Drugstore Makeup Suggestions: Need Suggestions
November 9, 2015 10:31 AM Subscribe
Most of my makeup is old, and I really need to replace it. I've not done a lot with purchasing new makeup recently, so I feel a bit out of touch and overwhelmed with products that are out there. I have a bunch of points at Walgreens (hey, at least there is some benefit to having too many expensive prescriptions, right?) somewhere around $100 that I can use in $50 increments. Need some suggestions with special snowflake details inside.
I'm in my late 30s, and pale as can be, so finding the right shade of makeup is always tough. I'd like to try some contour shading, but am not exactly sure where to start, especially considering it seems hard enough to find light makeup - finding lighter for highlights seems impossible (darker is easy though.) In particular, I can't find make up light enough to do that under eye/cheekbone highlighting that seems so popular these days - (I loath to call it Kim Kardashian highlighting, but she did seem to popularize it.)
On that note, I've not tried any powder contour kits; and I don't recall seeing anything like that at Walgreens or similar, but I possibly overlooked it?
I've struggled to find foundations I like - instead I use Almay concealer to target problem areas, and then a loose powder to even things out. I've been doing it that way for years with good results. Red problem areas - my nose (allergies make my nose red), the corners at the base of my nose, my chin and my forehead all are often red and blotchy. I'm not against foundations, it just seems that I fell into a pattern that mostly works for me.
I do seem to get acne pretty easily with the wrong makeup. It doesn't help that the blotchy ares are the acne prone areas. (Probably related!)
I need some direction for eyeshadow. I always loved shimmery shadow, but my eyelids are becoming more hooded as I age, and I've read and been told that I should be getting matte eyeshadow to keep the areas that droop from being highlighted too much. The little I've dabbled with matte eyeshadow though, it doesn't seem to go on very well - I'm not sure what the correct term is, but it's just too light, regardless of color. Maybe I can describe it as not enough pigment density? Or I need to apply differently than I have shimmer shadows? I purchased a few kinds: Revlon, Sally Girl, Wet and Wild. I realize the last two are pretty cheap, but I just wanted to get a feel for matte shadows before spending too much. It also seems like there are far more shimmer colors than matte last I looked, though perhaps I was looking at the wrong brands or in the wrong areas.
The other problem I had was finding light enough shades. Again, being fairly fair (ha!), colors meant to be highlights either look to much like my normal skin color or are even dark. Shimmer shadows seem to be the answer to that, but switching to matte colors. I tried purchasing a few different lighter matte colors, and they just were not light on me.
I do have some makeup brushes, but I suspect I need better ones.
I think I've got blush mostly sorted, but wouldn't mind additional suggestions.
Eyeliner is a tough one - I used to use a liquid liner, and loved doing wings. As my eyes have become more hooded, this has become more difficult. I've been trying to change the way I do eyeliner if I do. But I think this is more of a technique issue than a makeup type. None the less, would like a liquid liner and a kohl liner. And if there are other types I'm missing, recommendations appreciated.
Finally, on the fair makeup question especially for contouring, if there really is nothing light enough in the brands carried by Walgreens, I would be interested in hearing other options.
I'm in my late 30s, and pale as can be, so finding the right shade of makeup is always tough. I'd like to try some contour shading, but am not exactly sure where to start, especially considering it seems hard enough to find light makeup - finding lighter for highlights seems impossible (darker is easy though.) In particular, I can't find make up light enough to do that under eye/cheekbone highlighting that seems so popular these days - (I loath to call it Kim Kardashian highlighting, but she did seem to popularize it.)
On that note, I've not tried any powder contour kits; and I don't recall seeing anything like that at Walgreens or similar, but I possibly overlooked it?
I've struggled to find foundations I like - instead I use Almay concealer to target problem areas, and then a loose powder to even things out. I've been doing it that way for years with good results. Red problem areas - my nose (allergies make my nose red), the corners at the base of my nose, my chin and my forehead all are often red and blotchy. I'm not against foundations, it just seems that I fell into a pattern that mostly works for me.
