Make up advice

Lilly87

Hi everyone
Decided that I want to buy myself a whole new range of make up: foundation,powder,eyeshadows ,mascaras ...... etc. Was going to go into BT's or Arnotts and ask for some advice at the counters. I don't even know where to begin looking.

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on what brand is best to go for in general : MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars, etc?? and where gives the best advice ?

Miss Fluff

Personally I find MAC the best but make sure you go in on a quiet day/time as they won't be able to spend sufficient time with you at peak times.

Larianne

It really depends on the artist you get. I've heard good and bad reports about MAC. If it's a saturday forget it! They'll just be too busy. But the make-up artists do get trained very well.

Someone recently posted that the Nars counter had a really nice make-up artist doing her face.

Another posted that Guerlain in Arnotts was very good too.

Maybe have a walk around BT's/Arnotts/Debehenams and get a 'feel' for the different counters, see what products are available and then decide. Also, if you see a MUA with nice make-up approach them and ask if they could do your make-up on a certain day.

Twee.

I heard good things about Guerlain too.
I got my make-up done at Bobbi Brown and Mac, both were great. I liked BB's foundation but lately I've been wearing less so favour Mac's Face and Body.

LolaLuv

Are you asking which brand makes the best make-up, or which one is best for a consultation?

Ruthee

For foundation the best thing to do is go in and get samples of whatever you feel mite suit you best. Arm yourself with loadsa mini potys, think you can get them in Boots,as for some reason, Sales assistants in this country always say "oh we dont have sample sizes"..but if you have yer own pots, ask them to squeeze some in..and if they wont, say sure you'll take yer business somewhere else then..ity really annoys me.you'd swear the makeup was from their own private collection the way some of the Sales assistants go on..its just s squirt of foundation..

rant over..anyway, then work from there

LolaLuv

Whenever I'm looking for a new make-up item but am unsure what I want, I check out www.makeupalley.com. The users rate the products they buy. Generally they're pretty reliable, but make-up is a very personalized thing so you have to take it with a bit of salt.

bills

i know a lot of people like mac & i do too( well some of their products) but i really like the bobbi brown stick foundation. MAC is good for eyeshadows. Benefit do some nice products too-hoola,concealers etc. Your best bet is probably to wander around BTs.

sondal

I hate to admit it, it took me years to realise that a good base cost that much more. Once you get a make over by a professional, you will see that its worth spending the extra on good products such as no 7, clinique etc. They supply wonderful shades for fair skinss and people have said to that they cant tell whetther I am wearing foundation. Boots is good too, except the girls tend to wear to much which they really dont need. A good tinting moisturiser is also great, for our dreary dull summer

leahyl

Hi i don't mean to be smart but why does everyone feel that they have to spend a bomb on makeup to look good!

I use revlon colorstay foundation, no.7 powder and rimmel/l'oreal/isa dora eye makeup and it's perfect! The amount they charge in those counters in bt and debenhams is ridiculous.

Sorry just want people to realise that you don't have to break the bank to look great!

But then i suppose i haven't tried these products so i wouldn't know really. But i don't think any eyeshadow is worth 25e (example!):D

Elli-May

Try Make-Up Forever on Clarendon street, I think their stuff is really good

LolaLuv

leahyl wrote: »

Hi i don't mean to be smart but why does everyone feel that they have to spend a bomb on makeup to look good!

I use revlon colorstay foundation, no.7 powder and rimmel/l'oreal/isa dora eye makeup and it's perfect! The amount they charge in those counters in bt and debenhams is ridiculous.

Sorry just want people to realise that you don't have to break the bank to look great!

But then i suppose i haven't tried these products so i wouldn't know really. But i don't think any eyeshadow is worth 25e (example!):D

Hey, this is a very good point! Do a search for "make-up dupes" and you'll find lists of drug store makeups that mimic the quality and color of high-end make-ups. There are some very high quality eyeshadows you can buy for a buck. But I'm not sure what's available in Ireland so I don't know how to steer you.

leahyl

PillyPen wrote: »

Hey, this is a very good point! Do a search for "make-up dupes" and you'll find lists of drug store makeups that mimic the quality and color of high-end make-ups. There are some very high quality eyeshadows you can buy for a buck. But I'm not sure what's available in Ireland so I don't know how to steer you.

