Makeup

Meghan - posted on 01/17/2011

I have a few little tricks for dark/puffy eyes besides make-up that I find helpful...and even if they don't most of them are good for general health so I can at least pretend they work for this too right? hehe
-make sure you drink LOTS of water during the day
-the old cucumber under the eye for 15 minutes (or cool tea bags, potatoes) works to make your skin look a little more refreshed for the time being
-apparently sleeping on your back causes less fluid to accumulate under the eyes
-watch sodium intake
-eat lots of foods with vitamin c and antioxidants
-I know some girls who use preparation H....I personally have never tried that one, and don't know if I would...but it allegedly works
-Creams containing vitamins C, K, E, or retinol...always always moisturize as much as possible- esp after a shower.

Soky - posted on 01/17/2011

Heres what I do with dark circles.. cut two slices of potatoe up preferably COLD potatoes and place them on your eyes for like 5 to 10 minutes. The juice from the potatoes actually LIGHTEN UP YOUR undereyes. TRUST ME THIS WILL HELP A LOT!!!

Now I dont like to wear much make up. Foundation I use is Maybelines Dream matte mousse!!! THIS WORKS WONDERS ON SKIN! You dont need much of it! A little goes a long way.

Line some liner on your eyes but not too much just enough to enhance your eyelashes.. then sweep your fav masacara over your eyes and then dont forget the blush.

I dont use lipstick I use carmex.

My make up I like to look close to natural as I can so when I come up from swimming in a pool I dont look like a different person. =P

Kelly - posted on 01/05/2011

Catlin, I can't use soaps on my face either. I do moisturize though (Aveeno Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 or SPF42 for summer) and I have a vitamin C scrub (The Body Shoppe) that I use about 2-3 times a month in the summer. That is why I use the Purmineral powder, it washes off with just warm water in the shower--no scrubbing:)

Caitlin - posted on 01/05/2011

in the morning my face is 100% normal.. i don't use soap on it more than once a week or after a really good workout, or I unbalance it somehow and end up with huge breakouts.. I also have pretty sensitive skin, which is why soaps don't usually work well (I have a mild abraisive unscented facial scrub thats soap free that's great, refreshes everything by getting rid of the dead cells..

Krista - posted on 01/04/2011

Yeah, start moisturizing, woman! You'll thank me when you're 60. When you wake up, let me know if your skin is oily, or dry, or sensitive, or whatever, and I can recommend some nice day moisturizers for you with an SPF.

Caitlin - posted on 01/04/2011

Awesome.. I will most certainly go on the look for some stuff like that Krista.. and can I be evil and say "what face moisturizer?" I never use any on my face, should I start because of the makeup?

That is all.. I'm taking my exhausted alabaster skin to bed to diminish these dark circles, though the baby will undoubtably wake me up 10 mins after I falla sleep..

Krista - posted on 01/04/2011

Sorry -- LOL!

Okay, I'll try to make it simple.

*You have freaking-fracking gorgeous skin, so buy a concealer that matches it perfectly. L'Oreal Perfect Match has a good range of shades.
* Also buy a powder the same shade as your skin, and a big fluffy brush. This stuff in Translucent Fair would work well for you. (http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products...)
* Buy that blush I recommended. Throw out the brush that comes with it, and buy a brush that's a bit smaller than the powder brush you bought.
*Buy this eyeshadow: http://www.lorealparis.ca/cosmetics/eyes... Also buy an eyeshadow brush with a tip about the size of the end of your pinky.
* Lastly, buy a tinted rosy lip balm. If worst comes to worst, Cherry Chapstick works surprisingly well.

Okay. So, you're out of the shower. Put your moisturizer on your face and get dressed and brush your teeth while it sinks in.

Now, take the concealer. Dab a tiny bit on the pad of your ring finger, and then use that finger to pat it onto your dark circles. Just pat, pat, pat gently -- don't rub. Only use a little at a time. You can always add more if you need it. Go over to the window and look at yourself in natural light. Good? Good.

Now, grab your powder and your big fluffy brush. Swirl the brush over the powder and brush it over your forehead, nose and chin, with a quick dusting on your cheeks and eyelids. Keep fluffing the brush over your face for a few moments afterwards to make sure it's all blended in.

Now, grab your blush and your smaller brush. Swirl the brush over the blush. Smile. See where your cheeks are roundest? Brush the blush over that round part. Do the same for the other cheek. Now, grab your big powder brush again and fluff it back and forth over your cheeks to make sure it's all blended.

Take your eyeshadow brush and swirl it over the eyeshadow. Close your right eye, and starting with the outside corner, brush it over your eyelid, about halfway up to your eyebrow. Do the same for the other eyebrow. Then, take your middle fingers and run them over where the eyeshadow stops, to blend it all in.

Slick on your lip balm, and smile at how pretty you look!

Caitlin - posted on 01/04/2011

Krista - I wish you lived closer to because that was all like italian to me.. yes.. I AM that cluless..

Krista - posted on 01/04/2011

Ooh, you have such pretty colouring!



Yeah, no need for mascara, with your dark lashes, you lucky wench!



I think the most important thing is to make sure that whatever foundation or concealer you get matches your skin tone EXACTLY. You have such gorgeous alabaster skin (seriously -- I know people who would sell their grandmother to get skin like yours), and it would be a shame to alter the tone of it. If you're anywhere near a Prescriptives counter, they do custom blend foundations. Or, even if you go the drugstore route, you'll definitely want to take your time selecting it and test it against your skin in natural light.



That blush shade I mentioned would be STUNNING on you.



I wouldn't go with any shadow too dark, as it might emphasize your dark circles. A champagne tone would be perfect and would brighten up your eyes, as would that MAC lilac shade I mentioned. Where you wear glasses (and I'm assuming you're nearsighted, as your glasses don't magnify your eyes), it doesn't hurt to define your eyes a bit. Liner is tricky, and I don't think it's something you'd like. However, if you get an eyeliner brush, dampen it with a bit of water, dab it into an eyeshadow that's two shades darker than the one on your lids, and just draw short, feathery strokes across your upper lash line, then it'll give the same effect as eyeliner, without having to point a pencil at your eyeball.



Your colouring is just phenomenal, and I could see a very romantic, soft look for you. Julianne's right about you not needing makeup, so if you do wear it, I would just stick with really soft, sheer, natural-looking shades just to brighten everything up, bring out those pretty eyes, and give you the option of a nice polished look for an evening out.



Shit, I wish I lived closer, I'd be hauling my makeup bag over to your place and would have you just glowing, girl!

Bonnie - posted on 01/04/2011

@Emma, I did my own makeup for my wedding :-) I didn't like some of the samples I had looked at. I think I did a better job myself.

Caitlin - posted on 01/04/2011

Julianna - I should have specified that was right after having my baby, the dark circles have taken over my undereye since then. That's why i'm only looking for something for my undereye, because for the most part, the rest of my skin is fine..



Oh and i'm blushing.. I don't do well with compliments but thank you..

Julianne - posted on 01/04/2011

wow caitlin, you have beautiful skin. you do look really young too btw. I wouldn't try to hide your natural beauty with makeup. If it will make you feel more confident though, power to you.

Caitlin - posted on 01/04/2011

ya, eyelash curler + mascara are out.. My skin i'd call it fair, and I like greens, burgundy, blues and blacks for my clothes.. yellows, pinks and colours like that really make me look washed out and ill... ( http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/l... )

Krista - posted on 01/04/2011

If your eyes are green, you can really bring them out by using a very soft, neutral grayish-plum eyeshadow. You might feel less squicky by using a cream shadow. You apply it with your fingers, so you might feel like you have more control and are less likely to poke yourself in the eye. MAC Paints (http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shad...) in "Untitled" would be nice for you, where it's a really soft gray-mauve with a bit of shimmer. I think it would really bring out the green in your eyes.

