{{IX}}Makeup Myths :: Revealed By the Make-Up Artist Ixchel

Myth #1:   pores open and close.
Your pores are not doors. Remember this and it will make your life more simple. A pore is an opening in the skin that allows sebum to flow to the surface in order to keep the skin supple and from cracking. They do not open, they do not close. If your pores are appearing larger it is most likely because dead skin cells have built up on the pore. This is why exfoliation is important. Exfoliation helps to buff away dead skin cells and keeps the pores looking smaller and cleaner.

myth #2: Uuse products from one line only.
Your face will not explode, crack, quake, wither, or die if you combine products from different lines. My philosophy is that many lines make wonderful products but not every product from a particular line is fabulous. That is why it is important for you to find items that work for you and pick and choose from what is available to you. Eeveryone's skin is different. Just because it works for someone else doesn't mean that it will work for you.

myth #3:  Skin needs to breath.
Your lungs breath, your skin holds your body together. Makeup because it is a pigmented product that can irritate or clog the skin. That is why your cleansing regiment is so important for you. Use good products and never sleep in makeup.

myth #4: Oily skin should be dried out.
Oil production is very important for the maintenance of our skin. Most people are not nearly as oily as they think. (See #10.) If you are truly an oily skin it is very important to not dry out the skin but keep it balanced and clean. Hydration and oiliness are very separate. Just because your skin is oily doesn't mean that it needs no moisture. We put moisture on the skin to help it stay supple as it receives oil and water from the inside. If the skin is dehydrated we often begin producing more oil as our skin tries to compensate. This is the reason that many skins breakout. They have a dry flaky layer on the top surface and the oil that the skin produces gets trapped underneath and becomes infected. This is why it is so important to keep the outer layer of skin exfoliated and moisturized.

myth #5: A light tan looks good.
Your skin doesn't brown because it is happy about the sun exposure it is getting. It browns the same way that a piece of toast browns..because it is being cooked. If you are wearing a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 everyday you will still get a bit of color during the warm months of the year.

For you young girls, those large freckles and spots you see on older women's skin...if you are tanning now then you already have them. They won't show up until your mid-20's to mid-30's but the damage has been done.

myth #6: Blue eyes should wear blue eyeshadow.
No -- contrast and compliment your eye color..don't match it. The more you use the more your eye will become overpowered and lost in the makeup.

myth # 7: Green cuts red.
Yes it does -- so does yellow. From a makeup perspective yellow is much more prevalent in the skin than green. What do you think looks more like healthy skin? Green toned skin or yellow toned skin? Yellow as a neutralizer is prettier, easier to work with and more real.

myth #8: I can't wear red lipstick.
Anyone can wear red lipstick if you know what red to look for. The Marilyn Monroe red is best on light skin tones with light eyes. If you have a medium complexion you will look best in brown reds. I like warm brown reds for olive tones and cool brown reds and burgundies for darker and red toned skins. I also adore sheer reds for less strong makeup looks.

Myth #9: Shine in the t-zone equates oily skin.
The t-zone is the area across your nose and down your chin. Think of a lower case "t". Second oiliness or lack of it is judged by the cheeks. If your cheeks develop a shine within a couple of hours after applying makeup then yes you are oily. Shine in the t-zone indicates a normal skin. Dry skins know that they are dry and oily skins know that they are oily. Normal skins tend to think that they are oilier than they are. Check the cheeks to be sure.

myth #10:  Wearing products that are hypoallergenic.
The FDA requires that all products sold as cosmetics go through some kind of allergy testing. These tests are conducted or overseen by the companies themselves and not regulated. Each company has its own term for selling its products as non allergenic. Be aware however that all this means from a regulatory standpoint is that the products when tested did not produce allergic reactions in most subjects. So in a nut shell, all products are "hypoallergenic". Be aware that this is a marketing tool when used to promote a product and that it doesn't guarantee that you will not be sensitive to it. {{/IX}}

You can make an appointment with Ixchel at Alex and Emilio Salon in Royal Oak, MI by calling 248-414-7600, or contact Ixchel online. Remember, if you don't look good- you don't feel good!