Tag: black people

Keep Oily Skin Matte All Day

KiKi Carr

Oily skin is great for looking younger, not so great if you want a matte finish. Without taking the proper prep makeup may start off looking matte but as the day goes on will get greasy looking. Preventing, avoiding and stopping shiny face makeup is a flex. Period.

The best method to keep your face from getting oily throughout the day is to start with a good skin prep. Skin care is always the first line of defense. Although it is not possible to stop oily skin all together a good skin care routine definitely makes a world of a difference.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Good makeup always begins and ends with a solid skincare routine. There is no makeup hack that can or will replace a proper skincare regimen. Target has excellent skin care for black skin. These products are extremely affordable and will help control oil all day.

Wash with a Hydrating Cleanser

Oily skin lacks sufficient moisture and over produces oil. It is important to not attempt to constantly strip the skin of excess oil but to add in more moisture. Using a hydrating cleanser like Cerave will help bring balance to the skin. This cleanser is not stripping and leaves the skin feeling light and fresh.

Tone with Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is the best toner for oily skin because it is pore constricting. Oily skin has larger pores. By constricting the opening of the pore less oil can get through to the surface of the skin. Witch hazel is all natural and has been used for centuries in skin care. Thayer’s is purified and will leave the skin visibly smoother.

Moisturize with an Oil Free Moisturizer

Oil is good for oily skin, not all but some. I recommend everyone use a face oil but they are especially helpful for oily skin and acne prone. Obviously using oil when going for the matte look is not the move. The Cerave Cream Moisturizer is perfect for anyone who wants a matte look.

It is not possible to completely stop our skin from producing oil. Constantly stripping the skin of its oil will cause the skin to produce more oil, increasing the chances of a break out. With the proper skin prep it is possible to stay matte throughout the day.

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Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

The Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser contains Hyaluronic Acid, an all natural intensive moisturizing agent. The cleanser is paraben free, dermatologist tested and recommended for oily skin. The Cerave hydrating face cleanser works by optimizing the skin barriers so that it functions efficiently.

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Thayer’s Witch Hazel

Thayers Witch Hazel contains ingredients used for centuries in beauty. Aloe (nicknamed the plant of immortality by the Egyptians) and Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel has been used to treat oily skin for decades. Witch hazel is an all natural pore constrictor. As the pores are constricted oil is reduced.

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Cerave Moisturizing Cream

The Cerave Moisturizing Cream is non comegenic, fragrance free and dermatologist tested. It is light weight and absorbs quickly. Cerave ingredients are extremely hydrating and is the best drug store moisturizer for oily skin and acne prone.

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About the Author, KiKi Carr

  • Cosmetic Formulations Chemist
  • Licensed Aesthetician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Educator

How to Hide Dark Spots on Face Naturally

KiKi Carr

Being a person who has oily and acne prone skin, I know how frustrating it can be to be left with acne scars. Pimples are easy to get rid of, it’s the acne scars that take forever to go away. The good news is camouflaging hyperpigmentation is quite easy.

The best way to cover up dark spots is by stippling a full coverage foundation into the skin. Before applying the foundation it is important to prep the skin. In order to prep the skin apply a makeup primer to the entire face. Next color corrector the darkest spots with an orange color corrector. Follow that up with a flesh tone concealer and lastly stipple a full coverage matte foundation into the skin using a kabuki brush.

Hyperpigmentation on black skin tends to make things look much worse than they actually are. Having a good skincare routine will treat and prevent blemishes. Skin care and makeup goes hand and hand. These days makeup has just as much technology and skincare ingredients than skin care itself!

BecauseI have problematic skin I love makeup that has amazing skincare ingredients. I mean no one wants to use products that will cause more problems. Today’s makeup has been vetted by Dermatologist, is long lasting, moisturizing, hydrating, has SPF and more.

Prep and Prime

Primer creates a barrier between your skin and the makeup. It’s basically a surface for the makeup to sit on and stick to. That way it won’t slip and smudge. The Bobbi Brown face base doubles as a moisturizer and makeup primer. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Shea Butter, and Vitamins B, C, and E. These ingredients help condition and prep skin for a fresh, healthy-looking glow.

