# Ask the girl who knows a lot about makeup **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 20, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768 "2010-04-20T17:37:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/201 "2010-06-09T15:42:56Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > The MAC foundations often have “NW” or “NC” listed before the number; IIRC these stand for “Neutral Warm” or “Neutral Cool”. It actually stands for “Not Cool” and “Not Warm.” That’s why my golden tanned butt uses “Not Cool”— a cool color would make me look sick. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/202 "2010-06-09T16:52:21Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I’m pretty darned light-skinned; my skin tone has charitably been described as “porcelain” or “alabaster.” In MAC’s line, I was matched to their [NW 15](http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT158&PRODUCT_ID=1231); (NC/NW) 15 appears to be the lightest shade they have from what I can see online. I just checked my MAC foundation. It’s NC25. There are people paler than me! It’s…hard to believe. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/203 "2010-06-09T16:58:21Z")
Oh, I have a question about eyeliner. I’ve always had trouble applying the stuff because I wear contact lenses and am concerned I’ll knock the contact lens off my cornea if I pull my eyelid tight. Putting the lenses in after applying makeup doesn’t seem like a great idea - I could smear the makeup and also, I have REALLY abominable eyesight. I’d be afraid of fucking up just because I can’t see. Any good solutions? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/204 "2010-06-09T17:19:09Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Any good solutions? Gel eyeliner (like the Mac Fluidline, applied with a brush)- it rolls on really smoothly and you don’t really have to tug at your eye much. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/205 "2010-06-09T17:41:32Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Gel eyeliner (like the Mac Fluidline, applied with a brush)- it rolls on really smoothly and you don’t really have to tug at your eye much. I looked into gel eyeliner at the MAC store ages ago, and was told that the look is really quite bold. I don’t wear makeup that often and that turned me off of the idea. Is there a way to do gel eyeliner subtly? ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/206 "2010-06-09T17:41:59Z")
This may be waaaay off topic, but I need to dress up in 80s garb this weekend, and want to wear some makeup. What, to you, characterizes the 80s in terms of makeup? I won’t be doing any foundation or powder, but do hope to apply some eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner. I found some teal eyeliner - is that 80s, or should I go with black? ETA - 80s _teenager_ is the look I’m after. ---
**Author:** ![DivineComedienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c67d28/32.png) [@DivineComedienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DivineComedienne)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/207 "2010-06-09T18:02:51Z")
Diosa, thanks for the informative thread. My question: I’m 48, so not a kid anymore. I like the look of lipstick, it seems to add color and give a polished look; but I have essentially no upper lip and an average-sized lower lip. I feel like putting lipstick on just emphasizes my lack of upper lip. I know about lining lips just outside the natural line, I’ve tried this, and then it looks like I have a thin upper lip instead of none. So I just wear no lipstick at all, but I think there must be a trick that makes my mouth look better. Do I use liner in a lip-colored pencil, and then fill in with color, or use a liner that matched the lipstick I’m wearing? What colors of lipstick do you recommend that 1) dont’ make me look older than I am; 2) don’t draw undue attention to my lack-of-lip; and 3) look natural without looking corpse-like? Matte or shiny? What about plumpers, do they really work or they a waste of money? ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/208 "2010-06-09T18:07:17Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Actually, I meant to post about this in this very thread. The other day, I was in a drug store and noticed L’Oreal now has three shades of primer, included a greenish one. [Here’s an Ulta link](http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp;jsessionid=3E0FE1EC0EEDAD91CABFEAF2D795418E.papp2-app2?productId=xlsImpprod1980037). Much cheaper (plus I imagine it will go on sale/ you can get coupons) and it appears to have decent reviews. I recently (as in, two-three weeks ago) bought this very thing. It’s nice, but I’m not really sure if it’s really doing anything. But don’t listen to me - I don’t wear much makeup and am pretty much of a dunce when it comes to application, but that’s why I’m here and trying to remedy that. I didn’t notice that I got any additional wear out of my makeup, or any great smoothing of lines (but again, I don’t pay as much attention as I probably should yet). It does blend very well; there’s absolutely no telling you put something green on your face. