Make up sponges

It's not easy to find natural sponges for make-up. I even tried 'The Body Shop.' The Sales Assistants turned their horrified gaze upon me. 'Natural sponge? Of course we don't stock them, they're endangered! But we do have some man-made sponges that might work...'

As much as I want to save the sponges, man-made versions are inferior. They don't distribute the make-up in the same way. It is worth buying small pieces of natural sponge. The denser the holes in the sponge, the thicker the coverage will be. Smaller holes seem to create a lighter, more natural texture.

The best and cheapest way to order sponges is off art websites. They are often used for watercolour paintings and are a good size for make-up.

Make up update, new products, new tips

Since my accident I have been using Dermablend by Vichy to cover up the red marks and (minor but still there) scars on my face. 3 months after that fateful day I went to a Red Cross make-up lesson and was prescribed some make-up on the NHS. I was dubious about this. Prescription make-up on the NHS would be the poor cousin of expensive, fully priced, advertised cosmetics...right? WRONG!

The prescription make-up is Fabulous with a capital F.

DERMA COLOR CAMOUFLAGE CREME AND FIXING POWDER


DERMA COLOR CREME - HOW TO USE

Derma color creme doesn't look easy to use. It is a solid block of colour set inside a pot. I can promise that once you have the knack, you will have flawless skin.

1. You need to apply this creme with a sponge. I have been using a little piece of natural sponge as advised by Red Cross. Before using, damp the sponge under running water and then squeeze it in a towel. This will stop it being too wet, otherwise it won't work as well. (Learnt from experience.)

2. Dig your fingernail in the pot of creme (away from you so it doesn't go under your nail and just sits on top of it!) and get a little out. Take a small amount at a time. Wipe/dab it on the back of your hand, the opposite hand that you will use to apply it.

Amazingly, as soon as the creme hits the back of your hand and gets warm, it turns fluid!

3. Press your sponge on the creme on the back of your hand. Then press and roll the sponge on your face, starting from the nose outwards. You can also dab the sponge firmly on your face in harder to cover areas.

4. Make sure you blend at the sides of your face!

5. Wipe the sponge down each side of your nose.

I usually need to take a little 'dig' out of the pot for each cheek, one for my chin and one for my forehead.

6. After this, you should have a natural colour building up on your face. You shouldn't need much else! However, I do cover and blend the redder areas by using the Dermablend by Vichy Concealer stick that I bought from Boots. (See earlier post.)

DERMA COLOR FIXING POWDER-HOW TO USE

The fixing powder is interesting. I would like to know who created this impossible-to-use pot. Unfortunately it goes everywhere, a waste of product and a waste of money for the NHS! It really is a terrible design compared to the Vichy pot. There are many, many bronzers and loose powders out there, all in perfectly usable pots. So why the Derma color people decided upon this one in their camouflage board room, I have no idea. If I come up with a solution to limit it's scattering tendencies, I'll let you know!

1. You can use a powder puff but I don't have one so I've been using cotton wool pads.

2. Load up the pads with the powder and simply dab it all over your face, paying extra attention to the areas that have the most coverage on. Then you can go back and press the powder gently into your face. Don't be rough, you don't want to dislodge the make-up.

3. LEAVE FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES! Don't rush this process!

4. AFTER AT LEAST 10 MINUTES! Use a large brush to dust the powder off, very lightly. You will find that most of it has been absorbed.

5. Delicately add on your normal blusher and the rest of your make-up.

This company say that the make-up has NEVER caused an allergic reaction in anyone. I do think that this make-up seems to cause me less irritation than the Vichy one. It has also caused me less little 'blisters' or 'spots' under my chin but this could be because my skin is healed more now.

They also claim that the make-up is waterproof. While I can't vouch for this exactly, I have been swimming in it. I was slightly splashed in the face and it didn't budge one bit.

It also says in the instructions that you won't need to re-apply it at any time. Although it lasts a long time, you might want to re-powder during the day as it can go a bit shiny. The company do a pre-make-up cleanser for oily skin should you be having trouble with the longevity of the make-up. I think you would need to ask your doctor or Red Cross consultant if you wanted to use this.

They also make skin 'plastic' for very uneven skin. Although I don't need to use this myself, I think it would be another amazing product.

To get the make-up off I have been using Clinque Cleansing Balm and then a face wash but the Red Cross consultants used Aqueous cream....much cheaper!

You definitely need patience with this make-up but it is worth it.

Make-up lesson attended...useful advice issued!

I have been waiting for three months for my make-up lesson with the Red Cross, provided by the NHS but it was worth the wait! They had a range of brands to prescribe me and Dermablend was among them! I am very pleased about this as I am already used to this brand and it will be much cheaper obtaining it on prescription. The ladies were very nice and they took great care finding the correct colour to match my skin tone.

They applied the foundation, telling me to build up the colour and to not use too much. I was left with a very natural looking colour by the end, suitable for day-wear. Their aim was to cover the redness and scars with as little as possible but when I do it myself I would use more make-up as I am attempting to achieve as close to flawless skin as possible.

