Getting that selfie-ready skin

The changing weather, unhealthy diets, daily work stress — can all take a toll on the skin. While applying make-up can to some extent help conceal the problem areas, lines and spots usually end up showing in pictures. With the selfie craze not dying down anytime soon, blur creams a relatively new product seems to be a solution. They work by using line-filling ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and micro-filling pearls to work on the pores and lines, with light-reflecting pigments to brighten dark areas around the eyes and face. A number of leading cosmetic brands have their own version of the cream. While some can be used as primers, others are more like serums. They add an Instagram filter like effect to the skin.

TEMPORARY EFFECTS
Priya Kapur make-up and hair expert explains, blur cream is a type of make-up product that uses high tech ingredients and smart particles to cleverly reflect light and ‘blur’ your skin, which disguises fine lines and wrinkles. “However, this is purely a make-up product and not a skin care product; so while it will temporarily improve your appearance, the effect won’t last. You need to invest in a solid skin care regimen if you want to see a long-term improvement in your skin. These creams can be used as an add on, especially if you find that primer and foundation alone isn’t helping to disguise fine lines, pores and uneven skin tone. Since it helps blur the pores it proves to be a perfect base for long-lasting make-up.”
 

DEPENDS ON SKIN TYPES
Make-up artist Vipul Bhagat says, these creams do offer some skin care benefits. “But they are not suitable for all kinds of skin. I prefer to use a cream which is non oily as it helps the make-up set properly. These are usually used before make-up as a primer and after make-up has been removed. They lend a glow to the face.”
Clint Fernandes make-up expert adds that they give a good photo reflective surface. “In fact, I use one instead of make-up for TV interviews.”
 

MARKETING GIMMICK
Blur creams sound too good to be true, says Kapil Bhalla, make-up expert. “They’re basically all the same type of products, just with a new packaging. Pore minimisers do work to a certain extent by tightening the skin but if a blur cream doesn’t contain foundation I don’t see how it can conceal spots. If it was that simple, people would look flawless all the time. It’s best to simply cleanse and moisturise your skin for good results. I’m not even a fan of primers,” he says.
sanaya.chavda@dnaindia.net