Being plus-size comes with some beauty challenges that few people want to talk about. These challenges include excessive sweating, skin tags, stretch marks and chafing, just to name a few. It’s almost as if the topic is taboo! But seeing that over 74% of American adults are overweight according to the CDC, it’s never been a more important time to kickstart the conversation.
When I began to gain weight, there were a lot of unexpected changes to my body. The issues were too embarrassing to discuss with others. Still to this day, if you Google “plus-size beauty products,” nothing helpful pops up. So, like many plus-size people, I suffered alone in silence for many years, full of anxiety and self-loathing.
My normal beauty routine wasn’t cutting it anymore. I needed a different set of tools and products, but I had no idea where to go or what to use.
Now, after being plus-size for over a decade, I want to share some of the best self-care and beauty products for plus-size women out there. You’ll want to make sure you have every one of these items in your home, as I guarantee they will make you feel more comfortable, confident and beautiful in your own skin, no matter what size you are.
Everyone sweats. But when you’re plus-size, you tend to sweat a bit more than normal. As a result, you often find your makeup melting down your face like you’re in “Indiana Jones and The Raiders of The Lost Ark.” Even if you do manage to stay cool, it’s not unusual for your eye makeup to get caught in the creases, causing harsh lines, smudging, transference, etc. But when you use this Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base by MAC, you’ll find that your makeup stays put for hours on end (as long as you don’t touch it), even when you’re sweating! “I love putting a primer underneath makeup, especially on the eyes,” says celebrity makeup artist Lisa Houghton, who has worked with everyone from Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez to Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson. “It blurs and mattifies the skin so that you can look picture-perfect all day long.”
Ever since the Kardashians came on the scene, the makeup world has been obsessed with contouring to reshape the face. “It’s the easiest way to sculpt your face and give you back the definition you lose when your face becomes fuller,” Houghton says.
But if you’ve never contoured before, where do you begin? I know I struggled when I first started. Powdered contours made my face look dirty, cakey and old. That’s why Houghton highly recommends the Ogee Contour Collection. “I prefer using creamy contouring sticks instead of powder,” she says. “They are so much easier to work with and look more natural on the skin. Simply use the stick to apply the contour under your cheekbone. Then put the blush and highlighter over the cheekbone (not the apple of your cheek) to give it lift. Finally, add some more contour along your jawline and a little at the hairline, just to even the tone and give balance. Then blend everything together with your finger or brush! It’s literally that easy!”
It does take a little bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, contouring can be an easy way to transform your face into any shape you like. The best part is, the site’s tools will help you find the best shade for you and provide kits of three so that you can be confident your tones all match.
The more weight I gain in my face, the more my features appear to be swallowed up and lost. I wanted to reduce my double chin and get my jawline back, so I indulged in a Sisley Paris facial at the Crillon Hotel in Paris. I’m happy to report, it did not disappoint! I came out looking visibly younger, and I could see the shape of my face again, all without an intrusive facelift. How did they do it? With this ginkgo gua sha. It’s an ancient East Asian tool used to increase blood flow and decrease inflammation. It’s sculpted to match the shape of your face. All you need to do is apply moisturizer, run this tool along your jawline from the center of your chin up towards your ear and then pivot the tool down your neck. This motion helps to drain the excess water being retained in your face through your lymph nodes. It’s a natural way of getting results fast. Now, I use this wonderful gadget as part of my regular nightly routine.
Plus-size people often get little red bumps on the underside of their upper arms or on other parts of their body. These bumps look like an embarrassing skin condition, but they are usually just keratosis pilaris or acne caused by hair conditioner or other products that are clogging your pores because you’re not washing them away properly while in the shower. As a plus-size person, it can be tricky to reach every nook and cranny. That’s why it’s important to have a long shower brush to give you that extra reach. I like this brush from Amazon that has both hard and soft bristles so you can choose whatever option feels best on your skin. Plus, it comes with a little hook so you can hang it up and prevent mold from growing on it.
Stretch marks are an inevitable consequence of weight gain. You’ll find them on your tummy, your legs and just about anywhere your skin stretches. Unfortunately, these marks can leave you feeling very self-conscious, especially when wearing shorts, bathing suits or any item that reveals the affected skin. While many ointments and products claim to prevent or treat stretch marks using cocoa butter, vitamin E and glycolic acid, the Mayo Clinic claims that the majority of these products don’t work. The best way to keep scarring and marks to a minimum is to make sure you maintain elasticity on your skin. The only product that I’ve used and seen results with is Bio-Oil. Regularly massaging your stretch marks and scars with the oil moisturizes the skin and promotes better circulation. This Bio-Oil set is perfect for getting you started on a skin care regimen that will help you reduce the stretch marks you currently have and help prevent new ones from forming in the future.
Thigh chafing, or “chub rub,” is a painful problem for almost every plus-size person. Sure, there are creams and balms that help lubricate your thighs, but they wear off within minutes and you can’t always find a discreet place to reapply them. For years, I wore exercise shorts under my dresses, which was very hot and uncomfortable, especially in the summer. It wasn’t until I found Thigh Society Anti-Chafe Shorts that I finally found complete relief. These silky little shorts feel like a second skin. Their super-lightweight material allows your body to breathe so you can walk around all day without any friction, overheating or unsightly pulling. Best of all, they don’t ride up or cut off your circulation like most other shorts. Feel free to choose from different lengths and colors, so you never have to worry about your shorts poking out from below your hemline again.
