I used to think that makeup was bullshit but then I got to know a few women where it made a LOT of difference.
Any tips for men? Just curious.
Through some Facebook stalking, you appear to be about the coloring I am with a tan, perhaps a wee bit more reddish tinted. I can tell you: even though I’m not all that dark in the grand scheme of skin coloring (definitely dark for a white girl, but you know what I mean- there are tons of folks much darker skinned than I), I have serious trouble finding anything in the drug store that’ll match my skin. I imagine you’re probably in the same boat.
Mac really is good stuff and generally has a pretty wide range of colors. Same with Makeup Forever, which they sell at Sephora. An actual Mac store will have more stuff than a Mac counter, but whatever you’ve got around would be fine. Mac folks- even the super white ones- are generally trained how to handle different complexions pretty well.
What you should do depends entirely on how much effort you’d put into it. If I were doin’ ya’ up, I’d probably do a nice, blended yellow tone concealer under your eyes, then even out the redness you’ve got with a bit of green tinted primer ( like this one from MuFe)). That primer will not only even out your skin coloring, but it will also make any foundation or powder stay alllllll day. Good stuff. Anyway, after the primer, I’d probably use my favoritest of powders, Mac Studio Fix Powder. That sounds like a lot, but you should be able to knock that out in like, a minute and a half. Seriously. 
Anywho, depending on how “glam” you wanted to be- I’m a big fan of bronzer. My favorite is Sugar Tropic Tan Bronzer, which is matte. I hate glittery bronzer! It appears, though, that Sephora doesn’t sell that particular bronzer anymore- boo! Anyway, just find a nice, deep brown, non shimmer bronzer (here’s one). You put it along the hollows of your cheeks, then basically all around the perimeter of your face. Lightly of course. You can even use the bronzer to contour along your collar bone and cleavage if you want to look extra studly- just any “hollow” part of your body, you’re adding extra shadow.
Then, something on the apples of your cheeks, lightly shaded up on your orbital bones (so, a half moon up your cheek, to the side of your eye). Mac’s Mocha (left) is my go to shade for folks with our coloring- it’s my every day blush. Adds a hint of color without OMG BLUSH, ya know?
And then, I’d do a little of Mac’s Cream Color Base in Hush (swatches and such here) along the tops of your cheeks, down your nose, and anywhere that needs a highlight. You do this VERY lightly. You can use any highlight you want- every so often, Mac puts out Mineralize Skin Finish powders that are also good for this. At this point, your skin’s all done. I do this same thing on myself most days and I can do the whole shebang in about two minutes. You can probably do it all in less than five, even without practice.
Honestly, you don’t need to do much with your eyes unless you want to. I’d say eyeliner and mascara are a must, but other than that, you’re good. I’m a huge huge huge fan of Mac Fluid Line (you’d want it in Black, I imagine)-- you put it on with a small angled brush and it’s basically idiot proof. For you, I’d line just the top and have it wing out just a titch (and shape it so the liner is a little thinner on the inner corner and a little thicker on the outer- this will make your eyes look huge). Mascara? That’s up to you, of course. But my mascara of the moment is Mac Studio Fix Lash, which breaks the long standing Mac tradition of terrible mascara :).
Finally, I’d do a nice, clean nude lip on you. Something like Angel, by Mac, which is my favorite lipstick ever.
Again, I realize that all sounds like a lot, but when you actually do it, I’d imagine you wouldn’t take more than 10 minutes total. The liner will take a bit of practice, but it’s super easy.
You could probably use a tinted primer for that instead of a full on concealer. I know when I put concealer around my mouth, it tends to cake up, which isn’t pretty.
Depends what you’re trying to achieve. I know some men who wear more glitter and bright eye shadow than I do ;). Trying to cover up blemishes? Even skin tone? Rock the hipster guyliner look? Become a Cher impersonator? It all depends on what look you’re trying to achieve, my friend!
Along the men line, I have a friend who is really self-conscious about his acne. Is there a way to cover it up so that doesn’t look like he is wearing anything? I know he wouldn’t want his friends to know that he wears make-up.
Are there any drugstore brand products you especially like? Do you know of any makeup remover that won’t dry out my skin?
I have pretty dark veining on my eyelids (I’m about a shade darker than translucent - shade 110 in the MUFE HD foundation - and I’m pretty sure my eyelids are even paler). I’ve seen recommendations to use foundation all over the lid before starting on the eyeshadow, but I’m a tad worried about pulling too much on the thin skin of the eyelid when applying/removing heavier makeup there, not to mention caking, etc. Am I worrying too much?
