Color Corrective Cosmetics (CoverSmart, Coverblend, Dermablend)

What Are Color Corrective Cosmetics?
Are You a Candidate for Color Corrective Cosmetics?
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Your Options In Color Corrective Cosmetics
Learning To Apply & Remove Color Corrective Cosmetics Yourself
Risks & Complications of Color Corrective Cosmetics
Average Prices for Corrective Color Cosmetics
Related Product & Support Links
References
Talk To Others About Color Corrective Cosmetics & Application on our Forum

There are many individuals in the world whose skin tone irregularities and abnormalities lead to unhappiness with their appearance, shyness, antisocialism, and ensuing depression. Many of these irregularities include birthmarks such as port wine stains, Vitiligo, hypo- and hyperpigmentations such as cholasma/melasma, spider veins, strawberry hemangiomas, rosacea, dark under eye circles, post-surgical discolorations such as purpura, and more.

Color corrective cosmetics allow individuals with the above skin afflictions to "blend" in and feel attractive without the risk and expense of lasers, intense pulsed light and other such measure. We will cover several leading product types and brand names below .

What Are Color Corrective Cosmetics?
Color Cosmetics are various blends of ingredients which can offset colors seen in various skin tones and scar anomalies. Such as the purple-red color of post wine stains, hence the name port. The dark black or blueness of bruises or undereye circles and the redness of vascular lesions commonly referred to as spider veins or hemangiomas. Corrective Cosmetics are formulated to cover, or neutralize the area with an opposing color to help camouflage and create a normal skin tone.

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Are You a Candidate for Color Corrective Cosmetics?
If you have afflictions such as...

birthmarks such as port wine stains
cholasma/melasma
dark pigmented acne scarring
dark under eye circles
freckles
hypo- and hyperpigmentations
liver spots and age spots
nevus

post-surgical discolorations
purpura/bruising
rosacea
spider veins
strawberry hemangiomas
tattoos
uneven skin tone
Vitiligo

...and wish to camouflage or cover these areas, you may be a candidate for color corrective cosmetics. There are even formulations which are made for sensitive-skin such as Physician's Formula®. There are brands which plastic surgeons and dermatologists recommend such as Dermablend® or CoverBlend®. However, even these require no actual prescription. Regardless of brand it may take you some practice to fully appreciate and get the best use out of color corrective cosmetics. Good, even coverage takes practice and is not the same as standard foundation. A good skincare technician or physician -- or even a good make up artist -- can help you determine which products and colors are best for your needs and demonstrate how to apply them.

What to Expect at Your Consultation
You will discuss your complaints and concerns and discuss the various techniques, the amount that can be corrected, etc. Color Corrective Cosmetics generally do not need a prescription but some of these physician-supplied brands are considered longer lasting and higher quality by some. It is merely a matter of opinion so you may want to ask around or try them out yourself.

For high quality, over the counter brands such as Physician's Formula®, you need only drive to your local pharmacy and look for it in the cosmetics isle.

Testing Your Own Cosmetics
Obviously the best and cheapest options for many people is buying your own products and testing them out. If you choose to go this route -- I chose this route -- here is a guide to know what colors to get. Also, Most products will have the color guide or intent listed in the package making it easier for you. I have recommended Physician's Formula Products because they are inexpensive, can be found at your local drugstore and they work! I have no financial affiliation with them whatsoever.

Dark Under Eyes & Bluish-Purple Bruises: A Yellow concealer stick is a great choice. It counteracts the bluish purple hue under eyes and bruises. The Physician's Formula Wanderful Wand™ Brightening Cream Concealer in Yellow is awesome! It really brightens the skin and covers dark undereye circles.
Red Bruises and Skin Redness: Broken capillaries, and rosacea and redness from irritation, post-laser surgery or chemical peels and general sunburn can be corrected with a green toned concealer. Just be careful to check your skin in natural light because you don't want to look green. Pearls of Perfection®:Multi-Colored Face Tint in Sheer Green is a great choice for lingering redness from procedures or Rosacea. If you just have small spots to cover, The Physician's Formula Wanderful Wand™ Brightening Cream Concealer in Green is a great choice, as well.

Sallow Skin: If you have been sick or tired lately, a Pink toned concealer can liven up your skin, however pink is not for everyone. I am not a pink or peach Person, unfortunately. The Physician's Formula Wanderful Wand™ Illuminating Cream Highlighter in Pink is a good one.
Other color correction products by Physician's Formula can be found on their website. They have sticks, and powders, and wands, and more.

