The NOTICEABLE difference between corrective makeup and camouflage makeup

Acne scars, pigmentation, melasma - if you have these, you struggle to cover them up. But instead of hiding them, why not treat them?

Be careful when purchasing makeup, however, because there is a big difference between over-the-counter corrective makeup and skin camouflage products. For example, skin camouflage products are designed to last 8-16 hours and are significantly water resistant making them harder to wash off at the end of the day. A great way to avoid that "caked on"  look is to apply an oil-free tinted moisturizer like our Avene Tinted Compact with SPF or Revision's Intellishade Matte. 

Now if you are looking to really cover up a stubborn dark spot or scar try Dermablend Cover Cream or Foundation. It's great for both moderate to major imperfections. Warning: markup should enhance your beauty, not make you look fake. We are here to not only make you look beautiful, but feel beautiful as well.

#mcleanderm #askdrlily #dermablend #makeupdoneright #beauty #healthyskin #loveyourskin

Study finds that women lose soft facial tissue faster than men...

A recent article found that "women experience a sharp loss in facial-tissue volume at the age of 30 to 60 before the rate levels off, while men experience a more gradual decline." 

Signs of aging can be prevented ladies. Call to schedule your filler appointment today! (702) 356-5111.

Gleam by Melanie Mills

If you're looking for that perfect velvet, bronzed glow then look no further.  McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center is happy to announce we now carry Gleam Body Radiance created by Emmy award-winning makeup artist Melanie Mills.

Melanie started her Gleam line in 2010 while working on the set of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, and soon her brand was made known to A-list celebrities.

Gleam Body Radiance provides that perfect spray tan finish in seconds and made with ingredients that are actually good for your skin.  Olive oil, green tea extract, and jojoba seed oil are just a few healthy agents that help nourish the skin while leaving a gleam-tastic effect!

Under Eye Concealer vs. Blemish Concealer

Conceal (kuh n – seel): to hide or remove from observation; cover from sight; keep secret.

We are well aware of what a concealer can do for our unwelcome facial flaws.  It’s no secret that we utilize makeup to cover up unwanted blemishes from the public eye.  There is a difference though between under eye concealer and blemish concealer. Do NOT use one product for both problems because they are not the same.

The trick to getting the perfect concealer is based on color, not product. The redness caused by a blemish is best concealed with a green or yellow-toned concealer. Choose one that is the same color of your skin tone. 

For those persistent under eye circles that are a blue/brown hue, choose a pink-toned concealer.  For the region under your eyes, the concealer should be several shades lighter than your skin color. This highlights your eyes giving them a fresh, bright look.

Each problem area has a different cause and a different regimen for proper coverage.

What comes first, foundation or concealer? Always put foundation on first and then highlight with the concealer.  Using a makeup brush will provide the best coverage for both foundation and concealer. Choosing the right color to fit the problem will give you the best results. 

Remember makeup not only conceals but also contours your face so choose wisely!

Tips to Keeping a Healthy Glow during the Harsh Winter Months

Anyone can get dry skin, but with these tips everyone can avoid it.  We see it begin in the fall and by winter our skin is dull, flaky, and itchy.  The low temperatures, absence of humidity, and harsh winds all play a role in causing this unwanted dry skin.  Here are some tips to help your body keep moisture in.

1     -  Take warm, but not hot showers.  Yes, they feel great but they aren’t great for your skin.  Hot water robs your skin of its moisture, so try taking a lukewarm shower only once a day.  This rule also applies to washing your hands.

      - The best time to moisturize is right after showering.  Try to apply your cream within five minutes.  It is better to use a cream rather than a lotion because lotions are oil in water, whereas creams are water in oil.  Creams are thicker and are often in a tube or jar, not a pump.

3     - Invest in a humidifier. The winter air is in short supply of humidity, especially if your home has a fireplace.  A room heated by a fireplace has less than 10% moisture in the air.

4     -  Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!  I can’t say it enough.  Moisturizers work much more effectively when applied to exfoliated skin.  For facial exfoliation try Clarisonic’s Facial Cleansing Brush along with any glycolic acid face wash such as Glytone’s Self-Foaming Acne Cleanser, which can be purchased at your next visit.  For hydrated, smooth skin try our Avéne Emollient Cleansing Bath.

5    -  Skip the drying soaps such as anti-bacterial, bar soaps, and anything that lathers.  Stick to creamy cleansers with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or petrolatum.  Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash is great for the body and for the face try Avéne’s Extremely Gentle Cleanser sold in our office. And don’t forget your lips!  Eucerin’s Aquaphor Healing Ointment works wonders for dry, cracked lips.

Beauty Balm.. Love it or leave it?

Using cutting-edge technology, cosmetic and skincare companies are joining forces to create better products that incorporate the aspects of a great skin care along with the complexion perfecting properties of makeup. 

Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm, is a product new to the US, but originated in Korea. The idea behind the product is a thick, tinted cream that acts like a moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation and concealer wrapped up into one product. 

There is a long list of US cosmetic brands that have their own B.B. cream. The range of sunscreen SPF varies and the coverage varies depending on the product.  

For those with less than perfect complexion, beauty balms are not going to provide enough coverage but can enhance skin for a natural look. I recommend applying the balm all over and using a concealer for dark spots and under the eyes. For those with acne-prone skin, try it before you buy it! Some of the sunscreens used can cause oily skin to breakout. 

While highly popular in Asia, beauty balms life span on the US beauty scene is unknown right now but it’s worth a try!

Makeup in a minute!

Time is money and having a quick makeup routine in the morning saves time. A great product that saves time is a one step, one shade tinted moisturizer. It combines supple moisturizing agents along with SPF 45 and just enough coverage to even skin tone and cover minor skin imperfections. Available at my McLean office is Intellishade SPF 45 by Revision Skincare. You can also order over the phone by calling us at 703-356-5111. 

The End of Transferring Makeup

Is there such thing as a makeup that will stay on your face? Or will stained shirt collars be in our lives forever? I found the answer! Don’t ruin great clothes anymore with makeup that smudges and budges... CHANEL Perfection Lumière Liquid Foundation, this is medium to full coverage and has a flawless matte finish that will stay exactly where you put it, no questions about it!