Make-Up Advice

[samadhi]

Ok...Sammy waxes oddly serious (well kind of) and comes to you all with a real request for advice. I am, some would say, a bit of a tomboy...and tend to NOT wear make-up very often. I mean I *can* use it, but I would like to get good at it...and I don't really hang out with the type of girls who can give me this kind of advice.

I was thinking of going to a make-up counter and asking them to teach me some tricks with day time/night time makeup and sell me some products.

For those of you who wear the stuff, I have the following questions:

A) Do you think this is a good plan? i.e. will I learn everything or am I just setting myself up to be sales-raped by a big haired Rhonda...

B) If it *is* a good idea...which line of make-up should I try?

I know it's kind of a departure from the fun stuff you all usually discuss...but would really appreciate your input.

 

[Weird Harold]

I was thinking of going to a make-up counter and asking them to teach me some tricks with day time/night time makeup and sell me some products.

My eldest daughter is an Avon lady, and has earned the qualification of "makeup consultant."

If you go to http://www.avon.com you can enter your zip code and be referred to an Avon lady in your area.

The benefit of going the Avon route is that an Avon lady will come to your home and spend the time in hopes of making a sale. Going to a store will either get you a quick sales pitch, or an invitation to a "demonstration" at some awkward time and with an admission fee.

 

[morninggirl5]

OHHHH noooooo, makeup advice from a man

Actually, it's pretty good advice. Two of my friends have gone the department store cosmetic counter route. They will do a make-over for free and give you advice. BUT, all that advice is on which one of their really expensive products you should use. And if you're not comfortable "in the spotlight" the whole experience can be unsettling. They do your make-over in the middle of the cosmetics area and people always stop to take a look, and usually comment on "the new you."

An Avon consultant would be a good idea, or if there's a consultant in your area, I really like Aloette products. If you don't like that "made-up" look, you'll like what they do.

Hope this helps you and good luck.

 

[samadhi]

I was thinking of going to a make-up counter and asking them to teach me some tricks with day time/night time makeup and sell me some products.

My eldest daughter is an Avon lady, and has earned the qualification of "makeup consultant."

If you go to http://www.avon.com you can enter your zip code and be referred to an Avon lady in your area.

The benefit of going the Avon route is that an Avon lady will come to your home and spend the time in hopes of making a sale. Going to a store will either get you a quick sales pitch, or an invitation to a "demonstration" at some awkward time and with an admission fee.

Thanks again Wierd man...you really do have all the answers. The only question I have about that route though, is...don't you have to order that stuff and wait a long time to get it?

I have to tell you guys I feel like an ass for bringing this stuff up on the Board but I figured it was the fastest way to get unbiased input. *blush*

 

[Cirrus]

Go for less is more, first off. Makeup is to enhance and conceal, not to change your overall appearance. I know lots of my friends who are very pretty but go WAY overboard with the makeup. Their faces look like Kewpie dolls. While I'm at it, you shouldn't do anything for the approval of a man, but a hint: mosts guys like a more natural look too.

 

[morninggirl5]

If you order from a consultant (such as Avon or Alouette), they'll probably have some samples to give you and your order shouldn't take over a week to arrive. The Avon consultant at my old job was a gem, she always brought in new stuff on paydays and anything we ordered was there by the next Wed or Thurs usually.

 

[Weird Harold]

If you order from a consultant (such as Avon or Alouette), they'll probably have some samples to give you and your order shouldn't take over a week to arrive. The Avon consultant at my old job was a gem, she always brought in new stuff on paydays and anything we ordered was there by the next Wed or Thurs usually.

My daughter has to submit her order every other Thursday. and receives it the following Monday.

However, like many Avon ladies, she keep an "on-hand" stock of the most popular items and sample sizes.

A little forethought and planning after the initial wait for your first order will insure you're never without makeup when you need it.

I suggested Avon because I'm somewhat familiar with what's available rather than as an endorsement of their product per se -- although they do have some good stuff.

Allouette or other similar lines are quite probably as good as Avon or even better, but I don't know much about them.

 

[Budman]

Slutmouth. I for one, like thr "natural" look. Nothing turns me off faster than an inch of pancake makeup on an otherwise beautiful lady.

 

[DarlingBri]

As a low-maintenance cosmetics wearer myself, I sympathise.

For an evening look, at the minimum, you need:

A creamy face powder. Most women will say "Foundation! Foundation!" but I end up looking like I've got my granmother's slap plastered on my face. I use a very light, powdery-creamy compact type thing from Virgin (can you buy that in the states? Virgin Vie cosmetics?) Avon may have similar.

