Resurrecting Makeup topic

[Flynn]

I think help with makeup is a great pick me up. I go once every four years or so just for new ideas. I think department stores or hair salons are fine as long as you keep in mind it won't be like the magazine before and afters .

I think most of these women apply makeup too heavily for the average person so I always say "natural on the go make up." You can always dial up your look for the evening.

I really like MAC....but I will say the women at the counter are extremely "done" so it can be intimidating. I had to drag a friend of mine there...but she came away with a few good tips for her face. One great blush or lip color is worth the time I think.

Additionally, the state of your skin can really effect how your make up looks. I had a few "gift" facials during training. I always came away from them with a new tip about my skin. Even if you don't buy their particular products, they can tell you things you might not be aware of.

What brands does your loal department store carry?

[Vishenka69]

Department stores are definitely worth a try. Have you really liked any of the products you ever used? What kind of skin do you have? Some companies are better for certain types of skin. Do you have an outlet mall nearby? Both Lancome and Estee Lauder have Company Stores in many outlet malls. The products also include other companies they own (for example EL owns MAC and Bobby Brown and Lancome owns Shu Emura).

I personally tried a bunch of different companies and now have my faves for mascara (Dior Show), lipstick (MAC or Shu Emura), powder (Clinique), tinted moisturizer and eye shawdow (Lancome).

[Stella]

I really like Clinique and you can find it just about everywhere. It's reasonably priced and they have great bases. I use their foundation, concealer, lip pencil, lip gloss, and face powder. You just have to remind them to go "natural" and you'll see a big difference. I used to do my friends' makeup for formals and things in college. I can give you some tips but I'd need to know what you need help with exactly. Do you have uneven skin tone? blemishes? Lack of color?

I love makeup. I wear it every day. No exceptions.

[DCJenn]

I'm a Prescriptives girl for make-up because as my skin has changed, so have their products. For cleansing, etc, I just bought stuff from the spa because I wasn't happy with my Avon stuff. Man, I turned 40 and suddenly I have no moisture in my skin. I'm a dried up old lady.

jenn

I vote for MAC, my skin is very sensitive and MAC is the only one I have used that I never get reactions from. Plus they are animal safe and they have great brushes! Also, they do have the bold colors for fun but a lot of great subtle colors for everyday. Most Macy's have them now so they are around!

[houseelf]

I love cosmeticcop.com. All these companies promise "We're the greatest" without any studies or comparisons backing them up.

I'm looking for a fabulous undereye cream that lightens. Strivectin promises to do this, but I read that their claims are not backed by any independent studies. Needless to say, the price is way out of my range. I want independent proof first. Any suggestions.

Currently, I'm using triple action creme by avon and a skin lightening cream with hydroquinone from the dermatologist. Help?

I think money is better spent on good skin care with the skimping coming in on the actual makeup. But that is just me.

Kelly

Thanks for that website, Kelly. I remember you posting it a while back but couldn't find it.

[Vishenka69]

Laura, have you tried switching to a tinted moisturizer? If you don't need heavy coverage, it can save you an extra step in your morning routine. With you tone combination, I'd stick to black mascara (go for one that curls as well, I'm all about time saving), grey or navy eyeliner and nude eyeshadow. Lancome has great eyeshadow sets of 4 colors that do the thinking work for you. One is almost white for highlighting (right under the brow and a bit on the inside corner of the top lid), the next is a nude'ish color to sweep over the entire lid, the darkest color is to replace the eyeliner (results in a more subtle look) and the fourth is for the extra definition (a bit over the crease and outter top corner). I have three sets (plum, navy and moss green palletes) and love them.

[pstone]

I vote no makeup...ick...

Maybe some lipstick if you are going out...but other then that...ick.

[DCJenn]

Peter you sound like my husband.

I had to promise that as soon as we were officially married and the pictures were taken I'd "wipe that stuff off" my lips. In fact now, he WILL NOT kiss me without confirmation that there is nothing on my lips.

Jenn

[Momo]

Laura I sent you a "rather" detailed PM.

[rainbabies]

dh hates lipstick....i never wear it. he even hates chapstick(which i wear ALL THE TIME)...he wont smooch me with it on.

[Michele]

I wear Bobbi Brown foundation, powder, and concealer. I also found a fairly nautral (for me anyway) lipstick shade from them that I love. The thing I love most about Bobbi Brown is the yellow hue that their makeup has that helps balance my reddness/early rosacea. After I put on the foundation and concealer though, I HAVE to add blush and/or bronzer because it does that good a job evening and covering....it's a little on the heavy side to adequately cover.

I wear Stila eyeshadows, over Clinique touchbase for eyes (LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!!!!! - makes eyeshadow last 14+ hours, even when on-call all night! ) I vary my eyeliners and blushes.....but only wear Maybelline mascara. It's one of the few that don't clump on me and don't irritate my eyes...I also wear waterproof because everything else smudges on me.

I use Clinique's purple Take the Day Off makeup remover for lips and lids..doesn't sting my eyes and removes the waterproof mascara nicely as well as deep red staining lipsticks.

I love my Sephora foundation brush and my Chanel eyeshadow brush but I have about 20 brushes ...I think having the right brushes makes applying makeup MUCH easier.

Personally, when I get a 'makeover' at the counter, I like when they go overboard....for me, it's much easier to just do less of what they do....and when they put a ton of crap on you, you can watch their blending techniques.

Daegan doesn't give me much time to put on makeup anymore, but I love wearing it when I can.

[mommax3]

I have been using Bare Escentuals (bare minerals) for about six months now, and I love it. I use the "fairly light" foundation, which I think is the lightest one, and use something called "bisque" as a concealer. On top of that, I use "mineral veil", and then I just use whatever blush looks good (I don't have any from the "bare" line) and eyeshadow, liner, and mascara, and I'm done. I usually put lipstick on in the car, after I have kissed everyone goodbye. I love, love, love the Maybelline mascara with the comb applicator. I have some bare minerals eyeshadows that are really nice, but I have some drugstore brands that I like almost as well.

I use Oil of Olay stuff on my face, and have no complaints there. When I used Mary Kay products, I would get occasional zits (I almost never wash my face at night ) and I felt like my foundation was gone by 3 or 4 in the afternoon, if not sooner. With the bare minerals stuff, I have had like 3 or 4 zits in 6 months.....that's it. At first, I thought it looked a little cakey under my eyes, but I started using an eye cream (Oil of Olay also) every day, and now I don't have that issue.

You can get a bare minerals starter set for about $60. I got mine for Christmas last year. I have been getting my stuff at a store called Ulta that just opened near me. I had never heard of it, but it carries the stuff I need and is a heck of a lot closer than Sephora.

Sally

[Phoebe]

I've been happy with Clinique for as long as I remember.

Kelly, they have a fab. under eye concealer.

This thread makes me want to try a whole new look. Probably because I feel so down in the dumps with my looks. I never have time to look nice these days.