 ❤️

[mimi2304]

Could recommend a skincare routine to me (cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliant...etc.) please? I have extremely sensitive combo skin. (I’d prefer if the products were “Clean at Sephora”.)

[DavidBD]

@mimi2304 i too have sensitive reactive skin so i totally understand. here are my recommendations

cleanser- Youth To The People Superfood Hydrating Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser 8 oz / 237 mla great gentle yet effective cleanser that will also nourish your skin.

serum- Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid 1.69 oz/50 mla super hydrating serum to help plump the skin

moisturizer- FARMACY - Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer a great nourishing lightweight moisturizer 

mist- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist 2.53 oz/ 75 mLa super helpful hydrating mist to use before strating routine after finish and throughout day.. i loooove this stuff!!!

[mimi2304]

@DavidBDThank you so so much! I'm just wondering, are all the products you suggested safe for teenagers? I know there are some products that are not recommended for teens so I just wanted to be sure that these are all safe for a teen to use.

[pebbles826]

Secret to wet, glossy, “plastic”, runway skin?