Makeup For Clueless Professionals
September 12, 2014 9:07 PM Subscribe
What products - types of products, not specific brands - should I purchase to create a 'starter makeup kit' for a young professional?
So I am a wildly infrequent makeup wearer, even though I like the stuff. I am in law school, working in a clinic, doing interviews, etc, and eventually would like to have a law job. And I want to wear makeup. So I need guidance.
When I do wear makeup I put on: some very pink blush my grandmother bought me in high school, mascara (I love mascara - the only thing I consistently wear), and some type of lip colouring product (tint? lipstick? gloss? whatever is around).
Things I am interested in trying: Eyeshadow. Eyeliner. Highlighter? Filling in my eyebrows!
What I am wondering is what a 'basic beauty routine' looks like, and what products are needed. I am somewhat interested in specific suggestions like "X product in Y shade" unless you have it and love it (in which case, bring it on!!), and am more interested in "wear these three types of product every day and when you want to punch it up to night time then add these two other things".
To sum up:
1. What products are the backbone of a beginners makeup routine?
2. Should I go to Sephora/The Bay and have them do 'a face' and get some of those products? Is this a good process or is it generally horrible and awkward to undergo and a hard sell?
If it is helpful: this is kinda what my face looks like (un-made up)
Also I have seen this question and am looking for more direct "buy one of these two of this and three of the other" and also with a Canada-filter thrown on it, if that is a thing that impacts makeup availability.
So I am a wildly infrequent makeup wearer, even though I like the stuff. I am in law school, working in a clinic, doing interviews, etc, and eventually would like to have a law job. And I want to wear makeup. So I need guidance.
When I do wear makeup I put on: some very pink blush my grandmother bought me in high school, mascara (I love mascara - the only thing I consistently wear), and some type of lip colouring product (tint? lipstick? gloss? whatever is around).
Things I am interested in trying: Eyeshadow. Eyeliner. Highlighter? Filling in my eyebrows!
What I am wondering is what a 'basic beauty routine' looks like, and what products are needed. I am somewhat interested in specific suggestions like "X product in Y shade" unless you have it and love it (in which case, bring it on!!), and am more interested in "wear these three types of product every day and when you want to punch it up to night time then add these two other things".
To sum up:
1. What products are the backbone of a beginners makeup routine?
2. Should I go to Sephora/The Bay and have them do 'a face' and get some of those products? Is this a good process or is it generally horrible and awkward to undergo and a hard sell?
If it is helpful: this is kinda what my face looks like (un-made up)
Also I have seen this question and am looking for more direct "buy one of these two of this and three of the other" and also with a Canada-filter thrown on it, if that is a thing that impacts makeup availability.
Oh also take off your eye makeup with makeup remover and wash your face every evening. Huge part of any beauty routine.
posted by sockermom at 10:02 PM on September 12, 2014
posted by sockermom at 10:02 PM on September 12, 2014
You do look lovely and have really even skin tone to boot! I'm also a very infrequent makeup wearer who has only super-basic skills.
You may not need a real foundation (liquid or powder), but maybe just a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen in it. Most of these are called BB creams right now.
I use an eyelash curler to make my eyes look a little more open and awake. I don't usually wear mascara but I believe it goes on after curling.
Like sockermom, I also have Nars blush in Orgasm. The version I have is a stick that Nars calls The Multiple-- it doubles as blush and lip color. In the past, I have also used Bare Minerals loose powder blush. To use it for lips, you can dab a Chapstick in the powder and then apply to your lips. I still do this in the winter when I need to use the medicated Chapstick.
I'm afraid I don't have much beyond that, except that I have done the visit to Sephora and Ulta and asked them to do a "face" for me. In general, they do expect that you will buy something, but you don't have to buy much, especially if you ask them for a daytime professional look. If nothing else, I greatly appreciated the help with color-matching for foundation and suggestions for blush color.
For intro information on the general outline of a routine, I recommend you browse around on Pinterest. There will be so so many links to pictures, slideshow tutorials, and YouTube tutorials. I found that this helped me get an idea of what type of product to look for, so then later when I went to Sephora/Ulta I could make a more focused request (and establish at the beginning what I was looking to buy).
Another possibility is to look for a hair salon that also offers makeup application. Some will explicitly say that they offer makeup lessons. If nobody mentions either of those, you can look for salons that often do wedding parties and ask them to point you toward someone who can give you makeup help.
posted by scarnato at 10:14 PM on September 12, 2014 [2 favorites]
You may not need a real foundation (liquid or powder), but maybe just a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen in it. Most of these are called BB creams right now.
I use an eyelash curler to make my eyes look a little more open and awake. I don't usually wear mascara but I believe it goes on after curling.
Like sockermom, I also have Nars blush in Orgasm. The version I have is a stick that Nars calls The Multiple-- it doubles as blush and lip color. In the past, I have also used Bare Minerals loose powder blush. To use it for lips, you can dab a Chapstick in the powder and then apply to your lips. I still do this in the winter when I need to use the medicated Chapstick.
I'm afraid I don't have much beyond that, except that I have done the visit to Sephora and Ulta and asked them to do a "face" for me. In general, they do expect that you will buy something, but you don't have to buy much, especially if you ask them for a daytime professional look. If nothing else, I greatly appreciated the help with color-matching for foundation and suggestions for blush color.
For intro information on the general outline of a routine, I recommend you browse around on Pinterest. There will be so so many links to pictures, slideshow tutorials, and YouTube tutorials. I found that this helped me get an idea of what type of product to look for, so then later when I went to Sephora/Ulta I could make a more focused request (and establish at the beginning what I was looking to buy).
Another possibility is to look for a hair salon that also offers makeup application. Some will explicitly say that they offer makeup lessons. If nobody mentions either of those, you can look for salons that often do wedding parties and ask them to point you toward someone who can give you makeup help.
posted by scarnato at 10:14 PM on September 12, 2014 [2 favorites]
You're beautiful without make up!
Hey - unless you get someone caring it's really really HARD to find someone at a make-up shop to sell you just what you need.
I understand you want a more polished look, tho. You also want it to be something you'll do often because make-up is a pain in the ass to put on. Or at least, I think so!
I used to have to dress up a lot, and I loved make-up in my 20's, playing with different looks. For a "work look," you want professional, polished, and easy.
- You have fair skin (and I think red tones in your hair?) - be very very wary of face powder and foundation tones. Things that look acceptable under artificial lighting will likely look like clown make-up in daylight. OOF.
My advice is to test everything IRL before committing (get samples or buy from places with a generous return policy.)
Expensive make-up isn't always better, except where mascara comes into play and a good concealer stick. Spend the max on these two items.
Good brushes can be inexpensively had - buy a few.*
Now... EYEBROWS.
If your eyebrows look sloppy, so do you.
Ditto if your lips are not at least moisturized, to be honest.
Ditto your hands. Nail Polish is daft to keep up with, but clean & groomed nails + moisturized hands are important. Plus, they feel better.
Where was I?
Oh! Eyebrows!
If you like yours, only pluck the random stray hair under a good light. After that, I've bought tons of products to fill in - brushes, pressed powders, waxes, pencils.... Best result is with a cheap NYC Brand eyeliner pencil that just happens to match my brow color. Why? Because the pencil is so waxy, it deposits the right amount of pigment to look natural. I have light hair. Heavy brows don't work for me (or I guess, you.) Powders leave too much color. Ditto waxes and creamy pencils.
I use a brow brush before applying color.
----
*I have other suggestions, especially for face/formula/sunscreen/powder - but I'll have to Memail you with brands and options tomorrow.
posted by jbenben at 10:23 PM on September 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hey - unless you get someone caring it's really really HARD to find someone at a make-up shop to sell you just what you need.
I understand you want a more polished look, tho. You also want it to be something you'll do often because make-up is a pain in the ass to put on. Or at least, I think so!
I used to have to dress up a lot, and I loved make-up in my 20's, playing with different looks. For a "work look," you want professional, polished, and easy.
- You have fair skin (and I think red tones in your hair?) - be very very wary of face powder and foundation tones. Things that look acceptable under artificial lighting will likely look like clown make-up in daylight. OOF.
My advice is to test everything IRL before committing (get samples or buy from places with a generous return policy.)
Expensive make-up isn't always better, except where mascara comes into play and a good concealer stick. Spend the max on these two items.
Good brushes can be inexpensively had - buy a few.*
Now... EYEBROWS.
If your eyebrows look sloppy, so do you.
Ditto if your lips are not at least moisturized, to be honest.
Ditto your hands. Nail Polish is daft to keep up with, but clean & groomed nails + moisturized hands are important. Plus, they feel better.
Where was I?
Oh! Eyebrows!
If you like yours, only pluck the random stray hair under a good light. After that, I've bought tons of products to fill in - brushes, pressed powders, waxes, pencils.... Best result is with a cheap NYC Brand eyeliner pencil that just happens to match my brow color. Why? Because the pencil is so waxy, it deposits the right amount of pigment to look natural. I have light hair. Heavy brows don't work for me (or I guess, you.) Powders leave too much color. Ditto waxes and creamy pencils.
I use a brow brush before applying color.
----
*I have other suggestions, especially for face/formula/sunscreen/powder - but I'll have to Memail you with brands and options tomorrow.
posted by jbenben at 10:23 PM on September 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
I really really like the tutorials done by Lisa Eldridge (just google). She uses top of the line products, but there are many serviceable replacements at various price points. It really helped watching how she uses tools and brushes, and how different products/colours are combined to create different subtle looks.
posted by jrobin276 at 10:32 PM on September 12, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by jrobin276 at 10:32 PM on September 12, 2014 [4 favorites]
I'm pretty sure she has some "basic products clip, a travel clip, skin care basics, etc too.
posted by jrobin276 at 10:34 PM on September 12, 2014
posted by jrobin276 at 10:34 PM on September 12, 2014
My basics: foundation, powder, blush, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick.
I think eyeshadow looks weird so I don't wear it.
posted by Jacqueline at 11:33 PM on September 12, 2014
I think eyeshadow looks weird so I don't wear it.
posted by Jacqueline at 11:33 PM on September 12, 2014
Oh, and get good brushes for your powder and blush. Makes a huge difference on how smoothly it goes on and blends.
posted by Jacqueline at 1:45 AM on September 13, 2014
posted by Jacqueline at 1:45 AM on September 13, 2014
So I only recently started wearing make up (almost) daily for work, and what I did was buy a bunch of cheap stuff, and start experimenting. After a week or so, I was only using a few things, because they were the ones that were easy to apply, went with everything, and created a look I felt comfortable in.
So I've ended up using a BB cream (nice because it moisturises and has SPF as well as making my skin look more even), a powder, an eyeliner pencil, and mascara. I don't bother with anything on my lips, because it comes off the minute I eat or drink. I don't bother with eye shadow because I find it hard to apply nicely and I feel like it makes me look like I tried too hard. Sometimes I use the eyeliner to darken my eyebrows a bit as well as for actually lining my eyes, and I like the way that looks but mostly I forget.
I did end up switching out my mascara and eyeliner from black to dark brown, and I have similar colouring to you, so you might want to consider that too. I felt like black was a bit too stark against my pale skin and red hair.
