Another like I'm 5... Help me wear makeup

[bunch]

I've been occasionally putting on dried bits of old drug store cosmetics for the last year. Its not a good look. I have sun damage. A lot of it. It's making me look old. I need to know how to get started. The last time I went to a dept store counter for a "makeover," I was in high school.

If you needed basics (foundation, powder, etc), where would you start? I'm definitely on a budget, but get that Covergirl won't cut it anymore. Help!

[StJess80]

It sounds like the clinique dark spot corrector might be a good place for you to start. Otherwise, it sounds like you need a good concealer. On a budget, I've found the revlon photo finish foundation to be really good.

Decide what colors you like in eyeshadow, and get a pallette. I thought I saw a good one on sale at sephora, I will check and report back. You also need an eyeshadow primer. Urban Decay makes an awesome one. Cover Girl lash blast is an awesome mascara (orange tube) and better than many high end.

I don't wear blush, so I can't help with that. I like BM mineral veil and MUFE HD powder for finishing.

[StJess80]

I assume you know all about the UD naked palettes, which is why I didn't mention them. I saw this one on sephora's site, and I am intrigued: www.sephora.com/la-boheme-baked-eye-shadow-palette-P303417?skuId=1389345

This one also looks good for a starter: www.sephora.com/master-class-10-decades-of-style-P304701?skuId=1387059

And you cannot go wrong with these liners. They are awesome: www.sephora.com/24-7-glide-on-eye-pencil-travel-size-set-of-five-naked-P296022?skuId=1361708

[nsl]

I'd avoid the department store if you have a Sephora nearby. Find a sales associate whose makeup you like, and ask her (or him) to make some recommendations for specific products. It sounds like you primarily want skincare and foundation/powder, and you should be able to get a few samples of each to take home and try out for a few days before you commit to buying something.

If you don't have a Sephora, I'd hit Clinique and Bobbi Brown counters.

If you decide you also want to update or start wearing eye makeup, do that on a separate trip. Especially since you're on a budget (and skincare stuff can get expensive quickly) I'd just focus on what you feel most in need of right now for your first trip.

Good luck!

[bunch]

Thank you so much! I don't have a sephora, but we do have an Ulta. Maybe that would be better than the mall? Ill pick up some concealer today. Don't know that I've ever even worn that.

I've never worn eye liner. I'll give that a shot as well.

Is there a sunscreen that people here love? My skin tends to be oily and breakout prone.

[nsl]

I would not go to Ulta. At least in my experience, the sales associates there really don't know the products well enough to give you the kind of help you want. I'd hit the department store first for your skincare and foundation needs.

For sunscreen, my skin (also oily and breakout-prone) has reacted best to Shisedo's sunscreen.

[Deleted]

Mineral powder may work well for you. Be sure and get some daily brush cleaner and clean your brush everyday (Sephora has small bottles for $6 or so.)

For liner, I like Loreal HIP creme liner (in little pots) better than about anything else I've tried. You need a better brush with it than what comes with it.

[ijack]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you don't have a lot of time to sit down and do your makeup? My go-to routine when I'm SAH is tinted moisturizer, concealer, eyeliner, and mascara. I look pulled together, but not over the top. My favorite TM is covergirl's. I've tried a ton of samples at sephora, and honestly the covergirl stuff really works with my skin. If you're oily a mineral powder might be good for you. For liner I really like elf's eyeliner pen (stop making fun of me people, I own expensive makeup too) - it goes on better than a stick, but is way easier to use than any other liquid.
If I need more than just SAH makeup, then I add eyeshadow and blush.

[StJess80]

I usually just make sure my foundation has an spf in it. Ulta isn't the best, but it's better than going to Target and floundering on your own. You could try a dept store counter, but you'll be stuck to that brand. Go to Ulta and wander around to get a feel for it. The sales people do suck, but you'll have a good array to choose from. Also, go to their site and get a coupon. I believe it it 20% the store right now.

