Makeup help

KeptInStitches

I've been thinking I should relearn how to wear makeup. I've only ever worn Clinique and I'm not sure I need to pay that much money for decent makeup. I have fairly oily skin, and I really prefer powders to liquids (foundation and all). Does anyone have anything they can recommend? Basically my routine when I was wearing makeup was foundation, blush, eyeshadow, mascara.

Pepperally

I prefer Clinique for a higher end brand, but I'm also cheap. I will always use Clinique mascara, but I like Neutrogena foundation with rice protein for shine control, as I have oily skin as well. It has a little grit to it, but it really controls the grease throughout the day. I also use a pressed powder to control shine even more...currently it's Cover Girl. I also started using an eye shadow primer which really helps the shadow to stay put and last all day, it's made by elf, they have it at target and it's dirt cheap. It's kind of like a lipstick tube.

blabla89

I need to break my addiction to high-end makeup too. I love Napoleon Perdis but that shit is just too expensive.

Pepperally

I tried a sample of La Mer serum once and it was like true magic, I was glowing...until I found out it was $150 for an ounce!!!

phira

I was pretty happy with The Body Shop's mineral foundation, but I stopped using it recently because I realized I bought a lot of the wrong color and can't return it. So I'm waiting till I'm a little more tan before I go back to that.

Swazzle

I also have oily skin. I personally do not like Clinique products. I had a really, really bad reaction to their eye makeup remover (something in it burnt the skin around my eyes and the skin was literally falling off my face, it was terrible).

I use Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid Foundation ($39). It's a bit pricey but it lasts a long time and it is FANTASTIC. 

I also use Urban Decay Naked Skin Loose Powder ($34). I use this right at the end of my whole process and it sets my makeup for the whole day. I usually don't start looking shiny until my work day is over (about 10-11 hours later). 

You should check out Beautypedia. There are reviews of all kinds of makeup and it'll help you find something that's right for your skin, not full of bad crap, and it also labels them based on price. 

KeptInStitches

Oh my god! That's terrifying, @swazzle!

ETA: Referring of course to the face-melting part.

lilacck28

I like L'oreal mineral foundation and concealer.  Doesn't feel or look like paint on my face, but doesn't look "powdery" either (unless my face is super dry.) I use a lot of different blushes, though I don't like the way the Covergirl ones smell. But, I prefer the "volumeblast" versions of Covergirl mascara along with random L'oreal mascaras. I've never liked Maybelline mascara, particularly that pink and green bottle. It never seems to dry enough to not smudge all over the place, but others seem to swear by it. I love all the high end Sephora options, but drug store makeup can be just as fun, and less guilt inducing. 

KeptInStitches

Beautypedia is going to be today's major time suck. Question: Do I need to be looking for separate makeup removers for my eye and lip makeup, or do all-purpose makeup removers work okay?

Pepperally

I accidentally just bought a make-up remover that was for waterproof/heavy make-up and it has oil in it...was gross to use and then I realized what it was for so I had to go buy regular remover that doesn't have oil in it.  I've actually never considered using it on lips, as I rarely wear lipstick anyway.  I'd be curious to know the answer to your question.

KeptInStitches said:

Beautypedia is going to be today's major time suck. Question: Do I need to be looking for separate makeup removers for my eye and lip makeup, or do all-purpose makeup removers work okay?

Swazzle

@KeptInStitches - I use a makeup removing wipe for my eyes and then just my normal cleanser. I don't wear lipstick but I'm sure the wipes would work on that just fine as well. 

Moiramab

I second @swazzle for Urban Decay Naked anything. Absolutely on the expensive side, but I use the liquid foundation even with my oily face, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

For washing it off, I actually do a double wash - straight up oil cleanser then regular facewash. On my lazy nights I use an oil-free make-up remover wiper thing, and always wake up with a greasier face than when I use oil. It's so weird but I promise it's the best thing, and gets the heaviest eye makeup off so I don't have any mascara running after my shower the next morning.

mbross3

I use a powder foundation for every day and a liquid foundation if I am going out somewhere fancy/have an interview or court or something. I LOVE neutragena pure mineral power foundation. It's relatively inexpensive ($15, but walgreens always has them on sale buy 1 get one 50% off, so I buy them 2 at a time). It actually cleanses your skin while you're wearing it, and since I've started using it my skin has looked 10x better (I have combination skin on my face). I almost always put on a light moisturizer under my power foundation, I'm really pale so I like the added SPF coverage, and it keeps the power from looking "powdery". 

