Make-up Question

[SmilesSoSweet]

Okay, I don't wear make-up on a regular basis. My brother's wedding is coming up and we're all doing our own make-up. I went to Target last night and just looked through the make-up area and I was clueless!!! I can't even find the make-up I had from a couple years back in my apartment (no, I'm not going to use it, I just wanted to find them again so I remember what color lipstick I had used the last time I wore make-up.)

How do I know what make-up is right for me? I got my powder and mascara already. They were ones I used a couple years ago, I just bought new ones. I don't want to look like I have caked-on/war-paint make-up for the wedding either. I like the "less is more" idea when it comes to make up. I don't want to go to a make-up counter in a department store either because I don't want to buy really expensive make-up. I don't have any close female friends out here yet, so I really don't have any female opinion about make-up. I rarely wear make-up. I think the last time was back in 2001(?) for my graduation and my cousin's wedding.

Any thoughts? (Btw, I'm a Filipino, so my skin tone is medium-toned.)

[midtwenty]

Stick to earth tones as much as possible. I'm glad you mentioned your skin tone. I'm guessing you have dark eyes, as well? You can get away with a range of colors in eyeshadow, but you'd probably be happiest with some understated earth tones since you don't regularly wear makeup and aren't into the "glam" look. ;) Were I you, I'd opt for eyeshadows, blushes and lipsticks that are subtle and in the green/brown spectrum. Maybe some very understated purple hues (I have green eyes and wear purple eyeshadow exclusively). The trick is to use what will compliment your natural shading the best. Eyeshadows should be chosen to make your eye color pop, which is why I wear purple with my green eyes.

Don't go dark on lipsticks, and don't go too matte or glossy. Try to pick a creamy mid-range color that will look natural. Matte lipstick makes people look dry and glossy is distracting.

I also recommend loose powder for your face, as opposed to pressed. Keep a compact handy for touch-ups, but I find that loose powder helps set your makeup better and soaks up a lot of the oil in your skin. Unless you have SUPER dry skin, I'd go loose.

Hope that helps! :)

[embrassezla]

get a makeover from one of the makeup counters in a department store near you. it's free, and you can probably make an appointment to come in the day of the wedding!

[Bugsey34]

Yeah get a makeover from them but just don't buy anything. Then go buy cheap versions of what they used! Sonia Kashuk is good stuff at Target.

If your skin is in good shape, you don't need foundation or powder probably. Easiest is a gold-tone eye shadow, I like one from Maybelline. Then definitely mascara. A little blush on your cheeks and ligh pink lip gloss with some shimmer works. Nothing flashy but brightens you up a bit.

[SmilesSoSweet]

Well the wedding is in California, and I'm here in Arizona. My hair appointment is at 8:30am the day of the wedding. The photographer shows up around 10:30, the ceremony at the church is at 1:30. I don't think I'll have time to go to a department store that day. But it is a great idea.

Also, the dress I'm wearing is a celadron green (light sage color, but not minty) so I don't want to go too dark or too light on make up. My skin tone with this dress color makes me look really dark.

Thanks for the advice. Any more is much appreciated! :)

[cornflakegirl]

if you get a makeover, you pretty much need to buy some of the make-up, even if it is just the lipstick.

[midtwenty]

If the dress is green and makes you look dark, you DEFINITELY need to stick to earth tones. Anything wacky is going to really stand out and look garish on you. Can you hit the dept store in Arizona now to get tips and check out which colors you like, then go purchase similar items on your own? That would give you time to practice at home before the event. My only thing about dept store makeovers is that, around here at least, they tend to paint you up like a circus clown. You might have to be pretty firm with them that you're looking for subtle and sophisicated, not Tammy Faye Bakker.

[Kitty]

You can go get your make-up done at one of the counters and see how they do it. Some of them don't require you to buy anything..or have a lower minimum. It depends.

Also, look online or go check out make-up books at bookstores.

[MetFanL]

http://www.movingmakeup.co.uk/lessons.htm

I found this to help with foundation and applying blush.

I think eyes and lips are easy, once you decide where you want to focus. Which feature do you like better about yourself? I'm a eye girl, but my friends want the focus more on their lips.

What shape are your eyes? Since it's a day wedding, I wouldn't go too crazy. I would pick a color family for your eyes (what color are your eyes? do you have flecks of other colors in there?) and go with it. You could definitely do a neutral gold or green color and maybe a brown liner on your eyes. Are your eyes deep set? close together? wider on your face? this will dictate how you line and shadow your eyes. If you choose to focus on your lips, you don't have to worry about that so much.

