Mid-May Makeup Madness

LoveInDC

Well hello there gorgeous ladies! 



Let's talk all things makeup! Got a question? Throw it in here! Found a new product to gush about? Gush away! Don't know where to start? Try this:

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert):

What brings you to a makeup chat?

Favorite Product ATM:

Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace:

GTKY: Who is your favorite YouTuber and why? If you don't follow YouTubers, tell us what kinds of tutorials you're looking for!

doxiemoxie212

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert): I'm not a professional makeup artist, but I am probably somewhat close to that skill level. 

What are you here for? Like, in this thread? Or on the bump? I'm in this thread because I have a serious addiction. I'm on the bump because I'm bored AF and no one in my life IRL (except maybe my mom? which, weird) wants to talk about TTC. 

Favorite Product ATM: Lancome Matte Shaker. Omg guys, this product. I can't. It's so fucking beautiful. I am not a Lancome girl usually, so I was very skeptical, but holy shit. I got it in the orange color, which comes out a sort of corally red... IDK, I can't describe. Everything about it is just ah-ma-zing. 

Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace: Tarte clay liner pot in rose gold? Just didn't love. It's too sheer, doesn't blend out well. The bright ass yellow though? Surprisingly beautiful. I bought a bunch of stuff during the VIB Rouge 15% off sale, and I need to return some stuff. Went a little overboard.  

GTKY: Who is your favorite YouTuber and why? If you don't follow YouTubers, tell us what kinds of tutorials you're looking for! Pixiwoo, Lisa Eldridge. Can't choose between. I like their personal style. I like that they aren't all about fleeky instagram makeup. I learn a lot from a technique perspective from them. I recently discovered that I really enjoy violette_fr, but her videos are so sort of casual (yet polished?) that I don't really learn that much from her - more so, I just start wanting to BE her. 

LoveInDC

Hi @doxiemoxie212! I edited some of the optional form to (hopefully) make it less confusing for the next person lol I actually haven't watched either of your YouTubers and I'm ashamed! Time to subscribe to them immediately

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert): I can do the basics and then a bit more. I understand theory better than I can practice it lol

What brings you to a makeup chat? I love a good GTKY thread and makeup is one of my personal outlets when avoiding the TTC blues.

Favorite Product ATM: Tarte Shape Tape. Worth the hype. No regrets.

Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace: I need a good non-greasy BB cream. I like my It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better, but with my skin getting better these days, I don't need the full coverage. I just want a little glow/evening out with a natural to dewy finish. Any suggestions?

GTKY: I'm a huge KathleenLights fan, though she doesn't post as often as she used to anymore. She's the kind of person I'd be friends with and would want makeup advice from. Plus, she covers a good range from tools to makeup and skincare products. Only negative is that she has dry skin, so I always have to take her opinions with a grain of salt or look to Tati to see if they'll make me a grease ball. I also recently discovered RachhLoves who is super personable and down to earth. But again, her skin type doesn't match mine, so bleh.

doxiemoxie212

@LoveInDC see, I have super dry skin, so I am all about the dry skin-having youtubers. Get away from me with that isht about oily skin! Lol. Chloe Morello skews more normal skin, but she talks about oily skin a bit more. I've started watching Tati in the last few months, but I find her energy to be a bit.... exuberant? sometimes. And we have v different skin types. I looove dewy skin. Hate matte skin. Lol. 

I really want to get shape tape, but there aren't really any Ultas near me, and I'm not sure I want to buy it online to figure out which shade I am. 

