Our Expert Your Queries

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Posted on August 6, 2011 by rashmi

Questions by Parita :

Dr Neeraj, firstly thank you very much for taking out some of your precious time for answering out queries and concerns. This column really is very helpful especially with gals like me who have just started to learn the basics of makeup. Your effort is highly appreciated!

A little about my skin, I have oily to combination skin with warm undertones. I would consider myself in-between medium to dusky skin tone. Also my skin is prone to acne and blackheads, though I do not get any acne as of now (touch wood!!!) but I do have small zits here and there.

Also I have uneven skin tone with skin along my chin and lips appear to be darker than other areas on my face. I have seen this as common problem across many gals…no idea why

Now for the questions

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Our Expert Your Queries

Posted on August 3, 2011 by rashmi

Zara – I can’t seem to get enough of Dr. Neeraj’s help , here are some more questions:

Which loose/finishing powder would u recommend for combination skin which is easily available here? A lot of people suggest Lakme but I’m allergic to their powders I am currently using Sue Devitt’s C-Wed loose powder in Tanami but it’s close to finishing and it would be great to know some alternatives in India.

I swear by Clinique’s Blended Loose Powder as it is 35g. For 1600, so much value for money and gives an amazing finish while being mineral enriched and non pore clogging. If you want something more translucent try out MAC Prep + Prime but its I think 12g. For 1250 INR so think wisely. You can also buy the fluffy Clinique Powder brush which is soft as satin and has antibacterial properties. Try it out and let me know.

Ladies are suggested to use anti-aging products from 25yrs of age itself. Does this suggestion really hold true? If so, can you please suggest a good anti-aging cream to start with?

Anti-ageing skin care has different phases of treatment. It’s not only for wrinkles and fine lines but also for age spots, thinning skin and pigmentation. You can start anti ageing serums at this age if you want to. I love Dior’s Capture Totale One Essential serum that gives fabulous benefits.

I wear glasses (can’t use contact bcoz of the high number) as a result of which my eye makeup has never quite been visible. This is one the reasons I don’t wear eye-makeup. I only use liners, kajal and mascara but still harbor a secret luv for eye makeup. Some say that I would have to do darker make up than usual, but I find am skeptical about this. Is there a way I can I do eye makeup such that it’s visible without looking garish?

I loved a video on YouTube done by Michelle Phan for ladies to wear makeup with their glasses on. I believe a soft shimmery eye shadow, liner on the top lash line (broader the spectacle frame thicker the liner and vice versa), Mascara just at the base of the lashes as you don’t want them sticking and poking at your glasses, sometime a glitter eye liner over black would do. See that video and you’d love it.

This may sound a bit naive, but is powder foundation different from finishing powders? I have tried Rimmels Foundation powder but it doesn’t seem to do any good. Would love some suggestions on this.

Powder foundations are definitely different from finishing powders. Finishing powder leave a veil of sheer finish on the face that helps to mattify skin and look transparent. Whereas powder foundation give full coverage saving you time to apply liquid foundation. In country like India powder foundation is good for minor touch ups but the foundation, concealer and loose powder are must haves and dos as the finish you get from them is quite dewy and transparent compared to caking up of powder foundation.

Thanks so much for your patience and time and your suggestions are awesome. I have started using your eyeliner tip and its working!! – ZARA

If you have any questions feel free to mail me at indyabeauty@gmail.com

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Our Expert Your Queries

Posted on August 1, 2011 by rashmi

Questions by Trupti

1. How long a lipstick should be preserved and used or what is the validity of a lipstick?

Throw the lipstick the moment it tastes, smells or looks weird. Smell wise you can get that horrible smell of the rancid oils. Taste-wise it would be bitter than your usual lipstick. If you look at the lipstick and if you see oils separating or fungus on the sides, chuck it! Otherwise you can use a lipstick for over 2 yrs or till it gets over (which rarely happens if you are just stuck to one lipstick everyday)

2. Many times I have noticed that skin toning gives me problem of open pores, is toning really useful?

Pores open and close according to skin’s reaction to the atmosphere and not our brains. I would suggest open pores that are unclogged instead of clogged. Tightened pore would open up if you are oily and the oil is glue that catches dust and dead skin cells and clogs the pore. Also if inadequate sun protection is taken then there are chances that the pore walls get scarred (also happens during extractions and other reasons of physical trauma to the skin) or the support structure under the pore get collapsed. At such times an anti-ageing skin care regimen works. Using an exfoliating serum like Estee Lauder’s Idealist or Clinique’s Pore Minimizer Refining Serum would tackle your concern.

