When I was in high school, I used Estee Lauder because my mom bought it. When I was in college, I used Avon because I could afford it:p

Now that I'm a woman of means:rolleyes: (whatever), I still hit CVS for my Maybelline mascara. Can't beat the hot pick tube, and why spend 4x as much for something that doesn't work as well.

I've fallen in love with Sephora. I go in there and play for hours. And and Ulta store has opened up near my home. Not as many brands to play with as Sephora, but still fun. I HATE beauty counters at department stores. I just want to shop and try stuff out and not have to ask for help. That's just me.

I recently tried Victoria's Secret Beauty. The lipstick and lip liner are great. I'm not a fan of the foundation, however. I mean, it's ok, but the colors don't work too well for me. I need to hit Sephoa and start shopping.

I use Mary Kay. I love it! It keeps my skin clear and stays on all day long. In the past year or so they have really changed their line. So for users who used it in the past...and didnt like it...try it again...it has many new products!! Also, I do not have to pay shipping from my Mary Kay rep!!

Some counterlady's are overzealous, but the majority that I have encountered are not. If she tries to get you to buy something that you don't want or need, simply say no. If she keeps at it, simply say thank you and walk away to the next counter.

The make-up I believe that you shoud invest in is your Foundation and Powder. These MUST match your skin tone and be appropriate for your skin type (oily, dry, combo.).

You could have the prettiest eyeshadow/liner/lipstick on, but if you foundation and powder are "off " (i.e. wearing shades that are lighter or darker than your actual skin tone), then it ruins everything.

For some women, this is all they wear with gloss or lipstick

Since you don't wear that much, unless your skin is oily, a creme to powder foundation or maybe just concealer and translucent powder may be what you need.

co-sign on HoneyKiss's post, with an addition: Sunscreen, ladies, sunscreen!! You're never too young to start thinking about skin care, and the biggest part of skin care is avoiding skin cancer!

Spoken by somebody who is almost a year from getting an "all clear" after getting skin cancer removed. It can happen to anyone!

Girls I found a new love! Its Clinique Superbalm - only its in Grape Tint. Its glossy - but not gummy, and its terrific for keeping your lips soft!!

I forgot to mention: I was playing around on ebay last night, and I saw name brand cosmetics at super deep discounts!! The Estee Lauder foundation that usually is around $24 was $2 or $3!!!

I've gone to Clinique and BeneFit counters (like 9 Clinique ones and 3 BeneFit ones) and I've never ever been pressured - I'd tell them what I liked, they'd make some suggestions, and I'd walk away with anything from a lipstick to a shopping bag full of stuff.

I think the most important thing to get that's "nice" is skin care and foundation products. A lot of times if I want to try a trendy new color I'll buy the Target version of it, then upgrade to the Clinique one if I like it - but I always want a nice foundation, blush, and bronzer.

And this is why my freckly Irish self wears makeup with SPF 15 in it. :D

Three times in a row in a makeup post
 

I can't stop myself in this thread! Anyway, I wear this in Mango Tint almost every day and I adore it. The best part is that it's SPF 15. :D

Got a question for you, and I hope it's not a stupid-sounding question: Is the smokey look still in?

When I wore makeup (1 day of the month, tops!) I could do my eyeshadows with the smokey look, but now I notice that it's the light on the lid and dark in the crease and lighter still just below the brow. I had to ask my cousin how to apply the stuff (she's 12 years younger than I am!) and she showed me. Then I went and spent about $5.00 on some shadows, experimented and still wasn't pleased. To my surprise, I lined my top lid (which I never did before) and was amazed at what a difference it makes! So now I line my lids then do the eyeshadows and it does look pretty good. But can I still do the smokey-look thing still?

(Sorry I wrote a novel - I've never known how to keep it short. . .) :rolleyes:

That would make two of us!

You only have to hear the words "You have a skin cancer" once before you swear off the sun for life! I just get mad at myself because I knew better - four generations of my family have had small to large to fatal skin cancers. The red hair should have been a giveaway, too.

Yep it still looks good, I'd do what you're doing and add a lil of the darker color in a triangle at the outer corner of your eye. Curl eyelashes and wear mascara (and maybe darken the color a lil) if you want to make it a nighttime look.
What you call smoky is really just eye contouring...you can do it with light lilac and darker purple....light silver and darker blue....in neutrals its a day thing....with "smoke" darker colors, its a night thing.
You're fine :D

I'm a Stila kinda guy.

-Rudey
--Ghey

I'd file Stila right there with the Juicy track suits and Sevens, buddy.

I don't know anything about it except it has vintage looking pictures.

-Rudey