LoveInDC

@doxiemoxie212 Have you seen KathleenLights? She seems sooo up your alley. Very down-to-earth and not as fake as Tati feels sometimes. She has very dry skin and loooooves a dewy finish. I'm not a huge fan of Tati's over-the-top-ness, but she's one of the few popular YouTubers I've found with my skin type. *shrug*

As for Shape Tape, doooo iiiiiiit. If you know your skin's tones and undertones, you really can't go wrong because the Tarte website tells you in the descriptions. Go with the one that matches you (for blemish cover ups) and one a shade lighter (for under eye brightness). For example, I got light-medium honey for my blemishes and light neutral for my dark circles. Ooooor do an Ulta road trip. They might not have all the colors in stock, but they'll have testers so you can color match before buying online.

adirat

@loveindc Is a bb cream the same as a cc cream? I call them both tinted moisturizer but I know verrrrrry little about makeup so I could be wrong about what you want. Anyway I use Juice Beauty's: https://www.juicebeauty.com/stem-cellular-cc-cream.  I really like it. It's thick so you should apply to a slightly damp face but the coverage is nice and light while still moisturizing and giving sun protection.

I used to use the Covergirl bb cream which I legit loved but it is full of ingredients I got rid of after reading It Starts with the Egg so...sad days.

Can I ask some advice? I use tinted moisturizer followed by a very light powder to go more matte. I love the Korres pressed powder but it has been discontinued. Technically it was discontinued last year but when I found out, I bought every compact being sold on ebay which lasted me 'til now. Can someone recommend a nice light powder that works for use over tinted moisturizer? I'm open to prestige brands or drugstore brands, but I do need something free of parabens and phthalates at the least, and ideally free of endocrine disruptors altogether. Thanks!

doxiemoxie212

@LoveInDC oh i have watched her based on youtube suggestions, but i couldn't remember her name! i like her!

@adirat uhhh cc cream is like, sometimes slightly more coverage, but they're basically the same. it's sort of a marketing ploy. most people love the laura mercier powder or the makeup forever hd powder. i don't use powder because i have dry skin, but those are generally the GOATs of makeup. 

LoveInDC

@adirat The "cc" supposedly stands for color correcting, meaning that a cc would be thicker and have fuller coverage. My current cc cream wears almost like a foundation and I'm looking more for a tinted moisturizer. But I have no idea where to start. I'll definitely check out your recommendation! As for your question, maybe NYX HD powder is the right choice for you. I've heard it's good for a drug store brand powder and it seems to be relatively "good" as far as makeup goes. Check out that link. It's a good site to see what's in your makeup and how dangerous it is.

@doxiemoxie212 Woot! Glad I could lead you back to her RachhLoves also has dry skin. She's a bit more of a personality, but in a super-real way. If you're looking for more consistent posting and new product testing, you might want to check her out too

izza2

Hi guys!

I have absolutely no pizzazz when it comes to makeup, unless it's mascara and an eyebrow pencil to fill 'em in a bit.
So, question for you ladies who do have pizzazz: I have dry skin half the time, and oily skin the other half the time. So on occasion when I put some foundation on, my dry skin is really obvious, even if I've been lotioning obsessively. And trust me - I usually do lotion my face obsessively when I feel the dry skin coming.

Is there some way to make it so I can wear foundation and not show off my dry skin in the process? I don't wear foundation all that often, so it's not a huge issue, but it never fails that most of the time when I want to actually use the foundation, my skin is dry.
And I know there are some foundations that have lotion in them, so do y'all have any recommendations, or have you heard good things about any?

doxiemoxie212

@izza2 yes! Congrats, you have combination skin! First, exfoliate your face beforehand. You say you only wear foundation occasionally, so hopefully that's something you can work into your routine. Second, use a good moisturizer - oftentimes people think if they have oily skin at all that they shouldn't use a good moisturizer, but you gotta! Third, use two primers. One that's for dry skin, one for oily. Urban Decay, Hourglass and Benefit all have really good ones, but the basics are to put something mattifying on your oily skin and something hydrating on your dry skin. I really love to add something luminizing at this step because minimizes lifeless, dry skin. Fourth, foundation - use a hydrating one. Nars Sheer Glow is great, people love Mac Face & Body, but there are a ton of good ones out there. Just don't do something matte. Fifth, use a concealer. Again, hydrating in dry zones, mattifying in oily zones. Sixth, powder. Put the powder where the oily zones are, and NOT where the dry zones are. I'm guessing you're oily in the T-zone and not anywhere else? If that's the case, put powder there, and try to use cream or liquid blushes, highlighters, etc., where you're dry on your cheeks. 

