My problem is I have very uneven skin.My t-zone is light but everything else is dark around my mouth eyes and hair line. So I wanted to know what was the best skin regimen to tone and even out my skin. My biggest issue is that my top lip is significantly darker than my bottom lip so I find it hard to wear colored lips. Help!
-Shoshana
A: Hey Shoshana,
It sounds like you've got an issue with "uneven" skin tone that is very common among women of color.
As I mentioned, most women of color are more than one shade on their faces, especially on the other edges of their face and around their mouth and chin. This isn't necessarily uneven skin tone, as the variation can be very minimal. If yours is more noticeable or is really bothering you, there are some skin care products you can use to even out your skin tone. One line that comes to mind is Dr. Susan Taylor's Rx for Brown Skin. Her Bright and Even Regimen Set, $55 contains glycolic acid and soybean extract to even skin.
You can also use makeup to even out your skin tone, by using two shades of foundation, a trick lots of makeup artists use. A favorite
foundation of mine that would work great for this is Make Up For Ever Invisible Cover HD Foundation, $40. This super light foundation gives a seamless finish, so you can easily blend two colors together, or wear one shade that is closer to your T-Zone and seamlessly blend it out to the edges of your face.
As far as your uneven lip color is concerned, I feel your pain! There really isn't much that can be done to the skin, but you can even it out with make up. I recently came across a genius product from Smashbox that does just that. The Nude Lip Liner, $16 comes in four shades to match any lip color, so that what ever lip gloss or lipstick you apply goes on true! Try it in Dark to match the darker color of your lips, or Medium to match the pinkier shade. Genius, I tell you!
Good Luck!
Beauty Q&A: Uneven Skin Tone
Beauty Q&A: Free Facials!
Here's today's Beauty Q&A!
Q:What is the secret to not paying money for a facial? -Rashonda
A: Hey Rashonda! Its no secret how beauties on a budget get facials on the cheap - they do them at home! Giving yourself a facial is easier than you may think and, with consistency and quality products, can give similar results. There are just 6 steps you need to know, and you can use your favorite products that you already own:
- Cleanse - Wash your hands first to keep from passing on any germs, then cleanse your face as usual to begin the facial. Don't forget to remove any eye makeup.
- Exfoliate - Rub your favorite scrub on your face in a gentle circular motion. Not too hard! If you have oily skin, focus on those areas. If you have dry flakes, DO NOT try to scrub them off (that just doesn't work, and it'll do more harm than good). If you don't have a scrub, use a washcloth and your usual cleanser.
- Tone - This step is optional. If you like to use toner, feel free to do so now. If you don't have any toner on hand, you can use a little witch hazel in a pinch. Swipe a little on your face and neck with a cotton pad until clean.
- Steam - Some like to hold their face over a pot or bowl of steaming water, but I would avoid this. Not only do you risk burning yourself, but you could also burst a capillary. A safer, and easier, alternative is to use a washcloth soaked in warm water. Gently press the cloth against your face, and repeat 2 or 3 more times.
- Mask - Apply your favorite mask, making sure to avoid the eye area. Leave on as directed on the package. I always like to remove masks with a white washcloth (dyes are no good for your skin) to make sure I get it all off.
- Massage - End your facial by massaging your favorite moisturizer into your skin.
Enjoy!
Got a beauty quandary? Send me an email or leave it in the comments!
Beauty Q&A
After writing about my current obsession with red lip color, reader Arionne wrote in with a beauty Q&A!
Q: Okay...so I think I might try this out. My only concern about red lips, which I also love, is finding the right look. I love glossy lips on me. And I find it really hard to switch back to a more matte red lip color. When I have tried to do a glossy red lip, it tends to be a bit too much. Is it possible that red matte lips or red lips period just don't work for some folks? And if I choose to go for a glossy look, how can I make that work and not do too much? -Arionne
A: Thanks for writing in Arionne! I can definitely help you with your beauty quandary! When wearing red lip color there are two things you have to keep in mind: shade and texture.
First, the shade of red. The thing I loved about the Stila compact was the fact that it came with a few different shades of red, so you can mix and match to create your own perfect shade. Since you're new to the whole red lip thing, I would suggest trying a deeper shade like burgundy, berry or wine, and work your way up to a full blown red. Once you're ready for a true red, try on several shades with varying undertones to find the right red for your skin tone. Just because it looks cute in the tube, doesn't mean it will look cute on you!
Secondly, and maybe most importantly, is texture. You mentioned that you're not really fond of matte lips. No problem! This is totally a matter 0f preference. If you prefer glossy lips, then glossy lips you shall have! I like a semi-matte red because I feel that it's more toned down than a bright, super-glossy red lip. As you mentioned, ultra-glossy red lip gloss can be too much for some tamer brown beauties.
So here is what I recommend: a deeper shade of red in a sheer, see-through texture. Here are some of my faves, just for you!
1.If you like the shine of a gloss, but not the bold in your face color it can provide, try L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm in Delectable. This little gem goes on with the creaminess of a lip balm, with a sheer burst of red color. It's perfect if you want a pop of color with just a hint of shine.
2. For a sheer and shiny hit of berry color, try Lipstick Queen's Lipstick in Saint Wine. As a bonus, this creamy color fades down to a soft red stain as it wears off.
3. Laura Mercier's Lip Stain in Mulberry will stain your lips with a gorgeous deep red. Your kisser will look like you've just eaten a Popsicle, but better!
With these options, you'll be sure to find your perfect red, just in time for spring. Try these out and let me know what you think!
P.S. This is the last post on red lip color, I promise!
