Facing Up To Face Masks

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Face masks are now our new normal, and regardless of the style and colour that you choose, first and foremost, we must remember that they exist to keep us safe.  That said, I have been asked for advice on many different aspects of wearing masks, so I’m dedicating this to answering these questions-
  • WHAT STYLE OF MASK SHOULD I WEAR?
  • WHICH COLOUR OF MASK SHOULD I WEAR?
  • HOW DO I STOP MY GLASSES FOGGING UP?
  • HOW SHOULD I APPLY MY MAKE UP?
*My advice does not supersede medical and professional information.

WHAT SORT OF FACE MASK SHOULD I WEAR?

Your style personality dictates the choices that you make and how you adapt clothing to suit your own tastes. It goes without saying that when choosing a mask, your style personality will come into play.
Can you spot your Style Personality? This is an important area of understanding and embracing your individual image, and it is something that I cover in depth during all of my sessions with clients, but particularly during Style Consultations.

Creative – Homemade or from alternative retailers such as Etsy
Dramatic – Bold or textured fabric that makes a statement
Romantic – Feminine and pretty pattern or plain and sparkly
Classic – May have several masks to co-ordinate with different outfits
Natural – Easy care fabric so it doesn’t require washing or disposable
City Chic – Plain and understated in a neutral colour

WHICH COLOUR OF MASK SHOULD I WEAR?

For those who have had a Colour Analysis, choose a shade from your palette that makes you happy. You’re more likely to wear your mask if it makes you smile!

If you suffer from dark circles, I would recommend that you stay clear of strong, deep colours such as black, as it will only accentuate them. Instead, go for something more uplifting, such as your best red or one of your brighter blues.

 

Lights – Keep it light and delicate, try mint or pastel pink
Deeps – Balance your look with stronger shades, try teal or pine
Warms – Look for colours with warmth, coral and moss are perfect on you
Cools – Choose cool shades to balance such as cornflower and hot pink
Clears – Complement your striking eyes with vibrant scarlet or emerald green
Softs – Opt for muted shades such as light periwinkle or jade

Wearing the right colours on your face and body can make you look healthy, vibrant and younger. It can also have a psychological effect on how others perceive you. If you would like to find out more about your most flattering shades of colour and how to wear them, I’d love to hear from you.

HOW DO I STOP MY GLASSES FOGGING UP?

Specs and masks are not a match made in heaven are they? But there are a few tips that I can give you, to help with the fogging of your spectacles and sunglasses.

  • Wear your glasses over the mask rather than underneath. It won’t stop the fogging entirely but it will help.
  • Place a tissue on the inside of the mask to absorb excess moisture. This will also help to minimise make-up transfer!
  • Wash your glasses in soap and water (baby shampoo is ideal). Wipe lightly or allow to air dry. The soap leaves a film that prevents glasses from fogging over.
  • Try to achieve a tighter seal at the bridge of the nose. If you can, twist the ear loop so that you create an X shape and the top of the tie becomes the bottom and vice versa. Fastening the mask lower down the face, achieves a better seal.
  • Buy a mask with a wired nose ridge.
  • Spray your specs with an anti-fogging spray.

HOW SHOULD I APPLY MAKE UP?

Face coverings are playing havoc with our skin and make up.  Have you heard of ‘maskne’?  (Breakouts caused by the heat and moisture trapped between the skin and the mask.)  A lot of people also have irritated skin where the mask is in contact.  A blend of the right products and application techniques will really help with the longevity of your products.  Silk masks really help too!
  • After your skincare and SPF application, always apply a primer, it acts like a magnet for foundation, etc. I leave mine in the fridge and give it a good shake before applying. Take a look at the Velvet Touch Foundation Primer here.  It’s got a fabulous texture and smells amazing too.  I recommend letting that sink in before applying colour adjuster/correctors.
  • As well as a foundation primer, there’s also a great one for lip and eye products.
  • Eyes and brows are the features to play up now seeing they are virtually the only things visible.  For those who have been for a Colour Analysis or Make up Lesson, you’ll know I much prefer using an eyeshadow for brows as opposed to a pencil.  The golden rule is that if you are Light in colouring, go a shade deeper, and if you are Deep, go a shade lighter.  The undertone of the product is vital to remember.  You can easily lock this in place with a clear brow mascara like MAC Brow Set.  For eyes, layering is the key, prime, shadow, pencil, shadow and set!  You can always spritz your brush with setting spray (see below) before applying the shadow as it will give it super duper hold but it might make it a little more difficult to blend.
  • When applying your foundation, use a brush or fingers to distribute it but make sure you finish off by pressing it in with a sponge.  This sets it much more firmly.
  • Apply a cream blush first, then apply a powder blusher over that.  This way, if the powder does fade, you will still have a glow!
  • Lips!  What is the point???  Most of it comes off on the mask and the rest seems to smudge all over your face.  The trick to helping with this is to start with a lip primer (let it sink in), then line the lips AND fill the lips in with a lip pencil.  Set with a loose powder (see below) and line and fill in again.  Then when you take your mask off, there will still be a base colour and you can add a gloss or cream or sheer lipstick over the top!
  • Loose powder is another secret weapon in your arsenal and it’s an absolute saviour to set everything in place.  Using a velour puff, roll the powder in to the skin.  If there’s any excess just dust it away.  This will help absorb excess oils.
  • Finally, and again, an absolute must, is a setting spray.  It’s a bit like a hairspray for your face!  My go-to is Urban Decay All Nighter.