I do seem to get acne pretty easily with the wrong makeup. It doesn't help that the blotchy ares are the acne prone areas. (Probably related!)
I need some direction for eyeshadow. I always loved shimmery shadow, but my eyelids are becoming more hooded as I age, and I've read and been told that I should be getting matte eyeshadow to keep the areas that droop from being highlighted too much. The little I've dabbled with matte eyeshadow though, it doesn't seem to go on very well - I'm not sure what the correct term is, but it's just too light, regardless of color. Maybe I can describe it as not enough pigment density? Or I need to apply differently than I have shimmer shadows? I purchased a few kinds: Revlon, Sally Girl, Wet and Wild. I realize the last two are pretty cheap, but I just wanted to get a feel for matte shadows before spending too much. It also seems like there are far more shimmer colors than matte last I looked, though perhaps I was looking at the wrong brands or in the wrong areas.
The other problem I had was finding light enough shades. Again, being fairly fair (ha!), colors meant to be highlights either look to much like my normal skin color or are even dark. Shimmer shadows seem to be the answer to that, but switching to matte colors. I tried purchasing a few different lighter matte colors, and they just were not light on me.
I do have some makeup brushes, but I suspect I need better ones.
I think I've got blush mostly sorted, but wouldn't mind additional suggestions.
Eyeliner is a tough one - I used to use a liquid liner, and loved doing wings. As my eyes have become more hooded, this has become more difficult. I've been trying to change the way I do eyeliner if I do. But I think this is more of a technique issue than a makeup type. None the less, would like a liquid liner and a kohl liner. And if there are other types I'm missing, recommendations appreciated.
Finally, on the fair makeup question especially for contouring, if there really is nothing light enough in the brands carried by Walgreens, I would be interested in hearing other options.
You can find a drugstore "dupe" for pretty much any product sold at Sephora or a makeup counter. There are websites like Temptalia with extensive databases of these things. Maybe you could have your makeup done somewhere (or at least play with the testers) and then research the cheaper versions?
posted by acidic at 10:45 AM on November 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by acidic at 10:45 AM on November 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
I hesitate to say I need to find "mature" makeup because screw that, I still want makeup to be fun
There's plenty of makeup out there that's fun and also compatible with older skin. My constant recommendation is Lisa Eldridge's channel on youtube, and while she often presents a wide range of makeup pricepoints (and originations) she does periodically do a drugstore review that might be helpful for you. All of her looks are doable at whatever age, and she's pretty good about offering modifications for hooded eyelids or older skin.
There's only so much highlighting you can do when you're that pale, so you might have to consider that modifications to the procedure are necessary. At 43, I can't wear that many layers of makeup without looking like a frosted cake, so you might explore some videos about contouring for older skin (just look on youtube, everything you could possibly want to know is there) to get some ideas for good options. It may be that you can buy 95% of your makeup in the drugstore and may have to order that last bit online, or get it at Ulta or Sephora.
I can pretty much only wear BB creams now, but can still low-contour if I'm careful, and highlight the old-fashioned way with powders. There's definitely ways to do it, you just might want to fall down the enormous rabbithole of youtube MUAs first.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:53 AM on November 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
There's plenty of makeup out there that's fun and also compatible with older skin. My constant recommendation is Lisa Eldridge's channel on youtube, and while she often presents a wide range of makeup pricepoints (and originations) she does periodically do a drugstore review that might be helpful for you. All of her looks are doable at whatever age, and she's pretty good about offering modifications for hooded eyelids or older skin.
There's only so much highlighting you can do when you're that pale, so you might have to consider that modifications to the procedure are necessary. At 43, I can't wear that many layers of makeup without looking like a frosted cake, so you might explore some videos about contouring for older skin (just look on youtube, everything you could possibly want to know is there) to get some ideas for good options. It may be that you can buy 95% of your makeup in the drugstore and may have to order that last bit online, or get it at Ulta or Sephora.
