D. writes:

I was in a craft store recently and noticed that some of the paint brushes seemed a lot like makeup brushes.  They were just the right size and texture, and if the handle had been a bit different and they had been in a cosmetics store, I wouldn’t have believed they were paint brushes.  Is there any difference between paint brushes and makeup brushes?  And since the paint brushes are so much cheaper, is it OK to use them on my skin?

Hi D.!Thanks for your email!  Here’s the deal with makeup brushes: they’re a waste of your money.  I know most makeup artists will take me to task for saying that, but the reality is: unless you’re being professionally photographed, are a total makeup diva, or are the kind of girl who studies herself for hours in the mirror, picking apart imperfections, brushes really aren’t going to make much difference.  And with the way most makeup brushes are priced, they’ll bleed you dry.  Honestly, you can do a pretty good job with your fingers, plus some cotton swabs and makeup sponges, especially when it comes to eye makeup and foundation (which looks more flawless when applied with brushes–good for, say, your best friend’s wedding or a gala dinner–but much more natural and melt-into-your-skin-y when you use the old digits.)  The only things you absolutely, positively need a brush for are powders: blushes, setting powder, mineral foundation, etc.  And in that case, forget the local hardware store–yes, the paint brushes are cheap, but even though the texture of the bristles seemssimilar to what you’d find from Bobbi Brown, the makeup won’t go on your face seamlessly and you’ll end up looking spackled and blotchy–and head instead to CVS, Target or Sephora.  You can buy a blush or powder brush for just a few dollars, and while it might not be as luxurious as the much pricier offerings from Shu Uemura or Trish McEvoy, let’s be real: if you’re not being photographed for the cover of Vogue or broadcast in HDTV, nobody will be able to tell the difference!

A. writes:

I bought Bare Escentuals bareMinerals foundation and am still a little shaky applying it.  I’ve read the brief primer on Sephora’s web site but find steps like ‘buff the bareMinerals into the skin in a circular motion…’ (huh) a little hard to visualize.  I emailed Sephora to suggest that they offer a video demo.  Since you’re a pro with mineral makeup, I thought maybe you could offer some tips.  I was a little heavy-handed in the bathroom this morning (on only my second day wearing it) and had to start one side over again.  I think I might look like a ghost!  Thanks.

Hi. A!  Thanks for the question.  BE can be a little tricky to apply at first (and, seriously, what the hell does “buff it into your skin” even mean??) but it really is very simple once you learn how to do it.1) Take off the sticker from the jar (either fully remove it, or peel it back about halfway.)  You’ll see about twenty tiny holes, and that’s where you’ll shake out the makeup from.2) Sprinkle a little of the powder from the exposed (or half-exposed) holes onto the inside of the black jar lid.3) Take your brush and put it on the makeup in the lid, then move the brush around the inside of the lid, until you’ve swept up all the visible makeup there.4) Tap the brush against something (your wrist, the sink, whatever.  Anything will do!) to let the extra makeup on the outside of the brush float into the air.  (Don’t do this two inches away from your new black or white shirt, as you will then be covered in tiny particles of makeup!)  The point of the whole lid swirling/tapping exercise is to get the makeup on the inside of the brush, rather than sitting on the edge of the bristles.  This is so the makeup is applied better and more naturally, rather than glopped on.5) Spend about five minutes lightly applying the makeup to your face with the brush.  I like to start on my cheeks, working my way to the nose, go around the crevises of the nose, get my eyelids, go up to my forehead, work around the edges of my face, then go onto my chin and the area under the chin.  Take your time.  Buff, paint, press, insert-whatever-verb-you-want-to-use-here…just put the damn brush against your face and apply the stuff!6) Repeat steps 2 -5 as much as is necessary to get a good application.  Doing it once or twice will give you light, tinted-moisturizer-esque coverage; doing it several times will make your skin look as flawless as a china doll’s.  Have fun!

Beauty Question: Thinning Hair

Wednesday, August 17th, 2005

I get tons of emails everyday asking for help with beauty dilemmas, so I’ve decided that I’m going to occasionally post them, in the event that anybody else has similar problems!S. writes me, 

I’m writing you to ask for some hair care advice. I’ve been dying my hair about six times a year since I was fourteen. I’m twenty eight now. Mathematically that spells disaster for my hair. It’s still long…unlike you I don’t have the brevity to cut it, though in honesty it really just needs to be chopped to my chin. The ends are fried, split and horribly thin. Worse and far more embarrassing is that it has begun falling out. A lot. Long platinum blond strands continue to fall out everywhere and my hairbrush looks worse than the one that girl holds out in the Garnier Fructis commercial. It’s sad. I need a product that will regrow hair. It used to be thick and lovely and now I find myself parting it certain ways to hide ultra-thin areas. I’m turning into The Donald and I’m not even thirty yet. Can you recommend something?Thanks. S 