Color Correct

Using an orange color corrector on dark spots will neutralize the discoloration. Neutralizing the hyperpigmentation first will decrease the amount of foundation and concealer needed to camouflage the spots. The Live Tinted color corrector is vegan and packed with Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Vitamins C and Vitamin E.

cover dark spots with makeup black women

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Conceal

Concealer can be worn on top of the foundation or under the foundation. Concealer will cover dark spots easily. Concealers are formulated to be hide blemishes. The Lancome Teint Idole is infused with rose extract, glycerin, moringa seed and water lilly extract.

Foundation

A full coverage matte foundation is the best makeup to cover dark spots. Foundations are designed to blur and create an even skin tone. The CHANEL foundations corrects and illuminates the complexion. This product does not make any skin care claims but it is the foundation I find myself reaching for every time I am going for a flawless complexion.

Makeup helps you feel great, dark spots or not. I am all for covering up dark spots with makeup WHILE you are working on your skin. I know what it is to feel as though you are hiding behind the makeup and it doesn’t feel good. The trick to faking it until making it is you actually have to make it lol. Here are 6 tips to get rid of dark spots.

Covering hyperpigmentation with makeup is easy to do with the right tools and techniques. The most important things to have is a full coverage foundation and a firm brush.

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BOBBI BROWN

Oil-free. Antioxidant. Rich. Non greasy. Hydrates. Softens. Cushions.

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LANCOME

Weightless. Full Coverage. Matte. Sweat resistant. Doesn’t clog pores.

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CHANEL

Soft matte finish. Full coverage. Buildable. Lightweight. Last up to 24 hours.

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LIVE TINTED

Balances out dark spots. Demi-matte. Easy to use. Vegan.

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REAL TECHNIQUES

Domed shape. Soft. Buffs and blends. Can be used with liquids and creams.

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About the Author, KiKi Carr

  • Cosmetic Formulations Chemist
  • Licensed Aesthetician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Educator

Step by Step Everyday Makeup for Oily Skin

KiKi Carr

When we think of using makeup to cover acne and dark marks most people imagination will immediately go to LOTS of thick heavy makeup. Immediately no. In fact, it is the direct opposite. Step by step makeup for oily acne prone black skin is much simpler than it sounds.

Makeup on oily skin can be a bit bothersome. It starts off looking fine at first but after a few hours it looks shiny. A good makeup routine for oily skin should include a makeup primer and a really good oil control foundation.

makeup for oily skin

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Oily Skin Makeup

A little goes a long way. No need for a bunch of STUFF! These hand full of products will give you a clean, simple, matte look. Narrowing down the list even further the foundation and setting powder will do the trick. The other products are complimentary and used to help bring the look together.

  • Primer
    • Smooths and helps makeup stay in place.
  • Bronzer
    • Adds dimension and warmth.

Simple Everyday Makeup for Oily Skin

STEP 1 – PREP

An error proof prep for oily skin makeup is to have a good skin care routine. A minimal skin care routine is to cleanse, tone and moisturize. Bobbi Brown has a 2-N-1 moisturizer that smells divine. It is a makeup primer and moisturizer in one.

black woman using skin care
primer for oily skin

STEP 2 – FOUNDATION

The best foundations for oily skin are matte. One of my favorite foundations is the CHANEL flawless finish. The formula is absolutely amazing. There is no such thing as using too much of this foundation. The more you use, the better it looks. It is truly buildable!

black woman applying makeup
matte foundation oily black skin

STEP 3 – HIGHLIGHT

Concealers are my favorite makeup product. They are so versatile! I use concealers to define and sharpen the brow shape, as an eyeshadow primer, to color correct, to fix makeup mistakes, cover blemishes, and my number one reason .. to highlight! The Lancome Ultra Wear is my newest favorite.

black woman applying makeup
best concealer for oily skin

STEP 4 – POWDER

Powders not only set the makeup but also take away shine and if tinted can add color. There are so many powders to choose from. When selecting a powder make sure it is finely milled. Beauty Bakerie Translucent Powder is super fine and works wonders.

black woman using makeup

STEP 5 – BRONZE

Bronzers really help the makeup look cohesive. No complexion is a solid even tone. There are different tones and textures throughout the face. Bronzers adds depth back into the face after foundation. The LYS matte bronzer livens up the skin.

