Concealer Tips for Rosacea Sufferers

Hey pink cheeks, come on now. The camera doesn't lie. Admit it, you were wearing the wrong shade of concealer when that photo was taken. Now it looks like you fell asleep in a tanning bed with goggles. Relax. You're not alone. According to the National Rosacea Society, about 14 million Americans have Rosacea, a condition where blood vessels in the facial area dilate too quickly, yielding a characteristic flushing along the cheek and nose.

The exact causes of Rosacea are still unknown. Thus, information available to the public about Rosacea is in form of reports geared toward researchers, not the average gal. There's even less guidance in regards to Rosacea and makeup - at least advice upon which experts agree. Where one beauty consultant claims it is best to use concealer generously, another will suggest using concealer sparingly. Can all this confuse the Rosacea ridden consumer? You bet your rosy nose it can! But take heart, there's no need to have a makeup meltdown with this virtual roll call of Rosacea-friendly tips on how to select and apply the best shade of concealer.

Pick The Right Concealer For Rosacea

Face it, the right makeup can work wonders. But people with rosacea have extra sensitive skin. Because various makeup products are made with ingredients that irritate the skin, people with Rosacea are urged to take care when buying makeup."Cosmetics can be very effective at disguising the symptoms of rosacea," Dr. Zoe Draelos, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, said in Rosacea Review, Winter 2003. "The key is to select quality formulations. That determines how the cosmetic interacts on the skin surface," Draelos said.

And how does a person with Rosacea figure out how the makeup will react to skin? Dermatologists say test makeup on an area other than your face, of course. "Usually the only way to determine what is irritating is to try it on a peripheral area such as the neck and see if a reaction occurs. If you have any reaction, avoid the product or consider consulting a dermatologist regarding the ingredients," Dr. Michelle Pelle, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California - San Diego said in Rosacea Review, Fall 2007.

Likewise it is a good idea to identify your makeup coverage needs. Concealers are made with different ingredients, and products range from sticks to pencils to powders with many options between. That's why it is suggested that you use a more emollient concealer for areas about the eye; use a heavier, drier concealer to camouflage other areas of the face, especially scars, according to Nadine Haobsh, fellow Rosacea sufferer and author of Beauty Confidential: The No Preaching, No Lies, Advice-You'll-Actually-Use Guide To Looking Your Best.

Pick the Best Shade of Concealer For A Face With Rosacea

Beauty experts cannot emphasize the importance of selecting the best shade of concealer enough. But the task of selecting the best shade of concealer is easier said than done as skin issues abound. A person with Rosacea typically has a fair but uneven skin tone. That means in the midst of a rosacea flare-up, pale skin is marked with noticeable ruddy patches.

It is not recommended that you wear a concealer that is darker than your skin tone. It can draw unwanted attention to any dark circles under the eye. Not to mention, it can make any wearer look like a tribute to eighties glam.

However, it is recommended that you choose a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone, Haobsh said. But what's a gal with Rosacea to do? Match the concealer with the pale skin or the ruddy patches?

You can always select a vaguely pink shade. "If your skin is ruddy or pale, choose a light beige with some slightly pink undertones," Haobsh said. In what is perhaps the exception of an otherwise scrumptious read, and can only be explained elsewhere in Beauty Confidential, Haobsh said pale pink tones brighten the inner pink tones already in your complexion.

Now, you may tempted to ask, "But wouldn't a concealer with pink undertones only increase the red-nosed-reindeer factor?" Here's a hint: if your gut tells you something that flies in the face of expert beauty wisdom (i.e. a concealer with pink undertones would only increase the a concealer with pink undertones would only increase the red-nosed-reindeer factor) then fly you must, Rudolf!

As with any makeup, it stands to reason people with Rosacea need a concealer that effectively covers redness. That's why some experts endorse a concealer that has a green base. The idea being, green effectively counters red tones. Others claim a yellow base tends to neutralize the appearance of under eye circles.

If you find yourself amid all this talk of color, and you still can't see the forest through the trees, then follow the path to your personal makeup stash for clues. All those wrong-toned concealers that didn't make the cut can prove useful after all. As one popular web based beauty guide suggests, blend a combination of mismatched concealers in order to achieve the perfect color.

Prep Rosacea Prone Skin For Concealer

For people with Rosacea, it is always wise to prepare the skin before applying any makeup, especially concealer. So you'll want to have freshly cleansed skin. Remember to use a cleanser that is Rosacea friendly, or one that is designed for sensitive skin. And don't rub the skin dry as this irritates the skin, thus, increasing the chances for a rosacea flare-up. Instead blot the face with a cloth or soft towel.

While the face is still damp, apply a moisturizer and allow it to air dry. This added moisture will soften the skin and will make any additional makeup easier to blend. To prep areas under the eye for concealer, use an eye cream. But be sure to avoid eye contact. According to Haobsh, cream travels upwards, who recommends application about an inch below the eye.

To prep other areas of your face for makeup, use an oil free moisturizer, paying attention to the chin, nose and forehead. Again, just like concealers, there are moisturizers available on the market that are intended to lessen redness associated with rosacea. For instance, green tinted formulas are a favorite among many people with rosacea.

Third, Dab, Don't Rub Concealer on a Face with Rosacea

Consider the relationship between your face and makeup similar to that of canvass and paint. Think of it as a process that begins with a primer, and ends with the progression of light to dark layers.

So don't slab on concealer like an oil paint. Instead lightly brush concealer under you eyes starting at the inner corner, working outward. And be sure to take care with application as the tissue around your eye is fragile.

You can use your finger to apply concealer under the eye, but it is not a recommended practice for makeup application to other areas due to the risk of adding more oil to your face. Quality implements such as brushes or sponges are ideal.

That being said, there will always be those pencil pushers with a preference for fingertip tapping. If such is the case, all those stalwart stick users will find a dot of concealer on the top of hand will warm and soften the makeup, thereby making it easier to spread.

Fourth, Blend Concealer Softly on a Face with Rosacea

People with Rosacea, being the seasoned label readers they are, know makeup is tricky to navigate. In a more Rosacea friendly world, products such as concealer would come equipped with the warning: Caution Objects May Be More Blotchy Than They Appear. But until that Rosacea friendly world evolves, blend concealer carefully.

Also check a lighted makeup mirror to make sure extra concealer has not settled into creases. The brave at heart will go one better with a glance in the mirror near a lit window. Fluorescent lighting is deceptive. What looks beautiful indoors can look garishly overdone outdoors.

Lastly, Brush That Rosacea Away

To soften the look, lightly brush a trace of opaque face powder along the forehead, nose and chin. To do otherwise, such as a swish around the cheeks, can up the cakey quotient. But be careful, too much powder can lead you right back the freshly sunburned with sunglasses look.

For people with Rosacea, applying makeup isn't rocket science, but it's pretty close. All that mixing and swabbing as part of an experiment to determine the right combination of makeup that will banish rosacea redness.

And the results of the makeup experiment vary. A survey in Rosacea Review, Fall 2007, "thirty-five percent of the survey respondents reported that a green-tone concealer helped their appearance, while 24 percent said a natural-tone concealer helped. Six percent reported that yellow-based concealer aggravated their rosacea, followed by 5 percent for a green-tone concealer and 3 percent for a natural-tone concealer."

This article provided tips on how to select and apply the best shade of concealer for people with Rosacea. But as the many faces of rosacea are different. And that's reason enough for you to use your best judgment in regards to beauty tips and makeup application.

Source

Haobsh, Nadine. Beauty Confidential: The No Preaching, No Lies, Advice-You'll-Actually-Use Guide To Looking Your

Best. New York: Avon, 2007.