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Get the Red Out: Color Correcting Your Complexion

Published 01.25.2008 | Permanent Link | Comments (6)

Amy,

Ok. First off you are so right about the Philosophy line with Hope in a Bottle and the face wash stuff. It actually has got down on the flakiness I have been seeing this winter. Actually I had a co-worker comment on how pretty my skin looked today. So, thanks for constantly referring to it as your go to face cream. Ok, on to my question regarding coverage for my face. I use a powder foundation but I’m still seeing red splotches on my face. What is the best conceal or coverer for a mom that is quick and simple. Also, keep in mind I have very sensitive skin and if I take a misstep my face will revolt and I will be fighting to correct it. My age is the middle of 30’s road.

Thanks
Splotchy

So I took a trip through the Sephora tester bottles yesterday and saw a lot of complexion enhancers and fixers and such -- tons of which are made specifically for red splotches. The problem is that when I personally tested them on my not-very-red-or-splotchy face, I wasn't really able to tell how well they'd work on an actual red-or-splotchy face. So there's a little more blind guesswork involved in this answer than I'd like, but hopefully you have a Sephora or Ulta or decent selection of department store cosmetic counters nearby where you can test them out before committing (or upsetting your sensitive skin too badly).

Oh, and one more thing: is it possible that you have rosacea? If so, a dermatologist can go a step better than concealing and actually eliminate the redness with treatment. Check out patient photos here to see if your face looks similar. (Sephora also has a ton of recommendations for helping redness and rosacea.)

P141300_hero.jpgGenerally, if you want to reduce red, you need to add green. Something like Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Corrective Base ($16.50), or Bourjois Lovely Redness Correcting Base ($21) (bonus, the Bourjois is recommended for sensitive skin.) These are nice one-step primers that you would apply after moisturizing and before your foundation. (Smashbox makes one too, but I don't think it has enough oomph for the price.) For more fine-tuning of your complexion, there's this palette by Make-Up Forever ($36).

I did see a couple powder correctors yesterday -- and interestingly enough, they were both yellow. (Which I always thought was more for dark circles and blue undertones.) But if you prefer powders, check out Tarte's Yellow Mellow ($25) and Benefit's Bluff Dust ($22).

200.jpgAs far as cheaper options go, I am still dismayed that I can't recommend the Boots base, since I'm pretty sure the green version is just as hard to apply and weird as the regular stuff. But! Physician's Formula makes TONS of great complexion concealers and enhancers, many of which are under $10. There's this one for $6.99 (ignore that spongey brush and use your own -- I'd go with a small blush brush) and this one for $11. I'm a huge fan of PF's multi-colored palettes since they are completely idiot-proof (again, brush it on after moisturizing and before foundation). My only caveat is that I'm not super-sure about how well they work with sensitive skin, so proceed with a little caution. I have personally never had a problem with them, but I have noticed some online user reviews complain of dryness and irritation.

(And as always, readers with personal experience with any redness-correcting product should feel free to chime in with picks and pans.)

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Comments (6):

Courtney G. said:

I also have reddish spots, and *very* sensitive skin. I'm pretty wary of new products because I've had to deal with contact dermatitis a bunch of times. I use the Smashbox green primer faithfully and love it. There's a visible improvement as soon as I put it on. It is expensive, but I buy the small tubes (about $17) and use judiciously - they last me 4-5 months. Anyway - good luck!

Posted on January 25, 2008 12:06

glittergirley said:

I have really sensitive skin too - bare minerals made my face itch like crazy, which sucks because I loved the way it looked. So i went to sephora and found a combination that works just as good and makes my skin just as radiant, without the itch:
Smashbox primer (in green) (optional, use only if i want to look super extra nice or be taking photos)
Lorac tinted moisterizer (or is it called base tint?) it has spf 15, yay!
Lorac pressed powder

Okay i admit, Lorac may be my new favorite make up. I have always LOVED the eyeshadows but im really into how natural the face make up looks too - nothing cake-y, just glowy.

Posted on January 25, 2008 12:55

BridehoodRevisited said:

I have to say that I have the Tarte mellow yellow and it honestly makes me look jaundiced, but there's a decent chance I'm not using it correctly.

Posted on January 25, 2008 18:24

Jennelou said:

I got an email from Sephora today....

I thought this link might be useful to you!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?categoryId=C9381

Posted on January 25, 2008 19:40

robin m said:

If the powder foundation you are using is Bare Minerals, stop. That is most likely causing the splotching/redness.

Posted on January 26, 2008 22:16

jodifur said:

When my luggage was lost recently I bought Physician's Formula for some cheap, get me through makeup. I was actually impressed with it.

Posted on January 27, 2008 22:44

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Amalah is a pseudonym of Amy Corbett Storch. A Washington D.C.-based freelance writer. The Smackdown is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can follow Amy's daily mothering adventures at www.amalah.com. Also, it's pronounced AIM-ah-lah.

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