The best makeup products and tips for rosacea

The best makeup for rosacea can be hard to find. On the one hand, you want a foundation that expertly covers the redness. But on the other, you don’t want it to look caked-on or worse post-wear!

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Being pretty fiery-cheeked (and not exactly a makeup guru) myself, I turned to makeup director for Maybelline New York Australia, Nigel Stanislaus, for some advice on how to tone down the redness.

Turns out, it’s not just about finding a killer colour-correcting concealer. From the best skin prep to the right remover, here’s everything you need to know about makeup for rosacea…

1. Skin care comes first

First thing’s first: it’s vital to have a skin care regimen that reduces the redness more permanently, before you apply your makeup. Nigel recommends treating your skin overnight, “as that’s when the skin is recovering at its fastest rate.” Look for products that are formulated to deal with skin redness, such as Ella Bache SensiBeautics Intensive Recovery Serum, Ultraceuticals Ultra Red Action Moisturiser and La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense.

2. Green is your go-to

Once your skin care regimen is sorted, Nigel recommends a “sheer, green-based primer, to help balance out the rosiness.” Sheer is key, so make sure you try before you buy – you don’t want to look like the Wicked Witch of the West! bh loves Mirenésse Tone Correcting Primer Cushion, Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer SPF 15 and L'Oreal Paris Anti-Redness Primer.

The expert also recommends skipping a heavy moisturiser, “to prevent slippage” and help your makeup last longer. Simply apply your primer and “let it set for a minute” before moving on to your foundation.

3. Conceal, then cover

Once your primer has set, Nigel recommends using a “cream foundation or a low slippage foundation” such as Maybelline New York Dream Cushion Foundation for sufficient coverage. He also recommends looking for one that makes your skin feel cooler upon application, “thus reducing the redness already.” bh loves Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup SPF 15 with Probiotic Technology and Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation, which contain additional colour-correcting pigments for a #flawless finish.

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4. Don’t over-blend it

When it comes to covering rosacea, your application technique is as important as the product you’re using. Nigel recommends “lightly pressing and patting the product on”, ensuring you don’t over-blend it. According to the expert, this method will still “give you an even, natural finish,” while stopping any redness peeking through.

Nigel’s application weapon of choice? A beautyblender® Original (sephora.com.au) instead of your fingers, a brush or a sponge, “as it is very gentle during application.” Natio Complexion Perfection Foundation Sponge and Revlon 4-in-1 Blending Sponge will give you similar results. Finally, “Set with powder if you need to.”

5. General maintenance

To ensure your painstakingly-applied makeup stays put throughout the day, a few touch-ups may be necessary. Colour-correcting powders such as Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Pressed Powder can work wonders, but won’t always be enough. As Nigel points out, “Depending on your day activity, sometimes your makeup melts and your face turns red.”

The best way forward? “Give it a quick makeup wipe and start your concealer and foundation again.” It may seem like a bit of extra work, but trust us, it’ll save you touching up again 10 minutes later!

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6. Time to take it off…

All good things must come to an end – and in the case of rosacea and redness, this means removing your makeup. To prevent your skin getting red and irritated, Nigel recommends avoiding makeup removers that contain alcohol. “Micellar waters are the most gentle on the skin,” he says. “[Just] make sure it contains no fragrance, as it might cause irritation.” bh loves BIODERMA Sensibio H2O (an oldie but a goodie).

Opted for a waterproof foundation formula? The expert also rates oil-based makeup removers. “But after that I usually still follow up with a micellar water,” he adds. Nigel, you’re a man after my own heart!

The product recommendations in this article have been updated to keep beautyheaven members informed of the most up-to-date related products.

Are you struggling with rosacea or redness? What’s your go-to redness-reducing product?