All things makeup, help!

I've been meaning to post this thread for a while and Rouge's thread reminded me!

I love makeup, I love playing around with it and I love wearing it. But I'm really pretty clueless about it. So I need some help here ladies, in two parts.

1. Product recommendations. Not just brands, but actual items. What products are in the ultimate makeup collection? What cute little extras do you love?

2. Application. I've never been taught how to apply makeup correctly, I just use my fingers. I'd love to learn how to use brushes, how to achieve certain looks etc.

Hey PZ,

I'll tell you what I use and how I apply, but I am no expert. I actually use u-tube tutorials for specific looks and how to apply certain products if I am unsure. There is a lady called Lauren Luke who has great tutorials and she copies celeb looks all the time.

Foundation - I use a sponge to apply but heard brushes are the best to use.... I use Revlon photo finish and apply blending outwards towards my hairline

Blush - I use a powdered blush by Revlon and smile when applying so I can put it on the apples of my cheeks. I blend upwards towards my brow and outwards towards my hairline. I will look at getting a stick / wet blush when I need to upgrade b/c I have heard the finish is better

Mascara - Can't remember the brand but I only apply one coat for daytime and only on my top lashes. Two coats for nighttime and only on my top lashes

Lip liner - Any brand that I like the colour of. apply around the outline of my lips

Lipstick - Any brand I like the colour of. With a lip brush and I blend towards the lip liner

Eyeshadows and eyeliner, I usually look for a tutorial but this is only when I go out at night.

I use Chanel Inimitable mascara, which I buy online (thank you, Global Financial Crisis!!).The Lancome range is really good too. As for lipstick, I go by colour rather than brand and usually just by from Priceline.

I use a light nivea lotion for my face - not a cream, I find them too greasy. I'm going to have to start looking for something else though because I'm getting really wrinkly.

If you're into perfume, my absolute favourite is Bvlgari's Jasmine Noir.

Most days I just wear the mascara.

Oh yes. I agree with Rhi on the youtube tutorials - they also do product reviews. They're great for hair too.

I love makeup. And pre kids I was addicted. Now I just tend to splurge once a year and be done with it.

It really depends on what you like? I can give you some recommendations...

Eyes - I love the following:

Instant Brow (by Benefit) it's probably my favourite brow pencil, I have an old stephan marais one which I love but this one makes me happiest.
Browzings (by Benefit) It's wax and powder for giving the best 50's eye brows you've ever seen. Love Love Love (I'm all about the eyebrows and often suffer eyebrow envy.
Eye shadows in the following brands - Napoleon (der! they are pigment legends!), Rimmel (again with good pigment and cheap!), Nars (awesome colours again!) and I do have MAC eye shadow envy...
Radiant Touche - (By YSL)this is a glimmer concealer stick. It gives nice definition and is really good at covering up dark circles. I call it my highlight wand ;)
Guerlain Liquid Eyeliner - I have tried those pointy brush sponge things and I hate them. This is eyeliner has an awesome brush... Stems from gothy days when you did crazy patterns and stuff LOL!
I have a few Stila brushes that I absolutely love, a double ended eyeshadow brush and an eye liner squiggle brush (I have NFI what it's called LOL) all I know is I dab in colour and squiggle :p
Mascara - Bad Gal by Benefit

Foundation - I definitely recommend MAC studio fix but the rest well it's so dependant on your skin type as to what will work best for your skin. ATM I love my Loreal Studio Stick. When I use liquid I use my Vincent Longo (doesn't exist anymore - boo!) foundation brush, but you can pick them up anywhere as now they are quite common. I find with liquid I get a better finish if I use a brush.

Tinted Moisturiser I use Benefit (they only make one).

Lips - I could go on and on but I'll mention my absolute favourite which is the benetint pocket. It has benetint in one end and stain in the other and it is amazing. I love my blue reds, so a few of my faves is a Rimmel Blue Red that I have (High on pigment awesomeness but not very moisture rich so you get that heroin chic matt look) another is YSL Rouge Volupte and a few other randoms from Prescriptives, Stila and a really awesome Nutrametics red I got for my birthday which I'm in love with (and you would have seen me in last night :p)

I love my Stila lip pencil, and my fave red is a reaaaaaally old anna sui one that I have from about 10 years ago :o

Glosses, I love Benefit, I love Stila Pens (Anything with a built in brush and I'm happy!)

