Recently, I've been receiving a lot of questions like these:
I don't know if you have already done something like this, but I feel like I don't know very much about makeup. So a post for a make-up novice like me would be great. To narrow it down a little (as I know that could probably fill several posts), I don't wear make-up often, so when I do, I don't want it standing out a mile (look, Amber is wearing make-up). Plus, I think I prefer a more natural look on myself. So something that addresses that sort of thing, unless of course, you've already done it (in which case I would love to be pointed in that direction).
~Amber
I'm a teenager starting to get into makeup - although I have no idea where to start! Please help me!
~Ella
Those are only 2 of about 10 similar questions, and not all of them are from teens. Some of the readers were in their 30's and 40's, but either wanted to revamp their routine or were just starting to get into wearing more makeup and wanted some direction. (If you want to submit questions, check out this form!)
Last year I had a Teen Beauty series, a few friends and I pulled together. But it was really geared toward saving money and a some of the choices were very teen specific. And it was fun to pull together, so you all get to live through it again! Yeah!! (Why am I the only one excited about this?)
All of the letters have mentioned that they wanted a natural, quick and easy look. I thought I'd go through what I, a makeup junkie but by no means a makeup artist, would pull together if shopping with a friend. Today is part one, the skin products. Tomorrow, part 2, the fun color!
Almost everyone needs a little bit of coverage. If you don't, then I'm jealous and want to know your secrets!
There are a few options for coverage, and it really depends on what you feel you need that day. Usually tinted moisturizers are the lightest, then BB Creams and working up to foundations, but there are some exceptions to this rule. There are different steps involved in application depending upon which product you go with. I suggest teens go for a tinted moisturizer or BB Cream, which is almost always my choice for every day. If you need more coverage or are heading out for the night, a foundation is probably a better option.
BB Creams and Tinted Moisturizers: I just smear onto my face after washing it. I let them sink in while I brush my teeth, dry my hair, etc. Later I go back and blend with a BeautyBlender sponge, which you really do need and the dupes aren't the same as the original. As well, here's a bit of info on the difference between BB, CC and DD Creams.
Tinted Moisturizers, BB Creams and CC Creams
Splurges:
Kiehl's BB Cream
Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream
Dr. Jart's BB Creams
Steals:
Pond's BB Cream
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB
Primers
Splurges:
Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Primer (my Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Primer review)
Freeze 24-7 Freeze and Go (my Freeze 24-7 Freeze and Go review)
Clinique Superprimer Face Primers (my Clinique Superprimer Face Primers review)
Steals:
Milk of Magnesia
Foundations
Splurges:
Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclate Illuminating Foundation (my Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclate Illuminating Foundation review)
Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation (my Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation review)
Steals:
CoverGirl TruBlend Foundation
Before or after foundation? It's like asking if the chicken or the egg came first. Some say before foundation (you may not need the foundation), but most apply after foundation since it usually gets rubbed off during foundation application. Here are my favorite concealer application tips.
Splurges:
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer (my It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer review)
Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer
Steals:
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
CoverGirl TruBlend Concealer Stick
This one is somewhat optional, but if you want the makeup you just applied to stay put all day, or you need to combat shine, I'd definitely find a favorite powder! I like powders that are very finely milled and can look invisible on my skin. Translucent, tinted, loose or pressed, those preference are up to you!
Splurges:
YSL Matt & Radiant Pressed Powder (my YSL Matt & Radiant Pressed Powder review)
Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder (my Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder review)
Steals:
e.l.f. Studio High Definition Powder
Product Sent for Review Affiliate Links I Bought It Myself
Beauty Blenders and sponges in general are horrible for your skin. Mine wasn't dry after a whole day so I took it to be tested and they found mold in it. Yuck! People don't wipe their kitchen counters with sponges for that very reason. Why would you want that on your face.
ReplyDeleteYou should be washing it and replacing it every so often, just like a kitchen sponge. Brushes have the same issue, but people tend to take care of them better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answer! It's good to know I wasn't the only one asking this sort of thing too. :-)
ReplyDelete~Amber
I am a 40 year old mom. Who travels a ton for work. I just barely in my late 30s really got into makeup... since before mascara and lip gloss was enough. I appreciate this post so much! I need help and this really starts that off. I am confused on one bit. So do you ever combine BB cream & foundation? Or is it one or the other?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, but I have one question. A makeupalley review says that using Milk of Magnesia as a primer neutralizes the skin's acid mantle, reducing protection against infection. Do you have an opinion on this?
ReplyDelete@Flaca- Usually I just use BB Cream alone, the Pond's has enough coverage that I don't need foundation over it. There are some BB Creams that have lighter coverage (Urban Decay, and Kiehl's are good examples) so I sometimes add a little extra coverage with foundation over them. Or if I'm traveling light, I might mix a tiny bit of concealer into the BB Cream on the back of my hand before I apply it.
ReplyDelete@terrymhp- Messing with the pH of the skin a lot is bad and can lead to irritation, and that is what disrupt's the skin barrier function. Everyone's skin can handle something different so you need to play it by ear, but personally (even with the sensitivity from rosacea), I can water down some MoM (about 1 part MoM to 3 parts water) and apply a super light layer. Even applying every day I don't have any problems. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is what order to do this in when using a BB cream. Usually it's perfect over moisturizer and under foundation, but with BB cream it doesn't work so well.
Thanks for the response. I just switched to a BB cream for the summer, so I'll wait until fall to try MoM with foundation. I sometimes use Monistat chafing gel as a primer and like it.
ReplyDeleteAre the two BB creams listed above pregnancy safe? If not, do you have any recommendations? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCourtney, the Kiehl's has a salicylate in it, I would avoid it. The ponds is fine for pregnancy, I'm 20 weeks today and it's what I use almost every day!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete