How Much Makeup?

Paisley · Nov 9, 2008

Yesterday I was at Ulta and asked one of their makeup artists to help me with eyeliner pencil. She ended up putting on eye cream, more concealer (I have dark circles), eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner on the upper and lower lids. Egad--I thought it just made me look old and hard. I've seen this look work on other people, though.

My mother never wears anything but lipstick, but she has black hair and a darker complexion.

How much makeup suits you--a lot, a little, just lipstick?

Inky · Nov 9, 2008

Great question, Paisley!

If I am going out during the week to run an errand or just goof off, I put a little of my foundation in my moisturizer (blend on my hand) and use that to even out my skin tone, a little blush, powder and mascara. I don't do my brows for a casual day, but will brush them to be tidy. Lipstick and lip liner (red) are a must.

If I am going out on the town I use: face primer, eyelid primer (Urban Decay keeps your shadow on even through a nap!), concealer, foundation, powder to set all that, blush, eyebrows get done (I use powder to fill them in and a groom gel), shadow(s), eye liner (yay MAC fluidline!), mascara, sometimes false lashes, and of course, lip liner and lipstick (again, usually red).

Keep in mind too that the make up artists at Ulta, Sephora and every other makeup counter work to sell you product, so they will use their arsenal in the hopes you buy something. She might have just used the wrong products for you as well, and if you aren't used to all that stuff that makes a difference too.

I really like the Make Up Forever line (Sephora) for foundation and concealer. I have very dark circles and those annoying age spots cropping up.

I love love love make up. When I was a kid my mom worked the make up counter at the Hecht Company (a department store in Washington D.C.) and I thought EVERYBODY had that much make up at home! It stuck, lol.

RebeccaMUA · Nov 9, 2008

Generally, the less makeup one applies makes one look younger. However, like anything in life there are exceptions to the rule. If someone is washed out, and they curl their lashes, apply some mascara, blush and little lipstick they can look years younger.

For myself, I rarely use much makeup during the week (I usually only use powder, mascara, and lipstick or gloss). When I go out, I apply a moderate - to - full face depending on the occasion and what I am wearing.

I think "how much" will vary depending on what you are used to wearing. Being a makeup artist, I deal with both ends of the spectrum. For instance:

Agency models are used to wearing globs of makeup on a daily basis for shoots and runway shows so they don't even bat an eye when the creative director wants full makeup and two pairs of lashes applied for a shoot.

Brides on the other hand are generally "average" women and so I tend to go as light as I can on the makeup without compromising the way they will look for their wedding photos.

I feel it's all about what one is used to

Red Diabla · Nov 9, 2008

I'm definitely the type that can't wear a lot of makeup because I'd look "hard" or older as well.

For day I slap on some sunscreen, mascara, eyebrow pencil, and maybe lip gloss and that's IT. For evening stuff I use foundation, eye shadow, eyebrow pencil, mascara, blush, lipstick...compared to my day stuff, I go full-tilt. But again, I can't go too ape with it, because I'll look stoopid if I do.

RD

Miss Molly · Nov 9, 2008

What I wear may sound like a lot, but I put it on pretty lightly. I wear a light covering of mineral foundation if my skintone's looking uneven. Sometimes a bit of concealer, but I'm pretty lucky and my skin's usually pretty good blemishwise. Then cream blush (looks more natural on me), two different brown eye shadows, eyebrow pencil, eyeshadow and water as eye liner, and mascara. Then my red lippy. Sometimes applied with liner and a brush, but sometimes just a swipe from the tube and blended in with my finger. Depends how much time I have!

If I'm in a rush, or want to leave my skin to breathe for a bit, I'll just go with the lippy and a coat of mascara

Miss Molly

roots66 · Nov 10, 2008

Quick nearby errands and/or weekend morning diner breakfasts & grocery shopping: Nothing. The waitresses and checkout clerks haven't hollered "eeeek" yet, so maybe I'm not completely hideous without it--or they're just kind, who knows.

More involved errands & activities (anything beyond a few blocks away) require a bit more attention. When pressed for time, at the very least I'll use eyeliner (liquid on top, a smidgen of pencil on the bottom), mascara, powder in the T-zone, and sometimes light pink or sheer red lipstick. My eyebrows are nearly black and pretty well-defined on their own, so I just tweeze as needed and smooth them down with a hairspray-coated spoolie wand.

If I have a little more time, I'll apply pressed mineral foundation with a flocked sponge, and some shadow base and eyeshadow (cream, white, light gray, or silver on the lid--no real need to use anything darker in the crease as the natural brown pigments in my lids kinda do it for me). If I have even more time than that and more annoying blemish marks to cover up, I futz around with concealer and a heavier-coverage loose powder mineral foundation (Everyday Minerals Intensive is a current fave). Pink blush with a light hand sometimes, but I've got such lousy bone structure that often it's hard to pin down just where to place it. I usually wear full-on red lipstick only at night, and if I'm not planning on eating, 'cause it'll only have to be wiped off before chowing down...the thought of seeing red marks on my food kinda grosses me out, despite full knowledge of the fact that we all ingest the stuff as a matter of course.

