Girly Thread, Redux
 

I've been going through a lot of makeup changes, some due to my skin suddenly becoming more oily and other because of discontinued products.

I am currently looking for a non-glittery lighter brown shade of eye shadow. I don't know if it's even manufactured any more, but I'm getting very tired of buying something, using it once or twice, and tossing it. That's a big reason why $20 eye shadow are not for me!

Any suggestions?

Try looking through Ulta's or Sephora's house brands. They both have tons of colors, arranged by color.

I try to avoid shimmery eye shadows. I love Stephanie Lange's and Kandee Johnson's YouTube tutorials.

I don't know if you'd be interested in a palette if you're only looking for one color, but I can't live without Urban Decay's Naked Basics. I specifically bought them because there aren't any shimmery colors.

http://www.urbandecay.com/naked-basi...tart=9&cgid=14
http://www.urbandecay.com/naked-2-ba...tart=3&cgid=14

I was going to recommend the Naked Palette. It's good stuff! Urban Decay also has a great eyeshadow primer.

If you're concerned about it, Urban Decay also has a better stance against animal testing than some of the other brands out there (I'm looking at you, MAC).

I would second this suggestion, especially since, unfortunately, I don't think that we can be sure exactly what color you're looking for, honeychile. I do love the Naked palettes.

If you're looking for a specific color though, I think you should just head to a store with a large make up selection and try things on until you find something that works for you. Sometimes colors show up differently on computer screens than they do in real life* and you definitely won't know how much color saturation a certain brand of make up will give you until you try it out.

*I order a lot of things online and I've noticed that things really do look differently on screen than they do on my face with regards to make up. There have been enough times that what I think will look great on me doesn't (and what I think won't look that good on me does) that I usually buy my make up in person. I think it's hard to judge the real color based on what you see on the computer screen.

Sidenote: Why is it so impossible to find eyeshadow WITHOUT glitter?!?!

I've noticed that too, but it doesn't bother me. I might be the only one in this thread who loves glittery eye shadows. :cool:

I just don't like the glitter falling on my face :( Even with eye shadow primer, I still get glitter flakes on my cheeks!

I have that problem sometimes too, but I still like the glitter shadows because I'm attracted to sparkly things. :D

Too Faced has a nice palette with all matte browns.

http://www.sephora.com/natural-matte...?skuId=1664895

It's a great brand, I've never had any issues with any of their products before. I haven't tried that palette, as I prefer shimmery eye colors. I've been obsessing over the Naked Smoky palette lately, and almost never use any of the mattes.

I highly recommend stopping into a Sephora and talking with one of their beauty advisors. I've yet to be steered wrong by anyone I've talked to in a number of different stores of theirs. They will give you an honest opinion about products, and their customer service is great. If you don't like it, you can return it after using it a bit!

I like shimmery better, too. Paula Begoun and her all matte all the time philosophy can bite me ;) The only mattes I have that I really dig are the ones in Naked 3.

And speaking of makeup changes, let's talk about how the beige and nude lipsticks that used to look so great and be so easy to wear look like crap after you hit a *ahem* certain age. I used to think this was a fallacy, but ha ha on me. :mad:

I second (third, fourth?) the Naked Basics palettes. I've been eyeing the Naked Basics 2 palette for a bit, and it's reasonably-priced for the quality. Depending on your coloring, you can also use some of those colors for eyebrows (I use an angled brush and powder to define my brows).

Naked Basics are $29 each:
https://classifiedchic.files.wordpre...pg?w=630&h=418

Even shimmer drives me nuts! Though, matte shadows are definitely having a resurgence at the moment.

Some other good options:
Tarte's Amazonian Clay Matte Palette $44:
http://tarte-cdn2.s3.amazonaws.com/item/700/607.jpg

I haven't tried them, but I hear that NYX has decent-quality shadows, with many hues that are good dupes for MAC colors. Ulta carries the singles for $4.99, with buy one, get one 50% off right now. Ulta also usually has a coupon offer for $3.50 off a $10 purchase.
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/prod...mpprod4141605#

Bare My Soul, Maybe Later, Tryst, Underneath It All, and Blame it on Midnight all look like great choices.