What's your skin tone, by the way? Fair, medium, dark? What colour clothes do you feel you look best in?

If you don't like stuff near your eyes, an eyelash curler might be a bit advanced class for you just yet. But if you get more comfortable with things, it's definitely worth trying.

This is fun. :)

Stifler's - posted on 01/04/2011

lol cathy that was like our hairdresser too. everyone was like she's really good. she left hairpins showing and they're in all the pictures and my sister told the makeup artist flat out that she thought the make up was shit it was kind of hilarious.

Nikki - posted on 01/04/2011

I don't have time either, that's why I love it
http://www.sheercover.com.au/Default.asp...

Caitlin - posted on 01/04/2011

takes a minute sounds about what i'm looking for... I have NO time...

Nikki - posted on 01/04/2011

I use the lavender concealer and I use sheer cover, do you have it where you live? I love it, it's so quick and easy and has great coverage, no messy liquid foundations. Just dab a bit of the concealer on any spots, brush the sheer cover on and I am done, takes literally one minute. I sound like an infomercial!

Cathy - posted on 01/04/2011

The make-up "artist" at my best friends wedding was bloody awful. She used foundation that was way to orange on my friends olive skin. Even though she used a lighter shade on me it was way too heavy. Then she drew dark heavy lines with a lip liner outside my normal lip line. I looked like a prostitute. That got removed straight away. How she got recommendation is beyond me.

Stifler's - posted on 01/04/2011

i agree with krista, a lot of makeup "artists" have horrible makeup themselves. i could have done my wedding makeup myself she didn't even use primer or concealer on me.

Julianne - posted on 01/04/2011

Apply vitamin K cream around your eyes, and wash your face with olive oil, rub on the olive oil and wash it off with a mild face wash. This will help the underlying issue of dark circles, i dont wear makeup at all so i cant really help you out there, but, try to stay away from mineral based makeup, it can scar your lungs and cause respiratory illnesses.

Tiffany - posted on 01/04/2011

Another common mistake made with concealer is women tend to rub it in. You only need a tiny bit, and it should be patted on...not rubbed. Don't use too much powder, because it sits on your fine lines and wrinkles. Best tool to have is an eyelash curler...on those days you're super tired, curling your eyelashes and slapping on some mascara will do wonders. Also, don't pump your mascara....causes air bubbles in the mascara itself. Less is more IMO. Little bit of chapstick or lip gloss, some blush and mascara is my everyday go-to. If you use bronzer, make sure it is used minimally. You don't want to get that orange faced oompa loompa look going on. And the most important thing you can do for your face? Remove your makeup every night, get a good light cleanser and moisturize with a face lotion with an spf 15.

Cathy - posted on 01/04/2011

If you have green eyes avoid cool colours like pink or blue (can get away with turquoise/teal shades if you're feeling daring). Pick warmer earthy shades, peachy tones.

Cathy - posted on 01/04/2011

I use concealer underneath my foundation. Tap the concealer on under my eyes and then just lightly sponge foundation on top. As Krista said the biggest mistake a person can make is buying concealer too light ... it also applies to foundation. Too light you'll make yourself looked washed out. Make sure you test foundation on your face before you buy not just on your hand.

Caitlin - posted on 01/04/2011

"a bad case of whoreface" LOL!

Yeah, i'm all for the natural and barely noticeable makeup, and would love something like I had at my wedding (my friend did it for me) because it brought out my green eyes and made me feel amazing.. I'd ask her, but she no longer lives near me... No whoreface here..

Krista - posted on 01/04/2011

i'm thinking maybe finding a makeup girl to take me through it and show me the ropes to basic make up application.

Just make sure that you look at HER makeup before you commit to the makeover. Find someone whose makeup you want to emulate. A lot of times people will go to a makeup counter staffed by someone who has a bad case of whoreface going on, and then wonder why they wind up with a bad case of whoreface as a result.

Bonnie - posted on 01/04/2011

As Jenn mentioned, a concealer is good for your eye issue. Using mascara and a bit of eye liner will make your eyes pop.