Everyday makeup for oily acne prone skin can be achieved in 5 easy steps. Everything after bronzing is like icing on a cake. A flawless complexion is the key to looking naturally beautiful and fresh.

beautiful black woman long hair glowing skin

Add a lash for an effortless eye look!

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Bobbi Brown Face Base

Vitamin enriched. Vegan. Plumping. Hydrating.

$64.00

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CHANEL Foundation

Full-coverage. Soft-matte. Lightweight.

$60

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Lancome Ultra Wear

Hydrating. Brightening. No creasing or caking.

$29

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Beauty Bakerie

Oil control. No Flash Back. Blurring.

$24.00

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LYS Bronzer

Clean. Talc-free. Buildable.

$18.00

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About the Author, KiKi Carr

  • Cosmetic Formulations Chemist
  • Licensed Aesthetician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Educator

Flawless Skin Oily Acne Prone

5 Comments

KiKi Carr

These days everyone wants a flawless makeup application. We have all seen the cakey makeup, the unblended makeup, the mismatched makeup and we are tired. The goal is to look better not worse. The girls want a step by step tutorial on how to apply makeup for oily acne prone skin. They want quick, they want easy, and they don’t want cake .. so here we go.

Smooth and flawless makeup for black women with oily acne prone requires prepping. Applying light weight skin care products that won’t clog the pores will help the makeup apply smoothly. As for the makeup, less is more. Using makeup to cover acne doesn’t need to take long and it certainly doesn’t mean using a lot of product.

makeup to cover acne black skin

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

How to Get Flawless Skin Oily Acne Prone

Prep the skin for makeup. Start with a good cleanser and toner for oily skin. To get the glowy dewy look you can follow up with the Glow Recipe Watermelon Dew Drops. Next moisturize the skin. Cerave makes an amazing moisturizer! It is great for under makeup. It’s light weight and very matte. The final step is to conceal dark spots and BOOM! You’re done!

Looking good is not about spending a lot of money or using pounds of product on your face. Less is always more. When the skin has texture, using makeup won’t make it appear flat. What is doable is an even complexion. Acne or not, correcting uneven tones throughout the face makes a world of difference.

Flawless black skin that is oily acne prone is achieved with a good skin care regimen and a little makeup. Using a lot of makeup will not help the skin look flawless, smooth, or natural. If not properly removed, too much makeup can definitely worsen acne.

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black skin care for dark spots

Glow Recipe

Hydrating serum. Visibly reduces the look of hyperpigmentation. Vegan. Clean beauty. Leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.

$34.00

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concealer

HourGlass

A full-coverage, weightless, waterproof. Perfect for under eyes, not too thick and heavy. Blurs. Brightens. Last up to 16 hours.

$36.00

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About the Author, KiKi Carr

  • Cosmetic Formulations Chemist
  • Licensed Aesthetician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Educator

3 Tips for Fast Weight Loss

KiKi Carr

I went from an 18 to an 8 without counting calories, measuring food or any of the other common weight loss tactics. I know what you’re thinking, that I must have went super hard in the gym. NOPE! I did one thing, I decided I was going to lose weight. PERIOD! The fastest way to lose weight is to decide you are going to lose weight.

I changed my mindset from giving into my flesh to being in control of me. Self control is the absolute hardest thing in the world to master. I continue to struggle with self control to this very day. And you know what, that is ok. Change and discipline is never “achieved”. It is something we all must work at day in and day out.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Some of the things I did and DO to help me on my weight loss journey:

  • Control my portion
    • I think we all have been conditioned to finish our plate. We have been trained that not eating everything on our plate is being wasteful. It isn’t lol. We can’t save the world, only ourselves.
  • Increase my water intake
    • Water helps you to feel full for longer, it flushes toxins, and curbs the appetite. In addition women in particular carry a-lot of water weight. Adding more water reduces water weight.
  • Chose healthier options
    • My absolute favorite snack is chips! I love to mix different kinds in a big bowl and go to town! I replaced chips with popcorn and nuts. Sometimes I have veggie straws. But in moderation.

Whenever I want some “candy” I eat a couple of these Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies. These gummies are appetite suppressants.