izza2

@doxiemoxie212 - Girl, I can't tell you how many videos and tutorials I've watched and I always end up coming away confused and feeling like a failure at life, but, you made it all actually make sense. Thank you!
Oddly enough, I usually have oily skin on my nose and occasionally my cheeks, and then the top part of my t-zone (forehead, between my eyebrows) is dry as heck. I usually try to lotion it at least once a day, if not twice, with Suave with Vit. E, but, I'm thinking I'll have to find something that actually works better.

Probably-dumb-question: will exfoliating make the dry-zones drier, or just remove the dry skin and help it get moisturized? I'm assuming the latter, but, my skin's become increasingly dry over the past year and I swear I have to question whether everything will make it more dry or not!

doxiemoxie212

@izza2 if you moisturize after exfoliating, exfoliating will remove the dry skin. As a long time v dry skin person, I can confirm this. My absolute favorite skincare line is Drunk Elephant, but it's pricey. But OMG it has REVOLUTIONIZED my skin. Check out their Lala retro cream moisturizer, a little goes a long way, and you can use it just where you have dryness. It's super thick, which is what you want in dry spots - put it on far enough in advance that it can really soak in before foundation so nothing slips. 

mschanandlerbong1214

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert): Somewhere between basics and expert - still honing my contouring skills. Took a while to find the right colors for my pale ass lol

What brings you to a makeup chat? I'm an addict and like to see what products people are using. 

Favorite Product ATM: Shape Tape and Lip/ShadowSense 

Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace: I've tried a couple different loose powders and nothing seems to help set my foundation. Also, the NYX matte setting spray as directed was a bust for me. I kept getting wet splotches. 

GTKY: Who is your favorite YouTuber and why? If you don't follow YouTubers, tell us what kinds of tutorials you're looking for!  Militza Yovanka and Maria Mari

vflux33

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert):

Looking above, I'd say this is my skill level: 


What brings you to a makeup chat?
I'm not sure I belong here! 

Favorite Product ATM: 



Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace:

MH hates makeup--like a lot. He doesn't like stuff that looks overdone. Every time I wear make up he's like "why". I'll buy makeup like once every 4 years, which I'm told is bad. Pretty crunchy over here. I wear makeup so rarely that I when I do wear it I don't really know what I'm doing. Seriously, I can barely apply eyeliner. It's pathetic.

I have combination skin and some mild scarring. What I need is something organic that evens out my skin tone but doesn't look like it's there--especially nothing crusty. I can't do these make up regimes that require a bunch of layers--just isn't going to happen. Too much effort. Summer is coming so it has to feel like it's not there. I like Tarte and it's pretty good but their concealer is a little crusty. Bare Minerals powder I can stand but they don't cover much (I know it's not really for that). It gets hot where I live so anything that feels heavy is a no. Also I break out so whatever I wear needs to not create more breakouts. Organic is a must--if it's not natural I don't want it. I'd rather be ugly than covered with chemicals.

If your answer to this is "you don't really want to wear makeup --you are too crunchy for this" then you might be right. But I'm posting here in case one of you has a magic solution or product. If you don't no worries.

GTKY: Who is your favorite YouTuber and why? If you don't follow YouTubers, tell us what kinds of tutorials you're looking for!