You should come over one day and we can play ;) xx

I was just gonna say Rogue, let me know when I can come over!! I've got a little milky supply happening in the freezer so DD can have a daddy night, we can have some drinkies and glam up in our jammies :D

Thanks girls so much for all your tips and suggestions! Keep them coming, I'm making a list over here :)

About to head over to a friend's house for a few quiet drinks hun, but here's a couple of must-have tips before I go (and come back later to talk more about pretties!) :)

Foundation: Maybelline SuperStay 24 Hour. No joke, hands down the BEST foundation I've owned in years. Goes on beautifully with either fingers or sponge, isn't cakey or chalky but gives fantastic coverage without weighing you down, and really does last all day. Love it. Am about to buy some of the Fit Me range that's just come out to see how it measures up, but in all honesty, the SuperStay is fantastic. I highly recommend it.

Powder: You don't even really need it if you're using SuperStay, but if you're (for eg) going out on the town for a sweaty night of dancing, or need a really polished look for attending a wedding, my pick is definitely L'Oreal True Match. Very finely milled, goes on like a dream and doesn't go chalky or look orangey like a lot of 'translucent' powders.

Okay, gotta dash, but will be back tomorrow to talk more :) PS - that bright pink lippie I was talking about? NYX Matte in Shocking Pink. Sooooo good!

A loose powder is fantastic. Did not use it for years, then finally started a couple of years ago. It is good for setting make-up, especially if you are prone for smudging (which I am). I put some on now when I am not wearing full make-up. I can't wear a tinted moisturiser without going red and peeling for some reason).

My fave secret beauty product is Benefit's Girl meets pearl. I get told I'm glowing whenever I wear it!
I love everything Benefit, but have friends buy it for me OS as it gets a bit pricey

I also love make up! I have a much younger friend and for her 21st birthday a few years ago I shouted her (and myself) to a 2 hour one on one make up session/lesson with a professional make up artist. She showed us a thing or two that would highlight our own features. Cant' remember how much it was but it could be worth the money if you're keen.

concealer - maybelline only cause I haven't found anything better

Mascara also maybelline I think and always in black and often only on the top eyelashes too

eyeliner I love white to open up the eyes and my fav green eyeliner is Australias (sp?) brand and I have had it for SIXTEEN years!!! It's really small now and wouldn't you know it I went buy another one last year and they had the same colour!!! My eyes are green so with the white and green and some white shimmer eyeshadow on top I think they look great.

Foundation - I often only use powder but I like Innoxa foundation.

Lips I pretty much always put something on my lips I like rosey reds, pink and especially browns and I like colourstay.

A trick I was taught years ago is to apply clear mascara to my eyebrows, it sets them while you brush them, I used to do it years ago but haven't for ages now... maybe I'll do that again... ?

Ok I'll tell you what I do.

Foundation: mabelline super stay 24hr it's awesome and won't break the budget. I use my fingers for foundation so that I can massage it well into my skin, I find sponges make the application a bit thick.

I then put. My thin lizzie over the top, paying more attention to the cheeks.

Eye liner: it's a cheap Australis one in black liquid. I draw a thin line close to the lashes on the top lid.

Mascara: lash blast by cover girl it's the best in an orange container. In black waterproof.

Lip gloss or balm: mabelline can't remember the name, it's pink and shimmery. Moogoo.

If I'm Not going out I'll just wear my thin lizzie and mascara and a little gloss.

Oooh, I love makeup!

I find mineral makeup to be really good for my usual everyday makeup. For my foundation I am using Nude by Nature. It's a loose powder, and it really only takes a few seconds to tap some powder into the lid and then the brush in and swirl it all over your face in round motions. Love it! Liquid foundations usually make me break out completely so mineral makeup is a lifesaver. The only thing is it doesn't last quite as long, I usually use Jurlique rose powder to pat down my T zone in the afternoon or night. It smells so pretty :)

Eyes - I use a variety of different colours of the MAC powder eye shadow. My favourites are woodwinked (shimmery browny-gold) and satin taupe (a darker brown with hint of purple) but there are heaps of great colours! For mascara I only ever use clinique long wearing curling formula, it's the only mascara that doesn't give me panda eyes.

Blush - again I have heaps, currently using MAC powder blush in dainty which is a pretty pop of pink :) Also like benefit Dallas powder for something a bit more sexy ;) but I love all the benefit powders.

Anyone that also loves mineral or organic makeup should also check out everyday minerals online, they are based in the US and you need to ship them but they have great mineral foundations, blushes and eye shadows as well as some other stuff. It's just annoying trying to find your foundation colour but they do little sample kits, it's free to get one you just pay for the shipping.

I am lazy with lips and usually just use the basic nivea lipbalm from the supermarket!

Hmm interested in trying the maybelline super stay for a foundation with a bit coverage now that a couple of girls have recommended it.