Now that I've settled with the type of products I know I will use daily, I'm ready to spend a bit more on them next time to get good quality brands.
posted by lollusc at 4:30 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
So I've ended up using a BB cream (nice because it moisturises and has SPF as well as making my skin look more even), a powder, an eyeliner pencil, and mascara. I don't bother with anything on my lips, because it comes off the minute I eat or drink. I don't bother with eye shadow because I find it hard to apply nicely and I feel like it makes me look like I tried too hard. Sometimes I use the eyeliner to darken my eyebrows a bit as well as for actually lining my eyes, and I like the way that looks but mostly I forget.
I did end up switching out my mascara and eyeliner from black to dark brown, and I have similar colouring to you, so you might want to consider that too. I felt like black was a bit too stark against my pale skin and red hair.
Now that I've settled with the type of products I know I will use daily, I'm ready to spend a bit more on them next time to get good quality brands.
posted by lollusc at 4:30 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Came in here to say eyebrows; I see jbenben has that covered.
Seriously, if you do nothing else makeup-wise: a well-shaped and defined brow does so much to make a more polished look, but is pretty much undetectable as "made-up." It's a great hack that way.
Eyebrow novices might benefit from a kit like this one but I also second what jbenben said about the eyeliner.
posted by AV at 4:36 AM on September 13, 2014
Seriously, if you do nothing else makeup-wise: a well-shaped and defined brow does so much to make a more polished look, but is pretty much undetectable as "made-up." It's a great hack that way.
Eyebrow novices might benefit from a kit like this one but I also second what jbenben said about the eyeliner.
posted by AV at 4:36 AM on September 13, 2014
Having well-shaped eyebrows does indeed make you look startlingly more polished immediately. Fill in with pencil if you need to.
The one thing you should absolutely do every single day is to wear sunscreen on your face, neck, and hands, which will prevent wrinkling and age spots later in life, for reals. Not to mention preventing skin cancer. Future You will thank Present You. I'm pretty minimalist and my go-to routine is sunscreen/moisturizer (same product) followed by BB cream, which evens out my skin tone without making me look "made up". I have deep-set eyes so I'll usually wear dark brown or dark olive eyeliner to make them look a little less like they're back in a cave, and some kind of tinted lip balm or a lipstick that matches the color of my lips. If I'm giving a talk or something I'll use a neutral eyeshadow (for me this means shades of brown or browny/green). I have never mastered liquid eyeliner and I don't like pencils that need sharpening, so I usually use one of those twist-up eye liners, which I think are basically foolproof.
For dress-up I'll wear Nars Orgasm (that color seems to be flattering on everybody), brighter lipstick and more dramatic eyeliner and eyeshadow. Seconding everyone that there are are lots of tutorials online for how to apply makeup.
You can absolutely go to Sephora or the makeup counter of your choice and just say you want an easy-maintenance daytime professional look and they will get you started. It's expected that you'll buy at least one or two things but it's also OK to say "I'm not totally keen on this shade of X, do you have something else?"
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 5:38 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
The one thing you should absolutely do every single day is to wear sunscreen on your face, neck, and hands, which will prevent wrinkling and age spots later in life, for reals. Not to mention preventing skin cancer. Future You will thank Present You. I'm pretty minimalist and my go-to routine is sunscreen/moisturizer (same product) followed by BB cream, which evens out my skin tone without making me look "made up". I have deep-set eyes so I'll usually wear dark brown or dark olive eyeliner to make them look a little less like they're back in a cave, and some kind of tinted lip balm or a lipstick that matches the color of my lips. If I'm giving a talk or something I'll use a neutral eyeshadow (for me this means shades of brown or browny/green). I have never mastered liquid eyeliner and I don't like pencils that need sharpening, so I usually use one of those twist-up eye liners, which I think are basically foolproof.
For dress-up I'll wear Nars Orgasm (that color seems to be flattering on everybody), brighter lipstick and more dramatic eyeliner and eyeshadow. Seconding everyone that there are are lots of tutorials online for how to apply makeup.
You can absolutely go to Sephora or the makeup counter of your choice and just say you want an easy-maintenance daytime professional look and they will get you started. It's expected that you'll buy at least one or two things but it's also OK to say "I'm not totally keen on this shade of X, do you have something else?"
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 5:38 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
You don't need much to look polished. I wear about 15 products on my face daily and I hardly look made up.
1. Get your eyebrows professionally arched. Thread, wax, whatever.
2. BB Cream. It's moisturizer, foundation, sunblock, light weight and all around awesome.
3. Neutral eye shadow. Get a duo or trio. I like matte, better for older ladies, NYX makes very good mattes. Google for application tips.
4. Eye liner, dark brown, light black. Again, google for ideas on how to apply it. I do little wings.
5. Eyebrow pencil or a mascara-like item to neaten your brows.
6. Cream blush. I use a peachy color as I have yellow undertones in my skin. Find a color that looks good. People get blush wrong all the time and it either makes you look dirty or like a Kewpie doll. Tarte makes gorgeous cheek stain, and it lasts FOREVER! The Blushing Bride color is a universal good look, Chelsea Clinton wore it on her wedding day.
7. Powder. Loose or from a compact, but dust it lightly on with a Kabuki brush. This will set your make up for the day.
8. Lips. I like a light-weight creamy one. Clinique makes the best, but I use Revlon too. Clinique colors are pretty fool-proof. You get the really good ones in Gift-With-Purchase. The Chubby is fun.
I've linked to All Cosmetics Warehouse. I love this site. They have oodles of make up at dirt cheap prices. They sell disassembled gifts with purchase so you can get trial sizes of things to try.
I've ordered from them repeatedly and I've ALWAYS been pleased with the product I've received.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:40 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
1. Get your eyebrows professionally arched. Thread, wax, whatever.
2. BB Cream. It's moisturizer, foundation, sunblock, light weight and all around awesome.
3. Neutral eye shadow. Get a duo or trio. I like matte, better for older ladies, NYX makes very good mattes. Google for application tips.