I would say you definitely need to, at a minimum, wear foundation and powder, do a nice bronze-y color on your cheeks, some shadow and definitely mascara on your eyes and a nice lip color. Because your taking pictures, and even skintone is going to be important. So it lip color (which I'm not usually a fan of) b/c it makes your smile stand out.

[cameralady]

If you decide to use foundation, then going to a department store may be worth it. It's too difficult trying to determine what shade of makeup available at the drug store would work for you, especially if you can't try it on.

For other stuff like mascara or lipstick, go to Target and go crazy. NYC or Wet and Wild is plentiful and cheap, and you can't go wrong with a caramel/pecan/[other neutral light warm brown] shade of lipstick. :)

[SmilesSoSweet]

Okay, here's more info about me. I have black hair, and brown eyes. For those of you on myspace, I have pictures of myself in my profile. I believe all the bridesmaids' hair will be an updo (not a french twist - thank goodness!) and the dress is strapless (though I'll have a wrap to cover up) but I don't want my face to be a totally different color than the rest of me!

My eyes and my lips are probably the best features of my face. I have full lips, so I don't need to enhance those anymore. My eyes are almond shaped - not too big, not too small.

Thanks for the tips!!!

[MetFanL]

ivillage.com has a makeover-o-matic thing where you can upload your picture and play with it... maybe that'll help you choose make-up and stuff???

[wordsmith]

Man, this past weekend, I was in the EXACT same boat as you. I don't regularly wear full-face makeup, but we needed to look completely polished for pics, etc. in my brother's wedding. I'm also not an expensive makeup girl (due to the being kinda minimalist), and we were doing it ourselves, except for the bride, who had hers done professionally.

Base -
I don't wear foundation, but had to, and found Max Factor's Colour Adapt foundation to be a good base...it doesn't look pancakey and blends well with your skin tone (no easy thing for pale me...usually it looks masklike). But this was a good base without looking caked on. Good coverage but light feel. You should set it with a translucent powder, though, and it should stay put.
http://www.epinions.com/Max_Factor_Colour_Adapt_Foundation/display_~reviews

*Caveat - foundation, because I don't wear it often, ALWAYS makes me break out. I have some gorgeous blemishes now, nearly a week later...it just makes my skin feel like it can't breathe.

Eyes -
I have to say the easiest way to subtly do my eyes was with Almay's new Intense i-color shadow, liner, mascara line, which is made up of a pallette of neutrals that are intended to complement your eye shade. I used the Green Eyes one, and it looked very striking, yet not like my makeup was wearing me. Not wearing full makeup often, this was important to me. I assume you are brown-eyed, here's the colors for that:
http://www.almay.com/collection.asp?collectionID=212

I also found an AWESOME product from L'Oreal, called De-Crease, which is a base you put on your eyelids to keep your eyeshadow from creasing. My eyeshadow held up more than 12 hours still looking fresh and didn't migrate elsewhere to my face or make me look like an old prostitute. Good stuff.

Cheeks -
A neutral rose blush will probably work with your skin tone and not look painted on. Use a big fluffy brush to avoid warpaint streaks. Gel blushes are more sheer, but a powder will hold up better for a hot weather wedding.

Lips -
A very lightly tinted shimmery lip gloss will finish it off and not look too made up, since you said your lips are full to begin with.

[ebruening]

I was an anti-lipstick girl (only used Chapstick) until I found Burt's Bees Shimmer Lipcolors. (I feel like this is a commercial, but...) I really like how they're technically lip balm with a little color thrown in. Actually, they look just like lipstick but don't have the same nasty-cakey feel I've come to associate with lipsticks. I buy mine at the BeautyFirst hair and beauty outlet. Oh, and the best part is that they're super cheap, too ($3.50 here in the Midwest.)

[wordsmith]

Lipstick is probably my favorite cosmetic (because I'm pale, I need some actual color on my face. I wish I looked nice with clear balm, but it does nothing for me.

I love Burt's Bees, and dig the lip shimmers, but I notice that they really tend to do the collecting in the corners (I call it "lip cheese") thing pretty badly. I find that stuff a touch more creamy stays in place better.

[MetFanL]

Yeah, you can always go somewhere and ask. I've always found Lancome to be VERY helpful and they are the same company as Loreal, so it's easy to match up color recommendations between the two lines. J-Girl is right... If you go this route, bring your dress.

http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/makeupstep/default.asp

Also, I found more directions on paula's choice. I love that site!!

[ebruening]

Words - yeah,t he "lip cheese" (LOL!) factor depends on the color, or so I've found. My new favorite is "Raisin," but it collects in the corners pretty badly, whereas "Merlot" doesn't...but it's way more pink, which isn't a color I wear terribly often.

[wordsmith]

I found it with Raisin and Coffee, but not Rhubarb (also not a color I wear much). The darker shades don't hold up so well.