Miss_Bella_Hell · Nov 10, 2008

For day, when my skin is clear, minimum I usually curl my lashes and wear lip gloss. I'll add some brow pencil, eyeshadow and sometimes liner (with cat eye), and a light dusting of bronze-y blush if I want a little more pizazz. I rarely wear lipstick during the day.
If my skin is not clear, I start by applying a sheer foundation and cover up, then powder.

For night, I'll add lipstick (usually red), more dramatic liner, and sometimes false lashes. I'll be more picky about my skin looking flawless.

LizzieMaine · Nov 10, 2008

Light dusting of translucent powder over moisturizer, and lipstick -- that's about it, unless I'm going to be doing something under strong lights, like introducing a movie onstage. Then I'll add mascara on my top lashes, and maybe a bit of eyebrow pencil, just enough to keep from getting too washed out. I try not to overdo my eyes, since they're behind my glasses all the time anyway.

I have bad dark circles under my eyes, the result of my profligate lifestyle (not enough sleep, too much squinting at small print), and I used to try to cover them with concealer, but the older I got the more I had to use, and finally I got to the point where nothing short of spackle will cover them. Fortunately, my glasses do tend to obscure them a bit.

Lady Day · Nov 10, 2008

I hate make up. I hate the way it makes my face feel dirty. But I do wear it on occasion, special occasions.

Like Lizzie, over a light moisturizer, I dust a powder foundation, lip liner, and lipstick. Thats about it, and thats fancy for me. I dont shcnaz up my eyes because I wear glasses. Thats all the shcnaz they need

LD

maggiethespy · Nov 10, 2008

I usually do the same thing every day:

Tinted moisturizer and set with translucent powder for my face. I fill in my eyebrows with a thin brush and a combination of a bronze and a brown eye shadow. Right now I'm using the MAC Mineralize eyeshadow trio in word of mouth. I do the peach over my entire eye lid up to brow, then I do the grey in my crease and use it to line the bottom. I use the gold shimmer on my eye lid, then line my top lashes in black liquid, flicking the ends. I do white khol on my waterline and extend it out a bit to open my eyes up. I'm using MAC Fibre Rich Lash on my lashes, and I love the effect. I put it on the entire top but only on the outer corners of the bottom. I use a pink cream blush and a white highlighter to contour. If I wear lipstick, I use MAC Red She Said after lining and filling my lips in with MAC liner in Brick-- the combination produces a Cranberry color that I LOVE! I always finish with C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lipshine whether I use lipstick or not.

It sounds like a lot, but really only takes me about 10 minutes in the morning.

I like this because I end up with the "enhanced natural beauty" look of the 40's. I love my freckles, and when I use the highlighter, they really show up!

Joie DeVive · Nov 10, 2008

Personally, I'm with you. In general, the more makeup you wear, the older you look. There are exceptions, but generally I think that's accurate.

For around the house, and in my neighborhood, usually it's just chapstick, and sometimes moisturizer with SPF.

If I'm headed out for the day, I wear a little more. I also have dark under-eye circles, and some redness next to my nose. So I use foundation on those. I add a little powder, curl my lashes and add mascara to the top lashes only (Great Lash- sometimes in clear, sometimes black). I usually finish it off with lip gloss, though sometimes will go with lipstick. I also will occasionally add a touch of blush if I'm looking overly pale.

For events, I will sometimes add liner on the top lid, and really like the newer Maybelline XXL mascaras (the ones that add length). This is the only time I'm likely to use eye-shadows. I really like the creme ones from Revlon. I sometimes use the dark ones in place of eye liner, and will use the lighter ones on the lid. The lightest ones I sometimes dot just under the middle of my brow. It's supposed to make your eyes look more awake. Sometimes I will wear lipstick topped with lip gloss depending on the color and effect I want.

On daily basis, I'm kinda going for the "girl next door" kinda look. It's only for events that I tend to vamp it up.

ShoreRoadLady · Nov 10, 2008

I don't like slathering my face with makeup. The more I wear, the more likely it is to melt or otherwise react to the elements in visible ways.

My daily face makeup involves foundation, loose powder, blush, mascara, and lipbalm and lipstick. If I have time and if I feel I need it, I'll add concealer and eyeshadow. Eyeliner and eyebrow makeup is an occasional thing.

Lillemor · Nov 10, 2008

I can wear a lot of make-up and quite deep and bright colors suit me. It varies a lot how much I feel comfortable wearing and I choose my make-up based on mood and not occassion or time of the day. I tend to be more adventurous and colorful during the week at daytime when I'm in my usual comfortable environments but if I have to go out and feel a bit self conscious, I play it safe, light, and conservative.

