Stained Pretty

My Journey As A Professional Makeup Artist

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The 10 Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin

Depending on who you ask, you will hear a range of answers about cosmetics for acne-prone skin. Some say makeup, especially foundation, exacerbates the problem.

But as reported in Women’s Health, NYC dermatologist, Dr. Marchbein, says, “wearing foundation is not intrinsically bad for acne-prone skin.” Choosing foundations formulated for acne-prone skin not only covers zits, but also neutralizes redness, treats existing acne, and absorbs excess oil. 

Here are ten foundations that are perfect for oily acne-prone skin:

1. Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation, $40.00

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A post shared by Dior Makeup (@diormakeup) on Feb 25, 2020 at 1:08pm PST

The perfect daily foundation allows the skin to look dewy while controlling greasiness. It is not overly mattifying and has the added benefit of lasting all-day.

2. Clinique Even Better Refresh Hydrating and Repairing Makeup, $32.00

This gentle foundation is ideal for those breakouts and redness. The liquid medium-coverage formula is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and is free of dyes and other skin irritants.

3. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, $35.00

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A post shared by FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA (@fentybeauty) on Oct 16, 2020 at 3:05pm PDT

Pro Filt’r foundation, Rihanna’s brand, was designed with oily skin in mind. It provides the perfect super matte base, full coverage, and offers a wide range of shades.

4. Estée Lauder Double Wear SPF 10, $34.00

Double Wear has a formula that lasts all day long, provides full coverage, hiding dark spots, scarring, and active acne. A little foundation goes a long way, and it is available in over 60 shades.

5. L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation, $14.99

This drugstore formula is lightweight, breathable, and offers medium-to-full coverage. The foundation has a natural skin-like finish.

6. Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Serum Foundation, $44.00

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A post shared by Juice Beauty (@juicebeauty) on Mar 28, 2020 at 12:53pm PDT

This organic, silicone-free foundation for acne-prone skin works like conventional face makeup to help cover breakouts and old acne marks. The plant-based pigments give buildable coverage, while antioxidants and hydrating coconut extract assist in smoothing the skin without clogging the pores.

7. MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation, $36.00

This liquid foundation for acne-prone skin offers medium-to-full coverage. The formula is waterproof and lasts for 36 hours. Even on the longest of days, the foundation leaves skin matte, and no touch-ups are required.

8. Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation, $40.00

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A post shared by HUDA KATTAN (@hudabeauty) on Sep 5, 2020 at 5:33am PDT

This foundation is a full-coverage formula created to fit the needs of the beauty influencer, Huda Kattan. The foundation gives the wearer an airbrushed effect and conceals imperfections. However, it is heavily scented and may irritate sensitive skin. It can also aggravate breakouts if worn regularly. 

9. Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin, $38.00

Try this foundation’s super-pigmented liquid base for a shine-free coverage. The foundation is long-wearing, easy to apply, and has a vast selection of shades. 

10. Tarte Face Tape Foundation, $39.00

The full coverage foundation has a matte finish that covers problem areas effectively. Apple fruit extract and hyaluronic acid are among the ingredients that keep the skin hydrated. 

[raeesahmanack]

Positive Affirmations to Change Your Life

The pandemic has caused many mental health issues, and looking at the world in a positive light is a challenge. If you are one of those skeptics who doesn’t believe in mind over matter, then there is no better time to try using positive daily affirmations to change your perspective.  

I’m not asking you to go Zen or become a Buddhist - you don’t have to do yoga and meditate (although that can help your mental wellbeing), but positive self-talk is a vital tool to use in a depressing world. The process begins with “I am …”

It is time to take control of all the things threatening to wrest power from you. We think things into existence, making bad situations worse, like “I’m desperate”, “I’m not good enough”, or “I’m technologically challenged.” We block our progress as these phrases eventually become the truth in our lives.

Dr. Carmen Harra says in Thrive Global, “What we keep thinking, we speak. What we keep speaking, we do. And what we keep doing, we become.”

Try saying ten life-changing positive affirmations to banish those unhelpful thoughts. 

Let’s start with the ones most relevant today courtesy of Forbes:

I cherish the extra time I spend with my family, and I am excited about creating more happy, unforgettable memories.

I focus on opportunities over obstacles.

I was created to blossom in my natural gifts and talents.

I love my body for all the things it can do.

Then follow these up with Dr. Carmen Harra’s suggestions in HuffPost:

      5.  I am the architect of my life; I build its foundation and choose its contents.

      6.  I am brimming with energy and overflowing with joy.

      7.  My body is healthy; my mind is brilliant; my soul is tranquil.

      8.  I am superior to negative thoughts and low actions.

      9.  I have been given endless talents, which I begin to utilize today.

      10. I acknowledge my self-worth; my confidence is soaring.

Repeat these positive, powerful affirmations 3 times out loud. Remember to personalize your mantras so that they come from your heart. Tailor them to speak to you and your circumstances. The right words, when recited with conviction, rewire your brain and shift your perception entirely. 

[raeesahmanack]

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Photo by frankie cordoba on Unsplash  

THE AMERICAN PROTESTS AND HOW THE AFFECT US …

I have been following the protests in America and the ripple effect it had throughout the world. As a South African who lived through Apartheid, these anti-racism protests struck a chord with me.

I delved into American history, learning about the significance of Juneteenth, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and the Jim Crow laws, among other things.