Something realllllllly basic and if the YouTuber wears a bunch of layers of stuff that's not going to work for me. 

mschanandlerbong1214

@vflux33 not to be one of THOSE people who's all about the MLM but I'm in love with the SeneGense CC Tinted Moisturizer. It's the tits and it's pretty natural. Here's a link to check out the ingredients if you're interested  

https://seneweb.senegence.com/us/products/face/makesense-color-correcting-moisturizer/makesense-color-correcting-tinted-moisturizer/

doxiemoxie212

@vflux33 seriously check out Drunk Elephant skincare. Their day/night serums mixed with their Marula oil is a godsend. I know it's really expensive, but I have tried so many things, and I can genuinely say that this fixed my skin. I don't wear foundation or concealer anymore. My skin looks better over time but also as soon as I put it on (ie, it has both acute and chronic benefits). They have some really good information about ingredients on their website, and they explain why they've chosen ingredients really well. I've been using it religiously since August of last year, and I wish I'd started sooner. The products last a long time!

As far as makeup, checkout RMS. Their stuff isn't great for oily skin since it's pretty natural, and tends to be fairly oil based, but if your eyes/cheeks aren't oily, you'll like it. You apply with fingers so it's goof proof! I have the RMS eye polish in Solar, and it just adds a nice depth - a little sheen, but no glitter. 

Anthropologie has a beautiful beauty selection right now, and a lot of their products fall in the natural category. I would try them, but I'm a Sephora junkie due to their return policy. I buy whatever I want online, as many shades as I want, and then I return what I don't actually like within 60 days. Full refund. They just use the return products as samples on the floor. Plus, online you can get free deluxe samples so I haven't bought mascara in like 5 years? 

vflux33

Thank you @mschanandlerbong1214 and @doxiemoxie212! I'm doing lots of googling right now... I never heard of any of those companies. I'd be so nervous to spend all the money on this stuff without testing it so I definitely just emailed your comments to myself because I'm realizing I might actually have to go into a physical store to go further with this little make up exploration!

doxiemoxie212

@vflux33 buy on sephora! then visit the store to return! (the samples at the stores are sorta gross, IMO)

vflux33

The lazy agoraphobic introvert in me (so most of me) appreciates the tip, @doxiemoxie212. You can return serums too? I didn't even think of that. 

doxiemoxie212

@vflux33 you can return EVERYTHING! Literally nothing you can't return as long as you have a receipt within 60 days. Even empty stuff (though I don't do that, I'm not that terrible of a person). Also the way Drunk Elephant is packaged, it's probably the most sanitary thing you could return. They're all packaged in opaque pumps so that the ingredients don't get fucked with by the air/light. 

doxiemoxie212

@vflux33 I'm catching up on some of my fav youtubers, and Violette_fr is doing a video that includes a lot of natural products/brands! (those little glass jars she's using with her fingers are RMS) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKGNldrNOQM

Maggie1202

YESSSSS!!!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE this thread!!!!!

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert): Basics+, I would say.

What brings you to a makeup chat? I love makeup. I don't wear it everyday (except mascara) but, when I do I have so much fun with it!

Favorite Product ATM: I am loving the Becca highlighter. I'm 100% blanking on the color that I use and I am wayyyy too lazy to get up and check it out.

Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace: I have the worst luck with blush. Benefit's Bellabamba is my all time fave and I can't find anything quite like it. It was a sad day when they discontinued it. ALSO, I have super dry skin and want the best BB cream that I can find for not a billion dollars. Unfortunately, I like a matte look, but I can't pull it off so something on not super dewy would be ideal. @doxiemoxie212 thoughts??

GTKY: Who is your favorite YouTuber and why? If you don't follow YouTubers, tell us what kinds of tutorials you're looking for!