First thing’s first- he’s got to treat the disease, not the symptom; is he on any medication or topical stuff to help his skin? Fact is, most makeup is going to exacerbate certain forms of acne, so I’d hate for him to end up worse off than where he started. For what it’s worth, I’ve never had bad acne at all (dermatologists have literally laughed at me when I demanded a Retin-A prescription for my slightly bumpy chin), but two things have worked well for me and my friends who have much worse acne than I— 1: Retin-A cream (which not only fixes the acne, it prevents wrinkles- huzzah!) and 2: the Nutragena Skin ID system (it’s like Proactive but more customized. Something like $20 a month).
Truthfully, if it were me, I wouldn’t put anything over my acne skin, as I imagine it would just make it worse. That said, if he’s really concerned and already seeking treatment, I suggest he focus on shine correction, since that’s usually one of the worst acne symptoms (the oily shiny skin). To cover that, he could use a translucent sillica powder. Now, he can buy some fancy brand, like Makeup Forever that is $40 for a half an ounce OR he can buy one whole ounce of it (which is more than he will ever need) at this website here for $5. Same stuff.
If he’s got a ton of discoloration, I’d suggest a tinted moisturizer to even out his complexion without looking like he’s wearing a bunch of war paint— it’s just what it sounds like, moisturizer with a tiny tint of color to correct discoloration issues. So, even if he still has the bumps, this will even out the over all look. Cover girl has a nice enough drug store brand he could give a try. He just needs to be sure not to over do it; just a tiny drop of the product in his hands, rubbed together, then rubbed on his face.
Personally, I looooove Target’s house brand makeup remover towels. I just buy packs and packs of these. Great deal, much cheaper than the name brands, and work just as well if not better. The trick to getting heavier makeup (eye makeup, for instance) off without damaging your skin, is to stick that little towel over the area, pressing down gently for a few seconds, then gently swiping. Everything should come off.
Other stuff…hmmm! Does NYX count as a drug store brand? I think they sell it t drugstores. If not, it’s as cheap as drugstore stuff. Their Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4) is looooved by makeup gurus all over. I also have a few of their lipsticks (great), false lashes (also great), lip liners (super great), and eye shadows (great color pay off). I also have a bunch of their loose glitter, too. Also awesome, btw. 
You can use foundation on your lid, but honestly, it’ll just slide off as your lids grease up throughout the day. You have many options for shadow bases, none of which should damage your eyes (so long as you are careful with removal- which I talk about above). My personal favorite is Mac Paint in Bare Canvas. I also love Mac Chromaline as a base or even the Black Fluidline eyeliner as a base. Mac’s Shadesticks are also great (the color I like, Beij-ing is only sold at Pro stores). Makeup people SWEAR by Urban Decay Primer Potion, but some others adore that NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil I linked to above (in Milk).
If you really, really REALLY want your stuff to stay put for the rest of your life ;), I suggest Mac’s Chromacake. Chromacake is their theatrical body paint, activated by water and will not move forever. There is a flesh colored one that isn’t on their website and that’s what I have. I have had it a year and you wouldn’t even know I’ve touched it, because I’ve used so little.
Urban Decay Primer Potion is the shit. Do not doubt the potion.
Sorry.
Anyway! Diosa, do you know of a brand of mascara that contacts wearers find comfortable? I find that my mascara flakes into my eyes and they burn slightly.
Oh yeah, and a tinted moisturizer for oily skin. You’re an absolute genius by the way.
Hrm, I don’t personally wear contacts, so I’m not sure. I had great luck with my L’oreal Lash Architect staying put all day, but that is now discontinued :(. The Mac Studio Fix lash doesn’t appear to flake much when I use it, unless I rub my eyes of course.
May I suggest Make Up Alley, which is a site that offers tons of reviews of every product.
I would definitely put some of that silica powder over anything though, since that’ll keep down any residual oil.
Yo, Amarinth!
Back in ye ole thread here you were wondering about what the MAC store in Vancouver carried? I stuck my nose in on the way home, and I saw about 5 shades of “looks suitable for black women, but what the hell would I know, I’m frigging Ukrainian” liquid foundations. So happy shopping!
So, this white eyeliner on the bottom lid business- how not to look like a clown?
Do you have any recommendations for mascara that doesn’t clump? I have a clear MAC mascara that is nice in that it defines my lashes a bit, but it’s boring for going out. I also have a black Clinique mascara that makes my lashes VERY DRAMATIC, but also very clumpy.
I let it sit for a couple minutes to dry before putting it on, as I’ve heard this works to prevent clumping, but it still happens.
I’m quite pale and don’t want to go too cray cray with my lashes, but they’re also nice and long, so sometimes it’s fun to emphasize them. Advice?
I’ve also never used an eyelash curler. They look like some kind of medieval torture device. Am I missing out?
For under-eye darkness, I used to use YSL’s Touche Eclat, which is more of a highlighter than a concealer. It doesn’t hide all the shadow, but I find that it looks more natural than most concealers. It’s also shaped like a pen, which makes it a lot easer to use.
