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!

[glcria]

From my personal experience, using high coverage concealer over my acne just irritated it and made more pimples appear. However, if you must (I understand if you want to cover it up, I’ve been there too) you can use pimple patches like the Peace Out Acne Healing Dots 20 Acne Healing Dots. It kind of creates a skin-like barrier over specific acne spots and I believe it’s concentrated with salicylic acid which is good for fighting acne. Although, it does protrude out a bit which makes it noticeable so here are a few ways you can cover acne. You can use COVER FX Mattifying Primer With Anti-Acne Treatment 1 oz/ 30 mL, it is also formulated with salicylic acid. A primer can even out your skin and preps it so it’s easier to apply foundation and to add more makeup products to your look. This is optional too but to lessen the appearance and redness of pimples, a colour corrector works as well. If your acne is quite red, a green colour corrector can reduce that appearance. You can try using the IT Cosmetics concealer you mentioned but beware that it might irritate your skin since it is infused with witch hazel and tea tree (they can be quite harsh on the skin). At the end of the day, remember not to pack on too much makeup products or leave your makeup on for too long (wash it off during the end of the day) as this could potentially build up and clog your pores. You can either use some micellar water or an oil cleanser to remove your makeup and follow it up with a gentle cleanser filled with acne-fighting ingredients (take extra caution with the ingredients if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin). This was what worked for me to make my skin more clear. Some products may or may not work and I hope my suggestions helped you! Good luck on your makeup journey and stay safe! xoxo

[LeftyLoveBug]

Omg thank you so much! I had no idea that there was witch hazel in that concealer. I will definitely try some of those tips. Thanks again for the advice

xoxo

Abbey

[warner178]

I am 62 & skin is doing well. I always forget if I should use the matte or regular loose BareMinerals powder?

[DavidBD]

@warner178 that would be a personal choice , it depends on how dry your skin is and what effect you want to create. 

[adrianacamila]

I'm a teen having a problem with fungal acne. I have normal skin.

What skincare products do you recommend?

[DavidBD]

@adrianacamila i would speak with a doctor or dermatologist , because 'fungal acne' is not really acne per se, its actually an infection of the hair follicle. and its mostly found on the body in areas like the chest , shoulders and back. so you want to be sure this is truly what you have.

[WinglessOne]

@adrianacamila Have you seen a dermatologist yet? Did they actually diagnose you with fungal acne? If that's truly what you have, there are several ingredients you should avoid in skincare and (I assume) makeup products. I recommend talking with a derm, or even a primary care doctor, to get personalized recommendations. 

[Anonymous]

I have several serums/products I like and I have a morning and night routine.  I would like to avoid too much layering and since I work out and shower in the early afternoons I was thinking of adding an afternoon routine taking some products out of the am/pm and using in the afternoon instead.  Does it matter how long you keep a product on after it is absorbed?  I am washing the am routine off after my early afternoon workout. 

[DavidBD]

@Anonymous by the afternoon most of your skincare has been absorbed. washing your face at that point really only removes the top layer of dirt and debris , so any topical moisturizer will be washed away. your fine to wash without worry , and its smart to have a few products to reapply after.

[Anonymous]

I've had bad luck picking out a new hair color I'm trying to go red eye was red as a child but as I got older I got darker auburn color usual I even won't look washed out or faded because it's too dark to light on what would be the best free that I'm wanting to give to go to but I'm afraid I'm going to get the wrong color once again and look strange here's some pictures

 

  

 Clive had bad luck choosing a hair color that would work good with my skin cut my skin tone I like either washed out or or it's just too dark for me wanting to do my hair again I've come back to my natural color as the first picture shows just wanting advice what would be the best color of the three of them for my skin tone

Thankyou

[MyieshaBD]

@Anonymous Your photo is quite dark so I can really discern your undertones, surface tone etc.

I would ask a professional hairstylist that specializes in color.  Red fades quickly so the color you start with is probably not going to be the color you have between colorings.

I would imagine that bright red hair color might intensify redness in the face or possibly emphasize any sallowness if those are issues for you.

But again, I'm not a hairstylist.

[Timbergronk]

Hey

I can't seem to find any blush or cheek stain to stay lasting for more that 10 minutes do you know any good brands or anything I could do to get some natural looking pink in my cheeks?

[DavidBD]

@Timbergronk here are some great long wear blushes and cheek products. Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain (6mL) this is an iconic product that has been around for a while and lasts really well. NUDESTIX Magnetic Plush Paint - Lip, Cheek & Eye Color Bahama Mama , Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush 10 Rosé Latte this cream formula lasts surprisingly long and works great on top of powder as well. 

[Timbergronk]

Thx!!!

[JMChristina]

Hi. Could use some advice. I have long thick hair and when I wear a high ponytail, it falls to my neck. Any suggestions on how to keep it high on the back of my head? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I have light/neutral skin tone, I have the worst dark circles and have tried too many concealers and color correctors. No matter what, I still always have that gray color coming through. Are there any tricks or concealers you know work for this type of thing? 

[DavidBD]

@Anonymous yes this is common. often caused by the wrong shade of color corrector. you have to choose a color corrector that works for the darkness of the discoloration , not your skin tone. if your light skin people will suggest a peach tone, but if the circle is very dark you need to go darker like orange. it will look strange until the concealer goes on top. try Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Color Corrector Brick Red , its an intense shade but you only need a very small amount and only placed over the dark circle. then use your concealer on top . i did a video for this on Sephoras youtube channel. just search 'Sephora Correct,Conceal, Brighten' and you can watch me apply this technique on a mature model with dark circles but light skin tone.

[Anonymous]

I have fine, thin chin-length hair. I am in a wedding in Sept. and would like a product recommendation for something to help my hair hold curl by a curling iron. Thank you! 

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I have been using Sephora's Matte Lipstick "Oh oh" #18 - Muted Pinky Brown and I love it! Unfortunately, the color has been discontinued. Do you have a suggestion on an alternate color that is similar?

Thank you for your help!

[DavidBD]

@Anonymous i am not super familiar with that particular shade, i believe i remember it. but in any case here are some of my personal favorite muted pink brown shades Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick Pillow Talk  , NARS Lipstick Dolce Vita  , Bite Beauty Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon Tatin 

[Anonymous]

What are the different brands of "tube" mascara Sephora carries?  Thanks 🙂