As I am writing this blog post, the lockdown is over in France since a few months now but wearing a face mask is mandatory in Paris and in the suburbs.

There is however a huge debate in France and worldwide about the efficiency of the use of face mask and it is more and more becomng a political issue.

Should you wear a mask ?

At first, the WHO advised to wear a face mask only if :

you are taking care of a person who is contaminated, in order to protect the people around you.
you are infected, to avoid spread the virus around you.

As the situation is changing everyday and that unfortunatly the figures are not positive in most parts of the wold, wearing a mask is now an obligation in most places.

As a makeup artist, my job is to take care of women and men I work with and this implies being sure that it is done safely and with the best hygienic standards.

For this reason, I wear a full face mask and gloves. I might be exageratting to some but I am for following the rules and the best practices to avoid hurting someone or being infected myself.

The effects of the use of mask on the skin

Wearing a mask all day is not something we are used to so the skin is going to react for sure.

Here are some of the effects of wearing a face-mask for several hours:

Redness
Imprints of masks
Bruises
Sweat
Skin cannot breath
Humidity
increasing skin fragility
Inflammation
“sweat and sebum to build up on the epidermis below the mask and can lead to inflammation, rashes or even acne breakouts.” As said Joshua Zeichner, dermatologist.

Skincare while using face mask

If you do not have a real skincare routine, it might be time to start one.

If you already have one, changing it slightly to adapt it to the use the face mask will beneficial for your skin.

As said previously, the skin being under the face mask, it is stuck in a humid environment for hours.

Humidity is not bad for skin but its excess can damage it. It makes the skin more prone to the proliferation of bacterias that can cause acne and infections and irritation.

This is especially damaging for combination, oily or acne-prone skin.

To prevent your skin to be damaged due to the use of face mask, wash your face properly with a cleanser that matched your skin type.

You should also wash your face right after taking the mask off to eliminate the humidity and dirt accumulated on the mask.

Do not skip the moisturizer, but use a lighter one and a strongly hydrating one.

You can also use serum with Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid to reinforce the skin hydration.

The moisturizer will serve as a barrier protecting your skin against the rubbing of the mask on your skin.

It is really important for dry skin that will be more irritated and prone to redness.

Try to apply your skincare products at the lastest 30 minutes before wearing your face mask.

This will ensure that your skin has absorbed the products.

It also prevents the skin care products to be transferred on the mask and damage it.

As long as you are using the mask, stay away from heavy and abrasive skin care.

Do not exfoliate your skin excessively, the skin is already irritated by the face mask, it will only make the irritation worst.

You can however use richer products at night so that the skin is deeply moisturized and then in need of less product during the day.

Want more info ? Check this post from experts of The Natural Acne Clinic.

You will learn more about how to prevent maskne and treat it.

With all that you might be wondering if wearing makeup is a good idea.

You still can wear makeup while wearing a face mask but...

The first days of the lockdown I was not wearing makeup at all because I was overwhelmed with the whole situation.

Being stuck at home, trying to be a teacher for my kids… Makeup was not a priority at all.

When I got used to my new organization, I started wearing makeup again.

Excepted if I had to attend virtual makeup class or meetings with clients online, I would only do my eyebrows, put some mascara and my red lipstick.

Only a few steps but it felt so good to take care of myself.

The current situation should not prevent you from taking care of yourself and enjoy it.

You still have the right to look cute even wearing a mask especially if it can put you in a good mood.

The way to do makeup when wearing a face mask might be a bit different than your usual makeup.

Skip heavy makeup and formulas like cream foundations or concealers, gloss on your lips etc.

Prefer light makeup and liquid formulas.

Heavy makeup under the face mask will make you perspire more, so more humidity and your makeup will transfer on the mask.

The combination of all these elements will damage your face mask as says Dr Carrie L. Kovarik (dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania).

In addition to that, wearing heavy makeup will create a discomfort and you will feel the need to touch your face.