I have come to realize that as we on the southern tip of Africa and people around the world look towards the US and the Great American Dream with awe, its people are in no better position on matters of race, religion, and the treatment of minorities. For this reason, the protests started by George Floyd’s untimely death(murder) have been taken up by the worldwide community. 

I pray that the African Americans and all minorities stand together in their fight against systemic racism. Still, I pray that their white counterparts see how their white privilege affects other races. Now is the time for people of all colors to come together and find the solution to racism.

It took sanctions from the international community for South Africans to see the end to institutionalized racism. Yet, our late President once said, 

“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian people.”

 I am sure he would agree with me today that our freedom is meaningless if we don’t fight for the freedom of all minorities from racism and laws created to make some superior to others or to protect the rights of only one group of people.

Photo by Bach Nguyen on Unsplash

As we say in South Africa, “Amandla Awethu!” (or Power to the People!)

[raeesahmanack]

When the weather is this hot, I can't help yearning for those cold winter days.... #winterlook #winter #wintermakeup #wintermood #fauxfur #simplelook #mootd #makeup #allmadeup (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8QiOjqp9uZ/?igshid=7yrigcnegrjv

[raeesahmanack]

Game drive spot 1: Impala or as @xtraordinary_dan calls it the brown and Yellow bokkie #botswanatourism #botswanasafari #botswana🇧🇼 #mokolodinaturereserve #mokolodi #mokolodigamedrive #p30pro #huaweip30prophotography #familyvacation2020😎🌴☀️ (at Mokolodi Nature Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6846DLHHUh/?igshid=1tuxl0izqtvhw

[raeesahmanack]

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. ~ Langston Hughes #rainyday #rain #danceintherain #rainyphotos #wethairdontcare #wethairlook #nomakeup (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5zPMQJgMQ_/?igshid=i6hfnfm8boji

[raeesahmanack]

Dancing in the rain is more important than keeping my makeup and hair in fact ☔😂 #rainyday #selca #selfie #wethairdontcare #nomakeupday #justsomegloss #nofoundation #danceintherain (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5uP8aiA3Ae/?igshid=3f16ch34rm4h

[raeesahmanack]

Not going to lie, I spend 90% of my life doing random odd things and this is not the first time it was caught on camera.... Thanks for the pics, @idzo_akoob #goofymoment #nature #exploringtheworld #exploringbotswana #travel #home #strike a pose (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4g8RMzgCtY/?igshid=1b56yjksyq4l2

[raeesahmanack]

The last of my Halloween looks for this year.... Should I wait till next year to show off more creepy, spooky and dark looks or are we still feeling these creative looks? #halloween #halloweenmakeup #makeup #costumemakeup #duality #darkside #scarface #makeup #4theloveofmakeup (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4UBOVMABV5/?igshid=1cx3sa6cr6qw3

[raeesahmanack]

My first time playing around with scarring .... It's not great but it looked too cool not to share it. Here's a look at the duality of man. #halloween #halloweenmakeup #halloweencostume #halffacemakeup #scarface #makeup #machalloween #machalloweenemea #halloweenhacks : I didn't have liquid latex to make my scar so I put some peel off nail polish on an ice cream container in the shape I needed, let it dry then peeled it up and used eyelash glue to stick it on. It worked like a charm. (please note they are not recommended for skin use and I know I don't react to them because I patch tested first) (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4JxF_Xg6-n/?igshid=hlm7s3oz9vbd

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A blue skull look perfect for this blue Monday... #skull #halloween #machalloweenemea #machalloween #colorful #blueskull #skullmakeup #sparklyskull (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B34IWedgUIM/?igshid=1g4unffz26vlj

[raeesahmanack]

Halloween is almost here and I decided to start off relatively simple. I drew a little inspiration from pop culture and came up with a little #gothic #clown look inspired by the old #harleyquinn colors. (as always I'll post more pics of this look throughout the week) #machalloween #machalloweenemea #halloween #halloweenmakeup #makeup #costumemakeup #clownlook @maccosmeticsafrica (at South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3q7sV0AtKs/?igshid=iwsgw0orjm6o

[raeesahmanack]

A little birthday post. I've been experimenting with color recently after getting tons of inspiration over the last few months. #rainbow #rainboweyeshadow #rainbowlook #mootd #makeup #fullglam #colorfuleyeshadow #allabouttheeyes (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3JekxsAF8m/?igshid=qm3c41h10evd

[raeesahmanack]

Do we like these mini video animations? Should I keep posting these? Are they cute? I can't decide.... #rainbow #rainboweyeshadow #rainbowlook #mootd #makeup #fullglam #colorfuleyeshadow #allabouttheeyes #makeupart #makeupisart🎨 (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3SCPFhgFxO/?igshid=1nuhpfuj51lu0

[raeesahmanack]

Still playing around with these mini videos... I feel like they give a much better view of the look in action #rainbow #color #colorlook #colorfuleyeshadow #embracethecolor #experimentingwithcolor #makeupisart🎨 #mootd Makeup details in previous post. https://www.instagram.com/p/B3jz_70Awl7/?igshid=1kctqrte6mjww

[raeesahmanack]

Close up shot of the rainbow look and the last picture for this theme. Stay tuned for my Halloween inspired looks😜 #rainbow #blending #blendedtoperfection #rainbowlook #colorful #colorfuleyeshadow #mootd #eyelookoftheday (at Lobatse, Botswana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3lw8TfAoAI/?igshid=6d0kvpsail55