What gal doesn't love make-up?! Mine are pretty basic ( I'm usually on a budget!)

Foundation-I use Natio liquid mineral foundation. It goes on nicely and looks super natural.

Mascara- I LOVE Covergirl Lash Blast. It has the best brush! Nice and big, heaps of volume, no clumping.

Blush- Maybelline minreal powder, again it looks nice and natural. Gives a girly pink glow.

One tip which I can give you is I use a black eye-shadow and apply it to my bottom lashes ( just under the lashline) with a short stumpy brush. I put more in the outer outer corner and then bring it along the lashline until about halfway. the I just use my finger to gently smudge. It's a better alternative than eye liner and again, it looks more natural :)

But, by the looks of it I may have to try Maybelline super-stay 24hr!

Wow thanks so much for all the details guys!!!

What I normally do:

Fresh face, moisturise. Grab concealer stick, apply to under eyes, cheeks, chin especially as I have acne scarring there, applied with fingers. Then liquid foundation (the 24 hour maybeline one), also with fingers. Bronzer, a bit of blush. That's my face. If I'm going out or it's a special occasion, I'll brush over some poweder, sometimes a shimmer.

Eyes. Dark grey eye pencil, I think it's estee lauder (sp??), I don't know how to describe it, a half eye V on the outer corner I guess. Moderately thick. Sometimes I'll set that with some black eyeshadow. Then mascara. If I'm going out I'll add some silver glitter or eyeshadow to my inner corners.

Lips, usually nothing, maybe a chapstick. Sometimes red or pink lippie.

This pic is like a year old, but it shows pretty accurately my makeup, mainly the eye makeup (excuse DH ring an idiot LOL!!) http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...5892238&type=1

Hope that works. I think I want to learn how to do a better eye, I really like the dark eye look but I want something more textured than just straight lines with a pencil if that makes sense?

PZ the pic doesn't work. It just says content not available.

That looks great PZ! Anything more and it just looks too full on IYKWIM?

I just throw on some foundation (i second the maybelline 24 hour one being the best ive ever used!!), eyeliner on the bottom and half on the top and some mascara which i use the stilletto one cant for the life of me remember what the brand is! And if im going out somewhere nice, DP bought me a beauty case full on Chi Chi make up with all different coloured pencils and eyeshadow so match with what im wearing!

Everyday makeup for me is:
Body shop foundation mixed with a touch of olay moisturizer for a "clean" look
Body shop baked blush/bronzed
Body shop duo blush or shimmer (depends how done up I want to look.)
MAC mascara- TBH still looking for a "GREAT" daytime mascara.

For a night time look- I just use foundation and powder.
Add brown eyeliner
Add eyeshadow- I buy the revlon or cover girl quad- makes a smoky eye easy.
Or if I'm really daring- a bright bright colour.
2 coats of mascara.
Covergirl lip gloss- have like a million shade for every occasion!

Brushes- I have MAC brushes and body shop brushes- not super impressed with either!
Except the body shop foundation brush- which I couldn't live without!

Pumpkin do you like to wear foundation? A lot of people say foundation should not be applied with a sponge as it wastes too much product but I find a sponge gives the most natural finish. I love in particular Beauty Blender which is a special sponge (not latex like most) which applies foundation beautifully and does not absorb too much. There is nothing else like it.

Another tip is - if you have a foundation shade that is a tad too dark, too warm, too pale etc then you can still wear it but rebalance the colour with loose powder. For example if you picked a shade that is a little too pale, just use a loose powder that is slightly warmer or more golden. If your foundation is too warm or dark use a lighter/whiter powder. Because loose powders are sheer they can subtly warm or cool your complexion.

If you like to add a little glow, a couple of products I love are Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser and Nars highlighter in Albatross. The Laura Mercier can look a little too shiny if used on its own but if you mix with moisturiser or another foundation it makes the skin look so luminous. I also sometimes use it as a highlighter, applied with a brush to the tops of my cheekbones, up to the temples, and a dot on my forehead and the bridge of my nose.

The Nars is lovely dusted lightly all over the face or concentrated as a highlighter as described with the Laura Mercier.

I also sometimes use rosy lip balms and glosses as a blush dabbed onto the cheeks.

:)

i love make up too but i like a natural look and if you like a natural look too then i have one word - THIN LIZZY. it comes with instructions a dvd and everything :) thats all i wear now the only thing that doesnt come in the thin lizzy kit is mascara so i have one of those too.

