Beauty in the Time of Corona

Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell

All of us make up lovers know it’s nearly magic how much better you feel when you apply a bit of your favorite products, right? In the spirit of looking better, feeling better and lifting the collective mood, lets put on some products and our
best face forward.

The mask is a double-edged sword, along with social distancing, we need them for protection when leaving the house, but it definitely puts a damper on our look.

Here are a few things to be mindful of in this time of wearing masks.

1. Focus on the areas above the mask- brows and eye
2. Use techniques to keep complexion products in place and not smeared or on the inside of your mask
3. Take extra care of skin and lips under your mask

Above the mask

When you have a mask covering half of your face, eye make up is key as it’s front and center. Apply your eye make up appropriate for time, place and occasion. A full-on smoky eye may not be the best choice for a morning yoga class but could be perfect for evening. Make sure the colors you choose look good with the color of your mask.

Brows

If you are running out and will not take your mask off, let’s say you’re running errands, then skip the foundation and apply only SPF and concealer where needed to lighten and brighten the under eye area and to even any visible discoloration.

Under the mask

If you’re going out and will be removing your mask you’ll want coverage on your entire face. First, choose a long-wear formula foundation, tinted moisturizer, BB
cream or CC cream and apply it sparingly. Try Beauty For Real MVP for both
concealer and tinted moisturizer with SPF.Next, you’ll want to set it with a
translucent loose powder to keep the product in place and from rubbing off on
your mask. If your skin is dry like mine, you can separate a tissue to single ply, hold it up to your face where the mask will sit and dust the loose powder through the single ply tissue with a large powder brush. The best is Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.

Who doesn’t like a gorgeous, creamy lipstick or a shiny, shimmery lip gloss? It’s
all good until you have to put a mask over it- then it’s a mess. But, you need something on your lips for hydration and if you’re taking your mask off, you’ll want your lips done. Matte formulas work, but can be too drying to wear all the time. I’ve found the solution by applying a lip liner that matches lip tone for definition and a light swipe of a tinted lip balm for color and hydration. This combo is best for using under your mask. Beauty For Real Lip Revival Tinted Lip Balm and D-Fine Lip Liner in Neutral.

Wearing a mask can be hard on your skin. Gentle skin care can prevent your mask from causing skin problems. Cleanse and moisturize your face daily. This goes with out saying ,but I’ll say it anyway - Cleanse your skin! Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.

Dry skin is a common face mask skin problem. Applying moisturizer adds a
protective layer that can reduce dryness. I recommend using a moisturizer with one of the following ingredients:

• Ceramides
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Dimethicone (Which can also create a barrier that helps reduce irritation.)

Apply moisturizer before and after wearing a mask for protection and hydration.
For best results, use a moisturizer formulated for your skin type. If you have acne or tend to break out, you can still use an oil or a lightweight gel moisturizer. Beauty For Real Skin Revival Hydrate + Glo Oil or Murad Water Gel Wearing a mask for even a short time can make your skin more sensitive. To reduce skin sensitivity, avoid using certain products, such as a chemical peel, intense exfoliant, or retinoid if skin is reactive.

Wash your cloth masks. Many health care organizations now recommend that you wash a cloth mask after each use. Washing it also removes oils and skin cells that collect inside the mask, which could lead to skin congestion.

The fabric is also important. Avoid synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, polyester, and rayon on the layer that rests against your skin. These are more likely to irritate your skin and cause breakouts.

For now, let’s all put on our masks and pray for the day (soon) when we won’t be wearing them at all- We can then collectively celebrate with bright red, creamy lips finished with a bit of red lip gloss!