Stylin' with
Ms. Tips

What is a beard cover? It is a foundation designed to neutralize or cover the shadow of a beard. It works best as a layer from basic skin, to beard cover, to foundation, to translucent powder. Layer building is an art that can create a passable foundation and a perfected female appearance when done properly.

How does beard cover work? In order to understand how it works, you must have an understanding of the color wheel and the primary colors: Red, Blue and Yellow and their complements. Orange, is the complement of Blue and is said to reduce (or cancel) Blue tones. Beard shadow is blue toned. So in neutralizing the bluish tint of a beard shadow, you will need an orange-based product.

I've heard it said that orange lipstick used under a foundation will cover the beard. This is correct. However, lipstick is made of wax, pigment and other ingredients. As such it isn't well suited to the layering I spoke about earlier to build up and cover, but it does neutralize the blue shadow. It will work, but the real need of beard concealment is product endurance. Lipstick just does not have staying power.

The product I use with my cleints is a professional beard cover. It is made from much the same ingredients as a regular foundation with one major difference -- the key ingredient is a blue neutralizing agent that reduces the shadow. The consistency is that of a pancake foundation, but has enough wax to make it easy to apply with a damp sponge. You choose the color of product to match your complexion and choosing a lighter color will always be better than going darker. Most beard covers are based on light, medium or dark skin tones.

My application formula is derived from a knowledge of basic skin care and the product itself. Adding a treatment of basic skin care to your daily regiment in both masculine and feminine roles will give you a more natural finish and a more youthful appearance. To Cleanse, Tone and Moisturize (CTM as I told you last month) twice daily is the key to achieving flawless skin.

How does a beard cover work with a moisturizer? Well, it works in conjunction with the natural oil in your skin to serve as a protective layer against harmful pollutants such as the wind, sun, free-floating dirt and routine neglect. If you do not use a moisturizer, the cover will more than likely lay on the top of the skin and look blotchy, dry and clumpy, and amateurish. I am sure you have seen this bad technique on others and if you are honest you will admit you have experienced it as well. A bad make-up job ranks up there as one of the 7 most deadly sins and ignorance is not forgiven easily by your peers.

One tip for good coverage is translucent powder. The beard cover-up is sealed with a translucent powder or any talc-based powder applied with a brush or puff. The powder seals and renders the layer almost waterproof, reducing any shine, leaving it smooth and matte. In fact, DERMABLEND sells a powder which claims to do just that, waterproof the foundation. I've used many different manufacture's powders and the best results were had when I matched the color properly, regardless of brand. However, and this is for certain, powder is an absolute necessity for the passable appearance.

This is CDTips asking for your questions, so we can all get the right answers.
Luv,
Lynda.

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