Makeup
Advice
Under the supervision of Julie Chamoun,
Medical and Scientific Relations,
Vichy Canada
Makeup
Diagnosis
Discover your personalized skincare routine, as perscribed by pharmacists.
Start your diagnosisDermatologist
Should I take my skin type into consideration when choosing foundation?
Did you Know ?
Women today have a wide range of choices when it comes to choosing makeup, especially foundation. With many different textures and formulas available - some containing active ingredients that hydrate, soothe, and smooth - there’s surely a foundation that’s right for your skin type.
What to do:
If your skin is oily, opt for a fluid, matte-finish foundation that eliminates the shine caused by excess sebum.
Did you Know ?
Women today have a wide range of choices when it comes to choosing makeup, especially foundation. With many different textures and formulas available - some containing active ingredients that hydrate, soothe, and smooth - there’s surely a foundation that’s right for your skin type.
What to do:
If your skin is oily, opt for a fluid, matte-finish foundation that eliminates the shine caused by excess sebum.
If you have dry skin, try a cream-based foundation with greater hydrating properties.
Whatever your skin type, it’s important to use a foundation that is gentle on the skin and lets it breathe. Look for hypoallergenic formulas that have been tested on sensitive skin and contain mineral pigments.
Some foundations are also meant to be age-specific. If you want to smooth away those first fine lines or downplay facial wrinkling, use an anti-aging product. They’re designed to remain supple so facial movements are unconstrained and natural-looking. Bolstered with anti-aging ingredients, they can also fight the appearance of wrinkles.
Women today have a wide range of choices when it comes to choosing makeup, especially foundation. With many different textures and formulas available - some containing active ingredients that hydrate, soothe, and smooth - there’s surely a foundation that’s right for your skin type.
What to do:
If your skin is oily, opt for a fluid, matte-finish foundation that eliminates the shine caused by excess sebum.
Did you Know ?
Women today have a wide range of choices when it comes to choosing makeup, especially foundation. With many different textures and formulas available - some containing active ingredients that hydrate, soothe, and smooth - there’s surely a foundation that’s right for your skin type.
What to do:
If your skin is oily, opt for a fluid, matte-finish foundation that eliminates the shine caused by excess sebum.
If you have dry skin, try a cream-based foundation with greater hydrating properties.
Whatever your skin type, it’s important to use a foundation that is gentle on the skin and lets it breathe. Look for hypoallergenic formulas that have been tested on sensitive skin and contain mineral pigments.
Some foundations are also meant to be age-specific. If you want to smooth away those first fine lines or downplay facial wrinkling, use an anti-aging product. They’re designed to remain supple so facial movements are unconstrained and natural-looking. Bolstered with anti-aging ingredients, they can also fight the appearance of wrinkles.
Can foundation protect my skin against sun damage?
Did you Know ?
Sunlight can brighten our mood and provide a sort of “natural glow” that no makeup can duplicate—but the sun is actually one of your skin’s worst enemies. While sunshine feels good, ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays are damaging. Over time, they’re responsible for accelerating aging of the skin and, in some cases, causing cancer to develop.
What to do:
Choose a foundation that has a sun protection factor (SPF) number on its label. Used daily, it will help protect your skin from UV rays. But watch out—foundation typically has low sun protection capabilities (SPF 15, for example). While it helps somewhat, it won’t protect as well as sunscreen. If you’re going to spend time in strong sunlight, foundation alone won’t provide enough protection because you probably use just one light application per day.
So when you’re heading outside for a prolonged period, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating as a makeup base under your foundation.
Sunlight can brighten our mood and provide a sort of “natural glow” that no makeup can duplicate—but the sun is actually one of your skin’s worst enemies. While sunshine feels good, ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays are damaging. Over time, they’re responsible for accelerating aging of the skin and, in some cases, causing cancer to develop.
What to do:
Choose a foundation that has a sun protection factor (SPF) number on its label. Used daily, it will help protect your skin from UV rays. But watch out—foundation typically has low sun protection capabilities (SPF 15, for example). While it helps somewhat, it won’t protect as well as sunscreen. If you’re going to spend time in strong sunlight, foundation alone won’t provide enough protection because you probably use just one light application per day.
So when you’re heading outside for a prolonged period, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating as a makeup base under your foundation.
I have sensitive skin—can I still use foundation?
Did you Know ?
Makeup for sensitive complexions needs to be carefully formulated, because such skin is often extremely reactive. Numerous external factors -such as pollution or air conditioning - can cause feelings of discomfort. Some sensitive complexions tend to get extremely ruddy. It’s therefore important to choose the right foundation so your makeup remains fresh- and even-looking all day long.