I love a lot of YT gurus. Makeupbytiffanyd is one of my favorites. 

doxiemoxie212

@maggie1202 if you have dry skin, don't go for a matte foundation/base - stick to something hydrating, then set with powder. I think Smashbox has a powder that is supposed to be fairly hydrating while being mattifying. You can also check out setting sprays. So, I would do a hydrating primer, a tinted moisturizer (otherwise you get those gross flakes of skin and look like a dead crypt monster), then use a setting powder VERY sparingly, avoiding over dry areas, then use a setting spray - Urban Decay, MAC and Makeup Forever make great ones. As for BB cream, it's sort of a marketing ploy, IMO. I've worked in PR in beauty for 7 years, and like, it's just a tinted moisturizer with a little extra skincare. Use moisturizer and SPF before, and use a tinted moisturizer. The Laura Mercier one is the best, go a shade lighter than you normally would because it oxidizes and darkens slightly, and don't use the oil free one. As for Blush, the Stilla convertible colors are great - easy to use creams that blend very nicely, can be used on lips, etc. I think there's a palette of them at Sephora, which is great. If you don't want to use fingers, a stippling brush works really well. They last forever. 

As for the highlighter, BECCA IS ALL THINGS!! Yas girl. I bet it's probably Opal? That's the color most people use. Do you have the liquid, powder or cream?

WitandWhimsy

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert): Well I own a crapload of makeup but I'm not an exper (yet). Is intermediate acceptable?

What are you here for? I like hearing what other people use. Speaking of which, guys I have a very oily nose. I'm constantly powdering it with NYX stay matte but not flat powder foundation multiple times a day. Any advice on how to keep it shine-free at least for more than a few hours? It's driving me nuts.

Favorite Product ATM: Well I absolutely *love* MAC's Lightful C tinted cream. It has SPF 30, it applies so smoothly and it smells great. I have a lot of redness on my face (not sure if it's a form of Rosacae, but I'm wondering especially with the red puffy eyes I get as well) and it really helps cover the appearance.

I also LOVE that Pixi is available at Shoppers Drug Mart now. I used to stockpile on their stuff whenever I was in the US. H2O tinted moisturizer is also amazing.

Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace: Nothing ATM, I probably have too much stuff and don't get a chance to use everything I got. 

GTKY: Who is your favorite YouTuber and why? If you don't follow YouTubers, tell us what kinds of tutorials you're looking for! I'd love to figure out how to do smokey eyes. 

LoveInDC

@WitandWhimsy What are you currently doing for skin care? My nose used to be the same way. I found out that a normal moisturizer is too heavy for me. It sits on my skin and adds to my natural oils throughout the day no matter how much I powder. Now, I'm using a gentle cleanser, a toner to restore pH balance, and a gel moisturizer that my skin can fully absorb. Ever since the swtich, my skin had been much less greasy and more balanced with and without makeup.

doxiemoxie212

@WitandWhimsy you might also want to try Urban Decay's de-slick primer. Youtubers swear by it for those with oily skin. You can just use it where you need it, but from what I've heard you have to PAT it on, not rub it in. Apparently it completely banishes any shine. But I don't have any personal experience because my skin is like a desert. 

WitandWhimsy

I would love a suggestion to a gentler cleanser (and also a toner). I use MAC's minerlize charged water moisturizer gel (gel moisturizers feel amazing!) it definitely does not feel too heavy but I haven't been using it that long, so I think it is my cleanser and I'm in probably in need of and a better toner as well. I think the ones I have are from the body shop and Neutrogena pore cleanser that I use but they aren't that great for my skin type and don't do a good job. 

Thanks for the tip @doxiemoxie212 I will have to try it out. At least I'll get an excuse to go to Sephora again.

Do anyone of you use loose powder? Part of my makeup regime is after using a tinted moisturizer/foundation/whatever is finishing with loose powder. The one I have now is from Merle Norman. It's great but I'm almost out. It's also pretty pricy so I'm wondering if there are any more affordable ones that you guys recommend as well.

doxiemoxie212

@WitandWhimsy I'm of the belief that foundation, concealer and powder are things to splurge on - my loose powder rec is Makeup Forever HD. Mascara is where to DEFINITELY skimp on - either get free deluxe samples from sephora or buy Maybeline. 