I Lash Blast (Cover Girl) mascara. It's awesome and I have nothing bad to say about it ($8 ish). I also use a eye shadow primer (Urban Decay) and my favorite eyeshadows are from Design Studio and Cargo (you can get them at Sephora). 

I'm always trying new lipsticks/eyeshadows/moisturizers, but after years of sampling different products (high end and cheap since I used to work at a pretty high-end department store) I keep coming back to the same foundation and mascara. 

buddysmom80

I'm such a makeup idiot. I have combo skin so I can never nail down a product. If I just use powder foundation, it looks weird. If I use liquid I look like an oil spill in my t-zone. Anyway, when I'm not late for work (like today and pretty much EVERY Friday this is what I use):

L'oreal Youth Code (I'm old guys) BB Cream: http://www.buymebeauty.com/loreal-youth-code-bb-cream-illuminator-spf-15-2-5-oz.aspx?gclid=CP3trbLs2L0CFYZcMgod5EAA5g

Ulta Double Duty Concealer: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4360069

Ulta Fabulous Face Pressed Powder: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3570055#

Ulta Powder Bronzer: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3570069

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (LOVE THIS STUFF): http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=VP11242#

Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara (they were out the last time I was at Ulta, so I bought Ulta brand, but this is usually my regular stuff): http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4490035

 

 

 

KeptInStitches

Beautypedia is even helping me fix my BHA and other stuff I've been using - why did I not know about this before?!

phira

I've found that good prep and good clean-up make it easier to wear make-up without breaking out. Current routine:

Morning: clean face with Trader Joe's witch hazel/tea tree oil pads. Moisturize with Clean and Clear moisturizer that has salicylic acid in it, prime (I use Monistat anti-chaf gel and holy shit you guys), and then add whatever foundation I want.

When I get home: clean face with another TJ's pad.

Before bed: Wash with Cetaphil cleanser, then with St. Ive's apricot scrub (also with salicylic acid). Moisutize with combination TJ's facial moisturizer and 10% benzoyl peroxide.

I've been doing this for about a week now, and it seems to be working very nicely. The newer things I've added in are the Clean and Clear moisturizer and the benzoyl peroxide.

I also picked up this really shitty, cheap Maybelline BB cream and it's actually really effective if I apply it like foundation.

Swazzle

@phira - I'm not an expert or anything like that but just be careful that you're not cleansing TOO much. If you're washing at night before you go to bed, there isn't really any reason to wash it when you wake up. 

I love that BB cream! I went to my parents and forgot my ENTIRE makeup bag so I needed something cheap to get me through the weekend. That was last summer and I've replaced my super pricey BB cream with that one ever since! 

phira

@Swazzle I sweat a LOT when I sleep (J is like a frickin space heater), and if I don't wash with anything before I put on make-up, I break out. But I definitely don't do it too thoroughly; just a couple of swipes with a pad before I moisturize.

I am SO glad I found that BB cream. I bought it super randomly. Last summer, I bought tinted moisturizer+SPF for a family vacation, and it made my skin really blotchy, so I was anxious about buying another drugstore product without any research.

Swazzle

@phira - Makes sense! 

I think @goldenpenguin actually recommended it to me! Such a great buy!

KeptInStitches

I'm going to have to find something to replace my clarifying lotion. I used to use Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3, and I loved the tight feeling it gave my pores. I'm sad to see it's actually not that good for you.

Dignity100

Wow - I fail at being a girl!!  I don't even know what I use, just cheap-stuff-from-Target

Pepperally

I have to give props to my latest splurge/investment - the Clarisonic Mia 2.  It was on major sale (from normally $150 down to $99) at Sephora inside JCPenney and I had to get it.  It has done wonders for my face...I was getting major acne under my jawline and now I don't get any there.  I still get acne but not as bad as before the Clarisonic.  And I just use an Oil of Olay gentle cleanser with it.  My blackheads on my nose aren't as big, either.

labro

I don't use the Clarisonic but one of my friends does and she LOVES it! Her skin is seriously glowing every time I see her. She's in her mid 40s but I swear her skin looks like a 20 year olds.

