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What's your best make-up / hair tip?

101 replies

L8rAllig8r · 14/06/2011 12:26

I need to freshen up my look, am stuck in a rut with hairstyle and make up. But I don't really know where to start!

Anyone got any styling tips to share?

OP posts:
TattyDevine · 14/06/2011 20:34

Ggirl...its actually quite hard. Because its not about light or dark in terms of skin.

A lot of people would assume Olive skin is warm but apparently its cool.

And a lot of people think really porceline skin would be cool but it can be warm.

Apparently one way is to look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear very blue, you are cool. If they appear green, you are warm (presumably because the warm tones in your skin are like adding "yellow" to the blue of the vein making them appear green)

I've been pondering it a lot myself recently having tried to "diagnose" myself into a "season" (Seasonal Colour analysis - when people talk about getting their colours done etc). I'd thought I was cool but I think I am warm. I've been living as a "cool" person all these years too! I thought Pink blush looked better on me but I'm now thinking its because I've been wearing the wrong colours. I've spent far too much time thinking about it over the past couple of weeks that I've booked myself in to get draped not this weekend but the next!

But in a nutshell, if you are peaches and cream or peach blusher looks fab but cool pink doesn't, or for that matter if lilac eyeshadow doesn't do for you what everyone says it will, that's a good sign. If you look great in terracotta and olive but shit in lavender that's another good sign.

But it really is hard to objectively look at yourself and manage to deliberately not see other things that can confuse you like your hair colour (which might be dyed too) and eyes and contrasts and what you are wearing and fake tan and all that malarky...

ggirl · 14/06/2011 20:40

thanks
I have had my colours done twice and once came out as 'brown' summer Hmm and the other was winter ..wtf!

TattyDevine · 14/06/2011 20:44

Brown summer? Maybe a warm summer? But then a winter, which implies cool...bizarre.

Hmm at the risk of hijacking what colour are your hair and eyes?

I'm thinking I'm a deep Autumn but then I might not be deep enough, but I don't think I'm warm enough to be a warm Autumn, so where does that leave me...a bright spring, but I'm too dark...I am literally itching with anticipation to find out what I am!!! Need something more in my life to worry about methinks!!!

alemci · 14/06/2011 20:46

I had mine done years ago and am a Spring which means light, clear warm colours. the autumn palate is also warm but darker more muted colours. It has been useful over the years and I tend to stick to it.

TattyDevine · 14/06/2011 20:48

I tell you what OP that's what you could do if you are stuck in a rut. Go get your colours done. Its apparently a real journey of self discovery . If nothing else, they will apply makeup that suits you to your face, drape you in colours and tell you which ones suit you, and give you a leather wallet with swatches of fabric to take with you shopping so you don't get it wrong.

That's a bloody good start for a spruce up isn't it?

House of Colour

L8rAllig8r · 14/06/2011 21:18

Haha! It probably would be interesting, but for a minimum £99 I think I'll pass!

I had my eyelashes dyed a long time ago, but alas I was allergic to the dye and my eyes swelled up and streamed continually for a week. I then had them done again with what the lady said was hypo-allergenic dye but that was worse. So unfortunately eyelash tinting is out. I have had various attempts at getting to grips with false eyelashes (not mad Ga-Ga style ones, just quite natural ones if that's not an oxymoron) but I can't get them to look right.

OP posts:
GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 14/06/2011 21:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 14/06/2011 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

noddyholder · 14/06/2011 21:27

You paint it on the lash line before bed and it makes them grow. I use revitalash and have been amazed as am cynical old bag

skyebluepink · 14/06/2011 21:28

Lots of good tips here OP - i wholeheartedly agree get your eyebrows threaded but sorry hetty, not with getting them trimmed - doesn't work at all unless you are of middle eastern background.

Just whilst I have your attention, would you pay for a makeup consultation with a makeup artist to help you out of a rut? Someone who would come to your house with lots of experience, product knowledge and with no sales motivation. If yes how much would your maximum be?

Perhaps this is more for the OP than those of you who are giving tips!

Sorry for total and utter hijack!

Wiggy29 · 14/06/2011 21:32

Agree with MAC counter- amazing, if you book an hour lesson (for £25) you can reclaim in on products. I think Bobbi Brown do the same and they focus on a subtle, natural look. I really like No 7 eyeshadow in Wheatsheaf for everyday as it can be worn with a sweep of alomost any eye liner (blue, green, purple, brown etc) and looks good. You can also get it for about £2 as Boots ofetn do those vouchers for a fiver off No 7. I also think a zesty fresh perfume makes you feel good.x

TattyDevine · 14/06/2011 21:32

Vivian no, I am homely as a mule and therefore need all the help I can get Grin

L8rAllig8r · 14/06/2011 21:36

Um, I suppose I would consider it in some ways skyebluepink , but tbh I would be mortified to show anyone the contents of my makeup bag for fear of being laughed at! It makes me feel like I'm not a 'proper' girl and a bit embarrassed! So although I would definitely like some help I might be too shy to ask for it IYSWIM.