4. Eye liner, dark brown, light black. Again, google for ideas on how to apply it. I do little wings.
5. Eyebrow pencil or a mascara-like item to neaten your brows.
6. Cream blush. I use a peachy color as I have yellow undertones in my skin. Find a color that looks good. People get blush wrong all the time and it either makes you look dirty or like a Kewpie doll. Tarte makes gorgeous cheek stain, and it lasts FOREVER! The Blushing Bride color is a universal good look, Chelsea Clinton wore it on her wedding day.
7. Powder. Loose or from a compact, but dust it lightly on with a Kabuki brush. This will set your make up for the day.
8. Lips. I like a light-weight creamy one. Clinique makes the best, but I use Revlon too. Clinique colors are pretty fool-proof. You get the really good ones in Gift-With-Purchase. The Chubby is fun.
I've linked to All Cosmetics Warehouse. I love this site. They have oodles of make up at dirt cheap prices. They sell disassembled gifts with purchase so you can get trial sizes of things to try.
I've ordered from them repeatedly and I've ALWAYS been pleased with the product I've received.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:40 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Disclaimer: I teach skin care and cosmetics, and sell the products I use to teach for a living. I am not your independent beauty consultant. Because you live in a different country than I do, I cannot be your IBC. Should you want an IBC, I can help you find one. This comment is for informational purposes only, and is not an attempt to sell products.
First of, let me Nth everyone else and say your skin looks AWESOME and if you decide you don't want to wear makeup, you can totally get away with it!!! To keep it looking amazing, you'll want to find a good skin care system that works for you, and use it faithfully twice a day.
I tend to stick to the basics, unless I want a majorly polished and "made up" look. (Note: all links go to the company I represent's Canadian website.)
1. Mineral powder foundation (though I may switch to a bb cream type deal). I have a neurological condition that causes lots of pain on one side of my face, so I have to be sparing with what I glop on. the MPF is super easy and fast to apply, but the brush is starting to irritate this condition, so I may switch to the company I represent's version of a bb cream. My skin care routine includes a product that contains sunscreen, but the bb cream also contains it. Good stuff.
2. A cream eyeshadow. If I'm doing absolute basics, it's Beach Blonde from brow to lash, all over. If I want to play a little, I'll add either Iced Cocoa or Violet Storm on the lid.
3. Mascara. Because of the neuro condition, my eyes water, so I use a waterproof mascara in black. If I want more pop, I'll use a va-va-voom lashes mascara first, then put the waterproof on top, so I have WOW lashes that are still waterproof.
4. A cream cheek color. I use a berry color, but with your skin, I'd go for a more neutral pink, like the Sheer Bliss here. I wouldn't do the Nars Orgasm on you, but the Super Orgasm would look good.
5. Lip gloss. I use Fancy Nancy, which I've found to be the most neutral shade on all KINDS of skin tones, and I think would work well on you, too. It gives just a hint of color with some shimmer. If you go the Sephora route, I think the Nars Orgasm lip gloss would work well.
I think the most important thing is going to be to play. Play with colors, play with different types of products (lipstick, lip gloss, lip stain, etc.), to figure out what YOU like best. I've had people try to put coral colors and pastels on me for YEARS, but I just don't like them. I like berries and jewel tones, so that's what I wear. I've never been in a Sephora or the like, so I don't know what kind of selling they do (whether it's a hard sell or not), but if you can, try before you buy. That way, you won't end up with a drawer full of makeup you bought, brought home, tried once, and hated.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 7:39 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
First of, let me Nth everyone else and say your skin looks AWESOME and if you decide you don't want to wear makeup, you can totally get away with it!!! To keep it looking amazing, you'll want to find a good skin care system that works for you, and use it faithfully twice a day.
I tend to stick to the basics, unless I want a majorly polished and "made up" look. (Note: all links go to the company I represent's Canadian website.)
1. Mineral powder foundation (though I may switch to a bb cream type deal). I have a neurological condition that causes lots of pain on one side of my face, so I have to be sparing with what I glop on. the MPF is super easy and fast to apply, but the brush is starting to irritate this condition, so I may switch to the company I represent's version of a bb cream. My skin care routine includes a product that contains sunscreen, but the bb cream also contains it. Good stuff.
2. A cream eyeshadow. If I'm doing absolute basics, it's Beach Blonde from brow to lash, all over. If I want to play a little, I'll add either Iced Cocoa or Violet Storm on the lid.
3. Mascara. Because of the neuro condition, my eyes water, so I use a waterproof mascara in black. If I want more pop, I'll use a va-va-voom lashes mascara first, then put the waterproof on top, so I have WOW lashes that are still waterproof.
4. A cream cheek color. I use a berry color, but with your skin, I'd go for a more neutral pink, like the Sheer Bliss here. I wouldn't do the Nars Orgasm on you, but the Super Orgasm would look good.
5. Lip gloss. I use Fancy Nancy, which I've found to be the most neutral shade on all KINDS of skin tones, and I think would work well on you, too. It gives just a hint of color with some shimmer. If you go the Sephora route, I think the Nars Orgasm lip gloss would work well.
I think the most important thing is going to be to play. Play with colors, play with different types of products (lipstick, lip gloss, lip stain, etc.), to figure out what YOU like best. I've had people try to put coral colors and pastels on me for YEARS, but I just don't like them. I like berries and jewel tones, so that's what I wear. I've never been in a Sephora or the like, so I don't know what kind of selling they do (whether it's a hard sell or not), but if you can, try before you buy. That way, you won't end up with a drawer full of makeup you bought, brought home, tried once, and hated.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 7:39 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
High quality make up brushs and BRUSH CLEANER. You wouldn't want to paint a picture with a janky, goop-haired brush, and you wouldn't want to make up your face with one, either. I use Japonesque's, which I get at ULTA. Follow the instructions on the bottle, and always lay your brushes flat to dry.