S,Honestly, the first step is to get a haircut to remove all of the dead ends. I had a similar dilemma last summer: my hair was several inches past my shoulders and I was obsessed with keeping it long. But after it got fried—thanks random hairstylist, wherever you are!—there wasn’t much I could do to salvage it and I was forced to chop it all off. If you are bound and determined to keep your long hair, however, there are definitely some products you could try: namely those by Nioxin and by JF Lazartigue, both of which have cult products designed to help with regrowth that many women swear by. (Try Stimulactine by Lazartigue or Bionutrient Actives Treatment by Nioxin). I also love Appearex vitamins, available at CVS.)Put hair color plans on hold until you’ve gotten rid of all the dead bits, and try not to curl it, blow-dry it, or straighten it—air-drying will be your hair’s new best friend! Go in for small trims regularly—about every six weeks—to get rid of the dead ends as frequently as you can. It will probably take the better part of a year, but eventually your hair will grow in and recover and the fried hair will be replaced by new, healthy hair. Good luck!

Beauty Question: Facials

Thursday, August 18th, 2005

A. writes,

Hi Jolie (or Nadine),I was wondering if you could recommend any good facialists or spas for me to try out. I’ve always envied girls with really tight, flawless, glowing skin and I think it’s time for me to experience the kind of happiness that can only come from perfect skin as well. I can’t go anywhere too too expensive, nor can I bear the thought of being in a room full of UES women. I’d love to hear back from you. 

A.,I’ve never really been into facials—I’m much more of a massage lover—probably because I dread the extractions. I have to tell you, though, the most amazing facial I ever had in my life was at the Sally Hershberger Face Place. It’s not cheap, unfortunately (I just called, and it’s $120 for about an hour and twenty minutes, and $170 if you include reflexology), but it was the most relaxing, pain-free, blissful thing you could imagine. I recommend going just once, as a treat, and getting the facial plus reflexology—it was so fantastic that I forgot about the extractions and actually fell asleep. Better yet, my face wasn’t red afterward, and for me (I’m literally pink for 20 minutes after I wash my face), that’s really saying something!Another great option is Ella Bache, one of the best places in the city. Their standard Hydrating or Radiance facials aren’t exactly cheap (both are $110), but they have a half-hour mini-facial for $50, and also offer an hour-long “Spa Saver” facial for $50 if you book it that day. And, of course, there’s always Bliss (try the new 49th street location, in the W hotel; $100 for the 70 minute Basic Bliss Facial)—not the most zen atmosphere, but as long as you arrive on time, they’ll get the job done!

Beauty Question: Bouncy Curls

Monday, August 22nd, 2005

V. writes,

Hi Nadine,I was wondering if you know of a product that can bring the bounce back into my curls? I get my hair double processed (highlights and color). I try not to do it often, and not because I like to show my dark roots, but because I don’t want to go through the thinning hair thing. I have used deep conditioners, Kerastase, Neutrogena, Helene Curtis, cholesterol. The only thing that seems to sligthly work for me is Infusium, but it weighs my hair down. Know of anything that will hydrate and not weigh down?Any suggestions will help.Thanks. 

Hi V.!As a wavy/straight-haired gal, I’m only slightly familiar with curly hair issues, but I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction! Have you tried any products by Ouidad? They’re all specially designed for curly hair and help separate and define curls while adding moisture and banishing frizz. Check out Ouidad’s Playcurl line, specifically designed for thinning hair that that needs some extra lift and bounce. Ouidad has a salon on 57th street in New York, and she has a reverence for curly hair and genuinely wants to help women love their curls. Also, I’m sure you’re already familiar with it, but if not, definitely check out naturallycurly.com, where you’ll find a wealth of information, including articles, tips and product suggestions. (It’s always helpful to chat with like-minded—and tressed—girls.) Good luck!

Beauty Question: Daily Moisturizers

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2005

A. writes,

Help! I don’t have a lot of money to spend on a good daily facial moisturizer, and I’m never sure if what I’m using (currently Nivea Q10 Advanced Wrinkle Reducer Lotion with SPF 15) is the best out there. I don’t want to fall in love with one that costs an arm and a leg. What do you recommend? 

