Application Techniques
Loose and Pressed Powders for Camouflage
Jane Iredale powders will cover most types of redness. The following directions will tell you how to camouflage erythema from laser resurfacing, but the same techniques apply to rosacea, acne, birthmarks, etc. (Never apply makeup to lasered skin without the physician’s permission.)
Cleanse the face and moisturise. Allow the moisturiser to absorb. If you are dealing with post-laser, the skin will be very dry, so you may want to apply more moisturiser than normal. Test for the correct complexion colour. It is usually best to use a yellow-based powder to cover redness, but it’s worth trying the complexion colour first to see if it will cover without the help of the yellow base.
Jane Iredale recommend using our Flocked Sponge to apply the first layer of powder because it will spread the minerals evenly; it’s soft (very important for lasered skin, which is extremely sensitive), and it’s washable, dries quickly and will last indefinitely.
With the flocked sponge, pick up some of the powder and press it into the sponge for even distribution. Now with a pressing, rocking motion try the colour on some of the erythema. If it doesn’t completely cover, we suggest that you apply Warm Sienna first. This base will immediately neutralise the red. YOU DO NOT NEED GREEN! Green works for artists on canvasses; on the skin, it gives a grey, ghost-like pallor.
Apply thin layers of Warm Sienna on the demarcation line until it is covered. Layer again if you need to. It’s better to layer than try to cover everything at once. Now, brush the complexion colour over the entire face taking special care to blend it into the areas already covered. This will look more natural than layering with a sponge.
Spritz the finished effect with our D2O or Balance. Be aware that for several days after laser the skin will flake. This doesn’t look very attractive even with the minerals on. To counteract this, the patient may work moisturiser into her/his skin right on top of the powders. It will absorb through. Touch up again if necessary.
Blush is a very useful tool for raising the patient’s morale. She’s looked in the mirror many times and wondered what on earth she’s done to herself and whether she’ll ever be normal again. She is going to be amazed at the coverage she has with the powders and is now in a position to appreciate what she will look like without the distraction of the erythema. You can lift her spirits by applying a touch of blush. Stay away from pink tones and stick with the neutral blushes such as Sheer Honey, Cinnamon or Bronzer.
If the patient has had laser on her eyelids, brush the base on but also go over it with Ecru eye shadow. Put a quick dab of PureGloss on, and she’s ready to face the world.
Tip: For full-face laser don’t try to make the entire face the same colour as the neck. This will end up looking like a mask. Use the flocked sponge to work the powder into the demarcation line along the jaw. Keep going over it until the line is covered. You may then brush the powders over the entire face without having to apply too thickly. The patient will just look as if she/he has a slight tan.
Tip: Recommend that the patient carry D2O or Balance with her. This helps with hydration but also feels good on irritated skin. The itching and burning, commonly associated with laser resurfacing, should also be calmed down by the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in the minerals.
Tip: For persistent itching, burning or dryness, moisturiser may also be added AFTER the minerals have been applied. Simply pat moisturiser all over the face (heavy amounts will work) and watch the moisturiser absorb right through the minerals into the skin. Takes about 15 minutes.