As a result they only prescribe the foundation or 'creme' as it is known and the fixing powder. In the day-time this would be fine but for nights out or special occasions I would still advise using the corrective concealer on the most vivid parts.

Although everything on my previous Dermablend post still stands, there are a couple of updates.

Applying the make-up

I have been using my fingers to apply the make-up but the ladies used a piece of natural sponge. You put the foundation or creme on the back of your hand and soften it using your fingers to warm it. You then dab the sponge on it firmly. Then you apply the make-up from the sponge to your face in a rolling action, again firmly. You wipe the sponge down each side of your nose. Then you use your fingers to blend or pat into pores.

The ladies started from the outside of my face and moved inwards but I would start from the middle of face such as the sides of your nose and move outwards. Otherwise you do end up with a tideline around your face!

The sponge does help with any uneven patches. I have an uneven area under my nose due to scar tissue there and it is easier to apply using a sponge than my fingers. It clogs a bit when fingers are used.

The sponge can be bought from most chemists and also the internet in several places. I will let you know once I've got some. http://www.anniqueuk.co.uk/facial-sponge-pack.html

The sponges should be washed in a mild detergent and rinsed well. Try to use something that won't irritate if residue does get left on such as shower gel or tea tree dilution.

Fixing powder

If fixed and set properly, the make-up should last for up to 12 hours on the face and 4 days on the body. It is also waterproof.

I was a bit suspicious of this claim. As I have oily skin, I do find that it becomes very shiny and I need to re-set the make-up using the fixing powder. For example, I went to a wedding from 2.30pm until midnight and I set it once in that time and could have done with setting it twice.

I also couldn't see how it would be waterproof.

The advice regarding fixing powder makes sense. You must powder your face LIBERALLY with powder, pressing it into your skin firmly. (Not too firmly - you don't want to dislodge the make-up.) Once powdered...go and do something else. You need to leave it on for 10 minutes or longer to achieve the 'fix.' Although the Dermablend products say 2 minutes, the ladies said this is in no way enough.

Eat your breakfast, watch some TV...but don't rush the fixing process!

Once ready, brush the excess off with a large brush.

The lady applied the fixing powder with a cotton wool pad but if it comes with a powder puff, you can use that. Whatever suits!

Removal

The final interesting piece of advice was removing the make-up......aqueous cream! Cheap and easily obtainable from any chemist or supermarket! Who would have thought?

Apply the cream using fingers and remove with a cotton pad. You might need to give it a few moments to loosen the make-up. Then rinse with water.

Thank you RED CROSS!

http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Social-support-in-the-UK/Skin-camouflage



Red Cross is a charity and their work is very important. If you would like to donate to them then please go to www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now

If you want to give something back or have skills that could be useful perhaps consider becoming a volunteer. http://www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved

Removing Dermanblend make-up...a feat in itself!

As camouflage make-up is thicker and highly pigmented it is difficult to get off using conventional removers. With a combination of trial and error and some helpful sales people, I have found the answer!



I have been using Clinique take the day off cleansing balm. It's £20 for a tub and it lasts a very long time. It's a solid block or 'balm' that you rub your fingers across and then gently rub the wax into your skin. It dissolves hard-to-remove camouflage make-up and sunscreen too. Then I remove it gently with cotton wool like a normal cleanser. After that I wash my face to make sure it doesn't clog my easily-cloggable pores.

Although it is quite oily on the skin it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy as long as you wash it off with water afterwards.

It isn't really suitable for removing eye make-up simply because it's hard to apply on your eyes.



For my eyes I have been using Lancome Bi Facil. This is quite gentle but you must make sure to hold it on the lashes to dissolve the make-up instead of scraping it off and irritating your eye area. I had burns around my eyes so I need something sensitive such as this. However, as it is quite a gentle removing action, it takes some time to get all make-up off successfully and some mornings I have had panda eyes!

If anyone has used something more effective on their eyes, do let me know!



When I first got my make-up I was so excited to use it, I couldn't wait to buy any remover. I hadn't realised just how resilient Dermablend was. I did discover that bio oil works really well if you have nothing else. It's just it's a bit expensive to be smearing liberally over your face as cleanser!

I have my official make-up lesson today so I will share any illuminating information I discover.....

Guide to using Dermablend Camouflage Make-Up

These are the three products I use to create a pretty much flawless finish.

Vichy Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream Stick 12g-Porcelain 11

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation 30ML Shade 'Nude' with SPF 20


Vichy Dermablend Corrective Cosmetics Fixing Powder in Clear


I looked for advice when buying and trying these products and I really struggled to find anything helpful. I watched the Dermablend video on their website http://www.vichyconsult.ie/franchises/dermablend.aspx which made it look very easy. It's worth a watch but remember, you are going to need to practise, practise, practise!