Lipstick. I'd go for a bold shade. With minimal makeup, it's your statement, or focal point. Fuck Me Red is good. So is Vampire Burgundy. Hot Pink is back, too, God help us.

Umm, lipliner is good here. Dead easy to use, as well. Buy a close colour.

Mascara. Easy to use, effective if you have *any* eyelashes. You're playing up your mouth with the above tactic anyway. You just want to balance a little, you know?

I went out like that for years. Very nice I looked, too. I was 27 before I learned to use eyeshadow. It still seems complicated to me.

Anyway, the Avon idea isn't bad; just emphasize that you want a minimal, high-impact approach.

And no effense to Avon people out there, but run screaming from any perfume they sell. Run - do not walk!

 

[Weird Harold]

And no offense to Avon people out there, but run screaming from any perfume they sell. Run - do not walk!

That's not true anymore. They still have a good many fragrances that are way too strong, but even I have to admit they've got a couple of new one that don't cause my sinuses to slam shut.

You make some very good points about a "less is more" approach to makeup. I've always felt that if I could tell a woman was wearing makeup, she was wearing too much.

 

[Pyper]

I agree with DarlingBri on this point. Over the years, I developed my own quick, low-maintenance make-up style without the help of any counter personnel or Avon ladies. Personally, I'm afraid of salespeople, because I don't want to be pressured.

I'm extremely lazy, so I wear even less make-up than Bri recommends. Here is what I have:

(1) Covergirl liquid powder in a compact. Cheap, easy to use, and not even visible. People have often expressed surprise when I told then I was wearing foundation. Yet it still has a nice even finish and can double as a concealer.

(2) Lipstick. I used to wear regular old moisturizing lipstick covered with a clear gloss. Easy to apply, you'll never get chapped lips. But it rubs off easily. Now I wear this stuff called LipSense. It's like a stain that molds to your skin. It's fantastic because it never ever rubs off and it looks great. The downside is that it is quite expensive and takes some practice and a steady hand to get it right.

And that's all! I used to wear a little bit of eye make up, but my laziness got the better of me. I have rather bright eyes to begin with, so I don't really need it. But if you want to enhance your eyes, try mascara and just a little shadow. I never got the hang of eyeliner.

 

[Siren]

Pyper....

 

[Ask For More]

Re: Pyper....

I thought this was thread about making up after a fight....
I thought there would be good sex ideas...
oh well.

I feel for that too...

Guess i just don't have the psychic ability!

 

[DarlingBri]

Actually...

The single best cosmetic cheat going as far as I'm concerned is eyelash tinting.

The nice lady puts a very strong dye on your eyelashes... it comes in many shades, I choose Blue/Black because I have blue eyes. The cool thigs about it are:

1/ It flipping works. It darkens perfectly even those remote, tiny, narrow lighter bits at the end of your eyelashes. It's SO MUCH better than mascara.

2/ It lasts ages.

3/ It makes a big difference. People always say "Wow! Your eyes are so big!" when I have it done.

That Cover Girl Liquid Powder stuff Pyper recommended sounds a lot like my Virgin Vie stuff. I'd give that a go, or ask the Avon lady if they do something similar. Cracking stuff, I tell you!

That, some lipstick, and either mascara or an eyelash tint, and you;re in business, woman

 

[lavender]

 

[bluntforcemama]

There is a wonder-cure of sorts....

for those of us who are make-up challenged. There's a book called "Making Faces" (AKA the makeup Bible), by Kevyn Aucoin, and damn does he just rock my world. You won't believe some of the transformations that he can do!


http://www.ifge.org/books/making_faces.htm

or

http://www.twbookmark.com/books/66/0316286850/gallery8613.html

Just take a look at how he made Lisa Marie Presley look like Marylin Monroe.!!!!!

 

[Kasha]

Ohhhh i love makeup

Myst is absolutely right about Kevyn's book.. He has 3 and they are all just fabulous.

I happen to be a make-up artist so this is right up my alley. You can learn basics from others ie. the girls at the counters, Avon, Mary Kay, etc, but you will be the best judge of what looks good on you and what you are comfortable with. I hate it when I hear women say.. "Oh I can't wear that my consultant said I'm a Late Autumn, or some such nonsense. Definitely go to the link that Myst provided, it will help a lot. If you have any specific questions I would love to answer, this particular subject can get quite lengthy, and I don't' know you personally so it would be hard to tell you what you need and what brand...ya know.. bu ifyou come up with specific question... I'll be happy to answer.

