Bio-Oil

If you’ve been paying attention, you know that having an even skin tone has emerged as a BIG beauty goal these days.

So instead of wrinkles—which are, let’s face it, pretty tough to do anything about once they appear—it’s sun damage, hyperpigmentation, post-acne marks and redness that you want to erase with your skincare regimen. It’s all about having glowy, luminous skin—so what if you’ve got a few lines here and there?

Meet Emmy and Gemini Award-nominated makeup artist Lise Kuhr, whose recent credits include working with Dakota Fanning on the set of Twilight: Eclipse. Lise also works with Bio-Oil and was recently in town to talk about how you can treat skin discolourations—or at least cover them with makeup until they fade. Here’s our Q&A:

Q. What’s a good skincare regimen for someone concerned about evening out her skin tone?

A. “Improving the appearance of uneven tone can be a huge confidence booster for any woman, but you don’t have to spend like a movie star to buy a quality skincare product.

“I love Bio-Oil because it’s affordable, quickly absorbs and is one of the best products around for helping to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone. Apply it twice daily, massaging in a circular motion, for a minimum of three months.

“Something that I recommend for everyone is being diligent about taking a multi-vitamin daily, and being aware of any deficiencies you might have, such as iron. As you heal your skin with a topical application, also nourish your body’s ability to heal more quickly from the inside out.”

Q. What’s the best way to hide skin discolourations with makeup?

A. “Before I get to covering specific areas of discolouration, I generally start with a foundation, as this alone will often sufficiently cover some of the less pronounced discoloured areas.

“Once the foundation is on, I have a better idea of which product I will need to hide the still-visible spots of concern. Some concealers are highly pigmented and opaque, whereas others will be quite sheer in contrast. To customize a concealer for yourself, you can always mix a little of your foundation to your concealer of choice.

“When covering brown spots, a concealer with a pink undertone can be very effective. If your post-acne scars are still red, a concealer with yellow undertones will be your best choice.

“When discoloured areas are hidden, set your make-up with a light powder, as this will help protect it and give longevity.”

Q. What are your insider tips for keeping skin looking great?

A. “Keeping your skin looking great doesn’t have to be that difficult. I live by these five simple tips:

“Live Well: Getting your beauty sleep is probably one of the easiest ways to keep yourself looking great. Other lifestyle choices, like reducing stress and eating properly, can also contribute to an overall look of well-being.

“Cleanse, Exfoliate and Moisturize: Find a daily skin care routine that works for you and stick to it. And remember – always wash your face before bed.

“Protect Skin from the Sun: If you’re going to be spending time in the sun, you need to protect your skin. Wear a hat, stay in the shade or apply sun block. Excessive exposure to the sun can lead to premature aging, sunburns and even skin cancer.

“No Smoking: Stopping smoking at any age will improve your outward appearance. If you decide to quit, take the opportunity to adopt habits like regular exercise.

“Stay Hydrated: Dehydration starves skin of one of its most vital nutrients. Start drinking water first thing in the morning and continue to replenish throughout the day.”