I'm going to have to go on the hunt for these!! I don't like it when people at work mention sparkles on my face (:o ) so this hunt starts today!! Thank you! :)

Naked and Naked Basics are awesome. Don't get the Too Faced Chocolate Bar -- too shimmery.

Some ideas from MAC: Corduroy, Handwritten, Omega, Wedge, Saddle, Swiss Chocolate

Thanks, y'all! I'm not much of a shimmery/glittery person (nor is Mr. honeychile - think Deadhead!), so I'm loving the matte browns.

I completely realize that I may never find the exact color I'd like, but it would be somewhere between the Wanderer and the Dreamer shades on the Tarte's Amazonian Clay Matte Palette.

When I go to makeup counters, the cosmetologists usually try to put purple or green eye shadow on me! They supposedly bring out my hazel eyes, but I feel like a clown with colors like that! Some people can pull it off, but not me.

Add me to the "so over shimmery eyeshadow" group. But I also am highly sensitive to high shadows in general. When a little bit drifts off and falls into my eye, it reacts like crazy and then I spend three days with red goopy eyes. Someone recommended Lancome and I've never had a reaction to it, thank goodness!

I really like these matte brown palettes, though. Are there any sensitive-eye people like me on here who have tried these brands?

Ohhhh, this is my time to shine!

I'll also vouch for the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. I have both and I'm a big fan! I don't have the particular Too Faced palette mentioned here, but have another one of theirs and the shadows are also fantastic.

Lorac also just realized a neutral Matte palette with lots of browns. I'd link to it but ok on my cell. It's under $30 I believe and only available at Ulta

I'd also like to mention Inglot. They are available at select department stores in major cities (check out their website) OR at Beautylish.com. They have fantastic pigmentation and have very customizable products. They have this thing called the freedom system and basically you buy the pan container you want (2 pans vs 4 vs 10...etc) and then pick out whatever colors you want. The colors come separate and then you just drop the shadows in the container you bought.

Each color is I think $8 and then depending on the size of pan container, you will have that cost as well. I think my custome 4 color palette was about $45. A little pricey for 4 shades but the pans are enormous and will last you.

Also forgot to mention 2 things: that Inglot has like 200+ colors available so you should be able to find what you're looking for.

And I have read not great reviews on the Tarte Tartelette palette mentioned previously.

I've started a new job, and will be conducting workshops/training sessions to professionals in different parts of the country. It's time to update my makeup look, but I'm not sure where to go for professional advice. I want to look professional, poised, confident- and certainly not overdone.

Any suggestions?

Bobbi Brown & Clinique are both on the more conservative end of the spectrum. Run like the wind away from MAC. If you just want to watch a tutorial or two on YouTube, look up Lisa Eldridge.

Thanks about the tip about MAC. There's an Ulta nearby that I may check out, too.

Ulta has their 20% off coupon right now (I live for those): See if this code works online 305820 I haven't tried it yet, but I think it's a Labor Day sale thing.

What gel polishes do you like the best? I really like Gelish and Red Carpet Manicure (I think they are the same company but marketed differently). I was introduced to gel manis when my sister got married in 2011 and had my nails done. Was mega impressed and bought my own stuff and still occasionally go to the salon. Just did mine in Paparazzied by RCM. Feeling girly lately. ;)
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/prod...pprod12781007#

I thought about going to my local Ulta, but I haven't been impressed with their level of knowledge of makeup. When I went in for tips on using highlighting/face sculpting makeup, they handed me a brightening stick and sent me on my way. I did watch a YouTube video on how to use the stick, and that was helpful.

I thought that going to the makeup counter at a department store in the mall might get better results. We have the standard mall stores (Dillard, Neiman Marcus, Macy's), so I was hoping that one of their makeup counters would be able to show me what I should wear and how to wear it. I want to make sure I don't look overdone, like a clown, or weird. And no glitter!!!

