I too share in the pain of “fish belly white” skin. I usually tell people my ass glows in the dark.
I had no idea guns were a bad idea for cartilage piercings (ears only) - guess I was lucky with mine; they were done with a gun and I’ve never had a problem.
yeah, chocolate tastes good, so it’s a nice comparison!
Unfortuntaely, I have found that a lot of people behind the make up counter find pale skin to be ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’, that I ‘need to get a tan’.
um. no. I like my skin tone! I can’t help it if white hose tends to match my skin better than nude!
IANACosmetician, but I hate that lipstick feeling too, and have had great experience with the sheer lip gloss in tube stuff (Estee Lauder calls it “Sheer Lip Glaze”). You have to apply more often, but it provides just enough color without too much gooeyness. Feels a lot like lip gloss actually, which, IMO, is a great thing. You can get cheap versions (Wet and Wild in parts of the US) for 2-5 bucks and Estee Lauder for 15-18 (in Ohio, at Dillards)–but it lasts a good long time. And the shades are usually non-hooker-red–but with some selection.
BTW, I adore Burt’s Bees too. Almost ran out around Christmas and was digging the last left in the tube desperately while I waited for the US post office to deliver more. It was agony. 
O.K. then, my beef is with both dermatologists AND cosmeticians. I just cannot wrap my head around such a narrow definition of “normal” that includes just 2% of the population. Call me crazy, but that just defies common sense and absolutely goes against every other accepted use of the word that I know of.
Look, my beef is this: How are the marketing aspects of your profession any differerent from the water-softener companies that offer free water quality tests to homeowners? Lo and behold, every such test (or maybe, say 98%) indicates that the homeowner needs a water softener?
But, I don’t want to hijack this thread any more than I have, so I’ll bow out. Sorry. Carry on.
Spiff, what does it matter what term is used to describe the lucky folk who don’t have oily or dry skin? My self-worth is not at all impacted by the fact that I do not have “normal” skin. The nasty dry patches on my forehead are cause for scratching, not despair at the horrible world of cosmeticians and dermatologists who have deemed me “abnormal”. Please give people some credit.
Do you carry Estee Lauder? I LOVE their Idealist lotion. It’s expensive but you only need a tiny bit and it makes your skin feel amazing. It’s not really a moisturizer, it’s more like a skin finisher. I don’t know how to describe it but everyone who I’ve known who tries it is amazed at how nice it makes your skin.
When I splurge on something, that’s always it.
I’m going out on a limb here, and assuming from your description (yellow skin, almond shaped eyes) that your wife is asian.
This could backfire on me because, as previously mentioned, I’m white as a fish belly and I have almond shaped eyes, but I’m going to push forward anyway.
If your wife isn’t crazy about eyeshadow then she really probably shouldn’t use it. For many asian women, their eye-fold is very small - trying to do the “light all over, darker in the crease, highlight on the brow” can be very frustrating and can wind up looking sort of contrived so I think I understand where she’s coming from.
However, if she would be interested in trying it another way, I could suggest sweaping some light gold shadow her brow area - it will add a little sparkle and drama. Additionally, many asian women are pleased with the effect of curling their eyelashes. For many asians, their lashes are very straight - a bit of curl can really open the eye.
Regarding blush, I would be more inclined to suggest a bronzer to highlight the cheek area, unless your wife is very pale. (Pinks and peaches can look a bit odd depending on how yellowy the hue of the skin is.) Again - personal preference - many women don’t really need blush unless they’re getting their picture taken.
Innanna I LOOOOVE Burt’s Bees. The marshmallow vanishing cream is awesome - it’s actually too rich for my face, but I liked the smell so much I got it to put on my decolette. Love it, love it, love it.
Velma, we don’t carry Estee Lauder but I really like their products - even though I find them VERY expensive. The Idealist lotion sounds a bit like Elizabeth Arden’s Good Morning Skin Serum - I use this and love it - it makes your foundation just glide right on.
