Young Post SCMP Hong Kong

		I've got really big pores on my face, how should I apply my makeup or what products should i use in order to make my pores appear a little bit smaller? Kelly England says... Contrary to promises from beauty companies you can not significantly reduce the size of pores, as this is determined by genetics. Magazines almost always retouch pictures of models to have no pores at all - so don't compare yourself with this as it is simply unrealistic - remember natural beauty is really the best! The good news is that you can reduce the appearance of their size with a skincare system and makeup application. One of the reasons pores appear to be so large is that they store dirt and therefore become blackheads. Clean your face well twice per day especially in areas with larger pores - often the nose and chin thoroughly and use a scrub twice per week and use a clay mask once per week. Apply none greasy moisturisers such as those from Neutrogena at Watsons as they are perfect for teenage oily skin. When applying foundation move the makeup sideways with outward movements from the nose. This will prevent product 'sticking' in the pores which will happen if you apply upwards and downwards. Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector conceals open pores without clogging them and resists sweat, excess oil and humidity. Perfect for Hong Kong weather!
		My forehead is very spotty but also very dry, I think my cream moisturizer is clogging it up, even though it's a very lightweight one. I was thinking about switching to a moisturizing serum instead - what would you recommend? Kelly England says... If you are suffering from dryness and spots then I don't think that your moisturizer is the problem. It sounds like you are focusing too much on getting rid of the spots, thus exacerbating the dryness. Focus on thorough cleansing - try Neutrogena's Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser or Lancomes Mousse Comfort which are gentle but really get rid of skin impurities Follow up with a light moisturizer such as anything from Neutrogena or Estee Lauders Daywear Plus. You may also ask a doctor or pharmacist to prescribe you an ant antibacterial gel and n anti inflammatory gel to help with your spots.
		I love wearing eyeliner but I can never find one that suits my skintone. I have white-yellow skin and I am looking for something that applies easily, suits me and ideally costs less than KH$20. Kelly England says... With your budget, head straight to Bonjour for a huge range of eyeliners for this price. Black eyeliner may be too harsh for your skin tone, so why not try browns instead? Or for a softer look try grey or brown eye shadow and apply with cotton buds as you would an eyeliner. Blend multiple layers to give a soft natural look and opt for iridescent rather than matt colours. This is gentler look than eyeliner yet still defines your eyes. Remember that eyeliner is just one part of eye makeup. Make sure you tap on concealer with clean fingers under eye shadows and on any darkness to even colours out before you start. Or try life without liner and focus on lashes instead. Gluing on fake lashes (from Sasa) can dramatically change your look.
		Cure me of my colour phobia! I'm Chinese but I have a very South East Asian look and skin tone. I only use black eyeliner and a little brown eye shadow because I can never find an eye shadow colour that suits me. Can you suggest some colours that enhance my skin tone and look trendy? Kelly England says... Black eyeliner and brown eye shadow do get pretty boring after while - well done for opening your eyes to this problem! Your skin tone is perfect for this seasons colours so experiment and show off your sparkly eyes, Why don't you try a light base shadow - even white - and apply from the bottom of the lid right to the brow. This will open up your eyes and make you look more awake. Then you could try a blue - don't be scared - go to MAC and try some shades there and see if you prefer more of a baby blue or a deep richer effect. Just use this on your lids and blend with a brush to soften. If you are really looking for a change, throw out your back liner and replace with a white pencil (available from Bonjour) in your inner lower lids. This will further open those shutters to your soul. When applying fun eye shadows par the rest of the face down - just using clear lip gloss to finish the whole look. Have fun!
		I tend to sleep late, and that leaves me with purple green eye bags I cannot seem to get rid of. Which products can I use to get rid of them quickly and effectively without having to sleep early? Kelly England says... I'm afraid to tell you that sometimes you just have to sleep early if you want to be healthy and also in order to look good. Beauty techniques and cosmetics can only do so much you know! First, look into why you need to be awake so late? Studying, working, watching DVD's? Try to readjust your schedule so you get at least 8 hours sleep. After this you can hit those eye bags hard! Apply thin cold strips of cucumber to them for 20 minutes. Then apply a gel based eye creme such as Elemis Bright Eye Recovery Gel from Lane Crawford. If you really want to make a good impression then pat a little concealer under the eye (such as MAC's Studio Stick), and add a white highlighter onto the eyelid. May the force be with you and get some rest!