Kelly - posted on 01/04/2011

I LOVE Purminerals 4 in 1 powder. I don't know how to use concealer, but I just dust this powder over my whole face, paying a little extra attention to the area under my eyes, then add a brown shadow for my eye lids and use the same shadow to fill in and shape my brows (I have very thin eye brows so i can't pluck to shape). Finish with clear lip gloss. I never leave the house without powder, shadow and gloss, it is very quick and very easy--you can't mess it up! When I need to dress it up, I add a bronzer for blush and a glittery brown shadow. That's all the makeup I have.



Purminerals is not expensive, but it is rather hard to find. You can get it at Dillards or Ulta, and they have girls who will put it on for you and walk you through the process. You do have to use a special brush, so the first purchase seems expensive, but the powder itself is not much. They also have a website, but I would try to find a store for the first purchase so someone can help you pick colors and show you how to apply it :)



Btw, I didn't learn to put on makeup until I was 25 either--right around the time I developed under-eye circles from parenthood!

Caitlin - posted on 01/04/2011

I don't generally do eye things because I have a phobia of things coming near my eyes. It's hell getting my eyes checked every year. I'll try the purpleish thing for the under eye circles, and i'm thinking maybe finding a makeup girl to take me through it and show me the ropes to basic make up application. It might be easier that way, and I can ask my stupid questions and have her pick out the stuff I need.

I didn't mean to offend anyone 35 or so.. Just that that's 10 years older than I am and I want to look my age sometimes!

Krista - posted on 01/04/2011

The mistake a lot of people make with concealer is that they buy it too light, and then you wind up with reverse raccoon eye. Evidently, YSL Touche Eclat is the shiznit for dark circles, because it conceals but it also bounces light, so it makes the whole area look brighter.

As far as other makeup, start small if you're not used to it.

- Tinted moisturizer (evens out your skin tone but doesn't feel like makeup). I like the Olay Definity tinted moisturizer, because it also has an SPF 15.
- A bit of translucent powder dusted over it will get rid of shiny spots and give you a nice finish. Any drugstore brand usually does the job. I tend to go with Cover Girl Clean.
- A light dusting of peachy-pink blush on the apples of your cheeks (smile -- see the roundest part of your cheeks? Those are the "apples.") will wake up your whole face. I use Cover Girl Cheekers in Natural Rose.
- A bit of mascara defines the eyes, and a taupe or champagne-coloured eyeshadow with a tiny bit of shimmer makes you look a lot more awake. For a more sheer application, but the eyeshadow on with a brush, not the sponge applicator. They'll have eyeshadow brushes in the makeup section as well.
- Tinted lip balm or lip gloss. Burt's Bees makes a nice one.

All of that will look very natural, but you'll just look a bit more polished and awake. Just remember to blend the blush with a big fluffy powder brush so that you don't have any streaks or lines. (Usually not an issue if you use powder first anyway, though. Blush tends to streak more when it's applied to bare skin, due to the oils in your skin.)

Once you've got that down pat, you can experiment with colour or with other products. Have fun with it -- you can always wash it off if you don't like it, right?

Nicole - posted on 01/04/2011

I don't know about under eye concealer but I know that when I am feeling rough I put on a little bit of mascara and some lip gloss and I come out looking brighter than I feel. This is within my ability to apply too. If I tried doing anymore, it would be a disaster. I used to be good at applying my own makeup but I am so out of practice, I can barely manage lipstick, lol

♏*PHOENIX*♏ - posted on 01/04/2011

youtube has tons of videos on make-up :-0)

~Jennifer - posted on 01/04/2011

you had my attention until "stop looking 35"
...

anyhoo.....there's a concealer for under eye circles made by Avon...'hide n perfect' correcting creme in lavender.
Using a shade of purple ( translucent, obviously) will hide dark circles when used under concealer or foundation.
(use lavender shades for pale skin, yellow shades for darker skin)