For everyone who’s Fish Belly White with a capital F - if you’re looking for foundation, I can suggest MAC - I use their 3rd lightest shade, and I’m pretty pale. They have two shades lighter than me, so you may have success there - also, their staff are awesome. BNB - I never tell a woman she needs a tan - that’s, well, really stupid actually and I’m pretty positive that no one tells Nicole Kidman that she needs “more color.” :rolleyes: Some very pale women benefit from a touch of blush though, depending on their complexion.
Finally, Spiff if you want to have a small fit about the unjustness of the way skin types are named, please be my guest. You should probably actually figure out what it is that you’re ranting about before you start, however.
What’s wrong with “hooker” red? 
I love red lipstick…
Who was grousing about hooker red?
Nothing’s wrong with it, I just always end up looking like a five-year-old who’s gotten into Mommy’s makeup. It never looks right on me. I think I’m just too pale to wear it. I need simple pinks and peaches, I think.
Maybe this is the right thread to ask… I have very fair skin (I burn and freckle in the sun - if I wanted to flatter myself, I’d call it porcelein or albaster ), but I have dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.
Trust me, “hooker red” lipstick never looks right on me. I like it, it just doesn’t look right on me. What color lipstick should I wear?
Ah - sorry to have missed that.
BiblioCat choosing a lipstick color for you without ever having, ya know, seen you is going to be rather tricky as I’m sure you can imagine.
However, if I was going to give some suggestions based on your description, I think a bright pink would be lovely - almost a cotton candy color.
If your complexion is peaches and cream, perhaps more of a coral would be nice.
Finally, there probably is a red you can wear - you would just have to start with a more subtle red than you’ve been trying - the WRONG red will certainly make anyone look terrible.
If you have a pic I could look at it and suggest something if you wanted.
As to recomendations for light feeling lipsticks - the Elizabeth Arden I suggested above would probably be great for you. It wears like a chapstick and is very shear - this is a good way to try a red as it’s much less [COLOR=RedRED[/COLOR]
Here’s a link.
Berry might be a nice choice if you wanted to try something redish. (They’re REALLY shear.)
Alice! Help me! 
Here’s the deal; I have always used drugstore makeup b/c my mom does, (tried 'em all, currently using Maybelline) and although I did get curious and wander into a department store once, I ended up spending $50 on foundation and powder from Estee Lauder…
And it made my face break out and didn’t sit well on my skin at all; it also didn’t last. (I work in a restaurant and I need makeup that can go the distance.)
Rather than assuming that it was the brand or formulation, I just wrote off department store makeup as a big huge scam.
However, in the last four months I’ve noticed that the skin on my eyelids has gotten very flaky and dry. To the point that makeup doesn’t sit well on it. At first I thought it was just a slight irritation, or perhaps winter dryness or whatever…but it’s gotten more pronounced.
So for the past two days I haven’t worn any on my eyelids. (Normally I dab a bit of foundation on my lids so that eyeshadow will go on smoother.) I haven’t worn anything on my lids, actually. They’re going stark naked.
Now, I don’t intend for this to go on indefinitely, b/c I love my eyeshadows and eyeliners, but even if the dryness and flakiness go away, is it safe to hold my foundation responsible? Should I try another brand? Or is it my eyeshadows (L’oreal, Rimmel, and Revlon)? Should I throw them all out and start from scratch?
Have you ever seen this type of thing before? I’ve worn Maybelline for years, and this problem is as new as the last several months. Eyeshadow maybe…? Or maybe my face wash or something?
Any wise words you have for me would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and FTR, I’m 25 years old–pale, unfreckled strawberry blonde-- and I have what I guess is “combination” skin. It feels like paper if I don’t moisturize after washing, but it gets greasy quickly, and I do get minor breakouts. (Sometimes major ones. knocking on wood)
Estee Lauder makes lots of people break out, as does Sheshedo and sometimes Lancome. It’s because of the fragrance, typically.
So, don’t right of counter cosmetics yet. However, if the Mabelline is working for you, keep it up.
Regarding your eyes. Yes, I’ve seen it before. Heck, I’ve HAD it before. It’s probably not your shadow, but before I say that definitively - how old are they? Eye cosmetics have a pretty short shelf life.
A couple of questions:
Do you use and eyecream at night or in the day? Both? If so, what is it?
Are your eyelids red and scaley looking? If so, it could be eczema - you’ll need to see a dermatologist for that.
