F. writes: Please tell me if your beloved Bare Escentuals is also flattering to mature skin? (I’m a grandmother, and I use Lancome’s Imanence). Also, what bronzers, or self-tanners, do you prefer? By the way, I’m really enjoying “Beauty Confidential!”
Hi F! Thank you so much for your email! Bare Minerals is flattering to mature skin, but with a caveat; it’s often necessary to well-moisturize beforehand, as I’ve heard some complains from my mother’s friends that it magnifies their pores, or that they feel it’s cakey. This is due to incorrect application on their parts, and when I teach them how to do it properly, they always fall under the BE spell. Regardless, you’ll get best results from it by moisturizing after washing your face, giving the moisturizer three to five minutes to sink into skin, and then applying the Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil first over skin to prime it. (The intro kit comes with two foundation shades, two brushes, Mineral Veil, Warmth Bronzer, and a glycolic/salicylic acid primer. It costs $60 and is a wonderful value.) Then, use the brush to lightly press the minerals onto your skin, spending about a minute applying it if you want light coverage, and a few extra minutes reapplying if you want heavier coverage. If this sounds a bit confusing, I promise that it’s not hard once you understand how to use it. I’d suggest going to your local Sephora or Nordstroms, and asking for a two minute tutorial. For bronzer, I have a few recommendations: my favorite is Bare Escentuals Warmth, but I also like NARS Laguna (good for darker complexions), Benefit Hoola, Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder, and Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Light (great for very fair complexions). When applying bronzer, use the biggest, fluffiest brush possible, and start with a light touch. You can always apply more, of course, but too much on the skin all at once will result in an unflattering, orangey flush, like how poor Katherine Heigl appeared at the Oscars! Put the bronzer on the areas where the sun hits your face – I like doing it in a “C” around the outer corners on the eyes, on cheekbones, on the forehead, temples, and then the teeniest bit on my chin and on the sides of my nose. “Hint of Glow” self-tanning moisturizers are an easy way to get color without having to worry about orange palms and streaky heels. Try L’Oreal Sunless Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer or Olay Touch of Sun Daily Body Lotion. If you want a “real” self-tanner, try St. Tropez Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion or Lancome Flash Bronzer Glow ‘N Wear Tinted Self Tanning Gel. Shave, hydrate with a fragrance-free, light moisturizer (no heavy body butters or emollient oils, as they will make your tan streaky!), let it sink in for about ten minutes, and then go to town!
