Don't Let a Zit Be the Main Attraction on Your Face
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BeautyRiot Member, GBALINT, sent us this cry for help: I like this guy and i don't want him to see my blemishes and zits! I need some good makeup... i need a base and concealer. i was wondering if you would recommend anything brand-wise... skin isn't horrible but it is overly sensitive.
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Coincidence or conspiracy?
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Is it a coincidence that every time you have a date or party to attend, a zit the size of Texas shows up on your chin? Or are the Gods conspiring to keep you chaste and single? Possibly both, but stressing out about what you're going to wear or say can contribute a lot. And, if you're lucky enough to be PMS-ing, you're guaranteed a big fat rupture on the side of your nose.
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Zit, pimple, blemish, spot, pustule, acne; whatever you call it, it's not pretty but it also doesn't have to be visible.
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| Concealing Zits
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| 1) Always start with a clean face and clean hands. If the zit is just a red bump without a head, leave it alone. It's much easier to cover up a spot that hasn't been messed with than one that's picked over and scabby. Try dabbing an eye redness reducer, like Visine, on it using a cotton swab -- this is surprisingly effective at reducing redness.
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| 2) If it's got a head and looks like it's going to explode, then by all means pop it, but gently. Place a hot washcloth over the offending spot and leave on for a few minutes to coax the zit out. Press down on either side of blemish with the pads of your fingers -- not nails because they will tear skin and make a scab -- and press until the liquid coming out is clear. Dab witch hazel on with a cotton swab to sooth and gently dry (don't use astrigent now, the area will turn red). Cover with a cold washcloth to sooth and close the pore. Allow the skin some time to "calm down" and to dry before applying cosmetics.
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| 3) Before putting on makeup, apply a light moisturizer, but not to the infected area. Instead, after moisturizing the rest of your face, just tap your fingers around the affected area. This lets just enough moisturizer onto the area so that makeup won't cake.
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4) Use a flat brush or sponge to cover the area with a stick concealer like Neutrogena Under Cover Stick in Corrective Green or Almay Cover Up Stick. Using a sponge, blot a lightweight, liquid foundation like Cover Girl Clean Liquid Makeup on top of the concealer and blend with the rest of skin. Use a powder puff or large brush to dust a green-based (or yellow) powder over the area. This will help set the makeup, but will also help to absorb oil. Green tones neutralize reds, but yellow is a close substitute. Carry a pressed powder compact with you for touchups.
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| To 10 Ways to Prevent Zits
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| 1) Don't over cleanse your face. If you have oily skin, wash it twice a day. If it's dry, use a moisturizing cleanser like Cetaphil.
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| 2) Never go to bed wearing your makeup. Always remove it, wash your face and moisturize before going to bed.
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| 3) Diet! Diet! Diet! Avoid junk food. Getting plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables wouldn't hurt either, but we don't want to nag.
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| 4) Water! Water! Water! We can't say enough about how important it is to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
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| 5) Stop touching your face. Period. Your hands get all kinds of dirt and bacteria on them. Every time you touch your face you transfer the dirt and grime from your hands to your face, so hands off.
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| 6) Use a light moisturizer. If you've got oily skin you might not even need moisturizer. You can blot your skin throughout the day with a tissue or an astringent pad before applying powder.
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| 7) Keep your hair away from your face. Hair is oily and dirty, even if it doesn't look like it needs to be washed. Product build-up transfers to your skin, so if you're prone to acne on your cheeks and forehead, try wearing your hair pulled back for a week and see if that helps. Sleeping with hair pulled back at night also helps to keep dirt from transferring while sleeping.
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| 8) Change your pillowcase every other night or every night if you're prone to acne. Bacteria and skin cells build up on your pillow and clog pores. Using a fresh pillowcase more often can help cut done on the amount of dirt that touches your face. Here's a system: night one, sleep on one side of the pillow. Night two, sleep on the other side. Nights three and four, turn the pillowcase inside out and repeat nights one and two. Night five, put on a new pillowcase and wash the old one.
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| 9) Stress Management. Believe it or not, arguing with your best friend or stressing about a test can turn your face into a mine field. When you're upset, try stretching or walking to release stress. Yoga is a great way get toned, stretched and let go of tension.
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| 10) Vitamins! Vitamins! Vitamins. A multi vitamin is a great way to give skin an extra boost and Vitamin E is an excellent way to moisturize from within.
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