Make up overhaul!

Kimia

Hey all. I am so so bored with my 'look' at the moment and I feel like I put on my makeup in the morning and then I look in the mirror throughout the day and it's sweated off, or my nose is really shiny, and my skin just looks meh (i don't have spots or anything, it's just not that matte creaminess that I want it to be).

I need help with my makeup bag. What do I need to bin or get? At the moment my routine is this (on my cleansed moisturised face):

Put on liquid foundation with my fingers
Put on eyeshadow (very light brown)
Put on liquid eyelinder (with a little flick at the edges)
Put on lipstick
Put on mascara

Done. See, very boring!

How can I redo this so that I still look natural but more flawless? Thanks

ciaradx

kimia wrote:

Put on liquid foundation with my fingers

I could never do that!! Just find that fingers or sponge just doesn't blend well enough. Get a decent foundation brush and your foundation will go on much better! I have a Ruby and Millie brush, have for about a year now, just clean it with warm water every few uses and it'll last ages.

Kimia

Hi Ciara,

Thanks for your reply! I have used a foundation brush before but I found that I always ended up with WAY too much foundation on whenever I used one. In saying that, maybe I was doing it wrong? It just felt weird painting my face. I sound so clueless!!

ciaradx

Just use tiny amounts on the brush and brush it in really well. I couldn't go without one, but maybe they're not for everyone's taste!!

fonpokno

I have to say Kimia, I'm not a fan of foundation brushes either, I always ended up caked in foundation! I used to use my fingers also but now I use sponges instead. Much better blending and coverage for me.

I know this isn't answering your questions really, I'm just throwing it in there!

slowmoe

Definitely you need a foundation brush. I used to have that problem of too much product when I pumped from bottle straight onto brush but a girl on a counter showed me the right way. If its a pump, put 1 or a half pump onto the back of your hand and just dab the brush in with barely enough to colour the brush and start painting and blending. Or if its a bottle shake it upside down and just take a little by little from the lid.

In answer to your other questions you should try a primer or a serum before your make up and also a finishing powder not a foundation powder. The powder will set the make up and add to the matte finish you're looking for. How long are you hoping to get out of your make up? Most make up doesn't last longer than a few hours.

Chuchoter

If your going to use a brush try a kabuki. I find your standard paintbrush style brushes put on too much, look unnatural and leave streaks. Fingers are a bad idea, and you might want to grab a cheap powder, loose or pressed.

Maybe try like smudgy black liner or some brightly coloured liner instead of the brown, that could be fun without looking OTT

slowmoe

Also maybe it might be an idea for you to pop into a make up counter for some tips? If you're in dublin I can recommend some as i'm sure a lot of others can. You could also use a second darker shade of brown in the crease of the eye to give a slightly more dramatic look. Possibly some blusher too would bring out cheekbones

Seb_bixby

It sounds like you've got oily/combination skin. Make sure that you get the correct foundation type for your skin and after it's applied put some powder over your face to set it. Esp in the area's that you find get shiney. This should help it last longer.

I would think about getting a blush and some highlighter and a contour colour. There are loads of tutorials on you tube that you show you how to do this. Helps give that lovely dewwy look!

I love my foundation brush, I use the 187 from Mac. Not cheap but you can really work the product into your skin instead of just slapping it on. Gives a lovely finish!

Lorrrrraine

I wouldn't say you have to run out and buy a brush, I know a lot of people like the look of foundation applied with fingers.
I find that its lighter coverage and blends better because of the warmth of my fingers.
Strong lips are really big at the minute, meaning a lot of brands have new, gorgeous collections out. You could mix it up with a lipstick colour that you haven't tried before.
A lot of brands do little eyeshadow trios, quads etc with colours that go well together at good prices. This would also be a good way to experiment with new colours.
Here are a couple youtube videos that might give you some ideas, some aren't wearable day-to-day but you can take little bits from a look to tone it down.
http://www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo#p/c/A681761009B5F212

http://www.youtube.com/user/monroemisfitmakeup?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/16/rPF4Jb9LZJI


http://www.youtube.com/user/monroemisfitmakeup?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/20/umXxYYcjiwc

Good luck.

