Sgt Grit Marine Forums

Sooo never in my life have I worn foundation, powder, concealer...whatever all of that stuff is called. I just stick with eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara and bronzer. I've never had bad skin, just freckles, so I havent felt the need to cover anything up. But I kinda want to try it out. When I have before I looked like a clown and it was dry looking and just ew. I'd like my face to look more even and get that "airbrushed" look without looking fake. So help me out here...

 Whats a good brand that I can find at say, Wal-Mart or Target? I know alot of you ladies love MAC and Bare Minerals but I dont want to buy expensive stuff until I know if it's really for me and learn how to use it. And what order do I put those things on in? (foundation and then powder?) And what's concealer for? Under the eyes and random spots? And with foundation, have I heard that you buy a color lighter? And how then heck can you even judge which color you need? I've wasted alot of bottles bc the color didnt go with my skin.

I'm such a girly girl and feel like a total nerd asking this stuff but I figured this was a good place to start. (My mom never wore foundation/powder either so I didnt get that lesson in my teens years). Any suggestions or tips would be fab.

Thank you

Ashleigh, I don't usually wear all that stuff, either.  Don't feel embarrassed for asking!  Be thankful that you don't have to wear it!  When I do wear foundation, I don't wear consealer or anything else.  And I basically just use it in the winter when I'm looking a little pastey.  I'm so paranoid about makeup lines, though!  I hate when you can see the line by a girl's ear, down around her chin and on her forehead where she didn't blend her makeup well enough!  When I do use foundation, I dab it on my face and then use my moisturizer so it makes it more liquidy and blends better.  And I just use a cheapy bottle of Covergirl. 

hmm. I don't wear anything besides eyeliner and mascara. I've got pretty good skin so i've never felt the need to cover it up. So i'm no help at all.

To be honest, I think if you use ANY form of liquid make-up on your skin will make look anyone fake. Because the foundation is soo tick, it's hard to even blend it to make it look natural. Also, it might break your skin out because it's used to breathing.

The only thing I can say is bare minerals is a life savor. Mineral make up is more natural. There are cheaper versions at target and walmart but I never thought they looked natural enough. Bare minerals is the most natural looking make up I've tried. I've tried ALOT of makeup.. :)

Ash, what are talking about?  You sure as heck have nothing to be embarrassed about ....You have great skin and you should be so proud of that. 

I too never wear foundation (although in my 40's it's getting harder to pull that off). Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  That is the best thing for you.  As far as evening out skin tones and making a smoother surface, which is what foundation does, you are better off with something like a Bare Minerals, however I certainly understand about the cost factor.  I believe it is Neutrogena that offers a product that is basically the same thing.  While I am sure there will be some quality differences, (or maybe not) Neutrogena is an excellent product and it should give you an idea of how to work with a powder product. 

I started Rebecca (my youngest daughter) out on a product called Sheer Cover.  It is just like the BareMinerals stuff, but much cheaper, you might want to start there.  The only drawback is that I think you can only get it online or from the infomercial, so you get stuck with shipping.  I would go with the Neutrogena stuff first.  Just my Opinion.  I don't think you need to do anything different sweetie..........you are HOT!

The first step is determining your skin type. Are you normal, dry, sensitive, combo, oily? There are online quizes you can take if you don't want to go to a department store counter. If you have pretty good skin, I would suggest just concealer to cover up any spots or breakouts. Or maybe just tinited moisturizer, which is basically a sunscreen and moisturizer in one that gives you a glow. I really like cover girl smoothers. It's only $6 and it's waaaay better than laura mercier's $40 tm.

Foundation is basically used to balance your skin tone. Then concealer to cover anything you don't want there. Finally powder is used to set everything in place.

Lots of makeup counters offer you free samples to test out your shade. I know MAC gives great amouth of samples. If you have any more ?'s let me know! Hope that helped!

Not a stupid question at all. I use to wear makeup the first year of HS and I did a terrible job. I never thought I actually needed it but thought it was the thing to do. I stopped shortly after.