Also, use primer. It will smooth the "canvas" of your face and make your foundation look more natural; it will also help it to last longer through the day. L'Oreal makes a great drug store-available primer for $10. It's a tiny little bottle, but it goes a long way. You only need a little to spread lightly but evenly (using your fingers) over your face. I emphasize the nose/cheek area when I apply it since there is where I need the most smoothing.
The trick to natural make up is to look like you aren't wearing make up. So when I'm going natural (which is best for daytime professional), I stick to a quality primer base, dusted over with a good, high quality foundation (worth the extra dough) applied with high quality brushes (also worth the extra dough), then apply a dark brown/light black mascara to my lashes (let dry a minute, then curl) and I may or may not sweep on a neutral/natural tone eye liner (never go all the way in to where your eye meets your nose, unless you want your eyes to look tinier) and a very faint sweep of blush or blonzer to the apple of my cheeks. So the only things I don't always do are eyeliner/blush, but I like the extra "umph" it gives my look when I do. I almost never wear eye shadow or lipstick, but that's just personal preference. Maybe a smokey eye at night for a hot date. And I just think a clear or tinted lip balm looks better and reduces the likelihood of "lipstick wine glass" or "lipstick teeth" etc.
Also, if you wear contact lenses, I recommend buying WASHABLE mascara and eye liner. This is more of a problem for those of us with hard (gas permeable) lenses, but man it makes a difference to not have little clumps of makeup that won't disintegrate fall into your eye and lodge beneath your contact lens. Oh, and if you're ever crying, the washable eye makeup just looks sexier (or so I've been told - it works in romantic scenarios, probably not so much in others - YMMV). I'd recommend always having a compact mirror in your purse so if you've been wiping your eyes or a little teary, you can check for smudging. The small tabletop ones are good for workplace desks, too.
Have your eyebrows professionally waxed or threaded once a month, but keep a tabletop makeup mirror with a high magnification and bright/fluorescent light, and some Tweezerman tweezers (they really are better at getting those tiny, stubborn hairs), to touch them up in between. If you tend to get fine but visible hairs along your cheeks closer to your hair line, you may consider waxing or bleaching those if you personally don't like the look of it. I always feel like my face looks a bit neater and more well manicured if I wax it.
Last but not least, make sure that under all of that make up, you are gently exfoliating three times a week (I love this silicone precision pore cleansing pad, which I picked up at Sephora) and toning with a non-alochol based toner like Thayer's Witch Hazel toner in Rose Petal. Find a great, not good or okay, facial moisturizer with SPF that works for you. I love Boots' No. 7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream (and Night Cream) - lightweight, SPF 15, a little goes a long way. You can find it at just about any Target. Make sure you're moisturizing your neck and decollete, too. Moisturizer AND use a daily sunscreen.
Sunscreen is your best make up friend. You have beautiful fresh skin with lovely tone and to keep it that way, exfoliate, wear an SPF moisturizer on your face/neck/decollete and arm/hands every day, and take fish oil and collagen supplements. Natural care for your skin now means fewer make up changes/heavy make up later in life. Younger women don't need to buy any of the schmantzy, pricey anti-aging creams these companies schill; I have read statements by dermatologists that these are too heavy for young skin and can actually expedite aging. That makes me a bit skeptical that they're even good for aging skin.
TL;DR: Clean brushes, primer, less is more, SUNSCREEN!
posted by nightrecordings at 7:41 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, use primer. It will smooth the "canvas" of your face and make your foundation look more natural; it will also help it to last longer through the day. L'Oreal makes a great drug store-available primer for $10. It's a tiny little bottle, but it goes a long way. You only need a little to spread lightly but evenly (using your fingers) over your face. I emphasize the nose/cheek area when I apply it since there is where I need the most smoothing.
The trick to natural make up is to look like you aren't wearing make up. So when I'm going natural (which is best for daytime professional), I stick to a quality primer base, dusted over with a good, high quality foundation (worth the extra dough) applied with high quality brushes (also worth the extra dough), then apply a dark brown/light black mascara to my lashes (let dry a minute, then curl) and I may or may not sweep on a neutral/natural tone eye liner (never go all the way in to where your eye meets your nose, unless you want your eyes to look tinier) and a very faint sweep of blush or blonzer to the apple of my cheeks. So the only things I don't always do are eyeliner/blush, but I like the extra "umph" it gives my look when I do. I almost never wear eye shadow or lipstick, but that's just personal preference. Maybe a smokey eye at night for a hot date. And I just think a clear or tinted lip balm looks better and reduces the likelihood of "lipstick wine glass" or "lipstick teeth" etc.
Also, if you wear contact lenses, I recommend buying WASHABLE mascara and eye liner. This is more of a problem for those of us with hard (gas permeable) lenses, but man it makes a difference to not have little clumps of makeup that won't disintegrate fall into your eye and lodge beneath your contact lens. Oh, and if you're ever crying, the washable eye makeup just looks sexier (or so I've been told - it works in romantic scenarios, probably not so much in others - YMMV). I'd recommend always having a compact mirror in your purse so if you've been wiping your eyes or a little teary, you can check for smudging. The small tabletop ones are good for workplace desks, too.
Have your eyebrows professionally waxed or threaded once a month, but keep a tabletop makeup mirror with a high magnification and bright/fluorescent light, and some Tweezerman tweezers (they really are better at getting those tiny, stubborn hairs), to touch them up in between. If you tend to get fine but visible hairs along your cheeks closer to your hair line, you may consider waxing or bleaching those if you personally don't like the look of it. I always feel like my face looks a bit neater and more well manicured if I wax it.