Dotcomdolly

Jodie Kidd does thick brightly coloured eye "crayons" - they look good as an alternative to brown eyeliner.
A pop of flushed cheek blusher will brighten up your look too - I love my mac - flush of youth- one.

Kimia

Thanks everyone, some really good tips there.

What about buying some sponges instead of the brush? Also, when i use powder over foundation I find that it gets that really 'caked' look and i feel like if i smile my makeup will crack! Does that mean I'm using the wrong powder? If so, does anyone have any good recommendations for nice loose light powder for over foundation?

I like the idea of this 'serum or primer'. Does anyone have any recommendations for these?

Quality

Ya if you use a kabooki brush and mineral foundation, you get really good coverage that lasts and its not cakey or powdery...

Try fuschia for the mineral foundation and the bare essentials sets are good value too..

Sometimes i like to try a different colour pencil or mascara just to make it look different...
might be an option for you!

jujuB

Kimia wrote: »

Thanks everyone, some really good tips there.

What about buying some sponges instead of the brush? Also, when i use powder over foundation I find that it gets that really 'caked' look and i feel like if i smile my makeup will crack! Does that mean I'm using the wrong powder? If so, does anyone have any good recommendations for nice loose light powder for over foundation?

I like the idea of this 'serum or primer'. Does anyone have any recommendations for these?

Sponges are good but they use up a huuuuge amount of your foundation and lets be straight some foundations are quite pricey!! Do you ever notice when you go to wash your sponges the amount of foundation that gets washed down the sink?! Also they wouldnt be the most hygenic... they harbor a lot of bacteria. Brushes are the only way to go. The flat foundation brushes (they look a bit like paint brushes!) are not as easy to use as the more fluffy ones, the Mac brush 187 is by far the best foundation brush. It works the foundation into the skin as opposed to sitting ON the skin if that makes sense?! You say that when you used a brush you always ended up caked in foundation? You are just using a little too much as another girl posted just use very small amounts at a time! Primer's are great for people that have oily/combination skin as some of them have mattifying properties. They definitely do keep your foundation on that little bit longer if they are used correctly! Smashbox do a great one. The most important thing for you to get that "matte creaminess" you were talking about is using the primer, an oil free foundation and a pressed powder to finish it off. The powder is sooo important, people are so afraid of them because they are afraid of them being heavy and cakey. You most definitely need a powder to set it and to get that lasting power especially if you have oily skin. Most of the powders you get now are very, very light and very rarely cake. The loose powders are more likely to do this as you cant really control the amount of powder that you put on your brush. Pressed powders are the way to go as you can build it as opposed to putting waaay too much on!!! I use a lovely pressed powder in Nude from a range of cosmetics called Rupa. Hope this helps!!!!

Kimia

Thanks everyone! This is great - so many ideas! Ok I'm definitely going to have to get pressed powder so. Any other good brands out there? I usually use the regular Rimmel/L'Oreal/Maybelline stuff - should I go more expensive?

Crisps

Kimia wrote: »

Thanks everyone, some really good tips there.

What about buying some sponges instead of the brush? Also, when i use powder over foundation I find that it gets that really 'caked' look and i feel like if i smile my makeup will crack! Does that mean I'm using the wrong powder? If so, does anyone have any good recommendations for nice loose light powder for over foundation?

I like the idea of this 'serum or primer'. Does anyone have any recommendations for these?

Sounds like I have the same skin as you. Don't get spots but my skin is crazy shiney. My makeup used to always slide off my face until I started using a primer.

I use "MAC Prep and Prime" Primer. I've have the Smashbox photofinish primer too, but it doesn't keep the shine away as much as my MAC one. I also find the MAC one lasts ALOT longer and it's cheaper.

jujuB

Unfortuately, the best makeup is always a little more expensive but sooo worth while. Rimmel and L'oreal are ok for a quick fix but for everyday proper use I would absolutely go for some products that are a little more expensive. Like Mac are good, the prices are great, they wont break the bank! Most of the makeup I use is as I said from a range of cosmetics called Rupa that is sold in a local makeup studio and again a little more pricey but so worth while! A lot of makeup is also really personal! My friend absolutely adores Benefit but I don't at all, I think their range is a little all over the place and the foundations are terrible!

Structurally Sound Mentally Unstable

hello!
I would definatley aggree with other posters in saying invest in a good foundation brush. I once read that through using your fingers to apply foundation you are rubbing it in like a moisturiser, while a foundation is meant to sit on top of the skin. So maybe experiment your application techniques by using your middle/ring fingers as opposed to your index/middle fingers.

Another thing I would note is that you should leave a minute or so for your moisturiser to soak in before you apply your foundation. If you add the step of primer(which combined with a brush will change your makeup routine forever!) then don't forget to leave a minute or 30 seconds in between this too.
If you are worried about time then this is an idea of my routine:
Put on moisturiser, brush my hair and brows, put on primer, curl my eyelashes, then foundation, eyes, lips etc.
If you are like me and you do your make up before your hair then i would reccomend leaving your blusher till the very last moment as I tend to wipe it off in the proccess.

Ps if this sounds over the top it only takes 5 mins for my to do my make up in the morning. The brush does half the work!

On a final note I would suggest getting a nice item for yourseld such as Benefit Coralista blush or new eyeshadows just to make doing your makeup fun again and inject a bit of life into your bag!

Happy Make-upping

Asphyxia

I would never put on foundation with my fingers don't like the way it turns out.. foundation brushes are also a funny spot I prefer using the 187 from MAC which is a stippler brush. I find that the foundation just glides on with it, also no matter how much foundation you put on a brush you should always clean them or else the bacteria and oil from your face will be on the brush and it will cause break outs and the brush will fall apart. A face primer is great idea and worth the money it will keep your foundation on and looking nice.

For your eyes you could use a primer like urban decay primer potion or two face shadow insurance and it will keep it on all day without having to apply any more.

Hope it helps!

Kimia

Hey all, so I bought a foundation brush, and compact powder to brush over it. Have to say, it looks good although I still feel like I've WAY more foundation on than if I applied with my fingers.

Only thing though, I have humongous pores around my nose! I am horrified as they never seemed so big when I applied with my fingers, but when I had the powder on, when I smiled it literally looked like wrinkles around my nose, it was disgusting.

Help! How do I a) get RID of them and b) hide them? I'm assuming primer for hiding them but is there anything you can do to get rid of them for good? Also - how did this happen? I never get spots and I cleanse regularly enough and I use a really expensive moisturiser!!

The Lovely Muffin

I have oily/combination skin and spots/blemishes and I've recently started using some items from the 'Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions' range and two weeks later my spots/blemishes are almost gone.

Foundation: I used the Clinique Anti-Blemish solutions
Concealer: Clinique Anti-Blemish concealer (I have it in Both Shade 01 and Corrective Green)

I noticed today that the 'Shade 01' is quite light in colour and it stands out (whether I put it on over or under my foundation).

I use the Clarins Bronzing Duo (I have it in '00 Morning Sun' - and I find it good, it's not cakey, but I wouldn't buy it again tbh.

Tbh, if you can, go to the Clinique counter in Brown Thomas and ask for XXX (I'll pm you her name) and she will help you.

chirogirl

MAC do good make up brushes, expensive but a good investment. Also agree with using primer. I currently use Smashbox photofinish.

jujuB

Kimia wrote: »

Only thing though, I have humongous pores around my nose! I am horrified as they never seemed so big when I applied with my fingers, but when I had the powder on, when I smiled it literally looked like wrinkles around my nose, it was disgusting.

Help! How do I a) get RID of them and b) hide them? I'm assuming primer for hiding them but is there anything you can do to get rid of them for good? Also - how did this happen? I never get spots and I cleanse regularly enough and I use a really expensive moisturiser!!

There is a really good product that Benefit has launched, only saw it yesterday!!!! It is like a primer but it's specifically for large pores, it minimises them before your foundation goes on, it's supposed to be amazing. It's called the Pore Fessional! Maybe give this a go?

dlambirl

+1 - Take a look on youtube at some of the make up tutorials for different looks.

+1 on the Make up Primer - leaves make up looking better for longer