;O)~kasha

 

[SexyThang]

Sorry, WH, but with Avon, no matter what they say about products for sensitive skin, BE CAREFUL. And DO run with the perfume.

I still say go to a makeup counter, like MAC, Bobbi Brown and let them do your makeup. You DON'T have to buy a thing, just SAY NO.

BUT..you will get an idea of what colours, etc suit you as well as tips on how to apply.

Less is always more. The best invention ever is the cream compact that doubles as foundation/concealer. It's light, most dry to a powder like finish and it's not an inch thick. Added bonus? You apply with a sponge so it's easier to blend and cover.

DO NOT apply enough to qualify as professional

 

[Angel]

These days...


In the winter I wear Mary Kay liquid powder foundation and eyeliner.

In the summer I wear eyeliner.

I'm boring - although when I go out somewhere special at night I put some eye shadow on.

I hate lipstick.. it irritates my lips anyway.

 

[DarlingBri]

I don't mind Avon products. I have perfectly normal skin and have never had a problem with it.

Some stuff is quite good. Did you know that Skin So Soft is a mosquito and tick repellant? We used to pour it on directly in the summer. Lovely stuff.

I think that MAC is the best cosmetic company you can buy from in the US, or maybe Bobbi Brown. But it *is* expensive, that's for sure.

If your budget won't go to that, go do a make-over at one of those counters, and then troop down to Rite Aide or whatever and stock up on similar prodicts there.

People can be really snobby about cosmetics, but don't let that do your head in. There's nothing wrong with drugstore stuff. Millions of women live on Revlon. It's the brand I prefer to others such as Maybelline or similar.

You want this for evening, right?

I personally see no point in lipstick that "doesn't look like lipstick" especially for evening wear. That's bollocks. What's sexy about that? I'm NOT saying "cake it on." I'm saying lipstick is your friend.

 

[SexyThang]

Revlon/Maybelline/CoverGirl. Inexpensive but with all the right products.

Go get the professional make up done and then buy the drugstore products. Definately.

I wasn't slamming Avon, btw. I just said if you have sensitive skin at all, be careful. I know how "I" react to to their creams and skin products.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Muff's Perfect Make-Up Routine:

1) Cleanse with whatever face cleaner is still in the shower
2) Apply whatever astringent is still sitting next to the monitor
3) Twice weekly apply mud masque, currently Mudd Masque. I've learned to do the masque in place of astringent, not along with.
4) Apply moisturizer.
5) On really special occasions apply foundation, which is the wrong shade as it was purchased in a previous, and therefore facially differently colored, season.
6) Smile like you know a delicious secret that you just might, if they play their cards right, share.

Gawd I'm gorgeous.

 

[Laurel]

Get colors that work for you. The right tones are more important than the right application. If you have eyeshadow that matches your coloring, you can smear it all over with a q-tip and it'll look all right. If it's the wrong color for you, then it'll be glaring no matter how expertly applied.

Less is more. Make-up won't build you a new face - it only enhances what's there. There's nothing more scary than women who make clowns out of themselves in an effort to hide a perceived facial flaw. And "contouring" is bogus.

Invest in a set of quality makeup brushes. These don't have to be very expensive - they should be soft and shouldn't shed. Clean them every few weeks.

If you use foundation, apply with a makeup sponge. I used to use my fingers, and I tell you - the sponges make a huge difference. These are cheap for a big package and each one can be washed & reused a couple of times at least.

Blend, blend, blend!

Don't assume that all department store brands are superior to all drugstore brands. L'Oreal makes an excellent base, and I use Coty loose powder. MAC is good, as is Stila. So's Almay, Neutrogena, and Revlon. There's a Clinique blush color that I've been stuck on for years. Do steer clear of the bargain brands - they're usually dry, hard to blend, and don't last.

Don't feel obligated to use one brand exclusively. You may find a L'Oreal lipstick you like, an Avon eyeshadow that's perfect, and a Stila pressed powder you can't live without. Mixing & matching is fine.

Don't forget your eyebrows! Have them plucked professionally once, then be sure to take care of the stray hairs as they come in.

 

[lavender]

 

[samadhi]

Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!

WOW!

Thank you so much for all of the advice, it is far and away, more than I hoped for. I will read carefully over EVERYTHING...

I don't know what I'm going to do now, but at least I have some ideas where to start.

Really...thanks again, you guys are fantastic. I wish I had worked up the courage to come to the board sooner. =o)