phira

I've been trying to justify splurging on the Clarisonic, but I just can't see myself putting in the effort to use it and clean it and stuff. I'd love to hear more about how to take care of the Clarisonic itself in terms of cleaning/maintenance.

mbross3

I have a Clarisonic too @pepperally! I love it!! It has made a noticeable impact on my T zone area. I also only use a gentle cleanser with it. I've had mine for almost 2 years now and it's like I have a new face

@Phira in terms of how I clean mine, honestly I just rinse it in the shower and then pop the head off to let it try (so that it dries without smelling/mildew/anything gross). I only use mine about every other day because I have very sensitive skin. So basically I only use mine in the shower in the morning on those days. Then I gently rinse it while in the shower to remove all the excess soap/etc. When I've turned the water off I pop the brush head off of the Clarisonic, put them both on the wire rack in the shower and let them dry separately and pop them back together when I start my next shower. It's super easy and not much of a hassle. You do have to replace the brush heads every few months. They recommend 3 months, I think, but that's based on daily use so I usually go a little bit longer than that. 

Pepperally

@mbross pretty much summed it up.  It will get a little gross underneath the brush where it attaches to the handle...but it's easily cleaned.  I use my once a day - mostly in the evenings after wearing make-up all day.  I do notice a difference if I go a day without using it.  Cleaning it...they say to just rinse it with your soap and water once a week, which I do.  But I don't take the head off after each use like mbross.  I may start doing that, though.

I'm just coming up on the three month mark of owning one, so I haven't replaced the brush yet but yeah, it's definitely time.  Around the two month mark I started to notice a slight smell so I took the head off and cleaned underneath.  I also can't imagine using anything harsher than the sensitive skin brush head that it comes with.  There are other brush heads to choose from but I'd be afraid they would be too harsh for my skin. 

@phira, it's really not much maintenance.  And to me the benefits of using one outweigh the minor upkeep. 

mbross3

@pepperally I noticed a slight smell after the first few months too- which is why I started taking the head off. Try it! After more than a year of doing that, I never noticed a smell again! I just place the two parts separately on our shower rack, but you could also set it on a towel next to the sink or something. ETA: I definitely rinse them before setting them to dry

They have "gentle" brush heads as well- which are even softer than the "sensitive" ones that come with the brush. They cost the same so if you think the sensitive brush is too rough, you could try the gentle one (I think they're blue rather than white). I still only use mine every other day--again I have realllllyyyyyy sensitive skin-- so they last me about 4-5 months instead of just 3. 

blabla89

Urban Decay love over here too. I like their concealer pencil and also the All Nighter setting spray.

@KeptInStitches if you're looking for a good all-purpose makeup remover I recommend Caudalie Cleansing Water. I got it in a birchbox months ago and have been obsessed with it ever since. It's super gentle and it's soap and oil free. I use it on my eyes and it doesn't irritate them at all.

laceybird

I hate makeup. I hate wearing it, I hate buying it.

But I do it anyway and I always have THE hardest times finding anything. Everything is either too dark or too "yellow" for my skin.

Yeah, I'm of no use here, but I definitely feel your pain.

labro

@laceybird I had my makeup done at Sephora and they color matched my skin to a specific foundation. I never ever ever ever wear makeup and know next to nothing about it but the consultants there were really helpful with choosing a few quality products that blended perfectly with my tone. I still don't wear makeup...but I guess at least now I have a nice foundation and some eye shadow and stuff for the rare occasions that I do wear it. I'd try shopping there at least once and get some sort of consultation.

laceybird

LaPeanut1018 said:

@laceybird I had my makeup done at Sephora and they color matched my skin to a specific foundation. I never ever ever ever wear makeup and know next to nothing about it but the consultants there were really helpful with choosing a few quality products that blended perfectly with my tone. I still don't wear makeup...but I guess at least now I have a nice foundation and some eye shadow and stuff for the rare occasions that I do wear it. I'd try shopping there at least once and get some sort of consultation.

I'll definitely keep it in mind, @LaPeanut1018 , next time I see one. I live in a very rural community in Alabama, so you have to drive hours to get to these big malls and higher-end shopping centers. But you're not the first who's mentioned Sephora, so next time I'm near one, I may just stop in.