I use moisturizer everyday with a SPF in it and I sometimes use a lighten stick to help with my dark circles under my eyes. And that my "makeup routine". If I should even call it that.

But I don't use foundation or mascara or anything else llike that.

My fear is breaking out from using the foundations and stuff. I have a friend who says she'll do my makeup and such but i dunno.

My face isn't perfect but i'm ok with it just as it is. As long as it healthy. And if you use the right mosisturizer it can give your skin a healthy glow!

Ash,

I've worn foundation almost every day since I was about 16.  Most often they end of looking like a mask or rub off on your clothes.  This weekend I purchased L'oreal's Bare Naturale mineral foundation at Wal-Mart (on a total humbug).  It cost about $11.00.  I'm hooked!  It doesn't feel like you're wearing anything.  It lasts all day and gives you a finished almost "airbrushed" look.  Love it.

Nini

I like Almay "Smart Shade"

It blends in really really well like it's supposed to. It's really light.

Hey Ash. I've NEVER used any makeup at all until recently and now I can't leave the house with a naked face. haha. This makeup discovery happened just last year when I was getting ready for our wedding. My aunt's friend is an artist at MAC at a local mall and my aunt took me there to get my makeup done for my bridal shower. It was the trial for the big day. Well, she did an awesome job and I thought, hmmm, maybe she can show me how to put on makeup for everyday use so I can start to wear it and so when I go to Roly's graduation, I'd look pretty pretty. :)

So I scheduled an appointment with her. I told her I wanted to know how to apply makeup for every day use. She chose some eye shadows, mascara, lip liner and lipstick. Because I have good skin like you do, she didn't feel the need to use foundation. She applied the makeup while I held a mirror to watch. She then removed all the makeup and made me apply it while she watched. That was really cool. That way, if I did something wrong, she'd be there to correct me.

At the very minimum, I use concealer under my eyes and on my eyelids. You have to use just a small dot and blend it in really well. It's basically just to create a clean palate. Then I brush on a little shadow in my brows with a matching color. It makes them look flawless. Then I apply powder. Just a light layer. Then mascara, bronzer (goes on the sides of your forehead down to your cheeks - it creates a nice "image" of shadows, then lip liner, then lipstick. The lip liner is applied to help the lipstick last longer. I blend it in with the lipstick so it doesn't look like I'm a clown. haha. That's the minimum amount of makeup I go out with. Sad, I know. hahaha. It's really not that much.

And about the colors...she chose them for me so that was easy. As far as what she charged, it was a required $50 minimum purchcase. So I left with makeup. And I know MAC is expensive, but if you have nice skin, you do not want to buy cheap products that will "ruin" it. And you can tell the difference when you use MAC versus convenience store brands. It blends well and lasts all day.

And you can always mix-n-match. Buy your foundation, powder, shadows, lipstick from a high quality brand. You can always buy your brushes, blushers, even concealer at Walgreens or Target. Also remember, that the makeup you buy will last you a while. So it's not like you're buying it to last you a month or two. But on the other hand, it does expire. So use it. haha.

Hope that wasn't too long. lol!! 

Melster is a girly girl...melster is a girly girl.  

Thanks ladies for you great help and suggestions. I guess when it comes down to it, I dont really need coverup of any sort. I just wanted to try some stuff. Thanks again :)

Seriusly though... I also started wearing make up last yr. In fact - it was my NY resolution. I love my bare minerals. I went to sephora and had the lady "make me over" with the product. She showed me how to use use it and the started kit is only about 60.00 and it includes a DVD on how everything works. 

imitationlife:

Seriusly though... I also started wearing make up last yr. In fact - it was my NY resolution. I love my bare minerals. I went to sephora and had the lady "make me over" with the product. She showed me how to use use it and the started kit is only about 60.00 and it includes a DVD on how everything works. 

Look who's talking about girly girls!! A DVD?!?!?! hahhahahahhahaah. ROFL!!! That's hard core.

I have BM too. It's ok, but just really messy

I think the best place for foundation or powder is Clinique.  I get my base stuff from there just because its better quality and one of the ladies can try the stuff on you to make sure it matches before you buy it.  But I get all the other junk (blush, eyeshadow) from WalMart.