Slathering sunscreen all over your body is a chore for people of all sizes. However, it’s especially challenging when you’re plus-size and can’t reach many places on your body, not just your back. It’s too embarrassing to ask someone to apply suntan lotion for you and it’s too hot to let yourself burn. So what do you do? Use a spray lotion, of course! I love this SPF 60 from La Roche-Posay. It’s oil-free, alcohol-free and water-resistant for 80 minutes. It’s also nongreasy, so you can use it on your face and body without worrying about breakouts or looking sweaty. Simply point and spray and you’re covered. There’s no need to hide away in the shade any longer.
Increased sweat production and added weight often leads to excessive odor, and most deodorants can’t keep up. Dove was one of the first brands to embrace, promote and change the narrative on plus-size body positivity. I particularly love their invisible-dry deodorant. In my personal experience, it’s the only deodorant that keeps you odor-free all day long without the need to reapply. Unlike other deodorants, this one never feels sticky, never leaves a mark, doesn’t irritate your skin and doesn’t fail after one round of sweat. So, you can feel free to go out and play sports, sprint for your train, sunbathe in the heat or raise your hand in class, knowing nothing is going to stop you from smelling fresh as a daisy.
Everyone needs a great moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. However, when you are plus-size, it’s especially important to apply moisturizer to your face, neck and body in order to prevent skin complications such as psoriasis, infections, sores, etc. Houghton swears by Embryolisse’s Hydra-Mat Emulsion. “This is my go-to moisturizer for all of my clients, especially my plus-size ones who want to avoid shine,” she says. “You can put it on in the morning or night, and it will instantly hydrate the skin to make you look more healthy and awake! It’s designed to mattify sweaty skin so you don’t need powder or anything that will dry you out or make you look older. It’s literally the most important part of your skin care routine.”
If you have a plus-size body, chances are you also have a plus-size chest that is making you look much bigger than you actually are. Most people believe this is because 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra, according to a study posted in the National Library of Medicine. But I believe it’s also because they are wearing low-quality bras that aren’t equipped to do the job. Even if you have the right size, if the bra can’t physically hold you up, it’s not going to do much to help.
This is where PrimaDonna bras come in. They will instantly make you look 10 pounds thinner just by holding everything in the right place! That’s because, unlike traditional bras, which are made with only 10 to 15 pieces of material, PrimaDonna bras are made with over 50 panels of fabric, including rubber over the underwires. As a result, they are so comfortable that it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing a bra at all!
Depending on the style, PrimaDonna bra sizes go up to an M cup size and the panties go up to size 5XL, so you can look and feel sexy, no matter what size you are. My favorites styles include the Devdaha, Livonia, Sophora, Deauville and Cheyney sets.
I know they are a bit pricey, but I promise you that a PrimaDonna bra will be one of the best beauty investments you ever make!
Skin tags are a very common part of weight gain. While these little soft skin growths are usually small and harmless, they can be extremely unsightly and really knock your confidence. You usually find them on your neck, but they can appear most places the skin rubs against itself. If skin tags are making you feel self-conscious, you can always remove them using an over-the-counter product, like this Dr. Scholl’s Skin Tag Remover, which freezes away the skin. If you’d like something without chemicals, you can also find products that use little rubber bands to cut off the blood supply to the skin so that the tags fall off naturally.
Traditionally, WaterWipes are known for being a great way to clean your backside, and they definitely are. But they are also perfect for cleaning the rest of your body when you’re on the go. They don’t have any harsh chemicals or strong perfumes, so they won’t irritate your skin. You can literally use them anywhere, anytime and for anything you may need help with, from keeping you clean down there, to removing makeup or managing your plus-size perspiration. WaterWipes are a beauty aid that I never leave home without.
You may think that Vaseline belongs in your grandma’s bathroom cabinet, but it’s actually the beauty secret of celebrity icons like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston and even Marilyn Monroe. These amazing women have used this budget buy to help remove makeup, prevent wrinkles and provide that Hollywood glow. The fact is, Vaseline is the perfect solution for hundreds of ailments. But for a woman with a fuller figure, it can be especially helpful at providing relief from sores, itchy skin, scabs, chafing and more. You’ll definitely want to use a bit of Vaseline under some skin folds to prevent skin lesions. Whatever your ailment, Vaseline is almost always the cure.
When your skin folds over on itself, the area underneath may become hot, sweaty and ultimately full of bacteria or fungus. This can lead to unwanted odor, infections and open wounds that can be painful and sensitive to the touch. Special products, like Hibiclens, can help, as it is specifically designed to prevent microbial growth. It’s even used by athletes and anyone who may be at risk to these sorts of challenges. It’s not a pretty job, but it’s a necessary one for your health. Of course, the best cure is always prevention. So, if you use the products above to keep all areas clean, dry and moisturized, you may never need this product. But if you do, now you know where to go to get relief.