Deciding to be disciplined is hard. Choosing to be disciplined is hard. Remaining disciplined is hard.

Life is hard. We all suffer. The great thing is we get to choose who and what we are going to suffer for. One secret is when ever I decide to change my body my whole life changes. It seems like God rewards my efforts. I workout 5 days a week, Mon – Fri for 30 mins. I try not to skip because skipping one day often turns into 2 days .. 2 weeks .. 2 months.

Don’t wait until tomorrow, next week, next month or next year to make your health a priority. Click the link to get your beginners weight loss plan and free video on how to keep it off!

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Diet Works ACV Gummies

  • Helps Bloat
  • Naturally Alkalizing For Digestive Health
  • Supports Water Balance And Weight Loss

$8.49

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About the Author, KiKi Carr

  • Cosmetic Formulations Chemist
  • Licensed Aesthetician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Educator

5 Reasons You Need A Facial

KIKI CARR

Many people feel a facial is a special occasion thing, but it is not. There are many benefits to getting a professional facial regularly. The sun, pollution, hormonal fluctuations, poor diet and habits such as smoking all take a toll on the look and feel of skin. Facials combat those damaging elements as well as improve circulation and promote detoxification.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Here are 5 Reason you need a facial:

Education

  • Learn your skin and how to care for it.
  • Receive expert analysis.
  • Get professional advice unique to you.

Medical Advantages

  • Have access to medical grade products and modalities such as Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, Microneedling and Electrotherapy.
  • Treat and prevent. An Aesthetician can treat and prevent moderate skin conditions such as acne and identify severe conditions such as skin cancer.
  • Professional and effective care. Facials deliver results.

Stress Reliever

  • Heat & Aroma therapy.
  • Massage pressure points and areas that hold tension.
  • A listening ear.

Look Better

  • Clearer and brighter complexion.
  • Fresh and youthful appearance.
  • Cleaned pores.

You Deserve It!

  • Self care.
  • Rewarding.
  • Relaxing.

If you have problematic skin such as acne, the first few facials can result in a purge. A purge happens when underlying skin conditions are brought to the surface. Remaining consistent with your facials and being diligent about your home care regimen will produce incredible results over time.

Facials address the current state of the skin. After a facial you should look better, be informed, feel uplifted and re-energized.

Life gets busy and it can be hard to make time for a facial. Here are some things you can do at home to look and feel your best.

  • Soak With Dr. Teals
    • Lavender salt and bubble bath ease aches & pains, soothes the mind and nourishes skin.
  • Affirm yourself with Cassandra Mack
    • Bible based affirmations for mental health and clarity.

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3 Reasons Dark Skin Need Sunscreen Too!

KIKI CARR

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

First thing to know is there’s a difference between sunscreen and sunblock. A sunscreen absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays while a sunblock reflect and prevent UV rays from striking the skin. Blockers are equivalent to wearing a large brimmed hat. Some sunscreens contain sun blocking ingredients. It is important to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and one that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. These types of sunscreens are considered broad spectrum.

If you don’t currently have a broad spectrum sunscreen in your skin care regimen here are 3 reasons to start using one now.

1.) Pre-mature Aging

Sun exposure is the number one cause of pre-mature aging. Studies show that 90% of wrinkles are caused by the sun while only 10% are attributed to aging.

2.) Sun Burns

Prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can cause the skin to burn and peel.

2.) Skin Cancer

Sun exposure is the number one cause of skin cancer. Over 80% of skin cancers are caused by over exposure to UV rays.

Black Girl Sunscreen was formulated for every day use and can be incorporated into your normal skincare routine. It fights against sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and protects your skin from harmful UVA & UVB rays. The best part is this sunscreen is moisturizing and won’t leave a white cast.

As with all cosmetic products it is important to thoroughly cleanse the skin at night. Going to bed without washing the day away can present new and troublesome problems within the skin. Sunscreens are necessary for every skin type and regimen. Everyone should protect their skin from harmful UV rays.

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Black Girl Sunscreen

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Makeup but First Skincare is a video series in which I teach women of color how to get rid of dark spots and acne at home. If that sounds like something that is of interest to you SUBSCRIBE!