Aug 2019 - Lowveld

Creating the
perfect skin
22 Get It Lowveld August 2019
Text: ALITA STEENKAMP
Whether we are born with spotless
skin which is marred along the way,
or we come into the world with a
few imperfections, a smooth and
perfect skin is a dream many people
aspire towards.
Hyperpigmentation, acne, freckles, sunspots and the
effects of rosacea are any woman’s worst nightmare
when she stands in front of the mirror, ready to start
with her make-up. Luckily, there is a solution for most
of these little flaws.
Good make-up products and the right techniques are
a lifesaver for anyone struggling with dark spots, circles
under the eyes, fine red veins or café au lait spots. With
the right tools in your hands, and a little bit of skill, you
will achieve spotless skin in no time.
Jené Smit, a make-up artist from MUD Studio in i’langa
Mall in Mbombela, says women regularly walk into the
studio to get help with dark pigmentation marks, or
any number of the other problems relating to
blemishes. Although she believes that make-up
shouldn’t be used simply to hide certain things,
sometimes it is the only way to achieve the perfect
skin that most women desire.
“The most important role that make-up should play
is to emphasise and enhance a woman’s beauty,” says
Jené. “You highlight your strong points with makeup.
All women are beautiful in their own way, but
sometimes we need the help of certain products to
transform a troubled skin into a beautiful one.
“When doing my job as a make-up artist, hiding spots,
red veins, and hyperpigmentation while enhancing
the beauty of someone, brings me a great sense of
satisfaction.”
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Preparing the canvas
“You will often be advised to start your beauty routine with a clean
skin, but I don’t recommend anyone wash their face with warm water
or work too hard with the skin just before you start your make-up
routine. The moment you wash your face with a face cloth, it
becomes red. I would rather advise you to wash with lukewarm
water, and not scrub it at all. The very next thing to apply is a
good moisturiser. Once you have done this, you can start building
up your foundation,” she says.
Primer is a must!
The most important product when applying make-up is the primer,
Jené says. Very often the red spots on the skin are an indication of an
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underlying inflammation. Although primer isn’t a medicinal product,
it has a soothing effect. After applying the primer, it is advised to
wait a few minutes before putting on your foundation.
Colour correctors are amazing
If you really would like to get rid of either dark shadows or
redness, it is important to make use of colour correctors,
she explains. They come in two shades. The first is an
orange-based colour for blue, brown or purple
shadows. The second is a yellow-based colour to get rid
of redness. Depending on the severity of the blemishes
that you would like to cover, you can blend in the colour
corrector with a little bit of foundation. It should only be
put on the blemished areas. For very dark spots you will
have to apply more than one layer. According to Jené, anyone
can learn the trick of using a colour corrector. When buying your make-up
from a studio like MUD, the consultants will show you exactly how to use it and
explain everything in a demonstration.
Applying the foundation
A good foundation will ensure the best look. Jené says it is
important to choose the correct shade when selecting one.
“The best is to use a foundation brush or blender to apply
your make-up, one that is especially designed for this
purpose, but remember to wash the brush or blender
every other day.”
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Setting your make-up
Loose powder seals the moist consistency of the
foundation and therefore makes it last longer. When
applying loose powder as your final layer, you don’t have
to fear make-up transfer or run-off in the middle of the
day. It also helps to control oil on the skin. If you are not
sure of the consistency of your make-up, applying a
setting spray will give you peace of mind.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a common disorder that
mainly affects skin on the face. It
causes redness on the nose, chin,
cheeks, and forehead. Over time, the
redness can become more intense,
taking on a ruddy appearance and
making blood vessels more visible.
What is hyperpigmentation?
This when patches of skin appear
darker than the surrounding skin.
Hyperpigmentation occurs when
the skin produces more melanin, the
pigment that gives skin its colour.
This can make spots or patches of
skin appear darker than surrounding
areas. Hyperpigmentation is a
common condition, affecting people
of all skin types. Certain forms, including
melasma and sunspots, are
more likely to affect areas of skin that
are exposed more readily to the sun
such as the face, arms and legs.
August 2019 Get It Lowveld 23