I can pretty much only wear BB creams now, but can still low-contour if I'm careful, and highlight the old-fashioned way with powders. There's definitely ways to do it, you just might want to fall down the enormous rabbithole of youtube MUAs first.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:53 AM on November 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
Highlighter: Reserve Your Cabana by Wet 'n' Wild! Dirt cheap, highly reviewed, I own it myself and even though for some reason they call it a bronzer it makes a good pale-person highlighter.
Eyeliner: I like the Physicians Formula Eye Booster liquid liners, in Ultra Black and Brown. Also highly reviewed. The brand does kohl-style liner as well, but they triggered my allergies so I don't know how well they perform long-term. Gel liner, both Maybelline and L'Oreal make good stuff.
I have not had a bunch of good luck with matte drugstore eyeshadow, sadly, though I do use Maybelline's Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows as a base/primer underneath other shadow when I want more intense color.
Honestly I lurked at Makeup Alley for a good long time while trying to learn about makeup. Nouveau Cheap is a good drugstore-focused makeup blog too.
posted by rewil at 10:55 AM on November 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Eyeliner: I like the Physicians Formula Eye Booster liquid liners, in Ultra Black and Brown. Also highly reviewed. The brand does kohl-style liner as well, but they triggered my allergies so I don't know how well they perform long-term. Gel liner, both Maybelline and L'Oreal make good stuff.
I have not had a bunch of good luck with matte drugstore eyeshadow, sadly, though I do use Maybelline's Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows as a base/primer underneath other shadow when I want more intense color.
Honestly I lurked at Makeup Alley for a good long time while trying to learn about makeup. Nouveau Cheap is a good drugstore-focused makeup blog too.
posted by rewil at 10:55 AM on November 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
I don't thin NYX is carried in Walgreens, but it is pretty great quality for the price and often has BOGO specials too. Their eye shadow palates are amazing, and they do have tons of highlighter and contouring items- some mixed in palettes with shadows. They do both trendy colors and naturals, knocking off all the best brands. I would join Makeup Alley and look up their DS recommendations in the forums (a bit better than just relying on their reviews) . People were will also alert you to great sales at Walgreens or for different brands.
For brushes, Eco Tools is the best quality in DS brands. You should try a gel liner pot (so many more colors than liquid!) and the wider stiff eyeliner brush where you push the color it into your lash base. Also- get a good pencil that works on the waterline to try tight lining? Both would be slightly softer looks than the liquid liner, and can be combined for a more dramatic look.
posted by TenaciousB at 10:55 AM on November 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
For brushes, Eco Tools is the best quality in DS brands. You should try a gel liner pot (so many more colors than liquid!) and the wider stiff eyeliner brush where you push the color it into your lash base. Also- get a good pencil that works on the waterline to try tight lining? Both would be slightly softer looks than the liquid liner, and can be combined for a more dramatic look.
posted by TenaciousB at 10:55 AM on November 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Check out Mykie's Top 25 Makeup Tips, Tricks & Products for Pale Skin YouTube video. She has specific recommendations for highlighting and contouring and foundation. She lists products she recommends in the description box even if you don't want to watch the whole video. (P.S. Her channel has a mix of awesome special effects makeup and more regular makeup, so you may not want to look at her other videos if you don't like gory makeup looks :)
posted by Mouse Army at 10:55 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Mouse Army at 10:55 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'll let others speak to specific product and brands but since you mention Kevyn Aucoin, I think you might really like Lisa Eldridge. Her tutorials run the gamut from easy, basic, everyday looks to wild, fashion-spread-worthy/"would never attempt for anything other than a Halloween party" fun stuff. She also uses a variety of products, including those you could find at a drugstore.
posted by lovableiago at 10:58 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by lovableiago at 10:58 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
you might also like nouveau cheap - she reviews drugstore brands to get the most bang for your buck, and constantly posts what sales are going on.
posted by koroshiya at 11:18 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by koroshiya at 11:18 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
For hooded eyes, Amber (youtube name girlbehindthechair09) does great tutorials.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Ms Vegetable at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
The YouTuber you want is Emily Noel (emilynoel83), she reviews & uses mainly drugstore makeup, it used to be pretty much only drugstore items, but as she's gotten more popular she's expanded what she covers a little to include higher end stuff. She used to be a reporter so her reporting background comes into how she presents items. Very clear & concise about how they are good & bad & what who she thinks they might be good for. She also suggests dupes a lot & is very good at make up & does tutorials.