Ash, you're beautiful!!!  I know the feeling of wanting to try new stuff.  Trust me, I've got a whole bin of crap that I got a fire under my a$$ just cause the comercial looked good or the box that it came in was all shiny and pretty!  LOL!!!  No matter what type of foundation you get, it's going to look awkward at first.  Only because you're not used to seeing yourself with it on.  It'll get better the more you wear it.

 While I am a big MAC fan, I don't like their concealers, foundations, and powders.  With the exception of their blot powder.  It's too thick for me and I feel like I'm in a broadway play or Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz when I walk out of that place.  I do love their eye shadows but that's about it. 

I actually just bought the Bare Minerals start up kit this past weekend.  It was $60 at Sephora.  It comes with everything; brushes, two shades of foundations, warming thing (don't know the actual name), and the sheer finish thing (don't know the exact name either).  Oh...and it came with an instructional DVD.  I know $60 is quite a bit, but when I look back at the money I've dished out trying to find one that suits me, it's worth it.  It'll last a few months too. 

 Good luck hun!!!

I never wear or wore makeup really, when i did it was to cover up my dark circles under my eyes it we were going on a date or my mom was coming to visit (cause otherwise she would say i look so tired..lol) but my mom got me Bare Minerals for my birthday a few months ago & it comes with a CD to show you how to apply which was kinda fun to watch(i'm not a girly girl & truly could care less about make up & such).... it's truly so simple & easy, it looks natural & i think totally worth the money, it last a long time especially if your not going to use it everyday like me... they show you how to cover up stuff, like dark circles, zits.. etc......

 I use MAC but before that I was using nutrogena minerals. Its cheap (11.00), and really light. Just makes sure you get a good moisterizer so its looks more fresh. As far as concealer goes...I always do my eyes first because they are messiest then I take my liquid concealer and cover my dark circles and any blemeshes and then I put on my powder. Good luck...

I use Bare Minerals, i reall like it.  Its light and covers really well.  It comes in a kit you can get at Nordstrom for $75 or at a Sephora store for $60.  It may seem like alot but the kit includes a lot.  Here is the site for Sephora it will tell you all about it http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P116619&categoryId=B70  Good luck and have fun!

Well i am using the L'oreal pefect match stuff...make up, concealer and powder...it's cheap and i really like it.

I'm sure you know this already Ash, but I'm a Bare Minerals girl..have been for 3 years now and I will never wear anything else on my face again. I know it's kind of pricey but a little does go a long way and trust me, a kit will last you forever. Besides, us mom's deserve to spoil ourselves with a few good things every now and then and you are no exception girl! Also! I don't know if they have it at the CP exchange yet, but I know the MCRD and Pendleton exchanges have Bare Minerals and at least at MCRD they have their full line of brushes, eye colors and blushers as well which is cool because it's a little cheaper on base. So for my face I use BM and for my lips, cheeks, eyebrows, eyeshadow and eyeliner I use MAC.

My makeup routine is as follows:

I'm not a fan of MAC's face stuff like powders or foundation but I did try some new stuff that they came out with a while ago called Studio Lights, it's a fluid that is tinted and helps brighten the look of dark circles with reflects and I love it. So I use that first under my eyes then I use the bisque from BM for concealing and spots and well rested for under the eyes. After that I do a big kabuki brush and do the rest of my foundation really quickly then I do my blush. If I'm in the mood to take more time I do some contouring and highlighting on my face, but most days I just throw everything on real quick. Next I do my eyes and prime them with Urban Decay Primer Potion, which is awesome and works great for me as I have oily lids. Then I apply my eyshadow, curl my lashes and apply mascara and fill in my eyebrows and I'm done.

ok I'm the freak in the group because I bought Bare Minerals thinking it was going to be so fabulous and it made my skin itch sooooooooooo bad and made my pores look HUGE. I was very sad. I wear Clinique base/powder and MAC everything else but I used to wear nutrogena and I bought it at walgreens. I really liked it alot.