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Tuesday 6 October 2020

Wearing face masks - trying to keep makeup on but also deal with Maskne


Wearing face masks - trying to keep makeup on but also deal with Maskne


Wearing masks, which we all must do in public, brings with it its own issues, but it's vital that we do it - out of respect for others, but they also provide some protection for us too. I believe that it's our civic duty to wear one and it's preferable to buy reusable, now that we know that Covid will be sticking around for a while. It infuriates me to see gangs of teenagers ( and older) not wearing masks and snuggling in for selfies but that's a post for another day. Today, I want t talk about two issues - the first is getting your makeup to last, while wearing a mask and the the second, is dealing with 'maskne'. But before all of that, I would recommend buying a mask that you feel comfortable wearing - yes, they feel alien to us, but we have to wear them. I bought a Slip Silk Reusable Face Covering, which my LYMIN code works on, to give a 20% discount. It's available in four colours and I love it, because it feels comfortable and the strings are adjustable, so I can ensure that it is covers my nose and mouth, but that it isn't too tight behind my ears. You can even make one at home, so you don't need to spend a lot of money. If you find that the men in your life are a little reluctant to wear them, tell them to check out their team's shop (if they are into sport), as most of them sell them now and it should encourage them to 'show their colours', while wearing a mask. If anything has been gifted to me, without obligation, it will be marked with a *.

To help makeup to last: There are a number of options here - don't wear base makeup and just place the focus on your eyes? If that's not something you want to do, you could try wearing only concealer, again, if that is not something you are comfortable with, I would recommend using light layers, using a good primer and a setting spray. Obviously, if you have oily skin, getting makeup to last on your skin is a task at the best of times, even without the mask, but even with dry skin, it's not easy. Hopefully these tips will help you, as I know they work for me.


Primer: Cover FX Gripping Primer - I would recommend this to everyone as foundation literally sticks to it and it doesn't move. I find that patting this primer in works best. For those with oily skin, Huda Faux Filter or Estée Lauder Double Wear will be your best friend but I have dry skin, so my go-to foundations are By Terry Terrybly Densiliss, Shiseido Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Foundation or Armani Luminous Silk. Use LYMIN to save 20% on these products on Look Fantastic. Then use your concealer of choice - this depends on if you have blemishes, dark eye circles etc. At this point, I would powder - Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish is the best that I've found for situations where you need your base to last, but without looking cakey. Her Airbrush Bronzer also gives the same beautiful flawless finish to the skin, then I add some Hourglass Ambient Light Blush and that's more than enough base products for me. The only setting spray that I have found to be bulletproof is Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray - my temperature is consistently over 38 but this spray will keep my makeup in place.

I skip wearing lipstick until I know that I will be taking my mask off for a while - to eat, for example. Instead, I wear balms and rotate between Dior Lip Glow, Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Treatment and Pat McGrath Passion Flower lip balm.

I'm not saying that none of these products will end up on the inside of your mask, but there will be very little makeup residue by using the layering, good primer, powder and setting spray method. Also, by buying a reusable mask, you know that all product will be removed with a quick wash. If you are out & about everyday, it's worth buying a few masks. If you do use disposable masks, please dispose of them responsibly - don't leave them in trolleys for others to deal with, don't throw them on the floor - it's just so disrespectful!


Preventing and dealing with maskne:

If you find that your skin is suffering from wearing a mask (some people only have to wear them to pop to the supermarket, for others, it's their whole working day and longer, if they need to take public transport), there are things you can do to help it.

It's about finding the balance between cleaning your skin well, preventing and treating spots, but not stripping the skin and ensuring that the skin's natural barrier is protected. I would recommend double cleansing - an oil or balm first and then a non-foaming cleanser as a follow up. (I've mentioned some in my seasonal switch up post here). I would then use a toner and try to use one with salicylic acid, as this will penetrate the pores more deeply, but you don't want to use anything too harsh at this point, so I''d recommend Pixi Clarity Tonic*, which I reviewed here. The reason I would suggest this product is that it contains antioxidants, probiotics and AHAs, so it will deeply penetrate the pores to clear them, but it won't inflame the skin. 

Another product I would recommend, which you can leave on all night is Omorovicza Midnight Radance Mask. This mask also contains salicylic acid, which will dissolve sebum, but it also contains their Healing Concentrate™, which calms the skin. Skin always looks and feels better after using this - calm, less congested and more radiant.

If you have some spots that just will not budge, I would recommend dabbing some Origins Spot Remover directly onto each spot, rather than all over the area, as it will cause the skin to dry out - you only want the spot to dry out.

Other than that, I would recommend protecting the skin's natural barrier, so my main recommendation is Zelens Power D, which my friend Anne from Doctor Anne recommended to me a few years ago and I will never be without. Then I would also add a good serum - my choice would be Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (review here), Image Ageless Total Pure Hyaluronic Filler* (review here) or Zelens Z Hyaluron Hyaluronic Acid Serum Drops. You can use the code LYMIN to save 20% on these on Look Fantastic. I would just continue with your usual moisturiser and go easy on strong acids. The key is finding the balance and only you know your skin best and what it can handle.

For the love of anything and everything that is good in the world, wear a mask, regardless of messed up makeup or skin! The power to stop the spread of this horrific virus, is in our hands and wearing a mask is part of that. Please respect others by doing so, as well as social distancing, washing your hands and coughing into your elbow - all of these actions are as important now as they were at the beginning of the pandemic.

If you are in Ireland, the majority of these products are available in both Brown Thomas and Arnotts.

I hope this is of some help. Are you suffering from maskne or makeup not staying in place?

Thanks for reading! 


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All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been gifted without any obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.
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