I don’t use it anymore because it’s been discontinued in Korea. 
I’ve replaced it with Bobbi Brown’s under-eye concealer, which works well for me too. I just use my fingers to pat it into the skin under my eyes (make sure your skin has been moisturized first).
Hey Diosa, do MAC Paints blend well with powdered eyeshadows? Do they keep the eyeshadow from creasing during the day? (I would get the Urban Decay primer potion thingy but it’s not available in Korea - most US drugstore brands aren’t.)
I’m trying to figure out what the heck foundation I should be using for skin which is aging, somewhat dry, but clogs badly on my nose and chin.
In fact, that whole clogging issue is making me nuts. Do you offer skincare tips as well?
What’s the best longlasting lip tint/stain/whatever? I want color that lasts and doesn’t dry my lips.
This is probably a sort of heresy, but I’m gonna ask anyway.
I’m essentially very lazy and don’t like to spend time on hair and makeup. My hair routine consists of thirty seconds with a blow dryer, and a quick check to make sure there are no really wild hairs sticking straight up off my head or something. (I get away with it because my hair has some great body.)
Given that general attitude, where can I get the biggest bang for my buck? If I’m willing to spend three minutes on makeup, where should I spend them?
Self-evaluation, for what it’s worth: I have nice enough skin, though a bit dry and sensitive, with a period zit once a month, but otherwise clear. I am Whitey McWhiteson with medium dark brown hair. Always felt my eyes were a little too small, but otherwise no real complaints about features. (Happy to provide info for Facebook stalking if you’d like.) Is a little bit of shadow and eyeliner my best bet? With a tiny dab of base to kill the red nose?
In a different vein, I sing in a Sweet Adelines chorus, and when we perform, the makeup committee puts on my makeup for me. With a trowel. We start with a thick layer of Ben Nye pancake. I can feel the stuff sinking into my pores. After removal, my face always feels as if it’s been assaulted. Sometimes I break out. My general strategy is to put the makeup on at the last possible time, and remove it as soon as possible (love those wipes), and then moisturize (Cetaphil facial moisturizer, if it matters). Is there something I can do to prep my face, or during removal, that will keep my skin healthier?
I will be so excited about any help, seriously. Thank you!
While waiting for Diosa to return, I’ll just give Carmindy’s advice from her book “The Five-Minute Face.” She’s the makeup artist on the (US) show “What Not to Wear.”
- Put on foundation or tinted moisturizer with a sponge, including over/under eyes. Blend it down the neck. Put a second layer on areas that need more coverage by patting.
- Apply concealer under the eyes near the inner corners, blend.
- Take a thin brush and apply concealer to problem spots on the face (redness/blemishes).
- Apply powder in appropriate places (nose, chin, cheeks, eyelids) with a blush brush.
- Add highlighter, cream and/or powder, typically under eyebrows, on inside corner of eyes, atop cheekbones.
- Add blush, powder or cream, blend.
- Apply eyeliner as close to upper lash line as possible, wiggling it into the roots, smudge with Q-tip. Use amount on Q-tip to add a little color under lower lash line.
- Apply mascara on upper lashes only; lower lashes are more likely to smudge and you can avoid cleanup.
- Lip color: tinted lipbalm is easiest, but you can use lipstick or gloss too.
I’ll admit, I rarely bother with much makeup, but I want to put it on well when I do wear it.
I’m going to reply in shifts.
I’d suggest a nice nude color instead of white. White is sort of hard unless you know what you’re doing, but a nice light nude (whatever your nude is, but you know what I mean, a beige instead of stark white) is pretty hard to mess up! You also need to put it on your waterline (the flat part of the lid right before your inner eye), not under your eyelashes. If it burns when you do this, try another liner; if it still hurts, this look ain’t for you
Eye lash curlers are pretty awesome, of this I cannot lie. Once you learn not to pull on it, it’s pretty hard to mess up- heck, I do it regularly without a mirror. I’d say give it a shot. Of course, if you are still freaked out, just use a spoon. Personally, that is way more of a pain in the ass than a lash curler, but to each their own 
My favorite mascara in the whole wide world was L’oreal Lash Architech- twas perfect, but alas! It has been discontinued. As I said upthread, I’m currently using Mac’s Studio Fix mascara and haven’t had any clumping issues. To minimize clumping with any mascara, be sure to clean the brush when you first pull it out (wipe it down on a towel or something so there isn’t product build up on the wand), then apply it by wiggling the brush at your lash line for a second, then doing one big sweep up. If you want to apply multiple coats, do it fast before the first coat has a chance to try, because that’s when it will clump. If you do a few swipes and notice the lashes sticking, get one of these bad boys and comb your lashes out.