Makeup experts help needed

[Jennasis]

Let me start with, I HATE makeup. I don't understand it. I have zero skills applying it. I don't wear it unless I have to (other than eye liner and a tinted lip balm).

I have a long trip to L.A. coming up next month, during which I am likely to wind up being photographed and videotaped for broadcast and even I recognize that my normally flawless good looks (LOL) will need some help. It will be hot. I will be outdoors and sweaty. So I am looking for something to even out my skin tone, control oil (knock down the shine) and be a moisturizer/SPF. Preferably something that does all of this without being SPACKLE. I hate foundation so much. I've tried Bare Minerals and I hated the way it felt (like rubbing dirt into my skin) and it always looked cakey.

I just spent close to $100 at Ulta for some products that after a use or two here at home seem pretty worthless. One was a "matte primer" that was like $37 bucks. After using it and then reading the ingredients it's the same thing as the $8 tube of Monistat's anti-chafe gel that we use on our Disney trips for thigh chafing! LOL!! The sales woman who helped me at Ulta was nice and tried to help, but I think she sold me something that wasn't what I needed. Sure this stuff goes ON as a matte finish...but it doesn't stop my face from turning to shiny. Would using that stuff with a dusting of an oil control powder work best?

She then sold me a BB cream to go OVER the primer (it was also pricy at $32). All it does is make my skin look dewey. Sure it has SPF 35 and moisture in it, but it honestly does nothing for evening out skin tone or controlling shine.

The only useful thing she pointed me to was a new black eyeliner. A gel tip pen that seems to be smudge proof. I tried Urban Decay's waterproof liner but it's garbage and impossible to sharpen.

So help me find some way to control shine, even tone (just a bit) and not have to slather on thick spackley foundation or grind mineral makeup into my skin. I can always get my moisture and SPF from my regular moisturizer.


I hope Ulta has a good return policy LOL.

 

[DisneyLvr55]

I say try Bare Minerals again, but don't put so much on. I've been wearing it for a long time now, and its never looked cakey on me at all. I just wear the "warmth" and don't bother with the rest of it - Maybe thats your problem? The warmth alone evens out my skin tone, and makes me look good, without the feel of make up at all.

 

[mandy200587]

Ulta does have a fairly good return policy. Do you have a sephora near you?

As far as what you need, you should look at boots 7 t-zone for the shine. Moisturizer I'd look at Clinique for that. Foundation/powder look at makeup forever. The foundation with a powder that helps control that will help immensely. And the most key essential for all that lasting, makeup primer and setting spray especially in the hot summer sun.

 

[Ambear]

I personally love Avon foundation. All kinds I've tried are great for my skin (which is super pale and t zone acne) and it's not ridiculously priced. It doesn't give me acne either.

Def agree to stay away from urban decay eye liner. That crap either smudges and runs all over the place, or is permanently etched into your skin and won't remove at night. I also love my Avon marker eye liner.

Otherwise I'm like you, I don't wear much makeup. I do however put a neutrogena face sun block on under my makeup cause I'm so pale I need super protection haha. Or freckles everywhere! At Disney I was sweating all the time and the makeup didn't last so I'm not sure what brand will last through sweat.

 

[mandy200587]

I personally love Avon foundation. All kinds I've tried are great for my skin (which is super pale and t zone acne) and it's not ridiculously priced. It doesn't give me acne either.

Def agree to stay away from urban decay eye liner. That crap either smudges and runs all over the place, or is permanently etched into your skin and won't remove at night. I also love my Avon marker eye liner.

Otherwise I'm like you, I don't wear much makeup. I do however put a neutrogena face sun block on under my makeup cause I'm so pale I need super protection haha. Or freckles everywhere! At Disney I was sweating all the time and the makeup didn't last so I'm not sure what brand will last through sweat.