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/209 "2010-06-09T18:12:54Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > This may be waaaay off topic, but I need to dress up in 80s garb this weekend, and want to wear some makeup. > > What, to you, characterizes the 80s in terms of makeup? > > I won’t be doing any foundation or powder, but do hope to apply some eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner. I found some teal eyeliner - is that 80s, or should I go with black? > > ETA - 80s _teenager_ is the look I’m after. Oh, totally go with the teal eyeliner! And if you can find a colored mascara, go for that. I remember running through tubes of Maybelline’s Something-or-other mascara in “Electric Blue” (kind of a royal blue). And a bronzer - tans were big back then. This site has a video: [http://www.freebeautytips.org/80smakeup.html](http://www.freebeautytips.org/80smakeup.html) ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/210 "2010-06-09T18:18:54Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > I looked into gel eyeliner at the MAC store ages ago, and was told that the look is really quite bold. I don’t wear makeup that often and that turned me off of the idea. Is there a way to do gel eyeliner subtly? Definitely- what dictates how heavy it is, is how heavy you drag the brush through the pot. Sometimes I just want a super super light thin line that isn’t bold black, so I just baaaaarely dip my brush in the liner, sometimes swiping it across my hand to get a little product off first. Also, Mac has oodles of colors (as do the other brands!), so you could always try a brown instead of a black. [Coastal Scents](http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/category/127/gel-liners.cfm) actually has a much wider range of colors than Mac. Maybe try a gray, brown, or plum instead of straight black. > [@Motorgirl](#): > > This may be waaaay off topic, but I need to dress up in 80s garb this weekend, and want to wear some makeup. > > What, to you, characterizes the 80s in terms of makeup? > > I won’t be doing any foundation or powder, but do hope to apply some eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner. I found some teal eyeliner - is that 80s, or should I go with black? > > ETA - 80s _teenager_ is the look I’m after. Super harsh, bright blush in a big stripe across your cheek for sure. Neon lipstick. Lime, turquoise, and other bright shadows. Oh and white eyeliner, too! Oh oh, and strong eyebrows! Some 80s tutorials: [One](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YAZzBv7n6M) [Two](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm7Gy9NdoIg) ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/211 "2010-06-09T18:30:13Z")
> [@DivineComedienne](#): > > Diosa, thanks for the informative thread. > > My question: I’m 48, so not a kid anymore. I like the look of lipstick, it seems to add color and give a polished look; but I have essentially no upper lip and an average-sized lower lip. I feel like putting lipstick on just emphasizes my lack of upper lip. I know about lining lips just outside the natural line, I’ve tried this, and then it looks like I have a thin upper lip instead of none. So I just wear no lipstick at all, but I think there must be a trick that makes my mouth look better. > > Do I use liner in a lip-colored pencil, and then fill in with color, or use a liner that matched the lipstick I’m wearing? What colors of lipstick do you recommend that 1) dont’ make me look older than I am; 2) don’t draw undue attention to my lack-of-lip; and 3) look natural without looking corpse-like? Matte or shiny? What about plumpers, do they really work or they a waste of money? Actually, colored lip liner will age you- it’s really not at all “in” at the moment, except for under super bright, vampy reds. You should be fine with just a nice, neutral, flesh colored liner under whatever it is you’re wearing. The second trick is to actually apply two colors of lipstick-- one slightly darker one all over, then a slightly lighter one right in the center of your lips. This gives the illusion of big, luscious lips. Plumpers do definitely work, but if you don’t want to waste money, just rub ground cinnamon all over your lips. You’ll swell up like some horrible stinggy creature mauled your mouth (in that hot and sexy way :p). Cinnamon or capsaicin (the hot stuff in chili peppers) are the main ingredients in most lip plumpers. If you do want to buy something, [Lip Venom](http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=TG5U3A5SAI5GYCV0KRTQIGQ?id=P51803&categoryId=C10477) does work and doesn’t taste too awful. As I mentioned way back in the thread, I’m way into neutral pink lips lately- it just looks so fresh and springy. If you’re afraid of looking like you’re trying too hard to be young, avoid [brighter shades like Mac’s Viva Glam Gaga](http://makeupforlife.net/wp-content/gallery/fotd/mac-viva-glam-gaga-lipstick-swatch-on-lips.jpg) (a current fav of mine!) and instead go with more neutral colors [here](http://www.temptalia.com/the-spring-season-temptalias-favorites) (6, 7, 10, 11, 13-18— all just depending on your coloring). As I mentioned earlier, plummy colored lipsticks are WAY out lately and definitely look super aging- to me, at least. And finally, shiny will definitely make your lips look bigger, but it is a younger look. Mac has a line of lipsticks called Amplified that I love for work- it’s just shiny and moisturizing enough without looking like lipgloss, but still having a hint of mature matte. > [@Snickers](#): > > I recently (as in, two-three weeks ago) bought this very thing. It’s nice, but I’m not really sure if it’s really doing anything. But don’t listen to me - I don’t wear much makeup and am pretty much of a dunce when it comes to application, but that’s why I’m here and trying to remedy that. I didn’t notice that I got any additional wear out of my makeup, or any great smoothing of lines (but again, I don’t pay as much attention as I probably should yet). It does blend very well; there’s absolutely no telling you put something green on your face. Yeah, in the reviews I read, it said it didn’t work quite as well as the Makeup Forever stuff, but for the price point, that it’s not bad. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/212 "2010-06-10T04:27:20Z")
