Angel kisses, port wine stains, firemarks, birthmarks – whatever you want to call that red ever-present bit of rash that's most commonly present on the side of your face or neck (if you've got it), it's very easy to get tired of looking at it day after day. But short of laser or light treatments at the hospital, which can be time-consuming and expensive, how are you to get rid of that stain (if you're one of the 3-5/1000 people born with one) if you don't like looking at it every time you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror? The answer: cosmetics. So if you're wondering how to cover up your port wine stain without caking on your makeup (or taking hours and hours to do it), then here's what you need to know.
Moisturize Properly
If you're applying makeup, the general rule of success is to make sure that the area is properly moisturized – and this goes double with port wine stains. You'll want a moisturizer thick enough to keep the skin supple but not so thick that it comes of in flakes or little scraps if you rub at it once it's dry. The lotion you'll need will differ on how naturally moist your own skin is (and if it tends towards oil), so choose carefully. Whatever your individual needs, make sure your lotion has SPF in it to protect your mark from the sun, and make sure it doesn't have any bronzing products in it or anything made to reflect light (such as "luminescent" lotions).
De-Colorize the Canvas
Once your lotion is all absorbed in, you can begin putting on makeup. You'll want a concealer with a green tint to it (as green, due to its position on the color wheel, cancels out red tint to your skin) and a brush made for concealer. Apply the concealer and smooth it out with the brush; don't worry (and certainly don't reapply concealer) if you can still see the port wine stain at this point, as you're not done with your makeup quite yet. Don't rub too harshly, as you don't want to hurt your skin, but make sure that you blend in the edges.
Cover It Up
You're now at the stage where the port wine stain will disappear. You'll want a liquid foundation that matches the majority of your skin tone, a foundation brush or makeup sponge, and some translucent setting powder (the powder can be luminescent or have bronzer in it, as it's the final step). Dab on the foundation and spread it around with either a brush or makeup sponge. Making sure that it's even all around is key, as you want the whole of your face to look as seamless as possible. Give it five minutes to dry, then finish off your whole face by giving it a light dusting of translucent powder.
For more information and tips, contact a cosmetic services company, like Los Gatos Dermatology.
Share27 October 2016
After my thirtieth birthday, I began to notice some unappealing signs of aging on my face. I started to see dark spots and fine lines. Because I wanted to turn back time, I researched non-invasive cosmetic procedures to help people look younger. I was immediately intrigued by microdermabrasion. I began getting microdermabrasion treatments regularly. After each treatment, my skin instantly looked smoother and more vibrant. Within a few weeks, the fine lines under my eyes and around my mouth became less noticeable. On this blog, I hope you will discover the most popular types of cosmetic treatments performed on patients today. Enjoy!