Also Contouring at the levels Kim K does can be very hard to do right on very light complexion you may want to look into the easier version, at least to start with, that is just coming in is called Strobing, there are a lot of good videos out there about it. Basically instead of using darker colors to add shadows you add highlights to bring cheekbones etc forward.
posted by wwax at 11:42 AM on November 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
Also Contouring at the levels Kim K does can be very hard to do right on very light complexion you may want to look into the easier version, at least to start with, that is just coming in is called Strobing, there are a lot of good videos out there about it. Basically instead of using darker colors to add shadows you add highlights to bring cheekbones etc forward.
posted by wwax at 11:42 AM on November 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
Another thing to remember as far as finding highlighters goes: face powder is face powder. If you find a beautiful eyeshadow that's a little shimmery (there seem to be plenty of choices at drugstore prices) you can use that as a highlighter. You know your skin and undertone well enough to know if you need a gold or silvery base, so expand your search for a good highlighter to lovely eyeshadows. Same for contour powder. I don't contour, but you may find that getting a powder foundation a few shades darker than your actual skin tone might work.
I know you want to shop at Walgreen's since you have points there, so get a good look at their return policy when you buy. Most drugstores will let you return opened makeup with a receipt, which is super helpful because they don't have testers available.
Seconding the suggestion of Ecotools brushes. I have a few from them that are really great brushes. The same with Real Techniques. I can't remember if they're sold at Walgreen's too, but if you find them, virtually every brush in their line up is a winner (skip the super tiny silicone liner brush).
posted by heathergirl at 11:54 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I know you want to shop at Walgreen's since you have points there, so get a good look at their return policy when you buy. Most drugstores will let you return opened makeup with a receipt, which is super helpful because they don't have testers available.
Seconding the suggestion of Ecotools brushes. I have a few from them that are really great brushes. The same with Real Techniques. I can't remember if they're sold at Walgreen's too, but if you find them, virtually every brush in their line up is a winner (skip the super tiny silicone liner brush).
posted by heathergirl at 11:54 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
seconding Emily Noel's makeup channel for drugstore recommendations. Go back several years to her early videos and you'll find some annual "best of" reviews.
posted by pintapicasso at 11:54 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by pintapicasso at 11:54 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Contouring on a pale is... almost impossible. It comes down to just wearing blush and a few strategic highlights. I second strobing!
My drugstore recs, though I am in my 20s with OKish skin:
Lipsticks: Revlon
Foundation: bb cream, Maybelline (I don't know how this would work on older skin, but I don't do the full coverage thing, so)
Eye shadow: Anything + Urban Decay eyelid primer will be OK
Blush: Maybelline
posted by easter queen at 12:19 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
My drugstore recs, though I am in my 20s with OKish skin:
Lipsticks: Revlon
Foundation: bb cream, Maybelline (I don't know how this would work on older skin, but I don't do the full coverage thing, so)
Eye shadow: Anything + Urban Decay eyelid primer will be OK
Blush: Maybelline
posted by easter queen at 12:19 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Drugstore eyeshadow is terrible for middle aged eyes. The mattes are chalky because of the fillers (talc) and the colours are limited; the shimmery stuff is to be avoided because it accentuates all the wrong things, and it's almost impossible to find the ideal pearly balance (which is what LE recommends, iirc). Or that's been my experience.