		I've always wanted to use i.d. bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation, however I don't know where to buy it, can you tell me where to find it? Also I have heard that some people have severe reactions to pure mineral makeup which will leave large acnes to their face, is it true Kelly England says... Good question. I.D Bare Minerals is a hot topic right now. It claims to give skin a natural luminosity and amazingly is free of preservatives, talc, oil, waxes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can irritate skin and cause breakouts, Better still it provides natural SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection. You can order from their website www.bareescentuals.com and it's around 250 HKD. Sounds great hey? For some people it does work wonders. However, I have also heard a great deal about skin reactions in relation to acne and therefore cannot recommend it to you at this stage. I really don't want you to breakout, but then I am known to be extremely cautious (paranoid!) not to damage my client's beauty and health, so it's up to you! There is more research being done into mineral foundations as we speak. In the meantime why don't you try foundation from MAC, such as Studio fix which is found in many models makeup bags.
		In all seasons I sweat and smell a lot. Always in my clothes I have huge sweat pads. I have tried all kinds of deodorant or antiperspirant, but they only take away the smell and my sweat sometimes even soaks my shirt and underwear. Can you suggest some brand name please? Kelly England says... Don't panic help is on the way! Get DRICLOR from the pharmacy section at Watsons for your underarms. For all-over body coolness you should also take the following steps. Shower thoroughly twice per day with none perfumed soap and dry with a super clean towel. Only wear natural fibres such as cotton and change your clothes daily. And, once a week exfoliate your body all over especially in the areas that you sweat the most. Perspiration is also influenced by your stress levels, so do what you can to calm your nerves. Once you have tried all of these tips I'm sure you will see good results, if not please see your GP. Good luck!
		What is toner? Is it just a gimmick or does it really work? Kelly England says... Toner is designed to be gently wiped over your face with cotton wool following cleansing. Toners are not a 'gimmick'. If you have oily skin, then an alcohol based product can really help can to balance your skin levels and clear up spots. Check out Dr Jeff's Acne Tonic (2914 4823). But, those with other skin types may not see life changing results other than a momentary coolness and an uplifting smell. I like to see REAL results from my products. If a cleanser is doing its job (like Vichy's Purete Thermale Cleanser - 25061977) then there should be no urgent need for toner. Remember, your biggest weapons for good skin are a commitment to a. cleansing and b. sun protection. Toner can be a bonus but it is not vital for your beauty regime.
		I used to pluck my underarm hair with a tweezer. The pores are now sticking out and the skin around the area is going black. I have stopped plucking it already, but there is no improvement on my pores or the skin pigment. I wonder how I can make the pores go smooth again and have the dark pigments go. And aside from laser treatment, what is the best way to remove underarm hair if I want to remove the root as well? Thanks. Kelly England says... I am afraid that you may have damaged your skin from too much aggressive plucking. You must go to your GP and ask if he/she will refer you to a skin doctor. For the future please do not pluck your underarm hair. I understand that it can be annoying and embarrassing but there are many ways you can deal with it. This area is very sensitive and needs to be treated accordingly. Shaving with the help of an aloe based foam which is moisturising can give you a super smooth feel and last a few days. Or you can try waxing (in a salon - NOT at home) which is more painful but takes the hair follicle from deep down. The downside from waxing is that you have to wait for it to grow before you can wax it. Good luck!
		I always put deodorant and perfume in the mornings, but 10 minutes later I stink, the dance is coming soon and I don't think any of the boys will follow the odorous scent. Kelly England says... Smelling bad is a definite no-no for close contact dances! Don't just wear deodorant, instead you should look for an anti-perspirant such as Rexona from Watsons. Instead of just masking the smell, it will help your body to actually not sweat in those areas. Make sure you are showered, exfoliated and have no underarm hair as this can all help to reduce bacteria and therefore odour. You can also think about wearing a dress that is made of a natural fabric such as silk (my favourite!) rather than polyester. Also, get one which is not covering your underarm such as with the classic halter neck style. This will prevent any embarrassing patches if you get hot after too much dancing. Have fun!