Skimming this persistent and popular thread, I have to say as a guy that **I Had No Idea** makeup could be this complicated. I guess that’s why makeup pros from movies to TV to theater to the red carpet get the big bucks. Hell, I bet the OP could even make me look good. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/213 "2010-06-10T05:55:58Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > Skimming this persistent and popular thread, I have to say as a guy that **I Had No Idea** makeup could be this complicated. I guess that’s why makeup pros from movies to TV to theater to the red carpet get the big bucks. Hell, I bet the OP could even make me look good. It’s interesting, right? It’s one part art, one part chemistry. . . just all around interesting. I guess because I’m a big ol’ dork, I always wonder WHY a certain product works how it does- hence me figuring out what was making lip plumpers work, then trying the main ingredient out myself. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/214 "2010-06-10T12:49:18Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Super harsh, bright blush in a big stripe across your cheek for sure. Neon lipstick. Lime, turquoise, and other bright shadows. Oh and white eyeliner, too! Oh oh, and strong eyebrows! > > Some 80s tutorials: > [One](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YAZzBv7n6M) > [Two](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm7Gy9NdoIg) Thanks, both to you and **Katriona**! The videos are amazingly helpful! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/215 "2010-06-10T22:26:10Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I’m pretty darned light-skinned; my skin tone has charitably been described as “porcelain” or “alabaster.” In MAC’s line, I was matched to their [NW 15](http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT158&PRODUCT_ID=1231); (NC/NW) 15 appears to be the lightest shade they have from what I can see online. > > With Make Up For Ever’s [HD foundation](http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P217905&categoryId=C13402), I matched to their 110 shade. (On my current monitor, those shade swatches don’t appear very representative.) Unfortunately the MAC one is even darker than what I’m using now (L’Oreal True Match Porcelain W1). The MUFE is about the same color as my current foundation, so it’d be too dark too ☹ Basically, it needs to be lighter [than this](http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/#/?page=top%7Buserdata//d+d//%7Cdiagnostic%7Cmain:pdp//objectid+Cos33a_1//%7Bpdp_tab:pdp_overview//objectid+Cos33a_1//%7D%7Cmedia:_blank%7Cnav%7Coverlay:_blank%7D). I might need to for a goth culture to spring up here or kabuki troop to move into the area… ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/216 "2010-06-10T22:35:25Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Unfortunately the MAC one is even darker than what I’m using now (L’Oreal True Match Porcelain W1). The MUFE is about the same color as my current foundation, so it’d be too dark too ☹ Basically, it needs to be lighter [than this](http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/#/?page=top%7Buserdata//d+d//%7Cdiagnostic%7Cmain:pdp//objectid+Cos33a_1//%7Bpdp_tab:pdp_overview//objectid+Cos33a_1//%7D%7Cmedia:_blank%7Cnav%7Coverlay:_blank%7D). I might need to for a goth culture to spring up here or kabuki troop to move into the area… :: tap tap tap :: Is this thing on? ☹ I posted some advice for you on page 4; I replied to **D** since she asked for others to help out with suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/217 "2010-06-10T22:36:58Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Unfortunately the MAC one is even darker than what I’m using now (L’Oreal True Match Porcelain W1). The MUFE is about the same color as my current foundation, so it’d be too dark too ☹ Basically, it needs to be lighter [than this](http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/#/?page=top%7Buserdata//d+d//%7Cdiagnostic%7Cmain:pdp//objectid+Cos33a_1//%7Bpdp_tab:pdp_overview//objectid+Cos33a_1//%7D%7Cmedia:_blank%7Cnav%7Coverlay:_blank%7D). I might need to for a goth culture to spring up here or kabuki troop to move into the area… \*\*zweisamkeit \*\* gave you a great answer with options in [post 199.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12554621&postcount=199) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768/218 "2010-08-07T23:32:23Z")
Just a shot in the dark here, but does anyone have an app for iPhone to recommend for keeping track of what makeup you use? I’ve looked at some on the App Store and none seem that well-liked; [Makeup Inventory](http://www.macworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=539664&expand=false) looks interesting except no one has reviewed it, and it doesn’t say anywhere if it lets you have more than one item per category. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-girl-who-knows-a-lot-about-makeup/536768.md?page=10)