Fact or fallacy
What works and what doesn’t
Here are some fairly commonly asked queries, ones that I have been asked by people over the years. The answers are not necessarily based on scientific research or ‘official’ sources, whatever that means, but on good old-fashioned experience, honesty and observations over 25 years of working as a beauty therapist and make up artist. I hope they help!
Does shaving really make hair grow thicker or tougher, as opposed to waxing?
Waxing an area regularly every month definitely weakens the hair and makes it finer and eventually over years, sparser. Going back to shaving for a while seems to ‘undo’ some of the good waxing has done and make hair tougher and thicker again, and it’s not just the illusion that hair looks thicker because it is being cut off half way down its shaft by the blade so seems thicker as it grows back. On the other hand, if an area such as a young man’s back, where there are only a couple of hairs scattered around is waxed, it can stimulate the skin into producing lots of thick hair. Lesson: wax only those areas of hair that are already dense.
Are greasy creams better at preventing wrinkles than water-based or light creams?
Yes and no. A really greasy cream will only benefit you if you have really dry skin. Your skin will show you if it needs a richer product, because it will feel a bit taut. Wrinkles are prevented and minimised by long-term, regular skin care routines and face pampering and not just by what cream you slather your face in. Use special serums if you are oilier but want anti-ageing benefits.
Does wearing a line of white or very pale eyeshadow around the eyes next to the lashes make the eyes look bigger or more open?
No! I don’t know where this piece of information came from but it has the opposite effect. It makes the eyes look smaller and beady! If you have small or deepset eyes you can use a pale soft colour all over the lids to bring them out.
If you can feel a product working on the complexion does that mean it is more effective?
By ‘working’ I am assuming one means tingling or stinging. Basically, no. If your facial product is stinging, bin it. The only time something should tingle is if you are having a salon-strength fruit or glycolic acid peeling treatment, IN THE SALON, or at the dermatologists. Some home use skin-lightening serums or masks may tingle a little, just go easy with them.
Do glycolic and fruit acid creams and treatments really erase wrinkles?
Yes they do. There is no doubt in my mind that these products and treatments work. I have seen great improvements in the general texture of the complexion and smoothing of wrinkles. But, everyone is different and results depend on whether the client is fairly disciplined in other areas of skincare. Also products and brands need to be chosen carefully, as thin or sensitive skins with surface capillaries may not tolerate strong concentrations of AHAs
Is petroleum jelly or baby oil (mineral oil) the richest and best thing for really dry skin areas?
Not really. They are good at sealing in moisture or preventing moisture loss temporarily and make the skin and nails feel softer, but they don’t really help long term and are in fact just like coating the skin in liquid plastic. They are petrochemicals and don’t feed the skin. If you really want to feed dry skin use natural oils like olive, coconut, wheatgerm, almond, argan etc., or for dry cracked heels and palms of hands use products rich in shea or cocoa butter.
Are natural ingredients always better or safer than synthetically manufactured ones?
No. Natural ingredients exist that can be toxic or harmful, although if you are buying a commercially prepared ‘natural’ product there’s not much danger of that, as formulations are based on tried and tested recipes and use known beneficial extracts. Be careful when using essential oils. Read up on their use and which ones are best left alone in a good aromatherapy book which you can find in good bookshops.
Do cellulite creams work?
They do work, but only to a certain extent. They definitely improve the appearance of cellulite ridden areas. You need to massage them into problem areas quite firmly and everyday for a few weeks and if you are also overweight you would need to cut down on calorie intake. If you do not need to lose weight, reduce intake of toxins like caffeine, alcohol and junk food, and reduce salt consumption.
Is it true that if you drag at the skin around the eyes when applying make up or cream it causes wrinkles?
Only if you do it a lot and are quite vicious. Younger skin can cope with it but older, thin skin will suffer more as it is not elastic enough. When applying eye creams, you should use little patting motions to prevent dragging or pulling the skin, especially after the age of thirty or so.