That's exactly my point! it's like grocery shopping - 90% of the time the own brand stuff is the exact same as the big name stuff!

I think a lot of the time it's all in peoples heads that they need to spend this much on cosmetics to look good! I'm not saying that some of their products aren't good (i'm sure they are and if i found one that i REALLY liked i'd prob buy it) but the majority of make-up you can buy for half the price and it's just as good

LolaLuv

leahyl wrote: »

That's exactly my point! it's like grocery shopping - 90% of the time the own brand stuff is the exact same as the big name stuff!

I think a lot of the time it's all in peoples heads that they need to spend this much on cosmetics to look good! I'm not saying that some of their products aren't good (i'm sure they are and if i found one that i REALLY liked i'd prob buy it) but the majority of make-up you can buy for half the price and it's just as good

Yep, I agree. My makeup collection is a mix of high-end and really cheap,with everything in between. I think the biggest factor in makeup quality is whether or not the woman knows how to apply it. Although some things are just better quality in the more expensive brands, but not all. For example, you can use almost any eyeshadow and if you put UDPP underneath it will stay put.

celticcutie

I'm agreeing with you all cause you've all made good points. Have to say though I think the key is a good moisturiser. I spend money on MAC eye shadow and some other expensive products just cause I like them and feel good spending a few extra hard earned quid on myself every now and again but as I wear foundation everyday, it would cost me a fortune if I used a Clarins or MAC. Instead I use Clarins 'Eclat du jour' moisturiser which is just brilliant (for dry skin) and then maybelline 'Rewind' make up. To be honest I've lost count of the amount of times people have admired my foundation! So it doesn't need to cost a bucket!

LolaLuv

CC is correct, if you get the moisturizer right everything else is much better looking. Must have a good canvas and all.

fuzzywiggle

Yeah the 3 brands you mentioned are the ones to go for. Go in first thing at the weekend or on a week day when they're not busy, they really wont have time to help you when it's really busy. Have a chat with them and tell them you're starting out and leave the rest up to them! My preference is always MAC.

celticcutie

Btw, if you do end up buying liquid make up there's a pack of non latex make up sponges you can buy in Boots (around €2 pink and white triangles in a pack of 4) and they ensure your make up just glides on. Bet if you try them you'll be addicted!

Larianne

celticcutie wrote: »

Btw, if you do end up buying liquid make up there's a pack of non latex make up sponges you can buy in Boots (around €2 pink and white triangles in a pack of 4) and they ensure your make up just glides on. Bet if you try them you'll be addicted!

The problem with sponges is they can soak up a lot of product. Better to use a brush - MAC and BodySHop have good foundation brushes or for the stipling foundation brush (the two-tone one) MAC or a very similar one by Ruby & Millie in Boots.

celticcutie

Larianne wrote: »

The problem with sponges is they can soak up a lot of product. Better to use a brush - MAC and BodySHop have good foundation brushes or for the stipling foundation brush (the two-tone one) MAC or a very similar one by Ruby & Millie in Boots.

I'll have to disagree with you on the brushes. I did that course with MAC where their top make up artist trains you and she had me buy a make up brush. I found that my make up didn't go on half as well as it does with the sponges. I definitely don't think you should use your fingers cause that just makes it oily. And yes you do lose some product when you use sponges but if you're using maybelline like I do it's worth it! - cause so am I :P

RxQueen

celticcutie wrote: »

I'll have to disagree with you on the brushes. I did that course with MAC where their top make up artist trains you and she had me buy a make up brush. I found that my make up didn't go on half as well as it does with the sponges. I definitely don't think you should use your fingers cause that just makes it oily. And yes you do lose some product when you use sponges but if you're using maybelline like I do it's worth it! - cause so am I :P

yeah much rather sponges to, the ones your on about are great , and cheap to, what more can you ask for ha!

although personal choice really , but cant for the life of me get my make up right with the brush, and i did try alot!

celticcutie

emo!! wrote: »

yeah much rather sponges to, the ones your on about are great , and cheap to, what more can you ask for ha!

although personal choice really , but cant for the life of me get my make up right with the brush, and i did try alot!

