Using Makeup to Improve Your Appearance After Plastic Surgery (Part II) (05-2004)
Dr. Hagerty may recommend camouflage makeup with he is familiar and has had good results. There are any number of camouflage makeup products available in department stores. If the coverage you need is relatively small, you may be able to use your “regular” makeup. In selecting camouflage makeup the most important factor is that it is hypoallergenic and fragrance free. If you want to use the makeup, you used pre-surgery, it’s best to buy new, fresh ones and use new applicators. This will ensure that the products are as clean as possible and will help to avoid infection.
The three levels of applying camouflage makeup are concealing, which hides incision lines and bruises, color correction which “neutralizes” reddened or yellowish skin and contouring which helps to cover swelling while creating the illusion of highlights and shadows. We will review the three steps below.
1. Concealing
Concealers tend to be thicker and more opaque than your regular foundation and are able to healed incision lines, scars and bruises on your face and body. The concealer you select should be opaque and waterproof, but soft enough so it doesn't tug or draw your skin when applies. If you’re fortunate enough to find a concealer that’s a close match to your skin tones, you may not need to apply foundation over it.
Concealer doesn't look good when applied to thin, delicate skin around the eyes, because it will, much like pancake makeup, collect in the creases. Regular fluid foundation, color corrector, or eye makeup will work better in these areas.
2. Color Correction
Color correctors can diminish the yellowish bruises and the general redness that follow chemical peel and dermabrasion. Correctors are made in lavender tones to neutralize yellow tones and in green to neutralize reds. Correctors are less opaque than concealers and the consistency of a foundation. They can be used under your foundation.
3. Contouring
Although contouring can be used anywhere on your face, it is used most often to disguise swelling that accompanies nasal surgery and facial implants. Contouring can be used to create dimensions, using light and shadow. Lighter areas seem to come forward, while darker areas recede. For this reason, you will need to use two contouring products, a highlighter (about two shades lighter than your normal foundation) and a contour shadow (about two shades darker than your foundation). There aren’t products that are sold as “highlighters” or contouring shadow. You’ll need to look at foundations or pressed powder and select the appropriate shades to do the job.
What makes contouring work successfully is how you blend colors into one another, avoiding demarcation lines or stripes of makeup. The techniques are subtle and require practice. Once you have it down pat, you will be able to use the different shades to create "higher" cheekbones, a “narrower” nose, and “reduce” the appearance of a swollen chin.
As important as are the application techniques of using camouflage makeup, equally important is the procedure for removing that makeup. Because camouflage makeup is thicker and more adherent than your regular makeup, it must be removed every night. A cleansing cream will take off all the makeup and an alcohol-free toner, applied with a cotton ball, will remove the cleanser residue. A moisturizer, suited to your complexion type should be used at the end of the process.
Dr. Hagerty and his staff are available to assist and guide you in the techniques of camouflage makeup application and removal. If you need assistance, please ask.
The three levels of applying camouflage makeup are concealing, which hides incision lines and bruises, color correction which “neutralizes” reddened or yellowish skin and contouring which helps to cover swelling while creating the illusion of highlights and shadows. We will review the three steps below.
1. Concealing
Concealers tend to be thicker and more opaque than your regular foundation and are able to healed incision lines, scars and bruises on your face and body. The concealer you select should be opaque and waterproof, but soft enough so it doesn't tug or draw your skin when applies. If you’re fortunate enough to find a concealer that’s a close match to your skin tones, you may not need to apply foundation over it.
Concealer doesn't look good when applied to thin, delicate skin around the eyes, because it will, much like pancake makeup, collect in the creases. Regular fluid foundation, color corrector, or eye makeup will work better in these areas.
2. Color Correction
Color correctors can diminish the yellowish bruises and the general redness that follow chemical peel and dermabrasion. Correctors are made in lavender tones to neutralize yellow tones and in green to neutralize reds. Correctors are less opaque than concealers and the consistency of a foundation. They can be used under your foundation.
3. Contouring
Although contouring can be used anywhere on your face, it is used most often to disguise swelling that accompanies nasal surgery and facial implants. Contouring can be used to create dimensions, using light and shadow. Lighter areas seem to come forward, while darker areas recede. For this reason, you will need to use two contouring products, a highlighter (about two shades lighter than your normal foundation) and a contour shadow (about two shades darker than your foundation). There aren’t products that are sold as “highlighters” or contouring shadow. You’ll need to look at foundations or pressed powder and select the appropriate shades to do the job.
What makes contouring work successfully is how you blend colors into one another, avoiding demarcation lines or stripes of makeup. The techniques are subtle and require practice. Once you have it down pat, you will be able to use the different shades to create "higher" cheekbones, a “narrower” nose, and “reduce” the appearance of a swollen chin.
As important as are the application techniques of using camouflage makeup, equally important is the procedure for removing that makeup. Because camouflage makeup is thicker and more adherent than your regular makeup, it must be removed every night. A cleansing cream will take off all the makeup and an alcohol-free toner, applied with a cotton ball, will remove the cleanser residue. A moisturizer, suited to your complexion type should be used at the end of the process.
Dr. Hagerty and his staff are available to assist and guide you in the techniques of camouflage makeup application and removal. If you need assistance, please ask.