Perhaps the make-up artist has been brainwashed to believe that anyone of a fair and low contrast complexion looks washed out unless eyes are drawn up to create higher contrast. Each to their own but I think fair and low contrast between skin and hair can be quite lovely without the need to change anything. The same goes for dark women with low contrast. Ethereal is the word that comes to mind when I think of a low contrast between hair and skin color.

I'm high contrast but I still feel like my face isn't "on" without eyeliner, browliner, mascara, blush, and lipstick.

A couple of the ladies magazines here, fx. Femina has a makeover feature in each issue and I always think the end result makes the made over lady look older but the styles chosen for them are often too youthful for them and makes them look like desperate, old ladies. Quite sad, I think.

Sunny · Nov 10, 2008

Does anyone else just die without eyeliner?

My skin's always been decent. Not terribly even, but not horrible. I've never used foundation. I use concealer for blemishes and the corners of my eyes, and Coty Extra Coverage powder. Fantastic stuff! Then a little bit of blush and eye shadow and mascara; they all help, but none of them is overpowering.

What really does it is the eyeliner, even just on the top lid. Without it, my eyes look small and washed-out. I really need the definition that the liner gives. I can do without mascara and shadow much easier than eyeliner.

I do try to always have something on my mouth. It took a while to get used to red lipstick, but now when I don't wear it my face looks like it's lost something! When I don't want to bother with the stuff I still use gloss or tinted chapstick.

texasgirl · Nov 10, 2008

Gosh, I feel like I wear a lot! But I don't think it looks like it- and people always think I'm younger than I am? Oh well, I use primer, foundation, concealer (undereyes), blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, brows (clear mascara) and powder and usually just colored lip balm. It's all soft colors too. Now for parties, I probably just use darker eyes and red lips if vintage. And I am up and out the door in 20 minutes so it doesn't take but maybe 5 minutes?

Lola Getz · Nov 10, 2008

Does anyone else just die without eyeliner?

:::Raises hand!:::

I wear BE, so it doesn't look like alot of makeup but I always wear concealor, powder foundation, blush, a skin-toned eye shadow that I would marry if I could (I love it), eye liner, mascara and a colored lip balm. If I'm going to wear lipstick, I have to skip much of the eye makeup or I feel like a drag queen.
On my days off, I don't wear any makeup unless I have to run to the store, then I'll use about 3/4 of my routine.

BTW, Ulta has this SUPER fun kit with about 65 products in it right now for $25. If you like to play with eye shadow colors for fun or are a lip color junkie, it's a fun case to have! I told my husband I needed it as a stocking stuffer--the kind that doesn't fit in the stocking!

The Shirt · Nov 10, 2008

My features are not very prominent so a bit of make-up seems necessary. I will always have on eyeliner, blush and mineral foundation. Generally my lips have a color and my eyes have a quick swipe of gold or blush pink. I forget mascara all the time though I look better with it. My brows don't need much and my skin is relatively clear - I feel lucky. The heavier my hand is though - the older I think I look. It's ok for an evening out but during the day I like to keep it lighter. Fluorescent lights are not my friends. But man those bags under my eyes demand more attention lately!

I am hyper critical of what I purchase after an instore make-over. Sometimes I love what they do - sometimes I don't recognize myself. I never feel obligated. I also use them to try looks I would never do on my own (smokey eyes and much more wild things).

Lareesie Ladavi · Nov 10, 2008

I'm with RebeccaMUA.
Personally, I think if it looks good on you, wear it.
I'm pale and all about full face. I hate how long it takes me, but I love results. Everyone I come across thinks I'm much younger than I am...so, I guess it works. Without makeup, I'm a hag...What can I say?
Makeup is self expression for me.

Babydoll · Nov 10, 2008

I wear foundation, translucent powder, blush and lipstick (nude or fig for daily, red velvet or wine for night).

I used to wear eye liner and shadow, but I also wear contacts and invariably I'd end up with something in my eye and a watery eye which would lead to me having a "raccoon eye" effect. Not my thing, so I eliminated the eye make up. It still seems a bit odd to me, but I'm getting used to it.

Grnidwitch · Nov 10, 2008

I guess I wear alot, but applied lightly.

Panstick around my nose/chin, applied with my finger. Concealer from my Besame set at the corner of my eyes, powder, to set everything, blush, eyeshadow in a neutral color at the crease only, neutral beige on lid and just above crease, then mascara. Lots of it. I have blonde eyelashes and 2-3 coats is about right. I use alittle metal eyelash comb to make sure I don't resemble Tammy Fayes evil twin. That's about it. I use eyeliner if I'm going out to a dark place and lipstick, dark for night, not too bright for day.

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