# Makeup: What works for you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 25, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191 "2011-05-25T19:14:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/61 "2011-06-02T17:22:07Z")
On the [Sephora site](http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P9889), it explains: > [@](#): > > **What else you need to know:** > _Use after moisturizer and before foundation_ for complexion perfection. This skin-soothing blend of antioxidants, which can be worn alone or under foundation, works overtime to fill in fine lines and even out skin texture. So, I’d say: Karlon, sunblock, primer, foundation. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/62 "2011-06-02T17:23:21Z")
You’re the best. When you hit it big as the makeup consultant on some reality or “what not to wear” show, we’re all going to be busybodies, talking about how you gave _us_ advice X number of years ago. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/63 "2011-06-02T17:26:16Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > You’re the best. > > When you hit it big as the makeup consultant on some reality or “what not to wear” show, we’re all going to be busybodies, talking about how you gave _us_ advice X number of years ago. Tax representative/ debate coach/ makeup artist. BRB, making new business cards. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/64 "2011-06-03T01:02:34Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > On the [Sephora site](http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P9889), it explains: > > So, I’d say: Karlon, sunblock, primer, foundation. I don’t use Karlon but I do have a similar problem with the order of application, mentioned further up and responded to by other posters. However, I have another related question. You obviously can’t just go slathering all these different lotions on immediately one after another. How long to wait in between coats, so to speak? ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/65 "2011-06-03T01:16:49Z")
Reporting back on the gel-liner from that place \*\*Diosa \*\*recommended. LOVE it. Also love the brush. Very easy application, seems to stay where you put it. Very pleased. I also got the silica powder that y’all were raving about, and I like that too. It’s nice for when you don’t feel like wearing base, just brush some on and your face looks more matte and a touch more even, without looking like makeup. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/66 "2011-06-03T01:28:20Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > I don’t use Karlon but I do have a similar problem with the order of application, mentioned further up and responded to by other posters. > > However, I have another related question. You obviously can’t just go slathering all these different lotions on immediately one after another. How long to wait in between coats, so to speak? I generally do moisturiser as soon as I wash my face after the shower, then dry off and lotion the rest of me. By that point I’m ready to sunblock (and cover your neck and chest too, ladies! Don’t be like my boyfriend’s mum. There is a definite line at her collar bone where the alligator skin starts!). Then I get dressed, which gives the sunblock time to soak in. Then I do the primer, and spend about five minutes fussing with my hair before I start on makeup. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/67 "2011-06-03T01:48:15Z")
> [@Daerlyn](#): > > I generally do moisturiser as soon as I wash my face after the shower, then dry off and lotion the rest of me. By that point I’m ready to sunblock (and cover your neck and chest too, ladies! Don’t be like my boyfriend’s mum. There is a definite line at her collar bone where the alligator skin starts!). Then I get dressed, which gives the sunblock time to soak in. Then I do the primer, and spend about five minutes fussing with my hair before I start on makeup. I like that system. And I think I’ll try out some of that primer stuff. Thanks! (Gotta love The Dope - is there nothing on which we cannot have our ignorance fought?) ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/68 "2011-06-03T02:56:36Z")
For me, I slap the Klaron on once I’m out of the shower. It can be a little tacky, then a couple minutes later I’ll put on the Aveeno (which is moisturizer/sunscreen combo). Then I’ll get dressed, do my hair, then either have breakfast and do my makeup (foundation) or do my makeup and then have breakfast. So at least a few minutes between steps. It sucks but everything I do in my mind has a purpose, so that keeps me doing it. The Klaron prevents blackheads - no blackheads since I’ve started using it. The moisturizer/sunscreen is a combo so it’s worth its weight in gold and the foundation keeps everything good and even. And now the primer will keep the foundation from melting off (hopefully). ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/69 "2011-06-03T14:24:47Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > It just so happens that I love, love, love gel liner. Now, I haven’t tried their brand, but I have heard many, many good things about it. [Here’s a review.](http://www.temptalia.com/coastal-scents-gel-liners-color-for-a-bargain) Personally, I prefer gel liners because you have more control than a pencil, the application is more consistent than a pencil, and I think they look more polished than a pencil. > > I use a [brush like this one](http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/product/2182_37/divine-taklon-liner.cfm) for my gel liners, but I also do like my liner to be a little thicker (not OMG THICK! but you know what I mean) and a little more cat eye like. Don’t let that freak you out, though: you definitely can control how much liner goes on to the angle brush and make a pretty thin line. Some people prefer [brushes like this](http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/product/2179_37/destiny-precision-angled-liner-brush.cfm) for liner, but I don’t really like it. Personally, I think my liner gets all wobbly and ridiculous with a brush like that, no matter how much I practice. 😃 > > Also, \*\*HazelNutCoffee \*\*, it looks like Coastal Scents is doing a 20% off the whole store Memorial Day weekend sale! Gel liner was my best discovery-- pencil liners smear, smudge and make a “mirror ring” around the top part of my crease, regardless of what I do to prevent it happening. I generally make a really thin line with the angled brush-- it’s more a matter of getting the angle down than how much you put on, but both are important. The really thin brushes are really prone to the wiggly line problem, which is why I never got used to liquid liner: you’d have to be really precise, and then wait for it to dry to do the other lid and not smear it all over your pretty eye shadow job. Since I have combination skin, I have been using sunscreen as moisturizer fairly frequently when I wear makeup instead of sunscreen then moisturizer. ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Stranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Time\_Stranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Stranger)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/70 "2011-06-03T16:23:06Z")
So what are face toners for? Someone gave me a bottle of Thayer’s witchhazel toner, but I have no idea what it’s purpose is. It does smell pretty good, though. Does the order go wash, toner, moisturize, sunblock? Is it even really necessary? And can anyone recommend a face sunblock that won’t make you incredibly shiny? I’ve been using Coppertone face oil-free, but even my powder doesn’t cut the shine. It has to be at least 40 spf. Any lower and it’s like I’m not even wearing any (I’m a ghost). ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/71 "2011-06-03T16:56:09Z")
> [@Time\_Stranger](#): > > And can anyone recommend a face sunblock that won’t make you incredibly shiny? I’ve been using Coppertone face oil-free, but even my powder doesn’t cut the shine. It has to be at least 40 spf. Any lower and it’s like I’m not even wearing any (I’m a ghost). I use Neutrogena [Ultra Sheer Daily Sunblock Liquid](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=neutrogena+sunblock&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=IrD&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=792&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=467882747533190430&sa=X&ei=YRHpTdbFIqHY0QHf1LmIAQ&ved=0CF8Q8wIwAzgK) in the summer, because it makes me less oily. It’s basically sunscreen without a moisturizer. It’s made with titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide, so it’s great if you have sensitive skin, but just be warned that being a mineral sunscreen, it does have a whitish cast to it when it’s applied. So if you’re really pale, you will look even more pale (and if you are in a photograph taken with a flash, you’ll look like a kabuki dancer). ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Stranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Time\_Stranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Stranger)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/72 "2011-06-06T20:02:04Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > I use Neutrogena [Ultra Sheer Daily Sunblock Liquid](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=neutrogena+sunblock&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=IrD&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=792&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=467882747533190430&sa=X&ei=YRHpTdbFIqHY0QHf1LmIAQ&ved=0CF8Q8wIwAzgK) in the summer, because it makes me less oily. Thanks for the recommendation! I will definitely check it out. And no worries on looking like a kabuki dancer, that’s pretty much par for the course anyway… There are just so many expensive face sunscreens out there its hard to know where to start without spending a lot of money. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/73 "2011-06-06T20:51:15Z")
I wouldn’t use a witch hazel toner - it’s an irritant and almost certainly has a lot of irritating alcohols in it. Toners typically have nice ingredients like antioxidants, and IIRC they condition your skin after you’ve cleansed it. I personally use the combination (normal to oily) skin toner by Paula’s Choice, their [Skin Balancing Toner](http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/skin-balancing-toner/toners). They make a nice sunscreen as well that works on my face without being greasy; I also second the Neutrogena recommendation, or Clinique’s Super City Block. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191/74 "2011-06-06T20:57:22Z")
Second post so I don’t lose on the edit window: I caved with the Memorial Weekend sale from Coastal Scents and bought the silicon spheres powder, silicone oil (for use as primer), the gel liner in Truffle color, and a skinny little brush for liner application. Can’t wait to give it a try; I just got back from vacation and have been too lazy to play with makeup. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/makeup-what-works-for-you/583191.md?page=3)