Are you pregnant? Pregnancy can cause skin reactions just like this.
What sort of foundation are you using and how old is it?
Do you have any alergies? Do you have any pets? Are you in a new environment that could have mold or wood issues?
It SOUNDS like winter dryness. When I get this (and I do), I like to use Burt’s Bees Royal Jelly Eye Cream - usually about 2 nights applications (it’s too greasy for day) clears up the problem for me.
If you have ANY redness and itching; however, I would definantly make an appt. with a Dr. Eczema can be treated with a cortisone cream pretty effectively.
Of course that should say “write off”. :rolleyes:
These are some good drugs I’m on for this back thing…
I believe I have found the perfect lipstick shade. Heather, by Avon, is absolutely neutral. My entire family can wear it - blonde, brunette, redhead, freckled, olive-toned, alabaster, sallow, pinkish. (We are a motley bunch, indeed.)
Avon has some nice products - I like their eye-shadow sticks - if you’re running late you can throw it on and it still looks decent.
They are pretty closed lipped about the use of animal products in their items though, so that’s something to keep in mind for people who have concerns. (Some of their products still contain animal collagen I believe.)
Slight hijack, but all this talk about make-up reminds me of a funny story. Back in the day I worked at the fabric counter at a craft store, and one day I had several people in line waiting for me to cut their fabric. I noticed one lady who looked like her make-up had been applied by Jiggles the Spastic Hooker. Bright blue eyeshadow up to her brows, dark foundation that cut off abruptly at her jawline, very dark pink blush applied in uneven ovals on her cheeks. Another lady in line kept glancing at her sympathetically, and finally struck up a conversation, asking when her baby was due (she was pregnant, BTW), talking about the weather, blah blah blah. As they drew near the counter I heard the second lady say, “You know, let me give you one of my cards; I’m a Mary Kay consultant and I’d love to do an in-home demonstration for you.” A hint that was, in my opinion, as subtle as a Mack truck, but Scary Make-up Lady smiled delightedly and said, “Oh, wow! I sell Mary Kay, too, we should get together some time!”
At this point I rather fortuitously dropped my scissors so I was able to duck down behind the counter for a moment and gain control of myself.
Regarding my own skin, I’ve been using Melaleuca products for a couple of years, and I like them very much, but you have to be a preferred customer and buy a certain amount of their stuff every month to maintain membership (they sell household products, bath stuff, candles, etc., too). I had to let them go a few months back when we started trimming our budget, and I’m almost out of foundation, which means soon I’m going to have to go shopping for new stuff that won’t make my pale blotchy acne-prone skin look worse than it is. Anybody know a good foundation that gives solid coverage while being weightless?
That story was HILLARIOUS!! I’ve been approched by Mary Kay’s minions in the past, but always as a sales recruit. No thanks - alienating all of my friends by forcing make up on them isn’t my style.
Regarding the foundation, Elizabeth Arden’s foundations feel like you’re not wearing anything - the normal/combination skin version gives about medium coverage, and the dry skin one gives more opaque coverage. I’m somewhat unfamiliar with the oily skin version, as I very seldom sell liquid foundation for those with oily skins.
Ok, here’s one for you Alice … why do the shades I like always get discontinued???
Seriously, it’s to the point now where when I go to replace an item I’m actually surprised to see it still in the shops.
Well, it depends. Most companies (Revlon, Loreal, Cover Girl) will come out with seasonal colors - these are the colors that you typically see displayed on those nifty, shiny plastic holders in the middle of the cosmetic department. There’s usually a picture of a pretty girl (Hallie Barry, for instance) wearing the colors.
Those colors are designed to only be around for one season - about 2 months. If those are the ones you’re buying, that’s why they’re discontinued.
The colors that are on the “peg wall” (the long wall where the lower end brands - Loreal, Revlon, Cover Girl tend to be hung) is the assortment of a companies usual wares. If you always choose these (Revlon Red, for instance) and they get discontinues - well, you just have bad luck. I’ve only actually seen about 6 shades discontinued from the peg wall, ever. There the staples of each companies line - the companies are VERY reluctant to discontinue shades. I have grannys who come in and have used the same color since 1978.