I'll see if one of them has a Bobbie Brown counter. Thanks for the tip!

As far as YT tutorials, Stephanie Lange and Kandee Johnson are among my favs. :D

I'm sure there are some women who work at Ulta who are amazing makeup artists, but that's really not what they do. They have so much to sell with the hair care, skin care, and all the drugstore brands that it would be impossible for them to have a good grasp of everything. Occasionally they do have brand ambassadors in the store, but these are as you might guess geared to a particular brand. They often have a woman from Benefit in there, and I have reached my limit with their products - there are more gimmicky than actually working. A department store makeup counter is probably your best bet, but try and go on a weekday afternoon or evening - not during lunch hours and not on the weekend.

Speaking of Ulta, double post....

Has anyone tried anything from Makeup Revolution? They're a British brand that makes duplicates / knockoffs of popular high end palettes like Urban Decay Naked, Too Faced etc but they're super cheap, and supposedly quite good quality for the price. Ulta has them for sale on their website, but they are only in a few brick and mortar stores and none by me. I hate to buy makeup when I have nothing to go on but online reviews and can't see it myself. Everyone has a different idea of quality and online reviews/blogs have gotten to the point where it's hard to know who to trust anymore, what with all the freebies and sponsored posts.

I tend to limit my Ulta purchases to sale periods and restocking things that I already have and like. It's not the place to try new looks.

Also, I thought I was the only person who thought Benefit was so gimmicky.

My recommendation is to go to sephora. Tell them what you're looking for (a fresh professional look). They won't be committed to doing everything in one brand. The catch is that you have to buy $50 worth of product (I think)--but if you're looking for a new makeup style then that might not be that much.

I adore Benefit. I think their packaging is designed to appeal to a different age group than me, but think they have some wonderful products. I swear by They're Real mascara. Hoola is by far the best bronzer I have ever tried on my fair skin. The Boi-ing concealer is perfect for red blemish scars. Any Oxygen wow is my second favorite foundation (behind makeup forever ultra HD) and the one I use the most when it's really humid and sticky out. I've tried a few Benefit products that I wouldn't buy again, but the ones I mentioned are all repeat purchases for me. (Except Hoola, which lasts forever so I haven't needed to buy a new one yet.)

I'm going to try their new air patrol eye primer soon. The Kat Von D primer I have is great, but too yellow for fair skin. Urban Decay's is good, but I like trying new products. :)

Also, anyone looking for new lip colors should try Bite Beauty. It's my new obsession. Have tried several products an haven't found one I haven't loved! Waiting on this month's lip lab limited release to be delivered and cannot wait!!!

We have a Sephora at an upscale mall in the city. I'll try there on a weekday morning sometime soon. Thanks!

As far as eyeshadows if you aren't looking for a palette, I love this matte brown from NYX called Happy Hour. They are just $5 each :)
https://nerdylibrariangirl.files.wor...pg?w=500&h=320

I'm loving that Suede color. How blendable is the one you have? Any chance you could swatch Happy Hour and post? I'm intrigued.

We are lucky enough to have a Bare Minerals stand-alone store, and the people who work there are very good at what they do.

I love Bare Minerals. I use them for my foundation and mineral veil. My high school BFF turned me onto them.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Pretty, cheap, and not a full palette of colors where one uses one and tosses out the rest!


http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2.../Thank_you.gif

I didn't find the above, but I did find this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...6L._SY355_.jpg


This is the Canyon Classics, Matte Collection, and I'm using mostly the two lighter browns. I know that a makeup artist would tell me that purple would make my hazel eyes more glamorous, but I would feel like a clown with that.

Thanks again, y'all!

Not a makeup related question, but a girly question: I am going to a wedding that is cocktail attire. I have a great navy/cobalt blue Kate Spade shift dress. I'm stuck on what shoes to wear. Do I stick with nude heels? The material sort of changes color in different lighting, navy when its dark, cobalt-ish in the light.

I would stick with nude heels. But I love the way they look with lots of items.

Bare Minerals mineral veil is 40% off online and in the store at Ulta today.