I concur!! Love saying that - ever watch the film 'Catch me if you can?' :pac:

The tip with the sponges though is to wet them the first 2 times you use them and they turn kind of silky - then the make up just goes on so perfectly. Now and again I add a few drops of water to keep them silky. As for the brush, I ended up with lines all over my face even though I kept sweeping it back and forth! Dunno maybe I just never got the hang of it properly.....

RxQueen

celticcutie wrote: »

I concur!! Love saying that - ever watch the film 'Catch me if you can?' :pac:

The tip with the sponges though is to wet them the first 2 times you use them and they turn kind of silky - then the make up just goes on so perfectly. Now and again I add a few drops of water to keep them silky. As for the brush, I ended up with lines all over my face even though I kept sweeping it back and forth! Dunno maybe I just never got the hang of it properly.....

affirmative (ha love that word!) yeah did see that , pretty good to!

oooooh thats a good tip, may try that thanks!

Lilly87

Thanks for all the tips so far everyone !
Went into BT's and got some advice at the Bobbi Brown counter and bought some of their liquid foundation, loose powder and really pretty blush!! Was pricey but worth it I think!

I also bought their foundation brush, i have never used a brush for foundation before but the girl who served me used it on my face and it gave great coverage without using loads of the foundation. Don't know how it is going to look when I apply it but I heard the trick is to dab on the foundation with the brush rather than painting strokes onto the face.

Next on my list is the eye make up !! Don't even know where to start !

Larianne

It just takes a while to use them! Brushes make making-up so much easier, trust me. But if you find the foundation brush (the one like a paint brush) isn't working for you, the stipple foundation brush (with the two tone hairs) is great. I use it all the time and it makes blending really easy.

But with make-up it's all about personal choice and what suits you.... so don't mind me! :pac:

Larianne

Lilly87 wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips so far everyone !
Went into BT's and got some advice at the Bobbi Brown counter and bought some of their liquid foundation, loose powder and really pretty blush!! Was pricey but worth it I think!

I also bought their foundation brush, i have never used a brush for foundation before but the girl who served me used it on my face and it gave great coverage without using loads of the foundation. Don't know how it is going to look when I apply it but I heard the trick is to dab on the foundation with the brush rather than painting strokes onto the face.

Next on my list is the eye make up !! Don't even know where to start !

When you're using the brush to put foundation on, start at the centre of your face and work outwards as your nose, chin, cheek areas tend to need more coverage than your forehead and sides of your face. And just blend.

I'd advise washing the brush in water before using it. Just to get rid of, if any, factory crap on it. And don't forget to get some brush cleaner (ask in a chemist for Isoprophyll Alcohol) and clean it regularly. Otherwise you'll end up with spots or a nasty infection.;)

babsbabs

Myself I like Nars the best for foundation, its really soft when on, Bobbi Brown is great for eyeshadow and blusher, it goes on very well.

I find Mac good for the brighter shades for nights out and that, the mascara is great tho, I have really long eyelashes, but quite thin and that plumps them out and gives them a lovely natural look!!!

For primer and blusher tho I would recommend smashbox, its brilliant... but my best advise is to try them all until ou find the right one for you, everyone is different..

Good luck with it and enjoy the experiment

Jeapy

babsbabs wrote: »

Myself I like Nars the best for foundation, its really soft when on, Bobbi Brown is great for eyeshadow and blusher, it goes on very well.

I find Mac good for the brighter shades for nights out and that, the mascara is great tho, I have really long eyelashes, but quite thin and that plumps them out and gives them a lovely natural look!!!

For primer and blusher tho I would recommend smashbox, its brilliant... but my best advise is to try them all until ou find the right one for you, everyone is different..

Good luck with it and enjoy the experiment

Mineral make up ftw! Smashbox is great, light on your skin and you can even sleep in it! The body shop brushes are softest and nicest for applying it.

peanut66

Mac and Nars are great for foundations but Im currently using the Dior Airflash foundation and its fab. Light as a feather you can spray it directly on your face or onto a sponge and then apply. The coverage is great.

Smashbox is brilliant, the photo finish primer, the o-glow blusher and the o-glow lipgloss that reacts to your natural lip colour is cool.

Nars do great eyeshadows as do Urban Decay. urban decay heavy metal comes out on your eyelids really well esp after using their Primer Potion first.

Benefit make up is a must, I love all their stuff and the packaging is funky.
YSL, Lancome, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown are all great too. Oh I love two faced products aswell.

Have fun