I'm not sure what I'd pay for such a service either. Probably not a great deal, as I'm a bit of a cheapskate by necessity. I'm sure some people would though, judging by how much some people on here are prepared to pay for products/dresses/bags etc. I don't mean that in a bitchy way, more a jealous one!

OP posts:
MissBeehiving · 14/06/2011 21:40

Tatty is a fount isn't she? Smile

After wearing far too much black for far too long I was given a Colour Me Beautiful thingy for my birthday. I am a bit worried though as I don't do pink in any hue. Grin

TattyDevine · 14/06/2011 21:44

OP - for false lash application tips, scroll to the end of this blogpost. It was after reading this that I did it succesfully for the first time and it just clicked for me (wow that sounds vaguely sexual) Grin

I would definitely check out Lisa Eldridge's website. Here is a link to the "video's" bit of it with lots of "looks". Its hard to watch these without madly jotting down various products you have decided you must try or purchase.

That might be a good place to start. Just have a browse around and then you might think "ooh I'd like to try a smokey eye" or something (that sounds like a bad Danish buffet) and you can then start playing with some products in a shop.

ScarletOHaHa · 14/06/2011 21:45

Always use:
Eyebrow pencil - collection 2000 blonde
Benefit Lemon aid/foundation on eyelids
Brown mascara
Vaseline rose tint lip salve

Hair GHD

Igetknockeddownbutgetupagain · 14/06/2011 21:47

My lovely thoughtful DH bought me a colour session when I was 23, bless him. And its the best thing I ever did! My wardrobe staples were all in various shades of grey, black, baby pink and baby blue - I have no idea why I shied away from colour so much, as I like to keep up with fashion but after having my colours analysed, had to throw it all out, and years later my wardrobe is full of gorgeous prints in rich purples, big statement block items in bright reds...and I get so many comments! Its well worth it, imo.

Sorry to hijack L8rAllig8r x

skyebluepink · 14/06/2011 21:47

That's interesting, that you'd be interested but too shy.

Although, thinking about it, I have yet to meet anyone proud of their makeup bag whether it's from the 80s bursting with glittter or full of by Terry. I would say it's human nature to be reticent about showing the contents of something as personal as a makeup bag.

Thanks for your feedback - good luck with mission!

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 14/06/2011 21:48

Oooh, revitalash sounds good! However I just looked it up and boy, is it expensive! Wonder if there's a cheaper alternative?

chipstick10 · 14/06/2011 21:48

Tatty i have read about looking at the colour of the viens on the inside of your arms. Mine are actually green and blue so im guessing im neutral. When i go to the mac counter they tell me i can wear nw and nc.

TattyDevine · 14/06/2011 21:53

Oh hold on a minute there Chipstick what does the NW and NC thing mean? I've got Mac foundations up in my box that were "prescribed" to me will they give me secret clues???

L8rAllig8r · 14/06/2011 21:57

Please don't anyone worry about hijacking the thread, I'm taking all the info in! Thanks for the link Tatty , as soon as my friend stops gabbing on on facebook chat I'll be straight there!

OP posts:
cardoon · 14/06/2011 21:59

Tatty are you scottish?

I'd be interested to hear how you get on........will you come back and tell us where and how it went?

TattyDevine · 14/06/2011 22:04

Hi Cardoon, no I'm not Scottish (though my mum's side of the family is!)

I will definitely do a thread on my colour analysis when I have it done. I hijacked got active on a thread a couple of weeks back about it (the "I just got a shock when I saw myself wearing black" one that someone posted) and it took off from there and got me interested and I got people to try and diagnose me but you really need to be draped.

People then posted all sorts of really interesting blog links which I have since devoured and I am still not 100% sure.

Will definitely do a thread when I'm done, not this Saturday but the next.

I am really desperate to know because I feel like I'm in limbo and shoudn't buy anything. WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO FFS BUT BUY STUFF!!! Grin

brighthair · 14/06/2011 22:04

Hm I read different things about nw and nc. I am v pale redhead green eyes and wear nw and my mum is olive skin brown eyes and hair and wears nc so I presume it is the opposite of what you are?!
I would happily show my make up bag cough 8 drawer chest unit Blush Blush
I have a make up problem Grin