What to do on a daily basis:
Before applying foundation, make sure your skin is completely clean. Gently remove old makeup. Avoid soaps that are too drying. Before applying foundation, slick on a light moisturizer to protect the skin’s outer layer. Select a comfortable, hydrating foundation that will give you a uniformly fresh look. Check the label to ensure it’s hypoallergenic too. Specially developed for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic foundations minimize the risk of irritation.
Makeup for sensitive complexions needs to be carefully formulated, because such skin is often extremely reactive. Numerous external factors -such as pollution or air conditioning - can cause feelings of discomfort. Some sensitive complexions tend to get extremely ruddy. It’s therefore important to choose the right foundation so your makeup remains fresh- and even-looking all day long.
What to do on a daily basis:
Before applying foundation, make sure your skin is completely clean. Gently remove old makeup. Avoid soaps that are too drying. Before applying foundation, slick on a light moisturizer to protect the skin’s outer layer. Select a comfortable, hydrating foundation that will give you a uniformly fresh look. Check the label to ensure it’s hypoallergenic too. Specially developed for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic foundations minimize the risk of irritation.
Could my foundation be causing skin problems?
Did you Know ?
Skin imperfections are rarely caused by foundation, which lets the skin breathe. They usually result from a combination of occurrences: excessive sebum production, dead cells that clog pores and prevent the flow of sebum, micro-organisms that feed on sebum and trigger irritation—all of which perpetuate excessive oiliness. So choosing the right foundation is crucial, because you don’t want to intensify the underlying conditions that are causing blemishes and imperfections.
What to do:
Cleanse your skin thoroughly twice each day, especially in the morning before applying foundation. Ideally, you should use a foundation for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Go for a light formula that’s oil-free and non-comedogenic to avoid blocking pores. Before bed, cleanse your face thoroughly to remove all makeup, sebum and impurities.
Skin imperfections are rarely caused by foundation, which lets the skin breathe. They usually result from a combination of occurrences: excessive sebum production, dead cells that clog pores and prevent the flow of sebum, micro-organisms that feed on sebum and trigger irritation—all of which perpetuate excessive oiliness. So choosing the right foundation is crucial, because you don’t want to intensify the underlying conditions that are causing blemishes and imperfections.
What to do:
Cleanse your skin thoroughly twice each day, especially in the morning before applying foundation. Ideally, you should use a foundation for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Go for a light formula that’s oil-free and non-comedogenic to avoid blocking pores. Before bed, cleanse your face thoroughly to remove all makeup, sebum and impurities.
What foundation is best suited for my environment?
Did you Know ?
Did you know that your skin adapts naturally to the environment around it? But in less than pristine air conditions, it’s harder to combat excessive free radicals that are themselves generated by pollution. Day in and day out, your foundation serves as the interface protecting your skin from polluted air. So it’s important to choose it carefully.
What to do on a daily basis:
Choose a foundation texture that best suits your environment. If you live in a city that experiences particularly high pollution levels, select a light foundation that lets skin breathe—you don’t want your makeup to contribute to the problem. Some formulas are also rich in anti-oxidants, to help your skin stay healthy.
Impurities can settle on the surface of your foundation and makeup, so be sure to cleanse your face thoroughly each evening to remove all traces of cosmetics and grime.
Did you know that your skin adapts naturally to the environment around it? But in less than pristine air conditions, it’s harder to combat excessive free radicals that are themselves generated by pollution. Day in and day out, your foundation serves as the interface protecting your skin from polluted air. So it’s important to choose it carefully.
What to do on a daily basis:
Choose a foundation texture that best suits your environment. If you live in a city that experiences particularly high pollution levels, select a light foundation that lets skin breathe—you don’t want your makeup to contribute to the problem. Some formulas are also rich in anti-oxidants, to help your skin stay healthy.
Impurities can settle on the surface of your foundation and makeup, so be sure to cleanse your face thoroughly each evening to remove all traces of cosmetics and grime.
Can makeup minimize the signs of fatigue, especially under-eye dark circles?
Did you Know ?
Under-eye dark circles often appear when we don’t get enough sleep. But for some of us, the cause is excessive pigmentation (making circles look brown) or a teeming network of blood vessels beneath the extremely delicate lower eyelid skin (resulting in bluish circles). Either way, undereye circles make you look tired—no wonder they’re high on most women’s complaint lists. But makeup can help.