[ebruening]

The darker shades don't hold up so well.

Righto. Now I have to find a new color, because I (rather rashly) decided to dye my hair red...and finding colors that look nice with my new hair color is difficult, indeed.

[wordsmith]

More golden/peachy/sandy tones work well with red hair.

[ebruening]

Wordsmith - My artificially strawberry-blonde coif and I thank you immensely.

[SmilesSoSweet]

Thanks for all the info, girls!

I might look into seeing some type of make-up consultant this weekend. As for bringing the dress with me, I can't do that because it's on its way being ship to my mom's house so that I don't have lug it with me on the plane.

I can't do glossy lipstick or lip gloss because of my skin tone (I'm "dark" and I don't need to tan, so I have to have suttle colors), which is why I like matte finishes better. I'll try looking into more earth tones. I only using a traslucent powder because I don't want to deal with any foundation on my face. I'll have to look into eye shadow since I really haven't used it in the past.

What I really like is that my soon-to-be sister-in-law is letting us do our own makeup. It just gives us a little freedom. :)

[pisces2473]

I read the part where you said you didn't want your face being a different color than your body. If you get the right color foundation, and BLEND, you won't have that problem :) No one likes a mask, hehe. Most of the time, you do need a foundation because of pictures--the flash of the camera bounces off of the angles of the face, and the slightest bit of oil will make the flash show even more on your face.

I would go with a bronzer for blush, since I know what your skin tone is. Black mascara, neutral eye shadow and lipstick, etc. But everyone here has given you GREAT ideas.

What does your sister use for makeup? If you guys have similar coloring, maybe she could give you a few colors/brands that she uses.

Also, some drugstore brands sell little sample sizes of foundation colors that you can try at home and then go back and get the full size bottle when you figure out which shade is best. Cover Girl sells theirs in sets of 3, so you have three diff. shades to experiment with.

Good luck!

[SmilesSoSweet]

Okay, so I'm going to go to Ulta (I know there are stores in CA and AZ) for a make-up consultation tomorrow. It's free and if I buy any of their make-up it's cheaper. Better than nothing, since I have no clue when it comes to make-up. So I'll see how it goes.

Pisces, my sister and I are like day and night when it comes to skin tone! Put it this way - I wear more make-up than she does! Yeah, we're not big make-up girls.

[biodork]

If you are worried about your face being a different color from the rest of you, stay away from clinique! They sold me foundation that was too dark for me, and it looked so funny. I even went back and they tried it on me and it looked ok in the super bright lights in the mall....but not anywhere else!

[J-girl]

You know what though, it's the god damn camera that makes it look like you are wearing a mask. Super annoying. I have now started wearing foundation on my neck to avoid that. But it still cant be avoided if you have to wear tube dresses.

I can't do glossy lipstick or lip gloss because of my skin tone (I'm "dark" and I don't need to tan, so I have to have suttle colors), which is why I like matte finishes better

I am not sure about your skin tone but I am dark as well and I always apply lip gloss. If I want my lips to stand out, I use this light brown lipstick from mac (lucid i think) and then apply nude pinkish lip gloss over it. Looks alright. So dont write it off talk to your consultant tomorrow and good luck!

[wordsmith]

Okay, so I'm going to go to Ulta (I know there are stores in CA and AZ) for a make-up consultation tomorrow. It's free and if I buy any of their make-up it's cheaper. Better than nothing, since I have no clue when it comes to make-up. So I'll see how it goes.


I got my wedding updo last weekend done at Ulta, and that's also where I got all the makeup noted in my earlier post.

[SmilesSoSweet]

Okay, so I just got back from a make-up consultant at Ulta. She was great (and getting her consultation didn't cost me anything). I bought some stuff there, but I still need to buy a couple brushes and stuff. I spent about $50 - a little more than I wanted to, but I got a lipstick, blush/cheek color (that was the most expensive), lip liner and two eye shadows. With that I got a free gift too.

I'm going to go to Target or Walmart to get the brushes to save up on some money. Oh yeah, I attached an after picture. Just a warning, it's a lot more close up than I wanted it to be, but I took the picture myself. Hopefully I can put on the make-up like the lady did. I think I'm going to need a couple of practice sessions. :cool:

Thanks everyone for your advice!!!!

[pisces2473]

Awww, you look great! Very subtle yet you can tell you have makeup on!! Keep on practicing and you'll be fine!

[SmilesSoSweet]

Awww, you look great! Very subtle yet you can tell you have makeup on!! Keep on practicing and you'll be fine!

Thanks, Jen! :)

[GetMeOuttaDC]

You have a really pretty smile! And I like your makeup too. :)

[mishl982]

Lookin good! :huge;