I need Make-Up Advice!!

[meridionaleDG]

I decided that I would begin the New Year with a make over (aka new make-up).

I used to use Clinque, but it never looked like I wanted it to. I then switched to Merle Norman, but that makes my face break out. Where do you suggest I go in the mall (Perscriptives, Clinque, Este Lauder, etc.)?

Sorry for the girly post, guys

[adduncan]

I go with Merle Norman, but since that doesn't work for you, you might try MAC. A bit on the pricey side, but women who I know use that line say you get what you pay for.

Good luck!

--ADD

[AchtungBaby80]

Merle Norman is yucky. Unfortunately, that's about all the enlightenment I can give you...I'm never satisfied with the way my makeup looks, either. Half the time I don't wear foundation...I think it's better for your skin not to. However, I hear that M.A.C. is pretty good, at least according to my sister.

[meridionaleDG]

Can you buy MAC in department stores?

[adduncan]

Yes, from what I've seen. There's a major MAC makeup counter in Saks, and in Dillard's down here. That availability is probably going to vary by store, region etc.

--add

[AKA_Monet]

Ironically, Mary Kay Cosmetics work well for me...

Many folks I know are selling it...

I have names if you want to peruse the website... And the costs aren't that bad. Besides, the representatives can have a makeover party for you and bring colors that best suit your complexion... And Mary Kay sells skin care products that might help you....

[valkyrie]

If you like a natural look, you might want to check out Bobbi Brown. I lovelovelove their tinted moisturizer, which looks more natural than regular foundation and has sunscreen. I also love the pink shimmerbrick and their concealer. I like Clinique, Estee Lauder and MAC for eyeshadow, MAC Mascara X and Chanel for lipstick, although right now Bobbi Brown Kir is my favorite -- it's a nice pink color.

[TriDeltaGal]

They also sell MAC at Macys, well, at least at the ones on the West Coast so I assume that they sell it at all of them.

I love MAC, but lately I have been moving towards NARS makeup. It is very similar to MAC but not as heavy (MAC was created for entertainment makeup artists) but have virtually the same colors and products. They also sell NARS at Macys, Saks and I believe at Bloomingdales. Trish McEvoy is great too...I love her lip gloss palette...it is the size of a credit card literally and has 12 different colors!

[tunatartare]

My fave makeup brands are MAC and BeneFit. I also like Hard Candy and Too Faced but their stuff is really glittery and better for going out than for everyday use.

[valkyrie]

Ooooh, and Urban Decay has some awesome sparkly eye shadows -- cowboy and cowgirl are good colors.

[USFSDTAlum]

I too am a MAC believer! The trick with MAC makeup is to go to the counter and have someone do your make-up. However, make sure it is someone who will do WHAT YOU WANT. I have a "MAC girl" now, I swear by her, for every occasion I explain what I'm going to, what look I'm going for and she is amazing. Sometimes if you go to their counter their associates tend to have very bold dramatic make-up and this can be disconcerting. I had gone to one girl previously who wanted to put me in royal blue eyeshadow. As with any makeover the trick is to find someone who has their make-up like you would like your to look, since most people apply make-up on other people similarly (is this a word?!?!?) to how they apply it to themselves. But again, I swear by MAC makeup it really is wonderful and stays on ALL day.

[Tippiechick]

Ok. I am a makeup "whore" in that I like different products from different lines.

The best foundation I have ever used is the matchstick by Prescriptives. I think they actually market it as a concealer. But, it is wonderful. It turns to a powder and hides any skintone probs you might have.

The best lipstick is a tie between Lorac (from Sephora.com) and Lipfinity by MaxFactor.

Eye shadow and blush are all about Estee Lauder for me. My grandmother always buys me the Estee Lauder makeup set they sell at Christmas. It lasts all year and has about 15 different colors of shadow and 3 types of blush. It also has mascara and some lipsticks. You might find them on sale for next to nothing now.
-- If not Estee, then I head to Wal Mart for the Rimmel cheap stuff. It is great compared to Loreal, etc.

For an actual concealer, if I look like death warmed over, is hands down Clinique conceler.

(Here's the caveat to the story... I have some of the oiliest skin on the planet and have to choose products that abide well with my skin type...)

[wishinhopin]

Hmm first off figure out which foundation you should get. If you're African American or Latina, I would say check out Bobbi Brown or Iman. If you're Asian, try Shiseido. If you're caucasion with especially pink undertones, go with Estee Lauder. For all skin tones, Clinique is good for sensitive skin and lighter coverage, Lancome is great also, and MAC has heavier coverage. Be careful of the brands with more rich textures and scents- ie Chanel, Lancome, Estee Lauder- because those can irritate skin. I haven't tried Biotherm but I bet it's good.

Then eye products- for shadow, MAC is hands down the best. Mascara, go with Lancome or Clinique.

Cheeks, sparkles, fun stuff- Benefit is great, and their stuff is all packaged super cute.

Lipsticks- splurge a little here (lipstick is cheap enough that you can indulge a bit), so you can get more vibrant, long lasting colors. I would say MAC or Chanel, but all the brands have good lip colors.

If you sample a bit from each place, you can get a really good variety for not too expensive. And if this is all seeming too pricey, try splurging on foundation and some good classic eyeshadows, and one mascara and blush from a department store counter. Then, for trendy colors and fun stuff, head to the drug store.

Hope this helped...

[honeychile]

Okay, the masses may hate me, but...

Almost any brand of make up is going to work IF you learn to apply it properly! That's one of the reasons that Mary Kay sells so much, because they really take the time to teach you properly.

I use a combination of Clinique & Estee Lauder (except mascara - I'm true-blue to Max Factor's Aqua Lash!). At least twice a year, I make an appointment to have my face done at the store, and see what the new trends are. It costs you nothing, and you'll learn so much! Ask a lot of questions, and memorize everything they do - exactly where are they put which shade of eyeshadow? Then, when you get home, practice on yourself. They have just spent about 20 minutes on your face; you see your face every day and know its good & bad points much better than they do. Get comfortable making up your face, and when you do, start asking for an "evening look" or a "summer look" or whatever.

It's all about YOU, not the product!!

[tinydancer]

Can anyone recommend a mascara that does not smear?? I have tried a bunch of different ones and they all end up smeared under my eyes. I don't put mascara on my bottom lashes, but I still end up looking like rocky raccoon after a few hours.