LoveInDC

@WitandWhimsy Witch hazel is an awesome natural toner that you can't get anywhere. I get my cleanser from Artistry through a MUA friend, but you should be fine with anything gentle foaming (not hydrating, not acne treating). My current routine is cc cream, concealer, and powder! I'm a Laura Mercier translucent loose setting powder fan, but I heard NYX's version works well enough too. FWIW, I think powder is worth the price too, but that's obviously a personal choice. GL!

Maggie1202

@doxiemoxie212 GIRL! You are INCREDIBLE! I will definitely try the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. I used to use the Silk Creme foundation and I loved it, it's just more coverage than I needed, so the tinted moisturizer should be perfect.

Yes, I believe you're right about Opal. And I have the powder one. Creams (as well as cream blushes) still scare me. But I will absolutely start to practice with cream blushes because I know they always look amazing. Tips? Brushes to use? HAALP!

saralee797-2

Anyone follow Huda Beauty on insta? I love love her products and she always reposts tutorials that are fun to watch. 

doxiemoxie212

@Maggie1202 the powders from Becca are super pigmented - try the liquid if you get a chance. It's a lot more subtle, and it's REALLY easy to use. 

mschanandlerbong1214

This is more of skin care question than makeup question but I'm looking for something to help with acne scars. Any recs?

doxiemoxie212

@mschanandlerbong1214 my reco is always going to be drunk elephant. Use their regimen. I use the night serum, hydrating serum and marula oil at night (i just do a pump of each in my palm all at once and mix them briefly before applying). Same thing at morning but i swap the night serum for the day serum. Occasionally I use the baby facial mask. 

You might also like Dr. Pimple Popper's skincare line - I think it's called SLMD or something? If you search her on youtube you'll see. 

mschanandlerbong1214

doxiemoxie212 said:

@mschanandlerbong1214 my reco is always going to be drunk elephant. Use their regimen. I use the night serum, hydrating serum and marula oil at night (i just do a pump of each in my palm all at once and mix them briefly before applying). Same thing at morning but i swap the night serum for the day serum. Occasionally I use the baby facial mask. 

You might also like Dr. Pimple Popper's skincare line - I think it's called SLMD or something? If you search her on youtube you'll see. 

Thank you!
And Dr Pimple Popper is my fav YouTube channel 

LoveInDC

 @mschanandlerbong1214 Are you talking about physical scarring or just color? Color scarring will improve with time and skin care, but I recommend a serum like @doxiemoxie212 suggested. Physical and color scarring would both improve from tretinoin or retinol if you're looking for something a bit more proactive/aggressive.

mschanandlerbong1214

It's mostly color scaring. And thanks ladies for the recos!

garnetandgoldgrace

@LoveInDC - I love Rachhloves!!  

garnetandgoldgrace

Skill Level (newbie, basics, expert): Basics??

What brings you to a makeup chat? I am always looking for pointers and lately have hit a makeup wall. I feel like I need to step up my game. 

Favorite Product ATM: My Eyeko liner. Loveeeee

Recent Disappointment/Looking to replace: I bought the Laura Mercier translucent powder that everyone in th world raves about thinking it would do something magical to my face. No. No... I am doing it wrong. I think my skin is too dry for it? It comes out kind of flaky when put on top of my foundation. Perhaps my foundation is the issue? Ughhhh. IT WAS SO EXPENSIVE that I feel like this: 


GTKY: Who is your favorite YouTuber and why? If you don't follow YouTubers, tell us what kinds of tutorials you're looking for!
Rachhloves is my fav!

doxiemoxie212

@garnetandgoldgrace if you have dry skin, AVOID POWDER LIKE THE PLAGUE! Took me years to learn this lesson for myself lol 

garnetandgoldgrace

@doxiemoxie212 well, eff. How do I "set" my make up and look flawless like every make up youtuber ever? lol And how do I get my $42 back? (cries)