Agree with about ud liner! It's a pita to remove but it lasts. The only thing good I've found from urban is their naked 3 and setting spray.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am not a big makeup person, either. I don't like liquid foundation because I don't like how it feels on my face. (Come to think of it, I don't like the way it looks on others, either. ) So I don't use it. What I do use, for the times I do wear makeup, is just a small amount of pressed powder. Put on a cleaned face with some moisturizer (I use Oil of Olay Complete), then blended with fingers, it evens out skin tone and takes care of shine (you can reapply to T area as needed, then blend), and also makes it easier for eyeshadow to be applied. That's what I use. I'm also not a big fan of black eyeliner. To me, it looks unnatural. I use a dark grey and smudge it on the top and bottom. (Or sometimes another color, but never black. One of the looks I like least is a solid line of black lining eyes. Blech.) I always learned that the key to good makeup is to sort of look like you're not wearing any; something to make you look your best, but not "made up", iykwim. YMMV

 

[Ambear]

Agree with about ud liner! It's a pita to remove but it lasts. The only thing good I've found from urban is their naked 3 and setting spray.

I'm a makeup noob so I've never heard of setting spray lol. I have to admit to liking urban decays eye shadow primer. I think that's the brand I have and it does last all day.

 

[DisneyLvr55]

Ooh, and don't forget - Whatever you decide to put on your face, PUT IT ON YOUR NECK TOO!!!! Unless your into the two-toned look...

 

[mandy200587]

I'm a makeup noob so I've never heard of setting spray lol. I have to admit to liking urban decays eye shadow primer. I think that's the brand I have and it does last all day.

Setting spray is like a sealant. You spray it on after you finish your makeup and it will help it last throughout the day. I liked the old version of their primer, not a fan of the way they changed it.

 

[Jennasis]

I say try Bare Minerals again, but don't put so much on. I've been wearing it for a long time now, and its never looked cakey on me at all. I just wear the "warmth" and don't bother with the rest of it - Maybe thats your problem? The warmth alone evens out my skin tone, and makes me look good, without the feel of make up at all.

I've tried a lot, a little, just the mineral veil, just the warmth...every combo and I hate the stuff. Mineral veil made my skin itch. The other stuff doesn't do squat. It's just not for me. My sister loves it and insists it isn't cakey, yet I can see it caking on her skin.

Ulta does have a fairly good return policy. Do you have a sephora near you?

As far as what you need, you should look at boots 7 t-zone for the shine. Moisturizer I'd look at Clinique for that. Foundation/powder look at makeup forever. The foundation with a powder that helps control that will help immensely. And the most key essential for all that lasting, makeup primer and setting spray especially in the hot summer sun.

Holy MOSES...I'd sooner keep going nekkid and risk looking shiny on camera than wear all that LOL! My aunt was a manager at Clinique for years so it's what we all used. I hate their "yellow" moisturizer (what is it...Dramatically Different Moisture I think it's called?) That stuff turned my skin into an oil slick. So greasy!

I am not a big makeup person, either. I don't like liquid foundation because I don't like how it feels on my face. (Come to think of it, I don't like the way it looks on others, either. ) So I don't use it. What I do use, for the times I do wear makeup, is just a small amount of pressed powder. Put on a cleaned face with some moisturizer (I use Oil of Olay Complete), then blended with fingers, it evens out skin tone and takes care of shine (you can reapply to T area as needed, then blend), and also makes it easier for eyeshadow to be applied. That's what I use. I'm also not a big fan of black eyeliner. To me, it looks unnatural. I use a dark grey and smudge it on the top and bottom. (Or sometimes another color, but never black. One of the looks I like least is a solid line of black lining eyes. Blech.) I always learned that the key to good makeup is to sort of look like you're not wearing any; something to make you look your best, but not "made up", iykwim. YMMV

I also use Oil Of Olay complete moisture with SPF! I don't wear liner on top. Only on bottom. Maybe I'll try the powder over the moisturizer. Thanks!

 

[mandy200587]

I've tried a lot, a little, just the mineral veil, just the warmth...every combo and I hate the stuff. Mineral veil made my skin itch. The other stuff doesn't do squat. It's just not for me. My sister loves it and insists it isn't cakey, yet I can see it caking on her skin.



Holy MOSES...I'd sooner keep going nekkid and risk looking shiny on camera than wear all that LOL! My aunt was a manager at Clinique for years so it's what we all used. I hate their "yellow" moisturizer (what is it...Dramatically Different Moisture I think it's called?) That stuff turned my skin into an oil slick. So greasy!