27 comments Posted in chit - chat, Our Expert your Queries

Our Expert your Queries

Posted on July 31, 2011 by rashmi

Neeraj has helped so well with my previous queries…thanx so much for connecting us

Here r my next set of questions:

By zara

I always have problems applying winged liner equally for both eyes…Is it merely a matter of practice or is there any trick we can try?

Always draw one perfect liner on the eye you cannot draw like for e.g. applying makeup in the left eye is a bit difficult unless you are amphidextrous. No particular trick though I liked the one told by a famous makeup artist Jeanine Lobell. Paint a dot where you want the liner to end and begin drawing backwards and always draws the line in the direction where your brows naturally end

What day cream would you recommend for combination skin? I honestly get a bit fed up when I’m in a hurry and still have to layer moisturizer, sunscreen and what not. Is there any shortcut for this?

There is no shortcut to skin care because our skin does not think the way our brain does, about itself. Sun exposure causes solar scarring underneath the skin and if this does not heal it leads to shattering of the support structure and immediate appearance of wrinkles and dark spots. The treatments of the same make you spend millions at a dermatologist’s office. Now the choice is yours. I guess even if you are in a hurry you must learn to prioritize and take some time out of your busy scheduling for a bit of skin care. Apply moisturizer immediately after you take bath (it saves time) and keep the face wash in the bathroom to wash your face while taking bath (saves time again). Ideally sunscreens take 30 mins to settle but if you are on the run you could use sunscreen based powders like the ones from Peter Thomas Roth etc. that give immediate sunscreen protection.

29 comments Posted in chit - chat, Our Expert your Queries

Our Expert your Queries

Posted on July 30, 2011 by rashmi

My turn this time to ask an Expert ….

1. You are an avid online shopper and a wise buyer I must say, I would like to know some of the best product one should pick from THE BRANDS like YSL, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Elizabeth Arden, Shiseido and Estee Lauder.

Let me write some of the best products each brand makes though I have had post on what to buy from brands in some of blog archives. YSL – Touché Eclat, Faux Cils and Singular Mascara, Lipsticks, Glosses and Teint Parfait complexion perfector. Chanel – Eye liners, Nail polishes, Lipsticks and Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, although most of the Chanel limited editions are really good compared to any other brand. Givenchy – Photoperfexion light foundation, Roughe Interdit shine lipsticks, blushes, Magic Kohl pencil and Phenmoneyes mascara. Elizabeth Arden – Ceramide range, lipsticks, Intervene Radiance Serum, Eye fix primer. Dior makes the best eyeshadows, Extase mascara; Serum de rouge and Dior Eye show creamy eye shadows. Shiseido – Multishade enhancers in Terracotta glow and sunset glow, Accentuating sticks, Luminizing Satin eye color trios, eyelash curler and Hydropower eye shadows. Estee Lauder has lovely lipsticks and lip glosses, double wear light foundation, double wear mascara and double wear liners.

2. Loose Powder or Pressed Powder and which brand?

I like Kryolan and Clinique for Loose Powders and Inglot for pressed powders. Other brand which I absolutely love is Shiseido.

3. Myths and facts about Toners – key ingredients in them and how important and are they really good or aren’t much of use to our skin

Toners can be drying to the skin and they only give a refreshing feeling and nothing else. All that pore tightening is silly as even cold water can do that. Please remember if your toner tingles your skin then it doesn’t mean it’s working, it’s overtly drying your skin. Also it’s ok if you skip a toner especially in winters. Mattifying toners are the harshest skin care products known to anyone. If you get blackheads after using toner, it means ur skin is reboundly producing excess oil due to the drying effect which is not a nice situation.

20 comments Posted in chit - chat, Our Expert your Queries

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