Help the clueless with makeup!

In My Humble Opinion
41

My absolute fave make-up is Bare Minerals (www.bareminerals.com). It is all natural, hypo-allergenic - and doesn’t feel as heavy as liquid does to me (after years of wearing liquid). It is all powder based. I would advise getting a starter kit (includes makeup, brushes, instructions). Their website is pretty good at helping pick which group of foundations to try. I use their makeup for everything now, foundation, blush, eyeshadows, eyeliners, even mascara. It comes with a video which instructs you on the best way to apply it.

An added bonus, I buy a lot of my eyeshadow colors and eyeliners on ebay. You can get a sample jar for $2.50, so it’s cheap to try lots of colors.

This make-up lasts a long time too, it takes me at least 4 months to go through a foundation jar.

42

I am fairly clueless when it comes to makeup, too. I just had a makeover at MAC and it went well.

She put way too much makeup on me (and she did not clean my face first, which bothered me), but I got some good tips and the best lipstick, ever.

I am way older than you, but am also fair. You can get away with more in terms of boldness and sheer costumery (if you follow me) d/t to your youth, but we share them same challenges, I think.

Softer looks better on us–do NOT go with black black mascara. I use brown black now and it looks so much better. I gave up on eyeliner after my makeover–it is too harsh a line for me(YMMV). Now, I use mascara on the outer edges of my lower lashes and it really opens up my eyes.

I am also blue eyed–dark blue. I have never worn blue eyeshadow–why would you? Use peach, brown, even gray–the contrast is what makes your eyes “pop”.

That said, don’t use too much! We want sublte enhancement, not clownfaces.

I say ixnay on the foundation, especially in summer–you made need it in winter. Probably don’t need blush in summer, either–but that is all up to you. A good loose powder is also key.

Find a good lipstick/gloss. It is worth its weight in gold. Took me years to find that exact balance between brown and pink for me.

Please wear sunscreen. There are many options out there for use on the face. You will thank me later–about age 40.

Experiment, practice and have fun! You will find what works for you.

43

Hmmm, I don’t have much specific UK advice although I hear Boots is a really great place.

I was always scared of foundation until I went to the Perscriptives counter and got them to match me. I use it sparingly so I totally consider it worth the extra. My favorite foundation trick is to use a brush. With a moist foundation brush, I can smooth the foundation on sparingly and just where I need it (mostly the nose and chin). The brush is also very easy to blend with.

I use a natural looking eyeliner color that I blend well with a smudge brush and a light dusting of eye shadow. I’ve recently started curling my eyelashes before I apply mascara and it does make a big difference. During the day, I just wear lipgloss and my favorite is a cheap UK brand, Rimmel.

Over here, Target carries a great, inexpensive line of brushes by Sonia Krushak. (BTW, she’s also written a pretty good book on applying make-up that somes with a DVD that demonstrates tips) I find having good brushes makes make-up application much easier. Also, I think it’s worth it to spend a little extra for good eye shadow and blush because the colors are better and last longer. I really love the Nars brand.

The real key is to just get some stuff and start playing around to see what works for you but that can be so hard to do when you don’t have much make-up to start with. One site I like is Makeup Alley where you can find lots of reviews of different make-up brands and products.

44

Am I the only one who thinks that if you break out when you wear makeup, maybe you shouldn’t wear makeup?

I wear makeup maybe once a year and I never have problems with my skin…

I guess I’m just saying… if you don’t want to wear it, you don’t have to.

45

I understand; I don’t normally wear makeup, but I would like to wear it more than I do, and to not be scared of it on those occasions when it is de rigeur. Blah blah societal expectations blah blah, when someone else does my makeup, I always really like the way I look. I want to be able to do that!

I think I will do some reconaissance at the local Boots and see what they have, and if it looks at all good (and I will scour the more upscale department store for a Big Poofy Brush ™. I will report back my findings!

  • Cadet Black, Makeup Boot Camp
    :slight_smile:
46

Boots is a great place to shop. When I was in London, my drool-o-meter was set on “High”.

The gals that work there should be able to help you a lot.

47

Many times, it’s not the makeup per se. It’s the fact that sponges aren’t replaced and brushes aren’t cleaned on a regular basis (and wash your hands before you apply makeup!) As well, never share your makeup with other people unless you’d like to share their bacteria. Finally, thoroughly remove your makeup every night or you’re asking for skin problems.

48

FWIW, I was taught in Theatre Class to always put your blush on a line just barely under your cheekbones, by a lady who had made her living doing makeup. It has always worked for me; it seems to give a very natural look. I have heard of putting it on the “apples” of the cheeks, but IMHO it makes you look like a Campbell’s soup kid. And cream blush goes on before powder, powdered blush after .

49

Totally understandable. I like having a little bit of knowledge (like, what color eyeshadow makes my eyes pop) and I do like getting made up for special occassions. I usually put on makeup for my anniversary/valentine’s day and any special function put on by my old school department.

Here’s to you, cadet.

50

I also think powder blush is pretty strange, but Benetint is really awesome. It always makes me look awake and very pretty- it also can go on lips, although it doesn’t last that long there. It’s a tinted liquid, so it’s easy to put on and it’s hard to put the wrong amount on.

Don’t listen to people who tell you what color eyeshadow to wear- wear what you like. I have blue eyes, and I love a shimmery pale blue- makes me look very delicate and pretty. I’ve tried lots of make-up and Sugar is the only one I’ve ever really liked- it goes on very evenly and the colors are always really well balanced. I have their neutral and pastel palattes, and they are a lot of fun.

I’ve found that the only eyeliner that I can apply is caked powder, applied with an angled eyeliner brush. For some reason this always turns out perfect for me.

51

I have similar coloring to you Daphne and while you still have more thant he occasional zit, I would go with a hypo allergenic founation. Do go to a cosmetics counter for this since you’re trying to match your skin tone. I use sponges which I cange once a week to put it on–if I use my fingers I break out more and screw up blending around the jawline.

Being a pale blonde with blue eyes, mascara is a must ifyou don’t want to look too washed out. Kudos on whoever recommended the brown black mascara for your complexion. concealer under the eyes is also good if you’re really thin skinned there and have dark circles–if not skip. Less is better.

A sweep of blush (pinky for you AVOID CORAL) and for a more casual look try just gloss on your lips. But if you like gloss and want it to last longer line and fill in your lips with a lip pencil similar to the shade of gloss you like then put gloss over it. My favorite lip pencil is Chanel which is expensive but lasts a long time but also comes with a little brush on the end for putting on gloss and lipstick over the liner.

Voila, done.