Beauty Q & A with Kimberly Nicole Oubre

A: Combination skin is skin that has oily and dry areas. It is usually oily in the “T-zone” and dry around the eyes and perimeter of the face. The best foundations to use are those formulated for combination/oily skin. Look for products that say longwear, or 16+ hour stay.

A lot of drugstore brands like Revlon, will specify skin type on the packaging. One of my favorite foundations  for  combination/  oily skinis  MACs  Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof foundation. It helps control the oils in the center of the face and nourishes enough to keep the dry areas moisturized.

A: Great  question!  The  first  step  is  to  hydrate  and moisturize. Make sure your under eye area is well  hydrated.  Eye creams  should be implemented into your skincare routine. Chose a color corrector. Orange depending on your skin tone. Color correctors assist in hiding discoloration.

A: Flaky makeup is usually a sign that the skin underneath needs more exfoliation and hydration. Dead skin buildup can cause foundation to cling to dry patches, especially around the nose and mouth area.

Try gently exfoliating your skin two to three times a week using a mild exfoliant or enzyme cleanser. Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer and allow it to fully absorb before applying makeup. Also, avoid using too much powder in dry areas because it can emphasize texture.

When choosing foundation, opt for formulas with a natural or satin finish rather than extremely matte products, which can sometimes make dryness more noticeable.

A: Long-lasting makeup starts with skin prep. Clean, moisturized skin creates the perfect base for foundation and helps products apply more evenly. Using a primer tailored to your skin type is also key,mattifying primers for oily skin and hydrating primers for dry skin.

Apply makeup in thin layers instead of heavy coats.

This allows products to set better and look more natural throughout the day. Setting your foundation lightly with powder, especially in oily areas, will help reduce shine and prevent makeup from sliding around.

Finally, finish with a setting spray to lock everything in place. A good setting spray can help extend the wear of your makeup for hours while keeping the skin looking fresh rather than overly powdered.

A: One of the biggest mistakes is choosing a foundation based only on color instead of skin type and undertone. A beautiful shade match will still look off if the formula isn’t designed for your skin’s needs.

It’s also common for people to test foundation on their hand instead of their jawline or neck. Your face and hands are often different shades, so testing along the jawline gives a much more accurate match.

Lighting matters too. Always check your foundation in natural light before purchasing if possible. What looks perfect indoors can sometimes appear too orange, pink, or ashy outside.