STEP ONE

It's really going to depend on your skin type but with this make-up I have found that it lasts longer if first you prep your skin. For me, this means doing nothing as I have quite greasy skin naturally. However, you should moisturise before you apply this make up if you have very dry skin. Otherwise the colour seems to get stuck on the skin and look uneven in texture. If you do moisturise, you must make sure it is totally and completely soaked in. I would leave at least 15 minutes or so.

Another thing I have discovered. If you are wearing any silicone gels on your face for scarring (such as Kelo-cote) then you must either leave it off or make sure it is totally dry. You are meant to put the thinnest sheen of the gel on so it dries very quickly but if it is even in the least tacky your make-up will clump on it.

As the areas you are treated are probably the areas you want to cover, leave a decent amount of time for the gel to dry! Otherwise you will just get frustrated and be late on your way out!

STEP TWO

Get your corrective foundation (tube.) Although mine is in a 'nude' shade, it looks really dark and a bit scary! I was really worried I'd look 'The Only Way is Essex' orange so the first few times I applied it sparsely. This only gives a patchy look.

I stand in a slightly darkened room, or in front of a mirror that doesn't have fluorescent light that highlights every little flaw!

Put a pea size amount (to start) on the back of your hand. Dab your 3 middle finger tips in it. Smear it onto your face in a sweeping moment from your nose outwards across your cheeks. On the good side of my face this is enough but on the other side I also have to cover up my chin, under my chin and part of my neck.

You will probably need some more for across your forehead and eyebrows. You should use enough to cover all your face. Don't worry about it looking too dark. The foundation looks dark on your hand but I think this is due to the level of pigments in it. On your face it seems to sink in and adjust to your skin tone. The key is not to be afraid and not to skimp!

STEP THREE

Now you have an overall colour, you are going to use the Corrective Concealer stick to camouflage the scars or brightest patches. It is like a thick pan stick.

Wash the foundation off the back of your hand so you can put concealer there now. The back of your hand is like your paint palette. Rub the concealer stick vigorously back and forth across the back of your hand, about an inch in length. This is to help warm it up and become more malleable. Once you have a thick patch on the back of your hand, use one finger (I use my middle finger) to rub over the concealer and get a decent amount on your fingerpad. Then firmly dab the colour onto the smaller areas you want to cover. If it is a large area you want to cover, dab the concealer stick directly on to the area and then blend in.

With the concealer stick it is better to build the colour up slowly. It is quite greasy and will dislodge if you knock it or scrape it at this point, so once you are happy with it or you are nearly there, use a lighter and lighter touch to add product so you don't knock it off.

This does take some practise but it definitely works once you have the hang of it. The concealer I have chosen is quite light in colour compared to my skin and that seems to work well.

STEP FOUR

You must fix your makeup using setting powder in order for it to work. I find that I have to fix my makeup a couple of times through the day.

I have only used the clear powder, which doesn't affect the colour of the foundation. You literally dab it on using the puff and wait for 2 minutes. Then using a large brush, delicately sweep the powder away. I use a plentiful amount of fixing powder to make sure it works!

Once the powder is set you can apply your own blusher and so on. I have found that you have to be quite gentle if you are brushing blusher on.

STEP FIVE

Hopefully your face is looking flawless now!

What you need to do will vary depending on your scarring and facial redness but mine goes over my eyelids and brow bones. I have found that using thick creme eyeshadows like this from Benefit http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/gp/product/B000OHEZO6/sr=1-25/qid=1318885453/ref=sr_1_25/278-2017691-2815115?ie=UTF8&n=48844031&bcBrand=core really work well covering up redness. (On top of Dermablend!)

I also have lost some of my lip outline which I hope to have tattooed back on in the future. However until then, I outline my lips in a bright colour (pink, red...) and then fill them in. Although I've lost some of the outline, it isn't noticeable when I draw it back on with a very fine lip brush.

If you have any questions or tips, please let me know! I haven't had my make-up lesson yet (on the NHS, prescription make-up) so I might have some information in a week or so.

I also plan to try out a primer or base before I apply make-up to see if this might help fix it in place further.

Cover (up!) Girl

One of the hardest things for me to cope with has been the cosmetic side of a burns injury.

I am VERY lucky that I have only got a tiny scar under my nose, one under my eye and one on my forehead near my hairline. My main issue is that my face is red/scorched. AND I keep getting spots on the damaged skin. (I say spots, they are more like little blisters.)

The only positive thing is that my eyelashes have grown back longer!!!!

One of the things I have experimented with is camouflage make-up. I am having a makeup lesson this week but I've had to wait 3 months for it, too long when you feel very self conscious. So I did some googling and set out with very little information....

I couldn't find much guidance for camouflage makeup, so I have created a post to help others.

I have also had to update - ok, replace - my wardrobe as my clothes are completely inappropriate now. I have created a couple of posts with some of the ingenious ideas I've had....

In my 'disguise,' no one would know I've had an accident and while I continue to recover, this is such a comfort!!!