What to do on a daily basis:
Before applying foundation, use a concealer. Put tiny dabs of a slightly lighter shade on the lower eyelids for a fresh, more radiant look. If your circles are bluish, apply a tiny bit of yellow corrector to neutralize the blue.
Under-eye dark circles often appear when we don’t get enough sleep. But for some of us, the cause is excessive pigmentation (making circles look brown) or a teeming network of blood vessels beneath the extremely delicate lower eyelid skin (resulting in bluish circles). Either way, undereye circles make you look tired—no wonder they’re high on most women’s complaint lists. But makeup can help.
What to do on a daily basis:
Before applying foundation, use a concealer. Put tiny dabs of a slightly lighter shade on the lower eyelids for a fresh, more radiant look. If your circles are bluish, apply a tiny bit of yellow corrector to neutralize the blue.
How can I deal with uneven skin tone so my makeup looks great?
Did you Know ?
Skin isn’t always uniform in appearance: its surface texture, color, overall look, and cleanliness can be affected by the seasons, menstrual cycles, diet, or just by the climate. Tinted foundations and face creams that can brighten the complexion are a real boon for some women, whether they’re used occasionally or every day.
What to do on a daily basis:
For makeup that looks flawlessly perfect, always start with a thoroughly clean face. Get in the habit of generously hydrating your skin by using a product that suits its needs. This will lay the groundwork for an evenly applied, luminous foundation. If you have brown spots, you may want to think about using a corrective foundation to cover them. To minimize other minor flaws, try a tinted concealer stick : One with green undertones will neutralize red blotches, recent scars, and redness, while yellow undertones minimize the appearance of blue undereye circles.
Then, apply your foundation by dabbing small amounts on the forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and chin, then blending outward and upward as if it were a cream. Alternatively, a foundation brush or damp makeup sponge can be used to achieve very natural results.
Skin isn’t always uniform in appearance: its surface texture, color, overall look, and cleanliness can be affected by the seasons, menstrual cycles, diet, or just by the climate. Tinted foundations and face creams that can brighten the complexion are a real boon for some women, whether they’re used occasionally or every day.
What to do on a daily basis:
For makeup that looks flawlessly perfect, always start with a thoroughly clean face. Get in the habit of generously hydrating your skin by using a product that suits its needs. This will lay the groundwork for an evenly applied, luminous foundation. If you have brown spots, you may want to think about using a corrective foundation to cover them. To minimize other minor flaws, try a tinted concealer stick : One with green undertones will neutralize red blotches, recent scars, and redness, while yellow undertones minimize the appearance of blue undereye circles.
Then, apply your foundation by dabbing small amounts on the forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and chin, then blending outward and upward as if it were a cream. Alternatively, a foundation brush or damp makeup sponge can be used to achieve very natural results.
When should a corrective foundation be used?
Did you Know ?
Corrective foundations contain high concentrations of pigments and micronized waxes. They therefore provide excellent coverage, concealing irregularities in skin texture or color.
Corrective foundations are designed to correct light skin flaws (dark circles, acne...) to severe ones (hyperpigmentation, melasma, burns...).
What to do on a daily basis:
Don’t be afraid to try a corrective foundation. While they’re more concentrated and might seem thicker, they are formulated to blend efficiently when they encounter the warmth of your skin. For a natural finish, with no mask effect.
Corrective foundations contain high concentrations of pigments and micronized waxes. They therefore provide excellent coverage, concealing irregularities in skin texture or color.
Corrective foundations are designed to correct light skin flaws (dark circles, acne...) to severe ones (hyperpigmentation, melasma, burns...).
What to do on a daily basis:
Don’t be afraid to try a corrective foundation. While they’re more concentrated and might seem thicker, they are formulated to blend efficiently when they encounter the warmth of your skin. For a natural finish, with no mask effect.
Nutritionist
Can diet play a role in keeping my complexion fresh-looking?
Did you Know ?
A dull, gray complexion is typically a sign of fatigue and can be attributed to dietary deficiencies, malabsorption of certain trace elements or vitamins, or even inadequate nutrition. Poor food choices can allow excess glucose into the bloodstream too quickly, particularly if you overindulge in rich foods that contain a lot of refined sugar and are high on the glycemic index (GI) (such as sweets, cereals, industrially processed starches like white bread, cookies, pasta, pizza, candy, pastry, french fries, soda, beer, and alcohol). They trigger the release of sebum, giving your complexion a shiny appearance that’s difficult to cover up.