Last but not least, make sure that under all of that make up, you are gently exfoliating three times a week (I love this silicone precision pore cleansing pad, which I picked up at Sephora) and toning with a non-alochol based toner like Thayer's Witch Hazel toner in Rose Petal. Find a great, not good or okay, facial moisturizer with SPF that works for you. I love Boots' No. 7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream (and Night Cream) - lightweight, SPF 15, a little goes a long way. You can find it at just about any Target. Make sure you're moisturizing your neck and decollete, too. Moisturizer AND use a daily sunscreen.
Sunscreen is your best make up friend. You have beautiful fresh skin with lovely tone and to keep it that way, exfoliate, wear an SPF moisturizer on your face/neck/decollete and arm/hands every day, and take fish oil and collagen supplements. Natural care for your skin now means fewer make up changes/heavy make up later in life. Younger women don't need to buy any of the schmantzy, pricey anti-aging creams these companies schill; I have read statements by dermatologists that these are too heavy for young skin and can actually expedite aging. That makes me a bit skeptical that they're even good for aging skin.
TL;DR: Clean brushes, primer, less is more, SUNSCREEN!
posted by nightrecordings at 7:41 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
These ladies with the long posts above have routines that are WAY more complicated than you need as a makeup newbie. Moisturizer, mascara, eyeliner, blush, and possibly some concealer for spots is the absolute basic. Neutral eyeshadows, eyebrow pencil, bb cream, and a translucent powder would be additional. And then for serious nights out, primer, foundation, dramatic eyeshadows, lipstick.
Liquid eyeliner is my go-to for a polished look with minimal effort. It seems like it's complicated to use, but it's really not, once you get the hang of it. Lots of tutorials online for how to apply it, but in general, small brush strokes and a bit of practice. And use a dampened Q-tip to erase your mistakes. A bit of mascara, and bam! a chic look. Sometimes I just wear these two.
You look like you have great skin, so don't go applying foundation all over. You won't need it. It's passé, and you'll clog pores if you wear that all the time. The BB cream goes on very sheer and covers the SPF, moisturizer requirement as well. But really, a bit of concealer to even the tone under your eyes is all I usually use. A bit of powder sets it.
The folks at Sephora aren't pushy in my experience, just honestly helpful. Definitely get their help for picking out your neutral eyeshadows, and a demonstration on how to apply them.
posted by lizbunny at 7:55 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Liquid eyeliner is my go-to for a polished look with minimal effort. It seems like it's complicated to use, but it's really not, once you get the hang of it. Lots of tutorials online for how to apply it, but in general, small brush strokes and a bit of practice. And use a dampened Q-tip to erase your mistakes. A bit of mascara, and bam! a chic look. Sometimes I just wear these two.
You look like you have great skin, so don't go applying foundation all over. You won't need it. It's passé, and you'll clog pores if you wear that all the time. The BB cream goes on very sheer and covers the SPF, moisturizer requirement as well. But really, a bit of concealer to even the tone under your eyes is all I usually use. A bit of powder sets it.
The folks at Sephora aren't pushy in my experience, just honestly helpful. Definitely get their help for picking out your neutral eyeshadows, and a demonstration on how to apply them.
posted by lizbunny at 7:55 AM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Daytime: concealer, bb cream, mascara.
Nighttime: add eyeshadow. I like urban decay.
I don't do anything to my brows or lips but ymmv.
posted by mai at 9:58 AM on September 13, 2014
Nighttime: add eyeshadow. I like urban decay.
I don't do anything to my brows or lips but ymmv.
posted by mai at 9:58 AM on September 13, 2014
(1) Concealer (for spots, redness, undereyes on tired days) and a sheer BB cream/tinted moisturizer (to even skin tone/neutralize any redness) - agreed you don't need much of this as you seem to have very even skin already.
(2) Eyeliner - black liquid (VERY thin line for professional) on the upper lash-line gives one look, dark brown pencil gives a more natural and subtle one.
(3) A light, cream-beige eyeshadow to neutralize any pinkness on the eyelid.
(4) A very slightly darker beige eyeshadow for slight contouring at the crease. You want it to look like a natural shadow, nothing dramatic.
(5) A light eyebrow pencil/powder/whatever works for you.
(6) A light peach blush (powder or cream).
(7) A neutral, moisturizing lipstick close to your natural color (unless you want to go more dramatic).
(8) Mascara.
It sounds like a lot, but with practice you can do it all really quickly, trust me.
posted by celtalitha at 12:04 PM on September 13, 2014
(2) Eyeliner - black liquid (VERY thin line for professional) on the upper lash-line gives one look, dark brown pencil gives a more natural and subtle one.
(3) A light, cream-beige eyeshadow to neutralize any pinkness on the eyelid.
(4) A very slightly darker beige eyeshadow for slight contouring at the crease. You want it to look like a natural shadow, nothing dramatic.
(5) A light eyebrow pencil/powder/whatever works for you.
(6) A light peach blush (powder or cream).
(7) A neutral, moisturizing lipstick close to your natural color (unless you want to go more dramatic).
(8) Mascara.
It sounds like a lot, but with practice you can do it all really quickly, trust me.
posted by celtalitha at 12:04 PM on September 13, 2014
As you are blessed with really good skin you could probably get away with:
Sun protection that's appropriate for where you live and how much time you spend outside
Point concealing (if there is anything to conceal) - spend time finding the most appropriate shade for your skin, use a tiny brush like a small lipstick brush or an eye liner brush.
If you are tired/get dark shadows especially under the eyes consider a highlighting concealer like Clinique Airbrush, too. The idea of make up is to make you look fresh and healthy.
Nicely shaped eye brows. Do get them shaped, get a brow brush/comb and see if you really need to do anything else.If there are any obvious areas where the brows have gaps fill these in subtly - there are many ways of doing this be it powders, pencils, gels. Less is more here.
Eye lash curler, which really opens the eyes. again, buy a decent one
Mascara of your choice. If you find it transfers to under your eyes use waterproof, if the still ends up under your eyes after a while find a tubing mascara.
