QUESTION:
I'm a 46 year old woman with leftover acne scarring on my cheeks from my teenage years. Is it best to avoid blush and highlighter?
Thank you for this opportunity!
Zarina
ANSWER:
While I have a few questions that can’t be answered without more back and forth, the primary one being “is there hyperpigmentation along with the scarring” - although if it was during your teenage years I’m guessing any pigment issues surrounding the scarring has settled - and the others would be “what is the undertone of your skin” and “where exactly is the scarring”. Regardless, I feel I can answer your question with confidence.
Using a powder blush is a bit more challenging with highly textured skin as it can distribute unevenly on the skins’ surface. I would suggest using a cream blush such as the Ere Perez and applying it with a beautyblender or other dome shaped beauty sponge. Dampen the sponge until it’s fully saturated and then squeeze out 80% of the water so it’s just damp, dab the sponge onto the blush and then “bounce” it onto your skin. Blotting off the excess onto the back of your hand is a great way to ensure you don’t over apply. Better to start with less and build up to where you like it. If you apply too much you can put a little foundation or concealer onto the back of your hand, bounce a bit of product onto the sponge and then blend out the blush with the sponge. This gently “marries” the two products and helps blend them seamlessly if you over applied. If you prefer a bronzer over a blush, use a cream bronzer and the same techniques as above.
Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot |
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Anything very shimmery will accentuate the different planes of skin surface caused by the scarring so you’ll want to be mindful of the product you use as well as the placement. However, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid highlighter altogether, I would just be mindful of placement. Add a touch of a cream highlighter like the one from NOTO to the tops of the cheekbones and blend it up in a gentle C shape outward, along the temple towards the end of your brow. A little goes a long way so be sparing - the goal is to add a touch of luminosity and dimension to the cheeks in a believable way, so you don’t need much. You can add a very light dusting of setting powder if that’s your preference. It can also help make the makeup last longer throughout the day.
If a visual is helpful, I’ll post a video explaining these steps on my personal Instagram account @fionastiles.
I hope you enjoyed the latest installment of Beauty Lessons. Don’t forget to send a note to tellmemore@shopreedclarke.com to have your burning beauty questions answered.
Until next month,