I think ds stuff is great for most other things, but for eyeshadow, would go to Sephora or Mac and invest in some base colours.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:26 PM on November 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
I think ds stuff is great for most other things, but for eyeshadow, would go to Sephora or Mac and invest in some base colours.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:26 PM on November 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
I have super hooded eyes and I LOVE L'oreal's Line Intesifique. There is a color called Black Mica that has just a teeny hint of gold shimmer to it which mellows it out a little for daytime wear. I have worn this stuff for years. Invest in a good primer (not drugstore, but I like Urban Decay's) and the liner will last forever.
posted by Brittanie at 12:38 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Brittanie at 12:38 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
In my experience the cheapest eye makeup primer plus the cheapest shadow and liner yields a result WAY more impressive, both in looks and staying power, than the sum of its parts.
I don't know if Walgreen's carriers ELF, but they make a great primer for like $2. My eye makeup doesn't migrate down my face on sweaty days anymore.
posted by jessicapierce at 12:48 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I don't know if Walgreen's carriers ELF, but they make a great primer for like $2. My eye makeup doesn't migrate down my face on sweaty days anymore.
posted by jessicapierce at 12:48 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I love the Rimmel Kate Moss lipsticks. I've bought a bunch of colors and they're basically universally flattering. The 04 color should work for a pale complexion.
I've tried tons of drugstore foundations and BB/CC creams and Revlon Colorstay (in the taller thin bottle -- NOT the whipped option) is my favorite.
The Real Techniques brushes are worth it!!!
I've also had poor luck with most drugstore eye shadows, so that's a product I tend to splurge on. I do use the Maybelline Color Tattoos sometimes with eye primer and I like them fine, but I think most of them have shimmer.
I'm also a Walgreens points fan and I buy drugstore makeup obsessively. Pro tip: hunt for Revlon, Maybelline, Cover Girl, etc. coupons online before going in for your haul!
posted by katie at 1:28 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I've tried tons of drugstore foundations and BB/CC creams and Revlon Colorstay (in the taller thin bottle -- NOT the whipped option) is my favorite.
The Real Techniques brushes are worth it!!!
I've also had poor luck with most drugstore eye shadows, so that's a product I tend to splurge on. I do use the Maybelline Color Tattoos sometimes with eye primer and I like them fine, but I think most of them have shimmer.
I'm also a Walgreens points fan and I buy drugstore makeup obsessively. Pro tip: hunt for Revlon, Maybelline, Cover Girl, etc. coupons online before going in for your haul!
posted by katie at 1:28 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
As someone who doesn't buy a lot of makeup, I found a Birchbox subscription to be really helpful. It allowed me to try makeup that I normally wouldn't have spent money on, and as a result, I found several products that looked and felt far better on my skin than any of the drugstore makeup I had bought in the past. In particular, I'm much happier to buy one Stila eyeliner or Benefit Erase Paste, rather than spending $10 at a time on several other drugstore products that just didn't work for me.
posted by redsparkler at 1:29 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by redsparkler at 1:29 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Walgreens has way more online than they do in stores, including Nyx and Boots brands.
Revlon eyeshadow is particularly crappy so don't buy it.
posted by stowaway at 2:39 PM on November 9, 2015
Revlon eyeshadow is particularly crappy so don't buy it.
posted by stowaway at 2:39 PM on November 9, 2015
Specifically regarding eyeliner, I got really into the past year after avoiding it for 20 years. A very beautiful way to do eyeliner is to use a stiff brush to push eyeshadow into your lashline. A stiff lip liner brush can work very well for this, and you're not messing around with dragging pencils or liquids across the skin. It's less dramatic than a winged look, but it's very flattering. Also, there's a technique of using a light pencil (like Nyx Milk or a "nude" colour) to line the waterline and/or inner eye corner highlight. It opens up the eye, makes things look more lively.
I hate to recommend Reddit but the makeupaddiction subreddit is a very good source for tips/tricks.
posted by stowaway at 2:48 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I hate to recommend Reddit but the makeupaddiction subreddit is a very good source for tips/tricks.
posted by stowaway at 2:48 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Eco tools and ELF have brilliant brushes for the price, so definitely check them out.
I find that Maybelline eyeshadows have better pigment than the others, and also Bourjois brand if you can get it in drugstores. I also like ELF eyeshadows, in particular their eyeshadow palettes are great value for you to experiment.