Blusher - cream is easiest to work with to blend in and you can blend it with your fingers. I love my Bourjois cream blush.
Nice, subtle lip gloss/balm/sheerish colour of some description, which is easier to reapply on the go and avoids lipstick on your teeth.
The idea of eye liner is to further define the shape of your eyes. You can get a pencil and just do tiny dots at the roots of your lashes to make them look fuller, you can apply a line with a pencil and blend it a bit with a brush, you can go for a proper, defined, line with either gel or liquid liner. The first two options allow you to be very subtle and use a pencil in a colour that brings out your eye colour for example. Note that not all pencils are created equal and that a good brush is essential for blending anything well.
You can then get as dramatic as you want for special occasions with eye shadows, highlighting/contouring and what have you.
As in all make up threads the lovely Lisa Eldridge is the answer to all questions you might have. She has a number of videos on 'no make up make up', natural looks, professional looks, morning after the night before looks that are all about how to look bright and fresh and ready to take on the world, as well as basics on just about anything.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:11 PM on September 13, 2014
Sun protection that's appropriate for where you live and how much time you spend outside
Point concealing (if there is anything to conceal) - spend time finding the most appropriate shade for your skin, use a tiny brush like a small lipstick brush or an eye liner brush.
If you are tired/get dark shadows especially under the eyes consider a highlighting concealer like Clinique Airbrush, too. The idea of make up is to make you look fresh and healthy.
Nicely shaped eye brows. Do get them shaped, get a brow brush/comb and see if you really need to do anything else.If there are any obvious areas where the brows have gaps fill these in subtly - there are many ways of doing this be it powders, pencils, gels. Less is more here.
Eye lash curler, which really opens the eyes. again, buy a decent one
Mascara of your choice. If you find it transfers to under your eyes use waterproof, if the still ends up under your eyes after a while find a tubing mascara.
Blusher - cream is easiest to work with to blend in and you can blend it with your fingers. I love my Bourjois cream blush.
Nice, subtle lip gloss/balm/sheerish colour of some description, which is easier to reapply on the go and avoids lipstick on your teeth.
The idea of eye liner is to further define the shape of your eyes. You can get a pencil and just do tiny dots at the roots of your lashes to make them look fuller, you can apply a line with a pencil and blend it a bit with a brush, you can go for a proper, defined, line with either gel or liquid liner. The first two options allow you to be very subtle and use a pencil in a colour that brings out your eye colour for example. Note that not all pencils are created equal and that a good brush is essential for blending anything well.
You can then get as dramatic as you want for special occasions with eye shadows, highlighting/contouring and what have you.
As in all make up threads the lovely Lisa Eldridge is the answer to all questions you might have. She has a number of videos on 'no make up make up', natural looks, professional looks, morning after the night before looks that are all about how to look bright and fresh and ready to take on the world, as well as basics on just about anything.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:11 PM on September 13, 2014
Re eyebrows, I really recommend threading over waxing, personally...I have sensitive skin and threading is just much better for it. I think it's much better than trying to pluck yourself if you haven't been doing that.
Nthing an eyelash curler + mascara, and some basic lip color (also nthing Clinique). You could always go get a makeover at a Clinique counter (or Sephora, whatever), say you want a professional look, and see how they do it, but you really shouldn't need more than the bare minimum. I've done that at Nordstrom (obviously many other makeup counters there to choose from, if you want) and because of their fanatic customer service, you shouldn't have a problem with a hard sell. Yes, you would want to buy a little something, but it wouldn't be awkward to stop at lipstick. But better to go at a slow time, if you can, so you're not taking too much time away from other customers. I haven't tried a Sephora makeover but just going in there to shop tends to make me a little more uncomfortable than some other places...
posted by three_red_balloons at 1:18 PM on September 13, 2014
Nthing an eyelash curler + mascara, and some basic lip color (also nthing Clinique). You could always go get a makeover at a Clinique counter (or Sephora, whatever), say you want a professional look, and see how they do it, but you really shouldn't need more than the bare minimum. I've done that at Nordstrom (obviously many other makeup counters there to choose from, if you want) and because of their fanatic customer service, you shouldn't have a problem with a hard sell. Yes, you would want to buy a little something, but it wouldn't be awkward to stop at lipstick. But better to go at a slow time, if you can, so you're not taking too much time away from other customers. I haven't tried a Sephora makeover but just going in there to shop tends to make me a little more uncomfortable than some other places...
posted by three_red_balloons at 1:18 PM on September 13, 2014
When I saw your photo I immediately thought: blush! I like cream blushes and blend with my fingers. I have said this in another make-up thread, but I used to just blend a little plain lipbalm or jojoba oil and dab of pigmented lipstick in my palm and blend that on my cheek (but this was mostly out of a happy accident that I bought a lipstick which looked garish on my lips but was perfect lightly blended on cheeks.) Some folks swear by classic liquid blush Benetint, my mom used it for years.
Do you curl your eyelashes? Once you start you'll never go back. It's very easy and makes mascara look even lovelier (but still natural). Curl before mascara.
Smudged brown eyeliner used to be my go to eye routine, now I wear a light colored shadow all over my lid and a medium dark color blended in the crease and outer third of the eyelid (for me it's pearly beige and chocolate brown, I would guess these would work for your complexion.) Sometimes I use pearly white to highlight brow bone (right under the eyebrow and right above the tear duct/inner eye.) To punch it up, I use a darker or colorful shadow in crease and along lash line and apply more layers of mascara.
I fill in my brows (not all the time, because I'm lazy) with brown eyeshadow and a thin, angled makeup brush.
posted by dahliachewswell at 2:00 PM on September 13, 2014
Do you curl your eyelashes? Once you start you'll never go back. It's very easy and makes mascara look even lovelier (but still natural). Curl before mascara.