I also use Oil Of Olay complete moisture with SPF! I don't wear liner on top. Only on bottom. Maybe I'll try the powder over the moisturizer. Thanks!

Haha if you don't like Clinique look at first aid. It seems like a lot of makeup it does but it doesn't feel like it when you put it on at least to me.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I would go to a Bare Minerals store or a Clinque counter at a department store and tell them what you are looking for and that you want them to show you how to use the products.

 

[Jennasis]

Know the crazy part? My sister is a makeup artist LOL! Does weddings and stuff. She has very little tolerance for my not wearing makeup. I've asked her, but her suggestion sinclude many MANY layers of makeup.

 

[mandy200587]

If you want just powder I'd look for makeup forever duo mat powder foundation

 

[Luv2Run]

First off, I'm going to warn you: I'm a make-up junkie with expensive taste, so you may or may not like my recommendations. However, I will let you know that I have personally tried the products I am about to recommend, and in all sorts of climates (Seattle, Kodiak, Honolulu, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Miami, to name a few). Also, you might be able to find these items cheaper on Amazon, but I caution you: stick with buying directly from Amazon when it comes to cosmetics. If they are shipped by a third-party seller, you may be getting a fake/knock-off/diluted product.

-Christian Dior Diorskin Air Flash Spray Foundation ($62 at Sephora):

This is the most even coverage I've gotten, with real staying power. You'll need a blending brush, though, since you spray this on your face and you'll want to smooth it out.

-Make-Up For Ever Mist & Fix make-up setting spray ($14 at Sephora):

I use this once I'm completely finished applying my makeup. I have a problem with oily eyelids, and so my eyeshadow tends to crease after a few hours. Not with this stuff. I'll use Smashbox primer on my lids first, then apply my eyeshadow, and top it off with Mist & Fix. Done.

-Boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens ($10 at Sephora):

I have bangs, so my forehead tends to get a bit oily midday. These really help clear up oiliness without smudging makeup. I keep a pack in my purse.

 

[Cheetie]

I've had no luck with mineral foundations either, so I completely get what you're saying. They're not for everyone.

If your skin is that oily, I'd ditch the Oil of Olay. Sounds like you need to apply an oil-free moisturizer, then the primer, then your foundation. They can all be light coats so you don't feel spackled.

You also don't need to spend a ton of money. I'm currently using a Cover Girl foundation that applies easier and stays better than the last foundation I bought at Sephora.

 

[Jennasis]

I've had no luck with mineral foundations either, so I completely get what you're saying. They're not for everyone.

If your skin is that oily, I'd ditch the Oil of Olay. Sounds like you need to apply an oil-free moisturizer, then the primer, then your foundation. They can all be light coats so you don't feel spackled.

You also don't need to spend a ton of money. I'm currently using a Cover Girl foundation that applies easier and stays better than the last foundation I bought at Sephora.

I've had it suggested before that perhaps part of my shine problem is my moisturizer. Perhaps a switch is in order. Any suggestions? I see Neutrogena makes an oil free moisture with SPF 35 (MUST have SPF...I am outside all the time...#farmlife ). I sometimes use one of those vit C dark spot corrector moisture lotions. I try to use it at night before bed, but DH says he hates how it smells (smells like baby aspirin to me), so I've been using it in the am.

Ugh. Being beautiful is hard work!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I really like a tinted moisturizer over a heavy foundation. I really like Stilla. I actually think what I would do is go to Sephora and have them test some things out on you. I also LOVE Bobby Brown. It is all I wear overall. SO go by a make up counter they will be happy to show you some things. My dd had her make up done at te bobby brown counter and Nordstrom and he used a Chanel tinted moisturizer that I really think I want to try,

 

[mandy200587]

I recommend first aid, I have combination skin and it's worked well with mine. They make a spf version of it.

 

[Jennasis]

I recommend first aid, I have combination skin and it's worked well with mine. They make a spf version of it.

I'm unfamiliar with the brand, but this looks promising: http://www.firstaidbeauty.com/categories/primary/fab-in-the-sun/skinrescuemattifyinggel.html