Agree with posters above who have recommended using eyeshadow as a soft eyeliner.
Maybelline mascara is great - I particularly like the "Volume" range.
Revlon is great for their "Colourburst" range - lip balms and lip glosses that aren't sticky and are pretty good with staying power.
posted by shazzam! at 3:42 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I find that Maybelline eyeshadows have better pigment than the others, and also Bourjois brand if you can get it in drugstores. I also like ELF eyeshadows, in particular their eyeshadow palettes are great value for you to experiment.
Agree with posters above who have recommended using eyeshadow as a soft eyeliner.
Maybelline mascara is great - I particularly like the "Volume" range.
Revlon is great for their "Colourburst" range - lip balms and lip glosses that aren't sticky and are pretty good with staying power.
posted by shazzam! at 3:42 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm in my mid-30s, and I use mostly drugstore makeup.
For foundation, you might want to try adding a color-correcting primer-- Maybelline has a green one that's for covering up redness.
For highlighting, try a white or ivory eyeshadow. The actual color is more important than how it's marketed. I actually use a light cool taupe shadow for contouring, and it's a much better color for me than anything I've seen that's sold as a contouring color.
And you can totally do winged liner with hooded lids! Check on Youtube, there are a ton of tutorials about this.
posted by ananci at 4:31 PM on November 9, 2015
For foundation, you might want to try adding a color-correcting primer-- Maybelline has a green one that's for covering up redness.
For highlighting, try a white or ivory eyeshadow. The actual color is more important than how it's marketed. I actually use a light cool taupe shadow for contouring, and it's a much better color for me than anything I've seen that's sold as a contouring color.
And you can totally do winged liner with hooded lids! Check on Youtube, there are a ton of tutorials about this.
posted by ananci at 4:31 PM on November 9, 2015
As a very pale, the only drugstore foundation that didn't make me look like I had a bad case of face rust was a Revlon Colorstay liquid. I'd still happily wear it but I am allergic to one of the ingredients.
So I buy nice foundation. But basically everything else is drugstore. L'oreal makes a great jar of primer that helps foundation stay nice. Primer is the best thing ever. The Monistat Soothing Care anti-chafe gel (in the ladies special section) is still an excellent cheap primer. I'm wearing it today.
Ecotools brushes are my favorite. They are the best drugstore brushes, soft and durable. The elf brushes I've tried have fallen apart, but were a cheap way to try a couple of odd shapes. At drugstore prices, synthetic bristles are the way to go.
For easy mild red correction, I like Physician's Formula green colored powder. The mineral version is great, if you can find it, but the regular is good. I also used their powder foundations until they stopped making one pale enough.
Whatever you pick, do have some fun! Sometimes that odd impulse buy ends up being exactly what you needed. (Creamy eyeshadow pencils in Unusual Colors, since I am hamfisted with eyeliner.)
posted by monopas at 5:23 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
So I buy nice foundation. But basically everything else is drugstore. L'oreal makes a great jar of primer that helps foundation stay nice. Primer is the best thing ever. The Monistat Soothing Care anti-chafe gel (in the ladies special section) is still an excellent cheap primer. I'm wearing it today.
Ecotools brushes are my favorite. They are the best drugstore brushes, soft and durable. The elf brushes I've tried have fallen apart, but were a cheap way to try a couple of odd shapes. At drugstore prices, synthetic bristles are the way to go.
For easy mild red correction, I like Physician's Formula green colored powder. The mineral version is great, if you can find it, but the regular is good. I also used their powder foundations until they stopped making one pale enough.
Whatever you pick, do have some fun! Sometimes that odd impulse buy ends up being exactly what you needed. (Creamy eyeshadow pencils in Unusual Colors, since I am hamfisted with eyeliner.)
posted by monopas at 5:23 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you haven't bought makeup in a while there are a couple of new types of products you might not have run in to yet:
* BB Cream - it's halfway between a moisturizer and a foundation. If you don't like foundation, you might like BB cream because it is a lot more sheer. Maybelline makes a good one I think, but there are various drugstore brands.