Smudged brown eyeliner used to be my go to eye routine, now I wear a light colored shadow all over my lid and a medium dark color blended in the crease and outer third of the eyelid (for me it's pearly beige and chocolate brown, I would guess these would work for your complexion.) Sometimes I use pearly white to highlight brow bone (right under the eyebrow and right above the tear duct/inner eye.) To punch it up, I use a darker or colorful shadow in crease and along lash line and apply more layers of mascara.
I fill in my brows (not all the time, because I'm lazy) with brown eyeshadow and a thin, angled makeup brush.
posted by dahliachewswell at 2:00 PM on September 13, 2014
My husband works in the beauty industry, so I end up with a lot of weird samples and gifts. When Japonesque launched their makeup last year, I ended up with a gift set that changed my life. I wear this eyeshadow every day. I nearly fell over when I saw the price, but it blows Cover Girl out of the water.
posted by Biblio at 2:12 PM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Biblio at 2:12 PM on September 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
"First of, let me Nth everyone else and say your skin looks AWESOME and if you decide you don't want to wear makeup, you can totally get away with it!!! To keep it looking amazing, you'll want to find a good skin care system that works for you, and use it faithfully twice a day."
Quoted because all the don't put colored goop on your skin advice is the best in the thread.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 2:25 PM on September 13, 2014
Quoted because all the don't put colored goop on your skin advice is the best in the thread.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 2:25 PM on September 13, 2014
Sunscreen! Keep your pretty, gurl. I am fine with my normally aging face but I have sun damage on my chest. Boo. Anyway.
I have Urban Decay's Naked 2 eye palette, and it's very neutral and I use it almost daily. palettes are a nice way to explore flattering colors and what you feel comfortable with. You will know because you will see the bottom of those colors soonest. Then buy more. Rinse, repeat into the future until we have make up applying robot machines.
If you have a Sephora nearby, go play with a friend. The clerks are not pushy in my experience, fyi.
posted by Lardmitten at 4:57 PM on September 13, 2014
I have Urban Decay's Naked 2 eye palette, and it's very neutral and I use it almost daily. palettes are a nice way to explore flattering colors and what you feel comfortable with. You will know because you will see the bottom of those colors soonest. Then buy more. Rinse, repeat into the future until we have make up applying robot machines.
If you have a Sephora nearby, go play with a friend. The clerks are not pushy in my experience, fyi.
posted by Lardmitten at 4:57 PM on September 13, 2014
Response by poster: Oh my goodness, thank you everyone!! I am going to wade through this information and see what the consensus opinion is and then go find some products. I really wish I had impressive eyebrows to play with but it looks like I will be forced to fake it.
posted by hepta at 5:34 PM on September 13, 2014
posted by hepta at 5:34 PM on September 13, 2014
Just wanted to come in here and respond to this bit:
Expensive make-up isn't always better, except where mascara comes into play and a good concealer stick. Spend the max on these two items.
Not true at all, there are great drugstore versions out there and even with not being able to test shades for concealor, as long as there is a good return policy and your skin isn't on either end of the spectrum (you might be) drugstore is fine. And especially for mascara, they tell you to throw that stuff out every 3-6 months (i don't and you may run through them quick enough for that point to be moot) so spending the max on mascara isn't really necessary at all.
And if you're looking for a good concealer, I would recommend the NARS creamy concealer ($$) or the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind or the Maybelline Fit Me concealor ($).
posted by driedmango at 6:51 PM on September 13, 2014
Expensive make-up isn't always better, except where mascara comes into play and a good concealer stick. Spend the max on these two items.
Not true at all, there are great drugstore versions out there and even with not being able to test shades for concealor, as long as there is a good return policy and your skin isn't on either end of the spectrum (you might be) drugstore is fine. And especially for mascara, they tell you to throw that stuff out every 3-6 months (i don't and you may run through them quick enough for that point to be moot) so spending the max on mascara isn't really necessary at all.
And if you're looking for a good concealer, I would recommend the NARS creamy concealer ($$) or the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind or the Maybelline Fit Me concealor ($).
posted by driedmango at 6:51 PM on September 13, 2014
I'm a lawyer in my early 30's practice in federal court (US). You do not need to do a full face of makeup. Things that I do on a daily basis:
- sunscreen
- fill in eyebrows (the cheap brand E.L.F, found in the US at Target, online elsewhere, has a surprisingly good brow kit)
- NARS Orgasm blush
- mascara
- eyeliner
- lip balm/lip stain
The big thing is to figure out what you are going to do every day, realistically. If you are used to a wash and go type morning, start slowly.
You can always punch up this routine with eyeshadow, or a highlight and contour situation if you feel the need to be more "made up," but I've found that this is a really good every day basic routine to start with.
posted by betty botter at 12:01 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
- sunscreen
- fill in eyebrows (the cheap brand E.L.F, found in the US at Target, online elsewhere, has a surprisingly good brow kit)
- NARS Orgasm blush
- mascara
- eyeliner
- lip balm/lip stain
The big thing is to figure out what you are going to do every day, realistically. If you are used to a wash and go type morning, start slowly.
You can always punch up this routine with eyeshadow, or a highlight and contour situation if you feel the need to be more "made up," but I've found that this is a really good every day basic routine to start with.
posted by betty botter at 12:01 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: betty botter - that is a wonderfully relevant answer - thank you!
posted by hepta at 8:27 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by hepta at 8:27 PM on September 14, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
Throw on some dark brown or black eyeliner on your top lid and a natural rosy blush (Nars in Orgasm is a very flattering shade) on the apples of your cheeks for nighttime or dates.
Also, you look lovely and don't need makeup! But it's super fun. It's one of my big hobbies. You might also consider getting a subscription to Birchbox, which opened up my makeup world a lot.
posted by sockermom at 9:59 PM on September 12, 2014 [1 favorite]