Beauty and the beast

BASE
FOUNDATION can make your skin covergirl-esque, but it can, at the same time, give rise to skin infections which can’t be removed by airbrushing.

Rashes or allergic contact dermatitis (ACD is a condition resulting in burning, itching, and redness) can occur due to dirty sponges or brushes, low quality foundations or those that don’t match your skin type. Actor Sushama Reddy had a run-in with a make-up artist, who used the same sponge for a number of models during a show. Seven days later, acne exploded all over her face. ‘‘I now make sure I carry my own bases, puffs, sponges and make-up for every shoot,’’ says Reddy.

Bhagat gives your make-up a six month deadline, since our climate causes it to turn stale and sticky in no time at all.

‘‘I know girls who have had their skin burnt in patches due to old or low quality bases,’’ he says. ‘‘Clean your sponges with Dettol, wash brushes after every use and use good quality branded products,’’ he adds.

And equally important, choose a product that suits your skin type. ‘‘If you chose an oil-based product when your skin can’t take it, you can’t blame the brand,’’ says Kolah. Reddy recalls a time when she bought a foundation from a reputed foreign skincare company and ended up with rashes the next day. ‘‘By trial and error, you can tell the products that suit you. Stick to them.’’

Tip: A compact is a safe bet and even acts like a physical sunscreen.

CHEEKS
Blushers comprise pigments and other colours, so they are not the safest things to wear in sunlight. ‘‘When you’re out in the sun, the pigment makes the cheek more sensitised and absorbs UV light faster,’’ says Goel. Dark patches of pigmentation are what you may end up with instead of rosy cheeks.

Tip: Pick powder blushers over creamy ones—the latter block pores and cause acne.

LIPS
THE most common problem lipstick can cause is darkening of lips due to the fragrance or colour present in the product. ‘‘It results in dark patches on the lips—it’s the same effect as smoking but the process is different,’’ says Goel. Lipsticks with a sun protection factor are a good buy for daywear. “Fragrances are known to cause allergic reactions. Good brands have strict quality control measures and don’t use outdated fragrances,” says Dr Malavika Kohli, a Mumbai-based dermatologist. Fragrances cause more ACD than any other ingredient. Less allergenic fragrances have been developed to minimise the problem.

Tip: A product labelled unscented may contain a fragrance to mask other chemical odours. Look for products marked fragrance-free or without perfume.

NAILS
A person allergic to nail polish may develop a rash on the fingers, eyelids, face, and neck—places that may have been exposed to the nail polish or its fumes. Red polishes cause a harmless discolouration of the nail, while artificial nails are attached with glue that may contain methacrylate, a common allergen. But methacrylate-free glues may cause the underlying nail to peel and crack.

Tip: Use a transparent top coat over your coloured polish.