* Green, pink, and yellow concealers -- these actually aren't that new, I remember seeing them ages ago, they just seem to be everywhere now, so you may not have used them before, since they used to be more of a niche thing.
*Lengthening mascara, "tubes" mascara. I really wouldn't have thought a whole lot of innovation would happen in the world of mascara but there is some space-aged polymer or something in newer drugstore mascaras. I used L'Oreal Telescopic mascara in carbon black and I really liked it.
* Eyeliner that stays really stays. It's not a drugstore brand but Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliners are really good. You may be able to find knockoffs. Some of people's hesitation about doing wings eyeliner on hooded lids may come from the bad old days when everything smeared easily. New stuff is so much better. This is worth spending on.
* White or pink eyeliners seem to be a thing lately too. I get dark undereye circles, so a little bright pink highlighting at the inner corners of the eyes does wonders. You sound like you're a lot more pale than me so YMMV.
* Self tanner that doesn't suck! I use the Jergens face self-tanner and it doesn't smell awful and it doesn't turn you orange. It is very mild.
My best drugstore find lately has been Milani's Fierce Foil eyeliner. It comes in a little pot so you might think it was eyeshadow but it's actually a glittery eyeliner that you put on with a tiny brush. I get a lot of compliments on it, and if you liked to do wings you would probably like it. I have the purple one and it's pretty dark.
Oh - yes - on preview -- primer is a really good thing. Both face primer and eyeshadow primer. I used to think it was a waste of money, then I tried it.
posted by selfmedicating at 5:40 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
* BB Cream - it's halfway between a moisturizer and a foundation. If you don't like foundation, you might like BB cream because it is a lot more sheer. Maybelline makes a good one I think, but there are various drugstore brands.
* Green, pink, and yellow concealers -- these actually aren't that new, I remember seeing them ages ago, they just seem to be everywhere now, so you may not have used them before, since they used to be more of a niche thing.
*Lengthening mascara, "tubes" mascara. I really wouldn't have thought a whole lot of innovation would happen in the world of mascara but there is some space-aged polymer or something in newer drugstore mascaras. I used L'Oreal Telescopic mascara in carbon black and I really liked it.
* Eyeliner that stays really stays. It's not a drugstore brand but Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliners are really good. You may be able to find knockoffs. Some of people's hesitation about doing wings eyeliner on hooded lids may come from the bad old days when everything smeared easily. New stuff is so much better. This is worth spending on.
* White or pink eyeliners seem to be a thing lately too. I get dark undereye circles, so a little bright pink highlighting at the inner corners of the eyes does wonders. You sound like you're a lot more pale than me so YMMV.
* Self tanner that doesn't suck! I use the Jergens face self-tanner and it doesn't smell awful and it doesn't turn you orange. It is very mild.
My best drugstore find lately has been Milani's Fierce Foil eyeliner. It comes in a little pot so you might think it was eyeshadow but it's actually a glittery eyeliner that you put on with a tiny brush. I get a lot of compliments on it, and if you liked to do wings you would probably like it. I have the purple one and it's pretty dark.
Oh - yes - on preview -- primer is a really good thing. Both face primer and eyeshadow primer. I used to think it was a waste of money, then I tried it.
posted by selfmedicating at 5:40 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
My favorite eyeshadow isn't eyeshadow at all. It's Clinique Touch Base for Eyes in Up-Lighting, it's a pretty purple-ish shimmer, but subtle, doesn't crease, and as a bonus, it stops my eyeliner from smudging, and it's really inexpensive and lasts a long time. If you want more color, you can apply it over the Touch Base.
I love Maybelline mascara, and their eyeliner is pretty comparable to my #1 favorite, which is Urban Decay.
For foundation, it really depends what your individual skin likes, I use L'Oreal Visible Lift and love it.
posted by biscotti at 6:26 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I love Maybelline mascara, and their eyeliner is pretty comparable to my #1 favorite, which is Urban Decay.
