justjulia
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 2,308
Sure Wishful, you can go to Macy''s and they can help you. To start, you''ll have to buy your facial soap (most of us use "mild"), your toner (cleanser), your moisturizer (almost everyone I know uses "Dramatically Different" but it comes in regular and oil free) and their great exfoliating scrub in the tube. Let them help you to figure out what color your skin tone is, so you can sort of block out in your mind what colors will look most natural on you, then you can go to Sephora (great store) and shop for things you know will look good on you. The key to this whole thing is to first find out what you can wear and what will make you LOOK made up. We don''t want to go there... There are too many women walking around with far too much stuff on their faces.Date: 8/28/2008 1:57:31 PM
Author: WishfulThinking
Gemgirl, is there any way to do that without access to a clinique counter? I am definitely interested in starting with skincare because that sounds so logical, and I think it would make me feel more healthy overall. However, unless a clinique counter is something I can find in a basic department store [my options are JC Penny, Macy''s, and Sears] I''m most likely out of luck.
Would Sephora work for something like that? Any other products that might work? Ordering online?
Date: 8/28/2008 2:19:48 PM
Author: Irishgrrrl
AMEN to everything Gemgirl said!Date: 8/28/2008 1:53:11 PM
Author: gemgirl
Wishful, if I were you and I was starting from scratch, I''d start with good skin care first. I''m a twenty six year Clinique user, so I have to recommend that you go to a Clinique counter, have your skin typed and buy your soap, toner, exfoliator and moisturizers first. Use all of that for a couple of weeks, have your skin clean, smooth and in good condition, then go back and have them help you find a nice lightweight foundation and a nice neutral non garish blush. (Powders are the easiest to work with) After that, a neutral base and highlighting shadow, (mine is beige shimmer) and a couple of lid shadows in neutrals like a taupey brown and a medium gray (like Taupestry and Charcoal). Everyone, no matter what your skin color, can wear those shades. Try to stay away from color colors because they''re faddish and they come and go. Look at all the models in the finest magazines and they''re all made up with varying shades of neutrals on their eyes. Last, a good lip color. You''re young so stick with anything lightweight and glossy. Have them help you to figure out what your underlying skin tone is and that will help you to choose your blush and lip color. Women usually fall into either the pink/blue undertone category or the yellow/orange category. If you''re a pink, go for rosey or plummy blushes and lip colors, if you''re a yellow/orange like me, go for the peachy apricoty rusty shades but nothing too dark. Make-up is made to enhance our natural features and skin tones, not to paint them.
Forget what''s in style now and always go for what looks best on you.
I am a CLINIQUE FREAK, and I can''t imagine ever using anything else! If you go to their website (www.clinique.com), you can take a quiz which will tell you your skin type, and then recommend products that work for you. Also, while you''re there, make sure to sign up for ''Club Clinique,'' which will send you e-mails with sales/bonus offers about once a week. You would not believe all the free Clinique stuff I''ve gotten over the years!!!
Good luck, and have fun with this!
ETA: Wishful, if you''d rather do this in person, I believe Macy''s DOES have a Clinique counter. (At least our Macy''s does.)
Ditto! I started using Paula''s products a few months ago and LOVE them, my skin has never looked better. I even get compliments on it from strangers! I am a beauty product fiend (I have closets full) and this has proven to be the best for your $$. Also, Olay regenerist serum is awesome for eye cream (not the eye cream one, just the regular serum-- double the product for same price), or just everywhere!Date: 8/29/2008 3:27:54 PM
Author: 2Artists
I am so sorry if someone mentioned this already. I skimmed but did not see it. I gotta run soon but had to throw this out there. I have long loved the makeup and skincare reviews of Paula Begoun (aka cosmeticscop.com) and writer of the ''Don''t go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me''. I think her most recent edition is the 7th. I gotta get that one my most recent is the 6th.
It is like PS for cosmetics and skincare. It really gives the most amazing reviews of cosmetics and skincare. It talks about what to spend money on and what you can save on. There are great products to be found at every price point.
Like sometimes a cheaper company and an expensive company have the same parent company thus nearly identical product with one having fancier packaging. She talks about pigment quality, price, how well something wears throughout the day, what potential irritants are etc. That is essential for me since I have sensitive skin and irritating stuff causes major problems for me. No scents in my makeup or facial skincare please.
Years after she wrote and reviewed cosmetics she started her own cosmetics and skincare line with all she had learned. I use and love her skin care line. It is affordable and the best I have found for my sensitive skin. Oh I love her oil blotting papers too.
Her reviews have saved me a bundle of money over the years not to mention saved me from potential unpleasant skin reactions.