You can buy grey ( and other colours) wet or dry eyeshadow. I use it when im going out and all you haveto do is wet the tip of the eyeshadow brush and draw along the bottom of the eye ( under the lashes) works a treat, looks like smudged pencil, not as messy as liquid and you can use it on top or dry as well... Love Revlon.. two in ones.. mines grey/pink

Im pretty boring with mine, most exciting i've got is my ten-colour davinci mineral powders which are awesome... expensive they were but worth it as they add a little glam for night times!

I use maybelline mineral foundation, with the maybelle mineral matte powder as a finish.
I find i need to use a very light application of foundation or nothing else sticks, so the powder gives it a more even finish and balances out the skin tone.
I have a revlon three colour blush which i pretty much just blend all three colours for the best result.
for day time wear i go more pink, and for night time i bit more on the bronze/brown colour from it.
a light coat of mascara (maybelling in the pink tube!) and a light gloss. i love rimmel vinyl lip but i never use it enough and get put off after i have had it for six months and it has gone gluggy and yuck lol.

eyeliner and shadows i use to glam up for evening and then it depends on the occassion ;)

Pumpkinzulu couldn't see your pic alas. What colour are your eyes? You could experiment with different colours - for example with a smoky eye try something other than grey and black. Blue eyes look gorgeous with a deep bronze/chocolate smoky eye as it brightens the blue. Brighter blue eyes look deeper with a sort of smoky turquoise colour... A blue based green. Darker or more grey/indigo eyes look sultry with a dark mauve or violet, as do brown eyes.

Laura Mercier kohl eye pencils come in a great range of stormy, smoky shades like black-turquoise and black-navy and black-gold.

You could also look up the tightlining technique on you tube... It's a way of using eye liner that looks more natural - less harsh on the eye but it also enables you to play with colour and to layer more. You need a pot eye liner rather than a pen or pencil. Like a gel or Cake liner in a pot- and a flat eyeliner brush.

You could tightline in a basic shade like black or grey or navy and for added impact add a colour or metallic based liner to the top of the lashes.

A little bit of gold or a fleshy foiled colour looks amazing along the lower lash line, from the inside corner to about half way. You'd apply a super thin line right into the lashes. You can use a soft pencil or get a super fine brush and apply a shadow there.

This thread's giving me a headache :lol: Do people really go to all that effort every day? :o I hardly bother running my fingers through my hair most days, never mind all this stuff! :rofl: Maybe I'm just scraggy :p


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks ;)

It takes me 5 mins to put on makeup. Seriously. End to finish. I don't do it every day but I find if I'm having a low day it makes me feel good. And I love playing :)

And no you're not scraggy :p

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This thread's giving me a headache :lol: Do people really go to all that effort every day?

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lol sounds bad when you say it like that. I've got it down to 5 minutes now. I don't think most women even need makeup day to day, but I always had low self esteem and I feel like people are staring at my hideous face if I go out with none on lol

Plus, it's fun :)

It takes me about 10 minutes to do my makeup. I'm not ashamed of putting in effort. I love my beauty ritual. It has nothing to do with being vain or low self esteem but it makes me feel pampered. I would never go out in public without a little makeup and if I'm feeling a bit low putting on a little makeup and playing up what I like about my appearance always without fail makes me feel 100% better.

Oh, I'm not saying anything like that! I know I feel pretty good when I'm going out and I put in the extra effort :) I just can't imagine doing it for just everyday stuff like going to the shops or just hanging around at home :p I don't know, maybe I'm just tight and deep down think it's a waste of makeup :lol: Or I'm jealous you all look so pretty all the time and I'm just too lazy for it all ;)


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks ;)

Haters be Hatin' :p

In all serious though I'm not a "wear makeup around the house" kind of chick. Although you may catch me vacuuming in stilettos and a tiara... In my pj's of course.

Oh no- I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound defensive. and I can assure you I do not look pretty all the time by any means. It's just something I like doing. :)

Right, now that's sorted :p
PZ, almost all my makeup came free with magazines :rofl:

I will usually put on at least foundation every day because I never know if I may have to go somewhere, plus I work all week. I would never go to work without make-up as I am in customer service. My skin is so white without make-up I look like I am dying!!:lol:

Even though i said i love makeup I'm actually not that adventurous. My daily products on average consist of (at the moment anyway):

Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector SPF 30

Chanel foundation (teint innocence compact or Aqualumiere) mixed with a little Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser

Some sort of blush - I love Nars and Laura Mercier

MAC paint pot in Groundwork on eyes (neutral beige brown)

Laura Mercier Caviar eye liner using the tightliner technique

Mascara- a Chanel one at the moment

Lipstick- Chantecaille Lip Chic is super hydrating, or a gloss- I love Nars and Bloom lip glosses.