A., you’re in luck! There are tons of inexpensive options at the drugstore that are just as good (if not better) than pricier face creams. The Nivea lotion you’re using is stellar (I love Nivea products, and only wish that they had as many choices here in the US as they do over in Europe!) and its main ingredient, coenzyme Q10, is an energizing antioxidant that will help keep your skin looking radiant. If you want another choice, one of my absolute favorite moisturizers in the world (and the one that I currently use every morning over my IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum) is Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15—dermatologists love it, it absorbs quickly (so it’s great under makeup) and it’s one of the only moisturizers that absolutely, positively never makes my skin break out. Other great options that rival anything you’ll find at Bloomingdale’s: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15, ROC Age Diminishing Daily Moisturizer (the Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer is amazing, too; it battles fine-lines) and Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum. You’re just as likely to find any of these moisturizers in a beauty-insider’s cabinet as you are to find the Crème de la Mers and the SK-IIs. And, of course, the price is right!

Beauty Question= “Help Me Fight Blemishes!”

Wednesday, August 24th, 2005

J. writes,

Hi Jolie! (or Nadine, whichever you prefer:-) )I need help! I’m a redhead with fair, freckled skin that’s ridiculously sensitive. I’m kind of weird in that I actually do have theability to tan a little bit but I try to avoid that. In any case, my skin is really sensitive and I find myself breaking out all the time. I’m 24 years old and still in school so I avoid makeup, especially foundation, most of the time but I put on a tinted moisturizer for a job interview the other day and within 24 hours my skin had completely broken out. I thought I found a great face wash (I’m currently using Aveeno) but everytime I try something new, it works for a couple of weeks and then starts failing on me. Any suggestions? Thanks! 

J., I think you and I are secretly twins, since your description and issues sound exactly like me! (Yes, my hair is naturally reddish…I think…it’s been so long!) My skin is especially sensitive and keeping breakouts at bay is a daily struggle, but I’ve finally found a regimen that works for me (and will work for you, too, I hope!). One of the only cleansers that consistently works for me is Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. I’m in love with it, and using it twice a day keeps my skin clear. (It has 2% salicylic acid, so you might need to alternate with another cleanser for a week or two. Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash is an excellent choice—although it doesn’t fight acne, it’s extremely gentle, doesn’t leave any residue and even helps get rid of eye makeup.) I then follow with Purpose Dual-Treatment Moisture Lotion SPF 15 (dermatologists love this line because it’s non-irritating), my beloved OC8 (to sop up oil) and, finally, Bare Escentuals makeup. (This is the point where you’re thinking, “Why won’t she shut up about Bare Escentuals?” And my response: Because it just really is that good.) It is theonly foundation I’ve found that won’t clog my pores, feels weightless—so doesn’t leave you with that nasty “I have a face full of makeup” feeling—and completely covers redness and pigmentation. (It goes without saying: whatever foundation you choose, make sure it’s oil-free!!) Give yourself about three weeks on the new regimen to let your skin get used to it and, of course, be religious about washing your face twice daily. I hope it works for you as well as it’s worked for me!

Beauty Question: Day vs. Night Moisturizers

Monday, August 29th, 2005

V. writes,

I can’t wait to try some of the lotions and washes you recommended recently. My skin seems to be similar to yours: seriously sensitive, but I still manage to break out–not to mention dry out! I’m always confused as to whether I should be using different products at night. If my day lotion has SPF in it, I don’t like to use it at night. Any recommendations? What should a nightly beauty routine consist of? 

Hi V.!The whole SPF/night cream thing is so confusing! Even though there’s little, if any, difference between most moisturizers marketed for AM or for PM, I think it just doesn’t feel right putting on “night cream” during the day, or SPF-infused moisturizer at night. Regardless, unless you have extra-sensitive skin that gets irritated by sunscreen, it’s actually fine to use your day cream at night and vice versa. (So next time you go on a trip and forget a night moisturizer, don’t freak out!) Night moisturizers are often slightly heavier and day moisturizers usually have sunscreen, but other than that, they’re pretty much indistinguishable. That being said, there are so many excellent night products out there, why not pick one that’s going to do something good for your skin? Some of my favorites: ROC Age Diminishing Moisturizing Night Cream, Kinerase, IS Clinical Active Serum, Philosophy Save Me and Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin. These products won’t inflame breakout-prone skin, and (except for the ROC and Neutrogena, which are just great, non-oily moisturizers) will even help reduce breakouts, so you won’t have to deal with that annoying “Okay, this cream has zapped my zits, but now I’m molting” experience common to so many acne-fighting moisturizers. As far as the general routine, keep it simple: a gentle cleanser followed by moisturizer—and that’s it. (Toners are generally a crock of BS, unless you simply enjoy the squeaky-clean feeling. Then, by all means, tone away!)