For foundation, it really depends what your individual skin likes, I use L'Oreal Visible Lift and love it.
posted by biscotti at 6:26 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm also very pale, aging and was out-of-touch with modern makeup when I found these videos by Lisa Eldridge. I can't even begin to tell you how much they helped me. A good place to start are her videos on "the basics".
posted by mulcahy at 7:18 PM on November 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by mulcahy at 7:18 PM on November 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
What a shame you can only spend at Walgreens, for Ulta stocks Makeup Revolution.
I think you need to break each issue down and solve them one by one. It's overwhelming because you want to fix your foundation and learn to contour and what about brushes and hooded eyes and cheek highlighter and eyeliner and acne and and and.
First of all, if acne is a problem after makeup, my suspicion is you're simply not cleaning it off thoroughly enough. I learned 20 years ago that if I simply wash my face *twice* (20 splashes of lukewarm water) and then do a final rinse, that makes the difference. Cetaphil is the only cleanser worth getting. If acne persists after that, maybe splash your face with water again, smear on some Garnier blue facewash with salicylic acid, leave it while you brush your teeth, and then rinse off with 20 splashes of lukewarm water again. But acne is a problem in itself, and it would need more space than I can devote here. It's an example of how you're trying to deal with too much at once. But yes, generally if acne gets worse after makeup my first guess would be you're not cleaning it off perfectly.
As for brushes, well, do you have a discount art supply store nearby? In the UK we have The Works. When my eyeshadow brushes got a bit threadbare recently, I walked in there, bought a pack of 15 synthetic and natural brushes for GBP 2.00, threw away the synthetic ones, and used the natural ones for eyeshadow and lining. Not sure if they have any artists' brushes big enough for loose powder or blush, but in general the art supply store is the first place you should look for brushes.
posted by tel3path at 2:13 AM on November 10, 2015
I think you need to break each issue down and solve them one by one. It's overwhelming because you want to fix your foundation and learn to contour and what about brushes and hooded eyes and cheek highlighter and eyeliner and acne and and and.
First of all, if acne is a problem after makeup, my suspicion is you're simply not cleaning it off thoroughly enough. I learned 20 years ago that if I simply wash my face *twice* (20 splashes of lukewarm water) and then do a final rinse, that makes the difference. Cetaphil is the only cleanser worth getting. If acne persists after that, maybe splash your face with water again, smear on some Garnier blue facewash with salicylic acid, leave it while you brush your teeth, and then rinse off with 20 splashes of lukewarm water again. But acne is a problem in itself, and it would need more space than I can devote here. It's an example of how you're trying to deal with too much at once. But yes, generally if acne gets worse after makeup my first guess would be you're not cleaning it off perfectly.
As for brushes, well, do you have a discount art supply store nearby? In the UK we have The Works. When my eyeshadow brushes got a bit threadbare recently, I walked in there, bought a pack of 15 synthetic and natural brushes for GBP 2.00, threw away the synthetic ones, and used the natural ones for eyeshadow and lining. Not sure if they have any artists' brushes big enough for loose powder or blush, but in general the art supply store is the first place you should look for brushes.
posted by tel3path at 2:13 AM on November 10, 2015
The revlon liquid eyeliner mentioned in this review really is as great as they say.
posted by dizziest at 1:14 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by dizziest at 1:14 PM on November 10, 2015
Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Eyeshadow Palette is seriously the best drugstore eyeshadow I have ever bought. It's a bunch of dupes of MAC eyeshadows and amazingly pigmented. (This is not true of all Wet N Wild eyeshadows, seems to be only this one). The shades are universal and extremely flattering.
It seriously holds up to MUCH more expensive eye shadows that I've used.
posted by raw sugar at 4:12 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
It seriously holds up to MUCH more expensive eye shadows that I've used.
posted by raw sugar at 4:12 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Wet and wild eyeshadows in general are really pigmented and great quality for the price. They're a lot more prone to breakage than other eyeshadows I've used though.
posted by peppermind at 6:15 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by peppermind at 6:15 PM on November 10, 2015
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posted by [insert clever name here] at 10:37 AM on November 9, 2015