When I buy from cosmetics I make sure to buy from companies that don''t test on animals. There are a variety of online lists you can find for companies that do and do not test on animals. For me that is very important.
I am a cheapskate but I feel good tool/brushes are essential for proper makeup application. An artist needs her brushes. I don''t use animal brushes either. I make sure that I don''t buy any cosmetics that come with an animal brush included. I splurged and got Urban Decay''s cruelty free Big Buddha brush set Good Karma brushes and I love them. I make sure to keep my brushes super clean to keep them in tip top shape and my skin happy.
For basics I think sunscreen is the most essential cosmetic/skincare product for sure. Nicely maintained brows can help give a polished look as well in addition to wearing the best hair color and clothing color for you. Just those things can give a grown up polished look. These things are essential like a well prepped canvas.
Some women who are not into cosmetics or just super busy can look fab just with the right colors by their face provided by hair color and clothing and since we are on PS jewelry. Add a great haircut and clothing in the perfect color to highlight you, and well groomed brows and sunscreen and lip balm and maybe a hit or mascara (clear even)if they feel like it. A full makeup look does not look right on everyone.
I think that makeup should be fun, not something every woman feels like she has to wear come rain or shine but something people who want to wear can have fun playing around with. I like makeup ranging from natural to dramatic-it depends on mood,circumstance,lifestyle and what looks good on the person. Have fun with it whether you like a vampy dramatic look or a barely there minimal look or both depending on the day. The key is finding the match for what looks good on you and having fun.
Makeupalley.com has some useful reviews as well.
Mrs.2Artists
Date: 8/28/2008 11:32:32 AM
Author: BeachRunner
http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ do some great stuff, really, really cheap. A DOLLAR an item. (I don''t rate they''re mascara or eyeshadow - so steer clear of those).
Has anyone else tried ELF cosmetics? Its sounds like an amazing deal, but I''ve never heard of them!!
Date: 8/29/2008 3:27:54 PM
Author: 2Artists
I am so sorry if someone mentioned this already. I skimmed but did not see it. I gotta run soon but had to throw this out there. I have long loved the makeup and skincare reviews of Paula Begoun (aka cosmeticscop.com) and writer of the ''Don''t go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me''. I think her most recent edition is the 7th. I gotta get that one my most recent is the 6th.
It is like PS for cosmetics and skincare. It really gives the most amazing reviews of cosmetics and skincare. It talks about what to spend money on and what you can save on. There are great products to be found at every price point.
Like sometimes a cheaper company and an expensive company have the same parent company thus nearly identical product with one having fancier packaging. She talks about pigment quality, price, how well something wears throughout the day, what potential irritants are etc. That is essential for me since I have sensitive skin and irritating stuff causes major problems for me. No scents in my makeup or facial skincare please.
Years after she wrote and reviewed cosmetics she started her own cosmetics and skincare line with all she had learned. I use and love her skin care line. It is affordable and the best I have found for my sensitive skin. Oh I love her oil blotting papers too.
Her reviews have saved me a bundle of money over the years not to mention saved me from potential unpleasant skin reactions.
When I buy from cosmetics I make sure to buy from companies that don''t test on animals. There are a variety of online lists you can find for companies that do and do not test on animals. For me that is very important.
I am a cheapskate but I feel good tool/brushes are essential for proper makeup application. An artist needs her brushes. I don''t use animal brushes either. I make sure that I don''t buy any cosmetics that come with an animal brush included. I splurged and got Urban Decay''s cruelty free Big Buddha brush set Good Karma brushes and I love them. I make sure to keep my brushes super clean to keep them in tip top shape and my skin happy.
For basics I think sunscreen is the most essential cosmetic/skincare product for sure. Nicely maintained brows can help give a polished look as well in addition to wearing the best hair color and clothing color for you. Just those things can give a grown up polished look. These things are essential like a well prepped canvas.
Some women who are not into cosmetics or just super busy can look fab just with the right colors by their face provided by hair color and clothing and since we are on PS jewelry. Add a great haircut and clothing in the perfect color to highlight you, and well groomed brows and sunscreen and lip balm and maybe a hit or mascara (clear even)if they feel like it. A full makeup look does not look right on everyone.
I think that makeup should be fun, not something every woman feels like she has to wear come rain or shine but something people who want to wear can have fun playing around with. I like makeup ranging from natural to dramatic-it depends on mood,circumstance,lifestyle and what looks good on the person. Have fun with it whether you like a vampy dramatic look or a barely there minimal look or both depending on the day. The key is finding the match for what looks good on you and having fun.
Makeupalley.com has some useful reviews as well.
Mrs.2Artists