Your Options In Color Corrective Cosmetics
There are several high quality brands available on the market which are designed to do one thing - color correct. They all have the same technology behind them, but perhaps with slightly different tones, or different ingredients and additives or supplemented with anti-oxidants, sun screen, hydroquinone, etc. Some are considered non-comedogenic (very unlikely to clog pores, not likely to cause acne), hypoallergenic (very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction). Different brands contain different additives so be sure to read the product brochure or ask the representative or skin tech regarding the ingredients.

Physician's Formula®: This is a wonderful brand created for an allergist's wife who had very sensitive skin and needed her own various color correction products. There are none of the 132 known irritants (such as PABA, avobenzone, propylene glycol). There are many types of tinted moisturizers, color corrective foundations and creams, powders and concealer. Many people find that Physician's Formula® is exactly the plan of action they need for camouflage their skin irregularities, without the expense of other brands. In addition to congenital and other physical anomalies, these products can be used after laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peel, to hide surgical discolorations (bruises), tattoos and more.
Dermablend®: Dermablend® has often been touted as the surgeon's choice for post-operative cosmetics. It is widely used to cover bruises and other discolorations such as redness after laser resurfacing, after the patient; is healed. Redness may linger for many months after intensive laser resurfacing. All color corrective make up is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and also contains an SPF 30. Their most popular product is Cover Crème which comes in 15 shades. In addition to congenital and other physical anomalies, these products can be used after laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peel, to hide surgical discolorations (bruises), tattoos and more.
CoverBlend® (Exuviance Line, Neostrata): CoverBlend® maintains that their product provides all of the above with the addition of anti-aging benefits, Intense moisturization, antioxidant properties, broad spectrum color, Sunscreen Protection, and is water proof and smudge-proof. They manufacture foundations, powders, concealers and tinted moisturizers for color correction with the addition of skin anti-aging properties that even the most sensitive skinned patient can generally wear. In addition to congenital and other physical anomalies, these products can be used after laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peel, to hide surgical discolorations (bruises), tattoos and more.
Veil Cover Cream®: This company has been around for 50 years - it was first formulated in 1952. Veil Cover Cream® is waterproof, smudge-proof and contains titanium dioxide for full sun block protection and comes in 14 different natural skin shades plus 6 "toning shades". In addition to congenital and other physical anomalies, these products can be used after laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peel, to hide surgical discolorations (bruises), tattoos and more.
SmartCover®: Brought to you by the same creator of Dermablend®, these products are for covering dark circles, birthmarks, Vitiligo, vascular lesions and more. All kits are fragrance-free, and have been tested for allergies and irritation. There are several kits available ranging from $14.50 US - $29.75 US. In addition to congenital and other physical anomalies, these products can be used after laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peel, to hide surgical discolorations (bruises), tattoos and more. These professional kits come highly recommended by post-surgical patients and for every day camouflaging needs.

Learning To Apply & Remove Color Corrective Cosmetics Yourself

Color Correction Cosmetics Application Instructions

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Thoroughly cleanse the area with a good quality cleanser to remove surface oils and gently exfoliate the area with a standard washcloth. This will help with application, appearance and longevity of wear.

Gently pat area completely dry with a non-abrasive towel.

Remove any possible soap residue or surface oil with a good quality toner.

You may moisturize before application of some products so please check with your skin technician or read the product brochure for specific instructions.

Apply product with gentle, blending motions with your fingertips or with an accompanying cosmetic application sponge. Many individuals like to use the fingers since it warms the product for ease of application and creates less waste. However, if you have long fingernails this can be a problem.

Continue blending product all over area to be camouflaged (this is where proper color matching is essential) or apply to the full face as you would any other cosmetic foundation, careful feathering the edges to prevent a demarcation line.

Some products have finishing, or setting powders. For many products this is an important step to "set" the product into place to create a matte, waterproof and smudge-proof finish. Please check with your skin technician or read the product brochure for specific instructions.

Color Correction Cosmetics Removal Instructions

Some products have accompanying cleansers "specially formulated" for removal of their product which may or may not work better than any ordinary cleanser. Experimentation will tell you this.
Thoroughly cleanse the area with a good quality foaming cleanser, specially formulated make-up remover or a gentle cleansing cream. You may need to wash the area twice to remove all of the product.
Gently pat area completely dry with a non-abrasive towel.
Remove any possible product residue or surface oil with a good quality toner.
Apply your regular nightly moisturizer

Risks & Complications of Color Corrective Cosmetics
Generally, the only risks or complications caused by cosmetics are allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. The occasional flare up in persons with sensitive skin as well as acne breakouts can also be a problem with some individuals even though products may claim to be non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic. It might be in your best interest to perform a patch test with a little of the product in an inconspicuous place until it is determined you are not allergic to said product

Average Prices for Corrective Color Cosmetics
Prices vary from product to product, depending upon the quality, number of availed shades and where the item is bought (surgeon's office, pharmacy, beauty store, Internet, etc.).

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