Do not forget that you should avoid touching you face as much as possible to avoid spreading bacterias on your skin.

Then how to do your makeup ?

Focus on the eyes

The bottom of your face will be hidden under the mask so you should focus on the eyes.

My first step when doing makeup would be the complexion with the use of foundation where needed.

If you want still want to use foundation under your face mask, use really thin layers and preferably really light formulas.

It will prevent discomfort with the heat created under the face mask.

Then use a light concealer, if needed, to highlight the area above the face mask and on eye bags or dark-eye circles.

Set it with a translucent powder.

Now work on your eyebrows.

The eyebrows frame your eyes so they have to be clean and in a beautiful shape (not too thin, nice arch, natural shape).

If mascara is not your best friend already, it will definitely be now.

Use two or three coats of mascara on your top lashes and one coat on the lower lashed (excepted if you have round eyes).

It will make your eyes look bigger and defined without doing too much.

You can also use eye pencils to create beautiful cat’s eyes and in the inner eye rim a white or nude pencil to “awaken” your eyes.

It is also the right moment to start playing with your eyeshadows to create different makeup looks.

Go for soft look using neutral eyeshadow colors like browns, taupes or beiges to go to work.

For more colorful look, always keep in mind to blend well and if using different colors, use different brushes too.

The eyes being more than ever the focus of your face, your eye makeup should be clean and elegant.

Some tips for a great eye makeup look

Concealer

Always warm the product on your skin before applying it.

Use your fingers or a synthetic brush to apply it.

Take small amount and build as needed. It is easier to add than to take off.

Prep the eyes

Cleanse your eyelids

My first step is to prep the eyes before doing your eye makeup.

The eyelid is the oiliest part of the face.

Swap a cotton pad with micellar water on your eyes to take off the oils and work on a clean surface.

Powder your eyelids

Applying translucent powder on your eyelids will enable the eyeshadow to stick on, stay longer and prevent creasing.

Eyebrows

If you need it to fill your eyebrows, try to use two different colors :

one color close to your hair color or one shade lighter
another color one shade lighter than the previous one

Using a darker color will be make you look more severe, except for blonde women.

The darker color will be used to work on the eyebrows shape.

The lighter color will be used to fill the brows.

When filling your eyebrows, create soft strokes as if you were drawing hairs.

It will look way more natural and soft.

Mascara

Applying several coats of mascara will elongate the lashes and make them look fuller.

Before using your mascara, always clean the wand to take off the excess of product.

Wait a few minutes between the different coats to ensure that the mascara is dry.

Eyeliner

Always apply your eyeliner with your eyes open and looking straight to the mirror.

If you do not feel at ease with it, use a pencil instead of gel or liquid eyeliner.

You can also use the pencil as a base and go above it with your gel or liquid liner.

If you think the line you have drawn is messy, you can clean the edges with your concealer and an angled brush.

Eyeshadow

Before applying your eyeshadow, shake the brush to take off the excess of product.

This will prevent fall out.

For a day look, use soft shades like beige and browns.

For evening look, you can use deeper shades.

Apply eyeshadow on your lower lid, under your lash line, for an even more elegant look.

Keep it simple

Photo: Marine BlanchardMakeup : Francine O. — *Photo: Marine Blanchard*
*Makeup : Francine O.*

Makeup is supposed to be fun and help you feel more confident.

It does not have to be complicated to look good.

To sum-up…

Adapt your routine (or start one) to the use of the face mask.
Stay away from heavy skincare and makeup products
Wash your face before and after putting your face mask on
Use a highly hydrating moisturizer
It is ok to wear makeup BUT use light formulas
Focus on the eyes and keep it simple and elegant

I hope you will find these tips helpful and will enjoy taking care of yourself during this strange period that we are currently living.

Take care of yourselves.

See you in the next post.

Yours in beauty,

Francine O.

Coronavirus : Makeup and face mask