I also tint my own eyebrows which makes my eyes look so much brighter and my face more polished.

:)

Thankyou all SO much! I'm making a list of all your fave products to try out/buy. It's that time of year where I bed to throw out a lot of product anyway, and I want to replace them with some better brands.

I too don't wear makeup around the house unless I want to feel spesh. I love makeup though, I used to sit around with my girlfriends and we'd do each other up :) I used to be much more 'into' makeup and fashion before I net DH...probably because I was single, had more time, $$ etc. But we moved in together after like 4 months, and I put on a lot of weight over the years (ahhh, to be 58kg again...), but now I'm rediscovering how awesome makeup is, and as I start to lose weight, fashion too :)

Wow, this is going to be such a long post :)


Foundations: I LOVE the Ultraceuticals and GloMinerals tinted moisturisers. They have SPF30+ and 15+ respectively, and feel really good on my skin. In summer I use the higher SPF, and sometimes mix it with a normal SPF cream if I need/want a lighter shade. If I need full coverage, I use the glominerals pressed base and use the kabuki brush to apply it. I love glominerals because they are pure minearls, no talc and no fillers. Easy to apply, it really looks like I'm not wearing makeup.

Bronzer - either the Bobbi Brown palette or the glominerals sunkiss bronzer, and I use the glominerals blush brush to apply this.

Blush - glominerals blush in sweet or innocent. if I'm going out, i use sweet, if it's for day wear, then innocent.

concealer - the glominerals highlighter or the concealer pot. for under the eyes, i use the highlighter, and if i have blemishes then i use the conealer pot.

lips - anything works - gloss/lip stick/ whatever i'm in the mood for. but my cupboard consists of burts bees, glominerals, chanel, YSL and lancome.

eyes - I'M IN LOVE WITH chanel eyeliner (yeux in waterproof) and the calvin klein eyeliner gel pots. fabulous and super easy to apply, i even go swimming with it on, and it doesn't budge.

eyeshadow - glominerals eye pot in playful and delightful for day, and then something more dramatic for night - either midnight and harvest or midnight and orchid. I use chanel brushes for my eyes.. i'm not sure why, they feel softer and i got them duty free and they've been great.

mascara - Telescopic by l'oreal (waterproof)

extras that I love :
for my hair : 'It's a 10'. fantastic product for conditioning and then Smooth Down by redken when i use the straightener.
shampoo/conditioner : I can't go past Karparti. It's freakin' amazing! Natural product with no SLS/parabens etc. I don't have itchy hair and I don't have to wash my hair as often (and it's oily!!). Great product and makes my hair feel fabulous. I use it on my daughter too.

Nails - Essie polishes - I am in love with Boat House. Great colour for summer, orangy/coraly. noice!

body moisturisers: Burts Bees 'Radiance' SMELLS AMAZING and has a little sparkle to it.
body scrubs : ASAP body scrub with AHA's

Victoria I used to use the Ultraceuticals one too and loved it.

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It takes me 5 mins to put on makeup. Seriously. End to finish. I don't do it every day but I find if I'm having a low day it makes me feel good. And I love playing :)

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Me too! I wear it everyday though.. I feel naked without it.

I use-
-Laura Mercier Mineral powder
-Bronzer (dunno what brand, I have a couple and I've had them so long the labels have come off!)
-Eye shadow - usual a chocolatey colour.. I literally have hundreds of eyeshadows!
-Mascara - L'Oreal.. Um, can't remember the name of it.. The one with the tiny brush. In black. I do LOVE Lancome Flextencils mascara but it's a bit pricey for everyday use!
-Lipbalm - moogoo at the moment

That's my daily stuff. When going out I use a liquid foundation for more coverage (I have many.. MAC Studio Fix, Napoleon China Doll, Revlon something-or-other...and so on) and shimmery stuff, darker eyeshadow and Lancome Juicy Tubes gloss. I only use gloss.. I don't even own a single lipstick!

Oh, and the BEST facial moisturizer is Olay Regenerist Microsculpting cream. It is FANTASTIC.. Seriously, I've worked in pharmacy for 13 years (and have had lots to do with cosmetics and skin care) and have tried so so many different brands and this stuff makes your skin look and feel fantastic! It took about a month of use before I really noticed a difference but now I don't even go for facials because I don't need them! The cream has done wonders!

Ooh don't get me started on moisturisers and skincare... I am a total skincare nut- my makeup collection pales in comparison to my skincare collection.

Damn you and this stupid thread - it got in my head and I went and bought foundation and a foundation brush today :rofl: I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

But honestly, I'm more excited I got a free waterbottle with it :p

Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks ;)

:rofl: Haha you rock.