What to do on a daily basis:
Make sure you consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. If you notice that your complexion is dull and you look tired, go heavier on fruits and vegetables that are rich in natural vitamins! Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, the pigment that makes them red, which is also found in grapefruit, papaya, and watermelon. Deeply colored vegetables and fruits (like carrots, melon, mango, apricot, etc.) are rich in carotenoids that convert into vitamin A. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, starting with citrus (oranges, grapefruits, lemons) and also kiwis, cabbage, tomatoes (along with lycopene), peppers, strawberries, currants, and more. And be sure to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day—or 2 liters if it’s hot and humid.
A dull, gray complexion is typically a sign of fatigue and can be attributed to dietary deficiencies, malabsorption of certain trace elements or vitamins, or even inadequate nutrition. Poor food choices can allow excess glucose into the bloodstream too quickly, particularly if you overindulge in rich foods that contain a lot of refined sugar and are high on the glycemic index (GI) (such as sweets, cereals, industrially processed starches like white bread, cookies, pasta, pizza, candy, pastry, french fries, soda, beer, and alcohol). They trigger the release of sebum, giving your complexion a shiny appearance that’s difficult to cover up.
What to do on a daily basis:
Make sure you consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. If you notice that your complexion is dull and you look tired, go heavier on fruits and vegetables that are rich in natural vitamins! Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, the pigment that makes them red, which is also found in grapefruit, papaya, and watermelon. Deeply colored vegetables and fruits (like carrots, melon, mango, apricot, etc.) are rich in carotenoids that convert into vitamin A. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, starting with citrus (oranges, grapefruits, lemons) and also kiwis, cabbage, tomatoes (along with lycopene), peppers, strawberries, currants, and more. And be sure to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day—or 2 liters if it’s hot and humid.
Psychologist
Is there a connection between cosmetics or makeup and well-being?
Did you Know ?
The products we use on our skin don’t just treat specific dermatological needs, they can also provide genuine psychological comfort. In a world where appearance is everything, having beautiful skin is an essential part of well-being. So anything we do to benefit the skin—like protecting, repairing, and enhancing it—constitutes a significant attempt to comfort ourselves and boost our self-confidence. Thus improving the appearance can stimulate both body and mind.
This is particularly true for makeup. A team of Japanese researchers demonstrated the beneficial effect that makeup can have with a group of individuals afflicted with facial hyperpigmentation. Makeup was applied to conceal dark spots on test subjects’ faces. They then looked at themselves in the mirror and the emotions they felt upon seeing their unblemished faces, free of noticeable imperfections, triggered immune system responses that were scientifically measurable. Simply improving their looks strengthened their bodies’ natural defenses. (Source: the “Self-Esteem” link on the L’Oreal webpage http://www.skin-science.com/_int/_en/index.aspx)
What to do:
Today a wide range of corrective cosmetics are available to camouflage skin imperfections, whether they’re minor (pockmarks, age-related sunspots, pimples, acne) or severe (scars, vitiligo, angiomas). Easy to apply and extremely effective corrective makeup enables users to “put on a brand new face” and enjoy a new life, rediscovering their relationships with others.
The products we use on our skin don’t just treat specific dermatological needs, they can also provide genuine psychological comfort. In a world where appearance is everything, having beautiful skin is an essential part of well-being. So anything we do to benefit the skin—like protecting, repairing, and enhancing it—constitutes a significant attempt to comfort ourselves and boost our self-confidence. Thus improving the appearance can stimulate both body and mind.
This is particularly true for makeup. A team of Japanese researchers demonstrated the beneficial effect that makeup can have with a group of individuals afflicted with facial hyperpigmentation. Makeup was applied to conceal dark spots on test subjects’ faces. They then looked at themselves in the mirror and the emotions they felt upon seeing their unblemished faces, free of noticeable imperfections, triggered immune system responses that were scientifically measurable. Simply improving their looks strengthened their bodies’ natural defenses. (Source: the “Self-Esteem” link on the L’Oreal webpage http://www.skin-science.com/_int/_en/index.aspx)
What to do:
Today a wide range of corrective cosmetics are available to camouflage skin imperfections, whether they’re minor (pockmarks, age-related sunspots, pimples, acne) or severe (scars, vitiligo, angiomas). Easy to apply and extremely effective corrective makeup enables users to “put on a brand new face” and enjoy a new life, rediscovering their relationships with others.
Aerateint Pure
2 products Healthier-looking skin that breathes, for a more luminous complexion.
Dermablend
3 products Offering the very best in coverage designed for all skin flaws, from minor to severe ones. Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.