[ejpint]

My "in a hurry" routine is similar to ijack's. I think you'd be fine to start with:
-a tinted moisturizer, look for one that's good for oily skin - I like Laura Mercier
-a good all around concealer for any redness or spots that need a little more coverage - I like Neutrogena, they have one for spot correcting and several for just coverage
-an under eye brightener - Maybelline age correcting brightener is my hero, I also love Bobbi Brown
-a soft pencil eyeliner, I stick to black and dark brown. I love Urban Decay, but also have had good luck with L'Oreal
-a cheery blush, I love tarte's natural beauty and Benefit's bella bamba
-black mascara, I'm usually happy with Cover Girl, but also love Urban Decay lush lash
-lip gloss
Right now I'm also using a liquid bronzer by Stila that I LOVE - it controls oil, and I don't really even need tinted moisturizer with it.

If you enjoy this much and want to branch out, then go for some eye shadow and experiment, but I find lately I've only been using it when I go out at night. Or try just a single light, neutral shade to give your look a little more finish.

Re: mineral powders, I have oily skin and don't have good luck with them. I've tried several brands - they seem to not absorb oil and almost slide off my face by lunchtime. I have better luck with just the TM and then using blotting paper if I need to.

[bunch]

As luck would have it, a sephora just opened 45 mins away. We jumped in the car and went for it. The first sales lady responded "I'm learning, too!" when I said that I didn't wear makeup, so I dropped her like a hot potato and cornered the super cute young girl. I'm now 100 dollars poorer but own a new brush, dr jart black label detox bb, sephora cream lip stain and make up for ever hd powder. I already own the mascara st Jess suggested and some random eyeshadows. As soon as dd goes down for her nap, I'll give it a shot. Thanks for all of the help!

[bunch]

Well that was pretty life changing for 10 minutes of work. Thanks ladies!

[nsl]

Yay! I'm so happy to hear that you're pleased with your purchase!

[bunch]

Thrilled. I keep looking in the mirror in shock at how much better my skin looks. I would have never known to ask about primer (which eventually led to the bb) had you not suggested it.

[CloudBee]

Covergirls "clean" line is actually great, if you're looking for a light foundation or powder.

I would also shop the drugstore for eyeliners if you are new to wearing makeup daily.

Maybe try a tinted moisturizer? There are a ton out there now, and quite a few to be found at the drugstore.

Honestly, the only thing I would suggest you purchase from Sephora/department store at this stage in the game, is a nice eyeshadow palette. Maybe start with Urban Decay's Naked?

[CloudBee]

Jul 24, 2012 7:02:49 GMT -5 bunch said:

Thank you so much! I don't have a sephora, but we do have an Ulta. Maybe that would be better than the mall? Ill pick up some concealer today. Don't know that I've ever even worn that.

I've never worn eye liner. I'll give that a shot as well.

Is there a sunscreen that people here love? My skin tends to be oily and breakout prone.

With your colorings, I would go for a dark brown or a copper eyeliner. Avoid black. That would be more of an evening color for you. Your eyes will pop with liner!

Mascara - I would suggest black, though. That always seems to look best and natural, regardless of colorings.

Neutrogena has several oil-free moisturizers. But if you go the tinted moisturizer route, I find that many of those have SPF.

[Deleted]

I'm going to disagree about the palettes because I think they overwhelm people who don't normally wear makeup. I also know a lot of people who love makeup but don't really get into eyeshadow. I would start out with 1 eyeshadow that you really like that is on the border of being neutral an not neutral. Start wearing it and see if you like it. For me this is MAC's "tempting". It's brown with a copper undertone.

Do you have a MAC counter anywhere nearby? I even think clinique makes decent eyeshadow compared to drugstore brands. You could get 1 or 2 colors and start there. Then if you find you really like experimenting, you could take the plunge and buy a pricier palette.

[hopeful2012]

What you got looks awesome. I just thought I'd input since I only do simple/mostly cheaper makeup -

-Garnier BB cream for lighter look or phenomenal foundation (Laura geller) for more coverage
-Neutrogena shine control powder
-Sonia Kashika (however you spell it) from Target beautifying blush
-Cover Girl Mascara
-Cover girl or revlon eyeliner

[dojo]

I'm new and I have not bothered to read through the comments (good combination, I know), but I'll say that there are plenty of GREAT drugstore brands.

Revlon photo ready foundation provides great coverage.
Rimmel and Maybeline both have good mattifying powders
Maybelline's age rewind concealer is good, I also like their gel liners, cream blushes and mascaras.
For shadows wet'n'wild has some cute pallets and quads that are well-pigmented.

Don't shy away from drugstore brands. There is nothing worse than buying something high end and hating it!